Trimming to these x rays.

Sounds like you've been very sensible with your decision YCBM, and more people could do with taking a leaf out of your book and putting the horse first instead of trying every little thing and basically kicking the can down the road and causing more damage/pain in the process.
Fingers crossed it works out with the retirement livery for Ludo!
 
Somehow I missed the update on this. I'm completely gutted for you :( But I also want to echo what others have said - you are an incredibly selfless, caring owner, and you're doing right by your horse. Maybe in time you might find a share or a loan, but there's no pressure to do any of these things. Just go easy on yourself, this must be a very hard time.
 
So sorry to read your update.
give yourself time, once he is settled and safe in his retirement home, and allow yourself the head space to process all of it.
whether you share, own, loan or never get another one in the future, there’s no rush or time limits.
 
Ah cr@p ycbm. I saw a brief update on another thread and have just caught up with this one. I remember when you found him and I wish things had turned out differently for you. He's a lucky lad that he will have a safe retirement and - not that you need my opinion - given what you have found out, stopping now so he has a chance for painfree years takes guts, and I admire you for calling time on his ridden career rather than trying to prolong it.
 
I've been following this thread out of sheer curiosity, but haven't commented because I'm not so good at saying the right thing, or knowing what to say, sometimes.

I'm so sorry about Ludo, because it's evident thorough your posts on here just how much you love and care for him. He's a beautiful horse (I'm partial to Appaloosas ;) ) and seems to have a lovely disposition. I know this must be tough on you, but it's really admirable, and just so selfless. He's very fortunate to be your horse.
 
Sorry to read what’s developed ycbm, yet huge kudos to you for following your hunches and being so observant to finally get to the issue with him. He’s so very lucky to have you championing for him.

I wish, for you, it was fixable, and am sad for you to have your horse plans quickly altered. I always thought what a well-matched team you and he look from the pics you’ve posted, and was happy for you for moving and slimming down the farm and multiple horse commitments, so you and your OH can enjoy off-farm life more.

We can never know what’s around the corner, but i admire how well you make the right decisions despite the emotional burden, something that’s always a challenge to do.

Im always reminded about ‘endings’ of anything in life, that they serve to allow new ‘beginnings’ - its something i force myself to remember when something i really enjoy has to end.
When my horse plans went awry, i never thought i’d enjoy horses as much, without riding them, but i do! I really never thought i could.
I hope Ludo’s retirement plans work-out smoothly and any new beginning that transpires brings equal joy.
x
 
ycbm said:
I'm not prepared to ride a horse when I think that riding him is going to cause arthritis. I know him inside out, he's been struggling with this for his whole ridden life, all the jigsaw pieces are fitting together with getting these x rays, i just couldn't find a vet who would take it seriously until we could make him lame.

Please people, it won't help me for you to suggest ways to keep him in work. I know you are being kind and helpful, and I'm grateful, but my decision is made.
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My big appy had hind xrays like Ludos and with the flare. We first found out about the wonky bones when he went lame and did a suspensory branch injury, came back sound with feild rest and back to light hacking and schooling then went lame again and did the inside one. By the time he was fully retired he had done 3 out of 4 suspensory branches.

It wasn't the ridden work, he was only ever a light hack and light school etc. It was because i his mind he was a 12 sports pony rather than a 16:3 beast who had a turning circle of a tank and loved to play in the feild. So we just leat jim be retired until he really broke himself being a twit pulling moves he shouldnt be pulling.

You dont need it but you have my support for this choice.
 
I’m really sorry to read your update. I can’t say anything that will help so am just sending my best wishes.
 
So sorry to read this @ycbm. I admire your persistence in finding out why Ludo was uncomfortable and although it’s a hard decision, you know you’ve done your best for him and he can have a happy retirement.

