Made a decision about my mare

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noodle_

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Some may remember the past few posts of my sickly mare - who had bad ulcers/constant colicer etc.

Ive done everything i can (i hope)! to make it better for her...moved her from nice DIY stabled, to a (lovely) field, living out 24.7 - I bought her a companion who i intended to ride as my original mares replacement so there was no pressure on her etc...

I had thought many options about long term to put her out at a retirement home/let her live her days there but i came to the same conclusion...why - she will still be there - something wrong with her...i'll be worrying and she will still be a pet...

Cut a long story short, I had bloods done last week, as she is still very pale and lethargic.... Im still waiting on the results but either way my decision is made to have her pts. Shes 6.

I dont want to be judged...just updated those who cared enough to pm me and share their thoughts with me.


I am in tears and cannot stop throwing up :(
 
Oh blimey what a nightmare for you, your doing the best for your girl. You can do no more than that, so sorry you have found yourself in this dreadful situation xx
 
What a shame for he and for you poor young girl :(

You have made the best and hardest decision. Much respect for you, its never hard to do the right thing for our animals but if she isnt having a good quality of life then your decision cant be hailed as nasty xx

Hugs x
 
Althougj very hard and sad it is Definatley the right decision. No one should judge you for anything. Only you know your mare. If you think the time is right you have to think of all the nice times, seeing her in a nice big field, anything you can think of that makes you smile and then let her go. I had a very had decision at the start of this year with my boy. :( I made sure he had anything he wanted. He even had some of my chocolate magnum Ice cream on the morning he went, it was a lovely sunny day aswell. :) try not to be too hard on yourself. Sounds to me like you love her and just want what's best. Really big highs for you
 
Oh noodle I'm sorry to hear that :( Far better for your horse to have a life lost in its prime than to spend years ahead suffering; they can't talk, but persistant amaemia must feel awful for them and colic is no fun and frequently fatal in itself. I think you are doing the right thing. xx
 
Its take bravery, compassion and love to make this kind of decision. You are putting her needs before your feelings, because you love her.

Sending good vibes to you, it is the hardest decision to make.
 
So sorry to hear this. You've tried and are doing the best for her, albeit it is still a very hard and difficult decison to make. Its obvious that you love her and have put her needs before your own feelings.

Thinking of you at this very sad time! :(
 
I really feel for you, I know that you have tried everything to get this mare happy and pain free. I'm so sorry that it didn't work out. :(

Lots of *hugs* for you.
 
How absolutely heartbreaking. Your girl obviously has something serious wrong with her and she probably feels lousy. You are making the right decision. So sad.
 
Your mare is very lucky to have such a compassionate owner who clearly puts her horse first. A horrid situation OP - hugs x
 
This is the hardest part about owning any animal, and quite often the thought of it is actually worse that actually doing it. As sad as you are, if your mare is ill and in pain she will thank you for thinking of her best interests and you must stay strong for her.

I had to make this terrible decision two weeks ago with my mare, i tried everything, spent a fortune on her, tried every remedy available to us but nothing was going to make her better.

I have cried buckets (as i am sure you have too), but once it was done i was relieved, relieved for my mare who i knew was no longer in pain and relieved for me because i had realized all i did was stress and worry trying to find a solution. I am sad about the situation but do not feel any guilt.

Be kind to yourself and take comfort in the fact that you are a true horse person & have put the needs of your horse before your own. Take care
 
Thank you all

im absolutely gutted.... she is the best horse ive owned - the most loving and sweet girl...which is why i have to do what i feel is right for her..



I have a logisitcal problem to deal with too - when i have her pts i have her lovely fieldmate to sort out - shes two so i feelyoungstock livery would be the best option -however they are incredibly bonded... I dont know if the best solution would be to take them to horsepital and have it done there - (not ideal tbh) or have my eldest mare done at home but would mean hiring and loading (if she does)! babyhorse and driving her myself to youngstock livery....

They are incredibly close - only been 4 months they have known each other but they adore one another....however keeping a 2 year old stabled isnt an option for me - so sending her away for 18 months to play with some babies x
 
So sorry it has come to this :(.

She could have another 20 years ahead of her, in pain and miserable. That is no life for her :(. You have made a hard decision, not made any easier by her relative youth, safe in the knowledge that you have explored every avenue and made changes to her management, all to no avail.
Be sad but be happy that you tried everything for her, it just wasn't to be.
 
Very very sorry to read this. I have seen your previous posts and you have tried so hard. It is awful when they are young:( I do think you are brave though and the easy option would be to send her away/sell her on. She will be at peace and out of pain.

The one thing I would say is our lad was very bonded with our old girl. They were together for over 3 years from when he was 8 months old. When we lost her this year he was there (other side of fence) when she was pts and he was allowed to sniff her and be in with her afterwards. It was very upsetting as he pawed at her and bit her for about 20 minutes. After that he gave up and went away to graze. He only called when she was taken away an hour later and once the next day. He had company over the fence but no one in the same paddock as himself. He was fine. I hope your little one does as well as he did. The initial 20 minutes was horrible for us (my daughter could not bare to watch) but he seemed to understand that she was gone:(
 
thanks misst - im thinking the same for my two as well.

Grace (little one) has only known my mare for 4 month but the bond is incredble BUT thye only have each other in a field....

I would rather Grace sniff her and know shes gone than just box her up and send her to youngstock livery wondering where her best friend is

heartbreaking for us to watch but my horses come first.... which is why my mare is being pts and baby can accept it
 
I would rather Grace sniff her and know shes gone than just box her up and send her to youngstock livery wondering where her best friend is
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This is what I would do. Have the mare PTS at home so that she isn't stressed at all. Let the youngster see the body and then transport her to her new field when she is ready.
 
Thanks. she will have to go the same day though as they live out together....thatsthe hardest part (for me)!

but again - i need to deal with it for their sake and get on with it.

She will be better pts at home,massive bucket of carrots (which se isnt allowed)! some polos and some good grass and a pat while the weathers ok.
 
Faracat said:
This is what I would do. Have the mare PTS at home so that she isn't stressed at all. Let the youngster see the body and then transport her to her new field when she is ready.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with this too.

And i really feel for you. I was in a very similar position with my 7yr old a few months ago, it is utterly heartbreaking, and nothing anyone says will take away your pain. But, you are doing your absolute best for her, no matter how much it hurts you, and she is a very lucky girl to have had such a caring mum.

(((((Hugs))))) x
 
^ Thank you

I appreciate the kindness in everyones posts - i really did expect a backlash as she is so young but i honestly feel ive done everything i can for her


I have considered retirement livery/turning her aaway (same as what shes on now)

but even if someone gaveme 30 acres for free - unlimited hay etc all free - it means nothing as she is still not happy, nor can i justify keeping her for another 20 + years as a pet.

My last horse was a pet fro2 years - but he had a hole in his leg so it was "easier" to physically see to have him pts.


I hope in a way the bloods come back with a positive conslusion for my benefit - i will feel guilty as hell but i know my mare is put first. If i didnt care id be riding her now and forcing her to do it - however i do care - she ges the best hay/feed (ive just spend a fortune on simple systems etc)! but i cant fix everything - no matter how hard i try :(
 
So sorry to hear this noodle, you are doing the bravest, kindest thing for your girl, it really is the hardest decision to make x

I also had to have my beautiful girl pts last month, she had deteriorated so much it was heartbreaking to see her. It was old age, arthritis and cushings with her, but even though she had reached a 'good age' it was still devastating. I miss her every day but know in my heart it was the best thing for her.

Be strong for your girl and do whatever YOU feel is right xx
 
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