Putting a healthy horse down

Lanky Loll said:
Well said, but can't help wondering what may happen in the future if/when the owner comes out the other side of this current situation whatever that may be. If it's a situation similar to yours AA the owner could find themselves in 12 months time wishing they hadn't gone through with it.
It's an awful position to be in, and I can't help thinking that IF (big if) the owner had the option to turn the horse away for 6-12months somewhere similar to GGs set up (I appreciate this may not be an option), they could give themselves time to assess their situation and go from there? This is assuming the decision is one that they have come to relatively quickly in reaction to fast changing circumstances. This may not be the case and the owner may be beyond that point already.
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I know someone who had an early teens TB PTS. Single mum, working full time, and studying for job related qualifications. Time and money a huge struggle. She put him on grass livery, but he didnt thrive, and battled mudfever etc. And I think she decided against another winter. He was sound, and rideable, but a TB nature with quirks, including hacking quirks and she felt he wasnt safe enough for sharers / loan.

As part of having him PTS she made the decision in his memory not to ever ride or get another horse, and her life has gone in other directions.

I dont judge her. I am sure she has judged herself more than enough already.
 
Goldenstar said:
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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I agree, give the owner isn't (openly) on this thread it's more or less a hypothetical situation we're discussing.

For me the crux of the matter is whether the owner is considering the horse's best interests (potential for future mis-treatment or being passed from pillar to post etc) or if she just can't be bothered to find her a good home.

Without knowing the exact circumstances it's difficult to tell. "Her life situation has changed" could mean something terrible, or something good, like moving abroad or a new baby - not ideal with a horse but not something that couldn't be dealt with short term while the right home was sought if the mare really is as good and healthy as OP says.
 
smellydogjack said:
A lady at my yard has caused uproar. Her life situation has changed and she can't really keep her horse. I suspect- after much deliberation, she has decided the only choice she has is pts. Said mare is 10, and a lovely horse, but she wouldn't trust a loan home, and she couldn't bare to sell. Que an uproar that she is cruel etc... from the rest of the yard. Part of me gets it. I get why she can't see through any other choice, I'm not saying I would do it. However part of me understands.

Pointless post but it's played on my mind all week.
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Is the horse nice to hack and school alone and in company, well schooled, travels, 100% sound, no iffs / buts or hang ups. Nice nature, decent conformation. Anybody's ride?

Or as I strongly suspect, the horse has a few ifs and buts which is driving her concern.
 
Fiona said:
Would a vet agree to put down a sound, youngish horse with no behavioral issues??

Fiona
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they might but I don't know many vets who would appreciate it.

Noone is bullying anyone. It's an almost hypothetical question-would you put down a healthy, useful horse rather than sell/rehome. Some of us would, some wouldnt.
 
madlady said:
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?
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I'd find somewhere for it to go on sales livery. A good place should find a home for a straight forward horse fairly quickly.

Or I'd leave it in my will to World Horse Welfare who have such a scheme. I know some would object to leaving a horse to a charity but if it could be ridden then the chances are it would find a loan home pretty quickly.
 
I think the most infuriating thing about this thread is that no-one knows whether the horse is actually sellable or not, so of course it seems like people are jumping to conclusions.

If the thread said owner wants to PTS, horse is quirky a bit arthritic.. The comments would most definitely be in agreement. However if the thread said owner wants to PTS, horse is a nice person, has been a successful RC type, sound and fit.. There would generally be uproar here too.

Nobody knows so really, we can't pass judgement.
 
this is a really interesting thread and one where my opinion has been going back and forth.

at first i was quite horrified. i will admit it. now we don't know the whole story. but assuming the horse is fit and healthy and rideable and safe. i was quite shocked.

but then i thought about my own two horses. for those of you that know me i am in northern Spain and rescued two mares from pretty awful situations. they are young-ish, healthy, rideable, locely personality horses. if i ever had to up sticks and move back somewhere and couldnt bring them... what would i do?

i know that there is virtually zero chance of me finding them an owner here who will respect them and treat them the way they deserve. apologies to any Spanish on the forum. but certainly in this part of Spain i can count on one hand the number of horses i have seen that have good homes if you get my gist.

i wouls have to have them PTS. i couldnt bear the thought of my beautiful ladies being maltreated or being unhappy. but that is here where horses are viewed very differently than the UK. there is no RSPCA, or welfare officers to report things to. and nobody cares. but is it really that hard to find a decent loving home in the UK?? i have no idea.
 
