Any suggestions as to what I can do with my "retired" 4yr old?

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marblelou

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Hi everyone,

I had very bad news about 6 months ago that my 4yr old TBX had osteoporosis of his front LF sesamoid bone and would not be rideable. Vet advised to PTS as he would never get better, and his lameness would only get worse with time.

He's been living out in the field quite happily since then and I have decided I would like to look into possible solutions for him. Whilst he is mildly lame in trot, he is quite happy out in the field being a companion for someone.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to homes or solutions for retired youngsters? It seems incredibly cruel to PTS when he is so young. I have heard about the blood banks where horses such as mine go to have a meaningful job to do when they can no longer be ridden. I have also looked into retirement homes but for the mostpart they are incredibly expensive!
 
marblelou said:
Hi everyone,

It seems incredibly cruel to PTS when he is so young.
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Cruel for a horse, who is in an unknown amount of pain? If it is going to get gradually worse, I personally follow vets advise.

Although, if you can find a way that pain relief could help him, and he could be more than a field ornament, then fair play to you.

Best of luck, keep us updated on what you decide to do.

L :)
 
Sorry to read this.

This is probably not what you want to hear, but personally I'd follow the advice of the Vet.

If he is on pain relief then I would not think he would be suitable for a blood bank, and if you found him a home as a companion would you be prepared to pay for his drugs etc. and at sometime you would still have to man up and take the decision to end his suffering when the drugs no longer worked.
 
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You could loan out as a companion. However TB'S don't usually make the best companions. I am not saying this is the case for all TB'S, but most tend to need shoes, feed and rugs. They can be very expensive companions. But if yours is a hardy type, he could go out as a companion. However at some point will need medication and vet care, so he will, in the long run be an expensive companion to loan. You can't garentee the loaners will pay for the treatment, so he may end up coming back to you.

If you no longer want your Horse and the vet has already said the lameness will cause further pain and issues in the future. I would PTS. I know it seems a shame to PTS at such a young age. But he doesn't have a stable future. I am sorry :( Thats probably not what you wanted to hear. But it's my honest opinon. I would let him go, whilst his pain free and with you by his side to secure his future.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
 
Either keep the horse under your supervision or PTs. Sorry but loaning would be a no no for me, you never guarantee someone else is going to manage the horse correctly for condition and if you have been advised PTs then I would be very conscious of changes.
My friends four yr old has navi hoar bone problems and has been a field ornament since she is now I think between 17 and 19 can't remember which. Turned out and happy. But never ever to be ridden.
 
Really sorry to hear that.

I think it would be more cruel to pass him on to a retirement home to be fair, if it's going to get worse (over longer period of time) then personally I'd support a horse through that with possible treatment that may help or have them PTS, it just wouldn't feel right knowing I'd passed a horse on to a charity when I can either give them a nice final year or two on pain relief or have them PTS as per vets advice.

Horse charities have enough to deal with without adding to the numbers.

Not an easy decision though, always best to explore all options before coming to a decision, hope you find the right one. :)
 
I've heard positive things about the blood bank on the borders of Scotland. They live out in herds and have shelter if they want it. If I was in your position I would make enquiries about this. I think it would be difficult to find someone to take him on as a companion horse, I would be worried that they wouldn't continue paying for medical treatment.
It's an awful predicament to be in. I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you and your horse, I don't envy you.
 
Having him PTS is not cruel, it would be far more cruel to loan him to a "good home" who turn out to be less honest than anticipated and end up selling him on as a sound riding horse or sending him for slaughter and pocketing the "meat money"......... Read this link http://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/information/latest-news?view=show&content_id=4866 it is a good illustration of what can happen when unsound horses are loaned as companions.

