Desperate for advice on putting my horse to sleep..... LONG!

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GinGin2

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My mare has been in and out of lameness since about June.

Firstly she went lame on her right-fore. After a week of box-rest and bute she was due to go into the clinic for tests she went chronically lame on both her hinds. After a week of nerve blocks and xrays she came home diagnosed with bone spavin in both hocks. She had a steroid injection ad I was told she could be gently hacked regularly. The lameness in her fore seemed to get better whilst she was in the clinic but has come back and got better again twice since she has been home, vets not knowing what it is.

Last Friday she had a date with the farrier and her back end practically collapsed on him, we both thought she was leaning and being naughty as she can have a stinking attitude. She seemed ok apart from this episode so I put it down to her playing up for the farrier. She went out for a hack on the Saturday and her rear end just went from under her. She could barely walk.

Vet came out and she is on box rest again. He said it's more than likely related to the bone spavin and she has been compensating for it and has jarred something in her back.

Now. Devil mare is about 16. She is not a happy horse at the best of times, she's very aggressive to horses in the field, and to humans when she feels like it. She's in alot of pain now. Although bone spavin can get better and horses can go on to lead a normal life, I don't feel hopeful about her having much of a future outside of the odd hack, if that.

I have recently been considering that I may have to make the decision at some point to put her to sleep. What worries me now is that I am thinking about it too soon. The vet hasn't mentioned anything so would they look uinfavourably upon me for suggesting it??

Am i being selfish? Should I even be considering it?

I'm so confused. How do I approach this with my vet?
 
No I don;t think you are being selfish, more realistic. I would like to see more owners taking your responsible attitude.

As for how you approach the vet, just lay it out for vet as you have done for us on the forum and ask vet's opinion. Ask him what he would do if it were his horse.

Best of luck deciding.
 
Hmm, now that is a tricky one! I totally see why you would consider this option though. Have you menioned this to your vet at all? It might be worth having a chat with your vet and just get his views.
How would the horse cope if you turned her away? You say shes not too good with other horses, so Im guessing thats not an option.
I wouldnt suggest you continue to hack her though, coz if her back end if giving away that could be potentially very dangerous for her and the rider.
I dont know too much about a shiver, but has that been mentioned?
 
presumably as your mare is 16 the bone spavin she has is due to arthritic changes and is not likely to improve but more likely to degenerate further.I agree you are right in how you are thinking as your mare is obviously unhappy and in pain.I do think it is something you should discuss with your vet as to what the options available are.Sometimes vets don't say what they are thinking for fear of offending you so you may find that when you mention this with your vet that they agree pts is the best option.I know this is a particularly difficult time for you but remember though if you are insured you must contact your insurance company for their permission beforehand as otherwise they may refuse to pay.
 
I have come to the conclusion that it's not only about the horse's quality of life, but yours as well.
Now there will be people who are convinced that this is a selfish attitude, but I ask myself why we keep horses; and it's for our own pleasure, the joy we get from caring from them and riding them. When that joy has gone, for whatever reason, what is the point? Your mare is obviously unhappy, in pain, costing you a huge amount of money and unlikely to give you pleasure in caring for her in the future. I do not think you are at all selfish for considering having her pts, for everyone's sake.
 
No, I think you're being sensible in considering this as an option.
Should she never come sound again you know you couldnt let her be a companion or just a horse at grass. It wouldnt be fair on her.


I think you should speak to your vet and see what he thinks.
 
I havn't discussed this with my vet yet, I was worried to bring it up incase they think I am giving up on her.

She wouldn't be much good turned away as a companion - she either doesn't like other horses very much or she won't let anyone else near them. She's VERy handy with her back feet (well... not at the moment!).

Moonwalker - obviously she isnt being ridden now. What do you mean, a shiver?
 
Hi,

I am sorry to hear this. I think you have answered your own question. The horse is in pain, she is not likely to recover fully, she's miserable, she's had a good life. As you know her best it is entirely up to you, but how is she going to cope through a damp, cold winter?

No, you aren't being selfish. Yes, you should be considering it.

I have been in the position you are now, and I by-passed the Vet, the Kennelman came out for me.

This isn't about what the Vet thinks of you, (who cares?) it's about your horse, and at the end of the day that is what matters.

Rotten time for you. Best Wishes.
 
No your being very realistic I'm afraid...have been there and had DJD in both my mares hocks,coupled with ringbone high in fronts,i went through some rough times over 4 years when all her problems first came to light, she was a lovely natured mare,and put up with endless trips to vets,the long shot her back started throwing out due to the spavins.......and it was when one of the girls came to work on her back,that she said very kindly 'There have been horses PTS with alot less problems than this mare!'....6 months it took me to face it head on,and she went with dignity....she was 17,and did it hurt,but, it had to be done......and still miss her so badly,sorry on that note I will stop!
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call the vet...and call it a day.


the second paragraph in your post should give you enough to make this decision.

she is obviouly not in the best of health, and a winter ahead of her is just not fair to keep her going.

you are making the right choice....

best wishes.
 
