Would you PTS a horse with no future, but ok at present?

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Samantha008

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Last year, I was told my mare would never be ridden again. Would eventually become dangerous to handle and would go downhill slowly. But she would be in no pain what so ever.

So i made the decision to keep some hope alive, keep her going, and turn her away rather than PTS. Most people i know thought this to be a stupid decision.

Now by the miracle of mother nature shes looking better than she ever has and is more stable on her feet than shes been since ive owned her :)

I just wondered what most people would do, whose a fluffy bunny like me and whos practical? The lady that took us to the hospital was quite honest and told me that shed have her pts then and there. I would PTS if a horse was in agony and knocking on deaths door, but i dont know if i could do it if they had an unsure future>??

Sorry about the morbid thread, seems to be alot on here at the minute that have pts a lot of horses. Im lucky as ive not had to do that yet but terrifed for when the day comes!!! (Hopefully not for another 30 years :) )
 
If my horse was unrideable but happy and pain free i would not put down.

i would only have her pts if she became a danger to herself or anyone who was in contact with her or she had lost the will to live and was in pain.

If everyones happy at present why have pts?

:)

xx
 
I had a TBxWelsh who became unrideable aged about 10. She stayed with us until age 24. Her 'job' was to be a companion to the others, so no-one was ever left at home on their own. Although we moved to our own place, for the first few years she was kept at livery.

I don't consider myself particularly 'fluffy' and have had several PTS over the years but her problems meant that she was healthy, just unpredictable, and she had a good quality of life.
 
If there is no pain then absolutely I would not PTS, even if it meant I couldn't afford another horse to ride I would keep them until quality of life was compromised. I made the decision to take on the responsiblity for a horse and that is a life long responsibility as far as I'm concerned.
 
I would PTS in that situation if

1. I was unable to keep the horse
2. the horse was in pain
3. the horse was becoming dangerous

I do think if you have been told that your horse will become dangerous I would not wait for that to actually happen, but it is a very personal decision and no-one has the right to tell you what to do.

But some wise words I heard last year when we had to make a sad decision for a young horse, was better a month too soon than a day too late.
I also found it comforting to remember that horses live in the moment, and do not have hopes or ambitions, or the same concept of a lost future as we do.
Sorry you find yourself in this situation, but hopefully your mare has many happy years left with you! :) x
 
If you are happy to pay for your horse to be a pet and the horse has good quality of life, then why shouldn't you do what you are doing? You are obviously aware of your horses welfare, I commend you for your decision.

If the same happened to me I would PTS, but I eat bunnies rather than hugging them. I think either decision is absolutely right.
 
Well if she's happy, looking well and enjoying life, why shorten it? I think that you have to do whats best for the horse at the end of the day. If she was unhappy and going downhill then I would say yes pts. It's awful when the time comes but you can't be selfish and keep a horse alive who is unwell and unhappy just for your on emotional benefit.
 
i was told beginning of last year to have my horse pts as he would never be 100% and will get worse. the vet said he would do the 'deed' there and then. i was alone and the decision was too big to make alone so i told him i will get back to him.
another vet said the same kind of thing and that he would be a giant lawn mower, i decided that i would give him the summer out being a horse and see how he was.

in august last year he was still not right but the vet said that he had improved more than what we thought so to give him a chance and just let him have a bit of fun with the kids riding him (no weight but gave him a sense of being needed) and it worked, my horse loves doing 'pony rides' for my kids and he's happy, he gained weight over winter and isn't in pain but i do have to be cautious of turning him and things like that. he does have days where he is very lame so i give him bute and after a couple of days he's fine again.

so in answer to your question no i wouldn't pts without giving them a chance, if they are in pain or dangerous because of the problem it might be different.
 
No I would not PTS if that was the case.
I pts my last mare because she was in low grade pain, and would never be able to live without physio without seizing up. If she didn't need constant physio and was sound and happy on bute she would have had more time. It just wasn't doable especially with no winter turnout, which would have made it 10x worse.
 
"If there is no pain then absolutely I would not PTS, even if it meant I couldn't afford another horse to ride I would keep them until quality of life was compromised. I made the decision to take on the responsiblity for a horse and that is a life long responsibility as far as I'm concerned."

