ester
Not slacking multitasking
Right decision for the horse in this instance although hard to make a very responsible one.
Having horse PTS next week
- Thread starter ever_hopeful
- Start date
ronansmum
Well-Known Member
I agree that you are doing the right thing and being incredibly brave and responsible, selfless in fact. I am sure no one in their right mind at the yard or anywhere else would criticise you in any way and if they do, they are downright irresponsible..
As lots of others have said heaven knows what will happen if you don't. Someone could get killed or at least crippled permanently.
It IS sad but there are horses that should not be allowed to be ridden, my OH had one on loan once and the YO said to him "This horse is why cowboys carry guns!!" It seemed an awful thing to say but my OH did get hurt although not seriously but it was a just matter of time....
I wish you well soon and hope that this hasn't put you off getting another!!
Good luck...
As lots of others have said heaven knows what will happen if you don't. Someone could get killed or at least crippled permanently.
It IS sad but there are horses that should not be allowed to be ridden, my OH had one on loan once and the YO said to him "This horse is why cowboys carry guns!!" It seemed an awful thing to say but my OH did get hurt although not seriously but it was a just matter of time....
I wish you well soon and hope that this hasn't put you off getting another!!
Good luck...
cariadssogreat
Well-Known Member
ever_hopeful, I hope you recover from your injuries soon x.
As for the matter of the mare, you are most certainly doing the right thing. Aside from the fact that if she were to continue to be ridden she may kill either people or herself, as you rightly say you would not want her to be passed around or sold to a novice through a dishonest person trying to make a quick buck.
IMO better a certain fate than an uncertain future.
Best wishes, chin up, never mind the others at the yard - they arent the ones riding her. You have done everything you could have, and sound like a very experienced and sensible horse owner.
If its any consolation - I went through a similar thing with a 5 yo - who was put to sleep within a week of the "incident".
Its just never worth it ,is it?
As for the matter of the mare, you are most certainly doing the right thing. Aside from the fact that if she were to continue to be ridden she may kill either people or herself, as you rightly say you would not want her to be passed around or sold to a novice through a dishonest person trying to make a quick buck.
IMO better a certain fate than an uncertain future.
Best wishes, chin up, never mind the others at the yard - they arent the ones riding her. You have done everything you could have, and sound like a very experienced and sensible horse owner.
If its any consolation - I went through a similar thing with a 5 yo - who was put to sleep within a week of the "incident".
Its just never worth it ,is it?
Pearlsasinger
Up in the clouds
Sorry to hear that you have been injured and have had to come to this sad decision. I completely understand why you came to that decision.
I expect you have, but just wonder if you have looked at the horse's diet to see if it affects her behaviour.
I owned a mare who we were thinking about pts but waiting till Xmas etc out of the way. She was dangerous to ride and on the ground, with unpredictable behaviour and a cough.
We wanted to try to make her more comfortable and read an article about food allergy/intolerance. To treat the cough, we cut all hard feed out of her diet, so she was just eating hay. Within a few days she was like a different horse and we kept her another 12 years. Although to be fair, we kept her at home and did very little with her (she was happy being a companion) because we could never be sure that a 'well-meaning' passer-by hadn't fed her. It turned out that she could not tolerate sugar or cereals and in fact she was like a drug addict waiting for her next fix, which was what had made her so unpredictable.
I expect you have, but just wonder if you have looked at the horse's diet to see if it affects her behaviour.
I owned a mare who we were thinking about pts but waiting till Xmas etc out of the way. She was dangerous to ride and on the ground, with unpredictable behaviour and a cough.
