Having young horse with multiple conditions PTS

[Minty45]

Around a month ago my lovely 6yo TBx gelding who I have had around 1 year was diagnosed with multiple chronic conditions including kissing spine, arthritis in both hocks and thoracolumbar spine and fractured side bone. I have just had a very experienced second opinion vet come and look at him and he has basically told me his chances of ever becoming sound are slim even if I throw everything at treating him. Unfortunately retirement is not an easy option for me as I have him on livery and I'm unsure what it would even take for him to be field sound.

Logically PTS makes sense, but I am really struggling to come to terms with it all as he is such a sweet horse and still seems fairly happy in himself. I guess I'm just seeking wise words, advise or support from anyone who has been through the same. I feel like I am being defeatest and taking the easy way out, but equally going down the treatment route feels overwhelming and like it would be like pushing very expensive water uphill.

 

[nagblagger]

I would never say PTS is the easy way out. It maybe the kindest for the horse if they are in chronic pain and it is the hardest decision for the owner. Have an open and honest discussion with the vet about quality of his life.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I very much doubt that the horse is comfortable, unless he is on a high level of painkiller. You would be doing him the final kindness that you can by having him pts and putting him out of his misery.
I do understand how hard it is; I had to have a 6 Yr old Shire mare pts, she had had numerous vet visits and never did really get a diagnosis until she suddenly foundered. Knowing what I do now, I think she probably had Cushings.
Then I had to have 2 x 11 yr olds pts with very different problems.
Sometimes there really is nothing that you can usefully do for them, I'm so sorry

 

[Birker2020]

Around a month ago my lovely 6yo TBx gelding who I have had around 1 year was diagnosed with multiple chronic conditions including kissing spine, arthritis in both hocks and thoracolumbar spine and fractured side bone. I have just had a very experienced second opinion vet come and look at him and he has basically told me his chances of ever becoming sound are slim even if I throw everything at treating him. Unfortunately retirement is not an easy option for me as I have him on livery and I'm unsure what it would even take for him to be field sound.

Logically PTS makes sense, but I am really struggling to come to terms with it all as he is such a sweet horse and still seems fairly happy in himself. I guess I'm just seeking wise words, advise or support from anyone who has been through the same. I feel like I am being defeatest and taking the easy way out, but equally going down the treatment route feels overwhelming and like it would be like pushing very expensive water uphill.

Give him some bute, have another few days in the sun and spoil him rotten and let him go. He sounds like he really has too much stacked against him, the cracked sideline alone sounds enough for me to make that decision on it's own.

I'm so sorry. Loving them is knowing when the time is right to let them go x

 

[ycbm]

There are at least 2 beings in this relationship and your own needs are important as well. I believe that we owe horses a pain free future but that might not include one where absence of pain is achieved by spending very large amounts of money.

A dead horse can never be in fear or pain. The decision is never easy, often heartbreaking, but there are some which just can't be fixed.

I had an 8 year old PTS earlier this year. His wonky bones meant his future was one of repeated injury, weakness and periods of pain and I could not face that either for myself or for him.
.

 

[Ratface]

I'm so sorry to read about the situation that you and your young horse find yourselves in. With autumn arriving and winter not far behind, I think that it would be in your horse's best interests to spoil him rotten for a couple of weeks and then have him pts. He will know nothing and be out of pain.
Many years ago, my beloved old stallion had to be pts and I was absolutely heartbroken. Because of his spectacular line breeding, he was over used, became dangerous to handle and was sent off to a very dodgy horse market. He was bought by someone who wanted a flashy horse but couldn't handle R's equally flashy temperament. I bought him, turned him away for three months but saw and (very briefly) handled him every day. Eventually, he calmed down and became a wonderful, if rather hot, ride. I'm sure that if I hadn't been around at that time, with the means and experience to get him out of his situation, he would have ended up as dog meat, sooner than later. He was pts due to his sacroiliac joints being irreparably damaged due to his overuse as a breeding stallion. He went calmly, with the sun on his back and a carrot in his mouth. I shall never forget him.

 

[Minty45]

Thank you all for your kind and wise words, I think I know deep down what needs to happen. I know many of you will relate but it's just the absolute worst feeling playing god, and the feeling of guilt is so strong. I feel like the phrase 'better a week too early than a moment too late' has never been so relevant though and I need to keep reminding myself of that.

He will certainly have a lovely carefree couple of weeks in the field then I think I will make the call.

 

[ihatework]

Sometimes they just weren’t meant to be. He sounds like a bottomless pit of money who will never be truly rideable.

If you had him for years or bred him, then retirement might be tempting. You have had him a year so in my mind you have been duped/bought a dud - it’s not his fault - the only thing you owe him is a secure future and a pain fee ending. I’d PTS

 

[Hormonal Filly]

So sorry to read this OP. You’re making the right decision.

The feeling of god is awful, I went though the same when I had to put my 9yo to sleep because his condition couldn’t be managed even on bute but it was the right decision as much as it broke me.

We’re all here if you want a chat.

 

[hairycob]

I would just be careful who you tell beforehand. There are some people who seem to get pleasure from wringing guilt out of others.

