Is it the right thing to do??

J

jeanettewhiston

Active Member
Joined
18 September 2009
Messages
32
Visit site
Sorry just wanted some advice. Have a pony who is 20 and had him 16 years he has been poorly now for 6 weeks colic on and off his stomach really swelling and he has been looking in so much pain had the vet out and found out he had a serious worm problem and this resulted from when he was a foal we had kept his worming up to date but he went out on loan last winter and came back in an awful state.
2 weeks ago he really started to pick up and thought we were really getting somewhere but then on Thursday he had another colic attack so kept him in on sat with my mare but took her to the school to ride (he can see the sandschool from his stable) he then went mad not just calling and pacing around crazy off his head trying to climb out the stable and trying to kick me when i went to calm him down he had white foam all over him. It took ages to settle him and he was the same yesterday all day
confused.gif
i cant turn him out as he escapes if he is on his own. My vet has said that this is his way of dealing with pain and that a retired horse is supposed to be happy and relaxed and to plod in the field and it just seems unfair to see him like this. She has said she supports my decision if i wanted to put him to sleep as this will continue to happen and he is really lame with arthritis but i hate the thought of playing god and never had to go through this with a horse before. Do you think i am doing the right thing??
 
It is a really hard one and I have never had to do this yet, but fully believe it is the quality of life, rather than the quantity. Lots of hugs to you as this must be a very hard descion to make. Could he be a field companion to anyone?
 
It's a really difficult decision to make, but he is your pony and you know what is best for him. Unfortunately this time will come in most horse owners' lives and knowing the decision has to be made does not make it any easier. It sounds like your pony is quite stressed and unwell, but you are the only one who can decide when the time is right.

Good luck...
 
From what you have said, if he is going to continue to be in pain, then yes I would PTS.

If his pain can be controlled is there any chance of getting in a third horse as a companion, so he doesn't have to be left alone? Could that be an option for you?

Sorry, I know it's such a hard thing to do, but it is not playing God at all, it is showing compassion to an animal in unresolvable pain and distress.
 
As illegal has already said quality of life is the main consideration. It sounds as if your pony is having a very rough time with the colic plus problems with arthritis. I think in your heart of hearts you have already made the decision to let him go.Big hugs to you. It is never easy.
 
He is TB X Con and tried him as a field companion before but he now needs his stable as his arthritis is getting so bad and he is worse being in the field after walking than resting in his stable but then when he is in he gets so worked up!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
She has said she supports my decision if i wanted to put him to sleep as this will continue to happen and he is really lame with arthritis but i hate the thought of playing god and never had to go through this with a horse before. Do you think i am doing the right thing??

[/ QUOTE ]
I think you'd be doing the right thing.
 
[ QUOTE ]
He is TB X Con and tried him as a field companion before but he now needs his stable as his arthritis is getting so bad and he is worse being in the field after walking than resting in his stable but then when he is in he gets so worked up!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Well now you have added this little bit, then yes I believe you would be doing the right thing by PTS.

It's not a nice decision to have to make, but it does sound as though it's for the right reasons.
 
Unfortunately the downside of owning any animal is having to play God. You are obviously a caring responsible owner, and it seems as if you know what is the fairest & kindest thing to do for him. It is the hardest decision you'll ever have to make but it is the ultimate way of showing you care.
 
This is undoubtably the hardest thing you will ever have to do. Take advice from your vet, but in the end you must listen to your head; not your heart.To keep your old friend going whilst he is in such obvious pain and distress would be selfish. Be brave, and let him go;quietly, peacefully and with dignaty. He has given you so much joy during his lifetime, remember all the good times you shared, and perform the last great act of kindness for your beloved pony.
All my thoughts are with you.
 
Sorry to hear about your pony.It is unfair to him with all this pain.I had a pony put to sleep in 1984 and I tried everything to cure her but alas her time had come.I think your making the right decision. My thoughts are with you.
 
I haven't had to do this for a horse but I have had to for my dog who I had for 12 years. It is an awful decision to make but I do think you know when it is time. I didn't think of it as playing God rather I could relieve my best friend of the pain and in her case fear (she had dementia and was very confused at night) and allow her to go at home in a planned, dignified way. I used to be a nurse and learnt very quickly that quality of life is more far important than quantity.
 
I think you will be the only one who knows if it's the right time but from all you've said I think if it was me I'd definitely go for quality of life over quantity and opt for the kinder decision.
I had this with my old boy but thankfully it was easier to make a quick decision.
Unfortunately I do think lots of people keep horses around for their benefit not the horse's.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
Thank you for all your kind words. A few weeks ago i was really upset at the thought of losing him but seeing him like that on Sat has helped me cope in a calm way and thinking of his quality of life which at the moment is not much. I would hate to see him suffer and i know how i feel about people that are like that. One lady at my yard had a horse and it was in so much pain they had to give it a strong pain killer 30 mins before riding just so her children could ride to me that is cruel and i cant see the point.
 
As others have said, the horse is in pain, there is no hope of a fix or a cure, or even of being able to manage it properly.

If you have him PTS, he will no longer feel pain nor try and cope with it in whatever way he can, he will be at peace. It's the ones that are left that have to cope.

I've had to do it twice. My horse last October and my dog this January. I could have left them both, but their lives would have been miserable and without the chance of reprieve. I couldn't talk to them, to ask what they wanted; I could only do what I and the vets thought was right for each one. Hurt me like hell and hasn't really stopped.

Hugs hunny.
 
I'd agree with the other posters. It just sucks that we ever have to make this call - but we do. You are being a caring owner and it does sound as though his time may have come. My philosophy is always - "better a month too soon than a day too late" Big <<<<hugs>>>>
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top