Putting a horse down for financial reasons

Our old chap had an old unstable tendon injury too. It definitely formed part of the thought process. You always have in the back of your mind that if it ever properly goes again then that's it. And of course it's more likely to break down as he gets older and it's more likely to break down if he slips in the winter mud..... Our boy's teeth had started deteriorating too and he was getting prone to choke. So we asked ourselves whether it would be better for him to go while he was, to all external purposes at least, looking well, or whether we should wait until he had a crisis.
 
Oh goodness, how utterly heartbreaking for you. It must be so hard to have to consider parting with a horse that your mother entrusted to you. The emotions must really complicate an already traumatic decision.

A few things stand out to me. Firstly, you say that he has a tendon injury which has not really recovered. Then you mention that he is "mostly" field sound.

So what you are really doing, is considering putting a 26 year old horse, which is not always comfortable in the field, to sleep. And that seems completely, totally reasonable to me.

Could it be that because of the attachment to your mother, you are piling on more guilt than necessary? If this was your horse; old, unsound and not likely to improve, what decision would you be making for him?

To be honest, taking the finances completely out of the picture, if one of mine wasn't 100% field sound, at 26, I'd be looking at calling it a day.
 
noodle_ said:
I, personally would rather see an older horse put down quietly at home, than be passed along...used and abused

If you can't afford him, please don't palm him off on charities...do the right thing
Click to expand...

Also totally agree, you sound like a very sensible person op and my heart goes out to you it really does as its the hardest part of horse keeping. Big hug x
 
noodle_ said:
I, personally would rather see an older horse put down quietly at home, than be passed along...used and abused

If you can't afford him, please don't palm him off on charities...do the right thing
Click to expand...

This
And sympathy, we loose my oldie today for health reasons and its killing me, couldn't imagine risking her being passed about though.
 
Op, remember the horse has no idea what is going on, so long as its done at home there are worse options than pts. No- one will thank you for going into debt over an old horse. Your mother would probably be horrified to know you are struggling financially to keep him.
I've got an elderly mostly retired horse that I love to bits & can afford to keep. If my finances changed I wouldn't hesitate, he's had a great life
But make sure you are emotionally ready if you make the decision, I imagine it may kick off the grieving process for your mother as he may be a last bond with her.
 
Gmj6789 said:
Hi, I am a new poster here but am going round in circles with this dilemma and would like some impartial advice.

As per the title I am considering having my gelding put to sleep for what would be mainly financial reasons. To give some background, he is 26 (with associated old age conditions and afflictions, but none of which are terribly serious), he was actually my mothers horse but I inherited him when she died 4 years ago (he was already retired at that point), he is a gentle soul who potters about occasionally with my young children on him but is generally just content mooching about the field. However, we live in the South East so he costs me around £3000 per year to keep even just on grass livery, and I am increasingly struggling to justify spending this amount when I also have a young family to support. I am currently using savings to pay for his keep but this is obviously not an infinite fund.

I think the thing I feel most guilty about when considering this is that I have my own horse who I am obviously also paying for. He is 14 and until recently was on loan to an equine college but unfortunately was returned with a whole host of health issues (which is a whole other story!) but I am slowly getting him sound and it is so nice to have him back.

Any advice, experience and opinions would be appreciated as I really am at a loss as to what to do next.

GMJ
Click to expand...

Putting him down is a very sensible and responsible decision. I am pretty much thinking of doing the same with my oldie and a 12 year old serious issues, would be irresponsible to pass either on when so many good, healthy ones are looking for homes. Wish more people would think like this.
 
This breaks my heart for you :(

We had two old horses put to sleep in the last year. Both had very sudden age related issues that needed pts as quick as possible. One was 29, the other 28. I think not that many horses make it past their late 20s if I'm honest. As hard as it is, I think you are just bringing forward a decision you know you are going to have to make in a couple of years anyway. So I would spoil him, take some great pictures, maybe get together an album of your mums pics too, and let him go join your mum. Xx
 
I really feel for you, I have had a few PTS over the last couple of years, they were my children's ponies so you are not only dealing with the death of the animal but the memories of past times. I am a Mum with grown up children and I would not want them to be stressed by thinking that they have a financial burden of my remaining animals, as my husband has no interest in horses. I would have him PTS before the bad weather and make sure you have a good wake afterwards.
 
Personally for me I would PTS at home, it's far better to do it too early than to leave it too late (either in terms of the horses health implication or in terms of you getting yourself into finical difficulties) let him go now while he is well fed, loved and reasonable comfortable rather than wait until something gives. You have said yourself he is not suitable for rehoming. Good luck with your decision I know its not easy.
 
I would have the vet out and get him quietly put down at home. Also I would do it while the weather was still nice and there is grass to eat, this is probably one of the nicest months from a horses POV, so do it before he is struggling in cold and mud.
 
I feel for you OP and have been there in as much as I inherited my mum's dogs six years ago and this year had to make the decision to let the older one be PTS.

I agree with those saying PTS quietly at home. Your mum would not want you to have an endless struggle to look after him.

If it helps, I told the old dog she was going to join my mum and, while I'm not a believer, I do occasionally hope to myself that it is true and that we are all reunited after death.

Hugs.
 
Clodagh said:
I would have the vet out and get him quietly put down at home. Also I would do it while the weather was still nice and there is grass to eat, this is probably one of the nicest months from a horses POV, so do it before he is struggling in cold and mud.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I was going to say.

