End of the line.....

[Jakeyboy]

I am struggling to understand this thread to be honest. You start off by asking for help and several people have suggested things and even said they are looking for a companion, but yet the only thing you appear to want to hear is that it is right to shoot this pony. A pony who you describe as a 'perky, naughty, good looking, happy little chap'. If that was the case then why ask for help? Just shoot him.

I also do not understand why you cannot afford to keep a lame horse at livery, though presumably you could afford to keep a sound one? It doesn't make sense to me, sorry. You can either afford the livery or you can't. His lameness is irrelevant. If you can't then you have no choice but to PTS.

Also, if the pony is suffering then PTS. But as you say, he is a happy little chap, so he clearly is not suffering. Can you not afford his livery for a few more months to find him a caring home? Maybe put a time limit on it, say six months, or whatever you can stretch to. At least then he has a chance.

If however, you have decided to PTS whatever people say (which it appears you are) then why post at all? Many people PTS as soon as a horse becomes unridable so you are not alone. I don't see the need to post about it unless you are looking for an alternative, which you do not appear to be.

I completely agree with the above reply. I have 8 horses, most of which are rescued. I have just recently had to go through the heartbreak of having 1 of mine PTS. It was not an easy decision, but the right 1 for him as he had melanomas around his bum which grew to the point he could no longer poo causing impaction colic. The first sight of him being in pain & unhappy I did what was right. I would have given anything to still have him with me now.

I have 2 of my horses in livery. My mare in livery is unsound at the moment. She possible has atheritis in her knee, but is very happy in herself. Putting her to sleep wouldn't even cross my mind. Have you considered trying to find some land yourself & possibly taking on a companion for your pony?

I also don't agree with you saying you would have the huntsman come & shot him. If you have had your pony for that long surely you owe him a little bit of dignity & get the vet out to do it. I could think of nothing worse then the huntsman coming to shot 1 of my horses, the thought of it make me very sad.

This is just my opinon, something i feel very strongly about. Man kind chose to tame horses, we owe them alot.

 

[Spring Feather]

Perhaps I misunderstood the OP. It sounded to me like the poster was quite happy for the pony to be out on loan to this gentleman and had no intention of taking the pony back so long as the loan home remained suitable. The only thing that appears to have changed in the situation of the pony is that the loan home no longer wants it and the OP can't afford to keep the pony any longer. Not that the pony is now all of a sudden much more lame or crippled or sick than it was when at the loan home.

It is up to the OP to decide what to do for this pony and she did come on here to ask for advice. I said that personally I would not have any of my loan home horses put down just because the loan people didn't want them any more. The OP will make her own decision based on finances and it sounds like she's already made that decision. I must say I don't understand why the OP is adamant that the pony must be put down at the loan home. If I was a cynic (and I'm afraid I am) I would say that it sounds like she is trying to punish them in some way for not keeping the pony.

 

[touchstone]

I completely agree with the above reply. I have 8 horses, most of which are rescued. I have just recently had to go through the heartbreak of having 1 of mine PTS. It was not an easy decision, but the right 1 for him as he had melanomas around his bum which grew to the point he could no longer poo causing impaction colic. The first sight of him being in pain & unhappy I did what was right. I would have given anything to still have him with me now.

I have 2 of my horses in livery. My mare in livery is unsound at the moment. She possible has atheritis in her knee, but is very happy in herself. Putting her to sleep wouldn't even cross my mind. Have you considered trying to find some land yourself & possibly taking on a companion for your pony?

I also don't agree with you saying you would have the huntsman come & shot him. If you have had your pony for that long surely you owe him a little bit of dignity & get the vet out to do it. I could think of nothing worse then the huntsman coming to shot 1 of my horses, the thought of it make me very sad.

This is just my opinon, something i feel very strongly about. Man kind chose to tame horses, we owe them alot.

Yes we owe them the dignity of a peaceful end. The huntsman is as good as any to give a horse a quick death - my horse is terrified of vets and so a vet would be very traumatic for her. I have witnessed many horses pts by the gun and in my opinion it is quick and painless and so better for the horse. It is only the owner who witnesses it who might feel distressed, the horse knows nothing about it.

I think people need a dose of reality - if you can't afford your horse you can't afford it and a companion to boot, it is irresponsible in my opinion to suggest someone should keep a horse when a) it is in discomfort, b) they can't afford it. Whatever your reasoning unless you faced the same dilemma I don't think you are in a position to judge.

As is often said, there are plenty of fates worse than death and I've had the misfortune to witness some of them. I'd rather pts any day than subject my horse to that.

