Sleep well Blueberry & Uti

Wonder how long the people criticising Carls actions keep their horses going. Only one of mine lasted longer than early 20’s and she was a pony like 15hands who was still hacking out when she was 31 and PTS at 35 Others may have kept her going longer but quality of life is how I decided. My 2 bigger ones made 22 and 24 and neither had a hard life with me, winter time they just hacked quietly at the weekends as we only had a muddy field and I worked full time in London , they mainly hacked in the summer with a riding club competition once a month at the most so hardly what I would call work compared with Uti and Blueberry.
 
I think we need to remember too that Carl Hester is a smart man and wouldn't do anything to potentially cause a PR mess in the current dressage climate. If it got out that he'd PTS two GB gold medal winning olympians and national treasures for any reason other than a very very good one, he'd loose everything. I think we can trust that he's not made this decision lightly and there was very good reason that he can tell people, or not. That choice is his and those close to him.
 
Trot_on said:
I think we need to remember too that Carl Hester is a smart man and wouldn't do anything to potentially cause a PR mess in the current dressage climate. If it got out that he'd PTS two GB gold medal winning olympians and national treasures for any reason other than a very very good one, he'd loose everything. I think we can trust that he's not made this decision lightly and there was very good reason that he can tell people, or not. That choice is his and those close to him.
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well said!
 
When reading threads like this one, I think it's important to remember that it is a very emotional subject, making it much easier to misunderstand each other. What some persons feel is inappropriate is not necessarily intended that way by the one who wrote it.
Every euthanasia decision is an individual situation, even if/when it on the surface might seem like identical situations, the right decision for one horse, might still be wrong at another time with another horse.

Life for a pet isn't only about living more days, it's about the quality of life on those days. It's so tempting when you love your pet to want to try to get a few more days with them, that is why I find it admirable when someone can notice that things are going downhill for 2 bonded horses, and decide to let them go together.

Edited: Because I forgot the word Going.
 
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Trot_on said:
If it got out that he'd PTS two GB gold medal winning olympians and national treasures for any reason other than a very very good one, he'd loose everything.
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Well, you don't lose everything even if you're seen beating them round the head and legs so I doubt that. I do agree that it is his choice and the reasons are none of our business. Euthanasia isn't a welfare concern and all that.
 
lar said:
I just made the mistake of clicking on dressage hub's short on the subject. Ugh, that wretched woman has sunk to a new low 😡
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I did the same thing and couldn't agree more never mind the comments her sycophants were posting. I couldn't get to the end of her rant as it was making my blood boil.

For those that haven't had the misfortune to come across her she is saying that BB and Uti were put down as 'they needed the stalls'
 
eggs said:
I did the same thing and couldn't agree more never mind the comments her sycophants were posting. I couldn't get to the end of her rant as it was making my blood boil.

For those that haven't had the misfortune to come across her she is saying that BB and Uti were put down as 'they needed the stalls'
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I won’t read it because I’ll get in a rage.
Vile woman. Vile.
 
eggs said:
I did the same thing and couldn't agree more never mind the comments her sycophants were posting. I couldn't get to the end of her rant as it was making my blood boil.

For those that haven't had the misfortune to come across her she is saying that BB and Uti were put down as 'they needed the stalls'
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I won't give her site traffic.

I think if "needed the stalls" was ever a reason then they would have gone to one of Carl's contacts to retire years ago.

Nasty vile person.
 
SEL said:
I won't give her site traffic.

I think if "needed the stalls" was ever a reason then they would have gone to one of Carl's contacts to retire years ago.

Nasty vile person.
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Yes, I very much doubt Carl is short of stables, or the funds to fill them with retired horses, if that's what he chose to do.
 
When they retired Carl built new stables just for them, they had their own retirement suite, just the two of them nearer the house and away from the main yard to give them peace and quiet. Anyone whose been on a yard tour will have seen it, its also been on camera as Carl has given several interviews etc by their new stables.

Just shows what uninformed bile that poisonous person spouts.
 
ester said:
I think its a bit cos it's against the backdrop of this doesn't really happen (2 at a time) for top performance horses as most aren't given the 'luxury' of forming strong pair bonds.
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Yes, I don't think anyone's brought up that this happened to Laura T earlier in the year. Alf and Andy were older - but she didn't get anything like this response... I'm sure it must be awful for Carl.
 
I actually feel quite sorry for DH. We all live in our own perception of the world, and whilst we can't deny reality and pretend we live in a perfect world, the way she seems to see even positive, compassionate things as terrible... It just makes me feel very sad for her. Not everything in this world is terrible and wrong.
 
