Putting a healthy horse down

HGA-12 said:
Well considering there are 39 post of their posts I doubt it.

Maybe they got scared off or upset by some of the members post. It is normal you place an innocent post then it gets twisted and makes the Op feel they don't want to return.
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The issue I am a little disturbed by is the OP should have really not put it on here if truth be known especially something so emotive. Its ok if it was their horse however I really do not think it is fair to talk about another owners situation and the decisions they have had to come too. If indeed it is as described I do not envy them and all this thread has done is make a horrible situation worse for that person if they find out about it. Do we really want that on our conscience as that person has not asked for our comments. I hope they could draw some comfort from the fact the majority to my mind sympathise and understand.
If the owner indeed is aware of this thread please get the OP to reply to my PM as I wish to offer you another option where you are still in control but have the weight taken off your shoulders at this time.
If not I send you my best wishes and hope this has indeed has not made a horrible situation intolerable and good luck .
To the judgemental lot I sincerely hope you never end up in such a desperate situation!
 
For me it really depends on the horse.

A healthy, relatively sensible 10 year old should be sold I think...

But then when my mum was diagnosed with a terminal illness (was given 6 months, ended up being 3), we made the decision to have 2 of our horses PTS.

One had navicular and to be honest I think we would of done it before that winter anyway as she was struggling when it was cold and wet.

The other was a stunning 12 year old Welsh x. But she had a HUGE array of issues. She was a serious rearer and still quirky to manage on the ground, we'd retired her a year or so previous to this after trying to fix her for 6 years as her behaviour was too unpredictable.

So when the time came where I would of struggled to pay for and take care of 4 horses myself, we decided to let them go. I really really struggled with the Welsh. When I looked at her in the field that morning, alert, shiny coat...it felt like murder.

But after it was done, it was the right decision. I struggle enough with 2, 3 would of been incredibly hard, and for what really? She didn't know what was coming.

Luckily Im on a very supportive yard and no one questioned our decision. I think in part my mum also found it comforting to think they would 'go with her'.
 
The opening post says it's a lovely horse but doesn't mention health / soundness or straight forwardness to ride.
I know some lovely horses that are only sound due to extensive management/drugs /shoeing that I would recommend pts rather than pass on.
I know lovely sound horses that have lots of hidden Health issues.
I know lovely horses that are a nightmare to ride. Again I think it may be very difficult to find the right home for them. Especially if circumstances mean time is against the owner.
I suspect there is more to this story and wouldn't judge without hearing the whole story.
 
For those asking if I'm a troll I am not. I haven't replied as I've been overwhelmed by all of this. As my original post said this has really played on my mind. For those saying "the lady " will see this. I can assure you she won't. For those that say the post should be pulled- I've been trying to work out how to do that since yesterday, so by all means report it and get it pulled. To all those who have in boxed me trying to help, thank you but that is not what this post was about. To all those in boxing me abuse, I can only encourage you to get a life.
 
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 agree with you i think its a very selfish decision and she is denying the horse the entitlement to live a happy and prosperous life. Yes its her horse and her decision but its a very selfish one, she could end up in a lovely home . Cant she consider a rescue centre!?! Poor horse 😖😖
 
smellydogjack said:
For those asking if I'm a troll I am not. I haven't replied as I've been overwhelmed by all of this. As my original post said this has really played on my mind. For those saying "the lady " will see this. I can assure you she won't. For those that say the post should be pulled- I've been trying to work out how to do that since yesterday, so by all means report it and get it pulled. To all those who have in boxed me trying to help, thank you but that is not what this post was about. To all those in boxing me abuse, I can only encourage you to get a life.
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I am appalled and horrified that people pm abuse, please report them to admin. It isn't you who is making the decision anyway! I apologise for all the vicious losers out there.
 
smellydogjack said:
For those asking if I'm a troll I am not. I haven't replied as I've been overwhelmed by all of this. As my original post said this has really played on my mind. For those saying "the lady " will see this. I can assure you she won't. For those that say the post should be pulled- I've been trying to work out how to do that since yesterday, so by all means report it and get it pulled. To all those who have in boxed me trying to help, thank you but that is not what this post was about. To all those in boxing me abuse, I can only encourage you to get a life.
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Like the last line, i totally get you! Your only pointing out a situation ������������
 
Gixxernic said:
I agree with you i think its a very selfish decision and she is denying the horse the entitlement to live a happy and prosperous life. Yes its her horse and her decision but its a very selfish one, she could end up in a lovely home . Cant she consider a rescue centre!?! Poor horse ����
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Somewhere like hillside maybe . I hope one day there is Karma for those sympathetic comments!
 