We wanted to try to make her more comfortable and read an article about food allergy/intolerance. To treat the cough, we cut all hard feed out of her diet, so she was just eating hay. Within a few days she was like a different horse and we kept her another 12 years. Although to be fair, we kept her at home and did very little with her (she was happy being a companion) because we could never be sure that a 'well-meaning' passer-by hadn't fed her. It turned out that she could not tolerate sugar or cereals and in fact she was like a drug addict waiting for her next fix, which was what had made her so unpredictable.
ischa
Well-Known Member
right ok firstly im not trying in anyway to make the person fill bad or ganging up on her in any way
everyone has there own thoughts to either if this is right or wrong
i simply repleyed is there any other option instead having a health horse yes with a bahaviour problem put to sleep
i wish the person all my heartfelt wishes to which she goes with
everyone has there own thoughts to either if this is right or wrong
i simply repleyed is there any other option instead having a health horse yes with a bahaviour problem put to sleep
i wish the person all my heartfelt wishes to which she goes with
supersally
Well-Known Member
Hope you recover from your injuries with no lasting damage. I think that you are making a very hard but correct choice. For those that can afford to keep a field ornament thats up to them but by having her PTS you will never compromise someone elses safety/life. I admire you for making what I ( & most other posters on here) feel to be the right decision. As Lauraand jack has said I think that its us humans that struggle with the though of the slaughterhouse not the horses.
JavaJaneW
Well-Known Member
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i take my hat off to you.
what a good, thoughtful owner you are. its very hard to make this type of decission and i commend you for doing the right thing by this type of horse...it takes balls to make such a choice
well done and my thoughts are with you.
JM
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absolutely agree with this.
It is the right thing in this case.
i take my hat off to you.
what a good, thoughtful owner you are. its very hard to make this type of decission and i commend you for doing the right thing by this type of horse...it takes balls to make such a choice
well done and my thoughts are with you.
JM
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absolutely agree with this.
It is the right thing in this case.
Persephone
Well-Known Member
I do feel for you, not a nice decision to make.
However you are doing the responsible thing by the mare, as you say it would be awful for her being passed from pillar to post and it is also highly likely more people would get seriously injured.
If the mare is that nervous all the time, she's obviously not right and probably not living an enjoyable life either.
However you are doing the responsible thing by the mare, as you say it would be awful for her being passed from pillar to post and it is also highly likely more people would get seriously injured.
If the mare is that nervous all the time, she's obviously not right and probably not living an enjoyable life either.
ajb123
Well-Known Member
Been in the same position as OP - horse was pts - no way would I have bred from it or left it in a field as a field ornament. OP is doing a very responsible thing IMHO - hope your injuries soon heal.
TarrSteps
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Years ago a friend was in a situation very similar to yours with a bolter, in an autopsy the horse was found to have a tumour in the brain.
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I had a similar one. The horse would lose it for very little reason (a noise, a touch etc) and, while not a bolter, would literally attack the nearest object. I have a large scar, complete with obvious tooth marks on my arm to prove it. I was given him after he hurt his owner and her trainer (hey, I was young and was building a rep of being good with "difficult" horses . . . or just young and stupid
) and did actually show him successfully but he went after the farrier one day for no reason (he put a foot down, patted the horse on the shoulder and the horse literally jumped on top of him) and my coach (backed up by the farrier and our vet) said enough was enough. We simply could not keep the horse or people around him safe as even with signs and bolts on his door people seemed drawn to prove us all wrong by showing off their horse whisperer skills. The horse was unhappy, we were living on a knife edge with him all the time, and sooner or later he was going to hurt someone permanently or himself in the attempt.
I'm actually very grateful to that horse. He taught me a lot, not the least of which was when enough is enough. I have worked with many, many incredibly difficult horses - bolters, rearers, ones that throw themselves on the floor etc etc - since them, almost all with at least some degree of success and not seen another like him. Very experienced horsemen often have a story or two like this and they will all tell you it always ends badly. Best to have it end peacefully.
Many people think they've met "bad" or "crazy" horses but I have to tell you, until you've met a really off the wall one you just don't know.
Years ago a friend was in a situation very similar to yours with a bolter, in an autopsy the horse was found to have a tumour in the brain.
