what should i do

[little wally]

i'll start from the beginning i bought a pony 10 years ago for my daughters and after 12 mths of owning her she went extremly lame and after vets, scans, xrays and key hole surgery at hospital to insert cameras in both back legs, they found she'd stretched both cruate ligaments, then 7 years ago she developed severe sweet itch ( which is a constant battle) plus she is a very moody mare, anyone else would have given up on her years ago but even with all her faults and attitude we love her and as was only 6 when all this started i felt she needed to go on longer, she has been ridden at walk round on short hacks, sometimes with attitude, sometimes as a donkey, but recently shes been bronking when ridden ( shes always put a fly buck in but never stuck head between knees), shes not happy to stand in field and do nothing but i feel she not safe to ride but is it time to end it and have her put to sleep, my head says one thing and my heart says another, i need people who are not emotionally involved to talk to.

 

[Wagtail]

I don't believe that horses cannot be happily retired. Just because they cannot be ridden does not mean they have to stand in a field doing nothing. Many are happy to but some need more stimulation such as clicker training or other unridden activity. You have persevered with her longer than many people would have so I applaud you for that, but I do think with a little thought, she could happily retire, so long as you can afford to do this. On the other hand, she may have just tweaked something and a bit of rest may cure it.

 

[Dolcé]

Unless you are prepared to keep her and entertain her in other ways, such as walking out on a lead rein, then I think you have answered your own question really. If she is unhappy being a field ornament but unable to be ridden then she is probably telling you it is time. Whilst she may only be 16 it would be better to say goodbye now rather than spend what could be many unhappy years standing in a field and possibly in pain. I would not think twice about keeping one of mine into old age regardless of whether they can work or not but I would also not think twice about PTS the minute their quality of life diminishes.

 

[Tickles]

What Wagtail said!

Also: may be worth getting saddle re-checked, lots of (not all!) sudden bucking behaviour is back/saddle related.

 

[little wally]

saddle was made for her and is checked regular and is adjustable by saddler, i know that is not the problem, shes is in the early stages of arthritus in the stifle and without a riders weight she moves fairly alright but with a riders weight shes unsound, we've tried natural horsemanship with her.

 

[little wally]

really i suppose im thinking if i have her put down i feel guilty that i didnt give her a longer life or do i keep her longer put off the inevitable, my vet wanted to distroy her at the beginning as most horses with this injury are un-usable but its usually seen in eventers and my girl is new forest pony, i do feel sick every time i think about it

 

[moana]

What a wonderful owner you are - that is a genuine statement, not sarcasm.

I do feel that horses and ponies can happily be retired and do nothing. Some take time to settle to a lifestyle like this, but most do.
However, if you can afford the time and money, all is well and good. If, however time and/or money are a bit of an issue, i think you are very sensible in considering the dreadful 'd' word - that is 'death'. It sounds harsh to many, but, IMHO, can be the best option at times, especially now with the desperate lack of money at the moment.

Please, regardless of what anyone else says, do what YOU feel is right. You have my utmost respect, for what it may be worth.

Huge hugs

 

[Always Henesy]

What a wonderful owner you are - that is a genuine statement, not sarcasm.

I do feel that horses and ponies can happily be retired and do nothing. Some take time to settle to a lifestyle like this, but most do.
However, if you can afford the time and money, all is well and good. If, however time and/or money are a bit of an issue, i think you are very sensible in considering the dreadful 'd' word - that is 'death'. It sounds harsh to many, but, IMHO, can be the best option at times, especially now with the desperate lack of money at the moment.

Please, regardless of what anyone else says, do what YOU feel is right. You have my utmost respect, for what it may be worth.

Huge hugs

As above
Hugs x 2

 

[little wally]

thankyou for all the hugs youve got me tearfull, ive been at this point so many times and each year i say ill give her another year and i might end up saying that again, but i also think about our little shetland losing her mate (we've had our shetty since she was 6 months old and she'll be 7 this may) and she's never be with another pony other than her mother,but the shetland does suffer at the hoof of the other one as shes used as a mobile stratching post,

 

[FionaM12]

Please, regardless of what anyone else says, do what YOU feel is right. You have my utmost respect, for what it may be worth.

Huge hugs

Agree with moana. You have done everything you can, and whatever you decide will be right for you and your pony. You have to balance quality of life, practicality, and your own feelings and needs. If you decide to pts, please do not feel guilty. It's hard for you, but not for your pony who you have given such devoted care to.

Sometimes letting them go painlessly is the last, bravest and kindest things we do for our four-legged friends.

 

[NooNoo59]

you have tried everything, given her a loving home, now do the kindest thing and have her put to sleep, its sounds as if she is not happy, hard for you but i feel the best thing for her

 

[Sugarplum Furry]

http://www.equinetourism.co.uk/editorial/horseagility/horseagility.asp

How about doing something like this with her? You don't have to compete with her or anything, just do whatever she's comfortable with at home. She might enjoy learning something new, in fact it might be fun for both of you and you won't feel that she's just hanging around in the field doing nothing.

 

[Jazzy B]

Hugs, I feel for you am in a similar situation with my old girl! I've come to the conclusion that I have done everything I can which clearly from your post you have also done for your pony. If you think she's telling you she's had enough and your heart is telling you that your making the right decision I would have her PTS. I think she is a very lucky girl to have such a nice owner.

 

[Wagtail]

you have tried everything, given her a loving home, now do the kindest thing and have her put to sleep, its sounds as if she is not happy, hard for you but i feel the best thing for her

Without seeing the pony yourself, it is impossible to say what the kindest thing to do is. It maybe PTS, or the pony may not be in such a bad way at all (it is common for horses to start to buck for umpteen reasons) and it may potentially have years of happy retirement ahead of it.