Very hard decision - Malibu, any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

M

Malibu

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 February 2006
Messages
2,191
Location
In the Saddle
Visit site
Hi guys, long time no speak, not been on here for quite a while now. P_G posted a lovely post about how i was going through a tough time and thanks everyone for your kind words etc.

Most fo you know about Malibu who damaged his tendon at an event last july, well it was a bad tendon injury BUT the outcome was to be good in that he would be ok to hack and i was just happy to have him with me and that was enough for me. We without going into too much detail, his knee is slightly buckleing and the tendon injury has spread to upper parts of leg, as i am a hundred miles away right now, i have been having lots of calls with vet, mother and our massuse who is lovely and helped me through thid tough time.

malibu has been moved to vets and is on painkillers and i saw him on sunday as my mother kindly arranged for me to get home to see him and mat also kindly allowed me to have time off work. He looked great, taht is why it is so hard, he was so happy, putting more weight on the leg than ever, was moving fine, in perfect condition.

I spent a couple of hours with him and then we had to go but i spoke to my vet and i can have him pts by the end of the week or we can go through with an operation which will not fix the problem but take alot of the pain away and give him longer in life.

i am so confused and i dont know what to do, he is healthy in that is is eating perfectly, perfect weight, bright and full of life and not depressed at all but the leg will never ben fixed and i dont care about not riding him or anything like that but am i being selfish by putting him through the operation just for me to be happy etc???

I know only i can make the decision but any wise words or advice would be appreciated as i am struggleing to know what to do and seeing him so happy and alive makes it so much harder!

thanks in advance
 
I'm so sorry you're having to make such a tough descision.
frown.gif


If he was mine, I'd go for the op, IF he was going to be pain free after it. If not, then I'd PTS.

{{{{hugs}}}}
 
What a heartbreaking decision. Im not really sure what Id do. I suppose it would depend very much on the quality of life he would have after the op. But if it was my decision and I had the money I would probably opt for the operation if that is what the vet advised. Providing the horse would be comfortable afterwards. I always take the attitude that we all live with some pain as we get older and life is bearable and I dont see that horses are any different. But then Im a big softie!!

Im not saying thats necessarily the right decision but I think it is what I would do.
 
You are not being cruel deciding to put him through an operation as long as he has a hope of a painfree future. He won't care I doubt, about what that future is and will not have hang ups about not being worked or reaching his potential so put that aside.

What you have to be sure of is whether you can genuinely support him for the rest of his painfree life. This could be years (trust me, my old boy should have died 7years ago but had other ideas and I'm sure will still be going in years to come, thank god) and you will need to find the time and money to give him what he needs to have a happy existance. I know this sounds mercinary but if this is not a realistic proposal then you do need to reconsider.

If you know you can support him then why not! Horses are operated on all the time and feel no better or worse for it because they have a purpose and potential ahead of them, they feel better because they recover and the procedure improved their quality of life. To me that is what you need to be sure of. Will he have a better and tolerable quality of life and can you afford to support him as a retired case for the rest of his life? If yes then go for it. He is important to you and deserves a chance. However if you can't garuantee this then there is no shame in calling it a day. His future quality of life is what is important and if you feel you can't , for whatever reason do this then you need to do what is kindest.

What a difficult time for you. I'm sure you will be able to reason through what is best and which ever way you go will be the right decision.

Sqip
 
yep - if the vets aren't using him as some sort of guinea pig for 'research' and the op is going to make him able to be a happy paddock ornament and able to walk around and be happy

and the post op isn't going to risk laminitis or complications on the 'good'leg and he's the sort of horse that is a 'good patient' and won't be stressed by the bandaging, etc

then as he sounds in great health otherwise and very happy with his life as a pet - then let him continue as a pet and go for the op and very good luck
 
The vet said it would be a salvage op! He would be on box rest for at least the rest of the year and on bute for rest of year, i just dont want him suffering for my benefit, he is the reason i kept riding and i learnt most of what i know, he was the best horse i ever met and i owe him so much but in my mind should i let him go or continue fighting and go throught the op which would mean travelling an hour and a half going through op and all the after care, the outcome will be less pain the injury wont be fixed and it never will be but it does mean he would have a better quality of life but obvi not for long, maybe a year,maybe longer
 
When my arab mare got arthritis in her hind fetlocks aged only 14 I was in a right quandry too. She was in good condition otherwise and seemed happy.

