How far would you go to keep a light hack sound?

[! Hackinghappy!]

yeah it's tough for sure

its hard finding the ideal retirement yard too, my mare is similar in the fact she doesn't like being out all of the time and likes her home comforts. summer is a different story, but autumn/winter she's ready to come in. I think you have to weigh up if its affordable/suitable for you to keep yours going, its different for everyone and you've done such a kindness by investing the time and treatment you have- so don't be too hard on yourself x

Im lucky to have a good and not too expensive yard close to home where yo knows her and is willing to support. I think if I sent her away to retirement livery (we have no local yards) she'd quickly become just a monthly bill I have to pay.

Hoping to do some clicker training with her as she loves it and is a clever girl.

 

[! Hackinghappy!]

Ah, I see, sorry. With all that, I'm not sure you're left with much option other than retiring. The psd group on Facebook is full of friendly advice but not many people seem to rate shockwave either. Indiba seems to get more recommendations but rehabbing is hard! and even harder when a horses conformation is working against you. Sorry you're in this position x

Yes PSD group is a god send and my dogs physio does Indiba so looking at that option with her although she's also wary of the conformation issues.

Only thing with the PSD group is that the most active posters seem to be the ones who have moved heaven and earth to rehab and maintain and I just can't commit to that - I feel awful that I'm not able to but kids/family limits my ability.

 

[Bonnie Allie]

Taking a slightly wider view - if you have small children I’m betting you have very little time set aside for yourself. Keeping this horse going even as a light hack gives you an opportunity to have some child free time, doing something you enjoy, just for yourself.

I wish I had kept my riding up throughout my children’s younger years as when I went back to riding I had lost a lot of skill, confidence and had to really put a lot of effort into relearning. I also just had children and work in my life for a long time. Don t know what I was trying to prove but I wish I had just kept a little time aside for myself and my horse.

 

[EllieBeast]

I’m in a fairly similar situation where I’m a one horse owner, she’s 12 yrs old and I’ve owned her since she was a yearling.
Unfortunately she has pretty serious hock arthritis on one side. Yes I could keep pumping her with steroids, I could bute her to ride and if it wasn’t quite so serious I could look at major ops with dubious success rates….
However I cannot Unsee those radiographs, I know the severity of the damage to the joint and I cannot allow myself to just mask it with meds and carry on regardless. I want to know when it becomes too much for her so I can make an informed decision at the right time.
As it stands, she’s remarkably sound the majority of the time so we go for a wander on the good days, and if she’s having an off day then she gets a bute and stays in the field with her buddies. Luckily she can live out 24/7 and this suits her well. If you’re happy enjoying your horse for the person she is and doing what she is capable of, when she’s capable of it then it’s upto you how far you go with the costs. There’s also nothing wrong with deciding it’s the end of the road for you both, that can never be the wrong decision in these circumstances as far as I’m concerned.

 

[! Hackinghappy!]

Taking a slightly wider view - if you have small children I’m betting you have very little time set aside for yourself. Keeping this horse going even as a light hack gives you an opportunity to have some child free time, doing something you enjoy, just for yourself.

I wish I had kept my riding up throughout my children’s younger years as when I went back to riding I had lost a lot of skill, confidence and had to really put a lot of effort into relearning. I also just had children and work in my life for a long time. Don t know what I was trying to prove but I wish I had just kept a little time aside for myself and my horse.

Totally get your point and I do intend to still enjoy her but potentially not from a ridden perspective as the cost and effort to keep her just to potter about on would be excessive. I think I'd rather just enjoy spending time with her until I can commit to more and see if I can keep her in ridden work.

 

[SEL]

I went for chuck in field option with my PSSM mare after an X ray showed navicular damage on top of an old suspensory injury - so probably soft tissue damage in that foot too.

Vet did suggest light hack but she's not great to hack.

After benign neglect with some in hand work for her brain she's looking sounder than she has for years. Rest is often better than all the medical interventions

 

[scats]

I’ve been in that position many times sadly. I tend to opt for either retirement or PTS. I enjoy hacking, but as part of a variety of work. That level of maintenance and cost for a purely hacking horse is a lot.
It also depends on how much I like the horse and how easy they are. I kept Joe retired for many years (6 when he was retired) because he was a super chap to have around and very easy day to day.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Issues are with suspensories - she has chronic bilateral PSD on both hinds along with dorsopalmer imbalance of front feet, dorsoplantar imbalance on both hind feet.

