Having horse PTS next week

[MontyandZoom]

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would you put a vetaran down if its not ridden anymore ??

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I have a VERY elderly horse who is still a very light hack. I have already said that in his case.......yes! He is an ex-eventer and has worked all his life. His 'work' is now a gentle hack 4 times a week but he needs this to remain sane. He would be completely stressed and depressed if he couldn't be ridden anymore and I love him too much to see him unhappy.

My other horse would be fine if she couldn't be ridden and would stay with me forever even though she is only 12 but not all horses are the same.

 

[lauraandjack]

Would I put a veteran down if it could not be ridden anymore?

Depends on the horse, and why it could not be ridden, and whether I could offer it good quality of life.

To me, being shoved in a field, possibly alone, out in all weathers in the mud and rain, with inadequte food and infrequent attention from the farrier etc, is not good quality of life for a horse. Sadly it is the reality for many horses that for whatever reason cannot be ridden.

As somebody has posted already any horse is better off dead than being mistreated, passed from pillar to post or neglected.

 

[JM07]

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would you put a vetaran down if its not ridden anymore ??

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and what the hell as that got to do with the price of fish??

 

[ischa]

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I don't think any of us on here would honestly have a horse PTS if there was a better option. But sometimes it is the right and most responsible thing to do.

Keeping a horse as a companion is all well and good if you have the land and money to do it. But IMO rehoming a horse with known serious problems as a companion is totally irresponsible. If you don't want it, why should anyone else? You simply do not know, and cannot control, what would happen to this horse once it has left your ownership.

By the sounds of things this horse is going to kill someone or itself sooner or later.

ISCHA, I'm sure you take very good care of your horses, companion or ridden, but sadly there are plenty of people out there who don't. I wouldn't want any horse of mine to face an uncertain future in this sort of situation.

[/ QUOTE ] i agree with you , its the bad people giving the good people a bad name so half the chance people like myself that does keep non ridden horses are overlooked and a horse like the menshioned is distroyed because everyone thinks it be posted on every where

 

[M_G]

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would you put a vetaran down if its not ridden anymore ??

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and what the hell as that got to do with the price of fish??

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I think its one of those answers like would you put your granny down...

 

[StarFell]

QR
I really feel for you, what an awful position to be in

I do think you're making the right decision though, both for the horse's sake and everyone who might come into contact with her. *Hugs*

 

[f_s_]

There is a big difference between having a veteran horse, with medical issues that can be controlled and kept as a companion.

If a veteran horse was suffering and you had done everything to try and stop that suffering, you would put that veteran to sleep. A vet would help you make that decision anyway.

A dangerous horse is a different matter altogether!!!

You run the risk of serious maiming or fatally injuring a person if the horse is sold on. You also run the risk of causing suffering to that animal. Furthermore, breeding from an animal with known issues, defects, bad confirmation faults and dangerous behavioural issues is NOT the thing to do.

Also, keeping a dangerous horse as a field companion, is not always possible, and some behaviour issues make that animal impossible to handle (no matter how experienced or knowledgeable you are!)

The decision to have any animal PTS is something that any horse owner takes lightly, I am sure that the OP has thought this through and not arrived at this decision on a whim.

I still say that it is a responsible decision, and although an awful one to have to make, I think she is doing the right thing in this instance.

 

[JM07]

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[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
would you put a vetaran down if its not ridden anymore ??

[/ QUOTE ]

and what the hell as that got to do with the price of fish??

[/ QUOTE ]

I think its one of those answers like would you put your granny down...

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i would of paid good money to of had my paternal granny put down, i tell you...old witch....

 

[ischa]

well many of people on here have many veterans that are keeped as companions am i right or not so what the difference between keeping a veteran(that cant be ridden due to age ) to a horse that can no longer be ridden

 

[JM07]

[ QUOTE ]
well many of people on here have many veterans that are keeped as companions am i right or not so what the difference between keeping a veteran(that cant be ridden due to age ) to a horse that can no longer be ridden

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the OP's horse has unpredictable "Mental" problems.....

there is NO comparison....

why can you not just respect the OP's wishes/decision and stop giving her a hard time, eh?

it's hard enough as it is without someone who has NO IDEA what the horse is like trying to push a guilt trip....

 

[ischa]

[ QUOTE ]
There is a big difference between having a veteran horse, with medical issues that can be controlled and kept as a companion.

