Opinions stuck inbetween an rock and an hard place :(

[Stepht142]

I’ve got an 17.2/3hh 16 year old warmblood. Ex evented and show jumper
no he’s been constantly lame for 2 years now On and off I’ve been able to make him more comfortable however he’s always come back lame.
he’s never been fully paddock sound!
he has arthritis in his hock and possible fetlock.
hes a lot worse in the winter to the point he’s VERY depressed and struggles to deal with the uneven ground is tripping ALOT! Last year he had to go on “box rest” however stuffer from what can only be described as an asthma attack and really struggled for breath and had to be put onto more medication as he was struggling to breath due to dust build in.
now he came back slightly better with bute this winter however wasn’t 100% I was advices to ride him an few months in and keep him moving. However this resulted in constant rearing and broncing
I was advice to hack him however he doesn’t hack! And then I was advise to take him into the school but no circles his now just sour to that and I’ve never witnessed this behaviour from him before so I think it’s due to pain (everything else is up to date)
He’s not field sound at all and has an twist in front leg (only slightly) but visible he has front shoes on due to this and is due by and remedial farrier however because of this can’t compensate for his issues as well as any normal horses.
So there is arthritis in this front leg also and his back hocks and possible his fetlock now. As vet says he’s new found tripping is an common sign
now he’s summered with me and is fine but can’t keep up in the field with the others although try’s and is just slowly walking around the field. He doesn’t like to he left out however when they canter off he will only catch up in walk.
he currently An “companion” however is stressy and when an horse leaves he paces. He can just about trot this pace however brisk way is easier for him but before he use to canter and jump fencing without thinking about it which makes me feel he’s again in pain
In an ideally world he needs to live out however last winter going out in the field he wasn’t comfortable with as was just very uneasy on his back end.
no I’m question is I love this horse dearly with every inch of me
However he’s had a lot of hammer from eventing (not with me) now do I put every penny I have to an horse that may never be sound again and make him “paddock” sound however he won’t be an happy companion due to separation issues or do I give him
The best of the best last summer and say my goodbyes,

 

[milliepops]

it sound like your horse hasn't been sound even in the field for quite a while. I think it sounds like you've come to the end of the road I'm afraid so sorry but I think it's time to prepare to let him go before his quality of life gets worse.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

If the other horses canter off, he walks after them and he can barely trot.

Ring and arrange his euthanasia now.

I'm very sorry that you are in this situation.

 

[Stepht142]

Problem is I think trying to get him right I’ve been masking so many wrongs and trying to make light at the end of the turn however for 2 years he’s still come lame. I’ve recently moved him to an quiet field for his retirement however he’s been retired for 2 years on and off because he just wasn’t ever right he’d be sound for an short period but as soon as it was bringing back into work we’d go back down hill so he moved as I no longer wanted to get him sound even for the odd hack he owns me nothing and I owe him the world! I just wanted him Paddock sound he’s got a lot going on i think to invest in steroid injections I feel if I sort the back end the front end will be the next problem So feel if he was even sound it would only be for a short time and wouldn’t truly be paddock sound do. But I also feel everything else in himself is fine and I don’t want to feel I’ve let him down and not tried :’( I’m heartbroken thinking about it but don’t want to be selfish!

 

[Stepht142]

it sound like your horse hasn't been sound even in the field for quite a while. I think it sounds like you've come to the end of the road I'm afraid so sorry but I think it's time to prepare to let him go before his quality of life gets worse.

After an terrible winter this winter and me in tears in his stable thinking the end of near I feel it really is and I can’t bear to put him or me in that situation again. I know the answer I think I just need resuring that It turly is the right answer! And I’m not jumping the gun

 

[meleeka]

After an terrible winter this winter and me in tears in his stable thinking the end of near I feel it really is and I can’t bear to put him or me in that situation again. I know the answer I think I just need resuring that It turly is the right answer! And I’m not jumping the gun

I think when the thought of carrying on is worse than pts you definitely have your answer. 2 years of trying is hardly jumping the gun!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

You are definitely NOT jumping the gun, I don't really understand why you are still trying with him, except that I guess it's the 'hamster wheel' that we get stuck on when the vet says 'there is something else we could try'. Please do him a favour and organise pts early next week. It sounds as if he really has had enough, when they can't keep up with the herd it is definitely time.

