When is enough enough

[jilly2024]

Jilly, you are having the most agonising and protracted time with all this, having done your evident utmost for the horse. You now need to take care of yourself.
If any demurring from the vet - for whatever ‘reason’ - simply call the local hunt. Non-judgemental and very, very used to tactfully dealing with both horses and their owners.

Agonising time is right and I am so sorry for going on and on but it just feels like an impossible decision for such a young horse. We all love our horses endlessly so its incredibly hard to make the call when he could probably live an unridden life but thats not an option for me and I obviously would never pass him on to anyone else.

And yes Ive actually read a lot about the hunts PTS and it does seem pretty clean quick and not off the table.
I dont think my vet would have any issies however x

 

[SEL]

I've got one I turned away (pssm, arthritis, suspensory issues) & she's never come sound enough for me to even consider getting back on her. Retired for 3 years now but that was after a number of years of on / off rehab.

She's fine as a pet but I have land and need 3 so no one is left alone.

Although the nasty injuries, colic etc which require a quick PTS decision are horrendous you do avoid the 3am should I / shouldn't I worrying. I've been there and so have a lot of us on this forum - you cannot fix every horse no matter how much money and time you spend. Your vet sounds pragmatic and it's OK to say retirement isn't a financial option.

 

[Exasperated]

This is total rubbish- vets will advise on treatment options unless the horse meets the BETA guidelines for immediate PTS for welfare reasons. Of course, if you want to consider PTS before that point (as would I) then that is absolutely fine, and I'm sure the vet will be happy to discuss that too. It really has nothing to do with who the vet works for.

No, but treatment options offered and discussed may well reflect the insurance status of the animal, that is not at all uncommon - both equine and small animal practice.

 

[Lamehorses]

Having in the past nearly destroyed myself mentally rehabbing I would in your situation be seriously considering pts.
There is a chance turn away, postural strengthening etc could help, but, you have quite a catalogue of issues to resolve.
Waiting 6 months ( or any other random amount of time) will probably only make it harder.
Have a good chat with your vet, they have all the information. Explain pts is a strong option & see if they have a compelling argument about why that is the wrong decision.
Do remember that you don't need vets permission, a knackerman will turn up, no questions asked & deal kindly & efficiently

 

[Highmileagecob]

Given that the horse is already two years into rehab., I think OP is facing the inevitable. It's a very sad situation, but unsound and possibly in pain gives limited option for retirement.

 

[tda]

Do remember that you don't need vets permission, a knackerman will turn up, no questions asked & deal kindly & efficiently

100% this, it is your decision and if you don't feel supported by your vet, politely thank them and make other rrangements

 

[LionSimmons]

Hello, just joined today and jumping in with a big one.

My ID 7yo has been in rehab on/off (mostly on) for the last 2 years. At what point do I call it a day and just accept

I bought him in Aug 21, he was treated for ulcers in Oct 21 and again in Jan 22. He briefly came into work before starting to show lame in June
/July time- 1/5 lame left hind. He was referred for bone scan and it turned out he had a non-weight bearing fracture (of the 3rd trochanter, super unusual fracture) and the compensation had caused some changes to his SI.
He was given 3 months off, allowed turnout if he behaved, and then was long reined for 4 weeks. He was then given SI steroid injections and trot work started. We probably got 4 months of work slowly building up, and then i noticed he was a little off from time to time. 2 months later we were allowed a reinjection of his SI, and I dont see much response to treatment this time And has clearly been compensating for pain as he is very unevenly muscled.
We have been working with a chartered physio who does indiba treatment and its sort of been working i think along with her rehab plan of poles and walking, but then he took off full gallop on a hard surface and has been full of danilon and anger since then (10 days ago). He now drops his head and closes his eyes when he sees tack, like he is shutting down.
He is not easy, he is thran, he bites, he will throw the leg, he is a very obstinate and challenging horse. But I love him. He is dangerous at the mounting block, worse
if he is feeling off at all. So I cant get him going enough to build the muscle he needs to stabilise the SI because he is too sore to do anything so catch22 (and he he will bite if handwalked in the arena, and rolls on the long reins).
So i feel like my options are becoming limited. He has had teeth/saddle done recently, he has had 3 goes with the physio in 7 weeks. Ive the vet coming on Tues again to give him a once over and make sure there is nothing else niggling him like a sore tooth or a bean or a sore back, but if this is all SI related and related to that fracture, will he ever come sound and stay sound enough to do anymore than a 10 min walk round the arena. I feel so guilty and selfish but we are £1000s in now and his insurance doesnt cover much anymore (he has been diagnosed with and treated for equine asthma in the middle of all this too).
At what point do I just stop? Have I missed anything obvious to check? Am I completely deluded that this can end well

If you made it this far, thank you x

You have my sympathy. I have had my RoR 16 months: a catalogue of problems and expense (£7k so far), rideable for a few weeks and then a new problem. He's just about to enter his fourth rehab phase and he's gone a bit feral. He had to be given trazadone to stop him being a twat in the field. I love him to bits, but like you, I am wondering how long I can persist. He has had every investigation and vet/physio support imaginable. The vet says no-one could have done more...but if I am looking at having a horse that is rideable only 10-15% of the year, I have to ask myself the same tough question. Hugs!

