When you're done with horses but horse is unsellable?

[Barton Bounty]

Aren't you glad that the racing industry has taken to investing time, money, energy and consideration to the potential futures of countless ex-racehorses instead of just pts when that career fails or ends? They don't all go on to have rosettes at the gymkhana lives, long comfortable retirements and natural deaths aged 30 plus, but I see the whole thing as a positive step. Having horses destroyed is OK but, IMO, finding them a use, if at all possible, and letting them stay alive a while longer is preferable.

I for sure am!! I wouldnt have my wonderful boy, or the other wee scrag of a thing that came to me for 600 , windsucks etc but never lame.
they all deserve a good home, sometimes though I wonder why people that own horses actually have them. I wouldnt give them a rat to look after ?

 

[Dexter]

Aren't you glad that the racing industry has taken to investing time, money, energy and consideration to the potential futures of countless ex-racehorses instead of just pts when that career fails or ends? They don't all go on to have rosettes at the gymkhana lives, long comfortable retirements and natural deaths aged 30 plus, but I see the whole thing as a positive step. Having horses destroyed is OK but, IMO, finding them a use, if at all possible, and letting them stay alive a while longer is preferable.

Comments like this directly contribute to the welfare issues horses have and allow dodgy dealers to stock up on horses to sell on to the next unsuspecting person, and so the cycle carries on.

It is never ever a bad thing to put an animal to sleep. It is pretty much always a bad thing to rehome a horse to an insecure future.

How can you justify the suffering some horses have to endure because some horses are sometimes ok? I know I couldnt do the mental gymnastics needed for that. Why is it life at all costs, no matter what the risk, for an animal that has no concept of how long its been alive or "should" have lived?

 

[Hackback]

The OP says she developed issues, not that she was injured, and if a mare can't stand work at under 12 years old it really shouldn't be bred from, for the sake of anyone who might buy the offspring in future.
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I do wonder if that's why so many well bred horses are breaking down at a really young age.

 

[oldie48]

I'm sitting here with the vet's bill for Rose's euthanasia and disposal. It arrived in the post this morning so I nearly passed by this thread without reading but I am so gad I did as I've found it really helpful to see the opinions of people, I have grown to value, talk about this difficult subject.
My vet agreed that Rose was never going to be rideable as she had a permanent mechanical lameness, she'd had a couple of times last winter when she needed bute to be comfortable but generally I thought she was painfree otherwise I would have found the decision so much easier. Although she's a nicely bred Hannoverion with good conformation etc, I wouldn't dream of breeding from a horse that potentially would find the extra weight of pregnancy might compromise her comfort. I would not loan out a horse with lameness issues just as I would never take on a companion that was not completely sound. I was very fortunate to have retired her to a yard with a lovely experienced owner and following a difficult discussion I decided to give her the Summer (she was retired a year ago after nearly a year of careful but unsuccessful attempts at rehabbing her) and then to PTS. I've never shirked the tough decisions in my life but with Rose I did to some extent as I stopped visiting her to try to reduce my emotional connection to her and I trusted the yard owner completely, she kindly did all the organisation for me. I'm rather tearful writing this, I know I did the right thing but I found it so helpful to have the support of the yard owner and a couple of very experienced horsey friends who had had to make a similar decision with a much loved horse and I've found it helpful to read the comments on this thread, so thank you.

 

[Chianti]

It has been proven that even top riders and top vets are very often unable to identify when a horse is lame.
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Sorry - but then how do you know that the horses you have in work aren't in pain? I'm in my 60s now and at odd moments I'm in pain- am I for the bullet? There has to be some sort of threshold for horses - if as previous poster says they seem to be enjoying life then they carry on. When they're starting to not enjoy it then you PTS. My first horse got to 27 and enjoyed her working life up until the last few weeks when we battled a mystery illness that was probably leukemia. My second horse was retired at 12 and had 10 years of luxury on retirement livery. As owners we're not psychic we observe our horses and should act accordingly.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I'm sitting here with the vet's bill for Rose's euthanasia and disposal. It arrived in the post this morning so I nearly passed by this thread without reading but I am so gad I did as I've found it really helpful to see the opinions of people, I have grown to value, talk about this difficult subject.
My vet agreed that Rose was never going to be rideable as she had a permanent mechanical lameness, she'd had a couple of times last winter when she needed bute to be comfortable but generally I thought she was painfree otherwise I would have found the decision so much easier. Although she's a nicely bred Hannoverion with good conformation etc, I wouldn't dream of breeding from a horse that potentially would find the extra weight of pregnancy might compromise her comfort. I would not loan out a horse with lameness issues just as I would never take on a companion that was not completely sound. I was very fortunate to have retired her to a yard with a lovely experienced owner and following a difficult discussion I decided to give her the Summer (she was retired a year ago after nearly a year of careful but unsuccessful attempts at rehabbing her) and then to PTS. I've never shirked the tough decisions in my life but with Rose I did to some extent as I stopped visiting her to try to reduce my emotional connection to her and I trusted the yard owner completely, she kindly did all the organisation for me. I'm rather tearful writing this, I know I did the right thing but I found it so helpful to have the support of the yard owner and a couple of very experienced horsey friends who had had to make a similar decision with a much loved horse and I've found it helpful to read the comments on this thread, so thank you.

