Sad and Anxious

quirky

quirky

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I have taken the very difficult and sad decision to have my horse pts. He is in constant low level pain and a trip to Leahusrt and a couple to our local vets have not been able to identify the problem. He is only 9 and I have had him since he was rising 4.
I made the decision a couple of weeks ago but with the vet being on holiday, then me, it has dragged on a bit. Now the day is looming (tomorrow), I am feeling more anxious and upset.

I know in my heart of hearts, I am doing what is right for him but it doesn't make me feel any better.
I've had the normal do gooders tut tutting at me which doesn't make it any easier. I find the long term horse owners have been far more understanding and in agreement with my decision.

The vet suggested putting him through the sales or selling him to a dealer but I just can't do this. He has always been unpredictable and a difficult ride, his pain issues have made him even more scatty. I don't want him ending up somewhere where he will be beaten and misunderstood. I could've given him a year off but he isn't happy being out of work and I don't think he'd winter out easily. He has had horrendous mud fever in the past (beyond his hocks) and if given more than 2 weeks off he reverts back to behaving like he's never had a saddle on his back.

So, a pointless post really but some understanding would be good. Of course, I also expect the flip side to understanding but go easy on me as I'm feeling fragile.
 
You are doing absolutely the right thing and are being a responsible owner. I'm SHOCKED that the vets suggested you put him through the sales or sell him to a dealer. The poor horse would end up god knows where, in constant pain, and probably destined for a transporter to Europe.
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. At least this way you will know that he'll not be in pain, not be mistreated and will have lived as good a life as you could give him.

Hugs to you, but be strong. You are totally doing the right thing.

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oh im so sorry to hear that, you know him better than anyone and im sure you are doing the best thing for him, i had my boy PTS a few weeks ago and we didnt know what was rong with him although it is awful and i will miss him like mad and always will, in a way i feel relieved that he is gone as i know he is no longer suffering! so sorry though i know how crap you must feel, (big hugs)
 
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could you see if you could give him time off and then see what happens

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I could but he gets depressed when not in work. I think depressed and in pain is worse than just in pain.
 
I have one New Forest mare who I retired due to arthritis, she is perfectly happy being out 24/7 and is not in pain as long as she is not ridden and I can honestly say she is a happy as larry!!
However, I did have my other mare PTS when she was diagnosed with navicular. She already had extensive problems in her hind legs with suspensory ligaments damage, and when we received the navicular diagnosis in front, it basically meant she didn't have a single good leg. She was an ID/TB who needed a job in life to be happy. The short time she was boxrested she was becoming so stressed it seemed unkind to keep her going with no chance of a positive future. It was an incrediably hard decision to make, but I know it was the right one.
Only you know your horse and what is right for your boy as I did with my 2 - I knew the NF would be happy being retired and that my ID/TB definately would not. I can't believe anyone would suggest selling an unsound horse on through the sales/dealers, as that really could be the worst possible outcome for him. I think you are making the most responsible decision. My thoughts are with you.
 
So they don't actually know what's wrong with him? Sorry I do find that odd they can determine a horse is in 'low level pain' when they can't actually find a cause. Still, it is your horse and your decision at the end of the day.
 
I think you have made a very brave decision, despite some very odd advice from the vet about sending him to a dealer.

You have obviously thought long and hard about this and want to do the right and the kindest thing for your horse.

I have been through similar situations a couple of times - my thoughts are with you.
 
I had to make the same decision last year with my boy - it's heartbreakingly difficult. I put it off for weeks prolonging his pain which will always haunt me. You have my every sympathy x
 
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So they don't actually know what's wrong with him? Sorry I do find that odd they can determine a horse is in 'low level pain' when they can't actually find a cause. Still, it is your horse and your decision at the end of the day.

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His action and way of going shows that he is in pain. That they can't determine where it is stemming from is by the by, in pain he is. I don't want to put him through anymore getting a diagnosis that they may or may not be able to fix, hence my very sad decision.
 
