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Hormonal Filly

Hormonal Filly

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I am probably over thinking but can't stop myself thinking of the future and the worst case scenario.

To save the entire story, which is my incredible bad luck with horses.

If you had a 10yr old cob gelding that was in pain. Say you'd had tried everything and ran out of options. The horse had taken you above and beyond for the last 4 years, he is the sweetest most well behaved chap but the livery is expensive where he is kept and you wouldn't want to pass him on as a companion in case he got into the wrong hands.

I have another gelding (currently out of work, had PSD op) who should be able to return to work at some level.

Would you retire the cob or put to sleep?
 
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This is always so personal as there are lots of variable. If he can be comfortable and you can find one and afford it, I’d retire. If not then it would be pts for me.
 
I've been in a similar position minus the successful four years and the horse wasn't in pain. I could afford to have more than one horse so he was a glorified field ornament for most of the 6yrs that I owned him will trying various veterinary advised procedures/surgeries etc and racking up huge bills.

He was ultimately pts when my mum's horse collapsed from a previously undiagnosed/missed/newly developed heart murmur. It seemed like a "good idea" (if such a thing can be) to have them pts at the same time. Although my horse was "ok" by this point as a field ornament he was then 16, appeared to possibly have the start of arthritis in a knee and hadn't come out of winter looking as fantastic as usual, still good just not great, and the only way from where he was at that age and history (ex-racer who'd had a hard time of it in racing) was downhill iykwim.

However with hindsight I wish I'd had him PTS years previously for my sake more than anything. I think I should have made the call once we'd had a good crack at it and he'd dumbfounded numerous vets. He was fine and I don't regret him going on for his sake but I didn't realise how heavy the weight of having a horse who every day you were wondering how he was and when the next episode would be etc was. As devastated as I was on the day they were both pts I did feel a relief over his passing that I've never had with any of the other horses that I've had pts in the past.

Given your horse is also in pain and out of options I can confidently say that I would PTS sooner than later completely guilt free and happy that I was able to do him the final kindness of ending his pain, peacefully at home knowing that he is loved.

Good luck OP, it's never easy.
 
Bernster said:
This is always so personal as there are lots of variable. If he can be comfortable and you can find one and afford it, I’d retire. If not then it would be pts for me.
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agree you need to do what's right for you because there are so many iff and buts. I currently have a very expensive retired pet at livery, I need to keep her there because she keeps my other horse company. Other horse simply does not cope without another horse that is her permanent buddy.

If you can afford to keep him comfortable and pay for his livery space, meet his needs etc then go for it.
If you can afford to but don't want to be stuck looking after a non ridden horse then there's no shame in letting him go with kindness.
if you can't afford to keep him then it's a bit of a no-choice option for you, sad but you mustn't feel bad about it.
 
Personally, if I was pretty sure that he was in pain but wasn't sure how much, and the future was going to involve a lot of me agonising over whether the horse was happy, I would PTS.

But as above, only you know your circumstances, and you're the one caring for the horse every day and having to consider his wellbeing. So it will be very personal to you x
 
Could he go to cheap retirement livery? Round here there are a couple of places that do it for around £100 a month. It doesnt have to be forever, but you will probably find once hes away from you for a few months the thought of PTS is less devastating as you have had some time and space.

Mines retired and living the life of riley with a friend. If she ever cant keep him he will be PTS. When this was first an option I was utterly hysterical and wasnt sure I would ever get over it. Luckily he got a last minute reprieve. Hes been there about 7 months now and while the thought of having him PTS is gutting, I can cope with it much better.
 
I had to make a similar decision with my mare a few years ago. She had neurological problems that meant she couldn't be ridden, let out for a blast round the field or guaranteed that she wasn't feeling any pain. The decision to let her go was the hardest one i have ever made, but i knew she wouldn't be happy being a field ornament (esp in winter), not guaranteed to not be in pain and her quality of life was being compromised. It was hard and took alot of soul searching, but i did what i felt was right for both of us but primarily her.

If you are able to retire him and that is what you chose to do, do it with a clear conscience. Like wise if you chose the PTS route, don't beat yourself up if you can't, or don't want, to afford the livery fees. You will have made the right decision for your horse at the right time, when he needs it most. Not everyone can afford to have an expensive field ornament for potentially the next 10 years or more. I couldn't and it did factor in my decision, but not as much as what was best for my mare.
 
From your posts it sounds like he's not comfy in the field so I would either be re-injecting or PTS, but you know your horse best so you will make the right decision.
 
There isn’t a right or wrong.

I wouldn’t keep spending out lots of money, but if I had access to decent land to turn away, the horse was happy turned away (demeanour indicting pain manageable when not under pressure), and I liked the horse enough I would try retirement first.
 
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Can you find somewhere to turn him away for a few weeks, give him time to just be a horse and enjoy life then have him PTS?
That way he's had some him time and you can pamper him for the last few days.

Having retired a horse in the past, that loved his work I found it really hard to watch him deteriorate (old age) - he just struggled through his winter when retired.


Like I hatework says, there is no right or wrong. Do what you feel best.

Great big Hugs.
 
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