 

[jilly2024]

You have my sympathy. I have had my RoR 16 months: a catalogue of problems and expense (£7k so far), rideable for a few weeks and then a new problem. He's just about to enter his fourth rehab phase and he's gone a bit feral. He had to be given trazadone to stop him being a twat in the field. I love him to bits, but like you, I am wondering how long I can persist. He has had every investigation and vet/physio support imaginable. The vet says no-one could have done more...but if I am looking at having a horse that is rideable only 10-15% of the year, I have to ask myself the same tough question. Hugs!

I am so sorry to hear you are going through something very similar.
Its a rubbish situation and if youre anything like me, Im sire you feel like youve the weight of the world on your shoulders. My inbox is open if you want to chat about anything x

 

[jilly2024]

Having in the past nearly destroyed myself mentally rehabbing I would in your situation be seriously considering pts.
There is a chance turn away, postural strengthening etc could help, but, you have quite a catalogue of issues to resolve.
Waiting 6 months ( or any other random amount of time) will probably only make it harder.
Have a good chat with your vet, they have all the information. Explain pts is a strong option & see if they have a compelling argument about why that is the wrong decision.
Do remember that you don't need vets permission, a knackerman will turn up, no questions asked & deal kindly & efficiently

I tend to agree, if Im going to do it then I may just do it now and stop dragging it out. Vet says he will call me, will let yous know how we get on and what I decide

 

[sollimum]

It is incredibly hard, I spent 3 years rehabbing my lovely cob over and over before retiring him. He has had two MRIs, mutlitple xrays, joint injections, 3 hospital stays but I couldn't keep him sound. It is so draining for him and me and I woke up one day looked at his face and had a long chat to the vet and retired him, he is happy as a pet for the time being but I watch him constantly for signs that he might be struggling. My young cob has recently been diagnosed with PSD in both hinds and has been operated on and is currently on box rest but explodes on his in hand walks and I really hope that he goes sound but who knows...

So I am just sending you a hug as it is really, really rubbish xxx

 

[LionSimmons]

I am so sorry to hear you are going through something very similar.
Its a rubbish situation and if youre anything like me, Im sire you feel like youve the weight of the world on your shoulders. My inbox is open if you want to chat about anything x

Thank you. Likewise. I did manage to get mine out for his first rehab walk in hand today. my vet cried when she saw him after he strained the stifle...'why does it always happen to the kind horses and super owners who do everything possible for their horse's welfare?' she sobbed. Bless her.

 

[jilly2024]

Thank you. Likewise. I did manage to get mine out for his first rehab walk in hand today. my vet cried when she saw him after he strained the stifle...'why does it always happen to the kind horses and super owners who do everything possible for their horse's welfare?' she sobbed. Bless her.

Awk your vet sounds like a lovely person who genuinely cares.
Glad your rehab is still progressing, would love to hear how you get on x

 

[jilly2024]

It is incredibly hard, I spent 3 years rehabbing my lovely cob over and over before retiring him. He has had two MRIs, mutlitple xrays, joint injections, 3 hospital stays but I couldn't keep him sound. It is so draining for him and me and I woke up one day looked at his face and had a long chat to the vet and retired him, he is happy as a pet for the time being but I watch him constantly for signs that he might be struggling. My young cob has recently been diagnosed with PSD in both hinds and has been operated on and is currently on box rest but explodes on his in hand walks and I really hope that he goes sound but who knows...

So I am just sending you a hug as it is really, really rubbish xxx

Such a nightmare having serious issues in 1 horse after another. Hopefully your young cob comes good and settles down. Please keep in touch and let me know how he gets on

 

[sollimum]

Such a nightmare having serious issues in 1 horse after another. Hopefully your young cob comes good and settles down. Please keep in touch and let me know how he gets on

Thank you. I hope you can have a good chat with your vet soon, I am sorry - it is a horrible position for you to be in.

 

[Kirstd33]

Just wondering if there is an update to this thread as I'm going through a very similar scenario with coblet sadly

 

[jilly2024]

Just wondering if there is an update to this thread as I'm going through a very similar scenario with coblet sadly

Hi Kirstd33
So sorry to hear youre going through this, please feel free to message me and we can chat over PM, genuinely think this situation needs a lot of support!