[/ QUOTE ]
I had a similar one. The horse would lose it for very little reason (a noise, a touch etc) and, while not a bolter, would literally attack the nearest object. I have a large scar, complete with obvious tooth marks on my arm to prove it. I was given him after he hurt his owner and her trainer (hey, I was young and was building a rep of being good with "difficult" horses . . . or just young and stupid
I'm actually very grateful to that horse. He taught me a lot, not the least of which was when enough is enough. I have worked with many, many incredibly difficult horses - bolters, rearers, ones that throw themselves on the floor etc etc - since them, almost all with at least some degree of success and not seen another like him. Very experienced horsemen often have a story or two like this and they will all tell you it always ends badly. Best to have it end peacefully.
Many people think they've met "bad" or "crazy" horses but I have to tell you, until you've met a really off the wall one you just don't know.
kellyeaton
Well-Known Member
i am so sorry. stupid questions have you tried calmers or maybe a horse wisper?x
welshied
Well-Known Member
What about sending to a charity and then see what they do with her? But if not suitable i feel you are making the right decision as she would proberbly end up with a dealer at some point and sold to some unsuspecting person
Linz75
Well-Known Member
Dear OP -
Was in a very similar position to yourself this time last year!
Kept my gelding for about 11 years more than I should have really, he was terribly dangerous to ride...took weird 'turns' sporadically out hacking & would literally go mad, backing into hedges, fences, rearing, launching & had no self preservation whatsoever - one time bolting into the path of an oncoming articulated lorry! Didn't matter if I rode with a schoolmaster or not, it was as if they weren't even there. Several no-it-alls said I was scared of him (which I admit, I did become) & they rode him. Guess what, he did it with them & they told me to PTS!! Sent him to specialists, who did do a bit of good but admitted it was psychological & not physical, as I had probably spent the best part of £10,000 checking him out. On the advice of an expert, decided to turn him away & retire him to the field, apart from the odd lunge/ride in the school where we could come to no harm. He hated it when the other horses went out & he was left, to the point of attacking me when I tried to bring them in. He never really settled into retirement & stressed all the time - thats when he got laminitis.......
Was in the box all summer 2007, screaming, climbing the walls & being a general nightmare to deal with. We got through that & he took it again last summer...I knew I had to PTS. I was racked with guilt about it but now he's gone, a part of me wishes I had PTS when all this started - when he was 6yo. Some horses just do not do well being ridden or turned away in a field......
For what its worth, I think you are doing the right thing for your horse & my thoughts are with you. L x
Was in a very similar position to yourself this time last year!
Kept my gelding for about 11 years more than I should have really, he was terribly dangerous to ride...took weird 'turns' sporadically out hacking & would literally go mad, backing into hedges, fences, rearing, launching & had no self preservation whatsoever - one time bolting into the path of an oncoming articulated lorry! Didn't matter if I rode with a schoolmaster or not, it was as if they weren't even there. Several no-it-alls said I was scared of him (which I admit, I did become) & they rode him. Guess what, he did it with them & they told me to PTS!! Sent him to specialists, who did do a bit of good but admitted it was psychological & not physical, as I had probably spent the best part of £10,000 checking him out. On the advice of an expert, decided to turn him away & retire him to the field, apart from the odd lunge/ride in the school where we could come to no harm. He hated it when the other horses went out & he was left, to the point of attacking me when I tried to bring them in. He never really settled into retirement & stressed all the time - thats when he got laminitis.......
Was in the box all summer 2007, screaming, climbing the walls & being a general nightmare to deal with. We got through that & he took it again last summer...I knew I had to PTS. I was racked with guilt about it but now he's gone, a part of me wishes I had PTS when all this started - when he was 6yo. Some horses just do not do well being ridden or turned away in a field......
For what its worth, I think you are doing the right thing for your horse & my thoughts are with you. L x
ForeverBroke_
Well-Known Member
Think the charities would turn this away unfortunatly, they are full enough as it is.
Think you are making the right decision too, albeit a horrible one but you're being a very thoughtful owner. I take my hat off to you! x
Think you are making the right decision too, albeit a horrible one but you're being a very thoughtful owner. I take my hat off to you! x
cariadssogreat
Well-Known Member
I think a number of the more realistic charities would suggest you do what you are doing, and if not would probably do it themselves a few months down the line.