If a veteran horse was suffering and you had done everything to try and stop that suffering, you would put that veteran to sleep. A vet would help you make that decision anyway.

A dangerous horse is a different matter altogether!!!

You run the risk of serious maiming or fatally injuring a person if the horse is sold on. You also run the risk of causing suffering to that animal. Furthermore, breeding from an animal with known issues, defects, bad confirmation faults and dangerous behavioural issues is NOT the thing to do.

Also, keeping a dangerous horse as a field companion, is not always possible, and some behaviour issues make that animal impossible to handle (no matter how experienced or knowledgeable you are!)

The decision to have any animal PTS is something that any horse owner takes lightly, I am sure that the OP has thought this through and not arrived at this decision on a whim.

I still say that it is a responsible decision, and although an awful one to have to make, I think she is doing the right thing in this instance.

[/ QUOTE ]hows it ever a dangerous horse if you are on the ground
have i missed something ??
does it have agrressive behaviour when being led ???

 

[ischa]

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well many of people on here have many veterans that are keeped as companions am i right or not so what the difference between keeping a veteran(that cant be ridden due to age ) to a horse that can no longer be ridden

[/ QUOTE ]

the OP's horse has unpredictable "Mental" problems.....

there is NO comparison....

why can you not just respect the OP's wishes/decision and stop giving her a hard time, eh?

it's hard enough as it is without someone who has NO IDEA what the horse is like trying to push a guilt trip....

[/ QUOTE ]
im not giving a hard time im just saying has she thought about it

 

[MontyandZoom]

Well said JM07 - I have tried to put across other points and been ignored. I can't stand it when people are so judgemental without considering the individual situation.

 

[f_s_]

I was giving you an example, I didn't say the OP horse had this specific problem. Although, I gather the horse does have a dangerous problem, hence her decision.

 

[Hippona]

TBH I dont think anything could be said that would make Ischa understand OP's /our point of view.

She is of her opinion.....fortunately OP is doing the right thing for her AND her horse......and thats all that matters at the end of the day.

Hard decision, but IMO the right one.

 

[JM07]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
well many of people on here have many veterans that are keeped as companions am i right or not so what the difference between keeping a veteran(that cant be ridden due to age ) to a horse that can no longer be ridden

[/ QUOTE ]

the OP's horse has unpredictable "Mental" problems.....

there is NO comparison....

why can you not just respect the OP's wishes/decision and stop giving her a hard time, eh?

it's hard enough as it is without someone who has NO IDEA what the horse is like trying to push a guilt trip....

[/ QUOTE ]
im not giving a hard time im just saying has she thought about it

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why should she?

she may have limited funds...so not able to keep 2....

she may not want the esponsibility of looking after an unpredictable animal..i know i certainly wouldn't..

anyhow, lets just support the OP.....not judge her..

 

[BSJAlove]

wow. im going to add my humble opinion now

if it was me, i would turn the horse away in the field. its its natural enviroment. (i personally dont like parelli) but id let people who do play with her or whatever they do. even if shes old or young, turning it away to be natural is more of a better option to me.

HOWEVER, i can see the argument about putting the mare to sleep and not knowing the mare and trusting your better judgment, you would do the right thing and am sure you would only put her to sleep as a last option thing.

i hope you have a speedy recovery from your injuruies!! X

 

[Nailed]

I did have a vetran put down because he couldnt be ridden anymore.. because he was in pain, unhappy, and i did not want him to die with no dignity so that argument is bollox..

Lou x

 

[burtie]

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well many of people on here have many veterans that are keeped as companions am i right or not so what the difference between keeping a veteran(that cant be ridden due to age )

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I doubt many retired veterans can't be ridden due to age, they are normally fully retired purely because the owner has the means to keep them in full retirement and they are not up to breing ridden to the level they wish. Any horse not capable of a quite hack a few times a week is not capable of being happy living in retirement IMHO, after all a horse will walk miles each day in the field.

 

[lauraandjack]

Do you not think she has thought long and hard about this already?

Yes in an ideal world this horse would be kept as a field ornament. But I don't think many of us live in that ideal world where money, time and turnout are no problem.

