When is the right time?

[MissMincePie&Brandy]

I have 2 horses. One is my 8 yr old TB, who I ride and compete. The other is my 33 year old who I've owned for 22 years and in his day he gave me great pleasure, and I still enjoy looking after him. He's been retired completely for 6 years. I keep him stabled at night and out in the day, and he's fed well and has had all the best supplements to aid stiff joints and has been on a herbal no-bute for some years. I love him to bits and keeping him is not in any way a burden to me.

The old boy is a 16.1hh heavy cob, and he's had arthritis for a long time. The reason we stopped riding him 6 years ago was because he was tripping up a lot and was becoming too dangerous to ride. I've had trouble for about a year picking his back feet out, but we manage by just resting them on the ground tilted, but now for the last couple of months, I've not been able to lift his front's up. He doesn't seem to want to bend his knees. Since this started I've had him on 2 butes a day from the vet, but it makes little difference. He's about 3/10ths lame in walk but he's still happy to walk out at a decent pace to and from the field, and he has a healthy appetite. We tried forcing his legs up to pick his feet out the other day, and he collapsed onto me and nearly fell down, so I've been leaving them.
His feet are already starting to stink, but no one can get him to lift his front legs up, we've tried in the morning, and in the afternoon after he's been walking around in the field, but he won’t do it.

I've always said I'll give him the best retirement I can, but I'll never let him suffer.

My vet wants to do x-rays and start a course of steroid injection treatments, but due to his age he is not insured for vet’s fees, and this will cost thousands, as it would be long-term. I would have to take out a loan to afford to do this, and he is already older than any other horse I know, and I think invasive treatments aren't going to make him happy.

Oh god, do you think this could be when I need to make a decision? I'd always thought he'd just drop down dead one day, or it would be obvious when the time is right, but he's still looking happy, it's just that his joints are giving up, and I've also got a vet saying that they can give him treatments...etc, which makes me feel very guilty about even contemplating when is the right time to make the most dreaded of decisions.

 

[cronkmooar]

What a dreadful time for you. I have two oldies, much younger than yours though, who both have arthritis and I can honestly say I think its the worst condition to have to make a decision about. You have a healthy horse but the joints just haven't lasted as well as everything else.

Sorry I can't help you with your decision as to what is best to do - at the end of the day only you can do that and I am sure with time to think you will make the right decision.

One thing I think I should mention though is that I would be very disappointed if my vet suggested xraying etc a horse of 33 that was known to have arthritis and to have had it for some years. I would be expecting my vet to be guiding me to make an informed decision regardng the welfare of my horse, not just running up a massive bill which sadly sooner or later will result in the same outcome.

Good luck to you - my heart goes out to you because one day I will be standing in your shoes

 

[ladyt25]

I agree with Cronkmooar - what a horrible situation to be in. We had an old horse with similar problems. He wasn't on any painkillers though and was still sound. However, he'd got to the stage where he fell or laid down in the field and really struggled to get out. Also he was veyr dodgy to have his feet trimmed as he would stagger and fall. The last time he ever had them done he actually crashed down and the farrier was very lucky.

We knew we were going to have to make that decision as it was not fair to let him suffer anymore. He too was eating fine, although slower and lost weight more than he'd used to.

However, he took the decision away from us as one morning I found him dead. He'd fallen down a hill. We don't know exactly how he died. had he not I think we'd have had to make the decision to let him go. He was 36.

I don't think it'd be fair to put a horse of that age through steroid injections etc unless you really do have the finances, Have you spoken to your vet in depth to see whether they actually think it is going to help? Unfortunately we do have to make these decisions as hard as they are but your horse does sound like he is in a fair bit of pain and discomfort.

I would having further discussions with your vet if I were you or even get a second opinion from another vet maybe?

 

[V1NN]

i think by posting this hun, you maybe know already that its time. bless you and your horse its such a difficult desision but you 'just know' when the time is right. They say better a week to soon than a moment to late, and its very true x

 

[MrsMozart]

Oh hun.

It's so not easy. However, whilst he is fine in other ways, if you can't look after his feet then that is a major issue

As above, by posting this I think you know the answer to your question, you just don't want to admit it. I was thre about a year and a half ago. Tiggy was four, beautiful, eating fine, gorgous, my first horse, and I loved her so much, but she had chronic damage to both rear suspensory ligaments. She looked good, but I had to let her go. The decision was made for me the day she struggled to turn a tight circle, then she couldn't stale properly, her off-hind couldn't cope with the angle and the weight/strain.

Hugs hun.

P.S. As you may have gathered, I wouldn't go the injection route. I think that sometimes, it is just time.

 

[emmaln]

My heart goes out to you, this is the time we all dread! I can't help with your decision but as others have said i would be disappointed if my vet was encouraging me to spend thousands of pounds on a 33 yr old horse! Don't feel guilty whatever decision you make you are a rare person to have owned their horse for 22 years and to have given him such a wonderful happy and comfortable life i only hope to be able to do the same for my old girl! What as lucky horse your boy is to have you! Sending you strength and courage at this difficult time whatever you decide to do x x