How do you make the decision to PTS

[sjdress]

I am truly at a loss and the decision is making me sick.
My 9 year old has multiple issues including bilateral hind suspensory problems, bone chips and OCD in both front fetlocks and a mechanical lameness below the knee. Here’s my problem .. I can’t ride him, not even lightly... the pattern has been i ride him for about 2 weeks (only Walk and trot) and then he starts to really nap and rear (quite dangerously) and goes lame, I presume the behaviour is because of pain. He also hates being turned out (in my set up, would probably be ok in a herd) and I just don’t know what to do with him. The vet has supported PTS, however I feel awful about going down this route just because it seems I can’t ride him... however realistically I am not sure I can afford retirement livery potentially for the next 20 years (I feel awful for saying this). He’s not in dire pain but obviously does have some pain but is that enough to warrant PTS? I am not sure if he would have quality of life out in a field, he struggles with the mud and the cold which i presume is due to the arthritis, he’s a fairly anxious boy (although this has improved greatly). Do I try retirement livery and see how he gets on? Is it fair to do that if they are not field sound? Any experiences would be greatly received.

 

[be positive]

I think you have to also consider your own quality of life, not just the horse, in many situations, I would be against pts if the horse has a good chance of a happy life in retirement and that providing that life will not have a negative impact on the owner but if keeping the horse long term is going to be stretching you financially, mean not getting a riding horse to enjoy and be unlikely to work if the horse is not comfortable turned away anyway, in your circumstances I would pts knowing it is the kindest thing for him and probably best for you as well, it is never easy but as your vet is on board I suspect it is not going to improve by delaying too long trying to justify it.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

If not field sound, then yes I would pts.

One of mine last year was more unsound than sound (following accident in May 18). She had been rehabbed by me, but by the Nov that year was increasingly more unsound than not. Chucked her out on bute with my others. Had a few days in the spring she was good and ended with her walking sound in the field. By mid July 19 she was again unsound in walk in the field, together with my vet we concluded that pts was the most humane thing for her, she was 11.
I'm fortunate that I have my own yard and space to see what can be done.

 

[milliepops]

If not field sound, then yes I would pts.

this. sorry you find yourself in this position but this is the thing that makes the decision most clear to me.

I have a field that is a retirement home for my old crocks. They are all doing really well but if/when they start to look like they are not comfortable with the weather and coping with the conditions of living out (sometimes it's muddy etc) then I'll be calling time. They need quality of life, and like BP says I do too - I am not going to be prepared to work all hours of the day and night propping them up if they basically aren't well enough to be horses any more. They have a good retirement at the moment and basics like hay and rugs when needed, those things are a given. But if they needed constant care and attention to just *cope* rather than flourish then that would be the end for me.

if the vet is supporting PTS then I think that's another sign that it's probably not unfair.

 

[Dyllymoo]

I have to say you said he hates being turned out, this would be a big thing for me, and especially if he wasn't field sound.

Daisy had SI issues, negative rotation of pedal bones in both fronts and PSD in hinds. I rehabbed slowly, she did so well, getting to cantering and then in April 2019 she looked lame. Off to the vets and retired. I kept her at the yard where I was DIY so I could make sure she was happy and comfortable, if she made it through the winter I would have turned her away to a retirement livery. By June she had deteriorated rapidly, one day walking her from the field to her stable and she looked so stiff and upset and kept looking stopping and looking at her back legs and looking at me.

I took her to the vets 2 days later and they told me she had deteriorated rapidly and would not be field sound. To me her quality of life came first. She was 10 years old.

I knew deep down when it was time. I thought I wouldn't with Daisy and I was so worried I would just keep her going for my own sake, but actually when I knew I was sad but a bit relieved that I did know and could help her be at peace. 2 days later she was PTS.

Its never an easy decision at all I really feel for you.

 

[The Trooper]

Being honest I would PTS.

I will seriously consider putting either of mine to sleep if for whatever reason they were unable to be ridden and in particular if they were not field sound. I simply cannot afford to keep either of them as pets and get another ridden horse, the maths doesn't work in my case.

My loan mare is slightly different to the one I own as she could be retired back to her owner if that was agreeable by all parties involved and was a humane thing to do (ie field sound etc).

I've not had to make the decision yet and do not envy anyone who has, but if/when i need to the decision will be made by myself (or loaners owner) and no one else. I would not jeopardise any of my animals welfare to keep other people happy or off my back, I can afford what I have now and no more. So yes, money would be a big deciding factor for me.

 

[Leo Walker]

I live in pain. Some days its horrific, other days quite mild. Even on the mild days I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I'm a person and can rationalise it and deal with it as well, horses cant. Unless you can be sure that the horse is feeling no pain, then PTS with a clear conscience.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

IME vets do not easily suggest/support pts, so if your vet is saying this, it's time. It is a horrible decision to have to make, especially with a young horse. I've had to pts 3 long before i expected to do so, but in each case it was best for the horse.

