Probably a daft question

[windand rain]

Was watching my 26 year old pony today. I am obsessed by making sure I get my timing right. She seems happy, is a bit inclined to sleep after her meal is soundish on boswellia and turmeraid, eats well and is okay. I think today she proved she is still fine as she rolled fully over 6 times on a hill and leapt to her feet bucking. I promised her she would never suffer but it gets hard to decide until days like today photo taken in better weather. How do you know

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I think you are getting it right. You judge her quality of life on a daily basis. IME, you know when they have had enough, even if they are still having some better days. It sounds as if your beautiful mare is still full of the joys of life

 

[Connemara24]

I know how you feel I somtimes have the same thoughts with my 25yr old I never want him too suffer either, I'm probably a bit too paranoid! He is field sound on boswellia and bluechip senior balancer. He finds galloping around a bit harder than a young horse would, but he still loves escaping from his field and fast trotting off and maybe a canter and a buck. Still loves rolling a bit too much! Gets excited when the hunt is near and is still interested in everything most of the time. I think your mare sounds very happy, and i think you'll know when it's time. She is very lucky to have a caring owner like you!

 

[Connemara24]

He is also has ems and is now on medication and he is much happier now since that.

 

[Snow Falcon]

I watched my old pony when he was rolling to check he got up ok. The last year of his life he started to age (he was 28), his skin was noticeably reactive, got infected fly bites, fur changed. He got laminitis and was PTS. That was a no brainer for me. Quality of life had to come first. As long as he was eating, drinking, getting up ok and was still mobile then we were both happy. Once that changes you'll know when's right.

 

[ycbm]

Trouble getting up would be a big factor for me. That and the spark going out of the eyes.
.

 

[teapot]

Getting stuck rolling, getting stuck getting up, dull eyes and less interested in food would my tick list.

She'll tell you if you look for the right signs and interpret them correctly. Too many people actively seek to ignore what's in front of them imho.

 

[ycbm]

PS certainly not a daft question!

 

[Lady Jane]

Trouble getting up would be a big factor for me. That and the spark going out of the eyes.
.

Those two things are big tells. If they can do lots of rolling and leap up bucking doesn't sound like there is a problem.

 

[Goldenstar]

You know something goes out in them , you know they are finding it all hard work.

 

[Crugeran Celt]

I understand how you feel, I have a rising 30 year old mare, she loses so much weight in the winter but literally can't feed her any more as she leaves it. She is happy I know and she is still the boss, when she no longer pulls faces and chases the others around I will know she is no longer happy. Had a trainee vet physio out last week to use my horses as guinea pigs and this old mare was the most supple out of the oldies who are 21 and 24.

 

[Ratface]

Mine is rising 30 and is still charging round his field, yelling "look at me - aren't I fabulous?" which, for his age, he certainly is. My previous horse got to 28, and the naughty spark went out of his eye and he had trouble getting up from rolling. Had a case conference with his vet, farrier, groom and exercise rider. The concensus was that it was time. He was pts the following day.

 

[suebou]

My 29 year old NF is still full of vim and vigour! She’s ridden regularly and still goes as fast as I will let her, all the time! Is a bit reluctant to eat hay, ( her teeth are not as good as they were) so I’m feeding her well, she is not ready yet!