What made my mind up was watching her trot/shuffle across the field struggling to keep up with her 25 year old companion and falling dismally behind, that was it for me.

You don't seem decided on this yet and it's not much help perhaps but all I'd say is follow your gut instinct over and above what everbody else says.

Horses are not cheap to keep as pets and I know that I'd get very frustrated if I had to keep Will' in retirement without another horse to compete
 
Thanks eveyone, the op will not save him, cure him or fix him, it will make his life less painful , he may not be able to go out in the field often because of the risk and after time his "good leg"will be affected by conpensation of the other but the op will prolong his time and take alot of the pain away. i think i need to take some time to think about it, speak to vet again and make sure i know everything before i make decision- it is just so heartbreaking as i love him to bits and he was so lovely on sunday, even neighed when he saw me !
 
If the Op. is only going to buy him a pain free year or two, I probably wouldn't put him through it. You know you horse best and I'm sure you will make the decision that is best for him.
 
The recovery can be tough but my boy had 5 months box rest and 22 months on bute before finally coming sound after injuring his elbow!

You know your horse...can he cope with the recovery program your vet has described to you? If not then I am afraid that you have your answer...if you think he can then go for it. You are not doing this just for you, you are doing it to save your horses life and I am sure that he appreciates that as well as you do.

What you do perhaps have to weigh up is the approx extension of his life you are expecting. If this is just 1 year and he will spend several months of this in his stable then you might want to consider its worth.

Tricky but you'll get there.

Sqip
 
[ QUOTE ]
The vet said it would be a salvage op! He would be on box rest for at least the rest of the year and on bute for rest of year, i just dont want him suffering for my benefit, he is the reason i kept riding and i learnt most of what i know, he was the best horse i ever met and i owe him so much but in my mind should i let him go or continue fighting and go throught the op which would mean travelling an hour and a half going through op and all the after care, the outcome will be less pain the injury wont be fixed and it never will be but it does mean he would have a better quality of life but obvi not for long, maybe a year,maybe longer

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm sorry it's come to this for you.

I have to be honest and say, on that summary above, with only the expectation of possibly a year, even after six months of box rest and bute after operations, I don't think it's fair to put him through it at all. If the prognosis had been a good retirement for at least five years, then I would have taken the chance, but for just a year, is that being fair to him? I do sympathise, a horrible decision. You also have to take into account his future 'cost', would you be able to fund it easily without scrimping on something, he would be very high maintainence I imagine, even as a field ornament, particularly in winter where he could possibly suffer from arthritis and other stiffness?
 
I'm so sorry that its come to this for you I would not wish the pain of these decisions upon anyone I still fall to pieces when I think about my 5 yr old that I had PTS. About your horse- quite honestly youve said it all-the op will be a 'salvage job' and will 'only offer a little temporary pain relief' then 'other parts of his body will start hurting cos they are compensating etc' it really does not paint a good picture at all. I would let him go.

From all that youve said it is 100% certain that, after the operation, he will NOT have a good quality of life,. What is the point of putting him through the op and months and months of box rest for virtually no benefit except a little pain relief and then he will get the pain of other parts of his body compensating for the leg.

He is happy and well at the moment one could say that its a good time to let them go.

If you go through with the operation its just prolonging the horse's agony really and also prolonging your agony and pain and the worry of the inevitable is always going to be at the back of your mind.
I know how hard and horrible this decision is to make, but it is better then watching your horse suffering and get angry and more and more depressed over the months.
 
When I was losing my dog, someone said something that offered a lot of clarity to me, and I think it applies equally to horses. That is that an animal lives in the moment. It doesn't dwell on the past or think to the future. Its contentment depends on its comfort at the particular time it is living in.

Your horse is currently happy as you saw for yourself. Although that seems to make it harder for you to let go, in fact it should make it easier if you decide to do so, because your horse isn't suffering. Going through the op and the aftercare would be a gamble, for a future that your horse doesn't think ahead to.

It's so hard when you are really close to an animal to have to make these decisions. I think if you go for the op it will be for you; if you let go it will be for Malibu.
 
QR:

If he was mine I would have to go the PTS option I am afraid. There is no point in making him a field ornament, I don't think either of you would enjoy that.