Hi,
Recently i have been in the same situation, it is the last kind thing you can do for a horse who is clearly unhappy.
My mare was 19 years old, she was always full of herself, she developed a very severe case of mud fever which meant she had to stay in as it was winter and very muddy. she could still be ridden but hated being in her stable and got depressed. Vet came out every few weeks to try and give her more anti bios as the leg became infected. Cherry was by no means a viscious horse but she would not let anyone near her leg with the worst mud fever without sedation. It came to the stage that she developed lymphongitis as well as having mud fever, her legs were like tree trunks. i could have continued with the medication but at the end of the day the hardest yet kindest decision was made. Cherry had lost her spark, to me she was clearly in pain and completely unhappy and i could not justify keping an animal that i have loved for so long in conditons in which she was in pain.
i felt wrong suggesting euthenasia to my vet, i felt guilty of even thinking it, but to my suprise she agreed, she siad having known the horse and her character she could see my point. The decison was hastily made and Cherry was put to sleep 4 months ago. Not an easy thing to do, but as i said earlier, the kindest.
I think if you feel your horse is unhappy and clearly in pain and is not leading a happy and healthy life then the decision is almost made for you.
Hope this has been of some help for you. Good Luck. x
 
I'm echoing Enfys on this.

I think you are very right to consider having her pts. I personally would not be asking the vet to do it, I wouldn't want the discussion with the vet and I wouldn't want a horse that was liable to fight the injection to be pts that way. If she liked travelling and was pleased and excited to be going somewhere then I'd get her all togged up and take her to the hunt, if she hates fuss and travelling then I'd get the kennelman over.

You do need to sort it with your insurance though if you have that sort of cover.

I wish you strength and peace in your decision and her peace in her freedom from pain and unhappiness.
 
Poor DM, Luce I do not think for a moment you would consider this unless it was a real worry/issue for you and DM. Its so hard to make a decision, but if you feel she is in pain and not happy then its not unfair or wrong to be considering it. Talk with your vet but ultimately make your own decision hun xx
 
I have just had a good chat with my vet. He said he would be reluctant to PTS without one last good look at whats going on. He said he really doesn't know what the intermittent lameness on her fore is, and her collapsing at the back end is very strange. He wants her to come into the clinic before he can confidently say there is no point in carrying on.

I was totally honest about how I feel. I also said that she is too uncomfortable to travel.

Actually after speaking to him I feel even more inclined to end it for her - she hates being fussed over and prodded and poked by vets.

I've never been in this position before.

Maniscorse -can you tell me more about the kennelman???
 
I really feel for you and would not like to be in your situation,at the end of the day noone knows your horse better than you and im sure you will make the right decision for the best of your horse!
 
You sound sensible to me, you know her best and know when its in her best interests to end her pain and let her go with dignity. Especially as she isn't happy about travelling, and seeing the vet numerious times, might make her unhappier.
 
I was is in a similar position with my 8 yrs old horse. One vet wanted to give her more box rest because he didnt know why she was lame after surgery and refused to PTS. I asked for an opinion for another vet and he trotally agreed with me that we needed to call it a day. My horse had lost all her spark and character and when you looked in to her eyes there was nothing there. I spent hours and hours with her in the last few months of her life and I knew it was time. It is so difficult when the answer isnt black and white but all you can do it follow your heart.
 
I made the decision to have mine pts against what the vet had wanted. He was 16, had been off work for 4 months with a mystery lameness behind and just gave up really. He stopped eating and that's when I knew he didn't want to carry on anymore. I phoned the kennels and they came out the next day, were very good with him and me and he got his last day's hunting the next day. I would always use our kennelman over the vet - have heard far fewer horror stories and they actually are likely to have had more practise.
 
It sounds to me like you have made up your mind, but you are almost waiting for someone to take that decision away from you and tell you what to do. I completely understand why as it is a very difficult situation to be in and so final. From what you have said I really do think you will be doing the right thing to have her pts.
She has been your companion through the years and only you can be the one that allows her to keep her dignity.
 
You're right I have made the decision, I think I already had but having never been in this position before with any animal I think I needed someone to tell me I'm not being selfish.

I guess I now have to decide how to do this. I know the pro's and con's of the LI and Gunshot but I am not quite sure what you all are meaning by calling the kennelman or taking her to the hunt...

Can anyone elaborate for me?
 