PurpleSpots said:
I actually feel quite sorry for DH. We all live in our own perception of the world, and whilst we can't deny reality and pretend we live in a perfect world, the way she seems to see even positive, compassionate things as terrible... It just makes me feel very sad for her. Not everything in this world is terrible and wrong.
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I do not and cannot feel sorry for her at all.
I believe she deliberately chooses to post the way she does beause she has learnt it generates income, and that she doesn't care who she hurts in the process.
 
I really couldn’t get through this whole thread…. I don’t care how famous or rich or whatever someone is, it’s abhorrent to question or criticize someone’s choice to put a horse down. Especially if that horse is in its 20’s.

I really hope those making these comments never have to face a yard full of people who disagree with that decision. I will tell you it sucks. Further more, people who make those disgusting comments will never volunteer to take ownership over.
 
Made the mistake tonight of going on Facebook and for the first time (and the last) a page called British Equestrian…….some of the comments on there are really unbelievable…..
 
I mentioned Valegro and Uthopia to another rider at my riding lesson. She said she'd never heard something as ridiculous as putting down two horses for "comfort". I pointed out it was the horses' comfort. She still thought it was crazy. It's definitely convinced me that if and when the time comes, I'm not telling anyone before hand that I'm going to PTS one of mine. I luckily know which vet to ask for from a rather disgusted comment about her pushing PTS of one of the livery horses at the RS. (He'd had an abcess in his sinus for close to 6 years from what I understand, that had never healed despite treatment, and gone through a several hour journey for a yard move before arriving at our RS. He literally snored even when awake poor thing).
The attitude to PTS around me is rather poor IMO. Old arthritic horses are chucked out on grass livery and extremely rarely seen by their owners. They get hay, water and checked they're still standing and that's considered good, because you're offering them retirement. Old dogs are left lame, unable to stand or pee on their own until they can no longer eat, because "it's normal, they're old" or "she's still eating, so she still wants to live".

Blueberry and Uti were the lucky ones loved and cared for their whole lives and given a dignified exit from painful old age. May they be happy together wherever they are.
 
Titchy Reindeer said:
I mentioned Valegro and Uthopia to another rider at my riding lesson. She said she'd never heard something as ridiculous as putting down two horses for "comfort". I pointed out it was the horses' comfort. She still thought it was crazy. It's definitely convinced me that if and when the time comes, I'm not telling anyone before hand that I'm going to PTS one of mine. I luckily know which vet to ask for from a rather disgusted comment about her pushing PTS of one of the livery horses at the RS. (He'd had an abcess in his sinus for close to 6 years from what I understand, that had never healed despite treatment, and gone through a several hour journey for a yard move before arriving at our RS. He literally snored even when awake poor thing).
The attitude to PTS around me is rather poor IMO. Old arthritic horses are chucked out on grass livery and extremely rarely seen by their owners. They get hay, water and checked they're still standing and that's considered good, because you're offering them retirement. Old dogs are left lame, unable to stand or pee on their own until they can no longer eat, because "it's normal, they're old" or "she's still eating, so she still wants to live".

Blueberry and Uti were the lucky ones loved and cared for their whole lives and given a dignified exit from painful old age. May they be happy together wherever they are.
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My last horse was put to sleep for comfort despite being only 16.

People were less than kind in text messages.

They all assumed her only maintenance was the adequan they saw me give her.

People suck and shouldn’t assume they know the whole story behind keeping a horse happy and healthy.
 
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Denali said:
My last horse was put to sleep for comfort despite being only 16.

People were less than kind in text messages.

They all assumed her only maintenance was the adequan they saw me give her.

People suck and shouldn’t assume they know the whole story behind keeping a horse happy and healthy.
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I'm really sorry people weren't kind at what would have been a hard enough time as it was.
I think as a rule of thumb, just try to be nice to anyone who has just had to PTS any animal. You may not know the whole story or agree with all their reasons, but I doubt many people do it for the fun of it and they are likely to be low enough without anyone piling on. At the worst, keep your unwanted opinions to yourself, and don't say anything at all. Humane euthanasia is not a welfare issue, the animal wouldn't have known a thing and is beyond any pain, either current or in the future.
 
Titchy Reindeer said:
I'm really sorry people weren't kind at what would have been a hard enough time as it was.
I think as a rule of thumb, just try to be nice to anyone who has just had to PTS any animal. You may not know the whole story or agree with all their reasons, but I doubt many people do it for the fun of it and they are likely to be low enough without anyone piling on. At the worst, keep your unwanted opinions to yourself, and don't say anything at all. Humane euthanasia is not a welfare issue, the animal wouldn't have known a thing and is beyond any pain, either current or in the future.
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It hurt to read the messages. I was thankful for them though, the trash took itself out.

I will say, those people at least had the balls to speak to me. The armchair quarterbacks on social media however….. they, in my opinion, are more vile.
 
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