PTS without investigating - am I that bad?

[ihatework]

No judgement from me whatsoever.

Anyone taking on a horse out of training has to be prepared for a multitude of issues. Often they aren’t fixable, or in the best interests of the horse to try.

This isn’t on you, you have given the horse a chance. It’s on the owners and trainer who haven’t rehabbed and evaluated whether the horse is suitable for a new job and have just passed on the problem. Shame on them.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I like TB's but it seem that so many people on here have had so many issues with them, it would really put me off getting one that has been in any sort of race training.

 

[Trouper]

As someone who had a 7-yr old ex-racer pts for unsolvable issues I would not criticise that decisiion at all. All I would say is make the decision that you are going to be happy with for ever after - you are as important as the horse.

For me, I did some investigations to make sure that I was missiing nothing and then I could make the decision with a quiet mind. I suspect there are many other things going on with your girl other than feet.

 

[Fjord]

Just wanted to say I'm so sorry you are going through this and to offer gentle hugs. Absolutely no judgement from me.

 

[nagblagger]

No judgement from me, I have a ceiling of care for my animals, it is my business.
However I will ask for advice if I have doubts or need more facts to make an informed decision, but ultimately it is my decision.

 

[Melody Grey]

I PTS a 7yr old OTTB with numerous issues having spent £10k in insurance and my own money in investigating to never fully get to the bottom of things so I know your pain and wouldn’t judge.

If you are inclined to do anything, I would x ray feet, do a barefoot rehab if suitable and turn out as much as possible, supplementing feed with aloe Vera and then see where you’re at in 6 months or so.

ETA: I suspect x rays might provide an answer for why there are problems 4 weeks after trimming. Possibly angles are such that any additional growth after this time is too much. Very little, very often might help.

 

[Cowpony]

I feel your pain. I'm in a very similar position with a mare I bought a year ago. She was diagnosed with arthritis in a spinal joint in March, treated with steroid injections, and we've been rehabbing ever since. I've got a vet physio coming next week, and depending on what she says, I may be making the same decision as you. Mine is only ever going to get worse, and she's not a suitable candidate for retirement (too high maintenance to live out all year). She's had two cracking foals with her previous owner, but I won't sell her as a broodmare because of the risk that somebody unscrupulous will bute her up and sell her at a profit as a riding horse. Sometimes the kindest thing we can do is PTS, although it's such a hard decision.

 

[Nonjumper]

Given everything that's going on with this mare and you've already had the vet to her amongst other things, I would definitely not be investigating this any further and would have her PTS.

 

[Surbie]

I wouldn't judge you for going straight to PTS. It has to be something you will not regret, but it sounds like she has multiple issues, none of which will be a quick fix.

Personally I would go for foot x-rays, but there's no reason you should if you don't want to. Like others have said, you are then in 'what next?' country. I woudn't talk to other liveries about it unless you know them well and are feeling strong enough to deal with the inevitable firm beliefs in what other people should do with their horses.

Racing has a lot to answer for. Well done on putting the horse first.

 

[Fransurrey]

If she can't stay sound for a walk hack, then it's possible whatever the issue is, it's degenerative anyway. I agree with not talking it through with liveries and also agree with investigations being unlikely to change the outcome. Go with your gut and your own conscience. I'm actually considering having my mare pts at the end of the month, as vet is coming to do jabs and teeth, but if I'm not putting her through a winter, what's the point in getting teeth done? I won't be telling anyone if I do it, until the day (when I'll ask people for privacy/warn them to avoid the area). Not their beeswax, frankly.

 

[IrishMilo]

I'd be willing to bet my entire next pay check that your horse has more going on that just some flat footedness. I'm on my second ex racer now and this one is just as broken as my last one who was put to sleep due to too many degenerative conditions.

It might help you to read my most recent thread. I have an ex racer who I've been having some intermittent tripping issues with, plus unwillingness to work on a contact. I took him to the vet last week and he's got severe arthritis all the way down his neck, severe hock arthritis with bone spurs, some mild changes to the navicular joints, an old knee fracture we knew nothing about and some sole depth issues. I haven't even looked at his suspensories or back. I haven't got the bill yet but I don't think we'll be getting change from 2 grand.

You've given a horse who would have otherwise been PTS by the racing yard an extra year of love - doing what's right for you now is the best decision. Not all horses are fixable. All the best.

 

[Zoeypxo]

Alot of good replies already here but i am another one that agrees pts is not wrong at all.
Its really sad how many of these x racers are just completely broken at such a young age

 

[Miss_Millie]

I feel so heartbroken for you, I think PTS would be a kindness at this stage. I agree with everyone else saying how sad it is that many young horses are broken by racing, it's a cruel industry. Sending a hug.

 

[Kirstd33]

I too feel your pain, I’ve owned a coblet for a year and he’s always been quirky with issues but was hacking happily enough until he wasn’t! Had bilateral annular ligament surgery in May maxing out his £5k insurance claim plus another £1.5k of my money ( he only cost that much) we’re 3.5 months into rehabbing but he’s far from happy and now has suspected ulcers. Has been explosive under saddle this week and I’ve metal in my spine and don’t wish to be seeing my consultant again any time soon. If he doesn’t come right then I too may be making a tough decision.

