Free to a good home- should it be homed or PTS?

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Milanesa

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Hi All,

I have a horse that is looking for a home. The history is it is lame left fore in shoulder area. I have put approx 4 weeks time into it, riding it quietly and hoping it would be suitable as a happy hacker, however it is rather sharp and spooky, and it has already gone lame left fore..

I have been riding it, but i don't really know what the right thing is to do, it would happily go as a companion mare, as she is quiet with other horses, but is that really fair on it? What would you guys do??

It could be ridden as a happy hacker on abit of bute the vet said, but due to its temperament it would need someone v experienced that is willing to spean alot of time, is it fair to ask this of someone? I would keep it myself but have already got alot and don't really need 1 more..

Opinions appreciated, i want ot do whats best for the mare, she is only 12yrs old, and the lameness is more mechancial than through physical pain...
 
What does the vet advise regards pts?

4 weeks doesn't seem like much time to let her recover, what is her actual diagnosis?
 
4 weeks isnt long but if its what she really needs i would see if a trainer would take her on. 12 is still young as well, what is actually wrong with her?
 
I took a horse on a couple of years ago now who was free to a good home! I ended up paying £1 for him to make it all legal. He has had both stifles operated on and is arthritic. Phoned vet (used same one) and he said may need bute in future but sound now and in time could do some light work. He was 8yo then, 17hh IDx so not your normal companion type!! He shreds my other ones rugs, is spooky and rears and bolts in a headcollar! He's very bolshy, his previous owner wasn't very confident and let him walk all over her!! I'm hoping to begin riding him soon, he's a lovely boy really, got a home for the rest of his life with me. Don't ever regret my decision of taking him on.
 
hey, well actual diagnosis is it is going to be lame, i tohught it would deal ok with some light hacking, but is obviously lame already, not hopping, but is lame. Her temperament is also v spooky, i am a confident rider so am ok riding her, but i'm not sure i would trust her with others yet...4 weeks isnt long i know, i can keep her as long as needed, no rush to get rid or anything, so maybe i will keep going for a while longer and see, but the lameness will not go away...she has done splits at some point and pulled the should er out too much, so she keeps going lame..
 
If she is always going to be lame, and isn't a quiet easy ride, then to be honest I would PTS rather than pass her on to an uncertain future. There's not really any future for a horse like that sadly.
 
So, can I just get this clear??

Horse has been lame, and now is on recouperation work - and 4 weeks in to this?

Is that correct??
 
hi spiral, that is what im thinking, if someone wanted her as a companion horse she would be fine, learn to trust people etc, but riding wise she is a handful, have had her back, teeth etc all checked and nothing untoward...seems a shame though i hate to think of something going before its time being only 12yrs....i am really patient and love different types of horses, but this one i just don't know what to do for the best..
 
hi amymay, horse was lame last summer, turned out all winter, came in march time with me to re-school as happy hacker (x polo pony)...going ok with 2 reins etc, but with just walk, slow trot work is lame :-(
 
pony person said:
hi amymay, horse was lame last summer, turned out all winter, came in march time with me to re-school as happy hacker (x polo pony)...going ok with 2 reins etc, but with just walk, slow trot work is lame :-(
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Well if you're looking at permanent lameness I would put down, unless you can keep her as a field ornament yourself.
 
hi, is she a chestnut with a blaze, a scar on her neck and a turned in toe? just she sounds like a filly i used to know in that area.
 
pony person said:
Hi All,

I have a horse that is looking for a home. The history is it is lame left fore in shoulder area. I have put approx 4 weeks time into it, riding it quietly and hoping it would be suitable as a happy hacker, however it is rather sharp and spooky, and it has already gone lame left fore..

I have been riding it, but i don't really know what the right thing is to do, it would happily go as a companion mare, as she is quiet with other horses, but is that really fair on it? What would you guys do??

It could be ridden as a happy hacker on abit of bute the vet said, but due to its temperament it would need someone v experienced that is willing to spean alot of time, is it fair to ask this of someone? I would keep it myself but have already got alot and don't really need 1 more..

Opinions appreciated, i want ot do whats best for the mare, she is only 12yrs old, and the lameness is more mechancial than through physical pain...
Click to expand...

