Has anyone PTS a healthy horse and if so, why?

We felt sorry for a nervous 12hds pony and bought him. We thought we were making great progress, got him riding, could touch his ears and just about pick his legs up. One day, for no reason I could see, he double barrelled my daughter as she walked out of the stable after putting a net up. He got her on the cheeks of her backside. No harm done (apart from a hoofprint shaped bruise) but if she'd been a child appropriate to the size of the pony, it would have been a kick in the head.

Not worth the risk so it was the end of the road for him
 
Someone recently rang suprised that a charity had told her to pts an unwanted pony..... If the freebie pony ever had to come back as a companion with someone else it would be pts. It's crackers
 
Currently having this dilemma with one of mine.

He's 18, tb and in terrible condition. Despite being in at night, adlib hay and 3 feeds a day he has not wintered at all well.
He has Cushings and will not take tablets. He's had laminitis. He has arthritis in his hocks. He has no bottom teeth after an accident, so I've always kept him on long grass but due to the Cushings he can no longer have this.
He is too poor to ride and I am really struggling to look after him with a small baby aswell.
I just don't know what to do. Some days he's fine, some not :(

I think ill probably try and get him through the summer and then reassess in autumn :(
 
I nearly did last year.We were sold a pony that proceeded to buck my daughter off whenever she went out of walk.She would bronc until the rider bit the dust.We tried for weeks to sort her out,took her to camp and she went completely out of control,broke away from the trailer twice,spun,and tried to bog off.Someone there recognised her and said 'you didn't buy that pony,did you?'.Turns out they knew the pony and it had a history of exploding with a rider on board,and told us that the vendors did not have the best reputation.

There was no way I could let the pony end up where she could hurt a child,so was about to ring the kennels when I managed to find a home as a 'nanny' for her.I was completely honest about her bucking/exploding,just in case the new owners were ever tempted to let a child ride her,and have been to see her a couple of times in her new home.She is very happy in her new job,but I would PTS rather than pass on a problem in future.
 
I would rather a horse was PTS than given away and sent from pillar to post ending up who knows where and looking like who knows what.

Money is tight and to look after a horse that is use to 5* and is no longer rideable or stiff and has things wrong with it, by cutting right back on what it is use to.
Spending out money you can ill afford on medications is the individual owners choice but, I would rather euthanise than get myself into debt especially when euthanasia is on the cards anyway.
 
No but also in this position with 2 of mine. Both 'field sound' both 20+ and neither I am really willing to pass on tbh.

One is a broody and was my riding horse, trouble is that now she is older, I won't be able to loan her out to anyone half competent enough. Cold backed, quite sharp and a bit hysterical but now only physically up to 80cm I would imagine. My only option is a riding school where she would be fine with the more experienced but I think she'd hate it.

Other one is really ancient cob who is sound in winter but not in summer. He isn't lami but I suspect his feet just get a bit hotter in the summer and aggravate his bursae perhaps.

I've had a dramatic change of life circumstances (very mature pregnancy) and now think that the responsible thing to do is to PTS. Gone are the days when keeping field ornaments was an option, not up here anyway, no grass, water table just keeps getting higher year on year etc etc. I've had horrific experiences with loaning anyway. Both horses have had a really good life.
 
A friend had a gorgeous TB, fantastic to ride, jumped BS 1.15 hacked out but every so often with no warning it bolted.
It was checked top to toe nothing.
She had to stop taking it to shows when it bolted in a warm up causing mayhem.
One day she was leading it to the field & it bolted running through a post & rail fence surprisingly not injuring itself.
A week later it went again she was walking it back from the arena. It narrowly missed mowing down her daughter.
She called the hunt straight away. Horse was shot 2 days later.

This was an experienced horsewoman & she said it was only a matter of time until it killed someone.
 
Haven't done it, but I would do it with my 9yo TB mare if I could not provide for her any longer. I've tried rehoming her twice, I've advertised her and when that failed to yield anyone suitable I went to it by word of mouth etc.

Basically, she has talent but also a lot of attitude and can be unpredictable, she doesn't have enough talent though to be that attractive to the type of horse people who could actually deal effectively with her quirks and she could potentially really hurt someone who thought they had the nuts/experience to deal with her. Her saving grace is that she is well behaved on the ground, although she is race bred with lots of popular names in her pedigree she has not attracted any interest as a brood mare. Anyway, I could go on, but in short, yes I would do it, and I would not blame anyone who did do it.
 