Either keep him at your expense on grass livery or retirement livery or have him PTS. If you have him PTS you are saving him from an uncertain future and a lifetime of pain and discomfort, that is not cruel.
 
badgerdog said:
I've heard positive things about the blood bank on the borders of Scotland. They live out in herds and have shelter if they want it. If I was in your position I would make enquiries about this. I think it would be difficult to find someone to take him on as a companion horse, I would be worried that they wouldn't continue paying for medical treatment.
It's an awful predicament to be in. I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you and your horse, I don't envy you.
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Sadly I don't think they can use horses that are on long term medication.
 
I'm so sorry to hear of your 4 yr old's problems, but I'm in the camp of the people who feel that to PTS is kinder, in view of never getting better, pain going to get worse, the price it will cost in drugs that may get to a point where they wont work, etc. I know how hard it is, but I had to have my 5 yr old PTS, after an accident where keeping him in the long run would have been more cruel to him, than to me.

I would of thought that if you used a horse for blood tranfusions, wouldnt it have to be free from drugs ?
 
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Keep it as a field ornament until regular medication is needed - then PTS.

Do not loan it, give it away etc.

The blood bank will not take him.
 
marblelou said:
Hi everyone,

I had very bad news about 6 months ago that my 4yr old TBX had osteoporosis of his front LF sesamoid bone and would not be rideable. Vet advised to PTS as he would never get better, and his lameness would only get worse with time.

He's been living out in the field quite happily since then and I have decided I would like to look into possible solutions for him. Whilst he is mildly lame in trot, he is quite happy out in the field being a companion for someone.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to homes or solutions for retired youngsters? It seems incredibly cruel to PTS when he is so young. I have heard about the blood banks where horses such as mine go to have a meaningful job to do when they can no longer be ridden. I have also looked into retirement homes but for the mostpart they are incredibly expensive!
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Please correct me but where does it say in the above post that the horse is on medication?

I can fully understand where the OP is coming from, making the decision to PTS is a horrid one but when there young it must be far worse especially when there coping atm.

I dont disagree with PTS it's just i have empathy to the situation. I would look into the Blood bank, but personally i would be keeping the horse until the time came that he needed to be PTS.
 
My old pony retired last year it took me time to adjust but she had no problem. She is used as a calmer to my youngsters and she can put them in their place. I still spend plenty of time grooming her and making a fuss of her. Vet advised against walking her out so I just take her out of the field and graze her. She is happy and to me useful with managing the others. I do think horses can be good companions and have a useful and happy life however old they are when they retire. Yes you do get horror stories of horses being neglected but good homes do exist for horses like this. You should look around but if you can secure his future I would not pts. If you are not able to keep him or find him a good home I would pts
 
I would follow the vets advice, hes four years old, in unknown amounts of pain, and its only going to get worse.

Don't loan him/give him away, hes your responsibility.

You obviously trust your vet or you wouldnt pay them to look after your horse, so why not listen to them?

Sorry if thats not what you wanted to hear!
 
I can completely understand that you don't want to have such a young horse PTS but think very carefully about what you are doing. If you keep him yourself as a field ornament and closely monitor his deteriation that is fine but please don't try and palm him off onto someone else as you will never be able to assure his future. I had a lovely 2yr old PTS due to keratoma and subsequent infection post operatively. I could have possibly spent more money to try and save him but he would never have done the job he was bought for and the thought of seeing him one day 10 years down the line after being passed from pillar to post was not an option for me. Be brave! If you love them enough you CAN let them go as it is often in their best interests from a welfare point of view.
 
If I was you I would discuss deeply with the vet as to what exactly needs to be done if you were to keep him and go from there!
My mare is just turned 14 and has recently been diagnosed with high ringbone of the short pastern, DJD and side bones. She is going to get worse over time but my vet believes that she can live a good life as a hack (may be a different situation to yours but she is going to progressively get worse over time like yours so could be worth disgussing with your vet or getting a second opinion??) He feels that light work will actually help her and that a horse at her age and in her condition deserves a chance.
She has had cortisone shot into her joint (also another injection, cant remember what it was though) she is buted everytime we ride (the evening before ride and on the day), on a glucosamine supplement daily and has corn oil (1/2 mug twice a day) to help with her joints. It isn't cheap but she is doing really well!! And when that day comes where work isn't helping and the pain killers etc arent working I will then have to make that hard decision... :( But for now I am giving her a chance!

