My share horse was PTS this morning - still shaky about it

Pippity

Pippity

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I knew that her owner was considering it - she was coming up to 20 and an old ligament injury had flared up recently, meaning she was only really comfortable with very light hacking. Unfortunately, nobody had told HER that she was meant to stick to light hacking, so she spent a lot of time trotting sideways, cantering on the spot, and generally being far too excited! On top of that, she wasn't cheap to keep.

I suppose I can understand that, having made the decision, her owner wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible. I just wish I'd had time to go up and say goodbye.

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My last ride out on her, last week.

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Stuffing her face - a very typical pose!

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All dolled up for showing last summer, with her other sharer on top.
 
Just wanted to send some hugs to you and the owner as I didn't want to read and run!

I had a similar thing happen many years ago when I worked on a yard. With a horse that I'd been tasked with bringing back to fitness after a year of field rest. Unfortunately as soon as he was fit they started using him in lessons again and he quickly deteriorated. I was only told the day before he was PTS and was beyond devastated.
 
Aw, very sorry for your loss. I too think it's awful for the owner not to give you time to say your goodbyes, I can understand her wanting to 'get it over and done with', I know from experience that that is a horrible part, but it's not like it was an emergency situation.
It so hard, I wish horses could actually understand English! You so want to tell them, please behave its for your benefit! A lady on my yard has a horse on 3 months box rest and was allowed to walk in hand for 5 minutes a day, but he started playing up and now isn't allowed out at all.
Really sorry for your loss again, she looked like a lovely girl.
Take care of yourself x
 
So sorry to hear :( What a beautiful girl. Big, big hugs to you.

My share horse was PTS on Sunday, I know how you feel about not being able to say goodbye. xxx
 
Another here who thinks it was mean (or at least extremely thoughtless) not to let you know and let you say your goodbyes. My old loan horse dropped dead in the field while his owner (my bestfriend) was there, and he said that coming to tell me was the hardest thing he'd ever had to d - but did offer me my choice of mementoes of him (I have his bridle). Perhaps the owner could do that for you? ery sorry for your loss and look after yourself.
 
Thanks so much for the comments, everyone. Strange that messages from people I've never met can be so helpful, but they really are.

I'm cracking open a bottle of wine and a big box of chocolates tonight, and letting it all out. Just got to get through the rest of the day at work...
 
Pippity said:
Thanks so much for the comments, everyone. Strange that messages from people I've never met can be so helpful, but they really are.

I'm cracking open a bottle of wine and a big box of chocolates tonight, and letting it all out. Just got to get through the rest of the day at work...
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You poor thing. She really was a lovely looking mare. And that first picture, the look in her eyes shows loads of character and intelligence.
 
Wagtail said:
You poor thing. She really was a lovely looking mare. And that first picture, the look in her eyes shows loads of character and intelligence.
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Oh, she definitely had character! She was one of those lovely, confident horses, who strides out into the world convinced that there's nothing to harm them and they're going to have fun all the way. She'd throw in the occasional spook, just to keep you on your toes if she was feeling a bit bored, though!
 
Pippity said:
Oh, she definitely had character! She was one of those lovely, confident horses, who strides out into the world convinced that there's nothing to harm them and they're going to have fun all the way. She'd throw in the occasional spook, just to keep you on your toes if she was feeling a bit bored, though!
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What a bright flame she was. That kind are few and far between. RIP lovely girl x.
 
Maybe the owner was trying to protect you - grief does strange things to people….

So sorry for your loss, for all parties concerned.
 
It's very sad that they were put down without you having the chance to say goodbye. Perhaps they just rang to speak to the. Vet about it and they suggested they had a spare slot then?

However it doesn't sit comfortably with me either that the owner's newly PTS horse is being put on the internet and the owner criticised either.
 
She was beautiful, really reminds me of my old gelding. In fact seeing the photos made me well up slightly.

It sounds like the owner maybe just wanted her out of pain asap. So sorry for your loss, take care x
 
Honey08 said:
It's very sad that they were put down without you having the chance to say goodbye. Perhaps they just rang to speak to the. Vet about it and they suggested they had a spare slot then?

However it doesn't sit comfortably with me either that the owner's newly PTS horse is being put on the internet and the owner criticised either.
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I agree - sorry you're upset OP, but the poor owner might be rather more upset if they come across this thread unexpectedly.
 
It is sad news but no-one should be having a poke at the horse's owner. It is bad enough for the sharers, but infinitely worse for the owner who has actually had to take the decision, and of course has owned her longer than the sharers knew her for.

She was indeed a beautiful horse.
 
fatpiggy said:
It is sad news but no-one should be having a poke at the horse's owner. It is bad enough for the sharers, but infinitely worse for the owner who has actually had to take the decision, and of course has owned her longer than the sharers knew her for.

She was indeed a beautiful horse.
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I am sorry that the sharer feels upset but just think how the owner feels, who had the ultimate responsibility for the horses long term well being and the bills. I recently had to have my old pony PTS, my daughter and I knew it had to happen but we didn't speak about it and I told her just the day before, my other daughter after the deed was done. The lady who used to ride him last summer I didn't tell at all, I just had no wish to talk about it. Its hard enough as it is, and my thoughts are with the owner.
I look at the photos of the horse and think what a way to go, it looks so fit, well and enjoying what it did, watching a horse slide into a decline is not pleasant and does not benefit the horse.
 
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