My mare (pictured left as a foal) broke her shoulder 18 months ago and almost completely ripped off her biceps tendon. There was no visible sign of injury, except that she was on 3 legs and it was a mystery what happened. I thought I would have to have her PTS that very evening and sat up all night with her. I love that horse to bits. By morning she was more comfrtable, but it was 6 weeks before she could travel to Newmarket to access the damage. It was bad. So bad in fact, that for 6 months it was doubtful she would even make a field ornament. BUT now she is galloping and bucking and rearing in her paddock and has been moved to a one and a half acre paddock with her field mate. She occasionally goes around two tenths lame if she over does it, but I keep her bute free just so that she knows her limits. She's a very happy horse, but sadly will never be ridden again. What I am trying to say is that if a horse can improve as much as her after such a severe injury, then a horse with mild lameness like yours could well come sound given plenty more time and patience.
 
What does the vet say with regard to what actual damage there is? What do they recommend with regards treatment? What do they think best/worst possible outcome of treatment will be?

If ex-polo would have thought a little spooky out hacking is normal for a while, espec if possibly in pain too.
 
Wagtail said:
My mare (pictured left as a foal) broke her shoulder 18 months ago and almost completely ripped off her biceps tendon. There was no visible sign of injury, except that she was on 3 legs and it was a mystery what happened. I thought I would have to have her PTS that very evening and sat up all night with her. I love that horse to bits. By morning she was more comfrtable, but it was 6 weeks before she could travel to Newmarket to access the damage. It was bad. So bad in fact, that for 6 months it was doubtful she would even make a field ornament. BUT now she is galloping and bucking and rearing in her paddock and has been moved to a one and a half acre paddock with her field mate. She occasionally goes around two tenths lame if she over does it, but I keep her bute free just so that she knows her limits. She's a very happy horse, but sadly will never be ridden again. What I am trying to say is that if a horse can improve as much as her after such a severe injury, then a horse with mild lameness like yours could well come sound given plenty more time and patience.
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hi, yes i understand this, your in the same situation though it cannot be ridden again, i cannot keep it myself, i am trying to do it a favour, but is it fair to ask someone to take it on as a field ornament? I guess if someone is willing and knows the history then its ok, just trying to decide what is best for her. Glad to hear your story though, great to know there are so many people out there giving their neddies a home for life-if it was mine i would not be in this situation, but it isn't...
 
hi, her name was Izzy or whizz bang, i think her race name was Lady Eil. Last I heard she had gone to Shiney"s yard. I always wondered and hoped she is ok. she was a accident prone but lovely girl.
 
Need to think about the horses quality of life, if it's going to be in pretty much constant pain then there's only one option, if not and it'd be happy as a companion and you can find someone who is willing (and most of all able) to look after it then perhaps it still has a job to do.
 
pony person said:
hi, yes i understand this, your in the same situation though it cannot be ridden again, i cannot keep it myself, i am trying to do it a favour, but is it fair to ask someone to take it on as a field ornament? I guess if someone is willing and knows the history then its ok, just trying to decide what is best for her. Glad to hear your story though, great to know there are so many people out there giving their neddies a home for life-if it was mine i would not be in this situation, but it isn't...
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No, I guess it is not an easy thing to ask. My mare is lucky that I have had her ten years and that I love her so much. It would be different with a strange horse that I didn't know. And no, I wouldn't take on a field ornament, except if I needed a companion, thn I would consider one that is a good doer and easy to handle in hand.
 
The thing is, there are an abundance of free companion ponies that aren't lame, are good doers, require little care etc.

As hard as it is, unless you can guarantee her care yourself, it is better to have her PTS than risk her ending up neglected or worse, sold on as a riding horse.
 
pony person said:
riding wise she is a handful, have had her back, teeth etc all checked and nothing untoward...
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Except the fact she's lame?! If you know she's not sound and she's difficult under saddle I would say don't ride her until she's sound, and if you have to get rid of her, give her to people who don't expect to ride unless she comes sound after a big long break
 
yes, she isnt going to come sound though thats the prob, she has damaged the shoulder so much, vet advised bute and that it would not improve when she was playing polo...i was as mentioned riding quietly to see whether she would be able to cope and therefore give her a chance, but i think her outlook is bleak considering her temperament ...a companion would i think realistically be the only option, but with her issues it will be hard to find someone..
 
