Do you know when to PTS an old pony?

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BabyA

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My old boy is 36 he has dropped off over winter despite plenty of food which given the winter we've had is understandable. He has trouble eating hay although his teeth are done twice a year but they're worn down, fine eating grass and breakfast, lunch and tea. He is stiff on the back legs which cant be picked up for trimming, luckily the walk down the road keeps them short and we have to clean his sheath out once a week as he gets very mucky. Other than the above he jogs down the road to his turn out paddock and is generally bright. I mentioned to my vet that I feel the day is getting close and she said you just know when the time is right and she agreed that he was perfectly happy for the moment. I'd hate to leave it to late or do it to early......do you really know when it's time???
 
digitalangel said:
youll see in their eyes when theyve had enough
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^^^ This. I saw it in my 18 year old pony's eyes when he had laminitis, and that was why I decided not to put him through months of potentially pointless pain.

With my 35y/o, I always said the day she needed surgery would be the day I said goodbye. She was fit and healthy and didn't look or act 35, but one day she suddenly went down, something had been growing silently in her intestines for years and chose that day to cause havoc. Total shock for me, but I am glad for her that she went so quickly, she went from a healthy, fun loving pony to having been PTS by my dad within hours.
 
They honestly do tell you, with a look in their eyes. It's a difficult decision, I've always got a "second opinion" from a horsey friend, who always tells me straight.
Better a month too soon, than a day too late - a sad truth when our animals reach that age.
 
Definately can see it.

A friends 16yr old pony had insulin resistance and was prone to laminitis. She kept him alive while he was happy to be here. He had such a cheeky attitude and a real vibrant energy that radiated from him. Everyone loved him.
Last month he went down hill really fast, his spark had gone and he looked uncomfortable and disinterested in everything. You just had to look at him to know he had reached his limit and didn't want to go on anymore. She had him PTS the next day as that was the fastest they could get someone out to do it.

Its a hard decision to make, but if you listen to your pony he will let you know when it is time.
 
He has trouble eating hay although his teeth are done twice a year but they're worn down
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Which is why I always have a deep misgiving about twice yearly rasping of teeth. Teeth don't keep growing forever, what you remove isn't replaced.

I deal with dental issues in my herd, but they never get their teeth "done routinely" as such. It's another thing that we are convinced by the establishment is neglect if we don't do it, but a good high forage diet and it is unnecessary.

You will know if it is time, but don't let anyone try to convince or pressure you it is time, it's between you and your pony and your vet. You have to live with he decision, not them.
 
You'll know :)

My old pony we always struggled to keep weight on, he couldn't/wouldn't eat hay and lived on soaked feeds. He had polyps in his throat, and the day he stopped being him was the day we decided. If they are eating, happy, can move, lie down and stand up again as a basic guide then I think they're doing ok, we're all entitled to look a bit raggedy when we age :)
 
Yes you will know, ill know as my boy is sparky and sharp and interested in evrything, the day that goes and he looks and feels tired will be him telling me he's had enough.

I would never keep him alive to suit my own needs, he owes me nothing after 11+ years of fun :)
 
On the hay chewing front, have you tried a fibre replacer such as Allen and Page fast fibre, was fab for our old boy who couldn't eat hay.
 
Thanks again for your replies, he loves his grub and is managing well on his three feeds which includes fast fibre but thanks for the advice puzzled. He won't touch Hifi or anything similar, really steaming his hay is softening it and he is getting through it a bit easier. Interesting the comment Brucea on teeth but as he was balling up so much thought I'd get them checked again and the dentist took a ridge off some of his teeth apparently.
He is bright and as I said he jogs down the road to his paddock, he just looks a bit tired in his eyes. With summer coming and a nice bit of grass hopefully on its way he'll pick up. Wonderful saying ancient hacker "Better a month to soon than a day to late" I've had this old friend 25 years and want to do the right thing!
 
Doesnt sound like the time has come yet,but I am glad that you are aware. It is the last kindness we can do to a friend ,as an old and wise horseman once told me. He also told me not to be there at the moment, to have a friend do it for you ,but you have to return the duty. He held my starlight at the end , blew a hunting call on his horn for him then it was done. Rest in peace starlight . Rest in peace Jack Bines.
 
You could be guided by Kipling's His Apologies, particularly the final verse which never fails to choke me up. It refers of course to a dog but the guiding principle is the same:

His Apologies (1932)

Master, this is Thy Servant. He is rising eight weeks old.
He is mainly Head and Tummy. His legs are uncontrolled.
But Thou hast forgiven his ugliness, and settled him on Thy knee...
Art Thou content with Thy Servant? He is very comfy with Thee.

Master, behold a Sinner! He hath committed a wrong.
He hath defiled Thy Premises through being kept in too long.
Wherefore his nose has been rubbed in the dirt, and his self-respect has been bruised.
Master, pardon Thy Sinner, and see he is properly loosed.

Master-again Thy Sinner! This that was once Thy Shoe,
He has found and taken and carried aside, as fitting matter to chew.
Now there is neither blacking nor tongue, and the Housemaid has us in tow.
Master, remember Thy Servant is young, and tell her to let him go!

Master, extol Thy Servant, he has met a most Worthy Foe!
There has been fighting all over the Shop – and into the Shop also!
Till cruel umbrellas parted the strife (or I might have been choking him yet),
But Thy Servant has had the Time of his Life – and now shall we call on the vet?

Master, behold Thy Servant! Strange children came to play,
And because they fought to caress him, Thy Servant wentedst away.
But now that the Little Beasts have gone, he has returned to see
(Brushed – with his Sunday collar on) what they left over from tea.

. . . . . .

Master, pity Thy Servant! He is deaf and three parts blind.
He cannot catch Thy Commandments. He cannot read Thy Mind.
Oh, leave him not to his loneliness; nor make him that kitten's scorn.
He hath had none other God than Thee since the year that he was born.

Lord, look down on Thy Servant! Bad things have come to pass.
There is no heat in the midday sun, nor health in the wayside grass.
His bones are full of an old disease – his torments run and increase.
Lord, make haste with Thy Lightnings and grant him a quick release!
 
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