Big hug to you - am coming over soon so you can use my shoulder for a sob if you like xxxxxxxxx
 
Oh no, I'm really sorry for you
frown.gif


As hard as it is, if he were mine then I'd prob choose to have him PTS than put him through an operation. But he's your horse, you know what he can cope with and cant.

Hugs either way
 
What a difficult, sad time for you - you have my every sympathy.

If it were me I would have the horse pts. But everyone has to make their own decisions in situations like this - and neither option is wrong. Ultimately you have to do what is best for the horse (most importantly) and of course for you.

Good luck with whatever decision you go with. Having recently been in your prediciment myself I know how hard it is. ((((((((( ))))))))
 
MFH_09, DofftheDerby and Lynwood captured just what I was thinking.

I'm in tears for you both but I do think that arranging for him to go when he's feeling good and enjoying that moment of his life is the option that I hope in your situation I would be able to take.

Best wishes
 
You poor thing - this sort of decision is never going to be easy.

We had to make a similar sort of decision before but decided that te horse in question loved exercise and loved bouncing around the field which he wouldn't be able to do anymore so we opted to PTS.

At the end of the day, it's only your decision but I'm sure you'll do the right thing for both of you xx
 
is he allowed out to play for a while or is his leg to bad to do that? If it is then then i would go for the PTS option! If he is allowed out then let him go out for as long as he can then pts! Let him go when he is a ease! Big hugs to you!
 
Aww you poor thing, what a terrible decision to have to make.

In all honesty if it were me in that position I dont know what I would do as it is hard when you are so attached. From an unattached point of view I think it is best for the horse to be pts
frown.gif
If it is only buying him time and there is no chance that he will recover then I dont think it is worth putting you or him through all the stress. After the op you will be constantly worrying how much time he has left and you will have to go through all this heartache again in a year or so and make a decision all over again. I would end his pain now.

Thats only my point of view and I know its so much harder when the problem is your own as you fear you will regret whatever decision you make. IMO neither option is right or wrong, I just think it will be easier for you to cope with having him pts now and will save him a lot of pain.
 
If he will be allowed to be a horse, and live like a horse afterwards, have the op. If he will be a stable ornament, and have to be wrapped up in cotton wool incase he cause more damage and pain, I would PTS. Horrible descision for you to make
frown.gif
 
I'm afraid i think i would have him PTS but thats easy to say as an outsider!!!!

If the op isn't going to make him pain free, will only prolong his life by a year or so, he will be on box rest buted up to the eye balls for the rest of the year and have to be wrapped in cotton wall for fear of more damage plus the fact the rest of his body will hurt through compensating then i think there is your answer as there seem to be more bad points than good for the op.

I would let him go now while he is still happy in himself and is in little pain but only you know yuor horse and what is best for him
 
This has to be the hardest decision in the world for any horse owner and I am sorry you will have to make this decision
frown.gif


The only advice that I can give is that you know Malibu better than anyone else and you know what the best course of action is. Only you can make this decision and TBH it doesnt matter what anyone says on here because you will have to live with the decision you make. Have a good, long, hard think and you will know the right decision for you both.

I have been in a similar situation and it makes every choice so much tougher when they appear healthy and happy so all thoughts are with you at this hard time
frown.gif
 
Over the years Cairo has op after op after op on his eyes. He now has one eye and cancer in the other eye returning every three years resulting in more surgery and radiotherapy.

Money is not the issue, and we do know that so far, he is good for another three years each time we have the tumour removed and radiotherapy undertaken. He is an easy to do horse and takes the treatment in his stride.

Between cancer coming back, Cairo has a normal life and does everything with no side effects. He is able to live out, has no pain, be ridden and play with Chancer.

In your case, it sounds as though this is a short term partial fix operation, he will never be completely pain free or able to have a normal life out in field retirement.

If you can have a guarantee of several years pain free and him being able to be a horse in the field and have a normal life of a non-riding horse, then yes, I would have no hesitation in having the op provided he was the sort that could cope with long term box rest to recover.

Such a difficult decision, but I personally think if he were mine, I would decide to let him go rather than put him through an operation, long term box rest and no guarantee of several years of pain free normal living at the end.

My heart goes out to you - this sort of decision is the hardest to make.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top