pts or not-feeling guilty

AnnMarie2011 said:
If i had space and money i would have no problem taking this mare on...I already pay for 2 horses and i cant pay for a shetland mare that will be no use to me.
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But the OP, who bought a pony FOR HER KIDS, that is dangerous to her kids....you expect her to pay for this pony that is no use to her?

I dont have kids
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No, I figured you didn't. Or you wouldn't be talking such tripe about putting kids at risk.
 
abracadabra said:
It's a bit different from making choices as an adult to put yourself in danger, suggesting it's ok for kids to be placed in danger is crackers. Beggars belief. Maybe you should pm the OP and offer to take the pony off her hands, then you can risk your own kids with it.

eta, X posted with martlin
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no ones suggested that she shut her kids in the stable with the pony for goodness sake. surely young kids shouldn't be unsupervised on a yard regardless so I don't see how its that much of an effect to keep them separate for a bit. I am not anti-PTS when its necessary, far from it but from the OP I do think its unfair. She's a broodmare who's suddenly been expected to be a kids pony and she deserves a chance to either find a home that suits or the OP to treat the injury one of her animals gave her and work with her for a bit before she decides to shoot it. They've only had her two months! I am so sick of small ponies being treated like disposable items and not being given a chance.
 
AnnMarie2011 said:
If i had space and money i would have no problem taking this mare on...I already pay for 2 horses and i cant pay for a shetland mare that will be no use to me. I dont have kids and its not a case of putting your kids at risk...if that was the case no-1 one would do anything. Its like saying i cant put my kids in the car incase i crash and they die!! She is putting her kids at risk by taking them down the yard to begin with...we all put ourselfs at risk!!! Why are people so quick to put a defenseless animal to sleep???
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The OP is keeping horses at home, so it is not a case of not taking them to the yard, it's a case of not letting your children out into the garden. It's pretty much impossible to take the risk away, and really, honestly, do you believe that putting your child in a car, in a child seat and driving it somewhere carries the same risk as letting it be around a known kicker of a pony?
Mind boggles.
 
No-one on here is trying to make her feel quilty me included. She posted for advice and plenty of people have gave their opinions. I just think its a shame to put a animal to sleep just for a couple of accidents. I deffo dont have mine put to sleep cause they have been naughty...obv im diff!! But again thats my opinion and thats what they asked for.
 
MagicMelon said:
I don't personally see why you're thinking about having this shetland PTS. Most shetlands are probably used purely as companions anyway, not always kids riding ponies. So couldn't you try to sell her as a companion only? Then she could be useful just hanging about in a field babysitting other horses and not necessarily being handled much (so the kicking wouldn't be an issue). Why bother spending loads of time working on her, when really with young kids you don't want to risk it. She could be more happy elsewhere and you could then just go and buy the pony that does suit and your kids can get out riding straight away.

People saying you cant rehome her because she kicks - why on earth not? Just be totally honest with people and TELL them she kicks and shouldn't be around young kids, pretty simple. It'd be different if it were a big 16.2hh or something where kicking could actually cause an adult a lot of damage, but a shetland? They can only get as high as your knee ;)
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I don't agree with any of this.

Kicking will still be an issue as a companion because she kicks other horses.

As for saying she can't do much damage because she's a shetland? Ridiculous.

OP - do what you think it right, its no one else's business. If she was mine, I would ring the hunt and have it done quickly before any more damage or hurt is caused the poor mare or any one else.
 
MotherOfChickens said:
no ones suggested that she shut her kids in the stable with the pony for goodness sake.
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Did you read the bit where the pony has already kicked the children?

I'm sick of all the bleating on here from people who like to guilt trip others into doing something, but god forbid they offer a solution.
 
Thank you everyone. My set up is such that I can't keep the children away from her. I have the horses in the field that is next to the house, it's a 3 acre field with my stable block in the field. My oldest daughter rides in the field if we aren't hacking as we have set up some cross country jumps for her and we have pet sheep and goats in the field so the children will want to see them still. She is not likes by the other horses at all, they chase her off and she tries to double barrel them. The only reason I wouldn't re home her is because I couldn't guarantee that would be her forever home and what if she did end up hurting someone else. She is my responsibility hit similarly her behaviour issues aren't my fault, I tried to help her, like I say she was riddled with live, her feet were all deformed, I've had her teeth done which were awful so I have tried :(
I've spoken to the vet again who completely agrees with me that with the behaviour issues that there would be no shame in having her pts as all the charities are full round here. They have two abandoned horses at the clinic awaiting space at the first sanctuary that can take them so that looks like not being an option too :(
 
Be responsible and PTS. The safety of your children must come first. She's obviously had bad experiences and goodness only knows what might happen to her further down the line if she gets passed on.
It's not your fault. If people you know try and guilt trip you i suggest that you offer them the pony if they can promise her a home for life.
 
A known kicker?? Mayb a little bit more research before buying the pony would have bought up its past? Please don't make me out to be stupid cause im not...but when some1 asks for a opinion i'll give it...and i have if you think that my opinion is wrong/stupid then fair enough that is your decision but i think having this mare but to sleep is wrong!!!
 
AnnMarie2011 said:
If i had space and money i would have no problem taking this mare on...I already pay for 2 horses and i cant pay for a shetland mare that will be no use to me.
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So, if she had a use you would take her on? The OP bought her with a use in mind - for her children - are you suggesting that she keep her now that she has no use? Of course you aren't - that would be hypocritical.

