Would you PTS?

Wagtail

Wagtail

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A horse that was your horse of a lifetime, who you loved to bits, who you would like to have kept until they were 30 plus. Who you could afford to keep, could afford the meds (danilon, prascend and metformin every day), but could not be ridden. When PTS was the last thing you wanted to do? If:

No matter what diet you had them on they kept getting laminitis. They were on the lean side of good, and it had now become clear that the only way to keep the damned laminitis at bay would be box rest or kept in the sand on soaked hay. And even that would give them low grade lami. Pain free on one danilon a day with this regime. But is it really fair? I refuse to box rest as I know that as soon as she is turned out again the lami would return.

My current thinking is to keep her 24/7 in the sand on soaked hay, until winter, then see how we go from there. I will not entertain the idea of long term box rest for her because yes, it would stop the lami after a few weeks, but as soon as she had any amount of freedom it would return. It wouldn't be fair.

WWYD?
 
You know what you need to do otherwise you wouldn't be asking the question. It's always hard, good luck, you will be doing the right thing.
 
Is she happy with this regime? That would be the crucial point for me.
If I had doubts, then I hope I would put her in the greenest field I could find on a sunny day and pts.
I hope I don't sound unsympathetic because I'm not - it is a horrible situation for an owner.
 
I would try and step back from my own feelings and try and put myself in the horse's 'shoes', if I could live happily without pain or have a decent standard of life then no, but if not then definitely. It's not about us - it's about them. Sorry you are in this predicament xx
 
As much as it would break my heart I couldn't keep a horse going if they couldn't be a horse any more! if it were my guys I know that they wouldn't be happy on box rest, they love being out and I would feel it unfair to keep them in 24/7!!

Is yours happy at the moment being turned out on sand?
 
I think you have done much more than many folk could to try and make her life good. If you decide nothing more can be done then you can be totally sure its not from lack of trying. If she is always looking for food I wouldn't be happy with that. Sorry its come to these thoughts :(
 
Horrible situation for you. I would not box rest for all the same reasons. If the mare could enjoy a good quality of life on sand with soaked hay, then, yes, I'd definitely give that a go. If she is unhappy, or the laminitis returns, then I would pts after a day out in a field full of grass, full of bute if necessary.
 
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Hard choice and I am sorry you're facing it.

Thing is, you know nothing's going to change after winter. So unless I was sure she had a good quality of life with the sand school turn out, which would now be 'forever', I'd been saying goodbye. x
 
FfionWinnie said:
I think you have done much more than many folk could to try and make her life good. If you decide nothing more can be done then you can be totally sure its not from lack of trying. Sorry its come to these thoughts :(
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This, pretty much :(

To me, a sand school and soaked hay isn't a life for a horse.
 
im afraid id be looking at pts , it may have been more acceptable if you could hack or ride but to just be confined to a sand area , my boy would be v depressed .
you know your horse would they be happy ?
either way i dont envy you :{ but only you will know the true answer xx
 
I would and have PTS under very similar circumstances, although not lammi a similar scenario. I will gladly keep an old faithful as a paddock ornament for as many years as I can keep them happy and relatively pain free.

If it came to the alternative you are talking about, then No, without hesitation I would PTS. I am sorry it is very difficult decision, but just who would you be keeping this poor old horse artificially alive for? You or the horse?
 
I am so sorry that it has come to this after your hard work to keep her going, however, you know my opinion.

It's really down to what will make YOU feel that you have done the best thing for her. She isn't counting the days or dreading it, she lives in the moment. So as long as you are sure there is no pain and her quality of life is good you need to think of what will feel best for you. Perhaps "Better a month too soon than a day too late" is a good adage to remember here?

You have my commiserations.
 
As always such good advice from you lovely HHOers. I had a dream last night, about an old dog that I know we left too long before letting her go. I dreamt I suddenly came upon her and she was dying but she got up, wagged her tail and came over to lie in my lap, where she died, peacefully and happy. I wonder if that was my subconscious telling me to let my mare go?
 
I'm so sorry to hear that after everything you have tried, this is the only way to manage her. Is she happy? If yes then I'd think about it, but to have to keep her looking for food, and in the school I would be looking at the PTS option. For either of my mares the choice would be easier, because they are so herd orientated that they would be miserable if they couldn't run wild.
 
