Am I cruel?

My sons wee sec a had the same thing as your pony. I had him pts while he was happy and in good spirits. i couldn't have left him until he was suffering, i cared too much about him. It broke my heart and my sons but to have kept him any longer would have been for us rather than him. I too am an advocate of better a week early than a day late. You do what is right for your pony, and ignore the yard biatches. He is lucky he has you for an owner and not one of them. x
 
You know your pony, and you have made the right decision. He will not get better, and he has had a long and lovely life with you. You are ensuring him a painless, peaceful passing, knowing he is loved and safe with you there. He won't experience the growing discomfort, indignity and lessening enjoyment of his life that would occur if you listened to the *people* on your yard.
This time, before the vet's visit, ime, is the worst; the waiting when time slows down and then speeds up too much. In a strange way, I have, on the three times I have had my own old horses pts with chronic illness, felt a great sense of relief when they have quietly gone. I hope, through the grief of your pony's passing, that you will feel the same. Lots of love and hugs.
 
It is the one kindness we can do for our animals, to let them go with dignity.
Don't listen to the people on your yard, he's your pony you know deep down when its time. He is lucky to have such a caring owner as you.
 
In answer to your question, no you're not. The people giving you stick are likely the ones who are so often advertising their aged, infirm animals as companions, light hacks and so on - passing them on to the unsuspecting owner or worse still the unscrupulous dealer. There is nothing wrong with recognising that your pony has had a good life, lots of love and happy times and wanting him to go out on a high rather than waiting until he is a bag of bones, in pain and unable to pass urine. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh but it is likely the reality if his condition is allowed to progress to the end stage. I think you are extremely brave, you obviously care about and love him a lot and are trying to do the best thing for him despite it being an obviously heartbreaking decision. Enjoy every second with him and rest easy knowing you did what was right, he would thank you for it if he could x Big hugs for the hardest day x
 
Not cruel at all, responsible and caring horse owner. Hope I can be when the time comes. As a lot of people have said 'better a week to early than a day too late' big hugs for your difficult day tomorrow xxxx
 
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