Give her a nice week, and say goodbye, x
Give her a nice week, and say goodbye, x
MrsMozart
Just passing through...
I'll add my two pennies worth.
Is the right decision. Well done you for making it. Life is, sometimes, absolutle cr*p, and my thoughts go out to you all. I hope you heal quickly, both physically and emotionally.
Made me think about Little Lad, but we're not yet at that stage: I hope that if we do ever get there, then I have the guts and strength of character to do what you are doing.
Hugs.
Is the right decision. Well done you for making it. Life is, sometimes, absolutle cr*p, and my thoughts go out to you all. I hope you heal quickly, both physically and emotionally.
Made me think about Little Lad, but we're not yet at that stage: I hope that if we do ever get there, then I have the guts and strength of character to do what you are doing.
Hugs.
kimky
Well-Known Member
BROODMARE!!!!! I attually dont want to voice my opinion cos it could be a little harsh.
legaldancer
Well-Known Member
I've already contributed a supportive post on this thread, but was just thinking about equine mental health issues.
Horses must suffer mental problems just as humans do. How many times have we heard about schitzophrenics (sp?) & the like being given another chance in the community only to commit murder? There must be a large number of horses out there with severe mental problems & the kindest & safest option for them is to PTS. Being turned out will not suit them all & they can't really opt for suiside even if they wanted to.
Horses must suffer mental problems just as humans do. How many times have we heard about schitzophrenics (sp?) & the like being given another chance in the community only to commit murder? There must be a large number of horses out there with severe mental problems & the kindest & safest option for them is to PTS. Being turned out will not suit them all & they can't really opt for suiside even if they wanted to.
f_s_
Well-Known Member
Yet again..was that to me or a QR?
I would never say to use a horse as a broodmare with behavioural problems, or for that matter, serious medical, genetical, or confirmational problems!!
I actually agree that in this instance the horse should be PTS
I would never say to use a horse as a broodmare with behavioural problems, or for that matter, serious medical, genetical, or confirmational problems!!
I actually agree that in this instance the horse should be PTS
Moggy in Manolos
Well-Known Member
Its a very brave decision from you, and i think your are makig the right one, it sounds like every route has been tried out with much experience, it is not always possible to turn a horse around, sometimes you have to make the right and best decision, which i feel you are.
I would never breed from a mare of that nature either so i disagree with those that have suggested this option wholeheartedly
I would never breed from a mare of that nature either so i disagree with those that have suggested this option wholeheartedly
samstar
Well-Known Member
Agree with poster and said horse should be put to sleep.
I'd worry not just for the horse but also the rider if this horse was moved on
I'd worry not just for the horse but also the rider if this horse was moved on
gails
Well-Known Member
I think I understand your reasons, and therefore you have my support. I just hope that you are not being bullied into it, as all I read you say is OH and YO, not that you think it is th way forward. my OH does not like horses and th day my boy goes to the rainbow bridge, he has already said will be th best day of his life (why am I still with him).
I know I could not do it, and I also disagree with everyone that says that a horse turned away is not happy, my boy thinks it is great
My sister had a warm blood that would throw grooms and then come back to finish them off, however he never so much as hurt a hair on my head.
It is so sad fr you and I hope you feel better soon, big hugs, and if it feels right to do this then that is the only option you have.
I know I could not do it, and I also disagree with everyone that says that a horse turned away is not happy, my boy thinks it is great
My sister had a warm blood that would throw grooms and then come back to finish them off, however he never so much as hurt a hair on my head.
It is so sad fr you and I hope you feel better soon, big hugs, and if it feels right to do this then that is the only option you have.
Chestnuttymare
Well-Known Member
Just wanted to give my support and best wishes to the OP, this is obviously a decision which has not been taken lightly.
Some horses just can't be changed and to me it sounds like there is something gone terribly wrong in this horses brain, be it a tumour or something psychological.
To those who have suggested alternatives, i am sure they have all been looked at. You just never know what may happen in the future and that this horse may end up with someone on her back with dire consequences.
Ever-hopeful, you have made a very brave and sensible decision. I hope you recover from your injuries soon and get a nice safe horse to give you many happy years in the saddle.