It is also easy to tell when your horse is in pain if you know them well enough. When mine is in pain she is dosile and moody and goes lame, since being back in ridden work we have had NO lameness and she has been galloping around the field like a loony bronking with the others.... This to me is not a horse in pain, And before anybody asks- this wasn't when she was buted!

Only you can decide what is best, I have chosen to keep my mare as a hack and we are moving yards to somewhere more suitable in the next few weeks so that the hacking (off road) is a lot better for her legs and we can still enjoy riding out together!

I wish you all the luck in the world in what ever you decide!! :)
 
dressagecrazy said:
Please correct me but where does it say in the above post that the horse is on medication?
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:) It doesn't, but it is a reasonable assumption to make that if the horse is in pain then it is on some sort of relief. If not now, then as the condition progresses it will be.
 
How heartbreaking for you.

I tend to agree PTS could be kinder. I believe osteoporosis is painful (I'll be able to tell you in a few years, I've started with it myself as a result of steroid use :().

I certainly wouldn't let anyone else have the horse and if I didn't pts I'd be watching constantly for signs of discomfort.

It's a terrible decision to have to make. Poor you.
 
Cheiro1 said:
I would follow the vets advice, hes four years old, in unknown amounts of pain, and its only going to get worse.

Don't loan him/give him away, hes your responsibility.

You obviously trust your vet or you wouldnt pay them to look after your horse, so why not listen to them?

Sorry if thats not what you wanted to hear!
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This ^^^^^^^^
 
FionaM12 said:
How heartbreaking for you.

I tend to agree PTS could be kinder. I believe osteoporosis is painful (I'll be able to tell you in a few years, I've started with it myself as a result of steroid use :().

I certainly wouldn't let anyone else have the horse and if I didn't pts I'd be watching constantly for signs of discomfort.

It's a terrible decision to have to make. Poor you.
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It is an awful, difficult, decision.

I agree with everyone who says don't pass him on. He is your responsibility, whatever happens.

If you are in the position that you can keep him pain free as a field ornament, fine. If you cannot do that, listen to your vet's advice. They generally don't recommend that lightly, these days.
Putting him down is not cruel - it is relieving him of pain, and an uncertain (possibly) future.
Sadly, the age is irrelevant............. if it needs doing, it needs doing.
Absolutely gutting for you, and frustrating, but if you would take the vet's advice if your horse was late teens, don't ignore it because he is only four.
Big Hugs, in whatever you decide.
 
What a sad situation :(

I would really not loan him. I think a younger horse like him would possibly be at more risk of being ridden - people tend to assume they know better, unfortunately.

If he's not in pain and you can keep him, great. But if not putting him to sleep is not cruel - it's looking after his interests by making he'll be free from pain and never misused.

Really sorry you're faced with this situation.
 
If he is not lame at the moment and you want to do something with him, you could do unmounted Horse Agility.

However, osteoporosis is very painful. We had a cow with that and even the vet didn't know what was wrong with it, as it was young. The poor thing just got worse and worse and it was going round on three legs in the end (vet had thought it had hurt its shoulder and said to give it time to get better). When we had it PTS the pm was arthritis.
 
I'm sorry... I would PTS.

The difference between keeping a 4 year old going and a 24 year old going with a degenerative condition is ... well.. about 20 years!!! at 4 years old he could quite possibly plod about in his field showing little discomfort for many years to come - do you have the finances to keep him going all that time?

As others have said, it is more cruel to palm him off onto someone else who may pass him onto someone else who unwittingly rides him, oblivious to huis condition. It is a hard decision and one that you can only make when the time is right for you but a necessity...
 
Can't believe how many replies I've had - thanks everyone!

He's not on any painkillers at the moment and as someone pointed out, I think you can tell when they're in pain if you know your horse well enough and I really don't think he is!