 

[splashgirl45]

if he is not field sound, then i would PTS , you have to forget his age and just look at quality of life and whether it will ever get any better, so sorry that you are having such a bad time , hugs xxx

 

[outdoor girl]

I'm really sorry, but I have to agree with all the others. It's such a hard decision, but no matter what his age, if his quality of life is poor and there is no prospect of it improving, then there really is no decision to be made. It's already been made for you. Huge hugs at this sad time. x

 

[vmac66]

My last horse had bilateral uveitis and was 95 percent blind. He had not safe to be ridden written on his veterinary notes.
It was a very difficult decision to make as I didn't want to lose him but also could only afford to keep one horse and I wanted to be able to ride. I rang the vet and asked her what she would do, without hesitation she said pts. In the end the horse made the choice for me, his eyes were running and he just looked miserable. He was pts a couple of days later whilst he still had some quality of life. He was only 10.
Horrible decisions to have to make.

 

[Gloi]

Does owning this horse bring you happiness? If not then say goodbye.

 

[View]

If he can't be a horse pain free, to my mind he has no quality of life. Free him from pain with a clear conscience.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I am sorry you are in this situation it's really not easy especially with a younger horse, but in this situation I would pts it's no life for him don't feel guilty about it, you will feel shit about it but you do get a sense of relief afterwards.

 

[scats]

Really sorry that you are in this situation, I’ve been there several times. More recently with a 10 year old who was the absolute love of my life, but she had a very rare life limiting breathing condition. That in itself was mostly manageable, but she developed EMS due to be being unable to exercise properly and refusal to wear a muzzle (she was an expert in removing them). I could just about manage her condition with hacking, until she did a soft tissue injury in the field. We lost total control of the situation once she couldn’t do any exercise and I saw her quality of life fading away. It was probably the toughest decision I have ever made but ultimately one that was in her best interests. She didn’t deserve to have to struggle through life in discomfort and that was what it was starting to become, a struggle.
Horses live in the moment, they have no concept of tomorrow or the day after.
I still haven’t got over it, and I don’t think I ever will, but I did what was right for her. Big hugs x

 

[splashgirl45]

sorry for your loss scats, that must have been very hard for you, hugs for you as wellxx

 

[Spotherisk]

Oh g

Really sorry that you are in this situation, I’ve been there several times. More recently with a 10 year old who was the absolute love of my life, but she had a very rare life limiting breathing condition. That in itself was mostly manageable, but she developed EMS due to be being unable to exercise properly and refusal to wear a muzzle (she was an expert in removing them). I could just about manage her condition with hacking, until she did a soft tissue injury in the field. We lost total control of the situation once she couldn’t do any exercise and I saw her quality of life fading away. It was probably the toughest decision I have ever made but ultimately one that was in her best interests. She didn’t deserve to have to struggle through life in discomfort and that was what it was starting to become, a struggle.
Horses live in the moment, they have no concept of tomorrow or the day after.
I still haven’t got over it, and I don’t think I ever will, but I did what was right for her. Big hugs x

I am so sorry, I am going through the same situation - too long a story butwas diagnosed lame in all four and with EMS last month. Also doesn’t keep a muzzle on and is claustrophobic so cannot be stabled alone (we only have one stable right now). Vet has said be prepared to PTS, and horse is now lame again. He is 10 (a lot seem to be 10).

 

[L&M]

We put down a 10 yr old with multiple bone chips last spring - he might have come right after the op but refused to 'rest' - in the stable he would buck and kick out at the walls, in the paddock worse........every time he got a little sounder, he would set himself back to square one with his antics.

A horrible decision to make as was a very talented horse, but after 5 mnths of rehab, and getting no where, we had to call it a day - for our sakes as much as his.

As others have said if can't even get to field sound, or enjoy being turned out even if he did stay sound, then there is no quality of life for him or you.

Hope these replies make your decision easier.

Thoughts with you xx

 

[scats]

Oh g

I am so sorry, I am going through the same situation - too long a story butwas diagnosed lame in all four and with EMS last month. Also doesn’t keep a muzzle on and is claustrophobic so cannot be stabled alone (we only have one stable right now). Vet has said be prepared to PTS, and horse is now lame again. He is 10 (a lot seem to be 10).

It’s so hard isn’t it. Sometimes just everything seems to work against you. Big hugs x

 

[sjdress]

Thank you for all your kind words. I made the heart breaking decision and my boy was put to sleep. He kept going down in the field and was extremely unstable on his legs and miserable. I couldn’t see him carry on like this. The hardest thing I have ever had to do. Hopefully time is a healer as they say.

 

[SEL]

I'm so sorry to see this update but you know he is spared any more pain now xx

 

[Clueless]

I’m so sorry for you, but you have done your much loved horse a kindness. My very sincere condolences. I made a similar choice very recently for my PSSM horse, who was obviously switching between discomfort and pain, turn out upset his muscle enzymes, and he couldn’t bear to be ridden. I am grieving, but I’m also sure i made the best choice for him, which has taken away the worst of the sting of pain. I wish you peace and happy memories x

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I'm sorry for your loss but so glad for the horse that you didn't wait to make the decision until he went down and couldn't get up. You made the right decision but it is hard. Try to concentrate on the good memories that you have of him.

 

[splashgirl45]

so sorry, but you have done the right thing for your boy...its never easy but at least you know he is no longer in pain,xx

 

[View]

So sorry, but you have done right by your boy. It hurts, so be kind to yourself and remember the good times.

 

[scats]

So sorry to hear your news, lots of love x