Would you bankrupt yourself for a horse's vet fees?

i do think it depends on the circumstances, but i really admire people who go all out for their animals, i don't mean keeping them alive for the sake of it but when there is a fair chance, i call it unselfishness, generosity and going all the way, so if it did cost you may be it will come back to you later, life's funny like that in my opinion.

not suggesting that others do this but i've been there more than once i call it jumping off the cliff and learning to fly.
 
Gingerwitch said:
A bad kick can run up a vet bill of easily 3k in this day and age - so what would you do then ?
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What would YOU do if the bill was £15k, £25k, £30k - where do you draw a line? For some £3k is a lot of money and would cause a lot of hardship for their familes, for you maybe £3k is affordable, but think of a sum of money that isn't affordable and then think what would you do?
 
perhaps the focus should also be on the Vets who are obviously in business to make a profit but rack up such crippling charges as another poster pointed out - nerve blocking/thermal imaging/x raying/call out fees have risen exponentially in the last decade as they are such money spinners for the Practise. The average horse owner insured or not is struggling to afford them.

A huge amount of horses are pts as the owner simply cant afford to financially bankrupt themselves to pay for treatment running up to 10k + for some surgeries and vets have to take part of the responsibility for this rather than simply the owner whose forced into making such a stark choice for their much loved animal.
 
jhoward said:
this is why we have vettings/bloods.
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The horse passed a 5* vetting and by the time I went to get the bloods tested the vet had been struck off for malpractice. If you look at my posting history you will see that I successfully sued the dealer and won.

Please check your facts before you patronise people.
 
So you have a horse insured - it goes lame on one of its legs - this leg is then excluded - so it goes lame again on this leg and you will then pts - because you wont pay ?

What will you do then - go and buy another one - and repeat the same process?
 
Gingerwitch said:
So you have a horse insured - it goes lame on one of its legs - this leg is then excluded - so it goes lame again on this leg and you will then pts - because you wont pay ?

What will you do then - go and buy another one - and repeat the same process?
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Gingerwitch, not everyone has multiple thousands set aside for vet treatments, thats why we insure our animals and if we're ever in the unfortunate situation of having to pay a substantial cost ourselves other areas of our lives and our dependents have to go wirhout so we can pay these. .

Seriously though, if what you're saying is because of this we shouldnt be owning horses in the first place or that people should sell their houses and make themselves homeless before they say enough is enough, that they're cruel and heartless then you are otherwise a very rich lady and live in a fluffy bubble cushioned with pound notes or you are being utterly unrealistic to the real world we live in.

NO ONE make the decision to pts unless all avenues of funds to pay for the necessary veterinary treatment has been exhausted and it is not up to you to tell them where they should draw the line for their personal circumstances or frankly judge them for it.
 
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No for definite. Just by coincedence, our yard had a vet visit last week and even he admitted that the number of horses being PTS is rising considerably because their owners cannot afford to treat them for ongoing difficulties such as arthritis and laminitis. My friend's jaw dropped to the floor and was utterly horrified, however this has always been my opinion. If the owner cannot afford to keep their horse happy, comfortable and pain free then out of respect a horse should be PTS.

One of my ponies has just been diagnosed with cushings, and yes I shall be paying for his meds to keep him healthy and I'm sure this will add £300 + on to his yearly costs, but as soon as he requires more and more medication to keep his levels normals and it costs too much for me, then he shall be PTS, with me knowing he was happy and healthy to the day he went. My other pony has just been diagnosed with bone spavins and despite numerous people saying 'this isn't the end of the world,' I am not willing to pump painkillers into him daily just so he is field sound. He has gone from slightly sore to 4/10ths lame within 4 weeks and at 19, the vet agrees (and my bank balance) that surgery is not an option. I do not have the finances to inject his joints, on the knowing they might not work or they work but it will have to be a regular thing. Nor do I have the finances to keep him as a field ornament, knowing he is pain without painkillers and in severe discomfort with allergies through the summer. People should respect that some owners do not have the money to maintain ongoing illnesses/diseases and before their horse gets to the point of being in continuous pain the owner has taken an even braver decision in them being PTS. Neither of my oldies are insured and my vet knows this and is giving me every option I may be able to afford. This doesn't make me a bad owner. My little one is semi retired and my cob has an easy life as a happy hacker and they mean the world to me but I have to look at it realistically and not fork out for every vet bill that rolls in just so I gain a sense of self achievement in that I've kept them going a little longer.
 
No i dont live in a "fuffy bubble" padded with wads of notes BUT i will move heaven and earth and get a 2nd job, go without if neccesary to pay for an animal that is part of my FAMILY.

Ok - would you have a horse pts because the insurance would not finance its treatment and then go out and buy another one?
 
My views have changed considerably over the last 2 years, I have had to have 3 horses PTS during that time and have just had to retire a fourth at the age of 9.
All of the ones I had PTS I had spent literally thosounds trying to get them right (only one was insured) there was no more that could be done and I was left with no option+.

In answer to OPs question, no I wouldn't myself, I have four children and as important as my horses are, a roof over my childrens head is more important.

