Heartbroken.

Marie1

Marie1

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I think I know what I should do but it's hard to come to terms with.

I have a 17yo horse on loan, he has gone very lame, bute trial did not make any difference. He was a 2* eventer so has had a very hard life.. I am not in a position to keep a lame horse financially as i struggle as it is..

His owners are an event yard who do not want him back so they have said to organise PTS or they will sign ownership over to me.

I cannot have him as a happy hacker if he did come sound nor as a field ornament as he is so lively and enjoys his work it would drive him insane, being on box rest for 2 weeks has sent him up the wall.. And even if he did come sound enough to hack I couldn't loan him out to someone else to do so as god knows what they could do to him as all other ways he is a healthy happy big horse..

I plan to have the hunt come out to deal with it, but he seems so happy and inquisitive still it has broken my heart. It feels as though its my fault for saying I couldn't keep him lame so they have said to put him down, but I know theres not much else that can be done.

Sorry for the pointless post x
 
For what it's worth, in the same position I think I would do the same as you. It seems to me the choice is between keeping him when even the best outcome would make you both unhappy, or pts when he is still cheerful.

The guilt is absolutely normal. It isn't your fault that you have to choose the better of two crappy options.
 
I have just gone thrugh the exact same thing with my ex-eventer 17 year old. He had an operation for a lameness which did not work. We tried turnout, more lame. As I was not prepared to put him through more needles and investigations and possibly another operation with no guarantee of a good outcome, I chose to have him PTS last Friday.

Although it was difficult to do, it broke my heart after 7 years, it was an easy decision to make because the only way to keep him comfortable was to give him bute, to me no brainer. He was fed-up of being poked and prodded.

So, he had a few days in the field on painkillers, he looked happy and contented and then I said goodbye on Friday. It is the one last thing you can do for them.

Sometimes in life I think things happen for a reason. As I knew he would be leaving me I started looking at new horses on the web. I had to have something positive to look to. I found one who stood out from the page at me. I went to view him yesterday and he is perfect. Totally different to my old boy so I do not feel I am replacing him, but starting a new book with a new horse. I am having him vetted this week, and hopefully he will be home soon. My old boy made me a better rider and able to move on, I will always love him dearly and be thankful for the time I had him and what he taught me.

So I have a smile on my face looking forwards, and I hope you can have the same.
 
I have had my horse for just over 20 years now, so have had to come to terms with the harsh realities of pts. I have now come to the conclusion after lots of sleepless nights and mullings that I would now always do the kinder thing of what is best for the horse

If my horse wasn't living his life 100% happy, I know now I would pts even though I would feel tremendous guilt. But at the end of the day, I would be putting his life ahead of my feelings

I hope that helps somewhat :) and wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide x
 
Better for him to go comfortably and while he is still a happy chap, than wait until he's lost his sparkle and is miserable. Not a nice decision but you know it is the kindest one for him - he'll be happy til the end - leaving you behind upset of course, but with the knowledge that you did the right thing. xx
 
Oh dear, how horrid for you :-((

I had exactly the same - 17 yo ex chaser & ex master's horse on loan. I had him for a year or two, & then he got very trippy & was lame. I was 17 at the time. My parents made me ring his old owners to explain, knowing full well that they would PTS. I felt so unbelievably awful about it, as if I was giving him a death sentence :-((

It is so sad to lose a relatively young, happy horse, but when they've had a hard life, their bodies wear out too soon. V sorry that you've got to go through this.

T x
 
There is absolutely nothing pointless about your post. Each time someone faces this situation and looks about for support, what they will see on threads like this is hopefully something that will help them through their decision because the vast majority of us wholeheartedly support those, like you, who makes decisions based on the welfare of the horse, not on personal feelings.

You are being the exact keeper that this dear boy needs because you are doing what is best for him and my hat's off to you for that.

It is heartbreaking, but it is absolutely the right call IMO so please let it be of some comfort that all he will know of his last phase of life is your love.

Big hugs xxx
 
Thankyou everyone, it is so comforting to know you would do the same. I have organised for the Cowdray hunt to come and do the deed tomorrow at 2pm. Gives him time to have cuddles, treats, a cuppa tea and a good old hooley in the field before he goes which I know he will love! They were very kind and professional on the phone which was lovely.

One question though where do I do it? We have a jumping field which is next to the stables but the horses wont be able to see but they will hear, and the horses may be in he fields on the other side of 2 hedges.. would that be ok? x
 
Marie1 said:
Thankyou everyone, it is so comforting to know you would do the same. I have organised for the Cowdray hunt to come and do the deed tomorrow at 2pm. Gives him time to have cuddles, treats, a cuppa tea and a good old hooley in the field before he goes which I know he will love! They were very kind and professional on the phone which was lovely.

One question though where do I do it? We have a jumping field which is next to the stables but the horses wont be able to see but they will hear, and the horses may be in he fields on the other side of 2 hedges.. would that be ok? x
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Whoever comes from the hunt tomorrow will have a look around and make that decision based on how they are going to do it. Different people have different preferences. Try not to worry, they know what they are doing and will take all of the worry away for you. x
 
my friends pony got pts on friday, and they just led her away from the fields down the drive, was over in minutes. the other horses watched her walk off, but were all calm. just her little field buddy calling out a bit.

the hunt will no exactly what to do

it's for the best
 
JingleSmells said:
There is absolutely nothing pointless about your post. Each time someone faces this situation and looks about for support, what they will see on threads like this is hopefully something that will help them through their decision because the vast majority of us wholeheartedly support those, like you, who makes decisions based on the welfare of the horse, not on personal feelings.

You are being the exact keeper that this dear boy needs because you are doing what is best for him and my hat's off to you for that.

It is heartbreaking, but it is absolutely the right call IMO so please let it be of some comfort that all he will know of his last phase of life is your love.

Big hugs xxx
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Thankyou, your comment actually means a lot.. Such a kind sentiment..

Thankyou to everyone else who has commented as well.. It's horrible when your decision has such big impactions on a life but I you have all helped to put my mind at rest x
 
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