I bought a horse in her late teens, from a family home. She had previously been working a RS for 4 yrs, who had very responsibly decided to find her a good home before she got too old to work in the RS or to rehome. On paper the family I bought her from were perfect for her, experienced mum and 2 daughters, one a very capable rider, and a novice dad who needed a weight-carrier, which she definitely is. BUT the family had let her get very overweight, ridden her in ill-fitting tack, ignored her when she tried to tell them that she was uncomfortable, in fact worse still, been rough when she threatened to bite because the bridle was too tight. The horse was very unhappy and closed down when I met her. When I talked to them it became obvious that they buy horses and sell them on quite often (not as a business but because they wanted something different).
It is not easy to find a horse an excellent home.
If you are having to put all your energy into dealing with divorce, bereavement, financial disaster, serious illness, or worse still terminal illness of a family member or yourself, there is very little opportunity to spend time, energy and money vetting homes.
i am another who is of the opinion that this lady's mistake is discussing her decision with her fellow liveries, who are obviously not able to put themselves in her place at a difficult time. I really don't understand why some feel that they have the right to judge the actions of others, unless, of course, they can offer the horse a home for life, which I assume no-one has done.


ETA, OP, I understand that you started this thread to ask for the opinions of fellow horse-owners who do not know the horse or its owner, almost as a hypothetical question and definitely not asking for abuse of the owner or yourself, which is completely unjustified.
 
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Clodagh said:
I am appalled and horrified that people pm abuse, please report them to admin. It isn't you who is making the decision anyway! I apologise for all the vicious losers out there.
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^^ this. I don't understand why some people have to get so carried away when it's none of our business really anyway.
 
stormox said:
There are way too many horses around, and not enough good homes for them. If the owner wants the horse PTS, its her horse, her decision.
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I think you missed out a vital element in your first sentence there - there are too many {poor quality, poorly bred, poorly trained} horses around... The dog world is no different with many casual owners determined to have a litter out of their bitch because they don't want to deprive them of the experience (yes honestly, people have told me that to my face) and they fail to mention that the fact they can get £500 a pup is actually the real reason for it. Easy money. The sanctuaries are full of pregnant or nursing cats because the owners didn't bother to consider neutering. It is people that have caused the glut of animals, not the animals themselves, but it is always those poor souls that have to pay for it. And many pay with their lives.
 
Equine_Dream said:
Please keep your patronising comments to yourself. There is no need to get personal. I will state how I feel thank you. And yes I do feel sorry for this horse. Sue me!
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Nothing personal unless you want to take it that way! A bit more understanding of what brings an owner to make this decision would probably make you look like you had some compassion. Its not a decision any of us would want to be in the position to have to make. Luckily the horse is unaware so how are they being mistreated which would be the logical reason to feel sorry for her.
There are lots of people offering to help out of compassion for the owner and their situation yet those who only think about the horse are no doubt those sending abussive PMs about it. Which is the right course of action?
 
popsdosh said:
There are lots of people offering to help out of compassion for the owner and their situation yet those who only think about the horse are no doubt those sending abussive PMs about it. Which is the right course of action?
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That's a very big and defective assumption to make. How do you know that the abusive PMs are not from people who think the OP should not have started a thread about someone else's very emotive situation? Why would they only be from people caring about the horse? Ridiculous!

A more useful thread would have been giving more details about the horse in question because no doubt some people on here may well have been able to offer a loving home.
 
Wagtail said:
That's a very big and defective assumption to make. How do you know that the abusive PMs are not from people who think the OP should not have started a thread about someone else's very emotive situation? Why would they only be from people caring about the horse? Ridiculous!

A more useful thread would have been giving more details about the horse in question because no doubt some people on here may well have been able to offer a loving home.
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I think generally starting threads about other peoples horses is generally going to lead to problems. To be honest i do question why? sometimes as you dont know the whole story.
 
popsdosh said:
Nothing personal unless you want to take it that way! A bit more understanding of what brings an owner to make this decision would probably make you look like you had some compassion. Its not a decision any of us would want to be in the position to have to make. Luckily the horse is unaware so how are they being mistreated which would be the logical reason to feel sorry for her.
There are lots of people offering to help out of compassion for the owner and their situation yet those who only think about the horse are no doubt those sending abussive PMs about it. Which is the right course of action?
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Im sorry but I find the "get real" remark patronising and personal. I have not sent an abusive pm nor do I condone it. You dont know who is sending the pms so perhaps its worth not makinf accusations just yet.
You have no right to dictate how people should feel. On the info we have been given my sympathies are with the poor horse. I dont see why you find me stating that I feel sorry for the animal so horrific, but that is my feeling on the situation nevertheless
 
One would hope that in a situation like this, that the woman's horsey friends would rally round and help sell/rehome the mare. Assuming that the mare is as described.
 
The reason this thread has got so heated is the horse's age but, really, that is not relevant. The horse could break a leg in the field today and nobody would say "don't pts". The horse has no idea how old it is or what potential it has. Beef cattle go to slaughter at 24 months and anyone who is not vegetarian condones an early death for most farm animals simply because they eat meat.

I am lucky enough to have a "plan B" if my life changes drastically as my horse will be gifted to a friend who knows him well, will deal with his "issues" like biting and is capable of riding what can be an over-sensitive, unpredictable, horse. However, before I bought him, he had been passed from pillar to post and, if I could not ensure his long-term future, I would seriously consider pts even though he is only 13. I would hate him to return to being the upset, shut-down, unsettled horse that I bought. I know there are some great owners out there but I also know he went through four in less than a year as no-one really wanted him.
 
