long term unsoundness and pts

debsflo

debsflo

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my older horse is unsound ,not sure how longterm but have noticed lots of threads re longstanding unsoundness issues and the option of pts depending on peoples finances ,options etc. are vets guided by peoples own requests or are they reluctant to agree if a horse can be comfortably retired in a field .one of those horrible ponderings that i am now having to contemplate .
 
If there are health/unsoundness issues then pts is always an option. My last horse was sadly pts after he was diagnosed with articular ringbone in one leg and a djd type condition in another. In theory injections would have made him field sound for a time, but I couldn't bear to watch him deteriorate before my eyes and so I made the decision to pts.

Never easy ((hugs))
 
I had exactly that conversation with my vet (senior partner) a few months ago about our 12yo TB who was just about paddock sound. He was very sympathetic about my questions of PTS before things got too bad.
He comes from NZ and said in this country he is amazed at the number of horses people pay to keep "retired". He said it is a concept he does not strictly believe in but will help any owner committed to keeping their horse for as long as they are comfortable. We agreed to PTS in the autumn but he went downhill suddenly in July :( so we lost him then.

He pointed out that horses who need to be PTS on humane grounds for insurance purposes have to be suffering unexceptable pain. However if an owner is happy or able to pass on the insurance money, most vets will PTS sooner as this is the kinder more secure option. He was extremely realistic about the cost of keeping horses and the need to have a ridable animal.

He was a bit :eek::eek::eek: at my retired 12yo TB, 26yo connie x and 18month old TB x:D Thought we were mad to pay to keep 3 unridable horses.:cool:
 
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Its a horrible decision to have to make. My mare had been stiff in back end for quit a long time. She had intermittent lameness, a front leg last year and earlier this year she had difficulty in moving after getting up. We got the vet out and he diagnosed lameness in 3 legs. The front let cleared up and she was put on danelon and a joint supplement, synequin. I have been on sick leave over the summer and watched my lovely big horse not getting any better. She then got an abcess in her hind foot and reacted very badly. It took a long time to clear up I got the vet out to her last monday and he saw a marked deterioration in her. He said she had arthritis in her pelvis and would only get worse.
We had her insured for loss of use and would have gone for this if she could have lived happily as a pet, but she was not happy, in pain and had started getting depressed. She wanted to come out of the field when we got the others out as she loved being ridden. We made the decision that it would be fairer for her, not for us, and she was pts on friday. We are totally devastated. Cost was not an issue for us but her quality of life was. She was only 13 but we did the right thing for her she had a good summer but was getting stiffer and finding it difficult to turn.

It is never and easy decision but you have to do what is right for you and your horse
 
I'm sorry you've got this problem but vets don't have the final say at all, ever. It's your choice and the vet doesn't even need to know what you have decided if you arrange it yourself. You can put down the healthiest horse if you wish, it's nobody elses decision except your own although a vet would have trouble with their conscience if you did want the injection route - I hope, but the abbatoirs and others wouldn't give a fig, it's happening every day, it's your choice.
Obviously if he's insured then you have to go through the right channels if you want to claim on him which would mean the vet being involved but if not, you could just as easily take him along to Turners or Potters or even the local knackerman or hunt staff would do him at home without needing any authority except the owner's.
In most cases, owners know best what is best for their horse so don't let a pushy vet deny you that choice. Hugs, it's never easy to make the right choice if there are options.
 
I had my 12yo pts after he had numerous health issues, although looked amazing, was paddock sound in the summer, But I wanted to remember him that way. Not let the cold weather get the better of his joints and cause any discomfort,

My vet actually agreed and thought it was a mature sensible decision on my part although my boy could probably carried on for another 10 years in the paddock. Having said that it was also my choice if I had wanted to keep him alive also. Not my vets.

It is no one elses decision as to what you should do. Like others posters have mentioned there are lots of alternatives and vets don't even have to come into the equation.

Sorry you are in this situation and I hope you are able to reach the right decision for you and your horse
 
If a horse can no longer be worked due to long term lameness then most vets will not hesitate to carry out the owners wishes and put it down.

However, if your vet disagrees with your decision - you just call the hunt.

It's what I've done twice.
 
i will have a better idea when she is rescanned but dont want her to have a wet muddy winter [although in at night] if shes not right or likely to improve.just preparing for all options.at the moment veering between putting down and coping ok.
 
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