Putting a healthy horse down

I think that if the owner is doing it during a crisis or because she is severely depressed, then putting the horse down will only end up coming back to haunt her. She may be racked with guilty which would hamper her recovery. IF the horse is rideable and healthy/sound, then I think she is making a bad mistake at a time when she is not able to think rationally. She is thinking in extremes. It will not be good for her in the long run.
 
madlady said:
And there is the crux - carefully to the right person. If you couldn't find that right person/home and guarantee your beloved horse a future (regardless of age) what would you do?
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My view is a lot are to quick to question what she is doing .Which approach requires more guts and total love of your horse? I pray that those who criticise are never in the desperate situation to have to make that decision or maybe are less caring than you make out to turn your back on the horse to whatever may be fall it. I think maybe there would be a good home for the horse however if the owner is worried to much it cannot be guaranteed they must do what is right for them ,you really have to remember how desperate do things have to get to even contemplate this for her. I certainly would never dream of criticising her and would support her until you get that desperate you cannot comprehend how it is.
 
fatpiggy said:
Can't bear to sell but will PTS instead? Hmmm. If her circumstances have changed, she should put the horse up for sale or through the nearest market and let it take its chances. No doubt the money she would get would be helpful. No-one turns down £££s if they have any sense?
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don't judge everyone by your own standards
 
It's hard to make a judgement without knowing the full story. Personally, I would sell (or even give away if it was the right person) a healthy, rideable, sweet horse with a chance of a good, useful, happy life. However, none of us know the owner's situation. I just hope she doesn't regret her decision in years to come if she comes through whatever it is she's going through now.

Having said that, I think I would PTS my boy if I was in a situation where keeping him was impossible. He's 20, with foot problems which mean he can't jump and he's riddled with melanoma. He's fine at the moment and enjoying life as a happy hacker but I don't know how long that will continue.
 
This is an interesting discussion and one decision that I will have to make in the future, let's just say, due to ill health. I've already decided to have my 17 year old PTS, he has had PSD, has arthritis and 5 melanomas. He is happily field sound but would never find another home.
However, my rising 9 has every chance of another owner and I will certainly try to sell him when the time comes, hopefully not for a few years.
I know that this is an individual's decision but surely she could attempt to sell first? She may be pleasantly surprised.
 
fatpiggy said:
Can't bear to sell but will PTS instead? Hmmm. If her circumstances have changed, she should put the horse up for sale or through the nearest market and let it take its chances. No doubt the money she would get would be helpful. No-one turns down £££s if they have any sense?
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There is a lovely saying that is very accurate and true.

Never assume. For the simple reason that it can often make an ASS out of U and ME.

Further more, your assumption that the owner will, "no doubt find the money helpful" could at best be inappropriate and at worst the biggest insult going. There are many situations where money cannot and will not be able to buy health or happiness. It is another assumption that the owner will have "live with her decision". Given there are no details, and why should there be, it is no doubt a private and personal situation that the owner is in.

Never assume, it is rude, arrogant and not a nice trait.
 
twiggy2 said:
don't judge everyone by your own standards
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It wasn't meant like that - the dangers of the written word. WHat I meant was, if her problem was financial then the selling the horse would be sensible and practical. There are plenty of perfectly good, capable owners out there looking for the right animal. I'm hardly the person you should condemn where money is concerned - lots of people thought I was mad to buy my mare because she was sensitive, unpredictable to ride and something of a fruitcake. She then turned out to have epilepsy. Not being a person to give up easily I persisted with the vets and got her long term treatment, so she got old enough to develop chronic arthritis and then Cushings, and I paid for all of that too. At the very best estimate that little lot amounted to £44K. Yes, you did read that right and all but the first few hundred pounds came straight out of my bank account, not the insurance. I wouldn't have sold my horse if my circumstances had changed, I would have PTS - but as you can see, she came with quite a lot of baggage and I wouldn't have expected anyone to step into my shoes.
 
madlady said:
And there is the crux - carefully to the right person. If you couldn't find that right person/home and guarantee your beloved horse a future (regardless of age) what would you do?
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What would I do I would PTS.
But I have bought had think of three off the top of my head horses who came to us when there owners had to sell Fatty was young ( 8) and the others where thirteen fatty is still here and the others where with us until lameness led me to PTS both where twenty then.
People do buy older horses and do right by them nothing like this is easy.
I would not hesitate to put down a quirky or physically difficult to manage horse if I had to part with my horses but a nice healthy horse just coming to her prime I would seek to sell to the right person .
 
