rowan666
Well-Known Member
^^ this! I would have pony pts and would not feel guilty!
your kids come first. It would be far worse to pass this pony on and risk her injuring another kid or ending up being abused or breeding more problem ponys!
pts or not-feeling guilty
- Thread starter nicolenlolly
- Start date
your kids come first. It would be far worse to pass this pony on and risk her injuring another kid or ending up being abused or breeding more problem ponys!
PaddyMonty
Well-Known Member
Because some one who wasn't, or had previously been in the OP's position decided it was their right to lay a guilt trip on her making her doubt both her own opinion and that of the vet.
Something all should consider.
PolarSkye
Well-Known Member
This. Poor OP is damned if she does and damned if she doesn't. She doesn't want to keep the pony because it is dangerous around her (very young) children, she doesn't want to pass the pony on in case it hurts someone else (as someone else said, it's not the next home that's the worry - it's the one after that, or after that, or after that), local charities are full . . . so what should she do? Find some mythical place where all damaged, hurt, afraid and otherwise disenfranchised ponies can live in paddocks, kissed by fairies, not getting laminitis, having their feet/teeth/jabs seen to by the pixies?
Back in the real world, the OP needs to do the right thing by this little mare AND for her young children. Having this troubled little soul PTS doesn't seem like such a terrible option to me . . . and it would ensure her future.
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kirstie
Well-Known Member
Because the OP clearly has a heart and is finding the decision very difficult. It is not an easy choice to make when you have an animal who physically does not seem to have anything wrong but is not safe to keep or responsible to pass on.
eahotson
Well-Known Member
Because the OP being a very nice person felt guilty and wanted reassurance I should think.An awful lot of people would just send it straight to the sales to see what they could get for it.Probably from the meat man.An awful lot more stress for the pony
thewonderhorse
Well-Known Member
Just because I am not agreeing with not PTS doesn't mean I should be attacked for it. The OP is asking for opinions - and there will always be massive variations in what people would do!
I have ponies that aren't suitable for kids and a baby due in less than 3 months so no I couldn't take her unfortunately. But 2 years ago I did just that with my two when someone was desperate.
I am just giving my opinion, like you are.
I haven't ever slated the OP, not at all. I personally just wouldn't PTS. That doesn't make me or the OP wrong
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PolarSkye
Well-Known Member
This.
I hope at least some of what has been written to and about the OP on this thread has been helpful in making this difficult decision.
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PolarSkye
Well-Known Member
I am not attacking you . . . but if you feel strongly enough that she shouldn't have the mare PTS, perhaps you could offer her a home - it would be helping the OP out of a very difficult situation and securing the mare's future. Sadly, not everyone can and does offer horses a home for life - and it will be next to impossible for the OP to know who can and who can't. You have stated that yours are never moved on - hence my question.
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minesadouble
Well-Known Member
The OP oesn't sound terrbily experienced to me and whilst it is clearly the seller who is largely at fault if the pony is 'vicious' surely this would have been apparent at the viewing? If the pony has been a broodmare and was previously good natured according to an earlier owner then something has gone wrong in a short space of time.
I have 3 children, all of whom ride. My eldest daughter had a LR section B (many years ago) that, as a 4 year old, seemed of uncertain temperament. She never harmed my daughter as she didn't get the chance. I would never have left her unsupervised with this young pony as I didn't trust it at the time (pony would lunge at my face if I bent down near her). The pony in question was later very succesful in the show ring and became a lovley genuine child's pony. We had lots of fun and success with her and she later took another 2 little girls to the RIHS as a LR M&M before retiring to become a broodmare.
I don't know what had happened to her as a youngster to make her the way she was when I got her but she got over it in a matter of months.
OP it is entirely your choice whether to PTS but I am glad I gave our iffy tempered pony a chance as she repaid us tenfold and gave three little girls so much pleasure.