We have spent between 15-18k in the last 2 years trying to mend horses (just vets, physio, saddles, remedial shoeing) and I have to say that process has hardened me, the emotional turmoil is hard enough but I am not prepared to keep throwing money, if it happens again, I would make the decision to PTS far quicker, there are far worse fates for a horse than being PTS.
 
No i would not bankrupt myself for a horse or any other animal, it would be rather foolish for a start as a horse is considered an asset and could be taken from you by the receivers to be sold to help pay off your debt!
Anyone who has faced crippling debt and been through bankruptcy would know how utterly soul destroying it is and would not willingly put themselves and close ones through it, and yes i do speak from experience:(
By taking ownership of my horses i have committed myself to providing for them to the best of my ability and that includes financially, and because i am not a millionaire there are limits to my finances, now i'm not going to put a figure on it because it's no one elses' business! Of course i would do my utmost for them but there are so many factors that would have to be taken into account, the age of the horse and it's long term prognosis for a start. one thing is for sure though, i would not let my heart rule my head.
 
Gingerwitch said:
No i dont live in a "fuffy bubble" padded with wads of notes BUT i will move heaven and earth and get a 2nd job, go without if neccesary to pay for an animal that is part of my FAMILY.

Ok - would you have a horse pts because the insurance would not finance its treatment and then go out and buy another one?
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Yes I would.

What you need to understand is that for you, your horse may be part of your family.

But other people have horses for a purpose. It doesn't mean that they don't love them or treat them well - but simply that they have a different outlook.

Being PTS is not the worst thing that can happen to a horse.
 
Gingerwitch said:
No i dont live in a "fuffy bubble" padded with wads of notes BUT i will move heaven and earth and get a 2nd job, go without if neccesary to pay for an animal that is part of my FAMILY.

Ok - would you have a horse pts because the insurance would not finance its treatment and then go out and buy another one?
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If I couldn't claim and I couldn't afford to pay myself of course I would PTS and if I managed to save up again then yes, of course I'd buy another later! What would you expect people to do, sit around for the rest of their lives in a sea of remorse!

Nobody really knows what they would do until they are in the awful situation, and my heart goes out to anyone who has been. Gingerwitch your posts must be making them feel awful.

So you don't live in a money filled bubble, but you are possibly living in a naive bubble. Perhaps you're lucky that life hasn't sent you any curved balls yet. Its easy to say that you'd get a second job - lots of people are struggling to find any work at all at the moment..
 
Gingerwitch - do you have any human dependants - kids or maybe elderly parents who rely on you for a roof over their heads? Because most of us on this forum do & we will always place their needs above an animal.
Do you have any responsibilites other than your horses? You don't sound like you do.
Do you have to provide a roof over your own head or can you run back to Mummy & Daddy if it all goes wrong. Because I can assure you that the vast majority of us cannot and I doubt our horses would be too impressed if we moved into the stable with them - though how a bankrupt would pay livery bills I don't know.
You give the impression that you are very young, very naive & very,very inexperienced in the hard knocks that life can dish out. Lucky you, but don't ever feel that your rose tinted view of life is the only valid one.
 
Gingerwitch said:
i will move heaven and earth and get a 2nd job, go without if neccesary to pay for an animal that is part of my FAMILY.
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I love my horses but they aren't part of my family. I can't replace my Dad, but in over thirty years of horse ownership I've had to replace quite a few horses. It does not compare.

Gingerwitch you and other people are writing as if it is a simple matter of "spend £x thousands and your horse will live, even if as a paddock ornament". It's not that simple. Very often, people are spending £x thousands and still ending up with an empty stable. At some point in time you have to say "enough is enough, I can afford/justify no more". Who are you, or anyone, to tell an owner where that point is?
 
Precisely why I share instead of owning. There are plenty of wealthier people than me who can afford to support their horse(s) through thick and thin. But don;t necessarily have the time to care for and ride them every day.

I own what I can afford to support (1k down on small fluffy dentistry in the last couple of months...) and I share what I cannot.

So, I for one am happy to have a go at any horse owner who takes on an animal without a good degree of certainty of being able to afford an 8k vet's bill.

I wouldn't bankrupt myself because I won't own until I can afford to.
 
Tickles said:
So, I for one am happy to have a go at any horse owner who takes on an animal without a good degree of certainty of being able to afford an 8k vet's bill.
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Have go at me then. I have a Shetland as a pet and he cost me a few quid. I have absolutely no intention ever of spending £8,000 on veterinary treatment to keep him alive when there are ponies like him going through the sales for £10 and ending up as meat. Faced with a bill of £8000 to keep him alive, I will let him go, cry, and buy another so it won't go in a tin.

What is your problem with that?
 
Gingerwitch said:
No i dont live in a "fuffy bubble" padded with wads of notes BUT i will move heaven and earth and get a 2nd job, go without if neccesary to pay for an animal that is part of my FAMILY.

Ok - would you have a horse pts because the insurance would not finance its treatment and then go out and buy another one?
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yes agreed Gingerwitch, but what we're talking about here is when the second job/selling valuables/loans/credit has all been done and the next step is bankrupcy or selling your house to afford treatment.