Depends on the situation, but I was gifted my current horse who was due to be PTS by his previous owner! Basically the daughter had lost all interest in him, the family had sent him off to a yard to be sold but within 3 weeks he had lost loads of weight, was covered in scratches apparently and lame (basically he'd been kept horrifically by the yard). They had the vet out who didnt know why he was lame so said he'd need to do xrays, they couldnt be bothered with that. Even though they were perfectly rich (so money no issue) they decided instead to simply book him in to be put down! A previous owner found out and basically saved him, they picked him up and took him on, putting him on box rest for a couple of months etc. They didnt want to keep him, so gave him to me. He's the most wonderful horse, a real sweetheart and already we've been out winning things (yes, ridden - he's been sound since I got him). He is very very well bred too, he shouldn't have ended up like this. I look at him and cannot believe he should be dead, horrid horrid people. So in that instance it was totally uncalled for! So please consider that some horses (obviously depends on the situation), CAN be rehomed and be perfectly happy with someone else.
 
not so much a tale of something being pts but but a tale of one who should have been .16hh gelding nice stamp of horse 9 yr old useful jump not to bad to handle from ground. Enjoyable hack -most of the time .Sold by a dealer as suitable for novice/happy hacking. three "accidents" later (just minor reared once bucked off once tanked once) my very experienced friend who loves horses that are all kinds of crazy was asked to ride him see if she could put her finger on the problem rode him a few weeks times just felt he needed a very firm confident consistent rider. vet came checked him tack teeth etc no problem.suggested a piece of 2 by four. then whilst out hacking with a couple of others a switch went in its head it leapt onto nearest horse teeth bared going for rider too.this happened in different scenarios a few more times before friend said enough pts . Owner not happy got somebody else supposed experienced event rider to ride it rode it twice - i think he's had two opps to mend bones His instructor said she'd sort it out i believe she's not expected to walk again. horse went back to dealers and has probably been passed on as dealer swapped it for unbroken four yr old ! oh and another 500 quid "as owner had obviuosly ruined it so would need months of schooling!" ONE to the dealer !
 
MagicMelon said:
Depends on the situation, but I was gifted my current horse who was due to be PTS by his previous owner! Basically the daughter had lost all interest in him, the family had sent him off to a yard to be sold but within 3 weeks he had lost loads of weight, was covered in scratches apparently and lame (basically he'd been kept horrifically by the yard). They had the vet out who didnt know why he was lame so said he'd need to do xrays, they couldnt be bothered with that. Even though they were perfectly rich (so money no issue) they decided instead to simply book him in to be put down! A previous owner found out and basically saved him, they picked him up and took him on, putting him on box rest for a couple of months etc. They didnt want to keep him, so gave him to me. He's the most wonderful horse, a real sweetheart and already we've been out winning things (yes, ridden - he's been sound since I got him). He is very very well bred too, he shouldn't have ended up like this. I look at him and cannot believe he should be dead, horrid horrid people. So in that instance it was totally uncalled for! So please consider that some horses (obviously depends on the situation), CAN be rehomed and be perfectly happy with someone else.
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What a great ending and such a scarey close shave for the horse!

Well done you:cool:
 
Several times - a lovely big young horse that was quirky to mount ( this was about 10 years ago, after about a year of gradual improvements, suddenly lost it over a fence at a show)- vets looked and scanned ovaries, teeth done, "back" done, and nothing found - opinion was it was a mental issue, so PTS. However, with hindsight and experience, I'd suspect SI issues or kissing spines.

Pony sent to me for schooling - owned for a 12yo girl. Very nervous, ESP of men. Never had a ridden problem, did some digging and contacted ex owner in passport - who had sold to a dealer for £50 as a companion, as it would randomly bolt. Owners very sensibly immediately said PTS.

Client - Ex racehorse, with occasional tendency to buck. Owned by experienced but not hugely confident lady. Went on trial to competent rider. Had been good as gold, and may well have just been fresh, but bucked her off in week 4, so came home and was PTS next week - had no saleable future, owner could only see him falling into downward spiral.

