pts or not-feeling guilty

AnnMarie2011 said:
Yea i've read them :o
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Then you'll know that the pony has kicked multiple people in the short time she has been with the OP, that the other horses don't like her/get on with her (nor she with them), that she is unsocialised and very difficult to handle, that the OP keeps her horses/ponies at home and has a very young child . . . not quite the same thing as "ooops, naughty little shetland bucked little Phoebe off" . . .

. . . as with most situations involving animals, it simply isn't cut and dried . . . there are many factors here and, at the end of the day, it's the OP's decision to make.

I, for one, will respect the OP's decision NOT to pass this poor wee girl on to an unsuspecting home where she may hurt more children - not to mention remain deeply unhappy and distrustful of people - by having her quietly PTS. It may not have been the decision I would have made (and without actually being in her shoes, it's impossible for ANY of us to know for sure what decision we would make), but it's one I respect nonetheless.

P
 
martlin said:
Replace ''horse/pony'' with ''a dog'' and then try to answer that question.
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Exactly what I was thinking.

OP I really feel for you, my kids are 3 and 7 months and I would simply not be able to live with myself if they were seriously injured by an animal that had already proven itself untrustworthy. Sadly this is the decision we had to make with one of our dogs, who I loved to bits, but would get narky and bite. I could cope with it if it was just me and my partner, because we could read her body language. A 2 year old can't be expected to understand the body language of a pony. If she went for your older daughter after knocking her over that's looking quite aggressive to me - unless she acted out of fear but it doesn't read that way.

It doesn't sound like she would make a good field companion if the rest of the herd are receiving kicks too, certainly not a child's pony and doesn't appear to be that fond of adults either... Very irresponsible of the woman who sold her to you, good luck with your decision.
 
Just to point out ....... 'responsibility' does not translate to, 'life at any cost'.

And yes, if a dog hurt a child, it doesn't matter WHY. It gets put down to prevent it happening again.
 
JJS said:
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.

.
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You're right...I'm not saying that taking a chance on a cheap pony - then PTS if its not quick, easy or cheap to bring right, is ok *because dealers do it*. No...I'm saying *its ok*, that's all.

I pointed out that dealers do it, because some people seem to be horrified that anyone would do it at all, perhaps think it never happens and shouldn't be allowed etc etc. I was just pointing out that people make purely financial decisions all the time, about whether to PTS a particular animal or not. Just pointing out that its legal, it happens, and many people don't consider it morally wrong.
 
I said right from the beginnin it was my opinion!! If i did have a child i wouldn't want to see it kicked from the pony i had bought for them im not completly heartless i do get this thread. Im just putting my opinon across which is what was asked in the first place. Im not in her shoes and it is her decision what she does for her and her children. But im sticking by my opinion and thats just me!!
 
AnnMarie2011 said:
I cant pay for a shetland mare that will be no use to me.
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And as it turns it turns out this little mare is of no use to the op, as it's just plain nasty and too dangerous to use for the purpose for which it was purchased.

The responsible thing to do is to put it down, rather than pass it on to an unknown future.
 
Frankly its another unknown getting a pony they dont know how to handle and you can all shoot me down frankly i dont care, horses kick, dogs bite if you dont treat them the way they should be treated, why was child standing behind pony, its still an animal, why was the child pulling the dogs ear because it hasnt been taught not to, so who is to blame, the parents. Pony hasnt been handled as should have but they can be turned around with handlong. Too many people are buying ponies and horses and think it doesnt need time to settle, it can be treated as a dog on a lead. Funny the first thing parents say to their children when they see a cat be careful the cat might scratch you, but they dont say careful the dog might bite you if you choose to throw yourself down on its stomach. Sorry not all kids are innocent. Its the first rule you are taught in life dont go behind horses. Even an experienced adult wont just walk behind an unknown horse. Seems OP doesnt want to,spend the time breaking it in, or dealing with its issues so pts if a home cant be found would probably be kinder. Wasnt there someone on this forum looking for a shetland last week.

My shettie will still take a pop at me esp if he is having his feed but i respect that and give him his space. The wound needs to be treated properly or just get the hunt asap poor pony, another one who has got the bad end of life
 
Op, PTS. do the right thing by this mare.

