Buds_mum
Well-Known Member
So today I found my 26 yr old in the field unable to walk properly and shivering. It was raining and not warm but he has never reacted to the cold like this before, he is a hardy lad. Good weight and very active. He has to live out 24/7 as when he stands in he seizes up, much like I found him today. He has been retired for 3 years, and lives out in a mixed herd where is the stallion, very riggy and a bully to the other geldings.
I brought him in to the stable, where he was shivering to such an extent he fell, and we had to give him a heave to be able to get back up. He trembled constantly and stood very still legs straight out, I can only imagine the cold wet weather has aggravated his joints (although hes been great living out all winter, it has been mild). He ate a warm mash with Bute, and I dried him off and rugged him up. He is an idiot to handle and has severe separation anxiety. So through the shivering and stuggling to stand he was screaming for his friends!! I had to turn him back out, a)didnt want him to get worse standing in and b) I worried about him lying down in the stable and getting cast. Leading him back out he could go no faster than a very slow stumble although he was still fretting and whinning to the herd, on turning out he attempted to trot over the others, he was stiff he fell again and managed to stand up how I dont know. Sheer will power!? Tonight the weather is rough and cold, he has a neck rug on. I am understandably worried about him
It has raised thoughts of having him PTS. Ok it will be summer soon, hopefully hed be great, enjoying the sun and grazing playing lord muck over his mares But what will happen next time he weather turns. Ok I could maybe manage him, rugs, pain killers
But I just feel in my heart he should never be a doddery crippled old man, he has never been that type. In 9 years Ive never seen him sick or sorry. Hes always been a blumming pain in the backside to handle and thats why we love him, hes his own horse. He was very clearly ostracized when he hobbled back to the herd, the gelding he usually chases around pushed him out (although his little yearling friend came to stand with him) which made me really feel for him
In my heart of hearts, and I know this is ridiculously selfish I know I dont want to see him ill, stiff or not himself. It cuts me up and I hate it. I know people care for their veterans until the last moment, but do I really want to be forced into the decision of having him pts, through seeing him crippled with pain, or casting himself . He was the picture of health before the last few days, I really dont want to see him thin and in poor condition As many old horses get
Would it maybe be better to have him bounce back from this episode, be well and healthy and have him pts in his veteran prime as it were Happy and having not suffered
Please give me your opnions, this isnt a cut and dried situation, maybe what Im saying is would you personally put an old horse down in the fear of seeing him suffer in the future ?
I brought him in to the stable, where he was shivering to such an extent he fell, and we had to give him a heave to be able to get back up. He trembled constantly and stood very still legs straight out, I can only imagine the cold wet weather has aggravated his joints (although hes been great living out all winter, it has been mild). He ate a warm mash with Bute, and I dried him off and rugged him up. He is an idiot to handle and has severe separation anxiety. So through the shivering and stuggling to stand he was screaming for his friends!! I had to turn him back out, a)didnt want him to get worse standing in and b) I worried about him lying down in the stable and getting cast. Leading him back out he could go no faster than a very slow stumble although he was still fretting and whinning to the herd, on turning out he attempted to trot over the others, he was stiff he fell again and managed to stand up how I dont know. Sheer will power!? Tonight the weather is rough and cold, he has a neck rug on. I am understandably worried about him
It has raised thoughts of having him PTS. Ok it will be summer soon, hopefully hed be great, enjoying the sun and grazing playing lord muck over his mares But what will happen next time he weather turns. Ok I could maybe manage him, rugs, pain killers
But I just feel in my heart he should never be a doddery crippled old man, he has never been that type. In 9 years Ive never seen him sick or sorry. Hes always been a blumming pain in the backside to handle and thats why we love him, hes his own horse. He was very clearly ostracized when he hobbled back to the herd, the gelding he usually chases around pushed him out (although his little yearling friend came to stand with him) which made me really feel for him
In my heart of hearts, and I know this is ridiculously selfish I know I dont want to see him ill, stiff or not himself. It cuts me up and I hate it. I know people care for their veterans until the last moment, but do I really want to be forced into the decision of having him pts, through seeing him crippled with pain, or casting himself . He was the picture of health before the last few days, I really dont want to see him thin and in poor condition As many old horses get
Would it maybe be better to have him bounce back from this episode, be well and healthy and have him pts in his veteran prime as it were Happy and having not suffered
Please give me your opnions, this isnt a cut and dried situation, maybe what Im saying is would you personally put an old horse down in the fear of seeing him suffer in the future ?
The 28 year old standardbred was out grazing in his h/w absolutely fine.
We thought initially he was shivering, but it was muscle tremors because of how he was having to stand.
And very brave, i am very proud of him.
