Old horse creaking

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Cassy

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My daughters horse has been retired now for 6 years as he was diagnosed with arthritis in his spine. He is 22. This summer he has started creaking when he moves, especially in his neck and legs. He is on 2 bute a day but we are beginning to think it may be time to say goodbye to him now rather than keep him into winter as he is always miserable in the bad weather. It is a very big decision to make and I would appreciate any advice from people who have had an older horse put down.
 
definitely do it. it sounds likes he's had a great life, and you'd hate to see him getting stiffer and sorer over a bad winter. i'd do it now before the weather changes. i had one i kept going too long and always regretted it.
 
Can't really help with anything specific but if it's clear he's in pain (is it clear he's in pain?) then putting him to sleep is probably the kindest thing. If he seems fine on the bute, however, creaking isn't necessarily a sign he has to be PTS. I know an older arthritic horse who creaks in his joints but is not on bute, not in pain and very happy to be ridden still. It's also very common in people with certain forms of arthritis to creak with no additional pain. One of my knees has creaked almost my entire life (at least as long as I can remember) and I know it's a sign of cartilage deterioration and osteoarthritis but it causes me no discomfort at all. So it really depends on whether the other things in his life aren't so good, rather than the creaking itself. I would ask a vet for advice.
 
Thanks for the replies. It is hard to say whether he is in pain. He can still get up and down in the field for a rub, but no longer rolls. The worrying thing is when he seems to take a long time to get his head down to graze. Some days are better than others. We bought him as a 2 year old so he has been part of the family for many years which makes it an even harder decision. He is really my daughters horse and she said today that she thinks he is not enjoying the same quality of life as he has in the last few years. If we do decide to have him put down the method to choose is an equally hard one.
 
If he is struggling to get his head down to graze and used to roll but now does not, I would say it is time to say goodbye ��
 
Cassy said:
My daughters horse has been retired now for 6 years as he was diagnosed with arthritis in his spine. He is 22. This summer he has started creaking when he moves, especially in his neck and legs. He is on 2 bute a day but we are beginning to think it may be time to say goodbye to him now rather than keep him into winter as he is always miserable in the bad weather. It is a very big decision to make and I would appreciate any advice from people who have had an older horse put down.
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Have a look at the TURMERIC USER GROUP on facebook a lot of horses do really well on it and no longer need bute ,you can ask for advice the site was started by a vet Doug English .
 
I feel for you, it's just the hardest thing to judge!
However, he's 22, you've had him nearly all his life & you know him inside out. By the sounds of it, you and your daughter have both realised that he's no longer totally happy and know in your heart of hearts what needs to be done, it's just DOING it that's hard!
A vet friend of mine is always saying at this time of year that he wishes owners would do the right thing for their oldies before winter comes making them even stiffer and ending up with an emergency call out to him when the horse can't get up, resulting in a very stressed horse & terribly upset owner. Better a week too early than a day too late.
No one can make this decision for you, but if you want my opinion, he's had a fabulous life with caring owners so if this was his last autumn he'll be a fortunate boy (unlike so many)...
As for how he's eventually put down - I always have mine shot by a qualified & experienced knackerman - it's really, really quick. However, my old pony will be put down by injection as she's terrified of men. Both ways have their merits.
Again, I really feel for you and I'm sure whatever you decide your boy will have the best of care right to the end....
 
It is never an easy decision but really it sounds as if both you and your daughter have come to the view that he is not enjoying life as he used to do. Better for all concerned to do it a week too early than a day too late. A planned pts is more straightforward than an emergency, which you can guarantee will happen on the wettest, coldest night of the year! You can plan exactly how where and when to do it. You have a choice of methods and who you would like to carry out the job. You can make sure that he has a really nice day with his favourite treats, even if you can't arrange for the sun to shine.
Personally, I prefer to have the horse shot and we have a super Equine Crematorium locally who will pts and remove the body and if you wish you can have the ashes back. If you decide that this summer is to be his last, you might want to try a magnet rug to keep him more comfortable for his last week or two, they don't work for all horses but I have known magnets make a huge difference to an arthritic.
 
Cassy said:
Thanks for the replies. It is hard to say whether he is in pain. He can still get up and down in the field for a rub, but no longer rolls. The worrying thing is when he seems to take a long time to get his head down to graze. Some days are better than others. We bought him as a 2 year old so he has been part of the family for many years which makes it an even harder decision. He is really my daughters horse and she said today that she thinks he is not enjoying the same quality of life as he has in the last few years. If we do decide to have him put down the method to choose is an equally hard one.
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Yes, my old girl couldn't just put her head down either. I used to hold her bucket up at my waist level for her to get started then gradually lower it until she was able to eat of the ground. SHe could't twist around to scratch anything either so relied on me 100% to scratch her itchy bits (not that I minded of course). I PTS before the winter came as I knew her old arthritic knees struggled with the mud at the gate and she really hated having to come through it. Her whole body was arthritic really despite the daily metacam. She was rising 30 and it was the right thing to do, at the right time.
 
I am sad for you it's a hard choice but if it where me I would do on a warm autumn day rather than risk an oldie not coping in a tough winter .
But it's a lucky horse who meets his end in the care of his long time owners .
I prefer shooting but again it's a personal thing .
 
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