Alternatively, AnnMarie, please pm the op for her address and let her know what time you can collect. We would all be delighted to hear of her rehabilitation.
 
Ps I've got two tiddlers and have just bought a new horse. May well be classified as "timewaster" ;-) - but at the initial viewing we did the "kid test". Attitude towards small children is paramount no matter the size of the horse.
 
STRIKER said:
Frankly its another unknown getting a pony they dont know how to handle and you can all shoot me down frankly i dont care, horses kick, dogs bite if you dont treat them the way they should be treated, why was child standing behind pony, its still an animal, why was the child pulling the dogs ear because it hasnt been taught not to, so who is to blame, the parents. Pony hasnt been handled as should have but they can be turned around with handlong. Too many people are buying ponies and horses and think it doesnt need time to settle, it can be treated as a dog on a lead. Funny the first thing parents say to their children when they see a cat be careful the cat might scratch you, but they dont say careful the dog might bite you if you choose to throw yourself down on its stomach. Sorry not all kids are innocent. Its the first rule you are taught in life dont go behind horses. Even an experienced adult wont just walk behind an unknown horse. Seems OP doesnt want to,spend the time breaking it in, or dealing with its issues so pts if a home cant be found would probably be kinder. Wasnt there someone on this forum looking for a shetland last week.

My shettie will still take a pop at me esp if he is having his feed but i respect that and give him his space. The wound needs to be treated properly or just get the hunt asap poor pony, another one who has got the bad end of life
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Did you read OP's statement that the pony knocked her six-year-old to the ground and then turned around to kick her?

Sigh.

P
 
Why has every1 ganged up on me here haha!! Just cause i have put a opinion across u all dont agree with!?!?! If i had space and money i would take this mare on but i have 2 of my own that i pay for so i havent not at any point in this thread have i been out of line or nasty with what i have said!!! If you dont like my opinion dont read it let alone respond to it!!!!
 
Sigh! Then keep away from horses. Its a forum and you posted so folk can respond whether you like it or bot. No one is being nasty they are just giving their opinion and some have big feelings and some dont, its life, use it dont use it
 
The person at fault in this situation is the person who allowed the mare to get to this sorry state in the first place.

That person is to blame, not the OP who attempted to help the poor mare and has now realised she isn't able to do so safely.

You can only work with the situation as it is:

Pony is dangerous around children, pony isn't suitable as companion, pony requires expensive treatment and is hard to handle.

Whether she could be ok at some future date is irrelevant. The threat to the children is present, the medical treatment is necessary now.

OP I am so sorry for you, you must feel awful and it's a sad situation. IMO rehoming doesn't fix the problem, it just removes it from your knowledge. Other people's kids are still at risk.

You cannot be expected to tailor your home, your children's access to their animals and lifestyle to keep an expensive, dangerous pony that no one can use.

Blame the people who don't teach ponies manners, don't look after them properly and cause them to fear, not poor OP.
 
martlin said:
Replace ''horse/pony'' with ''a dog'' and then try to answer that question.
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excellent point I wouldn't keep a dog even after one bite it would be PTS but then again I am not prepared to let my dangerous pony go elsewhere if at any time I cannot keep him he will be shot He is needle phobic so injection is not an option. I am probably going to be called heartless too but there are thousands of good well behaved ponies going into dog food everyday so have a moan at those that breed rubbish not a caring mother who has tried and failed to help this pony
 
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dunkley said:
But,WH, they are YOUR ponies, and it appears they won't be going anywhere. If the OP is not happy to keep a pony she doesn't trust/want around her children, why should someone guilt trip her for not wanting to risk someone else's?

By having it put down the absolute certainties are that it won't have any more bad experiences, and no child will ever be hurt.
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Yes I agree that mine wont be going anywhere. All I am saying is that there are other possibilities for this pony rather than PTS. If I have ponies that are not suitable for kids then others will have too.

I just personally think that PTS is unfair until all other avenues have been taken.

I do understand the OPs point of view, and yes, the pony is probably not in the best place, but there maybe other options. :)
 
thewonderhorse said:
Yes I agree that mine wont be going anywhere. All I am saying is that there are other possibilities for this pony rather than PTS. If I have ponies that are not suitable for kids then others will have too.

