Awful dilemma re my oldies.

Perissa

Perissa

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Due to the awful weather predicted for tonight I brought the horses in. As Min was tucking into her tea I thought I'd check her wort which she's had ever since I got her 6 years ago - she is 29. I check it once a week or so. The last time I checked it was exactly a week ago today. Its on her vagina, near the top on the right hand side right on the edge.

I got a nasty shock when I had a look and noticed a little blood at the bottom and pulled the lip of her vagina apart. There is a bright red and angry looking bleeding mass inside her vagina on the left. I don't think its related to the wort as the wort is higher and on the other side. Obviously I shall make an appointment with the vets tomorrow.

My other oldie is Holly who is 25 and in generally good health apart from stiffness but she has quite a few melanoma's which in the last two years have popped up randomly. She had 2 when I got her 8 years ago, now she has one on her chest, one on each shoulder, another on her flank, one on her quarters and several under tail ones.

Min and Holly are inseparable, they share a stable, haynets, feed, they even drink together so are completely pair bonded.

The dilemma I face is this, if Min has what I think she has do I also let my other oldie go at the same time? I am doing a real heart head thing. I just hope to god that it isn't what I think it is.
 
Do you have other horses they are friends with? We had 3 oldies (donkey, pony and horse) who had lived together for years and they all went within 3 months of each other, two pts the other died in the field. They were together for 15 years.

But, when they lost other field mates, as long as they got to see their dead friend, they seemed to accept it and move on. I wouldn't personally pts a perfectly healthy horse just because their friend was pts, some horses may pine, but others will just get on with it, and I think until you have the friend pts, you will not know how your other horse would react.

So I guess what my point is (!) is if there are other horses around that she could befriend, that would be my first option. If she was unable to recover after losing her friend, then I would reconsider :)
 
Poor you! That's an awful dilemma to face, but it sounds like in your heart of hearts you have decided that what is likely to be the kindest decision on behalf of your two oldies will be the hardest path for you to follow. You obviously care about them a great deal.
 
They are out together in their own fields. I have 2 other horses but neither is suitable to go out with Holly. My arab would bully her - I got her as a companion for him and he bullied her so much I got Min as a companion for Holly!

My other horse is a stallion.
 
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Sorry, I couldn't PTS a healthy horse just because her friend was. It's a difficult decision for you but I just couldn't do it. Why not find an older horse as a companion for her, maybe a small pony from rescue centre? Hope tomorrow brings some good news from your vet.
 
I think, by reading this, that you already know the answer. They are very close, they are old and they both have potential fatal ailments.
Only you can make that decision, and if its any easier, I am sure there is at least one member on here who has been here and done it with her two oldie best buddies whom I am sure wouldn't mind talking to you - if I could find her HHO ID.
All the best,. x
 
I think cool mix is talking about Viszlak. A heartbreaking decision, but perhaps it may be better to see what the vet says tomorrow?
 
I faced the same dilemma a couple of years ago. I am more than happy to chat to you via pm if you would like. I had great support from my OH and my vet in coming to my decision, but I did face some flak from "friends" over it. There is no doubt in my mind however that my decision was the right one, though I can't say it was easy at the time.
 
I know a horse which had something which sounds similar to what yours has and the owner worried the same as you are - it turned out to be a harmless cyst...
 
I know of a aged bonded pair who were PTS at the sametime.............There are worst things that can happen to a horse.

Best wished whatever you decude and good luck with the vet tomorrow. xxx
 
you need to see what the vets says before thinking these things.. i know its hard and I did have one horse who went down with traumatic laminitis following the stress of losing his best buddy. He fought it but sadly he left me for the big green field in the sky.

I personally couldnt put a healthy horse down - perhaps if it is the worst case scenario then look at getting a non horsey companion? xx

good luck for the vet tomorrow xx
 
Firstly, I hope that it is good news regarding your older horse. On the question of PTS: no, I would not put your 25 year old down just because her pair bond has to be. She will miss her friend but she will get over it. I would consider getting a rescue pony for her, but other than that, she will presumably still be in a paddock next to the others and should eventually settle fine.
 