Little cob, sound for low level with sufficient maintenance work to keep her strong, but massively overweight. Wouldn't be able to stand more than light work, and would have to be massively restricted on food to try and keep her healthy. Felt that she was just facing a very miserable 20 years ahead of her - I would have rehomed if I'd known someone I trusted to keep her strengthening exercises up, as when toned and fit she moved well enough to not be doing further damage, and I think could have had several years of quiet fun - but I don't think many people really want the "hassle" of that, so feel PTS was kindest.

I have also sold 2 (many years ago) that I now wish I had had PTS, though both because I now suspect underlying physical issues, although seemed fit and healthy -you live and learn -i often think of them and hope they aren't suffering.

Conversely, took one on a year ago that was booked to be PTS the next day. Was incredibly over sensitive, couldn't groom, handle, lead, anything actually, without lots of rage!! Unfortunatly Family ill health has stopped me actually starting her ridden work, she's just had to fit in to the mayhem, but incredibly proud of her as she now seems to be able to keep it together in even exciting situations! Planning to start her up this week. If no go, she will be PTS - No question.

Having seen so many fall into the wrong hands, I would now struggle to sell. I think a lot can be turned around, but if that isn't an option with total certainty that they wont fall into wrong hands, I really believe PTS is kindest and would do it every time.
 
Iam pretty sure i will be letting my mare go at the end of the summer,although field sound probably not going to be ridden again unless by a miracle in the next 6 months she comes 100% sound.
It will break my heart as she is such a poppett & have had since she was 2...she's now 15years old.If i had my own land or won the lottery perhaps she could stay....but sadly i cannot justify the costs involved in keeping her...which sounds so harsh but with 3 young kids i have had to prioritise both time & money!
She is happy where she is & will be pts with the sun on her back on some autumn day & wont know alot about it with her head stuffed in her bucket munching away.I do think alot of people are struggling big time at the moment & i would PTS anyday rather than trying to rehome something thats not quite right for whatever reason.
 
After a lot of soul searching I had my home bred 16 year old brood mare pts. It broke my heart as she was completely sound and had bred some lovely foals but as things are at the moment it is not sensible to be breeding. I was having her best friend my lovely 24 year old retired brood mare pts before winter as she was becoming very stiff and in September they both went together at home. In these uncertain times I could not think about selling her and if this horse meat scandal has shown me anything it is that I did the responsible thing. Upsetting to do but correct.
 
Another friend (& sometimes HHO poster) bought a lovely TB for a reasonable price. Not long after getting him he started bucking. She had his back looked at, spent a fortune on a new saddle...still not right.
She had a very sympathetic & good trainer who helped her go back to basics - still something wasn't right.
Sent him to the vets & discovered he had Kissing Spines. Started a rehabilitation programme & tried EVERYTHING for him. Whilst he wasn't ever crippled he just wasn't right & always seemed uncomfortable. His ridden behaviour nearly destroyed her confidence.
She made the decision to put him to sleep. it broke her heart. he looked in fantastic condition, literally gleaming with health he was sweet to handle with a nice temperament but she couldn't afford to keep him on livery as a lawn mower & wasn't prepared to risk the companion route.

In hindsight his pain driven behaviour is probably what caused him to be sold to my friend. It's just a shame this poor chaps 1st owner didn't do right by the poor sod instead if trying to make a quick buck & saved a lot of heartache :(
 
Not personally, but know of a 5-7yo gelding that was. Completely bonkers, unpredictable and dangerous under saddle. Not much better in hand. He was bought from the sales, and his "achievements" included; almost bolting over a cliff, chucking a RI over a school fence, breaking 2 arms.

Unfortunately he was a problem that couldn't be passed on. He was fully checked by the vet and sent away to be schooled. Enough was enough.
 
Sadly four times!
Two because they were an absolute delinquent with the farrier - seriously dangerous and when I did finally get some info back about one of them found that the racing stables drugged it everytime it needed anything done to its feet.

Another - a pony - as it was evil on the ground far too dangerous to allow children to be around it.

Third was a lovely horse that had had colitis and as a result had damaged feet, you could never guarantee he would be sound from one day to the next. He left my yard looking a million dollars and neighing

It's a heart breaking situation to be in but safety of humans comes first.
 
Tnavas said:
Sadly four times!
Two because they were an absolute delinquent with the farrier - seriously dangerous and when I did finally get some info back about one of them found that the racing stables drugged it everytime it needed anything done to its feet.