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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With all due respect I am entitled to my opinion and will express it as others have done. The OP has asked for opinions I am entitled to share mine as everyone else has.
And yes I do think its selfish and putting her feelings before the horse. Just because SHE can not bare to loan or sell the animal must die!?!! Sorry but I find that so very sad
 
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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Excuse me!? No one is ganging up or bullying anyone. OP asked for opinions people are giving them. If you don't like it then dont read the thread!
 
We seem to have very limited information to pass any sort of judgement on.

If we are talking about healthy relatively uncomplicated 10 year old I would find that decision a bit bonkers and am very thankful that neither of our horses previous owners made that decision or we wouldn't have them!
 
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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This.

I don't think it's acceptable to PTS a perfectly healthy horse, especially when they're still relatively young. I could half understand if the horse was a veteran, but it isn't. I must say, I'm quite surprised by how many there are on this forum who see horses as nothing more than property that can be PTS for convenience.

If she does have that horse PTS, then I hope she's prosecuted.
 
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VikingSong said:
This.

I don't think it's acceptable to PTS a perfectly healthy horse, especially when they're still relatively young. I could half understand if the horse was a veteran, but it isn't. I must say, I'm quite surprised by how many there are on this forum who see horses as nothing more than property that can be PTS for convenience.

If she does have that horse PTS, then I hope she's prosecuted.
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IF it is perfectly healthy, IF it is rideable, IF it has no issues.......it is still perfectly legal for an owner to dispose of a horse by euthanasia.
 
VikingSong said:
This.

I don't think it's acceptable to PTS a perfectly healthy horse, especially when they're still relatively young. I could half understand if the horse was a veteran, but it isn't. I must say, I'm quite surprised by how many there are on this forum who see horses as nothing more than property that can be PTS for convenience.

If she does have that horse PTS, then I hope she's prosecuted.
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So sending through an auction (as another poster suggested) where potentially it could go for meat is better?
 
VikingSong said:
This.

I don't think it's acceptable to PTS a perfectly healthy horse, especially when they're still relatively young. I could half understand if the horse was a veteran, but it isn't. I must say, I'm quite surprised by how many there are on this forum who see horses as nothing more than property that can be PTS for convenience.

If she does have that horse PTS, then I hope she's prosecuted.[/QUOTE

What would the charge be?
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VikingSong said:
This.

I don't think it's acceptable to PTS a perfectly healthy horse, especially when they're still relatively young. I could half understand if the horse was a veteran, but it isn't. I must say, I'm quite surprised by how many there are on this forum who see horses as nothing more than property that can be PTS for convenience.

If she does have that horse PTS, then I hope she's prosecuted.
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Always wise to read and have the ability to understand, the thread from the opening comment prior to opening ones mouth.
 
VikingSong said:
This.

I don't think it's acceptable to PTS a perfectly healthy horse, especially when they're still relatively young. I could half understand if the horse was a veteran, but it isn't. I must say, I'm quite surprised by how many there are on this forum who see horses as nothing more than property that can be PTS for convenience.

If she does have that horse PTS, then I hope she's prosecuted.
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I was not going to answer this thread but this highly judgemental comment must be challenged.
Do you REALLY know the horse in question? There are many fabulous looking horses around for all outward appearances healthy, successful etc - but without knowing every detail of how they have become/remained like that ( and the owner, and perhaps their vet arre the only ones who REALLY know) can you be sure that this is the case. I know a few horses like this, including one of my own, but to keep them healthy in both body and mind needs expensive and time-consuming care, management and access to specialised facilities.

These horses are FAR from commodities to their owners and the real fear is that without the special care the horse would soon be on a downward spiral.
 
