Im sitting here in tears

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Cobland

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A horse that i used to ride when i was younger is being put to sleep. He belongs to a trekking centre now, however he belonged to a friend when i was younger. They are putting him to sleep as he is no longer fit enough for that work (4 x 1-2hr treks daily).

I would love to retire this boy, was wondering if anyone has ever done this before, or am i letting my heart rule my head?

Weve got loads of fields to let him see out his last days, he is well into his 20's, used to be a brill SJ horse, even done balmoral in his day. I always had a huge soft spot for him, tried to buy him many times.

They get their horses pts rather that let them retire in good homes, ater all this boy has worked his entire life. Does he not deserve a few months of bliss. He is on his last legs, i have no doubt that he wont see the new year.
 
Heart is ruling head - but I am a hard nosed bitch...better for the horse to be PTS in familiar surroundings where it was well loved than an uncertain future, especially if it is already on it last legs.

I feel for you, but I do feel the owners are doing the correct thing x
 
if you have the grazing and money for another one try to buy him, just remember winter is coming and oldies take a lot of work to get throught the winter. and if he is on his last leg maybe it is kinder just to let him go
 
Thank you, i never get this like a horse, its just that he meant something to me. He wasnt well loved at this place, otherwise i might of felt different. Apparently a vet said hes still fit for light work, not the trekking that hes been made to do.

I do understand where you are coming from, i will have a good think about what you said
 
I am afraid I am with Weezy on this one - once the deed is done he knows nothing more - he will not be missing a few months of relaxing (or being bored) in a field - it is just us that live with our guilt and sympathetic feelings.
 
If vet said he can do light work, he's not quite on his last legs, is he? I think I'd try to get him, see how he goes, etc. but I'd try to be prepared to put him to sleep sooner rather than later if he really can't cope with winter. I know it's really hard to do, but I do believe it's the last best thing we do for them. I also believe they really don't see it coming, or anything like that. It's hard for us, not for them.
 
You all probably think im mad, was talking to hubby about this, weve decided to give him his last days at our yard. We rent a yard, not pay per horse, so it wont be much extra, weve got loads of haylage built up for the winter.

Im not going to let him suffer, when i see him tomorrow and i think he does look like he needs pts then i wont stand in the vets way. Otherwise he will be coming home with me.
 
Contrary to some views on here Cobland I'm with you on this one. If I were in your shoes and money/land/feed etc was not a problem I would much rather see him go to a good home for his last few months. It may be years as there is no way of knowing just how good he is.
Does the trekking centre have him insured for loss of use? Only asking because I don't know much about this? Would they be entitled to an insurance pay out if he were pts due to loss of use ie cannot be used at the centre anymore.
I am wondering because if this were the case then surely it is a case of putting a horse to sleep and using any monies left over to get another horse.
I could be totally wrong on this as I have never had to claim for loss of use, perhaps someone has?
But I am of the belief if a horse can be retired. Is not suffering, not in pain etc then why pts just because it suits the current owners.
Erm if that were the case wouldn't we just love to go around retirement homes putting down the elderly because they can no longer work and contribute to the tax and NI system.
No a horse does not foresee death when it is being planned like this but morally I think it is very wrong to put an animal down that has served us humans well throughout it's life just because it can no longer do the work it was doing.
If the horse is ill/injured etc then that is a different matter entirely.
However I am not a hard person and never will be and will always be a sucker for animals after all someone has to look out for them.
Good on you Cobland for offering to be there for that horse.
Equines need friends like you and me, just a shame there are not more around though.
Good luck and I hope it goes ok and he is in good health to enjoy a happy retirement with you x
best wishes
Caroline x
 
If you have no doubt that he will not see the New Year, then unless he is very close to you and it does not involve a long journey, then I believe he is probably better off being put to sleep in familiar surroundings with all his friends around him.

If he is nearby and you find that he actually isn't on his last legs then I can't see much wrong with going to evaluate him and perhaps offer him a retirement home.


Cazee; there is a big difference between those of us who have plenty of our own land and those who have to pay livery for horses. I think some of your comments are quite patronising to people who have to budget/pay huge livery bills, to be quite honest. And to compare human beings to horses is somewhat ludicrous.
crazy.gif
 
Thank you caroline, i seen him about 6 months ago, he was thin but was trotting about a field. To me they are thinking of money, hes no longer able to keep up with the workload so hes being sold and another one brought in.