But you did everything you could! You exhausted every avenue before making that decision, im sorry about Rosie , hugs

 

[Red-1]

My stance is to never disagree with anyone who has made the decision to PTS. It is such a personal thing and no 2 circumstances are the same.

I find it confusing where some people are saying that to PTS is wrong in some circumstances, yet they have thought of the same themselves in only slightly different circumstances.

It is one decision I take without asking for advice because, when push comes to shove, only what I think matters as I am the one who has to be at peace with my decision.

I am disappointed with some of the posts.

OP, I agree with whatever you decide.

 

[SEL]

@oldie48 I didn't realise you'd had to say goodbye to Rose and I'm very sorry. It's a tough, tough call every time xx

 

[j1ffy]

I'm sitting here with the vet's bill for Rose's euthanasia and disposal. It arrived in the post this morning so I nearly passed by this thread without reading but I am so gad I did as I've found it really helpful to see the opinions of people, I have grown to value, talk about this difficult subject.
My vet agreed that Rose was never going to be rideable as she had a permanent mechanical lameness, she'd had a couple of times last winter when she needed bute to be comfortable but generally I thought she was painfree otherwise I would have found the decision so much easier. Although she's a nicely bred Hannoverion with good conformation etc, I wouldn't dream of breeding from a horse that potentially would find the extra weight of pregnancy might compromise her comfort. I would not loan out a horse with lameness issues just as I would never take on a companion that was not completely sound. I was very fortunate to have retired her to a yard with a lovely experienced owner and following a difficult discussion I decided to give her the Summer (she was retired a year ago after nearly a year of careful but unsuccessful attempts at rehabbing her) and then to PTS. I've never shirked the tough decisions in my life but with Rose I did to some extent as I stopped visiting her to try to reduce my emotional connection to her and I trusted the yard owner completely, she kindly did all the organisation for me. I'm rather tearful writing this, I know I did the right thing but I found it so helpful to have the support of the yard owner and a couple of very experienced horsey friends who had had to make a similar decision with a much loved horse and I've found it helpful to read the comments on this thread, so thank you.

Hugs Oldie48 - she was a beautiful mare and very lucky to have such a responsible owner. RIP Rose x

 

[Red-1]

I'm sitting here with the vet's bill for Rose's euthanasia and disposal. It arrived in the post this morning so I nearly passed by this thread without reading but I am so gad I did as I've found it really helpful to see the opinions of people, I have grown to value, talk about this difficult subject.
My vet agreed that Rose was never going to be rideable as she had a permanent mechanical lameness, she'd had a couple of times last winter when she needed bute to be comfortable but generally I thought she was painfree otherwise I would have found the decision so much easier. Although she's a nicely bred Hannoverion with good conformation etc, I wouldn't dream of breeding from a horse that potentially would find the extra weight of pregnancy might compromise her comfort. I would not loan out a horse with lameness issues just as I would never take on a companion that was not completely sound. I was very fortunate to have retired her to a yard with a lovely experienced owner and following a difficult discussion I decided to give her the Summer (she was retired a year ago after nearly a year of careful but unsuccessful attempts at rehabbing her) and then to PTS. I've never shirked the tough decisions in my life but with Rose I did to some extent as I stopped visiting her to try to reduce my emotional connection to her and I trusted the yard owner completely, she kindly did all the organisation for me. I'm rather tearful writing this, I know I did the right thing but I found it so helpful to have the support of the yard owner and a couple of very experienced horsey friends who had had to make a similar decision with a much loved horse and I've found it helpful to read the comments on this thread, so thank you.

