Think that time is approaching...

As far as I am aware blood bank would mean she can't have been buted and she is buted daily.
She is happy enough for now but as I said previously, without work she is miserable whether she is sound or not... That is the dilemma.
 
You are right. The blood bank won't take horses that are on medication. Have you tired doing other things with her? Groundwork, clicker training etc. All I am saying is that your problems ARE solvable. But not everyone wants to do groundwork and clicker training etc. Some need to be able to ride too. If that is you then PTS would be the best option.
 
I have done lots of things over the years with her and nothing stimulates her a such as regular work, even in light work she can be a madam... I am just utterly lost as what to do with her :(
 
baker190 said:
As far as I am aware blood bank would mean she can't have been buted and she is buted daily.
She is happy enough for now but as I said previously, without work she is miserable whether she is sound or not... That is the dilemma.
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Hi I am really sorry you are in this situation of which I dont know a lot. I think only you know your animal and if you feel its in their best interest to go out whilst they are not crippled I can fully understand that. I had old boy xray in 2005(told wouldnt ride him again then) fast forward he was ridden up until a year ago. Xmas 2011 I had vet out who wanted to take him to horsepital. I said NO as he was 23(unpassported probably older) didnt load well etc and had a good innings, couldnt see point quite frankly. I knew he was arthritic etc and you could hear him creaking. I managed to persuade the vet to give me some bute. He was on one a day which was a miracle so clearly was uncomfortable. 9 months later increase to 2 bute and it wasnt touching him. I spoke to vet and eventually booked PTS date. Awful the vet still wanted to treat my horse who was now hobbling(which came on suddenly). I have posted before and was quite shocked as the vet was adament my horse should be down and unable to get up. Like you I didnt want to find my horse down! I wanted him to go out with sun on his back and before he was utterly crippled. He started to have odd day of limp and grumpy..just slight change. I dont think just because your horse is fine today that if you decide to PTS is wrong at all. I think I was realistic and sometimes enough is enough. I am sure your vet isnt like mine but I made the best decision for my old boy and have no regrets even though it was the hardest decision for me to make for an old friend. I reckon I could have kept him hobbling another 6 months but started to feel there was no point.The only benefit was to my vets Bank account. Only you can decide and know your horse. Age should not come into your decision. You sound very realistic and have clearly started to think things through, but I dont envy anyone tooing and froing. It can feel like a rollercoaster. So easy to give advice.
 
I know someone that managed the pain well when it was cold by putting leg wraps on in stable. Was superficial though, not sure of the exact problem.
 
Indie999... Thank you so much for sharing that. My vet wants to ad new things like shoes and up her bute when needed but the reality is that she is going to get worse, and every time I ride her I feel she isn't quite 'right' even though everyone says she looks fine. My main concern is that she is field sound and may well come sound for riding but it is only going to get worse as time goes on and I don't know how long I could watch that for. She has so many problems, it's unbelievable really that she has been sound this long as the vet told me her working life was virtually over on January. We have had a fantastic year this year and for that I am grateful.
I am going to call the vet Monday and see what he thinks :(
 
Well I'm really sorry but I'm going to disagree with trying different treatments and I think you should go with your gut instinct as you know your horse better than any of us. The horse knows no different but you know her prognosis and I'm a great believer in its better a day too early than a day too late.

Yes you could try different things but you are correct that she will always get worse no matter what you do :( horses are stoic animals and my biggest worry is that they are suffering more than they let on.

Its a difficult decision but it sounds like you want to do what's right for your horse rather than what's right for you and you need to pat yourself on the back. You adore your horse and your decision will be made for her not you and that's the final kindness you could give her.

Go with your gut instinct and your vets advice as remember your vet will have seen many horses in this position and knows your horse (unlike us) and will be able to help you decide when you should PTS.

I don't disagree with you at all and if she is not able to be handled that well out of work then there is nothing wrong with you making that decision. My poor boy was PTS aged 10, he was diagnosed with navicular plus other problems aged 8 and was a nightmare to handle once out of work. He became positively dangerous (no malice at all he just couldn't contain himself) I vowed if he went lame again and needed box rest I. Would PTS as it wasn't fair on him (or me)

Good luck and stay strong XX
 
What a great post from neddynesbitt, I agree totally.

Sorry that you're having to make this decision :( Horses have no concept of the future, what's important to them is the present, and I think it's good to remember that & spoil her in her last few days :)
 
If she's in pain and it's progressive you owe it to her to make the decision, it's not nice to do but it's all part of loving them and right.

Don't let anyone sway you, you know your horse better than anyone else so just follow your gut it's rarely wrong.
 
Reading the last couple of posts thats moreless exactly what I told my "Forever Treat rubbish vet" I had to convince him that I was not going to continue treating my old boy for "my own comfort". And that for me summed it up. I hoped everything I did was for his sake and not mine.I did discuss treatment with OH and money was no object. It was kinder to PTS. A very hard decision but as an owner my duty to him to go out on top! Everyday I wondered if I would find him distressed or down. But just take your time and you will know. The day I rang the vet I had a horse hobbling on 3 legs although guilt as he gave me a lovely whinny. I just knew that was it. The day before he seemed stiff but OK, the bute wasnt working when I increased it the week before. I had other really experienced horse owners that hadnt seen my horse ie daily give me their honest opinion that I trusted each one. One said to me "your horse is knackered". That was about 2 weeks before. Am sure your decision will be the right one.
 
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