 

[Stepht142]

Without sounding selfish the thought of him never being there brakes me!
I know he isn’t but I feel I’m putting an healthy horse down and I’m battling that feeling.
I never been in the situation I’ve had to schedule this even when you know it’s right!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Without sounding selfish the thought of him never being there brakes me!
I know he isn’t but I feel I’m putting an healthy horse down and I’m battling that feeling.
I never been in the situation I’ve had to schedule this even when you know it’s right!

But the horse you have described is not a healthy horse. Tbh you seem to be keeping him going for you, not for him. I know it is hard to lose them (believe me I know) but you must put the horse's interests before your own and make a grown up decision, for the horse's benefit. When you look back on this time you will wonder what on earth you were doing putting him through this.

You need to remember that horses are prey animals, if they can't keep up with the herd they are very vulnerable and will be the one that is taken by the wolf/tiger/lion etc. He must feel terribly frightened about that when the herd leave him behind - he doesn't know that there are no wolves waiting for him in his retirement field.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Without sounding selfish the thought of him never being there brakes me!
I know he isn’t but I feel I’m putting an healthy horse down and I’m battling that feeling.
I never been in the situation I’ve had to schedule this even when you know it’s right!

But his not healthy he can't trot comfortably and it sounds like he is in considerable pain that is not a healthy horse, no one likes having horses pts but you have to put your own feelings aside and think of the horse in front of you and he sounds like he is suffering.

 

[View]

It's the most painful decision we make, but also the most selfless one.

Euthanasia is never a welfare issue, but keeping them going when they are not comfortable could well be.

Given that you have been on this treadmill for a couple of years, you may well feel a weight off your shoulders when you make the decision.

 

[AmyMay]

If he were my horse he’d have gone six months ago. Sorry if that’s a bit blunt, but please make the call tomorrow.

He’s not healthy in any shape or form. And from what you describe it’s bordering on cruel not to have him put down.

 

[windand rain]

I am afraid I too would have PTS at least 6 months ago. For his sake let him go with dignity

 

[splashgirl45]

sorry i am another in the PTS camp. if he is not field sound then his quality of life is not good. i would arrange for it to be done as soon as possible. there is no point dragging it out as he is not going to improve, you know that as you have tried for 2 years.. it would be cruel to keep him going IMO. its never easy but it is the right thing for HIM.... good luck

 

[Stepht142]

I’m aware he’s not an healthy horse however that was the best way I could describe it as such.
the reason he’s stayed for so long is because I’ve tried I’ve gave everything we’ve tired an good amount of work to see if he improves before another avenue!
The only thing we haven’t really pushed in is the steroid injection route as that was only mentioned to try this winter however but due to all the issues (which haven’t been an issue since he’s his arthritis has come bad)

 

[splashgirl45]

if he belonged to one of us and we had posted, what would you have advised? or if he belonged to a friend what would you say?

 

[Stepht142]

I’m completely making excuse up for him in hopes one day hes better and fine.
harsh relate is what I need!
he’s had long enough he’s needs an dignified end before he goes down and can’t get up.
I’ve spoke for days with my partner and feel it’s right but also feels very wrong!
I have contacted the person I so wish to collect him for me!
I will also ring the vet. however a lot of my problems is how?
he fights sedation however if you take him to far away from the others he’s gets stressful and he’s an very big lad!
I don’t want him fighting to the very end with the injection! The person that collects can use an pistol or I can have the vet. I feel shooting is the best and quickest way for him but it’s horrible to think about

 

[Meredith]

I’m completely making excuse up for him in hopes one day hes better and fine.
harsh relate is what I need!
he’s had long enough he’s needs an dignified end before he goes down and can’t get up.
I’ve spoke for days with my partner and feel it’s right but also feels very wrong!
I have contacted the person I so wish to collect him for me!
I will also ring the vet. however a lot of my problems is how?
he fights sedation however if you take him to far away from the others he’s gets stressful and he’s an very big lad!
I don’t want him fighting to the very end with the injection! The person that collects can use an pistol or I can have the vet. I feel shooting is the best and quickest way for him but it’s horrible to think about

I agree that you should PTS.
I have made this decision a few times in many years of horse ownership and it is always upsetting, however your feelings are, and I say this gently, unimportant right now. Your beloved horse is in pain and if he were mine he would have a dignified end sooner rather than later.

