What should I do? Opinions needed :(

[wattamus]

For those of you who don't know my horse was diagnosed with severe ringbone in September, she then had an operation to insert a plate and bolts into her leg to fuse the joint and make sure she was comfortable. She would only ever be a field ornament but she would be happy with that and she would still be able to be led out etc.

Before

After
Anyhow we had some X-rays done on Friday and the surgeon says that two of the screws have shifted and need removing, which means another operation. The rest of it is healing very well though.
Our insurance has run out, and we are now paying the bills (currentley standing at near enough £1k) They'r going to get back to me on a price for the op. but i cannot see it being below 2k and then there is the aftercare. So moneywise we're *******ed. Well parents are *******ed as they are paying as i am a student and can only contribut the wages of my P/T Jobs
Also I don't know whether i should put her through another op, she didn't eat for a week after the last one and I'm starting to wonder whether it is worth if for her sake.
So my question is, if you were in my position what would you do? I Love her so much and she is still so full of life and so happy (crying now) but I don't know what to do. I will make my own descision but I would like others opinions too.
Thank You for reading xx

 

[AshTay]

What a horrible situation to be in

Can the vet give you any ideas about prognosis once the screws are removed? Are they no longer needed due to healing or are they becoming more hindrance than help?

 

[Marydoll]

Speak to the surgeon, to get a full picture of the extent of the surgery, I wouldnt imagine the screw removal should take long.
Aftercare shouldnt be to great either this time around, i cant imagine your horse having to stay to long

 

[piebaldsparkle]

If she is uncomfortable as she now stands and the only option is another Op. or PTS, then I would probably PTS.

I used to share a TB mare who badly damaged a tendon in the field a year later after lots of heartache box rest/hand walking and being turned away, she was booked in to be rescanned with a view to bring her back into work, sadly days before the scan she did another tendon........ Neither I or she or the owners could go through another year, so she was PTS (gutting as it was having got so far and invested so must time and care into her recovery). So know how you feel right now. xxxx

 

[classicalfan]

Don't put yourself or her through it. I would question whether the screws need rmoving after all this time (September was the operation date?). If she is happy and comfortable I would suggest leaving it alone and see how the recovery continues.

 

[kerilli]

as above, if she's sound and comfortable i would leave alone for now and keep everything firmly crossed. if not, i am very sorry but i would PTS. i would not spend £££s more on a horse who could only, at best, be a field ornament.

 

[*hic*]

As kerilli says.

 

[wattamus]

screws have shifted and so need removing, she is currentley not sound and on one bute a day to keep her comfortable (two weeks ago she was on nothing).
Can i just ask R.E some of the comments, would you put her through it if she were to be rideable again? I mean for me IMHO she would still have a fantastic quality of life and i don't mind having a field ornament instead of a riding horse, to have my girl greet me every morning is the best thing in the world. I don't think we're ready to say goodbye just yet (myself or the horse) so after having a long discussion we think we're going to go through with the op. after new year on the condition that this is the last time she will be put through this. My dad (although he's not rich) said that we'll find the money to do it, he said he didn't want money to play a part in my descision.
Still need to talk to the surgeon etc, and find out some more details and prices and prognosis before our descision is set in stone but I think we're going to give her another shot
Thank you for all your opinions, they were all taken on board very much appreciated.

 

[Brandy]

I think if money is not an issue (as your dad said, he doesn't want it to affect your decision) then Iwould go ahead with it.

This op should be much less traumatic for her, and to be honest, think about if you had had a similar operation - you would have been off colour for a week also.

On the other hand, there is no shame in calling it a day - neither of my two uninsured (aged) ponies would have been able to have the first op. They don;t know that the injection is the final one when they are having it.

Hope it all works out.

 

[Tammytoo]

I was about to post to say give her one more chance. We have a 14.2 pony that we have had for 17 years and love dearly. She has cushings and has had a couple of scares with terrible lami in winter, but when faced with the suggestion of PTS or pay the vets fees we have bitten the bullet every time. She is happy, bouncy and well and costs £2 a day to keep up her meds but I don't regret a penny and I'm sure you won't.

 

[AshTay]

I wouldn't let the rideable/unrideable issue be a factor. I still love owning my field ornament - i do miss riding him but he gets handled everyday and still make me smile and I love him to bits. In your situation I would have had the same dilemma but I also have 2 other horses so I'd have to consider whether paying out for him would compromise their care in anyway. But I know I'd find a way.

Your Dad sounds amazing!

There will always be people on any forum who think a horse is of lesser "value" (I don't mean financially) if unrideable and don't understand why people keep their horses when they can no longer ride them. To an extent it's true as most of us own horses so we can ride them. But some people also love just looking after and being around their horses. It's a whole other thread and only you know how you feel about paying out £££'s for your field ornament.

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

If she has a good prognosis afterwards and you can afford it, I would go for it. For me, the horse being rideable or not afterwards is irrelevant. I spent £800 saving my £70 sheep who is deffo never going to be ridden... (poor dear only has 3 legs now!) lol. For me, they are a member of my family and if they have a good chance of having a good quality of life post op, then I would always do it.

 

[Holly Hocks]

If your Dad is willing to pay, then I would go ahead. Like you, I'm not bothered whether a horse is rideable again - I'm going through it with my mare at the moment - she may never be ridden again and we have spent thousands on her only to find something else is wrong. I don't regret a penny of it and I don't think you will either. It doesn't sound like it's time to say goodbye yet. x

 

[wattamus]

Thank you all I don't think her time has come just yet, she owes me nothing and is the horse of a lifetime, and even if I knew that we were going to go through all this when we bought her, I would've still got her.
And yes my dad is amazing (he won't admit it but he loves her as much as i do- always wanting to come down and take care of her ) I am so gratefull to both him and my mum and one day (when I'm rich and rule the world or win the lottery!) I will pay them back for everything they have done for me. Thank you again guys xxx

 

[Fransurrey]

I agree with those who say your Dad is amazing!

I think you need to sit down properly with the surgeon and discuss the prognosis. It seems to be such a variable condition. Maybe the surgeon would also be willing to take payment in installments? Good luck with whatever you decide. xx

 

[Mancha]

If money isn't an object and she's happy and comfortable i'd keep going. I'm another that's more concerned for my horse happiness and wellbeing than being able to ride/compete or my bank balance for that matter. Wishing her get well soon vibes.

 

[cptrayes]

I think you need to understand why the screws came loose, what the likelihood is of her being sound without those screws, and what the possibility is that the remaining screws, now under more pressure will also come loose.

I would like to know if you were warned beforehand that loosened screws and a repeat operation was a possibility, because the whole scenario doesn't sound right to me and I wonder if it was done properly the first time round.