What to do??

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fitzaud2

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My 5 1/2 year old daughter(and that half is very important when your 5!!) had her first lesson on sat. Totally confident, was trotting within 10 mins of starting and had the rising trot figured out. I have a 16.2hh 25 year old mare that is coming to the end of her life, within the next few mths, (has gone downhill in the last few weeks). My son, who is 9 tomorrow, has decided he wants to ride cassie, ( now by ride i mean walk her for about 5 mins). He used to ride but had a few bad falls too young, and packed it in. My question is, do you put the mare to sleep now, which she probably could do with, as she is lame in anything but walk, or do you sacrifice her for a few weeks to get you kids confident?? They are only walking around the field on a lein rein?? I love that mare so much, dont want to p**s her off in her older years but what do you think??
 
Really sad, so Sorry for you, i reckon you've answered your own question really, if you feel she would be sacrificed to keep going on longer and that it will Piss her off then after so many years of good service she deserves the best to be done for her and if she is that sore then you know what that is! I wish you the best of luck with this sad time and hope you can come to a decision
 
You know your kids and your horse best. As one mum (kids and horses!) to another I would ask if it would distress the kids too much to let them ride her and come to love her more than they do, only to loose her in a very short space of time. Plus I would ask if it is really fair on her to ask her to put up with kids, unbalanced riding and all that entails in the last few weeks of her life. Whether you put her to sleep now or in a few weeks in my view she dererves peace and quiet for that time.

But she is your horse - and your kids! - and you know her best. We all wait one day too long to PTS. It is in our nature I think.

If / when it does come what about getting a family type super safe pony? I had to sell my last horse when I broke my back in a fall (not his fault!). We got my daughter her first pony sort of in repelacement - although it was months later becuase I had to recover a bit first! I know you can't ever replace them of course - but financially keeping two would have been too hard so it was a window of opportunity. He is a super safe cob X who can even take my weight not that I can ride that much now - but even then it is at least less far to fall!

Trust your heart. You'll make the right decision.
 
Thank you, i pretty much had decided already, but just needed a bit of support. My poor children will be devestated, and so will I, but I have to think of Cassie. I had to put my boy Cooper to sleep last november, and I still expect to see his head over the stable door. really dont want to have to deal with it again so soon, but that's life!!
I can't believe how quickly she went from flying around, full of energy to moping around the field with no interest in anything(other than carrots!). She still looks great for her age - nobody believes me when I tell them how old she is!!
Sorry for going on, just getting a bit sentimental!!
I have a question though, what is the most humane way of having her put down, Cooper had injection, but dont know if i want to go down that road again?????
 
Huge ((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))) to both you and Cassie.

A very difficult time for you, but you are doing the right thing.

much love, shysmum xx
 
Oh poor you! You know it's time and so does she from the sound of it.

As in one of the other threads, people have differing views but personally, having seen and owned several both ways, I'd go for the injection every time.

It really is the worst aspect of having them, but I always try to think that they can go off and become another foal and start again...

x
 
Thank Shysmum, really appreciate the hugs, as I'm sure cassie does too. Could do with a glass of wine right now, but I'll hold off until she's gone!!! It's my son's 9th birthday today, so I'll hold off until the weekend so he doesn't associate his birthday with Cassie being PTS. I hate this part of owning horses. But thanks again!!!!
 
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