I am sorry to hear this, Rose was a beautiful mare.

 

[Nasicus]

I do wonder if that's why so many well bred horses are breaking down at a really young age.

I think it's because 'well bred' doesn't always mean the horse has been bred from parents where conformation, long term soundness, and general compatibility of the two parents have been considered. Sometimes 'well bred' just means it has certain names in a pedigree. The parents being relative unknowns/unproven/a broken broodmare doesn't matter, it's got xxx lines in there so it must be good!

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

It is one decision I take without asking for advice because, when push comes to shove, only what I think matters as I am the one who has to be at peace with my decision.

Completely agree.

Oldie - xx

 

[ycbm]

Sorry - but then how do you know that the horses you have in work aren't in pain?

I don't. I have what I believe is a perfectly sound horse going to hospital tomorrow so that experts with big machines can either reassure me or find what there may be to find.
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[ycbm]

I'm sitting here with the vet's bill for Rose's euthanasia and disposal. It arrived in the post this morning so I nearly passed by this thread without reading but I am so gad I did as I've found it really helpful to see the opinions of people, I have grown to value, talk about this difficult subject.
My vet agreed that Rose was never going to be rideable as she had a permanent mechanical lameness, she'd had a couple of times last winter when she needed bute to be comfortable but generally I thought she was painfree otherwise I would have found the decision so much easier. Although she's a nicely bred Hannoverion with good conformation etc, I wouldn't dream of breeding from a horse that potentially would find the extra weight of pregnancy might compromise her comfort. I would not loan out a horse with lameness issues just as I would never take on a companion that was not completely sound. I was very fortunate to have retired her to a yard with a lovely experienced owner and following a difficult discussion I decided to give her the Summer (she was retired a year ago after nearly a year of careful but unsuccessful attempts at rehabbing her) and then to PTS. I've never shirked the tough decisions in my life but with Rose I did to some extent as I stopped visiting her to try to reduce my emotional connection to her and I trusted the yard owner completely, she kindly did all the organisation for me. I'm rather tearful writing this, I know I did the right thing but I found it so helpful to have the support of the yard owner and a couple of very experienced horsey friends who had had to make a similar decision with a much loved horse and I've found it helpful to read the comments on this thread, so thank you.

So sorry, Oldie, you made a brave decision for her, take care of yourself.
.

 

[ycbm]

I do wonder if that's why so many well bred horses are breaking down at a really young age.

That may well be the case. I have known of at least 3 local breeders who have bred using good stallions on donated mares who were unable to stand up to work at a young age and the owner did not want to PTS. Offspring sold as weanlings long before anyone would know if they were going to stay sound. I know of a small high class WB stud breeding from a mare who was arthritic in the hocks and couldn't be got right and retired at an early age. This years foal will have a hefty price tag if it's sold.
.

 

[L&M]

Pts.....

 

[Flame_]

Comments like this directly contribute to the welfare issues horses have and allow dodgy dealers to stock up on horses to sell on to the next unsuspecting person, and so the cycle carries on.

It is never ever a bad thing to put an animal to sleep. It is pretty much always a bad thing to rehome a horse to an insecure future.

How can you justify the suffering some horses have to endure because some horses are sometimes ok? I know I couldnt do the mental gymnastics needed for that. Why is it life at all costs, no matter what the risk, for an animal that has no concept of how long its been alive or "should" have lived?

I never said anything about life at all costs, I applaud the OP for seeking potential happy outcomes for her horse given the unfortunate position she's in. On the elaborated post she has confirmed few options are actually plausible for this horse. I can justify the suffering some horses have to endure because for me (or anyone who doesn't breed their own) to have horses, someone else had to trust me and let them go. They, thankfully, didn't tell themselves the horses would be better off dead than taking the chance of being my horses. I am very glad that somebody was willing to sell me my ex-rescue, "worthless" companion pony who is very useful to me and my riding horse, who isn't being starved or abused and who I think is living his best life.

 

[honetpot]

One of my ponies was sold as a just backed three year old, to a semi pro home, for a decent amount of money. Six years later I saw him of FB, he had been loaned as a companion, and was being sold after two weeks as a ridden pony. In the two week he had two homes, and his owner was furious. Fortunately we got him home and he had four years with me as a grass mower, so all ended well.
I did buy older brood mares, because they were cheap, and I would never sell them on. What about breeding loan although it's late in the season? I had a free return covering that I couldn't use because I couldn't find a brood mare I could afford.
If you PTS, it will hurt, but you will not worry about her.

