Is pts the best thing for my 14 yr old?

OP you are clearly a committed and caring owner who is thinking hard about the right thing for both of you. It's also clear the doubters here have never had to deal with this kind of scenario. Its damned hard work running around after a horse on box rest, paddock rest and so on, and its doubly hard when there are serious doubts about whether the horse will ever come right at the end of it. Then add on other things going on in your life and youve got a really unpleasant and stressful situation.
Having been a lifelong advocate of the turn them away brigade, I have found myself with a companion horse who is probably never going to be happy as a companion. I dont have time to ride 2 and the other needs company. Who just cost me 2k in vets bills after running through a fence, and I went through the box rest and nursing because I was too soft to see a young, healthy horse pts. Now he has leukocytoclastic vasculitis so I'm running up more bills, separation anxiety when I ride the other, and winter is coming so it'll be the mud fever battle all over. Yes, he could go on loan to someone but truthfully, nobody is going to take him on when there are thousands of issue free animals out there.
Sometimes its better to let them go. OP, I wish you the best of luck. You're doing the right thing imo.
 
It is never easy to come to a decision to pts when it is not an emergency but sometimes we just have to weigh everything up and come to the best all round decision.
Of course you could turn him away and wait for him to seriously damage himself again and then have him pts when he is hopping on 3 legs. But you know that that scenario WILL happen. So far better for all concerned imo to take the desion now.

I am sorry that you find yourself in this situation but I do speak from experience. I have had to pts 3 young horses; 1, aged six and the other two both aged 11, all because of different problems but with no real alternative.
 
SusieT said:
what is the turnout arrangement? Paddocks or proper big fields with company and good fencing?
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Either. He has been in a paddock which he constantly walked the fence line in as well as windsucking. He is now back out in the big field with the rest of the herd but as I said before once the weather changes he will have to be stabled. The walk down to our fields is quite a stony and on a hill, he is struggling with the incline coming in already.
 
Thank you everyone.

He is out with the herd but rather than getting better having more space he is deteriorating. The decision is made, he will be having a little while out to just be a horse while arrangements are made. After him being unable to get up this morning from rolling and then his hind right buckling underneath him, I know I'm making the right choice.
 
rideawaylate said:
Thank you everyone.

He is out with the herd but rather than getting better having more space he is deteriorating. The decision is made, he will be having a little while out to just be a horse while arrangements are made. After him being unable to get up this morning from rolling and then his hind right buckling underneath him, I know I'm making the right choice.
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All horses deserve an owner like you.
 
rideawaylate said:
Thank you everyone.

He is out with the herd but rather than getting better having more space he is deteriorating. The decision is made, he will be having a little while out to just be a horse while arrangements are made. After him being unable to get up this morning from rolling and then his hind right buckling underneath him, I know I'm making the right choice.
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I am glad you are settled with your decision. FWIW I'm sure it's the right one. Best of luck on the day.
 
rideawaylate said:
…….. . The walk down to our fields is quite a stony and on a hill, he is struggling with the incline coming in already.
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The time has come and as with most others, I agree that you're making a responsible and in the view of most, the right decision. As A_A, it's only a pity that more horses don't have owners who put the horse's interest, before their own.

We bring a life to a close, we shed our tears and then we move on. It's the way of the world and you are entitled to your self respect.

Alec.
 
OP I feel for you, and I respect your considered decision making, you know in your heart your horse is unhappy. Be kind to yourself. You are a responsible owner and person.
 
You have my heartfelt sympathy OP, it's an extremely tough call and unless they are truly on death's door already we will always wonder if we make the right choice.

For what it's worth, I agree with the majority of the others who think this is a horse that has had enough. Enormous hugs to you x
 
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