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

[Puppy]

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.

May I ask what is it that's wrong with her?

The fact I have two large, high maintenance retirees and v sadly nothing to ride, indicates my feelings on the matter!

 

[x colours x]

I wouldnt put to sleep if they were still able to live a happy non ridden life . I dont believe in putting them down if they cant do there "job" anymore. So i guess im a fluffy bunny lol I know i certainly wouldnt want to be tossed to the side if suddenly I wasnt able to do certain things x

 

[soulfull]

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.

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 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.

Echo these. I may change as I get really old. however I love to ride and it helps with my RA without riding I would stiffen up and be in a lot more pain.

I could not afford to keep 2 horses so if I couldn't ride one and it wasn't suitable to be rehomed I would PTS cold and callous to some, but it is my decision.
I am not cold in that it would break my heart but having lost a teenage daughter and somehow survived and found something that makes my life worth living and indeed actually makes me truly happy I am sure I would get over it with the help of a new best friend

 

[canteron]

I love this thread!!! How many nice people are there on HHO? I too have a long term retiree, he had a DDFT problem aged 13 so retired and now aged 19 he is laminitic prone, but I still enjoy him. He is a very balanced person so I kid myself he keeps the yard harmonious, but honest truth, I still think he look beautiful and enjoy having him around.

My OH also really likes him and is 100% supportive, so that makes it easier if I couldn't give him quality of life or it caused family friction I might have to rethink, but until then, he is just a rather large friendly lawnmower.

 

[Tammytoo]

She looks the picture of health! If she's pain free and happy and you can afford to keep her I personally wouldn't PTS.

You know your horse better than anyone and you will realise when her quality of life starts to decline. If and when she starts to go downhill then the decision should be made quickly for her sake.

 

[Samantha008]

Shes a complicated case!!

We worried she was neuro, as shes very slightly un co- ordinated and would trip quite a lot out hacking. I just thought she was a bit of a donut. But hell so am i. But then one day, she fell down to her knees 3 times on one hack. So got the vet out.
My vet told me that he suspected that she was a wobbler. That wobblers never recover, thats its a degeneratove condition and she would eventually become dangerous to handle. But thankfully he also referred me to hospital!!

We went to the hospital where the countries leading neuro horse expert had her x rayed and he said that most wobblers are born with the condition. As they grow, the pressure on their spine gets worse, hence it being a degenrative condition.

In my horses case, she wasnt born with it, it was caused from an impact injury to her wither. The vet thinks from running in to a tree or rearing and going over. However, injuries heal. He told me that hes not sure what will happen, she will either stay the same, get much worse, or get better. At the time, she lost all her muscle, and the muscle she had was much better on one side. She would trip over in the sand school and trotting poles actually made her fall to her knees.

However, now shes completely sound, can do trotting poles, and hasnt tripped (at least what ive seen) in months. Im trying to keep realistoc about it, but even if i can only ever hack her im happy

She is my little miracle though- cant wait to actuall ride her again. The vet told me the injury would take about a year to heal. Shes had her year, but im going to just take stuff very steady and long rein for the next year as dont want to push it. Shes still only 7 so got youth on her side

Im also glad theres so many nice people on heree!!!!

 

[Frumpoon]

Ok this is not directly relevant BUT...my jumping horse - big ISH gentle giant - i was told 18 months ago he would never be ridden again [aged 10] as he has sidebone growing into the joints in his foot [??]

So I retired him, sold all his posh tack and expected to just brush and polish him for the next few years, however long we had...

Jan of this year, we got a second opinion...the sidebone was not growing into the joints in his foot, and the xray clearly showed this [saw it myself]
He could be brought sound with gently increasing work and proper remedial farriery...last weekend he jumped 1m 20!!!

I'm not sure if this is a miracle [?] or a case of a crap diagnosis from a crap vet trying to cover his tracks...[long involved story]

 

[Achinghips]

Shes a beauty!!

 

[loopylucifer]

I have one field pet and likley to only ever be a field pet. She has many issues none that small or simple however she is happy and content she may have times when she many need a bute a day but how many old people have to be on painkillers for OA doesn't mean they want to die but if it means they are more comftable then why not. Its been really refreshing reading this as many people seem to think im mad having a field pet as unlikley to remain sound in work. She will continue to be my field pet for as long as she is happy and well.

 

[ebonyallen]

She looks the picture of health! If she's pain free and happy and you can afford to keep her I personally wouldn't PTS.

You know your horse better than anyone and you will realise when her quality of life starts to decline. If and when she starts to go downhill then the decision should be made quickly for her sake.

I agree with all the others pain free and happy would not pts

 

[Dancing Queen]

I am very much Pro Life, I believe just because a horse cannot be ridden does not mean it does not have a future.
There are lots of people who PTS at the first sign of trouble but Life is precious regardless of what you are.

 

[Tiffany]

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

Totally agree

 

[The Original Kao]

Nope I wouldn't PTS.
Only horse I've owned was a youngster so the riding side has never been a big thing for me. I'd be happy enough with a lawn mower as long as they weren't suffering in anyway.

 

[Tnavas]

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

This ^^^