 

[fewspot20]

Perhaps I misunderstood the OP. It sounded to me like the poster was quite happy for the pony to be out on loan to this gentleman and had no intention of taking the pony back so long as the loan home remained suitable. The only thing that appears to have changed in the situation of the pony is that the loan home no longer wants it and the OP can't afford to keep the pony any longer. Not that the pony is now all of a sudden much more lame or crippled or sick than it was when at the loan home.

It is up to the OP to decide what to do for this pony and she did come on here to ask for advice. I said that personally I would not have any of my loan home horses put down just because the loan people didn't want them any more. The OP will make her own decision based on finances and it sounds like she's already made that decision. I must say I don't understand why the OP is adamant that the pony must be put down at the loan home. If I was a cynic (and I'm afraid I am) I would say that it sounds like she is trying to punish them in some way for not keeping the pony.

I do not want to bite back at any of the argumentative comments on here but I will just say that the pony went to retire as a companion, was then ridden and lunged (eek!!), his knees are now so stiff you have a job bending them to pick his front feet out. I have no where for him to go. Why would I move him when it can all be done as stress free as possible? I dont understand some of the comments on here. You cannot keep a pony in the kitchen like you would a sick or old dog, it is as crazy as saying i'll keep all the old dairy cows in my back garden to mow the lawn............sorry very tired and emosional.

 

[Spring Feather]

Ah, so now the pony is crippled. Well then of course you have only one route to take and that is to put the pony down. I don't know why you got into all the ins and outs of the loan home when the crux of the matter is simply that the pony is chronically lame and needs to be put down. A simple post saying that would have had people responding in a far more understanding manner.

 

[Dancing Queen]

I completely agree with the above reply. I have 8 horses, most of which are rescued. I have just recently had to go through the heartbreak of having 1 of mine PTS. It was not an easy decision, but the right 1 for him as he had melanomas around his bum which grew to the point he could no longer poo causing impaction colic. The first sight of him being in pain & unhappy I did what was right. I would have given anything to still have him with me now.

I have 2 of my horses in livery. My mare in livery is unsound at the moment. She possible has atheritis in her knee, but is very happy in herself. Putting her to sleep wouldn't even cross my mind. Have you considered trying to find some land yourself & possibly taking on a companion for your pony?

I also don't agree with you saying you would have the huntsman come & shot him. If you have had your pony for that long surely you owe him a little bit of dignity & get the vet out to do it. I could think of nothing worse then the huntsman coming to shot 1 of my horses, the thought of it make me very sad.

This is just my opinon, something i feel very strongly about. Man kind chose to tame horses, we owe them alot.

Your post is exactly what i feel.

Shooting an animal regardless of horse, dog or cat is a poor, disrespectful way to end an animals life. A simple injection is not expensive, my vets bill was £97 and a few pence for the callout, examination and the injection. £97 is a small price to pay to show the horse you have had for such a long time, some care and compassion.

I do feel the OP has made her mind up and the poor animal will not be given a second chance because she cant see too far into the future.

 

[merliebug]

Reading this from the perspective of someone who has a lame horse on livery, I can see exactly where the OP is coming from. I am trying other options first - grass livery, etc, which the OP has tried in the form of loan homes - and if my horse struggles coping out 24/7 and is still unsound in a year or so's time, I would also probably make the decision to PTS. It would be a horrible, horrible decision, but I would rather I was the one to know when to call it a day, and to know that my horse would be avoiding a painful future.

If the horse is uncomfortable, and is likely to move from home to home, he will become distressed and how is that fair? Injection vs shooting is a personal preference - yes, I would prefer injection for my boy, but ultimately they don't know either way really.

I do sympathise OP, you're in a horrid situation and it seems that you are looking to do the best for your pony. A couple of people on this thread have, however, offered potential homes, so perhaps look into those first before making a decision?

Go and have some chocolate, sounds like you need it!

 

[Dancing Queen]

By the way Not all the horse charities put the animals to sleep. I suggest you do what i did and rather than take advice off here, call the charities direct and hear it from the horses mouth. If they do not have room at one site, they have other contacts to allow for rehoming.

 

[fewspot20]

To have a horse pts by the vet would cost me £110 (jab) £35 (call out) £25 (nurse fee) £260 (collection) = £430 and I think that would be + Vat on the vets fees....
My local, trusted, hunt charge £200 all in. and I know it is very quick, where as a fit fiesty chap like my boy will cause the vet some trouble and fight the jab (bless him)
You may or may not like to believe......I have done my homework on this.

Oh, and I have called the charities (until I am now on first name terms with the girls there)...just incase they have a mirical space....and it is always the same answer.....there is no room.

I have been on the phone all week and have just got one last-ditch hope with a friend of a friend who ***might*** have room for him as a field companion.....but it worries me that I might only be prolonging things...

