PTS without investigating - am I that bad?

[Lilly-Mayspookatbags]

As the title says really.

6 yo ex racer purchased 1 year ago . Bought to be an all rounder including hunting. Cracking mare lovely natured very honest. Put my other mare on loan at the time as she doesn’t like jumping or travelling and I can’t change her mind.

Unfortunately I can’t keep the ex racer sound for longer than 4 weeks as dead on 4 weeks she goes lame no matter what. Both with and without shoes tried different farriers, she’s been on box rest, field rest, had special shoes on.

Shod left for a week then taken on 2 hacks about 6 days apart (neither were intense as it was walk and gossip hacks) and she’s gone lame . Not dramatically lame but uncomfortable and tripping on her front feet putting her toe down that much. She’s gone very quiet and dopey. Still the same 4 days later and now in her box on rubber matting.

It has come to light that she became lame after her last race then was shoed and became sound. Then sold to me unknowingly.

She’s a chronic wind sucker which seems to be getting worse with time, has suspected nerve damage on her hind end (she has a random sweat patch that she can’t control) can’t keep weight on, enjoys having a “job”/routine, has a bad jaw so struggles to eat but can eat, isn’t sore when you touch her body, can headshake when you touch her ear (but not all the time), gets mud fever, has skin conditions, nice shine to her coat

I don’t have insurance and don’t want to put her through lots of investigations (personal choice). In discussions with my farrier for his opinion.

Am I bad for getting foot X-rays and most likely PTS?

This is my first horse I’ll be making the call on.

 

[Clodagh]

You pay the bills, you make the call whether to investigate or not.

 

[SEL]

Firstly I'm sorry that you're in this position - it's tough when there are loads of issues.

Are you planning hoof x rays before making any decisions?

 

[Equi]

I would at least want a vet check to check for any neurological issues or significant things that call out to them. If they are things that will never be fixable, it would be fine to consider calling it.

 

[SusieT]

Has she seen a vet at all?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

It would be fine to pts whenever you decide, you are the one who pays the bills. If you want to x-ray the feet first to see if you can identify what's going on, there is no reason why you shouldn't but, equally, there's no reason why you should. If I were you I wouldn't ask fellow liveries, or indeed anyone else much, just make your decision and follow through, as you see fit. Tbh it doesn't sound as if she will ever be able to do what you got her for. There is another thread about an ex-racer atm, the owner has spent £thousands and is still going to pts because the horse can't be fixed. The industry has a lot to answer for, imo.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Nothing to add that hasn’t been said, but thinking of you

 

[Lilly-Mayspookatbags]

Yes she’s seen the vet with everything not feet related. She’s a flat footed TB being shod by a remedial farrier who is used by one of the biggest horsepitals about.

I’ve read the other thread. That’s one of the reasons I’m reluctant to go too far.

It’s her quality of life that matters to me

 

[sport horse]

I think more people are going to have to be making these sort of calls with the price of vet bills nowadays. Hard to get away with less than a four figure bill for lameness diagnosis. Make your own decisions and do not feel guilty.

 

[honetpot]

It would be fine to pts whenever you decide, you are the one who pays the bills. If you want to x-ray the feet first to see if you can identify what's going on, there is no reason why you shouldn't but, equally, there's no reason why you should. If I were you I wouldn't ask fellow liveries, or indeed anyone else much, just make your decision and follow through, as you see fit. Tbh it doesn't sound as if she will ever be able to do what you got her for. There is another thread about an ex-racer atm, the owner has spent £thousands and is still going to pts because the horse can't be fixed. The industry has a lot to answer for, imo.

This in spades. The most important thing is the horses welfare, she doesn't sound happy, and after spending a ton of money may not be any better, but will have the stress of investigations and treatment, and an extended life with still a poor outcome.

 

[Darcey69]

I honestly think you're in too much of a rush. You've tried all these things and you've only had her a year, so you must keep trying over and over again. But most things don't get better in 4 to 8 weeks. Take her shoes off and assuming she's comfortable turn her away for a 10 to 12 months. She could be a different horse then. She's only young now and has probably been working from a young age.

 

[meleeka]

Whatever you do, you have to be happy with your decision, to know you are doing the right thing. If you have given it much thought and that's what you decide is best for everyone, then that's what you should do. Only you know if that's the case, so I don't think anyone else's opinion matters.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I honestly think you're in too much of a rush. You've tried all these things and you've only had her a year, so you must keep trying over and over again. But most things don't get better in 4 to 8 weeks. Take her shoes off and assuming she's comfortable turn her away for a 10 to 12 months. She could be a different horse then. She's only young now and has probably been working from a young age.

Have you read what OP says about all the horse's many issues? Perhaps you would like to fund the year off, to see if the many issues magically resolve after that time.

 

[Peglo]

There’s so many cheap ex racers for sale at the moment I can’t help but wonder how many have these kind of issues. sorry you’re in this situation.

I personally would want to treat for ulcers because of the wind sucking and see if it improves anything. But as above, you’re the bill payer and you know the horse and issues better than anyone on the internet.
I have mine at home so don’t pay livery and that makes a difference in decision making too.

 

[Lilly-Mayspookatbags]

I honestly think you're in too much of a rush. You've tried all these things and you've only had her a year, so you must keep trying over and over again. But most things don't get better in 4 to 8 weeks. Take her shoes off and assuming she's comfortable turn her away for a 10 to 12 months. She could be a different horse then. She's only young now and has probably been working from a young age.