I have 3 children, all of whom ride. My eldest daughter had a LR section B (many years ago) that, as a 4 year old, seemed of uncertain temperament. She never harmed my daughter as she didn't get the chance. I would never have left her unsupervised with this young pony as I didn't trust it at the time (pony would lunge at my face if I bent down near her). The pony in question was later very succesful in the show ring and became a lovley genuine child's pony. We had lots of fun and success with her and she later took another 2 little girls to the RIHS as a LR M&M before retiring to become a broodmare.
I don't know what had happened to her as a youngster to make her the way she was when I got her but she got over it in a matter of months.
OP it is entirely your choice whether to PTS but I am glad I gave our iffy tempered pony a chance as she repaid us tenfold and gave three little girls so much pleasure.
thewonderhorse
Well-Known Member
No. The OP was asking for opinions?! As I have said before, just because the pony is a Shetland, it doesn't automatically make it suitable as a kids pony.
The OP was obviously seriously lied to but that shouldn't mean that the pony should be PTS because it is not suitable for kids and obviously needs a lot of rehab.
thewonderhorse
Well-Known Member
Its my opinion FGS! You are allowed yours and I am not having a go at you??!!
As I have said I already have two that are not suitable which I took on and am nearly 7 months pregnant. All I am saying is there may be other avenues to go down or other people, like myself, who would take such a pony on.
PolarSkye
Well-Known Member
Baffled . . . I have tried really, really hard to be polite and reasonable (and rational) . . .
. . . walks away shaking head . . .
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thewonderhorse
Well-Known Member
Join the club
just because we don't agree doesn't make me wrong or right or you wrong or right. This is why its called an opinion.
How have I not been reasonable? I feel for the OP.
YouOnlyLiveOnce
Well-Known Member
For what its worth I don't think this pony deserves to be put to sleep. It is not her fault she has had a bad time of it (by the sounds of it in her last home) and this has given her trust issues. Can you not advertise her truthfully, I'm sure there is someone out there who would have her as a companion and would have the time she needs to help her trust again, possibly someone who doesn't have children around. Good luck
soulfull
Well-Known Member
this
thewonderhorse
Well-Known Member
AmyMay
Situation normal
Because the poor woman is conflicted.
touchstone
Well-Known Member
If this pony had physical issues I'm certain that there would be no doubt about pts in fact most sensible people would say it is the best and kindest thing for them. This pony sounds emotionally and mentally damaged, which is no different to me than a physical ailment, it causes distress and suffering just the same and pts could alleviate that if the owner is unable to resolve the issues.
I personally wouldn't pass an unhappy potentially dangerous animal on, no matter what their size, for the animals sake, never mind any future owners.
I personally wouldn't pass an unhappy potentially dangerous animal on, no matter what their size, for the animals sake, never mind any future owners.
Regandal
Well-Known Member
The pony kicked the OP's 2 year old child in the head. Her head. Luckily the child was wearing a hat. If it had been mine, it would have been away ASAP. Children are not risk aware at that age. That made my blood run cold.
PolarSkye
Well-Known Member
As someone wiser than I has said earlier on this thread, it's not the next home that's the worry - it's the one after that. There may well be someone out there who would have the mare as a companion (someone without children), but how does the OP know that the pony will stay in that home until the end of her days? The answer is, she doesn't . . . and there is no mechanism, legal or otherwise, that will guarantee that. That's why people are supportive of the OP's proposal to have the little mare PTS.
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_GG_
Well-Known Member
Great idea
Yes, there probably would be a few genuine people, but there would also be a lot of people that would get the pony, try, fail and pass on again and there starts the issue.
PTS is giving the pony a future guaranteed to be free of pain, stress and poor treatment. Rehoming privately means there are no guarantees. The most well meaning person in the world could take the pony, then be made redundant. What if they need rid quickly, advertise and the pony gets into the wrong hands.