You are doing the right thing OP, please don't beat yourself up about it x
 
LadyGascoyne said:
Oh goodness, how utterly heartbreaking for you. It must be so hard to have to consider parting with a horse that your mother entrusted to you. The emotions must really complicate an already traumatic decision.

A few things stand out to me. Firstly, you say that he has a tendon injury which has not really recovered. Then you mention that he is "mostly" field sound.

So what you are really doing, is considering putting a 26 year old horse, which is not always comfortable in the field, to sleep. And that seems completely, totally reasonable to me.

Could it be that because of the attachment to your mother, you are piling on more guilt than necessary? If this was your horse; old, unsound and not likely to improve, what decision would you be making for him?

To be honest, taking the finances completely out of the picture, if one of mine wasn't 100% field sound, at 26, I'd be looking at calling it a day.
Click to expand...

Agree. Poor lad, you have done very well by him and given him those 4 extra years to have a happy and peaceful retirement.

If you went up to the field tomorrow and he was very lame, the decision would be made for you. I would do as another suggested, book a date, give him fuss, take some pictures and then have him PTS in this nice autumn weather rather than wait for a crisis. Don't feel guiltly, feel as though you made his last years happy and comfortable and given him a dignified end.
 
OP, please read the link in my signature. It may help you to feel better about the decision you are considering.

I take my hat off to any person who can make a decision like this rather than pass a horse on to an uncertain future. My thoughts are with you and I really hope that you can understand what a responsible attitude you have and how much support there will be here for you.

xx
 
I myself wouldn't pts purely for financial reasons but then I wouldn't want him passed around either.
But he is 26, he's had a good life, a good retirement and he's not completely sound. I do think the kindest thing would be pts if you look at the whole picture, I really feel for you in this decision. Also he may well detoriate in the next few years if you kept him as he is and you may wish you'd pts earlier
Good luck with whatever you decide xx
 
I don't think I'd pts if he's happy and healthy for his age. I would look at rehoming your own horse or having him PTS if his health issues warrant this rather have pts a horse who was entrusted to me by a dead relative.
But saying that I don't think your mum would want you to be struggling because of this.
 
Just reading this in Jan 2015 - wondering what your decision was and how you are doing? I am facing a dilemma with an older horse and found this post really helpful.
 
suej102 said:
Just reading this in Jan 2015 - wondering what your decision was and how you are doing? I am facing a dilemma with an older horse and found this post really helpful.
Click to expand...
Hi, after the helpful advice on here I plucked up the courage to talk to my vet, she offered to come out and give an honest 'quality of life' opinion on the old boy and echoed the sentiments of many on here that it is a privilege as a responsible owner to be able to choose quality of life over quantity. However when she saw him she felt he was doing ok and it would certainly not be cruel to at least try another winter, so I decided to struggle on. Then I found a sharer for my boy ad things were looking up a bit. About a month later H suddenly went massively downhill, he was struggling to catch a breath, his coat seemed to go dull overnight and he just looked sunken. The final straw was when he started dragging both hind legs and at that point both YO and vet suggested it would be kinder to let go than try to diagnose/manage yet another issue. The hunt were called, they were incredibly professional, he went with a carrot in his mouth and was none the wiser as to what was happening. I will admit to feeling a great mix of sadness and also relief, but actually I do not regret it and I do think it is exactly what my mum would have done in the circumstances too. Hope that helps.
 
Gmj6789 said:
Hi, after the helpful advice on here I plucked up the courage to talk to my vet, she offered to come out and give an honest 'quality of life' opinion on the old boy and echoed the sentiments of many on here that it is a privilege as a responsible owner to be able to choose quality of life over quantity. However when she saw him she felt he was doing ok and it would certainly not be cruel to at least try another winter, so I decided to struggle on. Then I found a sharer for my boy ad things were looking up a bit. About a month later H suddenly went massively downhill, he was struggling to catch a breath, his coat seemed to go dull overnight and he just looked sunken. The final straw was when he started dragging both hind legs and at that point both YO and vet suggested it would be kinder to let go than try to diagnose/manage yet another issue. The hunt were called, they were incredibly professional, he went with a carrot in his mouth and was none the wiser as to what was happening. I will admit to feeling a great mix of sadness and also relief, but actually I do not regret it and I do think it is exactly what my mum would have done in the circumstances too. Hope that helps.
Click to expand...

Lovely to get a update, so often your left thinking " wonder what happened"
 
Sorry to hear of your loss, but glad to hear that your horse made the decision for you in the end. It would have been a very tough decision to make whilst he was still comfortable, albeit ailing slightly.
 
sorry you have to go through this, I had to go through something similar in 2012 when I had to put my boy to sleep. He had quite bad arthritis - do i keep him and retire him with his medical bills costing a lot and me not being able to ride or afford another horse or do i put him to sleep. We chose to put him to sleep 1 being due to that its better of doing it now before he gets any worse 3 because he was not the sort of horse to be retired easily he would get worked up if he wasn’t worked and 3 due to the financial reasons I didn’t want to pay out all the money that would be prolonging the inevitable :(
 
Thank you for the update, at least he went as soon as necessary and you did the right thing, which is important.
 
Well done you - I am in a similar position atm so know how utterly horrible it is to have to 'make the decision'….you did the best for you, and more importantly, your horse.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top