PTS

[FelixPatches]

I own a 21yr pony mare, had her for 11 years, retired 5 years ago due to arthritis and a very bad kidney reaction to a drug administered to try to help with arthritis. I don't have my own land,and have to have her and my other horse on semi full livery. She is quite soft so I don't think she could live out, not through winter anyhow (just now she is out by day, in at night). She is happy, yes she's stiff but doesn't need medication and quite often has a good gallop round the field with her friends. She peees a bit more than most horses but again not in discomfort. My income will decrease from the new year plus i am having to consider moving to another yard, likely to be more expensive. I am under pressure from other half to have her PTS, to save money for us. What are thoughts on having her PTS? I do not think there is any health based reason for doing it. I don't think she'd be easy to loan out as companion, (quite apart from non rideability, she often doesn't catch, needs grazing restricted during summer, pees a lot due to kidneys and can't eat too much protein, is on an expensive supplement) plus I suspectI wouldn't trust others to look after her properly. I feel awful considering it, yet fair to say i have spent thousands on her in last 5 years. I don't actually think i could stand by and watch vet put her down. Maybe that is the answer, but equally i often feel resentful towards her (especially when she won't catch!) but recognise that's wrong too. Maybe i should at least try to rehome as companion (but it would feel like i am trying to palm her off on someone else).
Sorry for the ramble, any views and similar experiences much appreciated.

 

[Birker2020]

I own a 21yr pony mare, had her for 11 years, retired 5 years ago due to arthritis and a very bad kidney reaction to a drug administered to try to help with arthritis. I don't have my own land,and have to have her and my other horse on semi full livery. She is quite soft so I don't think she could live out, not through winter anyhow (just now she is out by day, in at night). She is happy, yes she's stiff but doesn't need medication and quite often has a good gallop round the field with her friends. She peees a bit more than most horses but again not in discomfort. My income will decrease from the new year plus i am having to consider moving to another yard, likely to be more expensive. I am under pressure from other half to have her PTS, to save money for us. What are thoughts on having her PTS? I do not think there is any health based reason for doing it. I don't think she'd be easy to loan out as companion, (quite apart from non rideability, she often doesn't catch, needs grazing restricted during summer, pees a lot due to kidneys and can't eat too much protein, is on an expensive supplement) plus I suspectI wouldn't trust others to look after her properly. I feel awful considering it, yet fair to say i have spent thousands on her in last 5 years. I don't actually think i could stand by and watch vet put her down. Maybe that is the answer, but equally i often feel resentful towards her (especially when she won't catch!) but recognise that's wrong too. Maybe i should at least try to rehome as companion (but it would feel like i am trying to palm her off on someone else).
Sorry for the ramble, any views and similar experiences much appreciated.

There are quite a few posts of this nature on the forum. At the risk of attracting a whole load of verbal abuse off forum members I will say this. I want you to know that I am not being nasty as I realize its a difficult decision but only you know the answer, you know your horse and your vet knows your horse. If I was wondering whether to have my horse pts I certainly wouldn't be asking a bunch of strangers on a forum who have never met my horse, don't know its day to day problems or history, or know its owner.At the very most I might discuss it with my O/H and most definitely my vet but its something that I and I alone would have to decide. If you do decide to go down the route of PTS its my opinion (and I realize everyone can't do this) but I would want to be there at the end, its the least you owe them to have a friendly face and voice at the end of their days. I think when you start feeling resentful of your horse as you have said in your post then its possibly time to call it a day - but again your decision. I know a lot of people post on here in the context WWYD but I just feel they are looking to justify the decision they are thinking about making. Again please do not take offence at this, but this is just my own opinion.

One more thing - would you ask your o/h (if he played golf) to sell his golf clubs and give up his membership of the thing that he loves most in this world because you were short of money. I know I for one would not, so he shouldn't be pressurizing you into making such an important decision as its not fair on you, and certainly not fair on the horse.

