should I put him down (sorry its long)

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DancingJester

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I have had my horse 3 years. He is lovely, incredibly sweet, has a really nice temperament (as in never kicks or bites). He is a 17hh, sports horse hunter. He has arthritis in his hocks so is unable to jump now tho.
He has had a rough history and bad experiences with a lot of people. When I bought him it took me 2 hours to pick out his feet, between 2 and 6 (yes 6) hours to catch him. ( I would just sit in a field next to him for hours), he was impossible to be shod and was extremely needle shy.

Now I can pick his feet, tack up, he's a lovely ride catch him, ride him bare back. He is not bargy anymore, I have taught him to stand in the middle of the yard 4 metres (no head collar) away from his dinner and he won't touch it until I say.

he is barefoot, unable to be shod, he is still petrified of needles due to so much vet treatment. He is VERY scared of anything new!
Also he is not that good with other people. Some are. Okay, but I've had people help me, or put him on part lone and it isn't uncommon for them to turn around and say 'he's too much to handle'.
As of yesterday he had x rays (due to on and off lameness for basically the last 3 years) and it turns out he has severe soft tissue damage just above the short pastern, causing it to erode away some of the bone. This will keep getting worse and due to his behaviour with the vets he would be impossible to be treated (steroid injections in joints) as even under no less than double the sedative in his system, he still will not tolerate needles well (they could only get half a nerve block in with him sedated).
I cannot keep him, and was actually intending to sell him over a year ago but didn't as I worried about his behaviour with other people. I could give him away as field companion, but he is very expensive due to bute and joint supplements. And there is a chance it could get a lot worse if he is not handled a lot, and for his foot if he is never exercised, a rescue center (long shot) . Or I could shoot him. I really don't know what to do.
 
I think yes, you've given him 3 years of love and worry free comfort and understanding. I'd say it's time before he is really uncomfortable.
 
I don't know your reasons for being unable to keep him, but if you can't, it does sound like euthanasia would be the only realistic option. He sounds like a very sensitive horse and the trauma of re homing would be very stressful, both physically and emotionally. There are people out there who will take on a horse with special needs, but finding them is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Have a word with your vet about your options and how his condition is likely to degenerate but ensuring his future is the priority and if it can't be done, then PTS is likely to be the most realistic choice.
 
He doesn't sound like the type of horse that should be passed on, especially now he has a lameness/injury. If you really feel that there is no way you could have him treated, and you can't keep him, than PTS may be the kindest option.
 
I think if you can't keep him then, yes. There are much worse things for a horse. What about finding somewhere where he can be on full grass livery and see how he gets on. That is what I have done with my TB who retired early and it only costs me £20 a week and I only have to go and see him if I want to.
 
Yes, I would. In fact, even if you could keep him it sounds as though putting him down would be necessary at some point soon anyway - he's already on (daily?) bute and it sounds like treatment would be a struggle to no purpose other than prolonging things.

You've given him a good few years; it doesn't matter to him if the end comes quickly xx
 
Yes

And in this case I wouldn't be looking for grass livery to drain more money at him

There are worse fates than death

Op hats off to you for being realistic. Hard decision but the right one in this case
 
Theocat said:
Yes, I would. In fact, even if you could keep him it sounds as though putting him down would be necessary at some point soon anyway - he's already on (daily?) bute and it sounds like treatment would be a struggle to no purpose other than prolonging things.

You've given him a good few years; it doesn't matter to him if the end comes quickly xx
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Yeah, bute once a day from next week, twice this week. But it doesn't look like it'll be that long before he is pts, maybe in a few years. Its taken less than 2 years for the bone to erode away and its quite a difference from how it was.
 
It would definitely be a very bad idea to pass him on. This is the sort of horse who could easily end up in the wrong hands and be mistreated. I think you are being very realistic about his options.

As someone else said, it sounds as if his issues would compromise his long term future, even if you were able to keep him. He has a degenerative disease which is likely to cause him more pain as time goes on and will be very difficult to treat without causing him a lot of stress. Doesn't sound like a candidate for retirement grass livery to me as he needs too much management and medication.

If he was mine, I think I would be swaying towards pts. There is a much worse fate for a horse like this than going to sleep forever in a safe secure environment where he feels happy and loved.

Horrible decision to have to make op. Take care. Hugs x
 
I agree, with others, tough though it will be on you, it will be OK for him.
As he is needle phobic I would arrange for knackerman.
As it is all pre-arranged you can ask that he is first on the list and man wears clean clothes etc, they are quite used to horse owners sensibilities and should be happy to fit in with your requirements.
 