She’s had 8 months off being turned away. I couldn’t keep her sound in those 8 months. She’s changed a lot in the 8 months and not for the better.

 

[Dave's Mam]

I would not for one moment judge you for your choice given what you have said about the horse. Quality of life for her & peace of mind for you.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

No judgement from me I think there are so many broken horses now.

You have to do what you think is best.

 

[94lunagem]

Sorry you’ve found yourself in this position, it’s tough making the call whatever the circumstances.

You’d get no judgement from me. Your horse, your time, your money, your call.

If you’re on livery I wouldn’t seek others opinions and you don’t owe them an explanation, bear in mind most yards (in my opinion) will have someone who thinks it’s their business and will tell you you should have kept going for months and thousands of £. Remember they don’t pay your bills.

I’m sure you’ll do the best for your horse. And sometimes that is PTS.

 

[Nemo19]

Do not speak to the other livery owners. They can be rotten just for the sake of it.

If she can't stay sound for a quiet hack then I of course understand your reasoning.

A shame for such a young horse, but its the sad reality for many thoroughbreds out of racing.

 

[SEL]

I suspect you'd need an MRI to find out exactly what is going on in those hooves and they are expensive. Even if you get an answer you're then in the "what next?" camp.

I choose to keep my sick note mare as a pet - own land, 3 horses is a good number and she's happy in the field.

Recently she escaped into a rested field and it was a vet call with suspected laminitis. I found myself saying to the vet (who didn't know her) that if we were looking at pedal bone rotation then it would be PTS not box rest. I think the vet was shocked but ultimately we all have a line in the sand and that is one of mine.

You sound like you've exhausted the straightforward options so it's either x rays & MRIs now or you draw a line. Having done the constant vet visits for the never quite right horse I'd draw the line sooner if it ever happened to me again.

Very sad, I'm sorry x

 

[Trickywooo]

You must do what you see fit with your horse. There is no shame in putting an animal down that is clearly in pain. The reality is you can spend thousands trying to get to the root of the problem and still be left with the same outcome.

There is no shame in taking responsibility for your mare and having her pts with dignity and compassion. There are many who would try and pass her on to someone else. She's lucky to have found you as an owner.

I'm very sorry you find yourself in this situation x

 

[Tiddlypom]

I would go as far as to say that PTS now is more ethical than putting an uncomfortable horse with multiple issues through months of most likely fruitless and intrusive investigations.

There are horses that are so broken that they can’t be fixed, and sadly she sounds like one of them.

You are being a responsible owner to let her go. It’s horrible for the owner, it always is, but it is the best thing for her.

 

[AmyMay]

You’ve only got to read threads on here about the surgeries, investigations, treatments etc which all end up with one result. Pts.

They can’t all be fixed, most it seems can’t.

I would not judge you either.

 

[Marigold4]

Not quite on topic, but could you let the people who sold the horse to you know what hell you have been through and the fate of this horse? They need to have it on their consciences that how they treated this horse caused it to be in pain, and cost you money and a very difficult year. It's too easy for the racehorse trainers to pass these poor horses on.

 

[I'm Dun]

I honestly think you're in too much of a rush. You've tried all these things and you've only had her a year, so you must keep trying over and over again. But most things don't get better in 4 to 8 weeks. Take her shoes off and assuming she's comfortable turn her away for a 10 to 12 months. She could be a different horse then. She's only young now and has probably been working from a young age.

oh dont talk such utter crap! I despair sometimes

 

[poiuytrewq]

I think it’s fine to pts. What wouldn’t be fine would be to sell her quickly in a sound few days.
She has a lot going on and I know from experience you can have a quick vet check that turns into years of ongoing attempts and costs a fortune because the nest idea will only be a few more £££

 

[McGrools]

I had a beautiful one that wouldnt stay sound when bringing back into work. X-rays of both front feet confirmed boney damage that was unrecoverable so he was pts a few days later.
The racing industry chews them up and spits them out. It’s a total tragedy how they ruin young horses.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I honestly think you're in too much of a rush. You've tried all these things and you've only had her a year, so you must keep trying over and over again. But most things don't get better in 4 to 8 weeks. Take her shoes off and assuming she's comfortable turn her away for a 10 to 12 months. She could be a different horse then. She's only young now and has probably been working from a young age.

I’ve just done almost 2 years off.
I still have a lame horse.

 

[dorsetladette]

PTS is your choice and it doesn't make you a bad person.

Sounds like you plan to x ray and make a decision off the back of that? is that right.

I'd keep information to yourself regarding your reasons and don't feel you have to explain yourself to other liveries that haven't been in your position. Don't feed the gossips! Something along the lines of 'X rays showed irreparable damage in front feet and the vet and I made the call together as horse has already proven not to be field sound' tell other people after the event.

Take care of yourself - your horse is lucky to have someone who cares as you do.

 

[Orangehorse]

It is a shame, for you and the horse. But its your decision, don't discuss it with anyone if you are on a yard because you will get a lot of grief.

Obviously the YO would need to know to arrange a quiet time. But some horses are not fixable and you wouldn't be the only person in the same situation.

You don't need a vet, you can use a "fallen stock" person but they don't use an injection.

Best wishes, it is a hard decision.