 

[MrsMozartleto]

I bought a gorgeous coloured sports horse type from the local market for a few hundred pounds... Tried for nearly two years, including a year of Dr Green, but the navicular in his fronts and the slightly wonky front leg, did for him. Just no chance of ever being properly sound for any period of time. As a field ornament (which I don't object to - we have three of our own and have a retirement livery) he just was never right. I had him pts. He knew nothing from us but love and care and at the end a mouthful of carrots and apples.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I like TB's but it seem that so many people on here have had so many issues with them, it would really put me off getting one that has been in any sort of race training.

Same, I'm pretty sure I wont be doing it again. I've had 6 and none have been easy or long term sound, well except one i had from a friend and he'd already been out of racing for many years. I think I've done it because they are cheap or usually free but in all honesty the money spent on trying to fix them i could probably have saved and bought a horse with badminton potential (not that i have that!)

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Same, I'm pretty sure I wont be doing it again. I've had 6 and none have been easy or long term sound, well except one i had from a friend and he'd already been out of racing for many years. I think I've done it because they are cheap or usually free but in all honesty the money spent on trying to fix them i could probably have saved and bought a horse with badminton potential (not that i have that!)

I get offered them for free quite a bit and I'm never tempted.

I did have a retired racer years ago he was 11 and a great horse was never lame in the years I had him.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I get offered them for free quite a bit and I'm never tempted.

I did have a retired racer years ago he was 11 and a great horse was never lame in the years I had him.

I'm regularly tempted! My current favourite in training has just gone back to his proper trainer, where I'm told he will get to proper fast work and will get issues again. My name is potentially on him but in truth I know the likelihood of him staying sound even in lighter work is probably low, so however sweet he is I know I need to say no.

 

[clairebearfur1]

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.

 

[clairebearfur1]

See what the hoof xrays say? Maybe has ulcers too thats while feeling very off

 

[webble]

See what the hoof xrays say? Maybe has ulcers too thats while feeling very off

The ulcers are likely to be caused by pain elsewhere though

 

[fredflop]

I’d PTS without further investigations. Save your money and time; and the pain for the horse.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Feeling your pain. You're looking at the whole range of issues with this horse and wondering what the heck to investigate first.

IF and I say "if" your budget stretches to it, the foot X-rays might be worth obtaining as my instinct would be to work from the foot up (i.e. "no foot no 'oss); not that it will "cure" anything, but knowing what you are dealing with might bring you an element of comfort if you have to make a sad decision. But I'd not argue with others on here who'd say cut your losses now and put the money towards another horse.

It sucks doesn't it; a few years ago now I had a cracking mare, only 10-yo bless her, a real sweetheart, but she started trigeminal nerve headshaking (diagnosed by Langford Bristol Uni, so we knew what we were dealing with). Further investigations to explore treatment options would have cost a mint; and even if there were any "treatment options" for her, then there was only a slim % chance that they would have been effective, and those treatments would have been intrusive and caused the mare an element of distress and discomfort. In the end she got to the stage where she couldn't be led in hand as couldn't control her poor old head, and the day that I saw that I made the call. Of course as soon as you do that you get a myriad of "opinions" and "cures" from all sorts of well-meaning people out there; so I would agree with others that you would be well advised to keep your own counsel about this.

So sorry you are in this position. There are just no words. Thinking of you X

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I'm regularly tempted! My current favourite in training has just gone back to his proper trainer, where I'm told he will get to proper fast work and will get issues again. My name is potentially on him but in truth I know the likelihood of him staying sound even in lighter work is probably low, so however sweet he is I know I need to say no.

I can't put myself through it I've seen so many people have countless issues with them and so many end up being pts so young.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I can't put myself through it I've seen so many people have countless issues with them and so many end up being pts so young

Totally, It's all just a bit rubbish isn't it.
I suppose maybe it works for some people. I know someone that has had several free and when they have fairly quickly gone wrong pts, which saves them being passed round etc I guess. she did get a good one after several didn't work. Its being brave enough to do that. I'm not!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Totally, It's all just a bit rubbish isn't it.
I suppose maybe it works for some people. I know someone that has had several free and when they have fairly quickly gone wrong pts, which saves them being passed round etc I guess. she did get a good one after several didn't work. Its being brave enough to do that. I'm not!

Same I get to invested and it just affects me too much it's bad enough having older ones pts.

 

[maisie06]

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.

No not at all, you are sensible and responsible, some people would pass her on for a quick few quid. There's alot worse fates than PTS

 

[Lilly-Mayspookatbags]

Thank you for everyone’s support.

She crossed the rainbow bridge this evening I’m happy she’s no longer in pain, but very sad she’s gone.

 

[nagblagger]

Sad but right decision, sending you a virtual hug.

 

[Kunoichi73]

Sorry you've had to go through this. You did the best for her and should never feel guilty about it.