I think that if I was in your sad and difficult situation, I would pts. You and your horse have given it your best efforts. Your horse has had respect, love and good care for three years. The best we can do for our horses is to ensure their safety and welfare. By pts, you will enable your lad to be free of pain, anxiety and fear. If you cannot keep him, and he will not mend, you can't. So sorry.
 
Every response supporting you and confirming that your planned path is the correct one, and there's a good reason for that, and it's called responsible ownership. Well done.

Alec.
 
You have given him the gift of being able to trust you and have a happy time because of this .
I don't think you can pass such a horse on , it's the responsible thing to do never to let him out of your care .
It's hard but focus on how much luck he had when he found you , have a cyber hug from me you are IMO thinking the right things anyone who tells different does not IMO have the horses best interests in mind.
You have done a wonderful thing for this horse concentrate on that.
 
Congratulations for facing up to what is our ultimate responsibility as horse owners - what is the best thing for the horse. Tough and rotten though the decision is - yes. See if your local hunt have someone who is licensed to shoot him. They know horses and they won't smell like a vet. Many will also remove the body so you don't have to deal with that separately - I know our local hunt will. It is a good and quick death.

The BHS have a "friends at the end" scheme and they can have a local volunteer support you if you need it.
 
It's the decision that none of us like to make, but there are times when it is the right decision, and this is one of them. From what you have said, he would find a new home very stressful.

More hugs for you.
 
TBH, if this were my horse, I think I'd be thinking about pts by the end of the summer even if it were possible to keep him longer. This sounds like a serious, rapidly degenerating condition, which is only going to cause the horse increasing pain, which he will not allow you to medicate.
I wish every-one would realise, like you, that such decisions are part of responsible horse ownership.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
TBH, if this were my horse, I think I'd be thinking about pts by the end of the summer even if it were possible to keep him longer. This sounds like a serious, rapidly degenerating condition, which is only going to cause the horse increasing pain, which he will not allow you to medicate.
I wish every-one would realise, like you, that such decisions are part of responsible horse ownership.
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Thank you and to everyone who. You have all been so supportive and even though you are strangers it is greatly appreciated (I wish all the people at my yard understood...but you can't make everyone happy)
 
DancingJester said:
Thank you and to everyone who. You have all been so supportive and even though you are strangers it is greatly appreciated (I wish all the people at my yard understood...but you can't make everyone happy)
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No you can't and I learnt a long time ago to be cautious about who you discuss this thorny issue with , you can end up making it much harder and more unpleasant on yourself .
It's between you and this horse who you have already done so much for .
Be kind to yourself .
 
I have just had a conversation with an instructor after she gave a lesson to a girl on a lovely pony who was buted up due to hind limb lameness, they bought it lame had it for a year and its intermittently lame, so the instructor told the girl jump her if you want she is on bute and wont feel it, i shuddered but not my place to say anything, she then told me they were getting another horse for the girl and would bute this mare up and sell her, i nearly cried, but i cant do anything, pts would be the kindest they could do for this mare, so in your case do pts it would be kinder, unless you could afford to keep him until he is clearly not managing.
 
A very sad situation to be in OP but I think I would go for a few months out at grass over summer and then call the hunt. If the people on your yard are so adamant that you are doing the wrong thing then I would explain why you are doing what you are doing and stress the alternative scenarios of how loaning can be far worse for the horse in this situation - I think more people need to realise this.
 
STRIKER said:
I have just had a conversation with an instructor after she gave a lesson to a girl on a lovely pony who was buted up due to hind limb lameness, they bought it lame had it for a year and its intermittently lame, so the instructor told the girl jump her if you want she is on bute and wont feel it, i shuddered but not my place to say anything, she then told me they were getting another horse for the girl and would bute this mare up and sell her, i nearly cried, but i cant do anything, pts would be the kindest they could do for this mare, so in your case do pts it would be kinder, unless you could afford to keep him until he is clearly not managing.
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Aww that's terrible! I wish more people would think really carefully about what they do with their horses. I think one reasons I wanted to find other opinions is that I have know 2 horses this year be pts for reasons I don't agree with and wanted to make sure I wasn't doing the same thing. One of them a 4 year old (in hand) show cob that had back problems, he couldn't be ridden but he had very good behaviour and was good with other people, but he wasn't in pain other than when ridden. Could have had another 5 years on him, didn't have a bad quality of life at all. And the other I'll admit had to be put down, but only because the owner hadn't warmed her up when riding causing her to severally damage the tissue in her legs. Completely preventable!
 