Regandal said:
One would hope that in a situation like this, that the woman's horsey friends would rally round and help sell/rehome the mare. Assuming that the mare is as described.[/QUOTE

Her horsey friends should respect her decision, if she wanted to sell/rehome she would (you hope) ask for help. She obviously has her reasons and she doesn't have to justify herself to anyone. It is rather a shame she disclosed her plans.
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I don't feel sorry for the horse, it is well looked after and will meet a kind end. I think people's energies would be better placed in getting irate about the countless horses that actually are suffering right now facing neglect and abuse on a daily basis. Those are the animals who need our support the most and what rescue centres are meant for.
 
I always find it amazing on this forum that differing opinions are not allowed to exist.OP must have known this was going to be a contentious topic as she stated that she was torn herself.
We have only the stated information that the owner wouldn't trust a loan home and could not bear to sell. No mention is made that any attempt to rehome the horse, therefore we must assume that this has not happened and the owner wishes to have the mare pts because she cannot bear the thought of anyone else enjoying her. She has a 'life changing situation' which could mean anything from divorce, finance, illness or having to move abroad etc. Whatever the situation is, is it fair that just because a human has a problem everything in their sphere or control must suffer the consequences? It sort of reminds me of the situations where a father finds his life intolerable so he gasses his children in the car with him. Now you can all have a good argument about me saying that. But I believe that not trying to sort the situation out in any way possible is selfish. There are good homes out there, presumably most posters on this forum have bought a horse at some time and consider that they have provided a good home ( or perhaps not, which could explain some of the comments). Plenty of people on this forum sell horses.....do they always consider that they have sold to a home that will abuse? Of course not!
So the only real reason for this horse being pts that we have so far is that the owner cannot bear to sell it. I still find that selfish.
 
popsdosh said:
I think generally starting threads about other peoples horses is generally going to lead to problems. To be honest i do question why? sometimes as you dont know the whole story.
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Agreed.

As to abusive PMs, well you only have to look at Faceache. Its a national sport to send insults in print.
 
I have I missed the part where it's confirmed that the horse in question is a somekind of perfectly ridable alrounder that would be easy to rehome??
All I can see from OP is that the horse is 10yrs old and that in her personal opinion, which shouldn't be mistaken for fact, lovely and healthy, there has been no mention that this horse is ridable and it could be extremely quirky and taken the poor owner many years to learn how to deal with, there could well be long term health or conformation issues.

At the end of the day though if the horse is not suffering it is none of anybody elses business and shame on anybody who tries to bring down anybody just because they hold a difference in opinion.
 
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jrp204 said:
Regandal said:
One would hope that in a situation like this, that the woman's horsey friends would rally round and help sell/rehome the mare. Assuming that the mare is as described.[/QUOTE

Her horsey friends should respect her decision, if she wanted to sell/rehome she would (you hope) ask for help. She obviously has her reasons and she doesn't have to justify herself to anyone. It is rather a shame she disclosed her plans.
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Right so just because shes now decided that no one else could possibly offer her mare a home as good as hers, the mare must die!? Sorry but I find that utterly ridiculous and selfish beyond belief! What if someone decided that their horse was suddenly the wrong colour and wanted it pts, or the kids have outgrown it so lets pts, or its crap at jumping so lets just pts? Would you just say "oh well its their horse".
Do you know I hope the owner does see this thread and I hope it makes her think and realise how utterly selfish shes being. Poor horse.
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cobgoblin said:
I always find it amazing on this forum that differing opinions are not allowed to exist.OP must have known this was going to be a contentious topic as she stated that she was torn herself.
We have only the stated information that the owner wouldn't trust a loan home and could not bear to sell. No mention is made that any attempt to rehome the horse, therefore we must assume that this has not happened and the owner wishes to have the mare pts because she cannot bear the thought of anyone else enjoying her. She has a 'life changing situation' which could mean anything from divorce, finance, illness or having to move abroad etc. Whatever the situation is, is it fair that just because a human has a problem everything in their sphere or control must suffer the consequences? It sort of reminds me of the situations where a father finds his life intolerable so he gasses his children in the car with him. Now you can all have a good argument about me saying that. But I believe that not trying to sort the situation out in any way possible is selfish. There are good homes out there, presumably most posters on this forum have bought a horse at some time and consider that they have provided a good home ( or perhaps not, which could explain some of the comments). Plenty of people on this forum sell horses.....do they always consider that they have sold to a home that will abuse? Of course not!
So the only real reason for this horse being pts that we have so far is that the owner cannot bear to sell it. I still find that selfish.
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Well said! I couldn't agree more!
 
Not enough info here to judge. Doesn't say what exactly is wrong with the horse. I'll assume there is something very wrong with it if the owner thinks no one else can look after it but them so it must be pts. Surely this is not a useful healthy horse?
 
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