Kick up the bum and some advice desperatly needed please. (long one)

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welsh_mare

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About 8 weeks ago some of you were kind enough to send my horse vibes for a scan on his damaged tendon. Well yesterday he had his 2nd scan and it is not good.

He has damage to one of the main tendons running through his off hind hock, it will never be right and the best i can hope for is that i will be able to hack him out, (cue me blubbing my eyes out).

The vet is going to check him again in 4 weeks to see if he is sound by then, 1/10 at the moment. He did say he could try some more aggressive treatments eg, shock wave therapy, injections into the hock but as he said said he doesn't hold out much hope that they would work.

Now my boy is 5 years old, and will never be a hacking horse, terrified of traffic and unpredictable, so that's not an option. He is not a candidate for being a companion as every so often the urge takes him to try and kill one of his friends, and i mean serious damage was nearly done to my pony from my horse biteing him.

So now i think does that only leave 1 option PTS?. I don't want to make that decision for a 5 year old but on the other hand i would not be a responsible horse owner if i tried to sell him as a hack or companion, not only could he hurt someone or himself and i keep thinking where could he end up?.

I'm sorry about this but it's all going round and round in my head, and i need to get it straight. I hope all this makes sense as i have been crying my eyes out for the last 24 hours, this horse was to be my competion horse.

Big slice of chocolate cake and a massive glass of wine for anyone who got to the end of my ramblings.
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How awful for you both. Can you not keep him? Not sure how long you have had him, but if he has been a faithful friend for some time, then don't you feel you owe it to him to look after him now he has received an injury which was I guess caused through him being a faithful servant to you? He may never be able to do what you want him to do, but you may have a horse you can still school gently. I really feel for you, but more sorry for the horse i'm afraid.
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I am normally very level headed and agree that sometimes being PTS is the best option. I would NEVER sell on an old/injured horse as a 'companion'. I really feel for you as i know my horse (despite being 10) would never be suitable to simply be a hacking horse. As your horse is only 5 and only 1/10th lame id be tempted to try letting him live out for a period of time (6m to 1 year) if the vets were agreeable. I think mother nature and dr green can sometimes be the best healer.
x
 
Unfortunately i don't have my own land, if i did there would be no question he would have a home for life. I have had him for 15 months and love him to bits and wish dearly that i was not in this position, but as much as he isgraet with me and my children he seems to have a great dislike for other horses and ponies and livery yards can't always accomodate (sp) horses like him. I wish to god i could keep him and keep thinking of everything i can to do so, but i also have to be realistic about hoe long he could live paying livery. I'm sorry if i sound horrible, i'm trying to weigh everything up and all my options and whether my heart does rule my head.
 
Firstly, very sorry to hear this news - I can understand why you are so upset.

Secondly, big praise for looking at all the options for his future so realistically.

Thirdly - it sounds like it hasn't been that long since the original injury, if your horse is insured and the insurance company agrees the treatments suggested by your vet then you could try it out and hope for the best - I don't want to give you false hope but you never know how it will turn out. As long as the horse isn't suffering I don't see why you don't try it.
 
Sorry you are in such a rubbish situation. Young competition horses sadly don't just become quiet, low-maintenance pets or happy hackers because they need retiring from competition. It would be absolutely reasonable of you to pts IMO.
 
I am so sorry to hear this, it has to be the worst decision any one could have to make. But honestly, from reading your post, PTS might be the best option. If he could hurt or kill his rider he shouldn't be passed on. If his temperment as a companion is such that he faces a lifetime of being passed from home to home until his behaviour and quality of life spiral ever downwards, it would be best for his sake to be PTS, when the last person he sees is some one who loves him. My heart goes out to both of you.
 
Oh, I am so sorry things have come to this and hope you can find a suitable home for your boy.

I am sure, someone, somewhere would be able to take him on as a hack and love him, someone who lives in a place where traffic isn't a problem. I ride in fabulous countryside and really dont have to enounter traffic so there are places out there. I really hope your boy, who has only just started life finds a loving home.

It may take a while to find a home. My friend had a horse until last week who, when broken over three years ago, was found to be unrideable due to a bad back. She advertised and within one week has found and vetted a wonderful companion home for him who are happy to have him as just that. I know you cannot home as a companion but what I am saying is that there are homes out there for problem horses so don't despair.

Good luck xxx
 
That's what i'm thinking, insurance covers our vets fees so cost is not option, but as vet is so sure that even treatments will not work am i just putting off the day i have to decide?.

So sorry about this just trying to get it straight in my head and i am feeling so emotional and confused.

Maybe i should just sit back at the moment and not try to rationalise while it is all so fresh.

In an ideal world i would win the lottery tonight and he would have a home for life. If only life was simple.
 
Vets do tend to give the worst case scenario, so as some has said, give it time, he might surprise you. Its not a decision you should make in a hurry.
 
Have you looked into the stem cell treatment they can do for tendon injuries?
Also, have you only had one opinion - you could always talk to another vet to see if they have any other ideas.
 
Really sorry to hear you are in this dillemma. I think at this point in time you have just got to take some time. Let the immediate upset you are feeling subside a wee bit and take a fresh look at the situation. I am sure that in time you will make a decision that is not only right for you but the horse as well. Which ever way, it is gonna be a tough one and my thoughts are with you. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.
 
The same kind of thing happened to me. My 4 yr old mare was found to have arthritis in both stifles which vet thought was hereditary. Couldn't be used to breed in case she passed it on, couldn't hack as would rear and nap and become dangerous both alone and in company and would need constant medication and treatment which the insurance would only pay for for 1 year. I could not expect to find someone to loan her or take her on as she would have cost too much as a companion to keep. She was a 17hh warmblood by the way. She needed stabled in winter and was a nut job in the field being only young. The only thing I could do was pts. I was gutted for months and cried and cried cos I felt so guilty about letting her down. But she would have been miserable stuck in a field or stressed being forced to hack out. It's a hard decision to make but think of all the practicalities involved plus what is best for the horse and you will have your answer. Hugs. x
 
Sorry to hear your dilemma.I have been in same situation and can only tell you what I did. Ollie had 80 % tear in his front leg and also soft tissue damage in his hoof.I treated tendon with shock wave and it was complete success but the other injury didnt heal.I had option of pts or dr green.My yard is not suitable for turning away and I didnt want to go the other route but was very wary of passing on my problem to another person.I decided to advertise him on project horse (detailed his injury )and had some lovely emails and found him wonderful home.Fortunately he is great with other horses, he is only 8 and it does look promising that he will return as gentle hack for new owner.
I would go for shock wave and turn away.If your insurance company agree to pay then stem cell is the best treatment available.
If all else fails then you could find someone with land that is prepared to turn away.
 
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