eahotson
Well-Known Member
How do you know when is the right time? I have a welsh section D who is 21 years old.He is lovely and as yard manager points out I would have a very hard job finding another one like him.He has a temperament second to none.
About 5 or 6 years ago he had mild spavin which was treated very successfully and there has been no further issues.However the farrier who has shod him for the last 12 years since I bought him reports that he is now in a lot of pain when having his back legs lifted and he thinks he may have a sacro illiac problem.He has been referred to the vet who thinks it may be referred pain from somewhere else but he is going in the investigation and treatment.It is almost certain that it is arthritis in some form or other.
Some of my feelings are mixed up with what happened to my much loved and missed little dog who died last year while we were on holiday.She was ill in the afternoon, I took her to the local vets.She was as bright as a button on the vets table so we bought her back and then she died.It took a few minutes and there was literally nothing I could do except stay with her and try and comfort her but if I knew then what I know now I would have had her put down that afternoon.I suppose what I mean is I don't want to spin everything out until the last second.
On the plus side he is sound.He is well in himself and the advice from physio and vet is to ride gentley to keep him going until he has his investigations.He appears to enjoy his work and to have no other pain issues.
There is a retirement place near to me which I think he would love and I feel he does deserve a nice retirement.
There is a further issue. Me. I am aged it is safe to say but feel I may have one more horse left in me and think it may be better now than maybe in two or three years time.A lot will depend on what is found at the vets.
About 5 or 6 years ago he had mild spavin which was treated very successfully and there has been no further issues.However the farrier who has shod him for the last 12 years since I bought him reports that he is now in a lot of pain when having his back legs lifted and he thinks he may have a sacro illiac problem.He has been referred to the vet who thinks it may be referred pain from somewhere else but he is going in the investigation and treatment.It is almost certain that it is arthritis in some form or other.
Some of my feelings are mixed up with what happened to my much loved and missed little dog who died last year while we were on holiday.She was ill in the afternoon, I took her to the local vets.She was as bright as a button on the vets table so we bought her back and then she died.It took a few minutes and there was literally nothing I could do except stay with her and try and comfort her but if I knew then what I know now I would have had her put down that afternoon.I suppose what I mean is I don't want to spin everything out until the last second.
On the plus side he is sound.He is well in himself and the advice from physio and vet is to ride gentley to keep him going until he has his investigations.He appears to enjoy his work and to have no other pain issues.
There is a retirement place near to me which I think he would love and I feel he does deserve a nice retirement.
There is a further issue. Me. I am aged it is safe to say but feel I may have one more horse left in me and think it may be better now than maybe in two or three years time.A lot will depend on what is found at the vets.