 

[Goldenstar]

I not sure what sort of advice you want .
All horses die at some point and I ask you to consider carefully why would someone take on a elderly horse with complex needs when it's very easy to get a younger healthy horse to be a companion .
IMO there’s a special place in hell put aside for those who pass on their elderly horses for others to deal with .
It’s not in anyway about what you can bear it’s about what kindest and best for the horse .
On costs I don’t think it’s unreasonable for cost to form part of your decision your horse is older and personally I don’t think horses greatly enjoy changes of environment particularly when they are older so the need to change yards makes it’s a good time to consider what you do .
There are far far worse fates than being PTS under the care of your long term owners you need to have a serious discussion with your other half and the suitability of the new yard for the individual horse would very important to me when making the decision.

 

[Birker2020]

Would it be cheaper to consider a retirement home for her if you feel she would be happy living out 2/7? You say she doesn't need medication so could feasibly do this. Some retirement places will actually give your horse a feed once a day as part of the price if you wanted her to have her supplement still. Round by us, retirement livery starts at £40 per week. This would save you a considerable amount of money.Some retirement places would offer grazing paddocks to laminitics I would have thought there would be a huge call for this, elderly retired laminitic types. You say she is soft so wouldn't be able to live out but all horses adjust after a while. Sometimes horses go to blood banks, I am not suggesting this for your horse, but those horses who have lived pampered lives with thick duvet rugs and expensive feeds and treats are roughed off over a period of a few weeks prior to going there. That means they have their rugs reduced in thickness and then removed so they will grow a decent coat. Their hard feed is tapered off gradually and there shoes removed. You could do this if you have the patience and time. You could give her six months after she first goes to the retirement place to see if she is truly happy and is getting on okay. If not you could make the decision then. Here is just a random one I have found: http://cheshireretirementlivery.co.uk/retirementlivery/ What would your mare choose if it were her decision?

 

[honetpot]

If its causing friction between you and your partner when money is tight, I would have her PTS. Even if you find some where cheaper unless your circumstances change its always going to be a problem.
She will die one day, and horses unfortunately very rarely just drop dead, there is usually a very expensive vet bill. Depending where you are it will cost about £200 to have her PTS at home in her paddock and taken away. She will have never known any unkindness and you will never have to worry about her again.
I have a pony in my paddock who was loaned as a companion and was for sale on FB two weeks later. Its only because he is very distinctive that I and his owner recognised him and managed to get him back. This will be his last home. I have never regretted having any of them PTS, I miss them, but I have nice memories.

 

[meleeka]

I would have her PTS when you think it’s the right time and not before. You may think it will solve a problem but you will end up feeling resentful if it isn’t your choice.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Firstly I will say I think it's a bit unfair of your other half to put pressure on you having her pts it's not an easy decision and your oh should be there to support whatever you decide to do not put the pressure on.

Secondly there is nothing wrong with putting any horse to sleep because they are at the end of their life and finances don't allow for you to keep a very big expensive pet, in my opinion it is far better option than trying to re home as a companion.

I think you have to make the decision for yourself don't do it if it your feeling pressured and feel like you need to do it for an easy life, I think you will massively regret it and possibly feeling resentment towards your other half as I know I would.

I think most horses will cope with all year 24/7 turnout maybe you could give it a try if you could find somewhere local you can still check on her everyday but the cost would be considerably less, then if it doesn't work out and she is not coping at least you would feel like you have given her every chance.

 

[LaurenBay]

Firstly I will say I think it's a bit unfair of your other half to put pressure on you having her pts it's not an easy decision and your oh should be there to support whatever you decide to do not put the pressure on.

Secondly there is nothing wrong with putting any horse to sleep because they are at the end of their life and finances don't allow for you to keep a very big expensive pet, in my opinion it is far better option than trying to re home as a companion.

I think you have to make the decision for yourself don't do it if it your feeling pressured and feel like you need to do it for an easy life, I think you will massively regret it and possibly feeling resentment towards your other half as I know I would.

I think most horses will cope with all year 24/7 turnout maybe you could give it a try if you could find somewhere local you can still check on her everyday but the cost would be considerably less, then if it doesn't work out and she is not coping at least you would feel like you have given her every chance.

Great advice. Sorry you are in this position OP.