 

[ridebumble]

Ok I think you have (well tried) to make your point, she is trying to be a responsible owner, the horse is lucky to have got this far in life by the sounds of it, the owner doesn't want anyone else hurt, as a companion say all she has available is a cheap livery at £35 a week, lives to 28, excluding farrier / meds etc etc she is looking at a bill of £31,000 quite possibly not letting her have another horse, all because she tried to help a horse with problems, personally I think you live in a bubble if you think that ist reasonable to expect someone to take this on when they have already tried with what they already knew was a potential dangerous horse

 

[f_s_]

Is this reply for me?

If it is, if you read my post I did say that if the veteran was ill and you could not control the illness//suffering you would have the horse PTS!

 

[ridebumble]

ISCHA , forgot to quote

 

[Nailed]

Na F_S i only your the little reply box at the bottom.. cant be arsed with the 'proper' reply lark..

Lou x

 

[f_s_]

Sorry, it wasn't you I directed it at, it was nailed!!!

My fault too as I forgot to quote!!!

so were both in it now!!!

 

[f_s_]

No problem!!!

 

[happyhack]

[ QUOTE ]
have you ever ask the vet the possable causes of it bolting
have you had things checked ,
sorry but a horse doesnt bolt because it wants too
its mainly A bad habit is an undesirable behavior that occurs during training or handling and is usually a result of poor techniques and a lack of understanding of horse behavior.
hows it ever going to effect a foal

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Post from OP


Yes, I bought the horse knowing she had problems and she was vetted last week and had her teeth floated - although the vet said there was nowt much needing doing. She passed the physical side with flying colours, although it of a very nervous disposition and prone to freaking out and shaking from head to foot with fright at the slightest provocation. I am the third person to try and work through the problems with her, and I know in my heart of hearts that she is not of the temperament to tolerate being passed from pillar to post any more. The bolting IS established behaviour and 3 very experienced trainers have been injured in succession. Just feel cr*p about next week but my OH is taking control of the situation and the YO agrees with the decision made. I can't move at the mo, due to the 3 ribs and OH is taking time off work to get kids off to school and help me during the day. He's less than impressed with what's happened after just 5 weeks of having the horse. We've been doing a lot of work on the ground to build up her confidence and get her going, and I was only walking her quietly around the block (very quiet lane which loops around the yard) when whatever happened, happened. She was being ridden in a pelham and would not turned, circle, move towards the hedge or pull up. She's got a powerful neck and strong tongue (as complained about by the vet who floated her teeth last week). She completely locks her neck and ignored the bit and bolts. I remember taking both feet out of my stirrups in readiness to jump off her. She's tall and I guess something went wrong between me opting to get off and me hitting the ground, as I don't remember anything after taking my feet out. I also ride in an Oz stock saddle and the bruises to the inside of my left thigh where it caught against the pommel block on that side as I came off, are horrific.


Can I ask you ISCHA, if this had been a dog that had previously bitten 2 handlers and escaped being PTS and had just bitten the 3rd what would you be saying. Because aggression in dogs occurs for the same reason. A switch just flicks in their heads and it happens.
Your explanation is just black and white, there are hundreds of shades of grey in between that you are either not seeing or refusing to see.
Nobody will know if this trait will be passed onto a foal, but is it seriously worth the risk? I think not.
ISCHA, I think you need to step out of La-La land for a bit and into the real world, its not all happiness and sunshine but you might be pleasantly surprised by a few things.

 

[Boodle]

Very hard decision, but obviously the right one.
Thoughts are with you at this hard time.
x

 

[hopppydi]

The horse is clearly dangerous and has a history of hurting experienced riders. If it was a dog going round biting people it would be put down...its sad but i really dont get ischa at all. People and there safety have to come first..i think you are doing the right thing and i hope you dont let people make you feel guilty.

 

[lexiedhb]

QR- Havent read all this thread, but to my mind some horses just are not suitable as riding/domesticated horses pure and simple.
I knew a mare once who just refused point blank to be ridden, from the moment she was brought in to be backed she was trouble. They owners tried three years running to back that horse, and the result was 4 people ended up in hospital, 2 because she bolted. This mare however was the kindest/sweetest mare to handle deal with from the ground, so she became a brood mare (was a risk of this behaviour being passed on yes), however not one of her offspring has had this "anti" riding mindset.
If her first foal had shown even a tiny amount of her dangerousness she would of been PTS, as would the mare.

Your decision is a very brave one, and IMO the right one

ISCHA- YOU CANNOT "cure" EVERY HORSES DEEPN ROOTED BEHAVIOUR, so give the OP a break......... jeez