No i dont think they have an insurance claim like that, they are well known for their lack of care in their horses. They said they would let him go for free to save on vet fees.

YO has offered any help i may need with him, hes even offered to pull the horse box for me. If i can get in touch with them in time, i will post pictures of him tomorrow
 
I was told he was on his last legs, ive not seen him in 6 months. No not everyone can afford to take on a horse like this, but as i said i am paying for the yard etc, not paying livery per horse.

Hes about 4 miles away from the yard, hes was transported to the owners yard which is about 16 miles from the trekking centre. He means alot to my cousin too, she learnt to ride on him, but shes got no place to put him.

Talking to the owner, it was him who said that he wont see the new year, my cousin seen him a few weeks back and said that hes still in good health. Im reserving judgement until tomorrow.

If hes got serious health worries then yes it would be better to put him to sleep, otherwise i think its wrong.
 
'Cazee; there is a big difference between those of us who have plenty of our own land and those who have to pay livery for horses. I think some your comments are quite patronising to people who have to budget/pay huge livery bills, to be quite honest.'
There was no patronising at all.
If a riding school or establishment which uses horses to fund a business then I cannot understand if the horse is not severely ill/injured etc why is it that putting to sleep is considered the best option?
There are plenty of people searching for companion horses. Or rescue centres/retirement homes that would take them in.
In this case Cobland is very much considering helping a horse that she knows. If she has the funds and time to do it then good on her.
If the horse is ill/injured or will not stand much chance of surviving the winter then putting to sleep will be the best option for the horse.
However there is a chance that this horse is being put to sleep for the current owner's benefit and not the horse's.
If that is the case then in my honest opinion that is very morally wrong.
I fall into the category of those that have to budget btw. I am not lucky enough to have my own land and nor was I born into or did I marry into money as people do worldwide.
However I am not in a position at the moment to support another horse in need therefore I do what I can for charitable organisations and if individuals feel the need to rescue or rehome horses then I am behind them ( in support of) all the way so long as their intentions are good for the welfare of the horse and they have the suitable experiences and finances to be able to support their decision for the lifespan of the said horse(s).
 
I think the problem is what some people see as being kind, is often not, however Cobland sounds like she is being pragmatic with this situation.

I would never bump off my trail horses just because they weren't able to keep up to pace - but we are all different and some businesses just can't afford to be emotional about these things. What I don't get though is if this horse is still sound then why would they not offer it out on loan to a once a week happy hacker?
 
Maybe they cannot be bothered to loan out who knows?
Yes Cobland is being pragmatic about things and that is why if she does end up taking this horse on I know from my own point of view I would have peace of mind that the horse would be enjoying a better life for the end of its days.
People that take horses in on a whim though concern me ( not the case here though) because some people don't think it through fully and understand all the implications.
I am pragmatic which is why although I would love to be able to rescue one or two, from a financial pov as well as practical view I know I could not at this present moment in time but in the future who knows ?
 
Like everyone here we work hard to keep our horses, we were just lucky enough to find a yard that we could rent. Everyday im grateful for this fortune, and no i couldnt afford to even think about getting this boy if we paid per horse.

I really didnt mean to start a fight, and there is no way that i would consider making this poor boy suffer, just so it makes me happy.

What would yous consider as bad health issues? Arthritis? Heart probs? Blind?
 
You know that age old debate about horses capable of doing xy&z and people slagging them because they don't give that horse the chance to reach it's full potential? And the argument being if the horse has never done something it won't miss it.

Well, this is the flipside. If a horse has spent its life being busy, in full work, enjoying its work... in routine, then it WILL miss it.
I know of a horse who has been retired from the hunting field. My, he's a magnificent creature, full of grace and power. He's hunted his whole life. He went lame, and it's incurable. He'll never hunt again. Maybe, just maybe he'd make a nice hack, maybe he'd make a nice companion. But is that fair on him? Each time he sees the hunt go by he won't understand why his field mates are out there doing the job he loves and he isnt. You only have to look at his face to see he misses doing what he's done all his life. And now he isnt doing what he loves (and his hunting mates have been brought in ready for hunting) you can see the sadness in his face. The only RIGHT thing for that horse is to have the ending he's having now. A little extra time in the field, and PTS before the season starts.
Some horses just don't cope being retired or even semi retired.