Some of your previous posts have made me much more aware of their reactions to things in everyday life and I now groom and tack up untied so thank you & sending hugs x
 
Slightlyconfused said:
My big appy had hind xrays like Ludos and with the flare. We first found out about the wonky bones when he went lame and did a suspensory branch injury, came back sound with feild rest and back to light hacking and schooling then went lame again and did the inside one. By the time he was fully retired he had done 3 out of 4 suspensory branches.

It wasn't the ridden work, he was only ever a light hack and light school etc. It was because i his mind he was a 12 sports pony rather than a 16:3 beast who had a turning circle of a tank and loved to play in the feild. So we just leat jim be retired until he really broke himself being a twit pulling moves he shouldnt be pulling.

You dont need it but you have my support for this choice.
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Thank you for this, it is really good to hear of a horse with exactly the same issue. That future of pain and repeated emotional turmoil is almost certain without retiring him and I don't want that, for either of us.
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I have only just seen your update and am so sorry to hear your news. It wasn't exactly the same situation but I went through similar quite a few years ago with a big horse who novice evented for a year or 2 before damaging a tendon. The period of rest he had for that meant that he lost muscle which then started to expose all sorts of other problems - fit and muscled he could cope, without that 'core' support he couldn't. After trying to rehab, we realised that he would always have challenges and made the same decision as you. I know how hard it is and am thinking of you x
 
I hope you like the retirement place you are going to visit today for Ludo. Like you I'm in the same boat and although its heartbreaking that all hopes for future dreams are gone it gives me huge relief to think I can visit whenever I want and at least its not a final farewell.

And what an amazing life our boys will have YCBM!! How lucky they were to come into our lives and how priviledged we were to have shared our lives with them and loved them unconditionally.

I can't imagine life without a horse, I just can't. I think you will reach that decision sooner or later too. If not I hope you find joy in another 'life'. I just know I'm not done yet.

Thinking of you x
 
So sorry for you and Ludo. I admire your persistence to find out why he just wasn’t right - but sheesh, just so very sad at the results. Gutted for you both. Sometimes the disappointments in horse ownership have me questioning wether it’s worth it! You have to do what’s right for both of you but do take extra care of yourself now.
 
Ludo is literally falling apart in front of my eyes now he's not been in work for a while. It's looking like work was the only thing holding him together and there's a lot more going on here than wonky pastern bones and a minor tendon problem in the feet. His back has dropped and he's failing the hind end stability tail-pull test really badly and his face is full of tension. He's going to a friend's farm next week to see how he does but this isn't looking good. I'm in pieces.
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I'm so so sorry. I hope you can find a way to ease his situation in some way so he can have a good retirement. Sending hope and hugs.
 
Horses that have to retire young often are too broken to go on and have long lives. I know you’ll do your best for him, including making that decision when the time comes.

Crossing fingers here you find a miracle retirement livery with lots of hills and movement and it helps, so that decision is a long way in the future.
 
Desperately sad for you ycbm.

I hope so much that you can get him to a place where retirement is still an option.

Whatever happens, you're not alone and you have our full support. X
 
I am so, so sorry @ycbm. That's really rough - he's been the luckiest horse to have you and I so wish things were going better for him. Thinking of you xx
 
ycbm said:
Ludo is literally falling apart in front of my eyes now he's not been in work for a while. It's looking like work was the only thing holding him together and there's a lot more going on here than wonky pastern bones and a minor tendon problem in the feet. His back has dropped and he's failing the hind end stability tail-pull test really badly and his face is full of tension. He's going to a friend's farm next week to see how he does but this isn't looking good. I'm in pieces.
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I am so sorry. I have lost young horses in the past and really understand how you feel. I know you will do what is best for Ludo.
 
I'm really, really sorry to hear that YCBM. Hopefully with the right retirement livery and some hills etc he'll balance back out and be ok.
 
So sorry YCBM I know you think the world of him , he is such a lovely horse and so lucky that you are his owner . Hope you can help him have a good retirement ..
 
Really sorry to read your latest update. To have all your hopes dashed one after the other is horrible. I have no words but a lot of sympathy for you and Ludo. Please keep talking to us, we are here for you. xx
 
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