Was really hoping that this was much more hypothetical than real :(

Yes, I think I would be very seriously considering it at this stage. Xx
 
It probably was Wagtail.

I feel for you, so so sad. Its been totally obvious that you have done above and beyond what most people would do. I would do exactly what you are thinking.

We had a pony that got laminitis twice with us. We were able to get her back to a point where she was able to be ridden for three months and got fit, then she was sold. If we hadn't been able to get her to that point she would have been in a similar situation to your mare and I would have very sadly had to put her to sleep. She didn't understand why she couldn't go out, why she couldn't be with her friends, it drove her mad, and when she wasn't mad she was depressed..

Hugs to you. Not a nice thing to have to decide at all.xx
 
She is very content in the sand, but obviously, she would be wanting more food than I could give her. I can make it easier by feeding her a small portion every hour during the day, so she is never stood for long though.
 
Honey08 said:
It probably was Wagtail.

I feel for you, so so sad. Its been totally obvious that you have done above and beyond what most people would do. I would do exactly what you are thinking.

We had a pony that got laminitis twice with us. We were able to get her back to a point where she was able to be ridden for three months and got fit, then she was sold. If we hadn't been able to get her to that point she would have been in a similar situation to your mare and I would have very sadly had to put her to sleep. She didn't understand why she couldn't go out, why she couldn't be with her friends, it drove her mad, and when she wasn't mad she was depressed..

Hugs to you. Not a nice thing to have to decide at all.xx
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I think it is time. if I'm honest. It's not urgent as she isn't 'suffering' as it's really low grade. But she cannot be a horse. She cannot gallop with the herd, and she cannot eat all day.
 
Wagtail said:
I think it is time. if I'm honest. It's not urgent as she isn't 'suffering' as it's really low grade. But she cannot be a horse. She cannot gallop with the herd, and she cannot eat all day.
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Then if she were mine, it would be time to go on to her next adventure, however it might break my heart.

ETA - you love your horses, that's obvious. She won't know that tomorrow may be her last, even if you do. But everyday that you watch and you check and you worry and you wish it weren't so, is stressing you in a way you wouldn't stress her if the situation were reversed.

Does that make any sense at all? :o
 
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Wagtail, big hugs and tissues from me. I'm in exactly the same situation. If she can't stay lami free the next few weeks, I shall have to call it a day. I feel so guilty and can't stop crying thinking about it. You're not alone.
 
I am so sorry to hear that. It really is a nasty unforgiving disease. My girl overcame a broken shoulder that vets said she would never even come paddock sound from, only to be struck down with this horrid condition.
 
Wagtail said:
She is very content in the sand, but obviously, she would be wanting more food than I could give her. I can make it easier by feeding her a small portion every hour during the day, so she is never stood for long though.
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My girl is very food orientated and the first season I had her I was forced to strip graze and keep her in a bare paddock the rest of the time. Looking back she was desperately unhappy. I think they should all be able to 'graze' as they wish (within reason). I didn't know she was so unhappy until our grazing circumstances changed and she completely transformed.
 
Wt... Am so sorry to hear you and you're girl are going through it. If it were mine, I'd be making the decision to PTS, even to the point where the sun is going to be shining next week, so if she is currently sound, I'd be giving her a week that I know she can enjoy with the sun on her back and setting the date with the vet. Keeping in a box on rest, would be a no for me, and sand wise... I'd be far too worried about sand colic, if lami was manageable, it would be a different thing, but since its such a constant battle, I don't think I could let it go on. Lots of (((hugs))) xxx
 
Has the horse been cushings tested? To me, it sounds like she's got it which is causing her high sensitivity to laminitis. One of mine has it and he also is quite skinny nowadays (he's over 25) but the pergolide helps keep the lami at bay at the moment. I dont necessarily think a horse would be unhappy in a sand school with lots of hay spread out everywhere (to try to encourage grazing). My shetland, I also think has cushings, she's highly sensitive to laminitis too - during this time of year she lives in our hardcored yard and is perfectly happy.

Im afraid I wouldnt be asking for peoples opinions on here, as its a decision only you can make as you know her - I'm a firm believer in them telling you when they're ready.
 
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