Somtimes you have to look at the bigger picture, and sometimes you do have to be cruel to be kind.
 
This trekking centre do not loan horses out, they are either sold or pts. However he was good at his work so kept longer than usual. He was advertised for sale, however because of his age there was no one interested.

He has continued his work right up until today, however they have their eye on a new younger horse, so he has to go to make room
 
Oh hey there's no fight going on LOL!! We're just discussing things.
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Heart wouldn't bother me too much, not at that age anyway. Arthritis would however. Blind - there's no way I would take a blind horse out of it's comfort zone.

I think the best way to evaluate an old horse is generally to look over it's whole body to see if it shines, looks healthy and doesn't have any major lumps and bumps. Often oldies show if they are unhealthy in some sphere by what their coats are like etc. I know this may sound silly; but look deeply into his eyes and see if they are telling you something.

I would pay particular attention to the teeth, feet and legs and ask to see horse trotted up - try not to give them too much notice of you coming though - otherwise they may just bute the horse up for you! You want to see it in its natural state out in the field and then tacked up and gently ridden.
 
So if this horse is healthy, i should stand back and just let him be PTS

Let the owner change the horse like you would upgrade your mobile.
 
[ QUOTE ]
So if this horse is healthy, i should stand back and just let him be PTS

Let the owner change the horse like you would upgrade your mobile.

[/ QUOTE ]

who are you replying to??
 
A healthy but sad horse is not a healthy horse I'm afraid. Health comes in all shapes and forms; both mentally and physically.
 
Ive already said that im going to check the horse before seeing i it should be PTS, i would never ever make the horse suffer more.

My cousin is coming with me, shes a veteinary nurse. Also a friend who knows loads more than me
 
Im leaving too, sorry but getting upset. Thanks everyone for your advice, i will definitely think about all yous have said.

I wasnt giving off to anyone, i appreciate all replies.

I thought i might of being doing this horse a favour. Now i understand that i may just be acting cruelly
 
[ QUOTE ]
A healthy but sad horse is not a healthy horse I'm afraid. Health comes in all shapes and forms; both mentally and physically.

[/ QUOTE ]
Cant agree more.
A horse I loved more then life when I was a WP was recently PTS.
He was old and had worked all his life in a few RS.he was given a couple of weeks "holiday" then PTS.
Thye had the space to keep him and he could have had 5 years in the field but would have gone crazy- he went out of his mind when he was off work for a month due to an injury so leaving him out in the field was not an option.

Cobland, as long as you think about how he will cope mentally and physically with being a lawn ornament or a once a week hack I wish you all the best.
 
Totally understand where you are coming from. I have two retired chaps here - one is totally retired and the other is hacked out occasionally. They both have health problems, but they thoroughly enjoy their lives. On the other hand, I owned an Arab for many years - did advanced endurance with him, he did not enjoy retirement at all and went down hill rapidly and was PTS at home. When you see the horse, you'll know what to do - good luck.
 
If you have the room and time available I would take him.
You can give it your very best and see how he does.
I took a horse who was also on his last legs. We had four years with him. He lived like a king with us and we know he was very happy.
I know there are a lot of threads here with " heart ruling your head " phrase. However from what you have said I think you will always regret it if you dont take him.
Good luck
 
tbh if he really is "on his last legs" (which to me means at the stage where, when they have a lie down, they really struggle to get up again... i knew a horse which used to get itself sitting up like a dog, then have a rest for a few minutes - literally - before summoning up the energy to heave itself up) then he doesn't need another winter, or at least certainly not out in the field.
maybe if you're prepared to have a few months of keeping him in at night, feeding him lots, and letting him out for as long as he's happy with, through the day, in a nice thick rug, then he could have a really nice few months, or whatever. maybe lots of tlc and a new environment might perk him up.
that's what i'd do, if i could afford the time, effort and money it would take. otherwise though, it may be kinder for him to be pts than to have to cope with a cold winter, i think.
 
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