Update on two TB geldings needing a home

Did not want to read and pass on. You have done so much and tried so hard so sorry that the day did not work out as you and the owner hoped.

What an awful day for you the owner, and everyone there. It does sound as though there is something unusual in the horse, but there are some who will never give in and you are right not to put either the animals or people at any more risk.

I think the decision you are all coming too is very brave, and is to make sure that the owner will know what has happend to his animals and will never have to worry if they have got into the wrong hands.

I read some of the heartbreaking appeals on stolen horses and ponies earlier, how much easier to know what has happened to the end.

Sending thoughts and best wishes to you all, the owner has so much to cope with in his life.
 
I've been following all your posts regarding these boys and I know GG you have given so much support to these horses and the owner.
Like someone else said, life sometimes smacks us in the face with a wet fish...maybe not in those exact words!!
At least everyone has tried and even getting the owner to see that his horses had to be moved was an uphill struggle. I know he loves those horses very much and wasn't an easy decision for him.
After reading your last thread and this one, after the loading issues I think sending the boys off together peacefully is the best thing for them in the long run.
 
_GG_ you have done all you can, no one can say that you & Malcolm haven't tried. A hard decision has been made and imo it is absolutely the right one.
 
Well done on trying to give them a new home. Sounds like the only decision for the boys.

When they don't want to go on there is nothing you can do. My horse fractured his leg and we had to load him (nightmare loader) to go to the vets. He had iv sedation and it still took 5 of us to get him on without damaging his leg further. We almost had to lift him in. Normally a dose knocks him out but he was really fighting against it and it was a nightmare - took almost an hour and I thought we were going to have to call it a day.

It's a sad decision for the owner but the right one x
 
I know the decision has already been made, but, any chance you could borrow one or two horses (if there are any at the yard) who are confident loading to act as lead horses for brian?
There was a horse at my yard who was just as bad as Brian but we used 2 polo ponies who walked straight in, and this horse reluctantly followed.
Sorry, just a suggestion! Probably is the best decision to pts, just a shame :(
 
elderlycoupleindevon said:
_GG_ you have done all you can, no one can say that you & Malcolm haven't tried. A hard decision has been made and imo it is absolutely the right one.
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This completely. I take my hat off to you, many would have called it a day a long time ago. Sooner the better now, far better than having it hang over you for days on end and the horses don't need time to recover, that's a human reaction.
 
I followed you on your original post and felt very sorry for the owner and his horses. However, I was also really amazed at just how much you and your YO have done to try to help and just how long the owner has tried. I am not going to focus on the negativity here. we always read posts of "awful liveries bitching, horrendous YO, owners who don't care"..

and all you guys have come out on top, all of you and deserve every bit of comfort from the fact that everyone has really really tried. The ONLY last option for you I think before you do have to PTS is the possibility of involving someone very specialist but fully understand that all concerned may not wish to go down that route. Maybe try Jason Webb or someone like Kelly Marks?

I think we forget sometimes, when we are with our (reasonably) well behaved horses, just how big a 16.2 and 16.3 are and just how dangerous they can be.

Either way, these boys, even if PTS are not facing an uncertain future of misery.

WELL DONE FOR TRYING (deliberate SHOUT OUT!)
 
Thank you everyone. Brian follows Buster everywhere, always has. This is why we loaded buster first, for Brian to follow. It made no difference but thanks for thinking of something.

Malcolm is feeling a little better this morning knowing that the future is certain. We won't wait long. Brian is unable to be seen properly by a vet without being heavily sedated again.and one of his cuts, although healed over, has given him a very puffy leg and so, although he is fine in himself and is perfectly sound, it is pointless putting him through more stress to get it treated, only for the inevitable to happen still.

All desperately sad, but the more I mull over it, the more I know that we are doing what is ultimately best for these boys, regardless of how much, as humans, we want to save them.

Really appreciate all the support I have been given here and Malcolm is also very humbled that so many strangers have been so helpful.

Such a shame he has had to get to this age without being shown that kind of support before.

It is also a shame that nothing has ever been done with the boys, but the good thing is, they have never known anything different. They have had a lovely life of being together, playing like yearlings and so to leave life the same way is no bad thing.

Thanks again.
 
It sounds to me as though Malcolm has done his best for them & to be honest i think that they've led a lovely life, always been together, never been put under any pressure to perform or work!

PTS is definitely the best decision, a brave & thoughtful one on Malcolm's part. I hope that he will be able to look back on their lives & remember them fondly. I also hope that he will now be able to spend more time looking after himself & his wife.

I would do the deed asap, you don't want to be dealing with an infected leg wound.

Big hugs to you for caring so much & being so supportive to Malcolm, his wife & the boys.
 
GG - really very sorry for you and the owner. Take comfort from the fact you have done your absolute best for these horses.

I agree with what other posters have said, perhaps this is their way of making the decision for you.

I take my hat off to you and wish that there where more people like around.

