What options does the owner have?

[Fools Motto]

Filly TB foal born end Feb.
Breed for racing, but not well bred, dam never raced and hasn't produced much to write home about! Sire has got his first 2yo's this year, so not much to go on really.
Filly was born very windswept, over at the knee and off fore foot turning out. Some of this has been corrected, but her off fore foot is still pointing out and it now appears to be twisted from the knee. The vets have seen her, and don't hold any hope for her to ever race. (I doubt she would ever be ridden). Her breeding suggests she will be rather ordinary, unless her sire suddenly does well, but that is a waiting game. If she were to be used as a broodmare, (and I personally don't think she should) she will have to be a companion/lawn mower til she is three at the very least before she is covered. Not very feasible for the owners. She is not of selling quality either, and owner has even said they'd be lucky to give her away.
The owners have therefore hinted that when she has been weaned, and all the other stock is settled, she would be PTS quietly. Sad as it is, I can see the owners point of view... options are limited really aren't they?

 

[JellyBen]

I always think PTS is the last option, and I know more than ever PTS is on the increase, there are so many neglected animals/cant guarantee a life etc.. but quite sad really, maybe if she was older i probably wouldnt have commented, like i tend not to on the other posts, but probably cause shes a baby
Can definitely understand why though, if she has no quality of life, and its rather expensive to just have a horse to graze a field for you, still sad

 

[AmyMay]

It would be very unfair on this filly for the owners not to seek the best remedial farriery or veterinary work on her until she was a year old.

It's amazing how bent, and crumpled foals become long limbed and straight given the right care and treatment.

Obviously if she didn't come right then sell as a riding horse. Unless she was so bad, then pts.

 

[Flummoxed]

A difficult one.

However, breeding for racing is a business. The filly has been bred for a specific job and, if she cannot bring a financial return for the breeder, I can understand why they would PTS rather than spend additional money on corrective treatment.

 

[CBFan]

This begs the question - why breed a foal for racing out of substandard parents??!

but back to the question, I'd say give the filly a chance - I know some very wonky legged horses who make perfectly good riding club / hacks so I wouldn't rule this out and instead, as already suggested I would make sure she has remedial farriery and veterinary care until she is 18 months to 2 years old...

I WOULD NOT breed from her.

 

[Kaylum]

This begs the question - why breed a foal for racing out of substandard parents??!

but back to the question, I'd say give the filly a chance - I know some very wonky legged horses who make perfectly good riding club / hacks so I wouldn't rule this out and instead, as already suggested I would make sure she has remedial farriery and veterinary care until she is 18 months to 2 years old...

I WOULD NOT breed from her.

This. and regarding a financial return for the breeder, sorry but inmyopinion its not been bred for racing so looking after the filly now is the duty of the breeder. Lessons learnt and better choices in breeding stock next time.

 

[Maesfen]

Her breeding suggests she will be rather ordinary, unless her sire suddenly does well, but that is a waiting game. If she were to be used as a broodmare, (and I personally don't think she should) she will have to be a companion/lawn mower til she is three at the very least before she is covered.

Why on earth breed another TB from something like that dam unless she is from a winning family anyway but other than that, breeding is a waiting game; did they not realise that from the start?
Sorry, attitudes like this make me mad. Don't breed from sub standard stock in the first place just because it has a passport but I admit, this filly's problems could have been just luck of the draw and hopefully not hereditary; they need to look severely at the dam to see if it is connected to her before they think about breeding from her again.
On the other hand, I would do as they plan and put down after weaning because a filly with those problems will never remain sound and is a sure candidate for a wagon going to France at some point.