Jo1987
Well-Known Member
I know there have been quite a few of these posts, so I applogise. Just need some opinions from people who won't just try to tell me what they think I want to hear.
I'll try to keep it short - Pony is 25, I've had him for 15 years, he's been retired 5. He is the love of my life but last summer his age started to catch up with him, his back legs are very stiff, he came reasonably sound on turmeric but now it's getting colder he's obviously lame when he trots over for his tea and on a circle but ok in walk.
I don't believe in giving bute just to keep an old horse field sound, my concern about that is that if I put him on bute indefinitely, where does it end? 2 sachets a day, 3? Until he becomes so infirm that it becomes an emergency decision? I have seen that happen more than once and I always said it wouldn't happen to mine.
However now that it's come to it, it doesn't feel right to PTS going into winter. He is at the point that he needs proper pain relief though, so vet will be called tomorrow and will obviously discuss this with them.
My question is, does it seem reasonable to keep him comfortable on bute or similar through the winter so he can have a last summer and PTS before next winter? Am I being silly, should I just let him go now, or am I being too harsh?
I am just starting to dread him deteriorating further and don't want to see him suffering - he's had 25 years of good health and I'm not sure if keeping him going now is for my sake or his. He has been a good friend to me and I just want to do the right thing for him.
That wasn't very short after all, sorry! Thanks if you made it to the end, just need to start talking/thinking about it I think.
I'll try to keep it short - Pony is 25, I've had him for 15 years, he's been retired 5. He is the love of my life but last summer his age started to catch up with him, his back legs are very stiff, he came reasonably sound on turmeric but now it's getting colder he's obviously lame when he trots over for his tea and on a circle but ok in walk.
I don't believe in giving bute just to keep an old horse field sound, my concern about that is that if I put him on bute indefinitely, where does it end? 2 sachets a day, 3? Until he becomes so infirm that it becomes an emergency decision? I have seen that happen more than once and I always said it wouldn't happen to mine.
However now that it's come to it, it doesn't feel right to PTS going into winter. He is at the point that he needs proper pain relief though, so vet will be called tomorrow and will obviously discuss this with them.
My question is, does it seem reasonable to keep him comfortable on bute or similar through the winter so he can have a last summer and PTS before next winter? Am I being silly, should I just let him go now, or am I being too harsh?
I am just starting to dread him deteriorating further and don't want to see him suffering - he's had 25 years of good health and I'm not sure if keeping him going now is for my sake or his. He has been a good friend to me and I just want to do the right thing for him.
That wasn't very short after all, sorry! Thanks if you made it to the end, just need to start talking/thinking about it I think.