Totally agree with this!! my boy is 26 and pretty much unrideable with poorly knees but is more than happy mooching about the field and being groomed, I think people who pts horses unecessarily and then try and justify it by saying was the best thing for the horse are just trying to ease there own concience for not wanting them anymore!!

i think you yourself will know when the time is right until then just enjoy every minute you have with them thats my plan anyways :) xxx
 
I think there is a financial side to it though. OP horse is not a small pony so would not be everyones idea of a companion! Therefore, unless you have enough funds to keep an unrideable horse and have one that you can do things with then this has to be considered. After all, an unrideable horse costs just as much to keep as one that you can do things with.
I know that sounds harsh but is reality.
 
I would not PTS unless a horse was in pain or dangerous or if I could not ensure its future welfare. I personally would be fine with either of mine to be field ornaments, they cost no more to keep and "owe" me nothing. In my opinion you've done the right thing in giving him a chance.
FDC
 
Not read all replies so sorry if this is just repetition. It is such a tough situation and so difficult to put aside emotion. I think if the mare is happy, her pain in manageable, she is not a danger to herself or those horses & people around her and seems to love being turned away leave her as she is.

I think the key in this strategy is knowing when the right moment is - the minute the spark goes out and it becomes noticeable that she has been happier turned away and perhaps the pain in increasing that is the moment to make the decision. I would much rather call it a day sooner rather than later when it becomes evident that they have been happier.

But for now I would enjoy the fact she is looking so great and spend loads of time with her :)
 
I think I am in the minority here, but it is easy to give someone else advice and much harder if it is your own situation.

If the horse had some sort of job to job, even being a companion or lawn mower and it was happy then I would keep it. There is also a financial aspect because if you have it at home then it isn't costing a lot, but if you are paying out for livery for a horse that cannot be ridden that is another matter.
If I really wanted another horse to ride and I couldn't afford to keep two then I would PTS. At least you know it was happy when you had it and it had a good end and horses don't know the future.
 
scatty_mare said:
I would PTS in that situation if

1. I was unable to keep the horse
2. the horse was in pain
3. the horse was becoming dangerous

I do think if you have been told that your horse will become dangerous I would not wait for that to actually happen, but it is a very personal decision and no-one has the right to tell you what to do.

But some wise words I heard last year when we had to make a sad decision for a young horse, was better a month too soon than a day too late.
I also found it comforting to remember that horses live in the moment, and do not have hopes or ambitions, or the same concept of a lost future as we do.
Sorry you find yourself in this situation, but hopefully your mare has many happy years left with you! :) x
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This is pretty much how I would think of it
 
Taking responsibility for your horse's welfare and future - whether you decide to have her put to sleep now, or keep her while she is happy and healthy until events indicate otherwise is what is important.

Either way, she has been cared for and loved until the end.

Whichever route you go down is a highly personal decision, and one that you, and you alone have to be happy with.

The cruelty befalls those animals whose owners avoid these decisions and elect to pass the responsibility onto others, whether by gift, loan or sale, and kid themselves they are giving that animal a chance.

The fact that you are considering her future means she is one of the lucky ones.
 
I think my siggy says it all ;) :p :D

I am by no means a fluffy bunny and if the horse was in pain or suffering I would PTS in a heart beat. But I would NEVER put a horse down just because it could no longer be ridden.
For example (Most people know this story, so sorry if you do)
In Nov 2009 my pony of a lifetime was diagnosed with an increadably rare illness. My whole world fell apart as the vet explained very little was known about the illness and although he didn't want to give me statistics he gave Lucy a less than 50% chance of making it to xmas. She was atleast 24years old (I rescued her 12 years before and we had no idea of her actual age, she was probably afew years older) I agonised over what to do. I knew keeping her going was going to be expencive but I felt after 12 years I owed it to my mare to try. She was not in pain and she was not suffering although her symptoms were very dramatic. Friends and family told me I was mad and should just give up. Lucy was never going to get better.
I started her on the steriods not knowing what the future would hold. I didn't know if I would ever ride Lucy again or even if she would make it to xmas. Well she made it passed passed xmas. In Feb 2010 we forfilled a lifetime ambition and I rode Lucy on the beach and in June 2010 I did a 14mile sponsoured ride in the new forest.
But I went on holiday in July 2010 and three days in I recieved the worst phonecall of my life. My vet was nearly in tears. Lucy had taken a downward turn and lost a heck of alot of weight overnight. She looked dull and depressed. My vet explained she wasn't suffering and she could try to make her stable till I got home but she couldn't garentee Lucy wouldn't start suffering. I was away for 2 weeks and had no way of getting home so I made the desition to have Lucy PTS as the last thing I wanted was for her to start to suffer.
I am so glad I had those extra 8 months with Lucy. All those extra days grooming, handgrazing and just cuddeling. It cost alot to keep her going and I would pay it all again to have her back but I would never let her suffer.
You have to do whats right by your horse and as others have said you will know when the time is right. As long as a horse isn't suffering I think it should be alowed to live. :)
 
