Is the end of summer the 'right time'

[TuckerTiff]

Hi,

I've looked all day for someone in a similar situation to me. While I appreciate everyone's situation is different I still can't decide or stop myself from feeling guilty and/or selfish for wanting an answer. So, my lovely little horse is 28, he has had cushings for about 6 years now and has arthritis in his back legs. He is on 2 tablets a day for his cushings and after a recent blood test this is beginning to not be enough. After a conversation with my (excellent) vet we have changed his routine slightly and will review how he is in a few weeks. He is not ridden any more due to his arthritis and given his age I figured he was ready for a well earned retirement (he was still eventing up to the age of 25!)
For the past 2 Novembers I've had to have the emergency vets out due to him going down hill rapidly (in the space of a couple of hours) but as soon as they give him pain killers and tube electrolytes into him he comes straight round. While this has been a relief it's incredibly frustrating that the vets have no idea what is causing it. He has also been very down in the dumps recently and I've noticed he's starting to slightly trip with one of his back legs while walking around in the field.
My thoughts are to give him this summer living out and call it a day in autumn - am I being too hasty? Honest opinions either way are greatly appreciated

 

[ForeverBroke_]

You know your horse better than anyone, and if you're starting to think it might be time to call it a day - chances are you're probably right. It's never an easy decision to make, but your gut is very often not wrong - and I'd much rather call it a week too early than a day too late. Big hugs. x

 

[chaps89]

Honestly? I regret giving my horse a 'last summer'. It was hot, flies were bad, ground was hard and he wasn't happy. I wouldn't do that again personally.
There's a thread on here where a few people have said their arthritis is bad currently, possibly due to the heat, and if he is starting to trip and look uncomfortable I would maybe look to make the call sooner rather than later. Sorry. It's never easy.

 

[SEL]

The elderly horse at our yard lay down in the sun last week and said he'd had enough. Luckily there were people around, the weather was fabulous and he could be sent off peacefully - but we're all relieved he didn't go down at night.

There's no need for "one last summer" if you think the time has come. Not all horses are good in the heat and if your gut is telling you he's had enough then you're probably right xx

 

[TuckerTiff]

Honestly? I regret giving my horse a 'last summer'. It was hot, flies were bad, ground was hard and he wasn't happy. I wouldn't do that again personally.
There's a thread on here where a few people have said their arthritis is bad currently, possibly due to the heat, and if he is starting to trip and look uncomfortable I would maybe look to make the call sooner rather than later. Sorry. It's never easy.

Thank you - I think I'm leaning towards calling the vet for a serious discussion on options for him

 

[AmyMay]

I’d probably thinking about sooner rather than later x

 

[ihatework]

Thank you - I think I'm leaning towards calling the vet for a serious discussion on options for him

I would. Summer in the field when it’s rock hard and flies are out isn’t really much fun for young horses, let alone retired arthritic ones.
Very sad but what a grand age for a horse that was competing

 

[Jeni the dragon]

We said goodbye to our oldie on Tuesday. He was 31 and had cushings, though his levels had been fine still on 1 tablet. But he'd started to get stiff and had a couple of abscesses over the winter. Unfortunately he struggled to get up a couple of times so the fair decision was made for him. He looked a million dollars and I'm finding it really tough. But my head knows it was the right thing to do.

 

[Equi]

You have to think about who the summer is for, him or you. He won't know any different either way...its only you who will remember it. I'm an anxious person and having a whole summer of waiting about for this dead line (forgive the pun i don't mean it insensitively) would not be worth it for me.

 

[charterline]

Sounds like now would be better than autumn

 

[View]

You know your horse, and you say he's been down in the dumps recently. Easy for me to say (but I've done it too), but better a week too soon than a day too late.

We owe our beloved horses a dignified end, ensuring that they don't suffer a miserable decline.

Hugs. It's never easy.

 

[Polos Mum]

Strong decision to put them first. I am a firm believer in "better a month too soon than a day too late"

I didn't take my own advice for an elderly Labrador - something I will always regret

 

[meleeka]

I think if it feels like it’s time, it probably is. I know the twice I’ve had to make the call, that that is the worst bit. Both times I’ve felt a sense of relief when they’ve gone that I don’t have to worry about it anymore. At your horses age, you are putting off the inevitable. He’s not going to suddenly become better, his health is really only going one way, so whenever you decide will be ok. I’m pretty sure your horse won’t know or care either way, but you have to be comfortable with your decision. It’s rubbish whenever you do it, but worse when you’ve let it go on too long I’d imagine.

 

[PSD]

I think if it feels like it’s time, it probably is. I know the twice I’ve had to make the call, that that is the worst bit. Both times I’ve felt a sense of relief when they’ve gone that I don’t have to worry about it anymore. At your horses age, you are putting off the inevitable. He’s not going to suddenly become better, his health is really only going one way, so whenever you decide will be ok. I’m pretty sure your horse won’t know or care either way, but you have to be comfortable with your decision. It’s rubbish whenever you do it, but worse when you’ve let it go on too long I’d imagine.

fully agree with this.

the actual thought of doing it and arranging it is worse than actually doing it. I was in a right mess in the days building up to saying goodbye to my girl, on the day I was calm and concentrating on her being happy and relaxed. Once she’d gone it hit me for a few days and now I can look at her photos and smile, she was some horse.

I wouldn’t say I’m “glad” I did it, as I wish more than anything that she was still here. But the relief of knowing she’s pain free is amazing. I’m not losing sleep now wondering if she’ll make it through another night, or having panic attacks before leaving to go to the yard in fear of what I will be faced with.

I couldn’t wait all summer for that decision personally.

 

[QuantockHills]

so sorry that you're going through this. my 13 year old had cushings and was on 4 tablets a day which weren't working... he also had arthritis in 3 legs... i was hoping he could have a few months more but we had to stop the tablets which meant he was an increased risk from laminitis, so should have had restricted grazing, which wasn't an option as he was worse with a smaller paddock as he couldn't move as much which made his arthritis worse.... sometimes you just have to say enough is enough and make the awful decision. The day the lady came to pts, she drove in the field with the trailer, he galloped up along side her bucking and squealing and looked full of life and that's how i'll remember him... not collapsed and unable to get up. awful decision for you but don't prolong it for the horses sake. xxx

 

[C1airey]

Have a chat with your vet - they know the pony too and will be frank with you.

I was in a similar position this time last year. The hardest decision, but the right one. Once you’re at this stage, it’s never too early and as above, I think always better whilst there’s some life in them and they’re still themselves.

Thinking of you x