Some horses just can't be changed and to me it sounds like there is something gone terribly wrong in this horses brain, be it a tumour or something psychological.
To those who have suggested alternatives, i am sure they have all been looked at. You just never know what may happen in the future and that this horse may end up with someone on her back with dire consequences.
Ever-hopeful, you have made a very brave and sensible decision. I hope you recover from your injuries soon and get a nice safe horse to give you many happy years in the saddle.
brighteyes
Pooh-Bah
<font color="blue">why does every broodmare have to have good blood lines if everything else is ok confo faults etc why not
why not give her the option to be a mum if not good enough for ridden work </font>
Arghhhhh! TEMPERAMENT and the fact there are two small, healthy colts up at a friend's place waiting to be PTS because they are surplus to requirements
Any takers?
why not give her the option to be a mum if not good enough for ridden work </font>
Arghhhhh! TEMPERAMENT and the fact there are two small, healthy colts up at a friend's place waiting to be PTS because they are surplus to requirements
Any takers?
brighteyes
Pooh-Bah
OP I fully support your courageous decision based on common sense and responsiblity, not economics and greed. Obviously a painful but wholly right course of action.
May she sleep well x
May she sleep well x
JM07
Well-Known Member
2 colts??
what breed?
age?
price?
thank you
what breed?
age?
price?
thank you
dun_in
Well-Known Member
Well done to OP for deciding not to breed from her it really p's me off when people suggest breeding from unreliable mares. Whether nature or nurture the off spring is likely to be handicapped disposition wise anyway.
Also, although supporting retirement for horses that someones had for years this lady has only had it for five weeks, been injured by it, and now people expect her to look after it for life!!!!
Also, although supporting retirement for horses that someones had for years this lady has only had it for five weeks, been injured by it, and now people expect her to look after it for life!!!!
Araminta
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
would you put a vetaran down if its not ridden anymore ??
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If it was dangerous - yes
If it was in pain - yes
If it was not enjoying life - yes
and lastly - if I couldn't afford either the time or the money to keep it - then yes.
Its called being a responsible owner.
would you put a vetaran down if its not ridden anymore ??
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If it was dangerous - yes
If it was in pain - yes
If it was not enjoying life - yes
and lastly - if I couldn't afford either the time or the money to keep it - then yes.
Its called being a responsible owner.
Ebenezer_Scrooge
Well-Known Member
To the OP: I think you are being a caring and responsible owner and you deserve total respect for making a difficult but sensible decision. You sound like you have given the horse every chance and speaking from personal experience that no matter what you try some horses have dangerous behaviours that for what ever reason [biological or physcological] cannot be sorted out. Sending you big hugs xx
glitterfuzz
Well-Known Member
It so good to see someone making a good descision with a dangerous horse rather than sticking it in a field somewhere or even worse, breeding more unwanted dangerous horses!
If there were more people like this about there would be far fewer unwanted horses about.
ISCHA - As someone else said... If this was a dangerous dog it would have been put to sleep after hurting the first person, never mind getting the chance to injure 3 more! You dont breed from animals with issues like this, or keep them as expensive pets.
This horse probably came to exist through irresponsible breeding of unsuitable horses in the first place. Maybe, if you feel so strongly about it being allowed to live, you could pop down to potters next week and buy it from the knackers yard before they put it in a better place. You could then send it back after it put you in hospital too, assuming youre still alive!
Good luck and well done for making a sensible descision
If there were more people like this about there would be far fewer unwanted horses about.
ISCHA - As someone else said... If this was a dangerous dog it would have been put to sleep after hurting the first person, never mind getting the chance to injure 3 more! You dont breed from animals with issues like this, or keep them as expensive pets.
This horse probably came to exist through irresponsible breeding of unsuitable horses in the first place. Maybe, if you feel so strongly about it being allowed to live, you could pop down to potters next week and buy it from the knackers yard before they put it in a better place. You could then send it back after it put you in hospital too, assuming youre still alive!
Good luck and well done for making a sensible descision