Okay, here's what I would do. Two week's complete box rest followed by paddock rest in a tiny paddock (around the size of 2 stables), gradually expanding it over the course of four weeks. Ten minutes walking in hand twice a day until she is coping fine with half an acre size paddock. Then I would start ridden work. Two weeks' walk only, then progress slowly with short episodes of trot. Only when this regime has been stuck to and she still comes up lame would I assume she was permanently lame. Then, and only then would I be making any decisions regarding her future. With shoulder injuries, they are most likely to be either tendon or nerve damage. Both of these require box rest and very gradual increases in exercise if they are to have half a chance of healing and not recurring.
 
What is the reason for sale?

4 weeks is nothing. I would speak to the vet - im pretty sure they might suggest 6 months (at least) rest and take it from there. I would take her off the market during this time. If her quality of life deteriorates after this time i would PTS but if not i would keep her as a pet. Its not fair to pass a sick horse on to someone else- and im sure u know this

best wishes
 
i personally would pts if she's hard to handle on the ground, needs extra care to keep her going and things like that, if people want a companion then they would take on a small pony that is a good doer, has no issues and is sound.

the thing with a companion, in my experience is that it has to be willing to allow you to take the other horse out alone which means it needs to be calm in the field alone until the other horse comes back. if she's a stressy mare when left alone or even with horses next door then she won't be of any use to anyone as a companion.
 
pony person said:
yes, she isnt going to come sound though thats the prob, she has damaged the shoulder so much, vet advised bute and that it would not improve when she was playing polo...i was as mentioned riding quietly to see whether she would be able to cope and therefore give her a chance, but i think her outlook is bleak considering her temperament ...a companion would i think realistically be the only option, but with her issues it will be hard to find someone..
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I'd look around hard firstly, be very honest and advertise that she may NEVER be ridden again and is purely a companion at least for a while if no improvement. I knew this when I took on mine (see previous post) who isn't the easiest and cheapest companion! I never expected to be able to ride him, despite the vet saying it's possible in the future and here I am getting the saddle fitter out soon to measure him up! Yeah we're not going to be riding around Badminton but to have a horse I can have a nice plod around the fields on is a bonus! When I first got him, I got my farrier out and he noticed very early signs of laminitis, so he was straight off paddock rest and onto box rest. Because it was early signs I was able to walk him around the menage (otherwise he'd get stiff) twice a day. After 2 weeks I turned him out in menage, for ten mins with which he decided to pop one of the jumps!!

All I'd say is, I took him on, with the view of him being unridden and having behavioural issues, so there may be someone out there like me! Although if you can't find anyone then PTS would probably be the best thing so at least you know he's not being pushed into being ragged around!!
 
Right, with the best will in the world here, basically, without dressing it up, you are wanting rid of this horse, yes?

She is lame and will probably always be so?

Sorry, in your place, being realistic, if I no longer wanted her/couldn't keep her then I would step up to the line and have her pts. The fact that she is only 12 has no relevance whatsoever.

No more pain/inability to move freely, no dodgy future, starving in an empty field, being passed from sale ring to sale ring, the mare won't know anything, all she'll think is "Oh yum, polos/oats, what's that man doi..."
 
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Pony Person - is there any chance you can tell us what the diagnosis is beyond lame?

Is it a broken/damaged bone? Muscle tear? Ligament damage? the exact injury will alter the likelihood of her returning to soundness. I assume if you are saying that the Vet says she will unlikely return to full work means she has been seen by one, what did they say?
 
Sharp, spooky horses rarely do well on light work, as they often need a lot of exercise/structure/routine etc to keep their minds straight. Despite you not saying what's wrong with the horse, except that she's lame, has damaged shoulder and won't come right, my first instinct is to PTS. You can rest easy in your bed at night then that she's suffering no more pain/isn't on bute being flogged round the block/going through the sales ring/being left to rot in a field somewhere. She doesn't sound like she meets the job spec for a companion horse to be frank.
 
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