Damnation said:
Her horse her choice.

Those causing uproar should think about the emotional hell this woman is going through.

I can see why they wouldn't be happy but at the same time, she is saving the horse from an uncertain future. She obviously cares more about the horse than money.

We currently have a crisis of too many horses and not enough homes. Think about it.
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I absolutely agree.

The only mistake this lady has made is to tell others of her plans.
 
Goldenstar said:
What would I do I would PTS.
But I have bought had think of three off the top of my head horses who came to us when there owners had to sell Fatty was young ( 8) and the others where thirteen fatty is still here and the others where with us until lameness led me to PTS both where twenty then.
People do buy older horses and do right by them nothing like this is easy.
I would not hesitate to put down a quirky or physically difficult to manage horse if I had to part with my horses but a nice healthy horse just coming to her prime I would seek to sell to the right person .
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Same here, I would do everything in my power to find the perfect home for mine but if I couldn't then, like you, I'd pts - even if healthy.
 
I've said it 100 times before and i'll say it again, there is far worse fates for horses and any animal than death. My best horse is happy and healthy, she's also very quirky and been passed pillar to post before I got her. She is now totally content with herself and happy. If I had to give her up would I sell her on? Absolutely not, PTS would ensure she had the best life and never encountered a nasty human again in her life.
 
Glad I am not one of your horses.'Put it through the nearest market'.
fatpiggy said:
Can't bear to sell but will PTS instead? Hmmm. If her circumstances have changed, she should put the horse up for sale or through the nearest market and let it take its chances. No doubt the money she would get would be helpful. No-one turns down £££s if they have any sense?
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A lot depends on the horse doesn't it? Straightforward, healthy, well schooled horses in their mid life are like gold dust especially if they are between 15.2 and 16.2. But, quirky horses with health issues are very difficult to rehome well and are probably best pts in a circumstance like this. Every horse I've ever bought for myself has been bought as an 11 year old, My old TB is now 28, Mr B is 13 and will stay with me forever. I sold a horse I bought aged 11 as a dressage schoolmaster (paid a lot of money) as a hack when he was 17 (runs to find cover!) He's been with his new owner for nearly 2 years now and I get regular updates and pictures from her and I know he won't move on again and he is loving his new job but clearly didn't want to do any more dressage despite his natural talent and being 100% sound and healthy. I'd like to think I am the sort of owner anyone would want to sell to, provided the horse, of course, was suitable for me. We are out there, you know, but you may have to sort the wheat from the chaff, so to speak.
 
Hepsibah said:
Wow. I'm going to have to be the person who goes against the flow here. How flaming arrogant can a person get! She is the only person who can look after a horse? Her horse is better off dead if it can't be with her? It is her horse, yes and it is her decision to make but what a rotten decision for the blimmin' horse! The horse only has one life and she's taking it for no good reason. vile.
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Im afraid I agree with this! Normally Im the first to support someone taking responsibility and having an animal pts where there are issues that mean it is likely to struggle to find a good home e.g. old horse/dangerous horse to ride/severe health issues etc etc.
But when we are talking about a perfectly young healthy horse Im afraid I find it very sad. To say the horse is better off dead than with anyone except its current owner when there is nothing wrong with the horse and no reason why it couldn't be found another lovely home - sorry I just dont get it. Seems very selfish imo. Shes putting her own feelings above the horse
 
Of my current 5 equines, only one is really saleable. The others (2 aged, 1 an abuse rescue and NOT an amateur ride, 1 a mule - he'll be going to the Donkey Sanctuary if I die/become incapacitated) will be put down as required when either they need it, or I need it. I have this written in my will. We don't know the full story with OP's friends horse, but I would suspect there is some reason why it cannot/should not be sold on.
 