Perhaps im wrong, but thats what i took the OP to be asking here..would you bankrupt yourself for your horse.
Ideally, we'd all LIKE to go to any length but in real life, children, livelihoods dictate that we CANT always do this.

As i said before however, i do think vets have to take a large responsibility for their fees in chasing profits too and the decisions horse owners are being forced into to terminate treatment as the expense is simply too exorbitant to continue.

would i pts if the insurance would not cover treatment and go out and buy another>? No. If i had the money for the second horse that money would be paying the vets fees as most people on this thread's im sure, would.
 
Shilasdair said:
I suppose it all depends how selfish you are in life, and how much time you spend thinking about 'me, me, me'.
I have three horses, uninsured.
I have put two of mine through colic surgery.
I am paying for drugs each month to keep two of mine alive (one on Preds, one on Prascend).
But you know, all life is precious, and to me horses are not just vehicles for me to ride for my own selfish enjoyment.
S :D
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I totally agree with Shils on this one. I couldn't have put in in words any better.
 
Tickles said:
So, I for one am happy to have a go at any horse owner who takes on an animal without a good degree of certainty of being able to afford an 8k vet's bill.
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I think you may have a queue of people to 'have a go at'.
My horse is uninsured for vets fees because most of her is exempt at the young age of 6 :(.
I paid not a lot of money for her and 3 times that amount has come from insurance on vet fees.
Sad to say, if something major happens to her, she'll be gone. I could afford to treat her to a certain extent but there is little point in throwing good money after bad :(.
 
quirky said:
I think you may have a queue of people to 'have a go at'.
My horse is uninsured for vets fees because most of her is exempt at the young age of 6 :(.
I paid not a lot of money for her and 3 times that amount has come from insurance on vet fees.
Sad to say, if something major happens to her, she'll be gone. I could afford to treat her to a certain extent but there is little point in throwing good money after bad :(.
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Same I'm afraid. Nits was £800 and she's had over £3k spent on her this year. Things which are covered by insurance aren't a problem but her leg will be excluded from April I'm sure and if it needs another £3k spending on that then she's for it really. I am very, very fond of her but I can't magic money from thin air!
 
not been on this forum for long but wow don't some of you get nasty! :(

I'm on my own and have a child and have two horses and no as much as love my horses, no I wouldn't bankrupt myself. My old pony is 25 now and owes me nothing if she were to get sick or lame, she would be PTS. She's a very proud pony and deserves dignity to the end! My other horse, he has insurance for the maximum vets fees and quite frankly if he went over that limit, I would have to question what quality of life he would have. :(
 
My horse has just reached her 5K limit on vets fees for ringbone and there is talk that she may have to have another £2500 operation to remove the implants. Hopefullt this will not have to happen.
Even worse, she may have cushings so may need tablets costing £150 per month. To me she is worth it, every penny. Once she's come off box rest she should be able to live a long and full life (as long as she doen't have cushings) and i would never throw a good, happy life away :)
i wouldn't literally bankrupt myself over an illness but id push myself very close to it :)
 
Gingerwitch said:
So you have a horse insured - it goes lame on one of its legs - this leg is then excluded - so it goes lame again on this leg and you will then pts - because you wont pay ?

What will you do then - go and buy another one - and repeat the same process?
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Yep - you have the idea, BUT it depends what the lameness was/is. As I have said before, I have a retired paddock ornament who is happy and soundish, not in pain - you can have my vet's number if you wish to discuss the matter with him, if I were "cold and callous" I would have had her shot years ago!! so work that one out....

I am actually getting RID of my insurance and just keeping 3rd party cover, I know what I'm prepared to spend on a vet bill for a condition and that's MY business and no one else's, I would never see and animal suffer and if PTS were the best option then it would be done.

My old TB had a serious cut, he wasn't insured the bill was £700 - I paid it no probs, he never had another problem after that.

I think vet's attitudes to insurance are "interesting" if they know your NOT insured they are far more "sensible" in treatment than if they know you are they rack up a bill as long as your arm in a very short time indeed, it's easy money really and all of us are now paying ridiculous premiums as a result.

I think my "problem" is that I come from a farming background animals are only treated if financially viable, and my horses are not really pets and certainly not my family.
 
Alfie, re the insurance thing. As long as I can remember it's always been the case that cost of treatment is significantly less when the vet knows you are paying cash rather than them having to deal with insurance companies. I haven't insured my horses for vet fees for a very long time and I've no doubt I've saved much money over the years because of it.
 
Alec Swan said:
No, I wouldn't. I'd consider the cost of the treatment, the chance of a full recovery, and the value of the horse. Then I'd make a decision.

Alec.
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Same as ^

I say to the lady who cares for mine when I'm away - its quality of life that concerns me most.

My vet practice (and horse-care chum) has it noted that old fuzzy is to NOT leave the yard under any circumstances unless has been PTS. This has been discussed at length & all agreeable.

Anything else I own is weighed up on merits of what Alec says above.

I think thats also what most people on here are saying, with differing budgets too, with only a few going the bankrupt route.
 
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