Sorry to hear this but in your mind I think you have already made up your mind what to do and it is one with which I totally agree.
Now you've spoken to your vet again I think that's also helped and as you say, she is a bad traveller so why put her through any more trauma.
I don't know whereabouts you are, but your local hunt should, I'm sure be able to come out and put her down and dispose of her; if you don't hunt, then I would think they will make a charge for this but it will definitely be a cheaper option let alone be handled with dignity for your horse and yourself; hunt staff are true practical animal people. If you don't have a local hunt then of course your vet can also put her down, she does not have to be injected at all if that is a worry as some vets, although trained in the use of one, are reluctant to use the gun so it will depend on what yours is like whether you ask him or the kennels to do this.
Some insurance companies like you to take to a s/house so you get a return which makes it cheaper for them but others let you do things your way without prejudice but you do need to talk to them and see what their restrictions are. Some might say you need to complete the treatment before they can consider a claim for euthanasia, they all differ. Of course it also depends how much she is insured for, whether you can afford to lose that money whether you go by their wishes or not if you really feel to put her through the next treatment would be too much for her.
Whatever happens, I do sympathise but feel you have made the best choice for the horse which is what it's all about at the end of the day.
 
you are being very responsible. I was in a similar position a few years ago. At the time my vets suggested various options but I felt all of these would keep my horse alive but not happy. I couldnt bear to see him in pain so he was put to sleep.
This was so hard and I still think about him every day but it was the right thing to do. His pain is over.
I hope you come to a decision soon. Making the decision is the hardest part and go with your gut instincts.
XX
 
I really understand how you feel, I bought my horse and had to deal with 2 years of rehailitation to get him rideable, had a years riding before he had to be retired due to lameness. He has been retired for 8 years and I do resent the amount of money and time he takes up for no gain. He is not a good doer and is 17hh so not cheap to look after. I have another horse who I would love to have more lessons on etc but can't cos of paying for this one. He is now 19, and has always been paddock sound and enjoys life. I wish he weren't such a nice person cos then I could feel justified in having him PTS, although my family would kill me.
 
I think your being very strong and responsible - its a horrid decision to make but i think your making the right one.

horses can tell you when they arn't happy - we just have to listen.

((((hugs))))
 
You know your horse better than anyone.
The vet can advise, but u know when your horse has given up!
I would never use the gun over the injection tho! I know people say its quicker, and they dont know, but they must feel something when the gun is lifted! For me, to shoot any animal is vile especially one that has given so much! But that is personal preference, and in the end it is your decision to make!
I feel for you at this horrid time, but trust your heart, and you wont be wrong!
xx
 
I think you are being realistic.
I am in a similar situation - horse went lame in March and has had various treatments, but she is a lot younger than your mare and is a happy contented horse out with her friends - if she never comes completely sound, she will still have a good quality of life whereas I rather think your mare will not. A horrible decision but one you are obviously facing bravely.
I have also been in the situation before when one vet wanted to put a severely in-pain horse through a lot of transport and tests, I asked another vet for a second opinion and he said he wouldn't let me travel the mare on welfare grounds - that mare was PTS. On a totally practical front, I have had one horse PTS by injection and two were PTS by the knackerman by humane killer. If you choose the gun, either get a knackerman or kennelman to do it as they are far more practised than a vet.
 
I think you are making a very selfless and courageous decision and you know your horse best. Many people would struggle on regardless bringing happiness to nobody. What ever you decide I am certain you will make the best decision for you both.
 
Oh GinGin... I know only too well exactly what you are feeling. My 9yo mare was PTS just over a fortnight ago after a year of tests, examinations, terribly expensive supplements, treatments and much heartbreak. With her it was also bone spavins, with which other issues came as part and parcel.

She went by L.I. as she has always been headshy and not good with the vets anyway, so didn't think the gun was the best option.
She didn't exactly go quietly, even though she was heavily sedated prior to the L.I. she still fought the vet. He gives the L.I., waits for a moment, and then takes the rope and pushes on the shoulder, at which point they are meant to sink quietly to the ground. Cybele reared up, span ad then plummetted to the ground and didn't actually leave for a little while afterwards. She was always a fighter, so I don't know why I expected anything less from her in the end.
smirk.gif

The reflexes are awful as they made it look as though she was still blinking and her nostrils still quivering. I listened to the stethoscope, so know that they were just reflexes, but still.
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You are not selfish at all... from what I remember of previous posts you had a testing relationship with her at the best of times - it won't get any better if you end up resenting her for beign a 'chore' and it doesn't sound as though she enjoys bieing a field ornament anyway, let alone one that is in pain and having to face the winter.

You are stronger than you think you are - saying goodbye to Cybele taught me that much. Big hugs.
 
Hmm I think the 'last days hunting' was a bit of a metaphor but anyway, no you are not being selfish, you know it's the right thing and if she hates travelling then best to get someone over to do it but from what I hear, hunstmen are very professional at it, all the best
 
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