spike123
Well-Known Member
likewise. I put my heart horse of 15years to sleep exactly for this reason. He had stifle arthritis
what to do? end of the road, where next
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Sanversera
Well-Known Member
I'd PTS as a kindness to a horse in pain.
spike123
Well-Known Member
I messaged my vets today and the vet who has been dealing with her has basically agreed try the danilon but if that fails it's kindest to put her down before winter given how stressed she find life in the stables.
Marigold4
Well-Known Member
I'm in a similar situation with my mare. She's 2/10ths lame on right front and 1/10 left. She is reasonable comfortable on 1 danilon a day at the moment and I increase it to 1.5 if she looks worse. She is mostly tb and can be very excitable. She's become worse temperamentallly since she's been lame and I think the two things are linked. At one point last winter she was almost becoming dangerous and affecting the behaviour of my other two and I nearly called it. She's happier now its summer and is more settled.
Can you observe yours and try and work out what causes her "bad" days? Weather, ground, what's going on around her? Have you got a good physio who can help you? Mine is good at pinpointing where it hurts.
If she's behaving in a dangerous way and running through you, I would PTS. It's not worth the risk for you or others.
Birker2020
Well-Known Member
Think that's a very good idea.
Then you will know one way or another.
spike123
Well-Known Member
this sounds very like mine. Vet has advised against giving her 2 a day long term because of her temperament. Presumably being as she's already a stressy type then she will be even more prone to ulcers or damage.
The more I see the more I realise how desparately unhappy she is at times. She has always been extremely sensitive and carries tension and is on a daily dose of valerian to help her manage her stress. I can clearly see where she hurts as she moves. Turning hurts, attempting to lay down sometimes hurts, being ridden hurts so thats now a definite retirement as vet had recently suggested keep working her. However now she's aware that things have deteriorated she's said turn her out a month on the daily danilon and see what happens and take from there.
She doesn't run through me as I wont allow it but did at first. Her go to was run and think it through once away from what she was scared of. She does now look to me for reassurance and as my professionals tell me i'm her safe space.
Marigold4
Well-Known Member
I'm keeping my fingers crissed for her that the painkillers help her physically and mentally.
Mfh999
Well-Known Member
That nightmare happened to me although I knew nothing about it until after he had been put down and I still have nightmares about it; it truely stays with you as it's your last memory of them.
In my case, one I bred was on long term loan, had happily been with them for years with minimal input from me so I gave him to them outright; he had a great life hacking and hunting and being a mate for them. Two years later I get the call to tell me he had been down in the field, unable to get up; they and the vet tried all day but in the end had no choice. Worst of all, this had happened months before too but he had got up that time. I would have called it a day that very first time. It's an horrendous end for them being unable to escape any predators. No horse deserves to be allowed to suffer like that.
Birker2020
Well-Known Member
I would just say that retirement livery doesn't suit all.
This was Lari at his best when he was with me. At his worst whilst on retirement livery in a herd fighting to exist and struggling to keep weight on (although we addressed the issue at the time). That was winter 2023 and now back home with me again.
Sorry OP. I don't think I'd send another to retirement livery personally.
This was Lari at his best when he was with me. At his worst whilst on retirement livery in a herd fighting to exist and struggling to keep weight on (although we addressed the issue at the time). That was winter 2023 and now back home with me again.
Sorry OP. I don't think I'd send another to retirement livery personally.
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Velcrobum
Well-Known Member
I had to PTS one much younger because his issues were getting worse. IMHO PTS before the winter definitely and sooner if her "bad" days get more frequent I'm sorry to say. It is a very tough call to make when horses are younger but sometimes very necessary. 
spike123
Well-Known Member
A decision has been made that she will be pts before the end of Summer. Sooner if deemed neccessary. She's not fully sound on 2 danilon a day so I can't bear the thought of her having the stress of being stabled in winter that she hates and then sore all next summer as soon as the ground goes hard. I would book now but hubby has his cancer surgery next week and he needs me there for him just now.
spike123
Well-Known Member
some years ago we had an elderly arthritic mare who had elderly novice owners. They absolutely adored her and would do anything for her. Sadly she went down in the field. She got up and was very neurological. Vets came and were sceptical but needed further investigations. They boxed her to Liphook and it turned out she had broken her back and was immediately pts.
alibali
Well-Known Member
I hope all goes smoothly and successfully next week.
Birker2020
Well-Known Member
I'm sorry to hear this but it sounds like this is a sensible decision.
I get 100% about not doing it now. I put off having Bailey pts for a few days because I had an important interview for a two year freelance role which I did get offered and accepted. I'd loved him for 17 amazing years and I knew I'd struggle at the interview if I'd lost him before and his pain could be easily controlled in the short term. It also meant that I had a couple of weeks to start to come to terms with his death before I started my new job.