 

[splashgirl45]

So sorry that you are facing this with such a young horse, it’s hard enough when they are old and never the easy option for us. Hope you can have a few nice weeks with him and that all goes well on the day. As you have had 2 vets to discuss this with I wouldn’t discuss it with people in your yard as many will not understand that you are doing the best for him and not for yourself.. good luck

 

[Ample Prosecco]

With all that going on, I doubt very much your horse is comfortable. In the wild a weak, vulnerable or injured horse is picked off first by predators so they are VERY stoic and hide pain extremely effectively.
I agree with all the others that PTS is totally the right call here, with such clear evidence of the sorts of injuries that inevitably cause pain.

Look after yourself and recognise that you are doing the right thing for the horse by giving him a dignified end and freeing him from pain. Thinking of you x

 

[SEL]

I'm so sorry. It just seems so much worse when they're young and should have their whole lives ahead of them.

A fractured sidebone was the final nail for my old boy. We knew it would be inevitable at some point because x-rays years before showed an old fracture had calcified and it was never going to be as strong as it needed to be. He'd had a good retirement but its never, ever an easy call. **hugs**

 

[Dino7]

I am going through the exact same thing. I am struggling to pick up the phone to the vet to book the appointment to do the deed. It is THE hardest thing. To make matters worse, this is the 4th consecutive horse I have gone through this with - and they have all been young. This one is only 4 years old. It's the right thing to do, he will never be ridden and who knows how much pain he is in. But it doesn't make it any easier. I also agree with what other posters have said about being careful who you tell - I have had a few comments from certain people which has made it even harder. Some people think PTS is the worst thing you can do. It absolutely isn't - it can be the kindest. But never easy.

 

[Fjord]

I'm another who agrees that sadly, PTS sounds like the best option. I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this x

 

[Birker2020]

I would just be careful who you tell beforehand. There are some people who seem to get pleasure from wringing guilt out of others.

On my FB post I posted photos from Bailey's last morning and posted a video of her limping across the paddock to me - the very reason she was pts. I included it in the photos when I announced her death on my FB page as I wanted people to see the reason why for themselves.

It was a small snapshot in time but an important one, it marked the period between the 3 bute a day wearing off overnight before the new dose had kicked in the next morning.

The 3 a day was by permission of the vet for her in her last couple of days. But on the very odd occasion when I wonder if I could have done more, I look at the video and feel nothing but certainty I made the right call.

This moment will come to you in time too, I promise.

 

[suebou]

We had 7 yo ex racer pts with multiple health issues. He was such a lovely horse, and we had four years of on/off, potential, good times, his pain.
Horrible thing to do but he doesn’t deserve to be sore and uncomfortable in any way.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Haven't gone through it with a horse, but a young dog only around 2 years old. It's not easy when they're young, and a part of you feel that they should have many years left to live. Especially when as you say, he's "such a sweet horse and still seems fairly happy in himself." But with those diagnosis you listed, is he sweet, and happy because life is good, or is he sweet, and happy because there might be a bit of stoicism involved?

It's one thing to put them through months, maybe a year or more of rehabilitation, when there's only one or two problems that needs fixing. But the bigger number of problems that needs fixing, the bigger risk that you end up with some problems solved, but still having to euthanise because there was that one stupid thing that just couldn't be solved.

Life simply isn't always fair.
{{{{Hugs}}}}

 

[Minty45]

Thank you so much everyone. You have helped give me some clarity and it's comforting knowing we are not alone in this.

 

[misst]

Another who has been there. This is never ever easy but you will probably be relieved when it is over as the deed will be done and you can grieve and move forward. At the moment it is probably so stressful for you and the horse. So sorry you are having to do this.
As someone else said don't tell too many people especially anyone who might be the "oh you can do xyz" "there's a miracle cure online" "I'll take him if you can't be bothered to look after him" - yes someone really did say that to me. You need supportive people around you who understand why this is happening.
Have a special few days with him, make some memories and send him over the bridge xx

 

[IrishMilo]

I've had a 6 year old and a 7 year old put to sleep. Both had degenerative issues. It's really horrible but sometimes it's just the kindest /most logical thing to do.

 

[Minty45]

As you were all so kind and helpful in helping me make this tough decision, I wanted to let you all know that my boy is booked to cross the rainbow bridge this Wednesday at 1pm. I nearly donated his body to a university for research purposes, but it all feels too painful. Now just to get through these next 2 days

 

[splashgirl45]

Such a difficult thing to do, the waiting is the worst time and I’m sure you will feel relieved in time, I know I did…. Hope all goes well on the day and remember to look after yourself

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Well done for making the responsible decision.

 

[ycbm]

You have made the hardest right decision you'll ever have to make, well done.
.

 

[SEL]

Its horrible isn't it? But I think with everything you've written absolutely the right call **hugs**

 

[AmyMay]

Always the hardest decision. I’m so sorry

 

[eggs]

So sorry you are in this position but kudos to you for making the kindest decision for your horse. It is never easy - be kind to yourself and also spoil him rotten for the next few days. I hate having to make 'that' call but afterwards it is some sort of relief to know that the right decision has been made.

You have probably already spoken to the YO/YM and hopefully they will be able to ask other liveries not to be around. It is an individual decision as to whether you want to hold your horse or not and I always find it really helpful to have a good friend with me. I always make sure I am out of the way when the body is collected.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Best for him, but hard for you. Will be thinking of you on Wednesday.

{{{{{Hugs}}}}}

 

[rabatsa]

Making the decision is the really hard part, the waiting for the deed is not nice but oh, the relief afterwards.