am i doing the right thing?

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kombikids

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as some of you know my lovely gorgeous ISH was diagnosed with arthritis in the hocks and fetlocks in may, resulting in 2x bute and joint supp a day and max 3 light hacks a week. This boy has given me so much confidence i want to get out there and jump and so i found an amazing sharer/loaner for him and got myself a new girl.He then got very bad colitis and nearly died - the vet cant say whether its due to the bute or not so recommend he stays on it. We have been trying devils claw no bute but not having much success so have put him on 1/2 bute every day and one bute on the odd occasions when he is ridden. Anyway I have decided that this is his last summer being ridden and i am going to retire him, i dont have the time and cant afford to keep 2 at my yard which has three schools and regimented turnout which doesnt suit him that well. I have found somewhere super in suffolk where he shall go, the vet has told me she is worried whether he will get through the winter but he should get the best care.

Do you think its the right thing to do, some people are saying put him on loan but i dont want to with his issues its not fair on him or loaner, others are saying PTS now - i am just waiting until he doesnt enjoy life anymore then i will make that decision. Sorry bit of a ramble!
 
We had to do the very same thing with the horse I used to ride. She went lame last June I battled and battled to get her sound but to no avail. We turned her away in October, in 82 acres and she wintered out with others. I think she's happier than she has ever been and when the time comes we are safe in the knowledge she had a great time in the field. You know your horse more than anyone, do the right thing by him Rach x
 
if its the right thing for you then its the right thing

i know of two old dears, 18 and 30 odd, that are having their last summer now
i wouldnt say either of them are unhappy now but seeing them another winter would be too much for either. i would think this last summer is for the owners more than the horses
 
poor you and poor horse

he wouldnt know it had happened though, ive seen it and its not nice but its fast

you say youre waiting for him to stop enjoying life?...thats too long imo. hes best going before he gets to that, and you dont want to see him when hes had too much

(((hugs)))
 
Not an easy decision and you know your horse best.

Just a thought - Bute X, based on Boswelli and, I think, now renamed Alphabute, is supposed to be quite good, much better than Devils Claw based supplements.
 
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