There is no question. If any of my horses/ponies were not able to be ridden again but were PAIN FREE, I would keep them. So long as they were not suffering, I don't think it would be fair to see them as worthless. It's like saying a horse is only good for riding/working, and better off dead otherwise.

Someone somewhere chose to breed that horse, and bring it into the world. I feel it's their responsibility or the person who bought it, to allow it to have a happy contented life :)

Obviously if an animal is in pain, or distress or unable to act on it's instincts then it would be kinder to PTS. I've only had to put one horse down. She had cushings disease, and eventually liver tumours which were causing her pain. Vet believed that there could be no good outcome, so we made a difficult decision. I will never forget that.
 
scatty_mare said:
I would PTS in that situation if

1. I was unable to keep the horse
2. the horse was in pain
3. the horse was becoming dangerous

I do think if you have been told that your horse will become dangerous I would not wait for that to actually happen, but it is a very personal decision and no-one has the right to tell you what to do.

But some wise words I heard last year when we had to make a sad decision for a young horse, was better a month too soon than a day too late.
I also found it comforting to remember that horses live in the moment, and do not have hopes or ambitions, or the same concept of a lost future as we do.
Sorry you find yourself in this situation, but hopefully your mare has many happy years left with you! :) x
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This about sums it up for me too
 
Magnetic Sparrow said:
If you are happy to pay for your horse to be a pet and the horse has good quality of life, then why shouldn't you do what you are doing? You are obviously aware of your horses welfare, I commend you for your decision.

If the same happened to me I would PTS, but I eat bunnies rather than hugging them. I think either decision is absolutely right.
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This for me.

Your circumstances, your decision, none of us can advise on that and sometimes, those that shout against PTS even if it's necessary, shout the loudest which means you could be swayed to their way of thinking even if it isn't in the horse's best interests. Just do what is best for your horse then do what is best for you; your horse couldn't ask for more from you than that.

All I say is that the horse must come first at all times, that includes calling it a day before you yourself are ready for it if necessary.
 
So sorry you find yourself in this situation.

All my horses are going to be with me till the end (which i hope is a long time off) but its always a hard decision to make.

About 5 years ago my old man, who was my first pony, came down with severe laminitis. He was on box rest for over 6 months, but showed improvment very quickly. 3 years before the silly old fart tried to climb on our muck trailer and slid off cutting his fetlock. He spent 8 days in Rossdales equine hospital and agian was on box rest. Never thought he would work again after he did his leg but did manage o do light hacking for the years inbetween. However after his laminitis I decided to retire his to field ornament duties. He'd always loved working and I honestly believe i thought I would lose him to depresion but he loves his retirememt, chilling in the sun. He's now somewhere between 28-30 and looks the best this year than he has for a long time. He has a few old man aches and pains and is on 1 bute every other day just to take the edge off. I know he will tell me when its time but for now he's apin free and happy so he will keep going.

My mums little mare also had laminitis last year after all the snow and frost, and came back into work during the summer, but she'd lost her spark. Again this spring she ame down with it again and this time we thought we were going to lose her. She is also very sensitive to flys and last year got some kind of anaphalatic shock due to a bite. Again she has amazed us and is back in work and feeling better than she ever has done. I've however got the decision of what to do with her. She used to love jumping and XC but at 23 isn't getting any younger. As much as i'd love to compete her again i've always got a doubt that if something happened because i'd pushed her too hard i'd never forgive myslef. So i'm going to see how she comes out of the winter and go from there. Even if she does retire to a happy hack or all together, she'll be with me until she tells me its time to go or the way i'd like her to by finding her in the field one morning.

