When to retire my mare

[horsegirl223]

So I will give you some backstory first- I bought my mare in October 2019 and she’s was great until feb 2020 where she kept bucking wouldn’t let anyone put a saddle on or get on and kicked in the field and at people etc. So the next few months we got everything checked for pain and there is nothing physically wrong yet she shows such strong signs of not wanting to be ridden. Her ground manners are really good again but she’s still not happy ridden. The vets suggest a behaviourist which is very costly but I just think my best option is to retire her- she loves being in the field and she would have the best quality of life. I would get another and produce that and go and visit her occasionally. What I’m asking is would you go with option one try with a behaviourist to help her and get her ridden again although she shows such a negative reaction and I am rather wary on her back or the second option retire her and get another. I know I don’t want to feel like I abandoned her but I also don’t want to make her work against her will.
thank you so much!!

 

[9tails]

I would get a second opinion from another vet, it definitely sounds like a pain response or maybe even ulcers. The fact that you had 4 good months means that she was a good riding horse so what changed to make her so unhappy.

 

[AandK]

I would get a second opinion from another vet, it definitely sounds like a pain response or maybe even ulcers. The fact that you had 4 good months means that she was a good riding horse so what changed to make her so unhappy.

Agree with this, the behaviour is for a reason. What checks did you have done OP?

 

[horsegirl223]

Agree with this, the behaviour is for a reason. What checks did you have done OP?

so she’s been scoped, kissing spine, hocks, lameness, ovaries, back in general etc.

 

[horsegirl223]

I would get a second opinion from another vet, it definitely sounds like a pain response or maybe even ulcers. The fact that you had 4 good months means that she was a good riding horse so what changed to make her so unhappy.

she’s already had two second opinions first from local vets then went to the specialist at rvc

 

[9tails]

Xrays for kissing spine? Has her saddle been checked/changed? Have you had a bodyworker out to find any areas of discomfort?

I reckon something has gone wrong, otherwise you wouldn't have had four months trouble free.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Ditto what 9tails, and AandK, have said. Why would she for 4-5 months be great as a ridden horse, and then suddenly decide she doesn't want to have a saddle + rider on her back, unless something haven't triggered the change in her?
And you chose to use the word great, which makes me presume you felt she was happy to be ridden, before February.

It is your money, and your horse, if you can afford a field ornament + a new rideable horse, then why not. However, even though a behaviourist might be a very costly option, hypothetically, if she can become happy to be a ridden horse again, won't it be less costly in the long run, than compared to having 2 horses?

But since there's no guarantee a behaviourist, or something else, will solve the problem, I can understand that you're hesitant. It's just that, in general, I don't like when animals suddenly, radically changes their behaviour.

 

[HeyMich]

How old is she, and what's her history? Any changes in field companions? How much turnout does she get, and what is she fed? Any changes to forage quantity/quality or feed type? Have you had a physio or chiro out to see her? Is she shod or barefoot?

She's telling you very clearly that she's not happy, and it sounds like a pain response to me. However, if you're happy to retire her, and you know that she'll remain happy and pain free in the field, then that may be the best option in the long run. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[horsegirl223]

How old is she, and what's her history? Any changes in field companions? How much turnout does she get, and what is she fed? Any changes to forage quantity/quality or feed type? Have you had a physio or chiro out to see her? Is she shod or barefoot?

She's telling you very clearly that she's not happy, and it sounds like a pain response to me. However, if you're happy to retire her, and you know that she'll remain happy and pain free in the field, then that may be the best option in the long run. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

thank you so much that’s what I was thinking re pain response I’m so sure this isn’t her. She’s 12- broken in late and been ridden primarily showjumped. She’s out by herself atm because we moved yard in May and every other horse already has a friend . She’s out during the day ad lib top quality hay- she’s fed joint supplements and calming as well some chaff and nuts. She had physio every two weeks stopped atm seeing as there is nothing we can do. Shod front only.

 

[horsegirl223]

Ditto what 9tails, and AandK, have said. Why would she for 4-5 months be great as a ridden horse, and then suddenly decide she doesn't want to have a saddle + rider on her back, unless something haven't triggered the change in her?
And you chose to use the word great, which makes me presume you felt she was happy to be ridden, before February.

It is your money, and your horse, if you can afford a field ornament + a new rideable horse, then why not. However, even though a behaviourist might be a very costly option, hypothetically, if she can become happy to be a ridden horse again, won't it be less costly in the long run, than compared to having 2 horses?

But since there's no guarantee a behaviourist, or something else, will solve the problem, I can understand that you're hesitant. It's just that, in general, I don't like when animals suddenly, radically changes their behaviour.

Exactly my point I just can’t believe she would change literally overnight- I think a field ornament would be the best bet it’s just so hard to know what to do!!

 

[horsegirl223]

Xrays for kissing spine? Has her saddle been checked/changed? Have you had a bodyworker out to find any areas of discomfort?

I reckon something has gone wrong, otherwise you wouldn't have had four months trouble free.

yes saddle been checked was ill fitting but sorted now - she has physio every two weeks!!

 

[!CobsCan!]

Have you ever ridden her bare back? If you feel it's safe to do so it might rule out some things

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I wouldn't want to leave it at that. She is obviously telling you that something hurts and I would want to know what that is before making a judgement about her quality of life during retirement.