 

[Merrymoles]

Just taking a step back the current thread, I'd ask everyone to think about the owner's state of mind (not the OP in this case) in general.

I have had friends with horses with long term medical issues. Some of them did not have the financial wherewithal to continue with endless vet investigations, some of them couldn't provide the necessary lifestyle for that particular horse, but with others they had just reached the end of their mental strength to deal with the endless worrying and "what if"ing. In a number of those cases, the owners decided to PTS and on more than one occasion, I was the person they chose to be with their horse while it happened.

I have never disagreed with their decisions. With very few exceptions, if someone is even considering PTS they have thought long and hard about it, had sleepless nights thinking about what else they could do and are dreading it happening. But I have also known at least one person who only stayed sane because they made "that" call.

We all have different boundaries that we set for ourselves. I have lost two of my own horses to colic but, no, I still would not put my current horse or any future one through colic surgery. Deciding the future for our horses is a very individual thing and the OP needs to make up her own mind. I'm with her all the way.

 

[throwawayaccount]

i've not read all the replies but hope you're doing OK, OP. never a nice thing to think about.

its lovely you've sent her to be a lawnmower. but if you aren't financially able to keep doing this, please don't feel any guilt; there are worse things than PTS.

my mare is essentially a retired lawnmower on DIY- she's 11, i love her very much but she costs me a fortune in ongoing bills and i would immensely struggle if i had a young family like you say you have.

i don't know if anyone has suggested breeding, but if so, i wouldn't recommend going ahead with that plan. in my opinion, there are enough unwanted horses - nevermind breeding a lame horse just for the sake of it- i know a lot of people like to give them a job while they're doing nothing but looking pretty.

 

[Carlosmum]

We all have different boundaries that we set for ourselves. I have lost two of my own horses to colic but, no, I still would not put my current horse or any future one through colic surgery. Deciding the future for our horses is a very individual thing and the OP needs to make up her own mind. I'm with her all the way.

This, I lost my first one following colic surgery, I have sworn never again.

 

[Dru]

Merrymoles, you are so right. I can afford to keep my horse as a field ornament if needs be but at 11 she could live another 20 years at a conservative cost of £72k if I moved her to a retirement yard. I've already spend about £30k on vet bills over and above what insurance has covered on various ailments. There has to come a point when enough is enough. Whilst I can see myself giving her a few years in retirement I can't justify spending that money indefinitely when I have other commitments. Had she been sellable I would be selling her because of those committments (kids going to uni).

 

[cat lover]

Horses are really expensive animals, and hard to take care of, i can see why you have a hard time selling it, but my advice its to sell it to a loving person, preferably that you know, maybe try to loan it? Then maybe others would be considering it more

 

[conniegirl]

Horses are really expensive animals, and hard to take care of, i can see why you have a hard time selling it, but my advice its to sell it to a loving person, preferably that you know, maybe try to loan it? Then maybe others would be considering it more

Don’t do this, perfect way for a horse to start the downward spiral

 

[AmyMay]

I feel there are some quite harsh comments here towards those ofus who have made a decision perhaps without investigating causes of lameness further.

Actually, I think it’s the other way around. There seems to be much more of an undercurrent of criticism towards those who have chosen to give a horse a caring life of retirement.

 

[AmyMay]

Horses are really expensive animals, and hard to take care of, i can see why you have a hard time selling it, but my advice its to sell it to a loving person, preferably that you know, maybe try to loan it? Then maybe others would be considering it more

Just, no.

 

[AmyMay]

@oldie48 I’m so sorry ??

 

[Cortez]

Actually, I think it’s the other way around. There seems to be much more of an undercurrent of criticism towards those who have chosen to give a horse a caring life of retirement.

I don't see that at all, and I have retired 95% of my horses.

 

[ycbm]

Actually, I think it’s the other way around. There seems to be much more of an undercurrent of criticism towards those who have chosen to give a horse a caring life of retirement.

Nothing that's been written on this thread even compares with a previous similar thread where those who chose not to retire their horses were described by another poster as morally bankrupt.
.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

Nothing that's been written on this thread even compares with a previous similar thread where those who chose not to retire their horses were described by another poster as morally bankrupt.
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I got called a murderer by another livery as I left the yard after having my 24 year old Cushing's horse PTS as I could no longer afford him