If this was an older horse or had health issues I'd agree but it is only 10 years old - it may well end up in a better home. Should no one ever sell a horse in case it ends up in a bad home? Just have it pts instead! how ridiculous. If that was to happen, everyone, including me would have to breed their own as there would be none to buy. How many of those agreeing have sold one of their horses? Of course you can't guarantee a good home for life, that's impossible but the chances of it ending up being neglected have got to be fairly slim. Yes, there may be lots of horses suffering but there are many, more that are not.

I think if she's goes through with this she will regret it later. I'd never forgive myself for having a healthy horse pts because I couldn't be bothered to find it a good home.
 
I am with the camp of not putting down a healthy uncomplicated horse. I appreciate it is the business of the owner and she may well have serious issues we know nothing of, but the horse isn't responsible for them. She could find a good sales livery and perhaps put a time on it but if the mare is genuine and healthy, she will find a good home. I am very glad that not everyone takes the view that they are the only ones who could ever offer a good home as what would the market be? I understand her reservations about a loan, but to PTS because she can't bear to sell?

An elderly horse, a horse with known issues or unrideable/ill.. yes PTS but not one that could happily go on to live with another owner and enjoy life.
 
I think it really depends on the horse, would be nice to have some more info from the OP. If it is healthy, good natured and a nice ride I'd be a little shocked at someone choosing to PTS rather than sell, as such a horse would have a good chance of finding a nice home. However, if, like so many horses, it has health or behavioural problems, which would make finding (and keeping!) a good home very difficult, then I do think she is making the right decision. It is very hard to judge this without knowing the full story.
 
There are more horses for sale at the moment than there are homes for them, it seems. The owner has decided to ensure her horse's quality of remaining life by PTS, a decision that I'm sure was not made without due consideration. Whilst I'm not sure I would choose the same, I cannot help but feel that owner has taken her responsibility to the horse seriously and does not deserve to be castigated for it.
 
why not sell? Think its extremely arrogant to think no-one can look after your horse but you. Most people would snap the hand off a seller to get a nice, sane 10 year old. Unless the horse has issues there's no reason why it can go to a new home and work away for another 15 years. Has the horse issues?
 
Equine_Dream said:
Im afraid I agree with this! Normally Im the first to support someone taking responsibility and having an animal pts where there are issues that mean it is likely to struggle to find a good home e.g. old horse/dangerous horse to ride/severe health issues etc etc.
But when we are talking about a perfectly young healthy horse Im afraid I find it very sad. To say the horse is better off dead than with anyone except its current owner when there is nothing wrong with the horse and no reason why it couldn't be found another lovely home - sorry I just dont get it. Seems very selfish imo. Shes putting her own feelings above the horse
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I so hope the owner in question does not read this thread. It should never have been started in the first place. If you don't get it - don't pass an ill informed comment.
 
AdorableAlice said:
I so hope the owner in question does not read this thread. It should never have been started in the first place. If you don't get it - don't pass an ill informed comment.
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^^ This.

What is it with horses that turn grown adults into silly little playground children? Ganging up on eachother, bullying eachother?

The horse isn't suffering, its well looked after, butt out.
 
The thing I regret the most is not pts my old mare when I let her go for a companion home as she then got passed on despite being unsound. She luckily ended up in a lovely home but it gave me a lot of heartbreak

Sadly I was 16 & still in college so it was my parents financial decision & at that time I wouldn't have considered it but now it would have been my first thought. She was only 10 but had navicular & djd & was an absolute b**** to deal with for anyone other than me
 
Damnation said:
^^ This.

What is it with horses that turn grown adults into silly little playground children? Ganging up on eachother, bullying eachother?

The horse isn't suffering, its well looked after, butt out.
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Posters are not butting into anything .
While it's possible a few know the RL story here the vast majority don't and I don't see any bullying here there's no one to bully .
I think the poster who called the decision vile was out of order and should consider with compassion what the owner must be going through.
I do hope the owner of the horse finds a way forward but tbh in the situation she in how could this thread make it worse, it's just exploring the issue .
 
