Putting a Horse to Sleep

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Jopaado

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Hi. I’ve had a horse for about 3/4 years now. She was bought for eventing (£18k) 70cm start and we came 3rd in our first comp. I was happy as Larry. Then she started to go lame within 5 months of the purchase. Turns out she had everything wrong. So I’ve rehabilitated her as much as possible and even moved to a place with land, but it’s not really enough. During that time I’ve broken my back (not riding), lost all confidence & she has been on and off, moves likes she’s in pain, so has been retired but in full livery as I just couldn’t find anyone to take her over this winter. Her breeder (vet) offered to take her back but she wants to breed from her. I think it’s cruel and unethical. And in the last year I’ve come close to bankruptcy. I don’t have quite enough land to keep 2 horses. Possibly over the summer I can. But I’m going to need to get in debt to buy a field shelter and hay feeder. And given my situation I don’t feel super confident. Plus it takes time I need to be trying to earn money. She is also a little bit of handful. And everyone who has had her in livery says she’s not a horse for being out full time. I’ve been advised several times to put her to sleep. And it’s killing me to face it, I’ve just given notice on my livery as I cannot afford it and may default on my mortgage soon. I don’t think I can cope with her at home. And I’m worried that retirement will be too harsh. Should I put her to sleep? I can’t and wouldn’t give her away.
 
You already know the answer. No horse should make you miserable, or poor. She doesn't sound has if she's going to be happy in retirement, so PTS sounds a perfectly sensible plan. Depending on her issues, she could be a brood mare, but she won't know she has a job, so would still he stood in a field with nothing to do. No horse has ever been unhappy to be PTS, so don't let guilt talk you out of it.

My advice would be to get it right in your head, then make the call. Don't tell anyone else and definitely don't ask others opinions! It's your call and as long as you know it's the right thing for both of you, that's really all that matters.
 
PTS sounds like a fair decision for both of you. If you are struggling with the practicalities if you are a member of BHS their friends at the end service is supposed to be good or if you feel comfortable saying roughly where you are and need someone to be there on the day there may be someone on here who could help
 
I would agree that PTS is the right thing to do. Many years ago my horse vet who was also a good friend once advised me not to bankrupt myself keeping old horses, I had quite a few at the time who were getting on a bit. Same goes for unsound horses. He had one client who was doing just that and really shouldn't have been.
 
Jopaado said:
I am sincerely grateful for the responses. I've not actually cried since this all started three years ago and just a little understanding & support from this forum started a long time coming sob !
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I found myself in floods asking advice for one I'd unintentionally ended up with - who was in a really bad way. It's just so final isn't it? But there's no shame in putting down a horse in pain - quite the opposite. It's a brave decision to choose a peaceful end xx
 
I guarantee this is the worst bit. Once it's done and you don't have to worry about her anymore, it will be easier. It would be easier for you if you arrived at the yard one day to find her with a broken leg, or severe colic, then you wouldn't have to decide. I'm sure you don't want that for her and by making the decision now you'll be saving her from suffering. My old girl looked the picture of health the day she went, which made it harder at the time, but looking back, I'm glad she went while she still had her spark. It would have been far worse for me if I'd waited until she went downhill.
 
Do not feel bad about having to make this decision, because you will never have to worry about what will happen her again, and once you have got over the loss you will sleep in peace. This bit is the hard part. I suggest you do not discuss with people in real life because I have been there and few understand and give simplistic unworkable answers
Ring the ,https://nfsco.co.uk/equine-endoflife, the lady who answers the phone can go through your choices about costs.
Try not beat yourself up, its not only the lose of the horse but also all the dreams and good times that went with it.
 
100% the right decision for her and for you.

As others have said, DO NOT discuss with others in real life, unless you are sure they will be understanding.

Make the decision, and you both can be at peace.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
It sounds to me as if pts is the best course of action for both of you. You are absolutely right that an unsound horse shouldn't be bred from. She won't know anything about it and you certainly shouldn't risk missing a mortgage payment to keep an unsound horse going.
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Sorry you are facing this but I agree with this, and others above.

In some circumstances I personally hold the view that PTS is a responsible decision to control your horses future.

Be kind to yourself.
 
No one with any compassion or common sense would berate you for taking the decision to pts .
People can be full of opinions when it’s not their problem.
Please be kind to yourself, secure your future and a safe end for your horse .
 
rabatsa said:
Take into account if finance is a major headache that getting a knackerman to come and shoot, bypassing a vet visit, is just as kind and far cheaper than using the vet and paying the knackerman.
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Or use your local hunt kennels which will also be cheaper than the vet.

Making the decision is the hardest part, the rest is just a process albeit a sad one.
 
So very sorry you are in this position; one thing that appalls me is that someone who is a "vet" could ever think of breeding from a horse with the issues that you describe.

Would agree with the comments on here. Just a little sensitive mention re. "method". Our chosen way of doing things at my yard is to utilise a licensed knackerman; this particular person has an outstanding reputation in my area (SW) for doing a good job with sensitivity and expertise, and we've used him before. Personally I would not engage the services of a vet to PTS unless there was no other option available. Seriously, none of the horses who we've had the gun for have known anything about what was about to happen; whereas with lethal injection my main argument for not using this method is the time it takes - and that is time where the horse is actually aware that they are going to fall - whereas with the gun they're gobbing down a bucket of carrots one minute, and by the time you've heard the shot apparently they are dead. Gone. End of.

Thinking of you at this time, it isn't ever easy.
 
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