What an awful situation to be in.
If it were me I think I would PTS at the same time.

If you think that they are that close and the other horse is going to be very stressed (so much so it could cause her to suffer physically) I think it would be the kindest thing.

With old horses you do also have to think practically and sometimes what seems a little selfishly. Remember neither horses will know what's going on. Old horses (as I'm sure you are aware) can end up costing a fortune in vets bills etc and I'm sure they have has a wonderful life with you and each other.
I know if it were me it would break my heart to see the other horse confused and upset. However, that said, horses can also be very resilient. You know them best and what sort of personalities they have so only you can judge the affect on the horse that would be left behind.

Fingers crossed it isn't a serious problem with your horse and you don't need to decide just yet! But it is something to try and decide anyway as unfortunately you will probably find yourself in the same situation further down the line.............
 
Dancing Queen said:
you need to see what the vets says before thinking these things..
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No I thinks she is being extremely practical and trying to think ahead for the welfare of what could be the remaining mare.
Good luck with the vet Perissa, but if its not hopeful for your girl, I would let her friend go with her when her times comes.
 
as said above if they are as inseperable as you say then it would be fairer to pts both. if they can be split up for a while without going mental then maybe the horse that's still with you would be able to cope after a few days of 'mourning' her companion.

i don't agree with putting a healthy horse/animal to sleep but there are other factors to take into consideration, in this case it's the pair bond.

i hope it's not bad news today but maybe now is the time to start letting/encouraging them have some independance so that should the worst happen one day you don't have to decide on both their fates at the same time. good luck.
 
After seeing the distress and depression caused by just being separated from his pair bond on an enforced but temporary basis I would go for letting them go together. Ok, our boy didn't get stress induced laminitis but emotionally it took him years to recover, even after they were allowed to be together again, and he was 5 not 25.

I really hope it turns out to be something harmless and that you don't have to make that decision just yet.
 
People may say they would never put a healthy horse down but I think there is a significant difference in a healthy horse compared to a healthy AND happy horse.

Good luck with the vets and remember only you truly know your oldies :)
 
I am in floods reading your replies.

Min is booked to see the vet at 4pm. I decided to take them to the hospital rather then get the vet out as obviously they will have the full range of diagnostic tools to hand. They were fine with me taking both of them.

If it were the other way round Min (I think) would cope without Holly but Holly gets extremely distressed without Min.

Fingers crossed for 4pm..........
 
FWIW, Id have to let them both go at the same time.

Hope today went ok for you OP - horrible position to be in, but good for you for thinking about it before emotions are running high

xx
 
Well its good news and yet bad news.

She has a cut inside her vagina, with swelling and bright purple bruising. Once the blood was washed away you could see it. I jumped to the conclusion it was a tumour but it isn't - thank god. A load of vet students had a good look too, good job Min isn't bashful!

So the real question is how the hell did it get there.

The vet 'did not like to speculate' but thinks Min will make a full recovery.

Thank you for your kind messages and thoughts, they really are appreciated. I feel silly I jumped to conclusions but if you saw it you would know why I thought what I did.

And as for my dilemma, I know the right thing in my head is to let them both go. My heart knows it too but doesn't want to lose them both WHEN THE TIME COMES, which I am very happy to say is not now.

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Hope you're ok OP. I'm in a similar situation myself and initially i decided they would both go at the same time, however i've had to seperate them recently and the more attached younger one has eventually settled, even though she is ignoring the rest of the herd. So i have now changed my mind and for now will keep the younger one as she enjoys her work and is fairly health. This may change in the future so I'm going to take it as it comes.

You know your horses, do whats best for them x
 
congrats!

i love that last photo!!

I am so pleased that its nothing serious.... your mind does run away with you at times and its so scary. panic over - open a huge bottle of wine x
 
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