Free to good home or put to sleep?

Yes they are wanting to rehome, just want to ensure people who take them on realise they need rest now but may in time come back to full health and be a great ridden pony/ horse. They did not carry on breeding once the problem came to light, all have been affected differently but to summarise its largely a vitamin/ mineral deficiency. Everyone is right in saying PTS option is best for those older/ more affected horses. Thank you.
 
Out of curiosity are you involved with the breeders or thinking about giving one a home or something? Just not sure why your so interested in their problems.
 
May be worthwhile for the owners to have a chat with one of your local county BHS Welfare Officers who would be only to be pleased to give them some advice.
 
ladyt25 said:
I wouldn't be looking to put to sleep such young, otherwise healthy animals. However, if it was me I would be looking at trying to rent some land away from where there are now and putting them out on decent grass to see if that does help.
I find it hard to believe they all have mineral issues and it's not linked to the grazing / current yard. Or if thet have recently moved maybe they need to give them more time to come right.
Obviously without knowing the exact diagnosis though it's difficult to judge. I wouldn't be giving them away though. If they do have potential to do a job then selling thrm even if for a low amount is surely preferable?
I think they need to stop breeding though as clearly this is something they don't seem to put thought in to. Why so many if this health issue was apparent??!
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^^ This. I think it's just as tragic seeing such young 'babies', PTS, when there whole life is a head of them. Perhaps any horse older than 17 PTS, but the otherwise healthy ones should be put up for sale, but not free. If they go free then a dealer or meat man will most likely get them.

Could they not rent a bit more land, and turn them to grass? I wouldn't count a few mineral imbalances as a 'write-off'.
Yes, it may be kinder to PTS, but why kill the younger ones when they have their whole life/ career ahead of them, and just have a few mineral imbalances?!

Surely there must be some rescue center who will take them.

I wouldn't PTS any horses/ ponies younger than 17.
 
Just to clarify, how long is it since the affected horses were removed from the toxic grazing? (I've re read your posts, OP, but although you say that the problem was 2 years ago, I can't see when they were relocated.).

If they've been on clean grazing for two years, and are still affected, I'm afraid that I would agree that PTS is the best option.

Did this sad tale feature on the local television news a while ago? I think that I can recall something about it.
 
EquiEquestrian556 said:
^^ This. I think it's just as tragic seeing such young 'babies', PTS, when there whole life is a head of them. Perhaps any horse older than 17 PTS, but the otherwise healthy ones should be put up for sale, but not free. If they go free then a dealer or meat man will most likely get them.

Could they not rent a bit more land, and turn them to grass? I wouldn't count a few mineral imbalances as a 'write-off'.
Yes, it may be kinder to PTS, but why kill the younger ones when they have their whole life/ career ahead of them, and just have a few mineral imbalances?!

Surely there must be some rescue center who will take them.

I wouldn't PTS any horses/ ponies younger than 17.
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I beg to differ, rescue centres are full to bursting, people are selling healthy ponies in pubs for a fiver, there are too many horses of all ages, with people only too willing to pass the problem of old or infirm or even unhealthy animals on for a pittance, because they can't face doing the decent thing, I have a phobia about my horses (4) being passed from pillar to post, ending up on a downward spiral, ending up with the meat man, I have one youngster of 4 yrs old, an 11 yr old and two mid twenties, I would happily have them all pts, if I couldn't cope, rather than them facing an uncertain future, since coming to me, none of mine have known whip, spur or ill treatment, so to my mind they would pass knowing they were loved and I'm not a fluffy bunny, my horses are treat as horses and know whose in charge
 
I see no harm in trying to find them homes (and being picky about it). Why not? As long as they are totally honest about it all. It ridiculous that some people assume the horses will end up in "bad" homes, they may end up in fantastic homes and make a full recovery. I have been gifted 2 horses now, one of which has never been quite right and is now retired - costing me a fortune to keep as a companion but he has a very nice life! So dont assume they're all bad homes. A bad home can happen with ANY horse. If it were me then I'd try my hardest to find them homes, UNLESS they are actually suffering / despressed etc. with this condition they have in which case I would then consider PTS due to their health reasons.
 
Agree with the others - consult a vet!

I would never 'sell' a horse for free: a small price might be the best option.

Where are these horses located? Could someone take them off her hands and keep them in a safe field until they potentially recover: then they can be brought back to work and sold.

I do not believe in pts young and generally healthy horses, but if this is a condition that won't approve, then perhaps it is the kindest thing to do.

Hope it works for the best
 
I personally wouldn't buy a horse without knowing that it would be possible to ride it. If the horse I was given didn't come right after a certain period then it would cost me knackers money to be rid of it. If is bought it then id be a lot more annoyed.

Personally I'd shoot the affected equines and start again. It's a lot to ask ppl to take a horse that may never be rideable but could live a long life if young.
 
Yes your right it was on look north or something. They moved straight away 2 yeArs ago when they found the source of the problem. Thanks for input - have found some lovely local loan homes etc over the last few days, and have a few understanding experienced people coming to see the others- maybe a happy ending. Thanks
 
What exactly is the vit/min inbalance OP and how does it affect the horses? are they weak boned or something else? damaged kidneys/liver?
 
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