Thing is though is that I really only have enough time to be a one-horse owner and it's not much good having a horse that I can't do anything with. Such a shame though as I've had him since birth and had so many plans for us.

If I am to pursue my riding ambitions I am faced with inevitably getting another horse and I haven't got the environment where I can keep him myself as a companion unfortunately.

I desperately want to avoid being one of those owners who does things for their own benefit rather than the horses but it just seems so cruel to PTS when he seems to be enjoying life out in the field at the moment.

I take everyone's advice on board though - I think at the end of the day the vet wouldn't have advised to PTS when the other option would have been an operation (they said 5% survival rate of being rideable later on) and they could have got about £3k out of it.
 
marblelou said:
Can't believe how many replies I've had - thanks everyone!

He's not on any painkillers at the moment and as someone pointed out, I think you can tell when they're in pain if you know your horse well enough and I really don't think he is!

Thing is though is that I really only have enough time to be a one-horse owner and it's not much good having a horse that I can't do anything with. Such a shame though as I've had him since birth and had so many plans for us.

If I am to pursue my riding ambitions I am faced with inevitably getting another horse and I haven't got the environment where I can keep him myself as a companion unfortunately.

I desperately want to avoid being one of those owners who does things for their own benefit rather than the horses but it just seems so cruel to PTS when he seems to be enjoying life out in the field at the moment.

I take everyone's advice on board though - I think at the end of the day the vet wouldn't have advised to PTS when the other option would have been an operation (they said 5% survival rate of being rideable later on) and they could have got about £3k out of it.
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Your horse shows lameness when in trot - therefore he experiences pain.

Vet's very rarely advise destruction unless they absolutely feel it is the best course of action for the horse.
 
marblelou said:
Can't believe how many replies I've had - thanks everyone!

He's not on any painkillers at the moment and as someone pointed out, I think you can tell when they're in pain if you know your horse well enough and I really don't think he is!

Thing is though is that I really only have enough time to be a one-horse owner and it's not much good having a horse that I can't do anything with. Such a shame though as I've had him since birth and had so many plans for us.

If I am to pursue my riding ambitions I am faced with inevitably getting another horse and I haven't got the environment where I can keep him myself as a companion unfortunately.

I desperately want to avoid being one of those owners who does things for their own benefit rather than the horses but it just seems so cruel to PTS when he seems to be enjoying life out in the field at the moment.

I take everyone's advice on board though - I think at the end of the day the vet wouldn't have advised to PTS when the other option would have been an operation (they said 5% survival rate of being rideable later on) and they could have got about £3k out of it.
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If horse is pain-free atm then I'd look into share/loaning something to ride near by (it sounds as though your may be on livery... so there are probably even other horses you could ride at your yard) until he deteriorates to the extent that PTS is kindest.

I know several owners who ride others horses near their own and it seems to suit all concerned.

As everyone else has said though, if you want to own and & ride the same horse and can;t afford two then you'll have to PTS. Probably the right decision later, not sure if you're there yet as he sounds happy atm.
 
amymay said:
Your horse shows lameness when in trot - therefore he experiences pain.
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Exactly. Lameness = pain.

Do not let anyone make you feel bad if you do decide to pts. It's not cruel. Horses have no awareness of the future, no concept of death, only how they feel right now. If you decide for him that you want to avoid him suffering, that's a brave act of kindness and love imo.
 
If your vet has advised pts now then I would follow that advice, despite whether you feel he is in pain or not. Your vet is unlikely to give that advice for no good reason.

If you really want another horse then I would either look at pts now or you could always sell cheaply as a companion, although this obviously has it's risks and you never can be sure the next owner will do the right thing when the time comes.
 
Moomin1 said:
you could always sell cheaply as a companion,
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:eek: Please, please don't do that. :mad:

Not only does his condition cause pain, the main symptom is easily broken bones. I can only imagine the suffering he could go through if he wasn't closely, carefully and very regularly checked. I'm guessing that's why your vet advised pts rather than sell as a conpanion etc.
 
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