I love my horse, but he is 24 years old and has lameness issues off and on. As my riding improves, my horse seems to be declining. I have had a vet look at him but do not have any definite answers and can't afford a complete set of radiographs right now. I am paying to board and care for a horse I can hardly use. If I retire him, I'll still be paying for his board and upkeep which leaves me with no budget for other riding options. I can't stand the thought of euthanasia, but if I can't get him sound, it may be the only sensible alternative. Help. Any ideas would be appreciated.
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I put my old man to sleep after 22 years together. I knew it was coming He was old and I try everything to put and keep the weight on him and I had to make the decision to say good bye. I had time with him to say goodbye and my vet was wonderful. And he still here in my heart today.
I put my old man to sleep after 22 years together. I knew it was coming He was old and I try everything to put and keep the weight on him and I had to make the decision to say good bye. I had time with him to say goodbye and my vet was wonderful. And he still here in my heart today.
A sad time for you K. Is it possible to offer him free to a good home as a companion hore? Sadly the rescue/retirement centres are so overloaded with horses it is doubtful they would take him but they may be able to help you rehome him. Or maybe loan him out to someone who only wants to do light work with him (making all the necessary legal provisos etc. of course ) Good luck, I hope you find a place for him.
Once you lose ownership control you lose control of their care and ultimately what happens to them. You wouldn't want him starving out in a field somewhere. Euthanasia is the kindest thing you can do for your guy
Hi krayniakb I feel for you having to make this decision as it is a very hard one but I would definitely choose the euthanasia option if it has to be made as it you try to give him away anything could happen to him and given he is deteriorating and 24 years old the option could be grim. As brannigan points out. So much kinder to let them go to sleep with the vet than be transferred elsewhere. Earlier this year my vet and I decided that it was time to say good bye to my Pie. She was only 23 years old but had been lame in one front knee joint and unrideable for 17 of those years. She was deteriorating healthwise and had ring bone in her second front leg so life was not very good for her. My vet persuaded me that it was time to say good-bye to her so I could concentrate on my other horses. I made a fairly hasty decision in agreement and it was very hard. Almost chickened out the day I took her to the vets. Afterwards I missed her so much and felt she could have had a few more years. It was made harder by Ouyen her mate of 15 years as she missed her so much too. I think she still looks for her and it is at least six months ago now. Although I still miss her I can now appreciate that it was the right decision for Pie. So all the best with your decision.
There was a big discussion in here in Sweden not long ago, about this issue; keep an old horse to the "bitter end" or "get rid of it" in one way or the other. Lots of ethical and financial issues were raised and argued over, so it's no easy decision.
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My mare (SWB)is 23 next spring and still sound and in good condition and health. Financially, I will be able to keep her as a "field ornament" when/if she can't be ridden anymore because of old age. But I really hope I have the sense and strength to let her go before she starts to suffer from something, and not keep her around because of my own sentiments.
After all these years I owe it to her to make the right decision by her, and not by me.
Such a difficult decision. I have a tired tb "high mileage" ex race and international al polo. He has been in work since a yearling, although only with me for the last 7. His arthritis stops me riding as he stumbles now and actually falls, he is hard to keep weight on. We have hit the grey area between healthy retired and justifiably pts. When turned out he races around in delight and is great to handle on good days which are 70%. I am lucky that I can spend time with him beyond essential care most days. I think concensus is he should be put down from those who hear the facts and not see the horse. Old age brings aches and we cannot interpret these in human terms. My horse must ache and feel correspondingly vulnerable but his happy times still come. I have had others big characters pts and he s not there yet but is it ever clear cut in this scenario? He is still happy enough to be a horse .just not a ridden one. If you are asking the questions then I suspect your horses welfare is at the forefront of you mind and you will keep reassessing until making he call when needed.
I am facing a similar dilemma now with Ouyen and I guess I will flip a coin in the end. I was ready to have her nerve cut in her lame front fetlock only to find that once it was nerve blocked she was lame in the other one too. Last week I had a second nerve block so I could ride her afterwards to see how lame she was in the second leg - hopeless - she was just as lame on it as she has been on the bad one after bute. Very disappointing as she is a beautiful horse - ex Victorian Police - and it will be extremely hard to euthanasia her as it was so very hard with Pie and Pie was much worse off. Ouyen is now constantly lame in the paddock and I hate to see her suffer although she appears happy enough. I am also going to lose my beautiful flat paddock soon and without Ouyen I could look after Nicky here. Such a dilemma! The vet says he can cut the nerve to both front hooves but that sounds pretty scary - she did trip on her nerve blocked hoof too when ridden on it and she has not tripped before so a further worry. Easy and cheapest by far option would be euthanasia but can I do it to this beautiful horse who is only 17 years old - she has been unridable without bute for 11 of those years already and it is very expensive to keep her. One thing for sure is that I know I would not give her to anyone else. I would then lose control and she could either end up in the nackery being very fat - great for dog meat or left to starve in a paddock
Im sorry to hear this Maggie, I can't offer anything useful to you other than to acknowledge your feelings and 'hear' you. Its a hell of a thing to decide and I don't envy anyone; I dread the day when I ever have to face something like this. Look after yourself too.
Board him at a cheaper place with no arena and with just pasture board. $100/month
actually come to think of it, I've had several people offer to keep my horse on their farm for free as a companion to their broodmare or herd, it's just a really long drive out. I just posted on Kijiji, made sure I was comfortable with them, doesn't mean it always does, but it's worked out well. They kept their neighbor's horse for a couple years too to help out.
Thanks to everyone who commented on my question. I did find cheaper pasture board for my horse. It is $150 a month and includes morning feed and nightly shelter in paddocks. I think this is the best option for now as he is still comfortable at the walk and in the field. I was lucky to find this option because I live in a suburban neighborhood with no chance of keeping him at home and no one was offering to keep him for free. I think this is a tough call for people who have to board. With the price of hay so high here in CO, it is expensive to board. Keep the discussion going on boarding older horses. It is a topic that is not given enough attention.
Well done Krayniakb - it sounds as if you have found a nice place for him and the price is great.
Godd to hear it worked out for you, Krayniakb! :)
"Good" is what I meant to write!
good for you!