The decision to euthanize

Bubbles74 · 3 February 2020

Please don't judge me. We are in a seriously tricky situation.

My horse currently lives barefoot in a field. He's been through surgery, is arthritic in all four legs and suffers from gastric ulcers. At present he is sound, but is showing signs yet again of ulcers.

Financially we have maxed out insurance. We have tried alternative therapies. Due to personal changes in our lives money is extremely tight. We struggle to check on him more than once or twice a week.

I've tried to re-home him but he's too big to be a companion and honestly nobody wants a horse with these issues. It breaks my heart, but really I'm thinking the time has come to say goodbye. I can't afford anymore ulcer treatment and I really want to let him go before the steroid injections wear off (advised he would need them every 6-12 months).

Am I wrong? I get very mixed opinions, some who say I've done way more than anyone would, others say it's inhumane.

This horse has has £15000 of vet treatment in less than a year. He's young.

twiggy2 · 3 February 2020

Age is not important, quality of life is, I will never judge someone for euthanasia for any animal.
Your horse sounds like his quality if life is not good.
Who checks him on days that you do not?

AmyMay · 3 February 2020

twiggy2 said:
Age is not important, quality of life is, I will never judge someone for euthanasia for any animal.
Your horse sounds like his quality if life is not good.
Who checks him on days that you do not?

I agree.

Bubbles74 · 3 February 2020

twiggy2 said:
Age is not important, quality of life is, I will never judge someone for euthanasia for any animal.
Your horse sounds like his quality if life is not good.
Who checks him on days that you do not?

Nobody officially checks him, but it's a busy yard so if he was seriously injured or lame someone would take notice. He seems happy enough at the moment as long as we don't mess with his rugs or brush him. Then it's snappy teeth, head tossing. We've been here before and it generally progresses to cow kicking. When medicated he's happy but I can't afford it anymore as insurance is out.

Bubbles74 · 3 February 2020

It's hard because we love him so much, but I think to a point that I've pushed the treatments too far. And now because he's presently field sound some people think I'm terrible...

splashgirl45 · 3 February 2020

if he is arthritic on all 4 legs, he will not be comfortable but wont show true lameness (i assume) som prehaps wont look too bad. i suffer from arthritis and know how painful it can be so PTS wouldnt be the wrong thing if he is suffering. i would have a serious chat with your vet so you know the full picture before you go down the PTS route. good luck

twiggy2 · 3 February 2020

Bubbles74 said:
Nobody officially checks him, but it's a busy yard so if he was seriously injured or lame someone would take notice. He seems happy enough at the moment as long as we don't mess with his rugs or brush him. Then it's snappy teeth, head tossing. We've been here before and it generally progresses to cow kicking. When medicated he's happy but I can't afford it anymore as insurance is out.

If you can't afford to medicate to keep him comfortable then there really is only one decision.

AmyMay · 3 February 2020

Bubbles74 said:
It's hard because we love him so much, but I think to a point that I've pushed the treatments too far. And now because he's presently field sound some people think I'm terrible...

As highlighted by another post on here, your horse is your business - no body else’s (in general terms).

The horse is buggered (to coin a phrase). You can’t afford further treatment, nor to take care of it properly. It seems that the best cause of action is to puts. If people judge that’s there problem, not yours.

Whatever you decide, good luck. But until the time he’s put down, you really do need to be checking him every day.

twiggy2 · 3 February 2020

Bubbles74 said:
It's hard because we love him so much, but I think to a point that I've pushed the treatments too far. And now because he's presently field sound some people think I'm terrible...

It's your decision no-one else's, it's also your responsibility to do what you truely believe is right for him, far too many animals wait for their suffering to end because of human emotions getting in the way.
That's said it never an easy thing to do.

Bubbles74 · 3 February 2020

Amymay said:
As highlighted by another post on here, your horse is your business - no body else’s (in general terms).

The horse is buggered (to coin a phrase). You can’t afford further treatment, nor to take care of it properly. It seems that the best cause of action is to puts. If people judge that’s there problem, not yours.

Whatever you decide, good luck. But until the time he’s put down, you really do need to be checking him every day.