Equine_Dream said:
With all due respect I am entitled to my opinion and will express it as others have done. The OP has asked for opinions I am entitled to share mine as everyone else has.
And yes I do think its selfish and putting her feelings before the horse. Just because SHE can not bare to loan or sell the animal must die!?!! Sorry but I find that so very sad
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it's probably not the fact she can't bare to loan or sell she probably does not trust anyone enough to take care of the animal and quite frankly I don't blame her, some of the welfare cases that have come to light recently with well known well respected horse people failing to give there horses basic care, I have been shocked beyond belief at what has come to light is there any wonder, if you sell your horse to someone there is no guarantee they won't sell on to just anyone, and it's a sad fact of today that so many people do not give a *****, I would not be able to sleep at night wondering if my horse was being fed and being looked after so I know what's I would choose.
 
Pinkvboots said:
it's probably not the fact she can't bare to loan or sell she probably does not trust anyone enough to take care of the animal and quite frankly I don't blame her, some of the welfare cases that have come to light recently with well known well respected horse people failing to give there horses basic care, I have been shocked beyond belief at what has come to light is there any wonder, if you sell your horse to someone there is no guarantee they won't sell on to just anyone, and it's a sad fact of today that so many people do not give a *****, I would not be able to sleep at night wondering if my horse was being fed and being looked after so I know what's I would choose.
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But you could say that about just about anything. My cat came from a sanctuary and is now leading a life of bliss. My horse got 17.5 extra years of life because I stood up for her and didn't just give up and replace her, despite the cost, not only financial, to myself. Not everyone is a horrible uncaring person who gets an animal just because they fancy the idea of it. The horse could actually end up with a better owner than it has right now after all - we don't know how she cares for the animal, what standard of knowledge she has etc.
TBH, looking at all the kerfuffle this post has caused, the OP would have done far better to think whatever she likes but not say anything in public.
 
Goldenstar said:
It is, but there's no reason why a nice sound ten year old won't find a good home so if it were me I would sell carefully to the right person .
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who says the owner has the time, energy, money or health to do such a thing? that requires continuing to look after the horse, pay for it, go to viewings.
If the owners only option is sell quickly + cheaply or PTS ... i can completely understand.
 
Pinkvboots said:
it's probably not the fact she can't bare to loan or sell she probably does not trust anyone enough to take care of the animal and quite frankly I don't blame her, some of the welfare cases that have come to light recently with well known well respected horse people failing to give there horses basic care, I have been shocked beyond belief at what has come to light is there any wonder, if you sell your horse to someone there is no guarantee they won't sell on to just anyone, and it's a sad fact of today that so many people do not give a *****, I would not be able to sleep at night wondering if my horse was being fed and being looked after so I know what's I would choose.
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If everyone thought like that then none of us would have our horses, unless bred by ourselves, and some horses would have some very short lives indeed!
Im sorry but I just dont think its right to play god and cut short the life of a beautiful healthy animal just because of your own selfish feelings. We're not talking about scrapping a car here. Its a life.
 
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Equine_Dream said:
If everyone thought like that then none of us would have our horses, unless bred by ourselves, and some horses would have some very short lives indeed!
Im sorry but I just dont think its right to play god and cut short the life of a beautiful healthy animal just because of your own selfish feelings. We're not talking about scrapping a car here. Its a life.
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I know I agree but you can't help people for thinking this way with all the neglected horses you hear of it makes you worry about where or how yours might end up, or the said person might not even be bothered to try and re home and thats the reason we just dont know, I am all for giving any horse a chance if I can, if someone in the yard next door was in this situation I would be the first to offer my empty stable to them to help them out if they needed some help until there situation changed f thats what they wanted, but at the same time if pts was what they wanted I would accept there wishes.
 
If this lady took her horse to a market there is no knowing where it will end up, could go for meat, could go to a bad owner, if the horse is pts, at least she will be able to sleep at night without wondering if the horse is suffering somewhere. I would be of the opinion that this lady is taking a very responsible outlook and it will not have been an easy decision for her to make or carry out.
 
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