Ive spoken with the vet and the surgeon, and having spent all xmas in tears as Id decided to PTS, Im pretty decided Im going to give him one last chance against all my better judgement and do the neurectomy. I totally know i may still PTS later in the year but ill never forgive myself if i dont do this one last thing. He is happy in himself, he is young, vibrant and cheeky as ever, so I just dont think psychologically id recover from pts. This is his last chance.
Whats been going on witjlh your cob? X

 

[sollimum]

Hi Kirstd33
So sorry to hear youre going through this, please feel free to message me and we can chat over PM, genuinely think this situation needs a lot of support!

Ive spoken with the vet and the surgeon, and having spent all xmas in tears as Id decided to PTS, Im pretty decided Im going to give him one last chance against all my better judgement and do the neurectomy. I totally know i may still PTS later in the year but ill never forgive myself if i dont do this one last thing. He is happy in himself, he is young, vibrant and cheeky as ever, so I just dont think psychologically id recover from pts. This is his last chance.
Whats been going on witjlh your cob? X

Keeping everything crossed for him and that the N and F surgery works well. D is 8 weeks post surgery, had just had the vet out, xrays taken, foot trimmed to the x rays and re xrayed so that we can have the best trim possible for him. I am working on a longer rehab than the vet hospital suggested, purely because he is only rising 6 and I also have an amazing rehab physio, so am doing groundwork to improve his proprioception on his RH as the suspensory was worse on that leg and he is has been offloading onto his left.

I am working on the basis that I will do anything and everything to give him the best chance of recovery as he is so young, sounds like you are in the same boat. So sending as much luck to you as I can!

 

[Kirstd33]

Hi Kirstd33
So sorry to hear youre going through this, please feel free to message me and we can chat over PM, genuinely think this situation needs a lot of support!

Ive spoken with the vet and the surgeon, and having spent all xmas in tears as Id decided to PTS, Im pretty decided Im going to give him one last chance against all my better judgement and do the neurectomy. I totally know i may still PTS later in the year but ill never forgive myself if i dont do this one last thing. He is happy in himself, he is young, vibrant and cheeky as ever, so I just dont think psychologically id recover from pts. This is his last chance.
Whats been going on witjlh your cob? X

Coblet went lame last spring, and a full lameness work up diagnosed bilateral damage to his hind annular ligaments and manica flexior's. We decided to try the desmotomy and arthroscopic surgery as he was thankfully insured and the vet felt that he would have a good result, I followed the box rest protocol and the twice daily in hand walking rehab plan to the letter, which was no mean feat working around a FT job, 3 kiddies and on a diy yard, he sufferred colic and then ulcers from the bute etc.... but we did it. And initially he showed like things were going in the right direction, and I managed to get back on in September/October for some gentle straight line hacking, however he deteriorated again as I increased his work load and his behaviour under saddle suggested he was not happy and struggling. I largely rested him for a month over xmas (combo of time/weather) and had the vet back out on Monday who was shocked and disappointed at the degree of persistent lameness. The options we discussed are:
1) more scans, nerve blocks and potentially going back into the area to see what is going on - however his insurance hit the limit (7K) so would have to be self funded
2) inject some steriods into the area
3) retire and turnaway for 12 months
4) PTS

In the short term we have to reduce his turnout paddock to a tiny patch and increase his daily bute again to get any inflammation down.

I'm going to retire him as he's rising 17 and isn't enjoying working at all however the small DIY yard I'm on isn't really set up for grass livery, due to lack of grazing and all ponies come in overnight to be stabled. I thought I'd found a local companion home for him but she wants him field sound and off all bute, and is awaiting an update from the vet. I just feel so torn with what to do for the best, so you have my utmost sympathies.

 

[erin92]

Hi Kirstd33
So sorry to hear youre going through this, please feel free to message me and we can chat over PM, genuinely think this situation needs a lot of support!

Ive spoken with the vet and the surgeon, and having spent all xmas in tears as Id decided to PTS, Im pretty decided Im going to give him one last chance against all my better judgement and do the neurectomy. I totally know i may still PTS later in the year but ill never forgive myself if i dont do this one last thing. He is happy in himself, he is young, vibrant and cheeky as ever, so I just dont think psychologically id recover from pts. This is his last chance.
Whats been going on witjlh your cob? X

I read your story...I' m so sorry to hear that you are in such a horrible situation. I understand how you feel. Unfortunately I had to take the decision to PTS my horse some days before Christmas due to a sudden medical condition, he was only 15. It still hurts a lot but in some cases there is no other option. I think you are doing everything possibile for your horse. Whatever will be the final decision you need to think that you did everything in your power. Feel free to text me in private if you need. I wish to you and your horse all the best.