My pony died five days after I got her

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Cara_E

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I had my beautiful, sweet pony for five days. Then yesterday morning, my yard manager spotted a wound on my pony's hock. It was leaking joint fluid. The vet said she had to go to the hospital and have surgery immediately and would cost a minimum of £3000. She would then be on box rest for a minimum of 8 weeks, and even then she might never have been okay to ride (my instructor had told me that I could walk her, trot her but never canter her because she was so arthritic). I bought her to learn to ride so waiting all that time would delay my lessons.

She was 22-years old, had laminitis, arthritis, a previous check ligament injury, and I'd only had her for five days. My instructor advised me to put her to sleep. She said even if she survived the surgery, she wouldn't have much of a quality of life.

It was agonizing. I'd bought her because it love at first sight. But I ultimately decided to put her to sleep. My heart is broken. That sweet girl changed my life in just five days. If nothing else, she proved that I am definitely a horse person - I will never be without one again. I feel so guilty - and it is made worse because on Monday I'm going to look at several new horses.

Did I do the right thing? What would you have done?
 
I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds as though you thought about the decision; there's sometimes no easy answer, and it's very hard.
 
I'm so sorry.
An awful decision to have to make but given her age and other medical conditions definitely the right call
 
I think you had no other option. I wouldnt put a 22yr old through anaesthetic and surgery, a very sad story but sadly horses, despite their size and strength are very prone to injury and illnesses. Good luck for finding a lovely pony.
 
I would have given you the same advice as your instructor, an older pony with arthritis would have struggled to cope with the op, the box rest and recovery, it is extremely sad that this happened so soon after you bought her, don't feel guilty for starting to look for another one, you did the right thing by your mare and deserve some fun with another, just don't make a hasty purchase, take your time to find the right one.
 
With her age and pre-existing medical issues I would also have pts. Many hears ago my horse of a lifetime got a very similar injury to the one you described but I sent her to the RVC to have the joint flushed but she was about 11 at the time. When she was 22 she got a similar injury and I had her pts rather than put her through the operation and rehabilitation.

I'm very sorry to hear your story but do think you made the hard decision in the best interest oh your pony.
 
I'm so sorry for you, how absolutely devastating, for what it's worth I think you did the right thing having her PTS. Please don't feel guilty for horse hunting, everyone deals with things differently be there's no right or wrongs when it comes to greiving and moving on but do not rush into buying another one thinking it might fill the whole in your heart unless you are sure it's suitable, buying the wrong one will only make things worse x
 
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How very sad, very sorry for you. You did the right thing though and she was lucky to have you as an owner, although brief. How wonderful that she taught you that you are definitely a horsey person. Best of luck for the future x
 
What a tragic story, I'm so sorry. You definitely did the right thing, however. Don't beat yourself up, and take your time finding another sweet horse to love.
 
I'm so sorry to hear this - you definitely did the right thing, and of course it's fine to be looking at others if you feel ready.

I know you clicked with this one, but do take your time finding the next one. It might be worth having lessons on lots of different horses so that you can start to get a feel for what you like and what suits you :)
 
Yes, you made the right call. You poor thing. RIP lovely pony. Was she kicked? Was she put straight in with others? Please ask for a separate paddock for your next horse, if this was the case. Just so they can make friends for a couple of weeks before being integrated with the herd.
 
I'm so sorry for you having read this, but please be assured you did absolutely the right thing in the circumstances xxxx I wish more owners were as thoughtful and responsible as you, you obviously put the welfare of your horse first and that is ALWAYS the right thing to do xx
 
You definitely did the right thing and you mustn`t feel guilty. You did the best for your horse and that's what matters. Big hugs and good luck in your search.
 
Such a sad thing to happen to you and your pony. You very much made the right decision, hard though it must have been. Good luck with your search for another pony. X
 
Very sorry to hear this has happened. To put your mind at rest, it is absolutely what i would have done. She was already a dodgy horse in terms of joints, and its very likely you would have had years of a field orniment you could not ride. Horses are lovely to have, but a very expensive pet to just look at!
 
Sad but kindest thing to do for this horse.with arthritis she wouldn't have coped with the months of box rest. I had my boy pts when he coliced he was insured and could have had the OP but I knew he couldn't have coped with months stood the box rest after.he had arthritis, I'd had him from a foal ID met him at 8 hours old he was only 18, but I knew it was the only thing I could really do for him. It still breaks my heart
 
How very sad for you, Polly and her old owner's.

I'm not going to tell you you did the right thing, I don't know that. And nor can anyone else. You followed the advice of your instructor and did what you thought was best for you/Polly given your finances at the time. It may well have been the best thing. But life is full of hard choices we can't always have a clear answer to. And that is really difficult.

You might want to consider getting your yearling insured to remove one complication there. But life is tough and full of grey areas we all struggle to navigate.

Many, many sympathies.
 
Thank you all. I just feel so awful about it. I definitely will find another pony - I know I'll never live without one again. But man, what a blow.

Five beautiful days. I'm looking for meaning in it, and my husband says the meaning is that he's fallen in love with horses too. Previously, he was indifferent but he fell in love with her too in the short time we had her, and now fully supports my horse-madness. I guess that's a good thing.

Sigh. I miss my sweet girl.
 
I had my darling first horse for only a year before i lost him - he had a heart attack so I didn't have to make the terrible choice that you did but I understand your guilt. I also had learned from him that i needed a horse in my life and atarted horse hunting again right away. Don't feel guilty. Your need for a horse in your life is your girls legacy.

So sorry for your sudden loss xx
 
I'm so sorry for your loss. Joint injuries are horrible, and you should be commended for putting the pony's welfare first, it's a hard injury to come back from as others have said. We only just saved my 9 yr TB mare when she punctured her knee, and it took surgery, over a week in hospital and then months of box rest, and even now I won't risk her with fast work.

I'm so sorry you had to make such a hard decision so soon after getting your pony, but you clearly did the right thing for her.
 
Cara_E said:
I had my beautiful, sweet pony for five days. Then yesterday morning, my yard manager spotted a wound on my pony's hock. It was leaking joint fluid. The vet said she had to go to the hospital and have surgery immediately and would cost a minimum of £3000. She would then be on box rest for a minimum of 8 weeks, and even then she might never have been okay to ride (my instructor had told me that I could walk her, trot her but never canter her because she was so arthritic). I bought her to learn to ride so waiting all that time would delay my lessons.

She was 22-years old, had laminitis, arthritis, a previous check ligament injury, and I'd only had her for five days. My instructor advised me to put her to sleep. She said even if she survived the surgery, she wouldn't have much of a quality of life.

It was agonizing. I'd bought her because it love at first sight. But I ultimately decided to put her to sleep. My heart is broken. That sweet girl changed my life in just five days. If nothing else, she proved that I am definitely a horse person - I will never be without one again. I feel so guilty - and it is made worse because on Monday I'm going to look at several new horses.

Did I do the right thing? What would you have done?
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In answer to your last question, with out a doubt YES YOU DID THE RIGHT THING. Please dont doubt yourself. I am so very sorry for your terrible loss. I do hope you can find another horse that you will love and have a lot of fun with. x
 
How utterly heartbreaking. You have my deepest sympathies.

What this shows though is that you are an utterly selfless person who puts the needs of your horse first even when your heart is breaking. You will be a mighty fine horse owner xxxx
 
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