I just personally think that PTS is unfair until all other avenues have been taken.
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The fact that yours aren't going anywhere is admirable . . . but the OP has no guarantee that anyone she passes this little pony on to will be like you - and therein lies the problem.

Do you have space for the mare?

P
 
AnnMarie2011 said:
Why has every1 ganged up on me here haha!! Just cause i have put a opinion across u all dont agree with!?!?! If i had space and money i would take this mare on but i have 2 of my own that i pay for so i havent not at any point in this thread have i been out of line or nasty with what i have said!!! If you dont like my opinion dont read it let alone respond to it!!!!
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I don't think anyone is ganging up on you- they are countering their opinion with yours and ponting out where your opinion may be flawed- as you are doing to theirs!! Not everyone will agree on a contentious subject lke this.

I think that if the pony were mine now and in your situation I would PTS. It is not feasible for the OP to safely rehab it, by passing the pony on who knows where she may end up. Very possibly in an even worse situation than she has been previously. There are far worse fates than being PTS and as hard as it may be, I would make the responsible decision.
 
op if charities are not an option and you cant easily rehome to a reliable long term home with no children then I am sorry to say I think pts is your only option - the fact that the pony tried to kick your child once it was on the ground is enough for me.

My mum and dad used to look after a dog for a friend, they were told it was a little growly but would never bite !! that is until it attacked its owner and had to be pts !! they were lucky that no-one else was injured - I hate the idea of any animal being pts but sometimes it is the only route !
 
Nicolenlolly - you poor thing.

Forget most of this thread, we are not in your position, neither is your friend so you can forget about their opinion as well. As another poster said...I bet she's full of opinion, but not of solutions.

If you can find a charity to take her, great, go for it...her future will be secure then, but if not, I think PTS is a very sensible option. If there's one thing I hate almost as much as the people who abuse animals, it is the people who pass them on to unknown homes and as nobody, even your best friend can guarantee the future, it is highly likely that these horses and ponies end up in unknown homes eventually. Charities are advising PTS such is the graveness of the situation at present and I have to agree. There are far worse fates for a horse.

Rehabbing a horse is extremely rewarding, but I would only do that if you could do it yourself and for the safety of your children, that isn't an option.

I really, truly feel for you and the only person whose judgement you should care about is your own. You do what you know is right and don't feel the need to justify yourself.

Big hugs xxx
 
it amazes me how many people will be vociferous in their condemnation of people who pass on problem horses, yet will be equally strident in condemning those who choose to quietly end the life of an animal that is unhappy, mistrustful and dangerous for children to be around.

OP cannot keep this pony, as it is a risk to her children. It is not in the animals best interests to pass it on, or in the best interests of her children to keep it. Contrary to what many seem to believe - when you put a horse to sleep, it doesn't end up in limbo somewhere, thinking that it has been terribly unfairly treated. It just ceases to be...not such a bad thing to happen
 
No matter how many people put their opinions across...saying they agree with bein put to sleep or not it is the owners decision at the end of the day!! Surely this subject should be took up with the vet to see if there is anymore options to take or they might evan agree with having the pony put to sleep!! not a tally chart or which gets more votes?!
 
WindyStacks said:
Op, PTS. do the right thing by this mare.

Alternatively, AnnMarie, please pm the op for her address and let her know what time you can collect. We would all be delighted to hear of her rehabilitation.
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I don't think that's in any way relevant. AnnMarie didn't make the mistake of buying a pony she had no use for, so why should she either suffer the consequences of someone else's folly or encourage the owner to PTS? Is she not allowed to think that it's morally wrong and provide an opinion, as the OP asked us all to do, without then somehow assuming responsibility herself? It's a moot argument really. We all know that the OP has to make her own decision, but we can all also see that she invited comments - she didn't specify that we all had to reassure her that she was right.
 
AnnMarie2011 said:
No matter how many people put their opinions across...saying they agree with bein put to sleep or not it is the owners decision at the end of the day!! Surely this subject should be took up with the vet to see if there is anymore options to take or they might evan agree with having the pony put to sleep!! not a tally chart or which gets more votes?!
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OP has discussed with her vet - and vet concurs.

P
 
nicolenlolly said:
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.
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AnnMarie2011 said:
Surely this subject should be took up with the vet to see if there is anymore options to take or they might evan agree with having the pony put to sleep!!
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As she said...she has.
 
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