 

[Happy Horse]

I don't mean to sound harsh but, I don't like the sound of this thread either, if you cannot afford to keep the horses you have then you re-home them, one way or another, not put them to sleep just because you are finding it hard to rehome it because of it's injuries. It seems like it's convient for you to destroy a horse earlier than neccessary because of your finances.
Any pain can be kept under control until it's he right time for the horse, not when it suits you.

I assume you have tried giving him to the RSPCA?

The last thing the RSPCA or any charity need is to be given lame horses that people can't afford any more. PTS is a much more responsible option than palming off on a charity.

 

[blueneonrainbow]

Why would a charity want to rehome him? It's not a welfare case.

 

[hollyandivy123]

hi on another track about a companion home, i use to have an old boy and loaned him out to vetted people i knew, but the thing with my companion loan was that i also sent with him winter hay, his potions and straw. as i saw it the person who had him on long looked after him well on a day to day but it was not fair on the them to have to fork out for the potions etc. this way i could still keep some control and use to see him everyother week or so. this would work out far cheaper than in livery. just a thought

 

[joelb]

If there are so many loan homes out there why are welfare charities turning healthy horses away? OP’s pony is lame and PTS is a perfectly reasonable option. An acquaintance of mine has recently taken on an aged and arthritic ‘field companion’ under contract clearly stating horse is not to be ridden, guess what, two months later he’s buted up to eyeballs doing local dressage, shows and fun rides. The owner has no idea and is in no position to do regular checks. There are a lot of dishonest people out there and I for one would rather face up to my responsibilities and provide a dignified and pain free end. OP, choose whatever option best suits you and your pony and don’t worry about justifying your decision to anyone else.

 

[Serenity087]

Do yourself a favour, and forget everything you've read on here.

Whatever you do, has to be what you know in your heart is right, and you do not need the voices of some internet weirdos in the back of your head telling you that you've done the wrong thing.

I think you know. I think you should listen to your heart, and to your pony.

 

[touchstone]

Your post is exactly what i feel.

Shooting an animal regardless of horse, dog or cat is a poor, disrespectful way to end an animals life. A simple injection is not expensive, my vets bill was £97 and a few pence for the callout, examination and the injection. £97 is a small price to pay to show the horse you have had for such a long time, some care and compassion.

I do feel the OP has made her mind up and the poor animal will not be given a second chance because she cant see too far into the future.

Or perhaps she has the foresight to see the potential pitfalls of keeping him alive?

As for the shooting comments, these are completely out of order; how on earth is it disrespectful to give a horse a quick and painless end with his head in a bucket enjoying his favourite food?

As I said before, I have a horse that is terrified of vets and injections, can you imagine the stress it would cause to have to have a canula sewn into her neck? If I followed your 'respectful' injection route I'd have a very stressed, traumatised horse before the drug could be given, that isn't what I'd call compassionate or caring at all.

 

[fewspot20]

Put your pony down, dont go around trying to find an alternative solution. You say he is well in himself, why wait until he isnt? The winter is fast approaching and his knees will get worse in the cold weather and the costs will increase. I dont agree with farming out an unsound horse to any one. He is your responsibility to do the right thing by him, not anybody elses. Oh and dont listen to all the cr@p on here either about trying to keep him going and finding a companion home, they normally dont work.

Thank you, I really apreciate these honest but realistic comments, I would hate to find out that I had ever done him wrong. I am very much in denial about it all, but I know what has to come. xxx

 

[Mince Pie]

I had him and my event mare in livery, but could not afford to keep a pet pony in livery.

If you could afford the livery before why can't you now?

I have happily given up buying food and now live off beans on toast and cuppa soups to be able to keep my horse.

I'm sorry but this is not healthy. You either need to sort your finances out or share/loan/sell your competition horse and PTS the pony. Beans, toast an cuppa soups are not a balanced diet, you will eventually make yourself ill and then what will happen to your horses?

now at the end of my financial and emotional tether.

Meaning?

Put your pony down, dont go around trying to find an alternative solution. You say he is well in himself, why wait until he isnt? The winter is fast approaching and his knees will get worse in the cold weather and the costs will increase. I dont agree with farming out an unsound horse to any one. He is your responsibility to do the right thing by him, not anybody elses. Oh and dont listen to all the cr@p on here either about trying to keep him going and finding a companion home, they normally dont work.

Totally agree with this.

 

[fewspot20]

Right.... I do not take kindly to being picked apart in such awful circumstances, I would like to see how some of you cope in the same situation.

We all make sacrifices to enable us to do and have the things we want. I have a decent full time job, I own my own home, and old banger of a car and the only debt I have is a small amount on my emergency CC.....but I do not want to get into real debt as this may scupper future plans (that I do not have to justify to anyone). However the cost of living does mean that I am stretched to full capacity (aren’t we all at the moment?) and all pennies are accounted for.