Hepsibah said:
Wow. I'm going to have to be the person who goes against the flow here. How flaming arrogant can a person get! She is the only person who can look after a horse? Her horse is better off dead if it can't be with her? It is her horse, yes and it is her decision to make but what a rotten decision for the blimmin' horse! The horse only has one life and she's taking it for no good reason. vile.
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I'm torn between agreeing with this and understanding her thinking. The problem is that while there are indeed great homes out there, they just can't be guaranteed. I know someone who has twice bought back horses who have gone to homes which weren't as described. This is all well and good for someone who is in a position (financially or in terms of space) to do so but what happens otherwise? Those horses would have had awful lives and very uncertain futures and this lady vetted conscientiously - it still happened.

On the other hand, good all-rounders are the horses who instill confidence, who teach people to ride. This mare sounds like she could be highly valued and much loved by someone for many years to come and without ponies and horses like that, I wouldn't have had my first (much loved) few. If only that future were guaranteed.
 
I must be a senimental old fool. I have a couple of retired mares, in their 20s, in the field and contributing to me going totally broke! I worry myself sick if I don't see one of them immediately (the old cow hides behind the rise of a hill) but as long as they are eating well and looking well, I can't bring myself to put them down. I wouldn't lend or sell them - when I'm actually bankrupt they'll be PTS - but until then .....
 
paddi22 said:
why not sell? Think its extremely arrogant to think no-one can look after your horse but you. Most people would snap the hand off a seller to get a nice, sane 10 year old. Unless the horse has issues there's no reason why it can go to a new home and work away for another 15 years. Has the horse issues?
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I know someone who sold a nice, well bred, sane 8 year old to a carefully vetted home. Many years later they found it at a sales in a terrible state phyically and mentally. I don't know what I would do if I was ever in a position where I had to sell, but I can understand why the lady might be making this decision, she may have had a similar experience herself in the past.
 
AdorableAlice said:
I so hope the owner in question does not read this thread. It should never have been started in the first place. If you don't get it - don't pass an ill informed comment.
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Damnation said:
^^ This.

What is it with horses that turn grown adults into silly little playground children? Ganging up on eachother, bullying eachother?

The horse isn't suffering, its well looked after, butt out.
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Absolutely agree with both of you. Horses don't have the same concept of life and death as we do.

We don't have the full story here but, for all of the people thinking this owner selfish how about this for a scenario:

You have been diagnosed with a terminal illness or have become suddenly immobile (accident or whatever) - you have tried and tried to find the perfect forever home for your healthy 10yo however haven't been able to do that. Loan is out of the question as you can't guarantee that the horse would have a place if something went wrong with the loan. What would you do with your horse then?

It could well be that this particular owner has been diagnosed with something terminal or severely life limiting and she is trying to do the best thing for her horse to guarantee it's future and has been unable to do so.

The rescue centres are full, there are more good healthy horses than there are homes for them. Are you all saying that the perfect home is out there for every horse? Get real.
 
Goldenstar said:
Posters are not butting into anything .
While it's possible a few know the RL story here the vast majority don't and I don't see any bullying here there's no one to bully .
I think the poster who called the decision vile was out of order and should consider with compassion what the owner must be going through.
I do hope the owner of the horse finds a way forward but tbh in the situation she in how could this thread make it worse, it's just exploring the issue .
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Goldenstar - Sorry I didn't make it clear (My fault!), I was talking about the people on the yard with which this has caused "uproar".

It caused uproar at the last "big yard" I was at when I had my 7 year old TB PTS. To the ourside world she was a happy healthy TB. She actually had behavioural issues and a slipped disc in her spine. I was then told it was my fault, my weight that caused the injury, she was a young horse she should be allowed live etc. In the end I wasn't even allowed to PTS on the yard, I had to box her home the morning of the "deed" and have her PTS at home. She would have been on constant painkillers with daily physio which wasn't possible, feesable, and with no winter turnout, cruel.

Yards can be horrible, judgemental places. The complete tw*ts who judged me (One of which was my mother) didn't see the mental strain it put on me, the anti depressants I was put on after I made the decision to PTS and the DAYS in tears over what had happened. People need to think before they open their mouths to cause an "uproar".
 
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