Please don't be so blind as to think there is just an outside chance of this. It happens to so many horses, every day and I am sick to death of it. A long list of irresponsible people create an animal that has no enjoyment in life. There is a choice to end that life or take a risk and at the moment, the risk of further harm/unhappiness far outweighs the chance of a brilliant forever home.
Life is cruel and I would rather see a horse PTS in a quiet field than end up in the places that the charities have to pull them from. We are in a crisis and have been for a some years now where charities cannot take in new cases...there is nowhere safe for the majority of these horses to go, so I think it is far more responsible to end the life than just pass the problem on and just "hope" the pony ends up somewhere good.
Passing problem horses on, 99% of the time is ADDING to the welfare crisis, not helping it.
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Sugar_and_Spice
Well-Known Member
Whilst I would agree that the mare doesn't *deserve* to be PTS, I don't think its that simple. Would you reply to an "honest" advert for this pony?
...For sale: shetland mare, rescued (bought) in a poor state, previous broodmare, kicks humans and horses, not suitable for children hence sale for a nominal sum, currently has an infected wound down to the bone which requires further treatment, bad to catch, up to date with farrier and dentist, passported, microchipped and has started course of vaccinations....
Seriously, who is going to want this pony?
LillyBeth
Well-Known Member
I think if you were to PTS you would have no need to feel guilty. If you didn't have your children to think about then I would encourage you to try and resolve the pony's issues but your children HAVE to come first before a pony that you may not even be able to help. Poor pony has obviously had a very hard time of it, but if you were to rehome then it's likely she would continue to have a hard and miserable life. People seem to think that PTS is the end of the world but a horse doesn't know what is coming, it doesn't understand the concept of death like we do and so for them it is simply that their suffering is over and their future is as safe and secure as it ever could be. It is far more responsible than continuing to pass on dangerous, injured or ill horses just because some people can't muster the courage to do the right thing.
be positive
Well-Known Member
_GG_
Well-Known Member
The very people it needs protecting from. I really truly mean it. There are people that trawl through facebook groups looking for ads just like that. There have been some very eye opening threads on this very forum about one particularly persistent liar.
It makes my blood run cold to think about them to be honest
Queenbee
Well-Known Member
Really??? Op in my opinion breeding for the sale of breeding is just utterly wrong at the moment. I have to say, that if a charity couldn't take her, then I wouldn't have a problem with PTS. Sounds like she's had an awful time, she is an unhappy little pony,unless she can be happy sitting in a field doing nothing on a rescue centres field... PTS, don't find her a home where she's going to be used as a baby making machine in a world where there are too many babies and no one wants them anyway
smja
Well-Known Member
In an ideal situation, the pony would be given every chance to rehabilitate, but as OP is not prepared to take that risk (not a dig, it's OP's reasoned assessment, supported by factual evidence of kicking, that the pony poses a threat to her children, and to some extent other horses, and only OP can make that decision) I think that PTS is a valid option.
OP is taking her responsibility to the pony seriously, even though she is clearly emotionally troubled by it - well done.
OP is taking her responsibility to the pony seriously, even though she is clearly emotionally troubled by it - well done.
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Sugar_and_Spice
Well-Known Member
The very people it needs protecting from. I really truly mean it. There are people that trawl through facebook groups looking for ads just like that. There have been some very eye opening threads on this very forum about one particularly persistent liar.
It makes my blood run cold to think about them to be honest
Exactly. I just wish more people could see it.
be positive
Well-Known Member
The very people it needs protecting from. I really truly mean it. There are people that trawl through facebook groups looking for ads just like that. There have been some very eye opening threads on this very forum about one particularly persistent liar.
It makes my blood run cold to think about them to be honest
Which may be the route it took to end up with the OP, she certainly doesn't want to be getting back on the same spiral again.
_GG_
Well-Known Member
Exactly. The OP putting this pony to sleep would be probably the kindest human act it will have known in recent years. Sad, but true.