The decision nobody wants to make. HELP!!!!

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PC Steele

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I have a 20 yr old retired police horse. He has been retired for 5 yrs and I have enjoyed the occasional hacks etc. he was retired because he was lame however I have managed to keep him sound for the last 5 yrs. He was diagnosed with Cushing's 2 yrs ago after a bout of lami. To be honest he has been plagued by intermittent lameness ever since.
He is now lame again but the vet said its definitely not lami however the only way to diagnose what is going on is an MRI scan. Now having seen this horse's x rays when he was a police horse and knowing him very well the outcome of that scan at a guess would be awful. So one option I had was to retire him to the horse trust. Having spoken with the trust they are extremely full and have a huge waiting list. Also my horse needs special shoes and is on expensive medication. Even an offer of making a significant donation to the trust every month wouldn't tempt them as they are just so overstretched.
So I think I have decided to let him have a summer of mooching and grazing and come the winter PTS. He has been at his current yard for the last five years is blissfully happy has wanted for nothing, he is also relatively pain free at the moment. So I would rather him end his days happy!!!! Rather than plugging on trying to keep him sound for maybe another year??? I would hate him to end up in pain and I wouldn't want to move him really as I think he would get stressed. Thoughts everyone :):(
 
Tbh, if he is happy now and sound ish then think about pts now. He is obviously a very loved horse. Its just you can't predict if he will stay sound and then force the decision onto you.
So hard to do though, just think better too soon than too late.
 
PC Steele said:
...So I would rather him end his days happy!!!! Rather than plugging on trying to keep him sound for maybe another year??? I would hate him to end up in pain and I wouldn't want to move him really as I think he would get stressed. Thoughts everyone :):(
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I agree. You don't want to see a proud horse to go downhill over a period of time. I think pain free, happy and not stressed are the right reasons. Let us know how you and he get on...
 
I think it sounds like you've thought long and hard about this and are trying to do the very best by your lovely sounding horse. My one question would be (please don't take this is a nasty way, its not at all) You think he'd be happy to carry on at the rescue place but not with you? Just don't get that bit?
If its a case of you are not in the position to afford a retired horse but can afford to, maybe consider retirement livery?
I'm in a similar situation so not judging you and hope I don't sound that way!
It's a kinder thing to do than let him get to the poi t he's suffering.
 
poiuytrewq said:
I think it sounds like you've thought long and hard about this and are trying to do the very best by your lovely sounding horse. My one question would be (please don't take this is a nasty way, its not at all) You think he'd be happy to carry on at the rescue place but not with you? Just don't get that bit?
If its a case of you are not in the position to afford a retired horse but can afford to, maybe consider retirement livery?
I'm in a similar situation so not judging you and hope I don't sound that way!
It's a kinder thing to do than let him get to the poi t he's suffering.
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He is currently on a retirement package. However you are right finances have got a part in my decision unfortunately, I can't really afford to keep him (hence asking the horse trust to take him). However if he was young, there was a chance he would get better etc. then I would find a way to pay for it. What I don't want to happen is for my much loved horse to be in pain, badly lame etc. He is a magnificent 17hh grey ID. and I kind of want to remember him like that. Also if I could be 50% certain he would stay sound for a year or two I would give him that. However for the last 2 years he has ended up on box rest on numerous occasions. Due to lameness and he absolutely hates it!!!!!!
 
I don't think there's anything wrong with finances or even lack of time being a factor in making a decision like this.

And for what it's worth I would probably do the same, giving him as much of the summer as possible and then pts when the weather turns or the lameness starts to seriously impair his quality of life.
 
Could you afford to keep him on grass livery for a bit longer, keep him comfortable with pain killers and let him have a last munch on the spring grass before letting him go with dignity?
 
You're doing the right thing provided you can keep him pain free for the summer. If you can't, then you'll need to reconsider the timing.
 
Well done for sensibly considering a mature and practical decision for a much loved horse.
Better a month too early than a day too late

And I have no issue at all with finances playing a part in a complex and difficult decision - unless you are a lottery winner finances play a part in everyones decisions (IMHO those that say they would put their kids on the street to save their elderly knackered horses are lying (hopefully) or mad as badgers!)
 
No you are doing the right thing...whatever right is. Its a dilemma isnt it?

I did the same gave my horse the summer on kinda 3 legs some days(stiff in one very) but he was happy, lived out 24/7 etc. He was on a tad of bute which was a miracle for a while but at end of summer we had two weeks solid of 2 butes a day and just one day I saw a big change. PTS that same day. It was the right time. Devastated never the less.

Now my vet wanted to take him in for tests etc and I said NO(we had xrays about 5 years previously) I couldnt see what that would achieve ie his joints were arthritic etc. So the decision was easy but I didnt have a crystal ball.He also didnt load well. Money was not a problem either(so dont think of that).

I know I did right by my horse and when I got him he was my responsibility for his welfare. Just do what you plan to do and as everyone kept telling me you will just know when its time. Its a yo yo time. Its good to have a kinda plan even with a healthy horse, what if xyz etc and then just take each day at a time and then the plan may need to be updated.

Sorry that you are in the dilemma and I think your decision is wise. If he isnt living the life of a healthy horse? etc. Dont feel at all guilty re money. Spending money could mean prolonged misery(my vet wanted me to take this option, I didnt want my horse put through tests when I knew it wasnt going to be a happy long term life changing outcome).

Good luck, sounds like he is a lucky horse having you look out for him.
 
Thank you to everyone!!!!! This is the worst decision of my life!!!! But at least I have the comfort knowing its the right one
 
PC Steele said:
Thank you to everyone!!!!! This is the worst decision of my life!!!! But at least I have the comfort knowing its the right one
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Oh I can imagine :(:( My thoughts are with you.


PC Steele said:
What I don't want to happen is for my much loved horse to be in pain, badly lame etc. He is a magnificent 17hh grey ID. and I kind of want to remember him like that. Also if I could be 50% certain he would stay sound for a year or two I would give him that. However for the last 2 years he has ended up on box rest on numerous occasions. Due to lameness and he absolutely hates it!!!!!!
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For what it's worth, what comes across in your posts is a sweet horse who enjoys his freedom and being outside, with an owner who loves him dearly and is making his happiness/comfort their priority.
 
From what you say I think you have made the decision in your own mind and you are just looking for confirmation. I had to make this decision on a slighty lame horse knowing he would soon be in a lot of pain. I had him PTS and felt great relief after wards and to this day know I did the right thing.
 
I wish more people were brave enough to make this decision it is about being a responsible owner. I have a similar situation looming and am taking each day as it comes, when i have to pts my old friend it will be sad but I know he will have had a good life. My thoughts are with you.
 
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