Old horse PTS

[Eventing1998]

I have a old tb mare. (Roughly 28 years old) I have owned her for 9 years. She was fully retired 4 years ago and has been living out her days been loved and spoilt. She looks good, but is fed a lot, she is still managing to eat her food fine. She still comfortably moves around the field, can get stiff in winter due to arthritis, this is managed with supplements.

she has two loose teeth. She has Cushings disease. They are causing her pain and head shaking / nerve triggers. Dentist told me they need to come out- so this was arranged straight away.

Tuesday we attempted field attraction. She was sedated but reacted badly and the pain was over bearing, causing a panic attack/ seizure. We didn’t take it further. She came round from sedation ok and is back to her usual self.

My options:
In order to get these teeth out (2 loose, one been diseased & is at a awkward angle, one is at top one is at bottom) She would need taking into a hospital and put under aesthetic, operated on a drip. She hasn’t travelled for 4 years and it would be 1-1.5 hours away. - I’ve decided against this with the risks because of her age, if she wasn’t to wake up I would never forgive myself for that been her last memory.

I know I can’t keep her on bute long term due to liver / kidney breakdown. I know I can’t ignore it for my own feelings because I love her too much to say goodbye.

I think I know the answer. I am looking for support, advice and I guess confirmation I am doing the right thing. She is my first pony. I got her when I was 13.
This is obviously very destressing. We have never had to say goodbye to our ponies before.
But..
Have I made the correct decision.
( I have just came off the phone to my dentist and vet, they have advised PTS).
Deep down I think I know this is my only option / best for her.

thankyou

 

[milliepops]

From everything you've said, I think she's obviously lived a good life. But at her age, at this point I think it sounds like the kindest option is to pts quietly at home rather than put her through more stress. Sorry you're at this point, she's obviously a much loved horse x

 

[View]

I'm so sorry, but well done for facing up to this.

Euthanasia is never a welfare issue - but delaying it is. I would make the appointment, and Bute her up for a couple of days pampering her silly.

Hugs.

 

[ITPersonnage]

Of course you have made the right decision. It's very sad that your hand has been forced like this but as MP says you've obviously looked after her very well and sadly her time has come. They do break your heart but you should be proud to have put her first.

 

[Eventing1998]

I have attached photos of her today ??? for her condition

 

[milliepops]

She looks great for her age, I can see why it feels so difficult for you. But I think its better for you both to let her go before she starts to suffer and deteriorate. Then in time, later on, you will have good memories of her and know you put her welfare first right to the end.

 

[millikins]

Yes, I think you have. She's an old lady, she's much loved and PTS at home before going into Winter is a sensible and caring decision. It's horrible, we had my daughter's first pony PTS last year.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

We all know how painful toothache can be. You are definitely not doing the wrong thing, your vet is supporting you. I wish all horses had such a responsible owner, who put the horse's quality of life first. And I wish all owners had such a sensible vet to support them.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I think you're making a good brave decision for your beautiful old friend. Tooth ache is no fun and I doubt the bute really gets rid of it completely (I've just had toothache myself and the painkillers did very little!). I wouldn't put an old girl through travel and an operation either.

I'm so sorry, this bit is the worst bit. x

 

[ycbm]

It is rare these days for a vet to recommend PTS. You can rest assured that it is absolutely the right decision, and a brave one on your part.
.

 

[palo1]

She looks great for her age, I can see why it feels so difficult for you. But I think its better for you both to let her go before she starts to suffer and deteriorate. Then in time, later on, you will have good memories of her and know you put her welfare first right to the end.

@milliepops is right - and I know this too that when the pain of her going has settled it will be of enormous comfort to you to know that you put her first. It is a heartbreaking duty but doing this for our beloved horses makes it easier for us too. So sorry you are having the sadness of this now.

 

[COldNag]

I'm sorry you're having to go through this. But it sounds like you are making the only decision you can make, really. I do feel for you.

 

[Snow Falcon]

If your vet advises PTS then it is time to let her go. Far better before pain becomes too much. Sorryyou are facing this but as owners it's the kindest decision.

 

[misst]

Nothing to add except that you love her enough to let her go which is a wonderful thing. They leave a hole behind that is never quite filled but it gets easier and you will have some wonderful memories and no regrets.

 

[Baywonder]

I am so sorry you are facing this decision.

Like many on this forum, I had to make the decision to have my old boy PTS many years ago. It broke my heart to do it, but deep down I knew it was the kindest thing to do for him. Like you, I also had the choice of transporting him for surgery, and I decided against it as I didn't want to put him through a long journey of 1.5 - 2 hours.

I have said many times before, the right decision is always the most difficult one to make.

Sending you virtual hugs. X

 

[Melody Grey]

As age advances, I think the chance of finding your horse down as a result of an accident or finding them distressed increases. You have the opportunity here to say your goodbyes calmly and without an emergency. I think that’s in some way a blessing, so personally I wouldn’t think twice about PTS in your situation, hard though that undoubtedly will be.

