LOU on a 6yr old - what would you do?

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Missmac

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Im really hoping im jumping the gun here but im possibly looking at my mare being written off at 6 years old with reoccuring pelvic problems and am looking for advice and opinions. We are off for nerve blocking and investigations later this week.

She is 6 and has done nothing much past hacking and basic schooling. I got her as a green 4year old last winter and then she hurt her pelvis in the field last spring. She was looking fine and I was going to re-start her this summer but several weeks ago she had another incident in the field and hurt her stifle/pelvis again.

I feel terrible having to consider my options as when I bought her I imagined she would be with me for years and years but I bought her to 'replace' my retired boy. I want to ride but I couldnt afford a third horse at the moment.

If this was you what would you do with her????
 
Personally, if it did come to that I'd keep her & volunteer my riding services for however long it took to be able to get a ridden horse. But mine are pets I also ride, so not a judgement on people who wouldn't. Unless you have a trusted friend needing a companion its either keep yourself, pts or a bloodbank. But hopefully it won't come to that.
 
I will get into hot water here for saying this I would PTS .
I am really sorry that this has happened to you and your mare best wishes whatever you decide to do.
 
I bought a 5 yr old WB he was only ridden by us for 4 months when he started showing unsoundness. He was diagnosed with chronic Sacro Illiac dysfunction in May 2011. I had him treated alternatively too by a holistic vet - he has been turned away since having some in hand rehab until September 2011. We hope to see if Dr Green and the osteopathy have worked to make him sound enough to ride again. We got LOU for him in February 2012. He is 7 this year. imo he was too young to be pts and deserved a chance of rehab. As long as he is pain free he has a home here ridden or not with me. A very attractive field ornament at the moment :) I personally could not put a horse to sleep because it couldn't be ridden, but I wouldn't condemn those who would rather than chancing passing an unrideable horse on.
 
Wait and see what the investigations come back with. So unlucky to do it twice.

PTS is an option I would consider if she were mine. The other option is to loan as a companion providing she is not in pain... then again, if she keeps falling in the field, there must be an underlying issue. I am weighing all this up in my head and I keep thinking that pts is probably the kindest thing to do. You cannot expect to keep her buted all her life. I would rather she rested in peace than live a life of uncertainty... if she were mine.

I feel that it is part of the responsibility of owning any animal. It is down to you to end any suffering if you cannot provide quality of life.
 
Thank you everyone.

Like I said I really hope I'm jumping the gun. I have had such terrible luck recently its very hard not to think the worst.

She has bad seperation anxiety so I would only consider putting her out on loan as a companion to someone I personally knew and could trust to manage this. Although I understand that not many people would want a horse like this and its probably not going to be an option.

The thought of having to put such a young and lovely mare to sleep is killing me but i know that it is a possibility.

x
 
Try not to think about it yet thats what i am trying to do one of mine is off to horsepital on Friday for a jaw issue thats cost a fortune so far and still don't really know what's wrong.
Just hope I bring him back at the end.
It's horrible isn't it .
 
I couldn't agree more than with TallyHo, I'm sorry.

I don't know if it helps you at all but I always think of the very worst things that can happen and what I will have to do if it does so if the worse comes to the worse I'm prepared and if it's better news then that's a great bonus. Is that reverse psychology or something, anyway, it works for me, hope it helps you and you have better news than you're expecting.
 
Maesfen that is what i do! My favourite thing to say at times like these is 'expect the worst and you can only been pleasantly surprised'

I know that if it is the worst case scenario i would be prepared to pts if a suitable retirement/loan/bloodbank could be found for her. Even then i would never relinquish complete responsibility for her to someone else. Couldnt bare the thought of her being passed from pillar to post.
 
There is a lady on my yard with two retirees who regularly rides another horse at the yard.

The owner of one I used to share doesn't rider her own horse much but rides another at the yard.

...

Lots of people ride, and compete, other's horses even if they own their own. Having, and obviously caring for well, your own is a great entree (sp?) to the local share/loaning circuit.

But it might not come to that :-)
 
Keep us posted and my big fat arms are ready for hugs should you need it :) xxxxxxxxx
 
Goldenstar said:
I will get into hot water here for saying this I would PTS .
I am really sorry that this has happened to you and your mare best wishes whatever you decide to do.
Click to expand...

This - but wait and see first, maybe things will work out. However, if LOU at 6 then you may have another 25 years to look after a horse you cannot ride. Ok if you choose to do this , if you have the land and facilities/resources. However, if it means that you cannot own another horse and ride then yes I would PTS.
 
I'd consider PTS but if she isn't in pain, I'd look into bloodbank first (no separation anxiety there! :D) Obviously everything crossed things come good :)
 
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