It's so hard to make that final call, but in the end, when the time is right, it's the last loving thing we can do for our animals. You already know what must be done, but need confirmation. Most people on here would do the same. Does your vet support calling it a day? Even though you will probably use the knackerman as you've previously explained, it's good to get your vets opinion, as they've got to know your horse over the last 3 years. Your horse, your decision, not other yard peoples... hugs to help you through this difficult time...
 
Fun Times said:
A very sad situation to be in OP but I think I would go for a few months out at grass over summer and then call the hunt. If the people on your yard are so adamant that you are doing the wrong thing then I would explain why you are doing what you are doing and stress the alternative scenarios of how loaning can be far worse for the horse in this situation - I think more people need to realise this.
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Thanks, I agree, to be fair most say either its my decision or I'm thinking the right thing its just one or two that say I should find him a new home, or a rescue center. But these people have got it into their heads that he is very well behaviour. Which he is, until it comes to vets, farriers, or indeed any people he isn't familiar with, trying to do anything with him (sometimes things so simple as wiping him with a baby wipe will cause him to flip out if he doesn't know the person) he has major trust issues and it took me almost 2 years of patience to get him to trust me properly. Even if I found him somewhere, in 2 years, chances are he'd have to be pts anyway because of pain.
 
You have been good for him. Sounds like there is one last kind thing to do for him. There is no reason for people who may make it hard for you to know what you plan, it is none of their business.
 
Saneta said:
It's so hard to make that final call, but in the end, when the time is right, it's the last loving thing we can do for our animals. You already know what must be done, but need confirmation. Most people on here would do the same. Does your vet support calling it a day? Even though you will probably use the knackerman as you've previously explained, it's good to get your vets opinion, as they've got to know your horse over the last 3 years. Your horse, your decision, not other yard peoples... hugs to help you through this difficult time...
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Yeah, I mean he kept going lame on and off, but he kept recovering quickly so I couldn't call the vet. He went lame badly again 2 weeks ago so I got the vet. The second he went lame I had a pretty strong feeling that this was going to be it, or very close to it. The vet said they would completely support the decision.
 
It's so sad, after everything you have done for him and how much he trusts you, that you can't keep him. I thought about the blood bank before reading how needle shy he is. So I think yes, under the circumstances putting him to sleep would not be the wrong thing to do. Better IMO than giving him away to an unknown future.
 
I think PTS would be a good decision. His condition is only going to get worse, medicating him isn't an option and I'm not sure a rescue place would take him given that they're already overwhelmed. You've already given him a good life and this would be offerring him a good end
 
DancingJester said:
Aww that's terrible! I wish more people would think really carefully about what they do with their horses. I think one reasons I wanted to find other opinions is that I have know 2 horses this year be pts for reasons I don't agree with and wanted to make sure I wasn't doing the same thing. One of them a 4 year old (in hand) show cob that had back problems, he couldn't be ridden but he had very good behaviour and was good with other people, but he wasn't in pain other than when ridden. Could have had another 5 years on him, didn't have a bad quality of life at all. And the other I'll admit had to be put down, but only because the owner hadn't warmed her up when riding causing her to severally damage the tissue in her legs. Completely preventable!
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DancingJester said:
Thanks, I agree, to be fair most say either its my decision or I'm thinking the right thing its just one or two that say I should find him a new home, or a rescue center. But these people have got it into their heads that he is very well behaviour. Which he is, until it comes to vets, farriers, or indeed any people he isn't familiar with, trying to do anything with him (sometimes things so simple as wiping him with a baby wipe will cause him to flip out if he doesn't know the person) he has major trust issues and it took me almost 2 years of patience to get him to trust me properly. Even if I found him somewhere, in 2 years, chances are he'd have to be pts anyway because of pain.
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I think the real problem on your yard is that people worry too much about what others are doing with their horses.
The rescues/charities have far too many horses which potentially can be ridden at some stage to have room for those whose caring responsible owners have taken the difficult decision to pts for whatever reason.
 
Being a responsible owner is one of the hardest things we do, and making the decision to PTS is THE hardest. In this situation, I would do exactly that. You have thought of nothing but his welfare for the last three years, and by making the decision to ease his pain and protect his future you are continuing in that vein. I agree with giving him a lovely summer and then letting him go.

As for what other people think - it is no one's business but yours.

I don't know what area you are in, but do some research locally with farmers and owners as to who they recommend for the job. Our local huntsman is superb - kind and sensitive to both owner and horse. If you are in the South West, I don't think there is better than Andrew Goatman.

You have my sympathy, but also my admiration - I wish more owners could be as caring and thoughtful as you.
 
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