She also has above the knee twists on both forelimbs - one mild, one moderate.

Basically, she doesn't seems to be put together well enough to do any real work without some sort of ligament strain/rsi.

With that i would take shoes off and lob out still spring and see where you both are.

You could try a BF Rehab and boot when needed.

I would definatly not spend that amount of money a year on her even if she was a competetion horse.

Its not just their quality of life its yours aswell.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Sorry to hear that. It's pants isn't it!

The vet at the hospital who treated her was definitely more pragmatic whereas the practice vet was keen to advise on all options although to be fair didn't push for any of it to be done.

I do think they live in an idealistic world thought where they assume all horse owners can provide everything the horse needs. He was slightly concerned about retirement due to her weight and the risk of EMS/laminitis but I told him I'd cross that bridge if I came to it and I can't let that dictate my decision.

I retired my welsh mare who was a good doer, she was positive for cushings but i didnt medicate as she was picky with feed. She coliced on box rest so the veiw was if she got laminitis she would be pts anyway.

Which is what happened 12 months later.

For me retirement/turn away does not mean i also need to fork out for loads of meds. I think about what i would and wouldnt treat and draw a line with the vets full knowledge.

 

[PeterNatt]

I would make sure that she was comfortable on painkillers if required and retire her and buy another horse.

 

[! Hackinghappy!]

I retired my welsh mare who was a good doer, she was positive for cushings but i didnt medicate as she was picky with feed. She coliced on box rest so the veiw was if she got laminitis she would be pts anyway.

Which is what happened 12 months later.

For me retirement/turn away does not mean i also need to fork out for loads of meds. I think about what i would and wouldnt treat and draw a line with the vets full knowledge.

I'm of the same view. Maybe she does have EMS and maybe being retired will increase the risk of laminitis and if that's the case she may have to be pts.

 

[! Hackinghappy!]

I would make sure that she was comfortable on painkillers if required and retire her and buy another horse.

If only - I can only afford one so my riding days will take a backseat for a while.

 

[Sossigpoker]

I wouldn't attempt to make a riding horse out of her with her issues and would instead focus on making and keeping her comfortable and having a cut off point in my mind as to when I will end it. As in, if she needs daily bute just to be turned out , that might be the cut off point.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

I m sure that longer term you may be best to pts, and of course that's very diffict decision, but you are not missing riding on a daily basis, nor the constant attention of looking after her yourself 24/7.
I Iooked at a yard which only does retirement liveries a few years ago, they went out every day, in yards in winter, and there were lots of little paddocks for summer, it was affordable.
I removed my horses shoes and fed minerals with sugar beet pulp. essentially, feet improved, skin and hair much glossed,
She is never going to come fully sound from all these problems, so, you have to be realistic. Vets these days are not in the business of telling you bad news, they are in the business of patching up ailments.
I remember in racing we had a horse put down because he would never be able to race again, and we could not re home as he was a tearaway, even with that scenario, he was kept for a good six months in the yard, until the owner was selling up, so he had to go. Put down on the premises.

 

[LittleRolo]

Your horse. Your budget. Your decision. I'd probably pts, but I can't tolerate the thought of my horse being in pain.

I too would pts

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

i would take shoes off and turn her out to give you time to think about the best thing to do. with all that is wrong i wouldnt expect to ever ride her again and if she was mine i would give her some time out in the field and if no improvement PTS... its a hard decision but who knows how uncomfortable she is?

^^^ This is what I'd do.

Was in a similar situation a year ago with my 10yo mare, bless her, vet looked at her and shook his head, said she'd have cost a mega-fortune to even find out what was wrong and THEN we'd have to decide which to fix first (if we could - trigeminal headshaking only being just ONE of her issues).

The deal-breaker for me was the fact that she was lame and in obvious pain, discomfort & distress, even after being buted, and not only had she displayed aggression to other members of the herd but also had started it with people.

Sadly we had to PTS. And the other thing I'd say is that I was lucky in that I could keep her at home so she cost me nothing essentially in livery fees, but if I'd had to shell-out a livery fee every month as well as huge vets bills and remedial farriery etc., then I would have been in the situation of PTS on purely economic grounds as I simply would not have passed her on. A lot of people would do, they wouldn't care, but I won't do it.

So sorry you are in this position. It sucks. I feel for you, totally heartbreaking, and it always happens to the really decent horses who are good types as a rule.

 

[! Hackinghappy!]

