Would I be doing the right thing?

char3479 said:
Does she have to have shoes & insurance? If you're thinking of having her pts then there seems little point insuring her and if she isn't ridden, she doesn't need shoes.
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This. Did I miss an answer to this?

Could you not move your other horse to the turnout with your retired horse, remove shoes, stop insurance (other than 3rd party obviously) and see how you go on, while still looking for a loan home..?
 
That's not what I want to he's that's clearly pointless. Really what I want it people who are have been in this position to advise what they think its best doesn't mean I am going to do it just it helps to hear people who have possibly been in situation how the deal and cope with it. Not someone who just wants to be nasty with a comment 'oh put to sleep then you can amuse yoursel with your other one and not know' assuming in some heartless bitch as if she hasn't had the bet possible care since I have owned her. I don't need comments like that there just pointless and no help at all?
 
No can't move him her livery and facilities. She's just at someone's private home as they have a field and couple stables. She's been at my DIY livery on an off over the 2 year but can never stay for winter as there's no turnout. I keep hoping I can find somewhere for her but it just seems hopeless. I have thought over in my mind for a while about PTS but it just an impossible decision for me that's I guess what I'm looking for some guidance into what really is the best option.
 
I don't think anyone would buy a horse if they could see that for e.g. 6 months down the line they'd be jobless, the horse had an accident and was going to be unrideable after, and be struggling finacially.. you just can't see these things until they come up and bite you on the bum.
The other week several people were made redundant at a bank, no warning, they just couldn't enter the building one day, and were told to ring the main office, where they were given a recorded message that they were no longer employed.
It's not fair on anyone who is facing the prospect of loosing everything, to be accused of failing their horse by having him/her put down because there IS NO FUTURE for them? It's a far better end IMO..
 
only you can make the decision you know your circumstances etc. I'm in the pts rather than face an uncertain future camp but know it's not that cut and dry if in that situation. I do think though you need to make your own choice and stick with it as you'll never get a definitive answer here or from anybody else.
 
When I was in my twenties I lost my job and my financial situation was dire. I had two ponies, one 4 y.o. and one who was getting on and permanently lame, although happy in herself. I sold the younger one and had the older one put down. It was a very hard thing to do at the time, and some people said I was being very harsh, but I do not regret it. I loved the older pony very much, but I know what happened to her, and I know that she never suffered. If I had given her away as a companion I would have always been worrying about what might have happened to her. If times are hard one has to make practical decisions. I hope you can come to a conclusion on your dilemma.
 
You have two equines for whom you are wholly responsible: one is rideable and you are gaining pleasure and satisfaction from. One is unrideable, is never going to be, by the history so far. You have done your best to find a kind living home for her. She is, I think, 8 years old. Probably has many years of life left. However, she has a compromised skeletal system. She is likely to get arthritis and need careful and continuos pain and stiffness management, magnetic boots etc and gentle regular excercise in hand to keep her moving as well as possible. She will need her yearly immunisations, third party insurance and her teeth checking/ rasping every year, and her feet picked out daily and trimmed and balanced every two months minimum. She would welcome daily visits from you, attention, scratching, small treats. (You don't mention who else looks after her on a daily basis, which she obviously needs). She will also need forage through the winter, possibly supplements and she may also further veterinary treatment.
Whilst none of us know what the future holds (I've made arrangements for the onward care of my horse, dog and cat if I die or am permanently unable to provide for all or any one of them), I think it is clearer what life your little mare will have if the above needs are not provided for. Your other horse is saleable or loanable. It would be my preference, in your circumstances, to have her quietly pts. At least she will be safe, pain free and not in danger of far worse fates befalling her if she remains alive, but without you to care for her in a proper and comitted manner. A quiet and dignified death via euthanasia is not the worst thing that can happen to your pony. Best wishes and hope this has not come over as unsympathetic to you, or hard hearted and uncaring to your pony. It is not meant as such.
 
To muddy the waters, I recently found a companion home for a HUGE unrideable horse, with few manners and quite a leg issue. She's very happy. Not my horse btw, rehomed through a chance comment to a third party!
 
Don't know much about fractures so if someone can correct me if I'm wrong. but could you not loan or give her away to someone for breeding perhaps if the covering or foal wouldn't put too much strain on her knee? Or could you not give her to someone that needs a permenant companion or even a rescue centre?
 
EllenJay said:
What about the blood bank - she may be suitable so you could make enquiries
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I think the blood bank only have geldings and that she is not big enough, I'm not sure though.

OP you do what is best, she isn't agonising over your decision. I had my mare PTS last year as I was facing a very long box rest with a poor prognosis, so you have already gone much further than I did.
 
i have just had my horse pts today.he came back from a loan home.it was bit of a shock him coming back but as his owner he my responsibility.he was 23 and had chronic health problems and cant live in.the winter grass livery was £140 a month with hay and hard feed.i cant afford to keep him as my partner left me a year ago.i think i have made the right decision.personally i think you should follow my path OP.i couldnt loan him to anyone again-his age and health and my lack of wealth were against him.i have to keep a roof over my head foremost.
 
I will tell you my story -
Mare diagnosed with navicular and associated tendon and ligament damage, given a 17% recovery chance by Newmarket I could not face putting her down so found her a grass livery home where she had a large field and someone to keep an eye on her who was someone i worked with and saw every day and i saw the mare three times a week. She was then a field companion for pony that was recovering from an accident, when the pony came back into work i advertised her as a companion/very light hack, found her a perfect home close to where i kept the others lovely lady with nice facilties and experienced. That lasted about six months, she found it all too much with small kids etc although the horses were on the doorstep and she didnt work so I found her another home with a lady that just wanted a horse to spoil and look after, i inspected the place where she would be staying and it was really nice, anyway long story short - the horse went missing, it took me six months to find her, and she was then in foal with a couple who had paid £500 for her! The police were involved etc., anyway she seemed happy in this home and i knew where she was and they kept in touch. After a couple of years and two foals later they lost their grazing and as they had promised they let me have her back, for a price, these were no the sort of people that you argued with believe me! She came to the livery yard where i now am and after two weeks of utter spoiling she was pts, something i should have done a long time ago. I would never loan out again i would rather pts because that guarantees a safe future, i let my horse down very badly because i could not face the decision of having her pts and she suffered as a result and i will never make that mistake again.
Whatever you decide it has to best for you AND the horse, it is noone elses business.
 
Thank you every its nice to hear replies that actually help and your experiences. Its gunna be a tough decision no matter what. I just have to have a hard think, and see whats the best as people have advised for the both of us.
 
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