My boy was on loan to a family who over jumped him on very hard ground last summer...he stopped jumping so they sent him back.....lame....my vet said give him a 3month holiday (I worked out I could afford for him to stay with my mare on grass livery for no more than 6months) time off did not make any difference, so I perused all avenues to find out what the lameness was...."significant cartilage damage" we tried ALL treatment and used the total £5k available on his insurance. I had so many (unsuitable) people view him as a companion and he had been with me at my old yard on grass livery for a total of 10months (4months more than I had planned) when I found what appeared to be a lovely local companion home....phew what a relief...2months later we are in this sticky situation...I had tried every avenue to find a companion home for him, and I feel downright bullied by some people on here and I shouldnt have to.... but I have been made to justify what is a totally legitimate black hole of despair. Ok people?

 

[Dancing Queen]

your horse = your choice.

 

[Wagtail]

Posting a thread on here regarding putting a horse to sleep will always bring comments from both extremes. You will have support from those who consider PTS as the answer to virtually all problems, and you will get desperate efforts to change your mind from those who advocate keeping horses alive at all costs, with a few more constructive comments from people who lie somewhere in between.

It seems that you had made up your mind to PTS before posting on this thread as only those who have supported this view whole heartedly have been thanked. Those who made helpful suggestions have been ignored, and those who have been a little harsh have been argued with.

If you had made your mind up to PTS maybe you should not have started your post with 'Please help' as this attracts answers to solve your situation with solutions other than PTS which you obviously do not welcome.

At the end of the day, he is your pony, and if you feel he is suffering and cannot afford him, then PTS. Many would not blame you for that. I think your mistake has been asking for help and then flatly ignoring anything other than those advocating shooting your pony. It's a hard and emotional decision. I hope that it all goes as well as it can for you.

 

[Zebedee]

What a load of codswallop some people have spouted on this thread.

OP. You came here seeking reasuurance that having your chronically lame pony PTS was a reasonable option. It is without doubt 100% reasonable, but it is an unstandably big decision for you to make without some form of validation.
It is not 'disrespectful' in any way to have a horse shot. Its quick & painless if done properly, & your local huntsman will I'm sure be very experienced -far more so than most vets. If the man who has him on loan doesn't want it done on his land is there any option for the hunt to collect him & take him to the kennels to do it, or for you to organise transport there?
Congratulations on doing the best you can by your pony. As has already been said, & as you are discovering for yourself there are far worse things happening to horses than a swift dignified end.

 

[fewspot20]

What a load of codswallop some people have spouted on this thread.

OP. You came here seeking reasuurance that having your chronically lame pony PTS was a reasonable option. It is without doubt 100% reasonable, but it is an unstandably big decision for you to make without some form of validation.
It is not 'disrespectful' in any way to have a horse shot. Its quick & painless if done properly, & your local huntsman will I'm sure be very experienced -far more so than most vets. If the man who has him on loan doesn't want it done on his land is there any option for the hunt to collect him & take him to the kennels to do it, or for you to organise transport there?
Congratulations on doing the best you can by your pony. As has already been said, & as you are discovering for yourself there are far worse things happening to horses than a swift dignified end.

Thank you, yes, I think that's all I was asking, "was I thinking straight", and although there are other opinions..... at the mo, unless there I have a fairy godmother about to appear things are heading in "that" direction. thank you for your kind words xxxx

 

[Hippona]

Hun.....

PTS. Best option all round. For you and for the pony.

Better a month early than a day late- at least then you know he's not in pain anymore or buted up and abused. You can at least control when and how he goes.

Not an easy decision- but IMHO - the right one.

 

[sleepingdragon10]

What a load of codswallop some people have spouted on this thread.

OP. You came here seeking reasuurance that having your chronically lame pony PTS was a reasonable option. It is without doubt 100% reasonable, but it is an unstandably big decision for you to make without some form of validation.
It is not 'disrespectful' in any way to have a horse shot. Its quick & painless if done properly, & your local huntsman will I'm sure be very experienced -far more so than most vets. If the man who has him on loan doesn't want it done on his land is there any option for the hunt to collect him & take him to the kennels to do it, or for you to organise transport there?
Congratulations on doing the best you can by your pony. As has already been said, & as you are discovering for yourself there are far worse things happening to horses than a swift dignified end.

Absolutely agree!
OP, you don't need to justify your decisions regards either your pony or how you live to anyone. I took your post to be one looking for reassurance that what you have decided is the correct decision.
I believe it is. Sounds like you're struggling with it though, which simply means you're human.
Good luck, and well done for being responsible enough to recognise your pony needs you to make this decision on his behalf.