Totally get the point re putting to sleep due to economic factors. I can afford to keep her although even retired she'll cost £250 per month so it's not insignificant and may factor in any longer term decision.

 

[TooScaredToJump]

I’m at the same crossroads as you right now. Two bouts of hind lameness and resting turned away (which horse found very difficult to settle in to). Got him going again only for the front to go as well as behind again. Paid for diagnosis and am doing box rest as per vet instructions because it hasn’t cost me much extra in time or funds. If he is sound at the end then we will hack. If not then I will have to make a decision as I can’t keep buting/injecting just for my pleasure of having a horse to ride.

Times like these really make me wish they could talk!

 

[webble]

Retire or pts depending on finances would be my choice, tough one though you have my sympathy

 

[pistolpete]

Have you looked into Rockley Farm barefoot rehab? Best chance to give her a more comfortable life ridden or otherwise and when I sent my boy there he thrived. It also gave me three months without him to really see how I’d feel without a horse. I hated it but I’d got to the fed up stage you’re at right now. At eleven I’d be very reluctant to pts. My fourteen year old pony is retired on grass livery and it can be done cheaply. He’s up and down but for now he seems content and very much a part of his herd of five.

 

[spotty_pony]

Can Ijust ask why you were loaning her out and sharer was riding in the school if she is only potentially suitable as a happy hack?

I would either retire as long as she can happily (she doesn’t keep going lame even in retirement and it isn’t taking a lot of medication to keep her pain free in retirement - a bit of Bute/Danilon is understandable. Sounds like she would be better kept somewhere on a track system or even on a retirement livery TJ suit her other needs. Does she get stiff when stabled?

If she cannot live happily retired and pain free then I would pts. It’s the kindest thing in lots of situations but only you know your horse.

 

[Goldenstar]

I PTS a 8yo with PSD what decided it for me was giving the horse a massive dose of bute and watching it .
He played in the field like a foal with a friend he was so happy I knew then he was in pain the whole time he went in the afternoon.
I loved that horse he was ideal for me I miss him every day .

 

[! Hackinghappy!]

Have you looked into Rockley Farm barefoot rehab? Best chance to give her a more comfortable life ridden or otherwise and when I sent my boy there he thrived. It also gave me three months without him to really see how I’d feel without a horse. I hated it but I’d got to the fed up stage you’re at right now. At eleven I’d be very reluctant to pts. My fourteen year old pony is retired on grass livery and it can be done cheaply. He’s up and down but for now he seems content and very much a part of his herd of five.

Potentially although the issue would be in my ability to replicate whatever set up they recommend longer term. And the potential costs.

Can Ijust ask why you were loaning her out and sharer was riding in the school if she is only potentially suitable as a happy hack?

I would either retire as long as she can happily (she doesn’t keep going lame even in retirement and it isn’t taking a lot of medication to keep her pain free in retirement - a bit of Bute/Danilon is understandable. Sounds like she would be better kept somewhere on a track system or even on a retirement livery TJ suit her other needs. Does she get stiff when stabled?

If she cannot live happily retired and pain free then I would pts. It’s the kindest thing in lots of situations but only you know your horse.

She'd been cleared for schooling and had been doing light schooling before she had a short break and sharer was starting to re introduce. My point re her being a light hack is based on more recent discussions with vet re the ability to actually fix the issue and have her capable of doing any real ridden work.

 

[! Hackinghappy!]

I PTS a 8yo with PSD what decided it for me was giving the horse a massive dose of bute and watching it .
He played in the field like a foal with a friend he was so happy I knew then he was in pain the whole time he went in the afternoon.
I loved that horse he was ideal for me I miss him every day .

That's a good suggestion. She's never been one for playing in the field but isn't afraid of giving a good double barrel if she feels it's necessary or broncing occasionally if you try to bring her in and she doesn't fancy it do definitely has mobility but possibly something for me to try as it wouldn't do any harm. Out of interest how much dosage did you use?

 

[AmyMay]

Have you looked into Rockley Farm barefoot rehab? Best chance to give her a more comfortable life ridden or otherwise and when I sent my boy there he thrived. It also gave me three months without him to really see how I’d feel without a horse. I hated it but I’d got to the fed up stage you’re at right now. At eleven I’d be very reluctant to pts. My fourteen year old pony is retired on grass livery and it can be done cheaply. He’s up and down but for now he seems content and very much a part of his herd of five.

How would Rockley help a horse with PSD and forelimb deformities?