I hope your husband is okay. Here if you want to chat Spike x
SEL
Well-Known Member
I held off with my old boy as we had a summer of other family members big celebrations. He was dragged to the eyeballs so fine but I can remember sitting in one party knowing full well i was going to be making that awful call to the vet that week and trying very hard to plaster a smile on my face.
Hope it goes well with hubbie xx
Hope it goes well with hubbie xx
Kirstd33
Well-Known Member
I'm in exactly the same situation here with coblet, as following surgery on his annular ligaments (both hinds) last spring, box rest, paddock turnout, twice-daily inhand walking etc all as per the vets instructions he just hasn't come sound. It looked promising for a while last Autumn but then as soon as we started doing more he declined and actually now is worse than before the surgery that we were persuaded to give a go 
I retired him from riding at Xmas and then moved him off his stabled conventional DIY livery yard onto a friends grass livery in April, just before i had surgery on my thyroid (also cancer)
He's lived out with her 3 endurance ponies (1 retired also) and has had 3 blissful months on 8 acres pottering round. I say pottering as despite 1/2-1 danilon/day he's field sound, but some days musters a trot/short canter if the others are having a hooley but some days looks uncomfortable and the owner who lives there says the highlight of his day is the hour my daughter and I spend with him int he evening when he perks up a bit for a play and a groom and he does all his old tricks! We had in mind PTS in the October before they come into a barn for the winter however he had the farrier on Tuesday to trim his hooves and it was awful, took ages and he really struggled with the flexion and balancing for any length of time.
The kids and I are still at school for a fortnight then we have a short 5 days hols booked at the end of the month and we are going to do the deed when we come back. Its making me ill and I'm crying even typing this but I do know in my heart now its the kindest thing to do.
I retired him from riding at Xmas and then moved him off his stabled conventional DIY livery yard onto a friends grass livery in April, just before i had surgery on my thyroid (also cancer) He's lived out with her 3 endurance ponies (1 retired also) and has had 3 blissful months on 8 acres pottering round. I say pottering as despite 1/2-1 danilon/day he's field sound, but some days musters a trot/short canter if the others are having a hooley but some days looks uncomfortable and the owner who lives there says the highlight of his day is the hour my daughter and I spend with him int he evening when he perks up a bit for a play and a groom and he does all his old tricks! We had in mind PTS in the October before they come into a barn for the winter however he had the farrier on Tuesday to trim his hooves and it was awful, took ages and he really struggled with the flexion and balancing for any length of time.
The kids and I are still at school for a fortnight then we have a short 5 days hols booked at the end of the month and we are going to do the deed when we come back. Its making me ill and I'm crying even typing this but I do know in my heart now its the kindest thing to do.
Kirstd33
Well-Known Member
I'm in exactly the same situation here with coblet, as following surgery on his annular ligaments (both hinds) last spring, box rest, paddock turnout, twice-daily inhand walking etc all as per the vets instructions he just hasn't come sound. It looked promising for a while last Autumn but then as soon as we started doing more he declined and actually now is worse than before the surgery that we were persuaded to give a go I retired him from riding at Xmas and then moved him off his stabled conventional DIY livery yard onto a friends grass livery in April, just before i had surgery on my thyroid (also cancer)
He's lived out with her 3 endurance ponies (1 retired also) and has had 3 blissful months on 8 acres pottering round. I say pottering as despite 1/2-1 danilon/day he's field sound, but some days musters a trot/short canter if the others are having a hooley but some days looks uncomfortable and the owner who lives there says the highlight of his day is the hour my daughter and I spend with him int he evening when he perks up a bit for a play and a groom and he does all his old tricks! We had in mind PTS in the October before they come into a barn for the winter however he had the farrier on Tuesday to trim his hooves and it was awful, took ages and he really struggled with the flexion and balancing for any length of time.
The kids and I are still at school for a fortnight then we have a short 5 days hols booked at the end of the month and we are going to do the deed when we come back. Its making me ill and I'm crying even typing this but I do know in my heart now its the kindest thing to do.
I retired him from riding at Xmas and then moved him off his stabled conventional DIY livery yard onto a friends grass livery in April, just before i had surgery on my thyroid (also cancer) He's lived out with her 3 endurance ponies (1 retired also) and has had 3 blissful months on 8 acres pottering round. I say pottering as despite 1/2-1 danilon/day he's field sound, but some days musters a trot/short canter if the others are having a hooley but some days looks uncomfortable and the owner who lives there says the highlight of his day is the hour my daughter and I spend with him int he evening when he perks up a bit for a play and a groom and he does all his old tricks! We had in mind PTS in the October before they come into a barn for the winter however he had the farrier on Tuesday to trim his hooves and it was awful, took ages and he really struggled with the flexion and balancing for any length of time.