On the subject of shooting, in expert hands it is very quick. Mine have all gone to heaven taking a carrot with them.
You have my sympathy. We know as horse owners that this situation may arise but it is always an awful time.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I’m completely making excuse up for him in hopes one day hes better and fine.
harsh relate is what I need!
he’s had long enough he’s needs an dignified end before he goes down and can’t get up.
I’ve spoke for days with my partner and feel it’s right but also feels very wrong!
I have contacted the person I so wish to collect him for me!
I will also ring the vet. however a lot of my problems is how?
he fights sedation however if you take him to far away from the others he’s gets stressful and he’s an very big lad!
I don’t want him fighting to the very end with the injection! The person that collects can use an pistol or I can have the vet. I feel shooting is the best and quickest way for him but it’s horrible to think about

Well done for coming to the right decision. If it helps I have had horses pts by both the gun and injection. I much prefer the gun because the horse knows nothing at all about it. I will never forget the big grey 11 yr old ID who was injected by the vet who was already on the premises and stood up on her back legs.

I have had several pts by a competent person with a gun and nothing has gone 'wrong' at all, they have their head in a bucket of their favourite food and they are down before you have heard the 'bang' (which isn't loud). If you know it is best for the horse, why would you choose something different?

When you take on an animal, whether it's a horse or a hamster, you should be ready to make the right decisions at the end *for the animals' sake* and tbh, if you can't do that, it's best that you don't have the animal.

 

[splashgirl45]

all of mine have been PTS by bullet and they went with a mouthful of food so knew nothing. can you get a friend who knows him to hold him at the end so you dont have to see him fall. thats what i have done and mine have been so intent on their bowl of favourite food they didnt notice me going....i also then disappear while the body is being taken away so my last memory is of them eating from a bowl...its a horrible thing for us but the best end for them. sorry you are having to make this decision..
my last horse was done by the local hunt and it went very smoothly , they are more used to doing this than the vet.

 

[neddy man]

Yes for his healths sake it's time say goodbye, better a month to early than a day to late though I think that month was a while ago. Be kind to him and do it soon.

 

[L&M]

The right decision is always the hardest - so sorry that you are in this situation, but it is time to put your horses welfare before emotions.

Big hugs xx

 

[Goldenstar]

So sad , but it sounds like it’s time .

 

[AmyMay]

Call your local hunt, and arrange for him to be shot in the field, near the gate for easy access. That way he’s not taken away from his friends.

 

[SusieT]

I am not keen on pts older horses just because they cant be ridden - but your fellow does sound like he is uncomfortable out, coughs when stables and actually probably when he starts to struggle post summer I would just make a decisions

 

[Stepht142]

Ive got an man coming out I don’t think like being called an knackerman nor do I like calling him that. However he is happy to shot take away and individual cremation with shoes back polished and mane and tail ??!
however I was wondering if sedating him alittle first would be best or just to bring him out with feed and doing it once he’s settled x

 

[Stepht142]

I am not keen on pts older horses just because they cant be ridden - but your fellow does sound like he is uncomfortable out, coughs when stables and actually probably when he starts to struggle post summer I would just make a decisions

Thank you i definitely wouldn’t be parting with him just because he couldn’t be ridden I don’t have him to ride. I enjoy just his company he owes me nothing and has nothing to prove to me and if he could be an field ornament, I’d be more then happy with x

 

[SusieT]

ps- yes I would without a doubt shoot, head into bucket of nice feed, shot, done - much less stressful than trying to inject for fussy horses

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Many horses dislike the feeling of being sedated. There is no need to sedate - just give him a bucket of feed. I hope all goes well, I'm sure it will.

 

[Ownedby4horses]

Firstly, Im so sorry for you that you are having to deal with this. It is the hardest decision to make when the heart is involved. We had to have our beloved cat PTS as an emergency a few weeks ago and having to make that call nearly broke me but I could not bear to see him suffer for one second longer.

You sound very organised and like to think everything through, I think you are overthinking this with the sedation, just let everthing be as normal as they can be on the day, a walk to the field, nice feed and let him go. Theres absolutrly no shame in asking for the person "doing it" to be there for him and you walk away whilst its done (they will generally hold themselves and owner has back turned etc Im sure.

Say a nice farewell and then walk away, do not watch the horse being loaded, they will take extreme care but its a difficult thing to watch and unnecessary for your own healing.

When it is done, please come back on here for support. We all have huge hearts and we've all been through this dreadful time and will support you for making the right decision. x