 

[JackFrost]

There has long been a tradition of an 'honorable summer', when an elderly horse is let go after spending a last happy summer of retirement. She is beautiful, and you are doing her the greatest kindness and service that you can, though it is the hardest one of all.

thinking of you both x

 

[JackFrost]

There has long been a tradition of an 'honorable summer', when an elderly horse is let go after spending a last happy summer of retirement. She is beautiful, and you are doing her the greatest kindness and service that you can, though it is the hardest one of all.

thinking of you both x

 

[tda]

One of our oldies had a loose tooth/sinus infection last year. The tooth came out easily by hand, but because of her age I didn't want her going to the clinic. We flushed it ourselves for a few days, she was on antibiotics, not much change, but then her breathing suddenly started being laboured, so the call was made.
We have a fantastic lady locally who came straight away and within the hour she was gone.
Yes you have made the right decision xxxx

 

[splashgirl45]

so sorry but you are making the right decision for your old girl, she looks really well but toothache is awful so i would give her plenty of bute and spoil her for her last few days. hugs xx

 

[Eventing1998]

Thank you everyone. Yes it is so hard, she looks great and is how we know her, but I can’t ignore the fact she is in pain with her teeth and will only get worse ? she will be leaving us next week & is on bute until then? xx

 

[splashgirl45]

enjoy your time with her and know that you are doing the best for her..hugs xxx

 

[Chappie]

Thinking of you, OP x
Looks like she has been extremely well cared for and loved, you gave her a good life, keep that in your mind x

 

[P.forpony]

I don’t think there’s anything I can say that will help your heart as you face the gift you are giving her.

But I did want to say how lucky she is, to have lived to a wonderful age, loved and clearly beautifully cared for, by someone brave enough to put her first.
Well done for finding the love and courage to make the right choice for her.
Thinking of you.

 

[EllenJay]

A good decision. It is heartbreaking, but leaving them too long is even more heartbreaking. Will be thinking of you next week xx

 

[Baywonder]

As age advances, I think the chance of finding your horse down as a result of an accident or finding them distressed increases. You have the opportunity here to say your goodbyes calmly and without an emergency. I think that’s in some way a blessing, so personally I wouldn’t think twice about PTS in your situation, hard though that undoubtedly will be.

As @Melody Grey has said, the chances of finding an old horse down and distressed due to their age increases. I have, in the past, witnessed an extremely old horse struggling with every imaginable problem under the sun, but the owner would not PTS. The poor animal was eventually found in the field, unable to move. The end was so undignified and upsetting for everyone - but it could have easily been avoided.

Thank you everyone. Yes it is so hard, she looks great and is how we know her, but I can’t ignore the fact she is in pain with her teeth and will only get worse ? she will be leaving us next week & is on bute until then? xx

@holly2018 you have truly made the right decision for your much loved horse. It is better a day too early than a day too late.

We all understand how you are feeling, and it really is a horrid situation to be in. Please be kind to yourself - we are all here for you if you need some virtual support.

 

[SEL]

I am sorry OP, what a tough call - but so much better to let her go peacefully xxx

 

[Eventing1998]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if you all have any advice on how to cope with the loss? I sold my fantastic bd / event pony 4 weeks ago (I had her 4 years- my first time selling a pony) to move onto a bigger horse. (She was 14hh and I was searching for a 15.2) of course before this happened (not found anything yet). Plan was to have my new 15.2 and my old girl. I wasn’t expecting to loose my old girl- I thought the field extraction was going to go fine, So I have now found myself horseless for the first time in 13 years. (Loans before we owned my old mare) and I am struggling. It almost doesn’t feel real? I spent all morning with her & gave her a hug and a kiss goodbye when the person arrived, I left before it happened, my mum and dad stayed with her. I was a mess and can’t control crying and did not want to upset her or see her go as my last memory? My last memory of her is eating lots of biscuits (her favourites). My parents said she went instantly and new nothing about it, they gave her some polos and that was it. normally when our pets die we see them gone and burry them (dog, cats) but it’s different this time and i really don’t know how to cope with the sadness and the feeling that it hasn’t happened- I know it has but it doesn’t feel real ? Hard to describe??

 

[daydreamer]

I’m very sorry for your loss.
as they say everyone copes differently. My lovely old boy was pts a couple of weeks ago and one really helpful thing someone said to me was to let myself be sad. They pointed out that I loved him and I needed to give myself time to be upset and cry. Personally I also found comfort from reaching out to my friends on Facebook. There were some lovely comments about how well looked after and happy Barney always seemed and that made me feel better. Also I discovered I have way more photos and videos of him than I thought- including him just doing normal things like eating hay in his stable or rolling in the field. My memory is terrible so I think it gave me comfort that I can look at these in the future. Also I am still riding and being around horses. Although some people avoid it for me it has helped and I often think of how the horses now are benefiting because Barney taught me so much and how lucky I was to have known and loved him.

 

[splashgirl45]

you have done right by her and should take comfort from that even though you are very upset. each time i have said goodbye to one of mine, i have almost been in shock and cant believe that i had gone through with it...there is no magic cure for grief, we all have to deal with it as best we can....i found that helping a friend with her horse made me feel a little better, but it just takes time to be able to cope with the loss and although i have never forgotten any of mine i can now look back and remember the good times i had with them....good luck and look after yourself