Another - a pony - as it was evil on the ground far too dangerous to allow children to be around it.

Third was a lovely horse that had had colitis and as a result had damaged feet, you could never guarantee he would be sound from one day to the next. He left my yard looking a million dollars and neighing

It's a heart breaking situation to be in but safety of humans comes first.
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This is one of the posts that hits a nerve for me - an owner who has the integrity and fortitude to make the hard decision and PTS a horse that he/she deems dangerous. I have seen so many instances of owners selling on a dangerous horse, either because they lack the courage to do the necessary, or they hope to recoup some of their investment.

Bravo, Tnavas, would that more owners would adhere to the basic rule: if the horse is a danger to the seller, it's a danger to the buyer.
 
Ancient Hacker said:
This is one of the posts that hits a nerve for me - an owner who has the integrity and fortitude to make the hard decision and PTS a horse that he/she deems dangerous. I have seen so many instances of owners selling on a dangerous horse, either because they lack the courage to do the necessary, or they hope to recoup some of their investment.

Bravo, Tnavas, would that more owners would adhere to the basic rule: if the horse is a danger to the seller, it's a danger to the buyer.
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I wouldn't know how to live with myself if I passed on a horse that caused an accident or killed its new owner because of its behaviour.
 
@Tnavas, I feel the same, but there are people in this world who really do not share our qualms. I'm going through something similar at the moment with one of my horses, whom I love dearly; however he was previously abused, unbeknown to me, and I'm just not succeeding in moving him forward to a state where I or my trainer would consider him a safe horse. I'm going to persevere a little longer, and if I do not prevail I will do the necessary. Tragic, because he is beautiful and talented. Just not quite right in his head.
 
Yes a few times. I will give everything a more than fair chance. One was a stunning 148 that was incredibly talented SJ, but would flip unpredictably. He threw me off on the middle of the yard for no reason, he did it several times in the school. The worst being dumping rider and then running blind through the school fence. I sent him to a friends who deals with awful horses on a two week pardon, to see if with vets help we could get to the bottom of it. Sadly he then started to get very nasty in the stable also, and when I found out that he had my friend pinned in a corner of the box with teeth and all four legs the knacker was called straight away. It was a real kick in the teeth, as he was a very talented horse, but was going to kill someone. Had he not been so awful on the ground too I would have let him live out his days in the field, but couldn't risk him attacking anyone. Again he had no bad experiences and had come direct from his very well respected breeder to me. So can only presume some sort of underlying problem to blame. Wish I had had a PM now as would love to have known a physical cause.
Other recent one was an event horse. He had a kissing spines o p, which had been declared a success, however his erratic ridden behaviour continued under saddle, so he was PTS. I've had various older, unrehomable animals PTS and it never gets easier, although I really don't envy anyone in the situation with a young horse. My best advice is that if you can send for professional help before making up your mind then do. I value a second opinion as one persons problem is another's walk in the park. Even though I run a large professional yard and we have a lot of breakers and schoolers in I would always seek advice from a trusted source before playing god with any of my equines. Sometimes it may not be what you want to hear but it def helps the decision a bit easier, and an outside perspective will see thins you don't. Every horse deserves a chance but its knowing when to call it a day. I would say to anyone in this situation that once the call is made then you will feel a huge sense of relief. I'm always upset but normally it's worst just before you make the call: inevitably once it's done you feel a weight has lifted.
 
I didn't in the end but almost did. Had a mare who wasn't right in the head or was screwed up somehow - an unsafe, nerve-wracking ride. She went lame with soft tissue injuries in her front feet. She had a load of time off and was sound, but had a strong chance of breaking down again once in decent work and I couldn't face bringing her back having already bought a genuine, enjoyable horse to replace her seeing as it was so unlikely she'd ever be right. I figured selling her would be irresponsible to other people even though it would have given her a chance, she did have quite a lot going for her (looks, temperament, breeding, ability, wasn't actually lame, etc) but she'd been such a disaster to me that I couldn't do that to someone else!

I'd read about the blood bank on here and she got a place there instead, which has given her more years, saved me the cost of pts and now she's saving lives instead of endangering them. :) I would have had her put down though, had a better option not presented itself.
 