Thank you. Trying our best to get out there. Unfortunately it's really tricky and I do know there are eyes on him, just not up close. I've given everything to try and get him right and give him the best life.

JFTDWS · 3 February 2020

twiggy2 said:
It's your decision no-one else's, it's also your responsibility to do what you truely believe is right for him

This, absolutely.

AmyMay · 3 February 2020

Bubbles74 said:
Thank you. Trying our best to get out there. Unfortunately it's really tricky and I do know there are eyes on him, just not up close. I've given everything to try and get him right and give him the best life.

What’s changed since November that prevents you from caring for him daily?

AdorableAlice · 3 February 2020

Far better to let him go with someone he knows at his side and know he is safe than sell for a couple of quid into a long life of misery. There will be plenty of people who buy cheap horses and stuff them into a novice home.

Do the right thing for him and rise above being questioned.

Bubbles74 · 3 February 2020

Amymay said:
What’s changed since November that prevents you from caring for him daily?

More that I wasn't realistic in November and also the fact that he's clearly unhappy with his gut again. I have no family to support me and no reliable friends to lend a hand with this.

AmyMay · 3 February 2020

Not sure what that really means, but hey ho.

Anyway, again. Good luck going forward.

silv · 3 February 2020

He sounds like he has no viable future and is only going to get worse. I would do the deed quietly and as soon as possible. Honestly you will feel much better afterwards, he will have no idea what is happening. Life is very unfair sometimes but he has been fortunate to have you caring for him and wanting the best for him at the end.

Bubbles74 · 3 February 2020

Amymay said:
Not sure what that really means, but hey ho.

Anyway, again. Good luck going forward.

Sorry if I've been vague, it's just a personally challenging situation and it would be a novel to explain it all. I appreciate the support on here, thank you

Clueless · 3 February 2020

silv said:
He sounds like he has no viable future and is only going to get worse. I would do the deed quietly and as soon as possible. Honestly you will feel much better afterwards, he will have no idea what is happening. Life is very unfair sometimes but he has been fortunate to have you caring for him and wanting the best for him at the end.

This 100%. Your horse is in discomfort, if not pain, with no cure. Regardless if you win the lottery tomorrow , spending money at this situation won’t change this in the long run, and conceding gracefully is a kindness to your horse. It is no ones business but your own, and he is so lucky you care. Sadly this makes it worse for you, so you have my sympathy

be positive · 3 February 2020

There is nothing inhumane about having a horse pts even one that appears to be fit and healthy, yours is not fit or healthy and no one should make you feel guilty about making the decision to have him pts before he gets even worse.

As a YO i would be offering support and would be extremely unhappy if any liveries were known to be questioning your decision, I would try to arrange it so the yard could be closed and the deed done quietly so you could be there, if you wanted, then leave before the gossips arrived, you would have no reason to see any of them again, move on and get your life sorted out without dwelling on something that you have done your best for, your horse will be grateful even if some people are of a different opinion, they may be in a similar position themselves one day.

Pearlsasinger · 3 February 2020

It is no-one's business but yours, what you decide to do with your horse, so long as he isn't suffering.

If he were mine I would pts, it doesn't sound as if he is comfortable and as someone else said, even a lottery win tomorrow wouldn't be able to change that. Will the YO check him daily until you can arrange the pts?

Equi · 3 February 2020

Not read replies.

You say the horse is young....arthritis in all 4 and ulcers...you are totally justified in thinking about pts. The arthritis on its own would be cause to PTS a young horse. In an older animal it is somewhat expected and we sort of plan to manage it for a bit...but we know PTS is the outcome. In a young horse we don't expect it and it makes it harder to think PTS is the only option. But the long term outcome will be the same, it just comes down to how long people are willing to let things go on.

ycbm · 3 February 2020

No hesitation, I would PTS this week. Sorry you are having to make this decision about such a young horse

.

Bubbles74 · 4 February 2020

Pearlsasinger said:
It is no-one's business but yours, what you decide to do with your horse, so long as he isn't suffering.

If he were mine I would pts, it doesn't sound as if he is comfortable and as someone else said, even a lottery win tomorrow wouldn't be able to change that. Will the YO check him daily until you can arrange the pts?