I dont have kids and its not a case of putting your kids at risk...if that was the case no-1 one would do anything. Its like saying i cant put my kids in the car incase i crash and they die!! She is putting her kids at risk by taking them down the yard to begin with...we all put ourselfs at risk!!!
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Of course it's a case of the OP putting her children at risk. Using your car analogy (although I think you are comparing apples and oranges), I am happy to transport my children around in my car because my car is mechanically sound and has been properly maintained - I wouldn't, however, put my children in a car I knew to have a mechanical fault that could cause a crash . . . this pony has already demonstrated that she can (and will) cause physical harm by kicking - the OP has made the sensible decision not to put her children in harm's way by being around the pony. Yes, life is full of risks - but responsible parents take steps to manage and mitigate those risks.

P
 
abracadabra said:
Did you read the bit where the pony has already kicked the children?

I'm sick of all the bleating on here from people who like to guilt trip others into doing something, but god forbid they offer a solution.
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where were the kids and the pony when this happened? Shouldn't be that difficult to keep kids away from ponies, what happens when you can't be there to supervise?

we have offered advice for avenues to try and I think thats all anyone is suggesting.
 
Obviously i dont understand this because i dont have children!!! Im putting my point across just like you all have...I know what i have said will be ignored and thats fair enough. Put the mare to sleep then its simple isn't it or am i missing something?
 
Sugar_and_Spice said:
There's no shame in taking a chance on a cheap pony, attempting to get it right but PTS if its not quick, easy or cheap to do so. What do people think dealers do? Put thousands in the vets pocket and invest heaps of time in a horse they will sell on for a few hundred? So why is it deemed to be a bad thing for a private owner to do the same?
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Surely you're not saying that something must be right because dealers do it? They're hardly the best moral compass, irrespective of your views or otherwise in this case.

Firstly, I want to say that I do understand that your children's safety is absolutely paramount. However, I'm sorry to be blunt, but you made the mistake in buying her OP, so whether she's what you wanted or not, you have a responsibility to her. Surely, even if she is at home, she is either in a field, in a stable or being led at all times, so it's easy enough to keep your children out of her field and stable, and make sure that they're not unsupervised when you're leading her? I know that she hasn't turned out to be what you wanted her to be, but this isn't like buying a dress, finding a hole in it and then throwing it away because you've lost the receipt and can't return it. It might make it easy to say that putting her to sleep would be a kind option, but if she will recover then it isn't kind at all. It is your prerogative at the end of the day, and no-one can decide for you, but just make sure that you really think through your decision, and whether you would feel comfortable having whichever choice you make resting on your conscience. Opinion on here will naturally be split, because we're not all going to think the same way, so do what you think is right, not the rest of us, because you're the one who has the responsibility for her whichever way this turns out.
 
I agree with S&S, excellent advice.

I too would PTS, she is not a childs pony & you can't always keep all children away all of the time. Also, with a temperament like that, who would honestly want to breed from her? I would think that would be thoroughly irresponsible.

You are doing the right thing OP & at the end of the day, you are responsible for her & it's your decision, don't feel guilty.
 
MotherOfChickens said:
where were the kids and the pony when this happened? Shouldn't be that difficult to keep kids away from ponies, what happens when you can't be there to supervise?
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Well therein lies the OP's problem . . . from what I gather, the ponies are kept in a field where one daughter rides . . . and two-year-olds will be two-year-olds even with the best supervision.

we have offered advice for avenues to try and I think thats all anyone is suggesting.
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. . . and I gather the OP has taken the advice on board, considered it, and made her own decision - for her own reasons - which is her right.

P
 
MotherOfChickens said:
yes, but its not suitable so she should just have it shot because its a bit inconvenient? without even trying?
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Its not "a bit inconvenient" , its dangerous. She *has* tried in the short time she's owned the pony. Now the pony has sustained an expensive-to-treat injury, so yes, its Game Over IMO.



The OP isn't heartless (or she wouldn't be questioning PTS,would she) and will feel sad for the pony's passing and her inability to fix her and give her a good home. She probably feels guilty about the kicks her children have already received and that they may be sad when the pony goes if they have any attachment to it. She will lose all the cash she's spent so far plus more to PTS a pony that was never any use to her in all the time she had it, which she only bought as it was in a state so she felt sorry for it. A little sympathy for the OP wouldn't go amiss, everyone.
 
AnnMarie2011 said:
So if a horse/pony does something to a child it should be put to sleep?
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If it is a pony that people will want for a child's pony and it is dangerous around children then yes. The pony won't know anything is happening and it could save another child from being hurt in the future. It's not like there is a shortage of good natured ponies looking for homes. More people should take the responsible way out rather than have the pony passed on another unsuspecting family.
 
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If not for the injury I would have attempted to rehome but the injury does throw the issue into sharp relief: the pony can't be caught or treated for an injury in a straight forward way. The pony isn't suitable for the OP, and wouldn't really work as a companion due to the above and not getting on with other horses. Keeping it isn't possible as it's unsuitable, rehoming isn't really an option. That leaves PTS. if the last owner had been responsible OP wouldn't be in this position.

If the pony was a full size horse I think more posters would be saying PTS. I don't see what difference it makes as a shettie is still capable of hurting a human, adult or child. If it was me I'd probably try to find another home giving a time limit of one month for my own peace of mind. If no luck, I would PTS quietly and quickly so the mare never gets treated badly again. And I'd tell everyone I found her a marvellous home elsewhere.
 
OP- I would just like to repeat something a vet said to me when i had my last horse pts.
"I wish more owners would do the responsible thing rather than passing the problem off to someone else"
 
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