Not personally but I was involved in the fate of one who was. He had been spoilt as a foal, encouraged to play chase games, then when he grew up and wanted to continue the owners (breeders) were scared of him. He went to a very tough male SJer to school and further compounded his view of the human race in general. By the time I got him to a home where he could be sympathetically trained he had no interest in relating to humans, nor any concept of backing off when he was told. Making yourself big just made him come back stronger at you. After he had injured a couple of people without even being sat on the decision was made to PTS. Very very sad because he was a lovely bright intelligent horse (12 yrs old) who had simply been ruined by his treatment by humans.
 
You are all very brave. Unfortunately it was a decision I should have made but couldn't. I had a beautiful and very well bred mare but I was afraid of her, she was very unpredictable and she had my confidence in tatters. I had spent a fortune getting her trained etc. I sold her cheaply to a more experienced home. They were also unable to ride her. They now breed from her every year. The first foal they got out of her was to a stallion known to throw quiet ones and the foal was still deemed beautiful but nasty. The subsequent stallions they chose were not known to produce quiet ones so I can only imagine what they turned out like! Shame on me for not having the guts to put a stop to all of that years ago
 
I had a pony PTS on vet's advice. She was only 11.2hh and 9yrs old. She had been great to start with, hunting on a lead rein etc, but became gradually more and more unpredictable. She started to rear and bolt. When off lead rein. We had everything checked - found nothing. I decided she could only be ridden on lead rein - probably confidence issues.
The last day we rode her, her little rider had caught her, tacked her up and off we went on a lead rein. She just flicked out at my horse, her field mate, which she had never done before. Anyway we carried on as normal until about 5 mins later she turned, reared up, ears flat back, teeth barred and came for my horse. Fortunately he stood still. She kept lunging at him and then spun and double barreled him at least twice. Needless to say my little boy had fallen and at one point she scrambled over him to get back to my horse. It was awful and fortunately a passerby helped my son. I had to get off my horse and try to get the wild thing home, it was almost impossible to get her tack off. She was back to normal by evening - but that was it. The vet thought she would seriously injure or kill a child. I felt sad but know it was the right thing to do. I'm sure she was miserable at times too.

I'm now in a quandary with another. A nice ex-hunter given to me by an old man, who couldn't keep him any longer. He's a lovely horse, easy to keep, but I've never been able to keep him sound. If he was happy to be a light hack he might be OK, but he doesn't do that. He is a lively ride and can only manage one day ridden, two weeks off, so now he's fully retired. He's had a good life and is fulfilling a job as a companion at the moment, but there will come a day... not looking forward to it.
 
Fools Motto, your story brought a tear to my eye, Horse sounded like a sweetheart under all that, but I agree you made the right decision.

I am iffin and buttin about wether I would ever sell Ruby on. Shes a good girl but very high maitenence, she has mild COPD, so can't be stabled for long periods of time, needs to be on shavings, needs soaked hay. If it gets any worse she will need tablets too. Her other problem is she needs regular work to stay sound. She has a stifle problem and its not noticeable usually. However can only be schooled once a week otherwise goes lame. Shes a suberb hacking Horse though (although spooky when alone)

But would anyone want the hassel and expense for just a happy hacker that can be lightly schooled? she is rising 8YO.
 
Tnavas said:
I wouldn't know how to live with myself if I passed on a horse that caused an accident or killed its new owner because of its behaviour.
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Very commendable.

I've seen it done and wondered how the sellers can live with themselves. Plus it never ends well for the horse.

Even the people who say that they will always be able to be the only person to handle the horse. . .how is that possible? Even allowing for vets and farriers, no one can guarantee.
 
I had a perfectly healthy ten year old put down last week. I was given him as a horse to rehab for front foot lameness and the feet were easy, he was sound in a couple of months. But he was always a twitchy sort and right from the start he would hyperventilate for no reason when out on a hack.

The second time I took him hunting he went completely beserk and nearly hurt me badly, it could easily have been fatal. I took him back to the lorry, where he turned himself inside out trying to climb the partition and when that didn't work he turned himself upside down with his legs waving in the air. I called the Fire Brigade to help me get him out.

A couple of weeks after that I found him having a panic attack in the field while my other two horses (both highly strung themselves, not plods) looked on in astonishment.

With his history of lameness going back four years and a pattern of increasingly wierd behaviour with me (including twice jumping very large imaginary jumps that were not there) I thought the only way I could safeguard his future and stop him ever hurting anyone was to have him put down.
 
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