what do i do???

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ew1801

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i dont no what to do for the best. i have a 21 year old sport horse that i rescued 4 years ago from the sales. she is a lovely mare and when we could ride her she built my mums confidence up no end but she does have her problems.
she has a collapsed larynx which doesnt cause her any problems but obviously she does make alot of noise whilst eating but the noise seems to be getting worse.
she has arthritus and doesnt take any medication unless she is having a really bad day which to be honest isnt very often but she is lame walking up or down a hill but is fine on the flat.
she does have mild COPD which is managed fine but she does have discharge from her nose through the winter as she is stabled more. i have tried leaving her out 24/7 but her legs sieze up
she used to lay down all the time. many people on the yard used to laugh at her as you could hear her snoring a mile off but no one has seen her lay down in at least 18 months
she also has an old tendon injury that flares up occasionally
she seems ok in herself and is up to weight etc but do i put her through another winter and risk her struggling in the field or finding her on the floor an not being able to get up??
and what about her larynx an her COPD when shes in for longer periods.
the field she is in gets very muddy around the gate and i used to close my eyes watching her coming through it last year as her legs just seem fragile or it might be me being paronoid. she might be tougher than i think and cope fine with the winter
have any of you guys been through similar and what did you do??
i dont want to seem heartless and pts if she will cope this winter but i dont want to find her in pain and have no other decision??
shes 16.1hh middleweight idxtb with green irish book who was originally from ireland so im assuming shes been well used then discarded and she also had her 1st foal at just 2-3 years old.
thanks
 
It's very hard but I would PTS at the end of summer, she doesn't owe you anything by the sounds of it. It also sounds like she has had a good life with you, this is what we planed with our old TB x but he did make it to the end of summer.

Really hard to tell you what to do you know your horse and will know when the time is right. (((hugs)))
 
I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, it's not meant to be, but the fact that you are asking the question tells me that deep down in your heart you know the answer, tough as it might be. She has multiple issues, none of which are likely to improve or be helped by another winter. If it was me, I would be giving her a comfortable, happy last summer and making arrangements to let her go peacefully at the end of the autumn.

It's always a difficult decision to make and my heart goes out to you.
 
yes i do think it is for the best just needed some sort of reasurance. she has been mainly a happy hack with me and has never wanted for nothing and she is very much apart of the family i just dont want to see her suffer. ive mentioned it to my mum who just doesnt answer me (shes just her horse an much as mine) and ive also mentioned to to a few people on the yard but unfortunatly these people would rather have there horses go one until the vet says its time and even then they wont accept it. there a few old horses on yard that are struggling now through the summer but owners are adament on keeping them going which i think is cruel. just hard when you got people in your ear saying do this and try that even though i know the problems shes got cannot be fixed and will only get worse. this is very hard for me so please be gentle but honest
 
unfortunatly we will all be in your position at some time in our life, wether family, pets horses we all can only support you in doing the right thing having nice summer and attention and fond memories x
 
If only more people were like you - taking a brave decision for all the right reasons. You must really love and know your horse very well.
 
Saying goodbye is the hardest decision to make. A vet once told me it is the last act of love you can show your horse. Wise words which I have never forgotten. Big hugs to you and your horse.
 
Ditto everyone's comments. It's a horrible decision to have to make, but due to her age and the multiple issues she has, I think you know what you need to do :( You might possibly get another winter from her, but would you want her to suffer knowing the inevitable outcome? Also, the collapsed larynx issue alone is a large one, most likely requiring an operation .... would you, could you, put her through that at her age? Surely far better to say goodbye to her and remember her as she is now, rather than see her deterioriate. Unbearably sad, but you'd be doing the right thing for her ..... be strong x
 
If you want to make life easier for her when she is stabled then feed her one hour soaked hay from the floor rather than a hay net as that will help her sinuses to drain while she is eathing and also keep the stable walls and roof dust and cob web free (including adjoining stables). i.e sweep them down once a week.
 
no i wont put her through an operatin at her age. when i first bought her the vet scoped her and said she would be fine for just light hacking which is what i wanted her for anyway and luckily she turned out 2 be utterly bombproof and well schooled and shes was ok to be left for weeks with outbeing ridden which was exactly what i wanted for my mum to build her confidence up. its just a really hard decision. you get it in your mind to pts then you go up and see her and she looks at me with them big soppy eyes and i just fall to pieces. why do they have to get old
 
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