I'm on a knife edge with an oldie, anyone else?

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Partridg3

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He's 22 this year. Had laminitis. Seems stiff. Shivers-y. Oh and his melanomas are increasing like bad Xmas presents...worse of all in his sheath. I feel I'm on a knife edge with which will get to him properly first and make me make the decision. That said he's happy and potters about but I'm conscious of just how stoic horses can be. Vet next week to start charting progress I think with one eye on winter.
Anyone else in this position?
 
Been there, done that, went for the needle and long sleep option. Bear in mind that melanomas can be inside as well as out and often cause colic in oldies. Its horrible, but it comes to us all in the end and I preferred to stop while she was still reasonably happy and it was still my choice.
 
I'm not in that position yet but I'm well aware that it could happen any time with my old boy.
You've taken the sensible option of talking things through with the vet - I'm sure they'll advise you accordingly.

It's never nice thinking about beloved pets getting old beyond their time, is it?
 
I've had that this year and my boy got put down a few weeks ago. Only so much you can do and sometimes age gets the better of them : (
 
My loan companion is off to the kennels when it gets wet. He is lame behind and loses so much condition in winter. TBH he couldn't get up last week and I contacted his owner but they want to wait for a bit longer (they aren't paying for his bute!). He did get up eventually, obviously, and seems OK at the moment. Better too soon than too late. If mine was mine he would have gone last week.
 
Clodagh said:
My loan companion is off to the kennels when it gets wet. He is lame behind and loses so much condition in winter. TBH he couldn't get up last week and I contacted his owner but they want to wait for a bit longer (they aren't paying for his bute!). He did get up eventually, obviously, and seems OK at the moment. Better too soon than too late. If mine was mine he would have gone last week.
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Oh how tough on you and harsh for poor pony! I'd get owner to come and see him down next time - see if it changes their mind - never a fan of 'one last summer' - hard ground is tough on oldies esp as they usually aren't shod by then
 
It is so difficult as I have now had him a year and when I went tp ick him up last year they said he was paddock sound, but couldn't be ridden. I led him out of the stable and he was hopping...bizarre one persons sound is another's lame I decided. Anyway, with management and a good farrier and the odd bute he has been OK but is overdue now.
 
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