I hope the owner and his wife find a little comfort soon. x
 
so very sorry GG that it didn't go as planned, you've tried so hard to give Brian and Buster a future:( i hope Malcolm , you and N are all ok, must have been very distressing, if there's anything i can do when the time comes for the boys please let me now, even if it's just coming up to provide tea and sympathy.x

to those judging, please don't , now is not the right time to point fingers .:(
 
redriverrock said:
It seems very sad that they cant be given a chance...is there no other way, how are feral ponies loaded and managed?
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Feral ponies are normally so wary of people they run straight in... So sorry to hear this op... I agree it would be nice to give the one a chance, I'm sure he would settle and be happy, but if its not a possibility, lots and lots of love and tlc and treats until they are pts. Really am sorry to see this :(
 
amymay said:
Out of interest, how much work was done with the horse over the last several weeks to get it loading?
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Plenty, but I have said that already. Much as I would love to have taken even more time off work and spent every day trying to get them on and off, life isn't that simple.

I took Brian for a walk in hand this afternoon to alleviate some of his swelling and after only about 30 seconds of being out of sight, Buster had got himself stuck over the stable door trying to jump out to be with him. Brian almost had my head off trying to get back and so no matter what people opinions are, I know the right decision has been made for these boys.

If a video of yesterday was put up on here...I bet anyone one with an ounce of love for horses would say the exact same thing.
 
_GG_ I take my hat off to you and hope all goes well when these two set off on their last journey together. Malcolm should understand he has done right by them and not feel he has let them down.

You deserve a medal for what you have done to help.
 
Queenbee said:
Feral ponies are normally so wary of people they run straight in... So sorry to hear this op... I agree it would be nice to give the one a chance, I'm sure he would settle and be happy, but if its not a possibility, lots and lots of love and tlc and treats until they are pts. Really am sorry to see this :(
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Thanks. I would love for Buster to be saved but after this afternoon I have been reminded just how bonded these horses are. These aren't field mates that also have bonds with people and go out on rides or get time apart. They have been side by side since they were yearlings, boxed to this yard together and never ever been apart. They have to be stabled opposite each other so that they can see each other or when they stand inside to escape the wind, they call constantly to each other. Instead they stand inside and can see each other when opposite. God help anyone that parks a trailer in their way...no peace and quiet until it is moved.

Really appreciate the well wishes. I will remove any posts that are questioning the efforts made and show it to Malcolm as I really think it will help him. It won't help him to read posts questioning our efforts. Doesn't make me feel great, but I expect it. The majority of posts will, I am sure give him some more peace of mind and make it all a bit easier on him.
 
brighteyes said:
_GG_ I take my hat off to you and hope all goes well when these two set off on their last journey together. Malcolm should understand he has done right by them and not feel he has let them down.

You deserve a medal for what you have done to help.
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The number of people that have gone above and beyond in trying to assist and help us with this, some complete strangers before a few weeks ago has been astounding.
 
Such a sad, unfortunate situation :(

Just a thought - you said they were boxed to their current yard together, is there any way you can contact any person involved in them being loaded then? Just to see how they did it?
 
muckypony said:
Such a sad, unfortunate situation :(

Just a thought - you said they were boxed to their current yard together, is there any way you can contact any person involved in them being loaded then? Just to see how they did it?
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That was 8 years ago...Malcolm can't even remember where the yard was. They were babies then and loaded as livestock, fearful of people and just wrangled on. Now they are big, strong and a completely different kettle of fish :-(
 
Very sad situation, as you said sometimes these things just happen, shame no one can take them to retire together that is close enough to walk them there, oh wouldn't it be lovely in an ideal world.
 
Rouletterose said:
Very sad situation, as you said sometimes these things just happen, shame no one can take them to retire together that is close enough to walk them there, oh wouldn't it be lovely in an ideal world.
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Yep. I don't even think Malcolm would go for that now though. He is so concerned about them being split up, sold on, a well meaning person hitting similarly hard times and maybe not admitting defeat etc. He said he could not live with himself if someone took them and then a few years later he found out that person had died/hit hard times and the boys got neglected, sold or separated etc.

For a man that was initially so closed and just struggled alone, he has given this a tremendous amount of heart wrenching thought.

I have had to assist with about a dozen slaughters, with kennelman, vet and slaughterhouse and it is never a good experience, but I know how amazingly quick and stress free it is for the horses. Best thing is, the boys can be done at the exact same time, so neither has to see the other go.
 
Usually I would say you should try and do everything in your power to help these two horses...but as truly upsetting as it is, I think you've all made the right choice.

I wish we could make them understand that if they help us by cooperating, it will save their life :( but then, as you say, if they are taken somewhere else, they could be split up, which I think would be worse than being pts.

I hope they go quietly and together. Wishing you, Malcolm and the horses all the best <3
Now I have to go and dry my eyes!
 
You have done your best and sadly pts is the only option, is there nobody at your current yard willing to take them on or even the people who were having them if they are local willing to work with them at there current yard?
 
Sorry to say this I hope it wont upset ..... but my little lad was like this with big lad - to the extent that while big lad was on box rest he would turn himself inside out to get back into the stable to be with big lad.... I was dreading loosing big lad - but when we did - i allowed little lad to see what happend and allowed him time to see his friend.

he walked to him nuzzled him, prodded him with his leg... sniffed him, jumped back in shock, and walked away - he has never ever called for him from that moment, even when he was turned out when we removed big lads body - and that was an hour tops since he had gone.

So it may work if your prepared to let the one see the other -

but obviously i fully understand if you dont want to do this
 
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