Gillythomp
New User
Hi I’ve had a long and difficult journey with my mare. She was first diagnosed with ulcers in 2021 after full on bronking me off on a hack which left me - and her - in hospital. Successfully treated the ulcers.
Same behaviour a year later (no hospital this time thankfully) so I had full investigations. Kissing spine found and surgery done, plus large overactive ovaries which were removed. This was 2023.
We were on a journey together working with a behavioural trainer to support her to regulate her emotions and deal with the previous trauma and hopefully to resume riding at some point.
October 24 I had to move yards as she was on her own in the field and needed companionship. Moved to a lovely peaceful yard where she settled beautifully with an established herd of mares and geldings. Vet prescribed Omeprazole to support the move and she seemed so calm and peaceful in her new surroundings.
In December she had another course of omeprazole paste as she was showing some ulcer signs and this was followed by a course of omeprazole injections which finished 6 weeks ago. Sadly the last couple of weeks her behaviour has escalated to be quite dangerous when taking her out of the field.
She hasn’t been ridden for 2 1/2 years and management, feed etc is as good as I can get it. She has had such a hard time with lots of pain in her life and I feel the end has come.
My instinct is to have her euthanised at home in her field. The alternative is to travel her for scoping or starve at home for scoping but if ulcers are confirmed I won’t be treating again and will PTS. I’m struggling though and worry I’m giving up on her.
This is so hard.
Same behaviour a year later (no hospital this time thankfully) so I had full investigations. Kissing spine found and surgery done, plus large overactive ovaries which were removed. This was 2023.
We were on a journey together working with a behavioural trainer to support her to regulate her emotions and deal with the previous trauma and hopefully to resume riding at some point.
October 24 I had to move yards as she was on her own in the field and needed companionship. Moved to a lovely peaceful yard where she settled beautifully with an established herd of mares and geldings. Vet prescribed Omeprazole to support the move and she seemed so calm and peaceful in her new surroundings.
In December she had another course of omeprazole paste as she was showing some ulcer signs and this was followed by a course of omeprazole injections which finished 6 weeks ago. Sadly the last couple of weeks her behaviour has escalated to be quite dangerous when taking her out of the field.
She hasn’t been ridden for 2 1/2 years and management, feed etc is as good as I can get it. She has had such a hard time with lots of pain in her life and I feel the end has come.
My instinct is to have her euthanised at home in her field. The alternative is to travel her for scoping or starve at home for scoping but if ulcers are confirmed I won’t be treating again and will PTS. I’m struggling though and worry I’m giving up on her.
This is so hard.