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So they don't actually know what's wrong with him? Sorry I do find that odd they can determine a horse is in 'low level pain' when they can't actually find a cause. Still, it is your horse and your decision at the end of the day.

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Sometimes it is quite obvious that an animal is in pain - even if it isn't obvious where the pain is comming from.

I guess until animals learn to talk - we will always be a bit in the dark sometimes concerning these things.
 
I think you are doing the responsible and brave thing and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I've had to make the decision twice, once with a mare that was dangerous and once with a gelding that had not come right despite two years of treatment, could not be ridden but was not settling in retirement. Sometimes it's the right thing to do and it's a braver decision than passing on the problem.
 
{{{{lots of hugs}}}}

You're being very brave and doing the right thing for you and your horse. It's only natural that you're now wondering if it's the right thing to do. By going down this route then you're being 100% responsible and not passing the problem onto someone else.
 
Part of the responsibility of owning a horse is the decision to have your horse PTS when the time is right. I think you have weighed up all the options, and that you have reached the right decision .....never easy, but you are acting in the best interest of your horse. Thoughts for tomorrow.....
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Oh I do feel for you!! it is always a difficult decision to make but I do find it easier when you know that the horse is in pain. I lost my boy 2 years ago, he was a very bright chap, been through a lot in his 17 years and I was feeding him cortaflex for his arthritis, then he fell in the field one day and damaged his perenious (sp) tersion (sp) sorry sounds like that but probably not spelt correctly!! He then had to be on box rest and this made him crazy, penned him in the field and he jumped out from standstill, eventually it healed but he had poor action behind. Vet just told me to get on riding him with bute - but due to his age I didn't want him on bute for the rest of his days so retired him, he hated this and everytime I took my tack out of my car to ride my youngster he whinnied at me, thinking we were going for a ride. then came the long hot summer and he started suffering with his arthritis and he kept falling over and his legs were blown up. So I had to make the decision - problem was the YO and most of the other pony petting liveries were horrendous to me and behind my back saying he was fine and that there was nothing wrong with him - true when my 4 year old was chasing him round the field he was sound as a pound but then what they didn't see was him collapsing. So I totally agree with you and my heart goes out to you. The horse can't do anything more than show you they are in pain and it is our duty to help them out of it. Good luck tomorrow xx
 
It's nice to see so much support for Quirky and her predicament, all too often this sort of decision is met with horror and outrage that quite quickly descends into mudslinging. You are most definitely making the right decision Quirky, thoughts will be with you tomorrow
 
J, it's with a very heavy heart I read this; I hadn't liked to ask!

I do think you're doing the right thing, without a doubt in these circumstances. You've known him longer than me now and what would have suited him as a youngster then wouldn't suit him now, we both know that.

You know I'm thinking of you both, you've been very brave. God bless and huge hugs to you both.
 
We made this decision a few weeks ago under similar circumstances so I know how you are feeling. You will feel so terrible tomorrow - I know I did on the day - but believe me you just have to get through it as it does get better, though I know you will find it hard to believe at first.
After five weeks I am starting to come to terms with it and though I miss our little man terribly and still shed the odd tear for him I am now convinced it was the right decision.
Massive, massive hugs - it is the right thing to do and you will slowly come to terms with it.
 
Mother Hen is absolutely right. And I'm shocked that your vet could even consider such a solution as sending him to the sales. Appalling suggestion. It's a heartbreaking time and tomorrow will be dreadful, however perfectly it is carried out. Give him a huge feed and lots of polos and sugar lumps and hugs. Good Luck and hope all goes well.
 
You know your horse and if he is quirky I def think its 100% better than passing on a lame , difficult horse!
Saying that if it was my horse I would go as far as the insurance would let me to get it investigated and if that didnt work turn out for 6/12 months unless it got worse or my horse wasnt happy.
If your instinct says its right, then its right.
 
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