If you were told you're unlikely to be able to ride your horse again

Kokopelli if you read any of my posts on threads like yours you will know that I usually find this easy.

Not today. My answer is "I just don't know".

I would completely support you in a decision to have him put to sleep.

But it is incredibly hard to put a horse to sleep, never mind one with a bright eye and no outward sign of any problems who is only 13.

Can the vet give you more guidance tomorrow about how much pain he is likely to be in, and whether it is going to get worse or better? Horses in pain do not always show it.

Best wishes whatever you decide.
 
It is a really hard one and I do feel for you. Many liver problems are progressive. If the horse is in pain when being girthed I would imagine he must be is some discomfort most of the time. If he isn't well enough to live out his life in a field without medication then maybe pts would be the kindest option.
 
I don't know whats up with him.
but I believe that you will do the best for him.
if that means putting him down earlier than you like then its the best thing so he doesn't suffer.
(that includes his management and for the people that have to look after him if you arnt around.)
better a week too early than a day too late.
 
It is such a tough one, I've only ever had one horse pts and that was Koko who wouldn't have lived a few hours after anyway so was an easier decision.

I am having the conversation with vet tomorrow and take his opinion into account, I know for a fact Andy will definitely have the summer so we'll play it by year towards the winter.

Just to illustrate how 'normal' he is when I turned him out this morning he galloped over to his friend and kept circling her until she played with him then they had a good gallop around the field then he rolled and then had a good buck. This is the normal Andy and he looks so happy and 'well' its makes it even more difficult.
 
I think its a case of time will tell, if he has the summer and is still struggling, then it will be an easier decision as you will have lived with it longer. No point stressing yourself now, see what the summer brings and cross your fingers..x
 
he really sounds like my lad. I was advised that my lad wouldn't cope with living out and i wasn't sure myself (he needed a job, liked his routine, loved one on one contact, was too fine and delicate). I was dreading turning him out, but he absolutely loved it. He kept his weight (slightly ribby though) but he coped well and surprised me. Because of that I made the decision that if I could afford to keep him out I'd do it for as long as I could and then make a call on it when I had to. I think if a horse is yours and if he is bright eyed and happy, then it's your responsibility to keep them happy as lng as you can, regardless if they are rideable or now.
 
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Kokopelli said:
What would you do?


To make things more difficult he looks perfectly happy and healthy and is very much enjoying himself and doesn't look a day over 7.

I don't know what to do and just want the best for him but at the same time I can't bring myself around to putting down such a happy animal.
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I do feel for you but if this is a positive decision ie PTS then I can assure you that this is the perfect time to do it, he is as well as you can get him, looks a picture and what better way to end his days rather than a sorry heap of unhealthy unhappy horse? Your memory will be him at the best he could be, and believe me that's what will stay in your head, far better than one of a sad demise.
 
koko I think that seems like a good plan and you can reassess later, knowing that in the meantime if he deteriorates you would step in.
 
paddi22 said:
I think if a horse is yours and if he is bright eyed and happy, then it's your responsibility to keep them happy as lng as you can, regardless if they are rideable or now.
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I think that's a pretty unfair thing to say. It is not the responsibility of the owner to keep a horse going as long as possible. It is the responsibility of the owner to decide what's best for the horse, and to act in time to prevent the horse from suffering unnecessarily. Whatever K decides to do will be a good decision for her and this horse - she has more than proved how much she adores her animals, and how far she will go to make sure they are cared for properly.
 
Bobbly said:
I do feel for you but if this is a positive decision ie PTS then I can assure you that this is the perfect time to do it, he is as well as you can get him, looks a picture and what better way to end his days rather than a sorry heap of unhealthy unhappy horse? Your memory will be him at the best he could be, and believe me that's what will stay in your head, far better than one of a sad demise.
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I agree with all of this if his prognosis is bad I would do it now. Having seen a very young horse die in agony from liver disease I would never let it happen again. Said pony was only two when she first presented with liver disease just at the beginning of December by Christmas she looked and behaved wonderfully and I thought great she is going to be fine within days in March she went from being well to being on the floor unable to get up and from a healthy weight to a skeleton, at which point in spite of a twice daily visit from the vet for a week we decided enough was enough and she was PTS late evening one night, with her friend next to her. Friend obviously knew she was gone as for the first time in her life she went outside in the field on her own without making a fuss.
I am sorry Andy is ill but as has been said before better a week too early than an hour too late My thoughts are with you at this sad time I know you will find the strength to make the right decision which ever way that goes to make his live happy and pain free
 
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