He's visible from their house, so although it's not an up close check they would at least see if he was down in the field or injured. I've managed to set aside time today to bring him in for a good groom and check over. I have a small baby and no support so I can't handle him without someone to help me ?

honetpot · 4 February 2020

Bubbles74 said:
It's hard because we love him so much, but I think to a point that I've pushed the treatments too far. And now because he's presently field sound some people think I'm terrible...

I have never understood why people think its acceptable to wait for animal to be sick, in pain or in the case of horses unable to get up before its OK to PTS. The whole idea is to prevent suffering, so you have done a good job, by PTS while they are pain free, you are preventing anymore, and can plan it so its a 'good' day.
I am sorry for your troubles, its never easy, but you will sleep better when its done.

Orangehorse · 4 February 2020

I agree with everyone else. If you get questioned by anyone, even though it is not their business, just say that it was the vet's advice, whether it was or not, just shut them up. It is hard enough for you as it is.

You do not have to use a vet by the way. If finance is a problem it would probably be cheaper to get out someone else. There are people who will come and PTS (although it is shooting) it is it very quick and the ones I have dealt with have been sympathetic and very professional and the horse has gone with its head in a bucket of feed and didn't know a thing.

conniegirl · 4 February 2020

I didnt want to read and run, I'm just going to post to give you support.
I have a young horse with arthritis in the spine, hocks and fetlocks. on the outside he looks like he could go to HOYS and win, on the inside he is not a very well horse.
I moved him to my mothers field on the otherside of the country so that when the time came yard gossips would know nothing and could not comment. He is looked after currently by my brother and we thought at christmas that the time had come however he seemed to become more comfortable.
Realistically i'm looking at having him PTS in the next 12 months, probably before next winter unfortunately. He has also had approx £15k in vet bills trying to get him right.

You are not alone and anything that relieves an animals suffering will never be wrong.

AandK · 4 February 2020

You must make the right decision for your horse. Based on what you say, you do not have the time or finances to care for him properly and chances of someone else taking on his issues are very slim. Please don't delay this much longer. When I had my old mare PTS in November last year, the YM made sure there was no one else around, hopefully your yard can help you with this. It is your decision and no one else's, people will talk but you have to but on a brave face for your horse and ignore them.

Bubbles74 · 4 February 2020

conniegirl said:
I didnt want to read and run, I'm just going to post to give you support.
I have a young horse with arthritis in the spine, hocks and fetlocks. on the outside he looks like he could go to HOYS and win, on the inside he is not a very well horse.
I moved him to my mothers field on the otherside of the country so that when the time came yard gossips would know nothing and could not comment. He is looked after currently by my brother and we thought at christmas that the time had come however he seemed to become more comfortable.
Realistically i'm looking at having him PTS in the next 12 months, probably before next winter unfortunately. He has also had approx £15k in vet bills trying to get him right.

You are not alone and anything that relieves an animals suffering will never be wrong.

Thank you for the support and I'm so sorry you are going through this as well. It's so challenging. My horse is very well bred and cost us a good bit of money. I constantly get comments from people who know nothing about him that he's a lovely looking horse. It's hard to see the potential he has be so wasted

bubsqueaks · 4 February 2020

I was in a similar situation back in December so I feel your heartache - its such a tough decision.
Ours had glandular ulcers, all out of insurance, but as he was only 8 we turned him away for 15 months & yes nature healed the ulcers he scoped clear in December.
We now have the difficulty of restarting to sell him which is complicated given he is beyond our capabilities & kept at home without facilities.
I also have an arthritic pony who Ive had fantastic results with over the last few months with Devils Claw & changing her to barefoot & living out 24/7.
I really felt trapped by the burden of it all & posted on the forum which really helped consolidate my options & forced me to face facts & have him rescoped, so I hope you find the strength you need to make what ultimately is yours & yours only decision - good luck X

SpringArising · 5 February 2020

I'm sorry you're going through a bad time. I would 100% PTS as well.

Don't beat yourself up. Life isn't predictable and you're doing the best you can.

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