The kids and I are still at school for a fortnight then we have a short 5 days hols booked at the end of the month and we are going to do the deed when we come back. Its making me ill and I'm crying even typing this but I do know in my heart now its the kindest thing to do.
spike123
Well-Known Member
I'm so sorry for your loss. I have booked a date for my mare and actually feel a little relieved as I know I'm ending her suffering and doing the kindest thing. It is hard yes but sadly part of loving them is knowing you lose them eventually. I feel your pain. Had to do this 2 years ago with my last horse as well after his arthritis had advanced to a stage of not being able to be treated any further.I'm in exactly the same situation here with coblet, as following surgery on his annular ligaments (both hinds) last spring, box rest, paddock turnout, twice-daily inhand walking etc all as per the vets instructions he just hasn't come sound. It looked promising for a while last Autumn but then as soon as we started doing more he declined and actually now is worse than before the surgery that we were persuaded to give a go
He's lived out with her 3 endurance ponies (1 retired also) and has had 3 blissful months on 8 acres pottering round. I say pottering as despite 1/2-1 danilon/day he's field sound, but some days musters a trot/short canter if the others are having a hooley but some days looks uncomfortable and the owner who lives there says the highlight of his day is the hour my daughter and I spend with him int he evening when he perks up a bit for a play and a groom and he does all his old tricks! We had in mind PTS in the October before they come into a barn for the winter however he had the farrier on Tuesday to trim his hooves and it was awful, took ages and he really struggled with the flexion and balancing for any length of time.
The kids and I are still at school for a fortnight then we have a short 5 days hols booked at the end of the month and we are going to do the deed when we come back. Its making me ill and I'm crying even typing this but I do know in my heart now its the kindest thing to do.
Boulty
Well-Known Member
Sorry @spike123 & @Kirstd33 that you’re both in this position but it really is the last kind thing we can do for them.
I’ve not booked a date for mine yet as I’m being indecisive about how I want it done (leaning towards gun but then that’s scary cos I’ve not had it done that way before) and am also investigating donating for dissection (without much luck I’ll be honest)
I’ve not booked a date for mine yet as I’m being indecisive about how I want it done (leaning towards gun but then that’s scary cos I’ve not had it done that way before) and am also investigating donating for dissection (without much luck I’ll be honest)
Kirstd33
Well-Known Member
Yes I'm having the same quandry also, I've been with a couple of horses who have had the injection (1 peaceful, 1 a little ajitated) but never the gun, but coblet doesn't like needles so maybe the gun would be better for him not not me
Also I also haven't yet had the conversation with the vet who I think believes Coblet is better than he is really is, but has only since him for 2 x 5 min appts in the past 6 months - if i chose the gun method do i even need to tell the vet?
Kirstd33
Well-Known Member
You're stronger than me, I just can't seem to be able to set a date. I've got as far as a 3 week window, between coming back off hols and starting back at school again in September. xx
spike123
Well-Known Member
I found once I had made the date it got easier. It's accepting it's going to happen and why. Yes it's hard but sometimes you have to think how they're coping, what's going on and how much real pain they're in. For mine she's grumpier, stressed and more reluctant for interaction even with me. Look at it as the last kindness we can do for them in ending their suffering
spike123
Well-Known Member
I'm having the gun as mare is absolutely scared stiff of the vets. She has to be sedated for everything so will have oral sedative to take the edge off of her stress and then will hopefully go with her head in a bucket of feed none the wiser and with a lot less heightened stress.Yes I'm having the same quandry also, I've been with a couple of horses who have had the injection (1 peaceful, 1 a little ajitated) but never the gun, but coblet doesn't like needles so maybe the gun would be better for him not not me
Also I also haven't yet had the conversation with the vet who I think believes Coblet is better than he is really is, but has only since him for 2 x 5 min appts in the past 6 months - if i chose the gun method do i even need to tell the vet?
You don't need to tell the vet of your chosen methods. I did discuss with mine due to the need for oral sedative being given. She totally understood as knows her well enough to know that she runs first and that's the last thing you want with this.
nutjob
Well-Known Member
You don't have to tell the vet if you don't want to. I would do so after the event because I had an experience where I was sent reminders for my horses' vaccinations after he was deceased which was like a stab in the heart as I was starting to get over it. He dropped down dead in the field aged 27, presumably from a heart attack or aneurism.Yes I'm having the same quandry also, I've been with a couple of horses who have had the injection (1 peaceful, 1 a little ajitated) but never the gun, but coblet doesn't like needles so maybe the gun would be better for him not not me
Also I also haven't yet had the conversation with the vet who I think believes Coblet is better than he is really is, but has only since him for 2 x 5 min appts in the past 6 months - if i chose the gun method do i even need to tell the vet?