 

[Dyllymoo]

I wouldn't necessarily want her to be a field ornament without knowing what is wrong. I know you have said you have had a second opinion but I would try and speak with your vet about possible next steps. She isn't happy, whether its physical or something else, but I do think I would need to know if she would be comfortable being in the field before I retire her out there.

I would have a chat with your vet and maybe the 2nd opinion vet and see what next steps they recommend as honestly I was told my issues with my mare were behavioural 4 times by my vet, I went to someone else and she was diagnosed with a lot of issues as I just didn't believe she was doing it "out of spite" as some people had said!

 

[cauda equina]

Some conditions are simply not diagnoseable
You could spend thousands and still not know why she's acting like she is
If she's happy turned away and you're happy to do it, that sounds fine to me

 

[Bellaboo18]

From your previous post you know whats wrong with her, she has kissing spine and has had them injected...
They're probably secondary and if she scoped clear she might still have hind gut problems.
No i wouldn't just turn her away.

 

[AmyMay]

Your horse has Kissing Spine. So, yes I would retire her (with the company of other horses, and obviously more than the occasional visit from you ? (ie, daily)).

 

[AandK]

From your previous post you know whats wrong with her, she has kissing spine and has had them injected...
They're probably secondary and if she scoped clear she might still have hind gut problems.
No i wouldn't just turn her away.

That's quite a big bit of info to leave out OP... If you have had the spine injected and done the required rehab, then it may be memory of pain and perhaps retirement is the best thing to do.

 

[horsegirl223]

That's quite a big bit of info to leave out OP... If you have had the spine injected and done the required rehab, then it may be memory of pain and perhaps retirement is the best thing to do.

yes very true however what I mean by kissing spine is a little narrowing of the spine it shouldn’t be that painful for her- perhaps jumping etc. but not general schooling ?.

 

[horsegirl223]

Your horse has Kissing Spine. So, yes I would retire her (with the company of other horses, and obviously more than the occasional visit from you ? (ie, daily)).

For me occasionally means at least 4 times a week- I spend a lot of time anyway so my perspective is rather different haha ?

 

[horsegirl223]

From your previous post you know whats wrong with her, she has kissing spine and has had them injected...
They're probably secondary and if she scoped clear she might still have hind gut problems.
No i wouldn't just turn her away.

hind gut ruled out!!

 

[horsegirl223]

Some conditions are simply not diagnoseable
You could spend thousands and still not know why she's acting like she is
If she's happy turned away and you're happy to do it, that sounds fine to me

yeah i totally agree in fact this sums up my view- if she’s happy retired then why not. So many different horsey people have told me different things so I though why not hear others point of view!

 

[AmyMay]

For me occasionally means at least 4 times a week- I spend a lot of time anyway so my perspective is rather different haha ?

I’m not sure what the ‘haha’ is supposed to signify ??‍

But even a horse at grass needs to be seen every day, a minimum of once (but ideally twice obviously....).

 

[fredflop]

Exactly what veterinary examinations has she had, the exact vets comments on each of them, and what treatments have taken place

 

[Bellaboo18]

hind gut ruled out!!

How?

 

[Bellaboo18]

yes very true however what I mean by kissing spine is a little narrowing of the spine it shouldn’t be that painful for her- perhaps jumping etc. but not general schooling ?.

Pain is very individual. Its impossible to say a slight narrowing couldn't be causing the pain. It was significant enough for your vet to medicate.
Retire your mare if you like but your OP is misleading.

 

[splashgirl45]

dont rule out how much it affects some horses to be on individual turnout, they can feel very insecure and defensive. was she on individual turnout when she was being good out hacking? i speak from experience as my horse changed overnight when i went from individual turnout to being turned out with her hacking buddy, she immediately was better behaved all round and this was after owning her for 8 years and being on yards who insisted on individual turnout....it may be worth borrowing a companion for her andf see if she calms down..

 

[horsegirl223]

Pain is very individual. Its impossible to say a slight narrowing couldn't be causing the pain. It was significant enough for your vet to medicate.
Retire your mare if you like but your OP is misleading.

im sorry but im not sure how you can say my op is misleading when you don’t know me or my horse and actually unless you have a veterinary degree I suggest you don’t contradict what my vet says or what the rvc says. maybe think before you type in future just because i have asked a perfectly valid question does not give you an excuse to be rude.

 

[horsegirl223]

dont rule out how much it affects some horses to be on individual turnout, they can feel very insecure and defensive. was she on individual turnout when she was being good out hacking? i speak from experience as my horse changed overnight when i went from individual turnout to being turned out with her hacking buddy, she immediately was better behaved all round and this was after owning her for 8 years and being on yards who insisted on individual turnout....it may be worth borrowing a companion for her andf see if she calms down..

wow that’s so interesting defo something to consider thank you so much

 

[horsegirl223]

I’m not sure what the ‘haha’ is supposed to signify ??‍

But even a horse at grass needs to be seen every day, a minimum of once (but ideally twice obviously....).

the ‘haha’ was just there as i didn’t want to come across as rude ? it is generally used when one says something amusing and explain themselves but doesn’t want to come across as blunt. she will actually be looked after by a good friend of mine hence why im will be going a few times a week.