Its never an easy decision to make but if your mare is happy and pain free then why shouldn't she have a few more years of loving attention that she so clearly gets, but you have to make the right decisions for you and her. So many will say oh you should do this or that but in the end the choice has to be yours.

Good luck and i hope she has many more years ahead of her.

xx
 
ah i was miserable at the time but ive come to accept it now. And luckily i can afford to keep two, ive had one for the last 7 months on loan to ride, but actually recently decided that i would prefer my one horse than two, and im quite happy to sacrifice the riding element for the time being. And im quite convinced that i shall be able to ride my mare again at some point in the future, shes so brave bless her. Id rather dedicate this winter to her, give her the best chance possible, so at least in the future i can look back and say ive tried everything possible!!! I wish i had some before and after pics to show!! I only have an after....

SDC15218.jpg


So proud of her :) :)
 
I think it is possible for a horse to be field sound, but not necessarily pain free. I woudl be happy to keep a field sound horse though, we have an old TB (27) and as he ages he is getting a little stiffer, and I don't doubt that sometimes he may be in a small amount of discomfort. But he is still happy and lively in himself, and eating and as long as that stays the same then I don't see a problem. Many of us will be in low grade pain, but I wouldn't consider myself ready for the scrap heap, nor am I ready to compete in the olympics :)

I think it is easy if you can afford the livery for a horse that you can't ride or have your own land. If you cannot afford it, it makes things difficult I think :)
 
Samantha, why did the vets say she would be come dangerous and what is actually wrong with her? She does look amazing! I thought that I would be in the same situation as you wit my youngster and always vowed that as long as he was healthy and pain free I would keep him over my rideable horse. I have been extremely fortunate in that my youngster has an amazing determination and is now back under saddle and going really well. If this were to change and he was in pain with no prospects I would pts, he owes me nothing and I owe him everything.
 
scatty_mare said:
I would PTS in that situation if

1. I was unable to keep the horse
2. the horse was in pain
3. the horse was becoming dangerous

I do think if you have been told that your horse will become dangerous I would not wait for that to actually happen, but it is a very personal decision and no-one has the right to tell you what to do.

But some wise words I heard last year when we had to make a sad decision for a young horse, was better a month too soon than a day too late.
I also found it comforting to remember that horses live in the moment, and do not have hopes or ambitions, or the same concept of a lost future as we do.
Sorry you find yourself in this situation, but hopefully your mare has many happy years left with you! :) x
Click to expand...

^^ exactly this :)
 
Just to put another slant on it, one of my fellow liveries has her retired horses PTS a few weeks after they can no longer be ridden. It sounds harsh but there is usually some medical reason for their retirement, she can't afford to keep more than one horse and she wants to ride. She can guarantee they won't end up in a worse state if sold on and the thing that I hadn't thought of is that you are never looking and wondering if it's time to make the decision to PTS later on.
 
I can only comment on what I’d do with my own horse.

If he was unable to be ridden but was field sound (when I say this, I mean sound without the daily need for drugs to reduce high levels of pain for the rest of his life) then he would a for fill his field ornament duties, as take great pleasure in looking after him not just the riding element, he’s my baby, but if this couldn’t be so or I could no longer do so, then yes he would be PTS.
 
If they were not in pain i would not pts, so long as they had full quality of life, could get arround, eat, sleep, drink, ect.
I had my old girl PTS at the beginning of last month, she was 29 yrs old and only over the last 4 months had gone downhill, i decided to let her have the summer but those plans changed as she became more unconfortale and she was pts straight away.
If however I could no longer have kept her at our stables or with me or mum caring for her I would have had her pts anyway at her age.

I know its alot to keep a bookend but if your horse is painfree I would keep them going.

That soft fluffy bunnyness must be rubbing off
 
Just to put another slant on it, one of my fellow liveries has her retired horses PTS a few weeks after they can no longer be ridden. It sounds harsh but there is usually some medical reason for their retirement, she can't afford to keep more than one horse and she wants to ride. She can guarantee they won't end up in a worse state if sold on and the thing that I hadn't thought of is that you are never looking and wondering if it's time to make the decision to PTS later on.

A very good point
 
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