Ethical question

[Pico_Banana]

If you want to try a different muzzle that is the least claustrophobic, try the SweetNet muzzle. I think it’s the most horse friendly of them all. The flexible filly is my first choice when you can get it to work, but it’s tricky. I also like the greenguard, but my horse kept consistently removing it - even with the special halter and an extra neck strap (she broke the extra neck strap).

The only reason I put the FF over the SweetNet is that the SweetNet doesn’t dry as quickly after they drink as the FF. If not for that, the sweet is my top choice.

[SMF11]

Would your TB do ok in Soft Ride boots? I had one retiree here with thin soles, and when his feet got ouchy he wore the boots in the field (out 24/7). He wasn’t running around though, and would wear the boots a few days at a time.

[luvmymorgan]

Lisoluv - thank you! That was in many ways my ultimate question - if I try to do the best that I can to meet their needs but am unable to find a way that works for both does it make me a terrible person. I tend to stress over things and want to do the best I can for them . I am going to continue to try to find a way to manage both but I will have to find my limit. If I make myself sick over it I’m not going to do either of them any good.

[RedHorses]

No, it doesn’t make you a terrible person. You are proving how much you care by trying to meet their needs, and ensuring they don’t suffer if you can’t.

Here’s hoping the pony just has PPID and the meds will resolve his problems.

[WavyRider]

Agree with RedHorses, you sound like a very conscientious and caring owner.

Would glue-on shoes be possible for the tb? They can be a lifesaver if applied by a knowledgeable professional. Might be easier than boots, though they are not inexpensive.

I second the Greenguard muzzle rec for the pony. They also have diet inserts to allow even less grass through, as well as special halters to foil Houdini horses that like to ditch their muzzles.

[Red_Dust]

@luvmymorgan

What I can’t quite figure out is why the pony moves so much better after being out moving around than he does coming out of his stall in the AM.

years ago I read an article on laminitis that suggested mild exercise (like walking a bunch) is beneficial to the recovery. The author likened it to his experience as bench warmer football player who one day taped his own feet, but way too tight and the relieve he found once he cut the tape off. So when he dealt with the issue in horses he would turnout the horse in the arena and give many small piles of hay.
Now this is oversimplified and paraphrased from shoddy memory.
And for the life of me, I could not tell you what publication it was in, but it’s been a good couple of decades.
Maybe that explains why Pony walks better in turnout.

[mmeqcenter]

Absolutely not, all we can do is try our best. If it can’t work out, there’s no shame in offering them a happy, peaceful end. Rehoming them provides zero guarantee anyone else will be able to do anywhere near as much as you tried to do, and has a very high chance of a poor outcome for complicated, unrideable horses.

[Libby2563]

@luvmymorgan

his companion (large pony) is having a mild laminitis episode – both mid 20’s. The laminitis is very mild – sore on hard ground/turns – but no laying down, no heat, no pulse, no reaction to hoof testers. Stands normally – usually resting a hind foot and not at all rocked back.

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but how do you know this is laminitis?

[Long_Time_Lurker]

I remember that article (or a similar one) as I had a recovering laminitic horse at the time. I think it was in Western Horseman. Even though I have always ridden English I had been given a subscription as a gift, and it a lot of useful horse care articles.

It is also possible (maybe even likely for a mid 20s pony) that he has some arthritis in addition to sore feet. The walking would help the arthritis even if it does not actually help the laminitis.

[RhythmNCruise]

@luvmymorgan

That was in many ways my ultimate question - if I try to do the best that I can to meet their needs but am unable to find a way that works for both does it make me a terrible person.

Goodness no. I understand where you’re coming from though. Especially in regards to discussions online where there are so many opinions and some of them very strong, and it’s easy to feel like you’re an absolute failure and borderline abusive if you’re not spending every last dime and resource and bit of time and energy you have ensuring that the horse never has a single moment of discomfort or inconvenience in its life.

It seems there is always more that we can be doing to be “better” caretakers of our horses. Feed and supplement companies thrive on this mentality. Everyone wants to give their horses the very best of everything, but there comes a time when you have to realize that there is a limit, and that is personal to each individual who owns a horse.

You are a conscientious owner who is doing just fine by these lucky horses. A lot of the advice and suggestions I see in forums like this one and others tends to assume a “perfect world” situation that just isn’t the reality for most people. And you’re not failing the horse by not providing it a perfect world. There is only so much we can control.

ETA: Wanted to add that when I look back on my care and riding/training of some of my former (now dearly departed) horses, I cringe and wish I could speak to them one more time to beg their forgiveness. But those horses, by all accounts, had great lives. I loved them, I did the best I could with the knowledge and resources I had within the circumstances I could not change. I know one of my show horses almost certainly suffered from major neck arthritis and gastric ulcers. The signs are crystal clear to me now in hindsight, but when I had him I thought he was just “stiff” and “quirky.” I had another gelding who definitely had metabolic issues and who injured a leg that I did spend a lot of money to fix and he did well, but in later years I got slack and figured he was “fine” when he probably wasn’t. But he was loved, fed, kept up-to-date on feed, teeth, vaccinations, deworming, etc. He was happy.

I know a lot more now and I also have just one horse now. He’s the best cared for of any I’ve owned over the past 36 years, but it’s still not “perfect” by any means. I started him too early (2!) and I think there are residual effects even all these years later (almost 17 now). Nothing major, but it’s still something that I know wasn’t right. I used a subpar farrier for MANY years who did not do any of my horses’ feet any favors. I didn’t know any better. He was a nice guy, he came every six weeks on the dot, he did the horses without me being there, and he was an honest, hard-working fella. He knew what he knew and I knew what I knew and when I learned more, I had to let him go and hire someone more qualified.

Anyway…the point being…your horses aren’t suffering and neither were mine. There are plenty of horses that truly ARE suffering that would trade places with them in a heartbeat.

[KBC]

I wish I could remember who posted this, but the old brain has forgotten, but what they wrote is forever in my memory bank.

We owe our horses the best life we can, and when that is no longer possible we owe them the best death we can”

There are many reasons for making that choice, and it definitely includes finances and your own well being.

[luvmymorgan]

@Libby2563

@luvmymorgan

his companion (large pony) is having a mild laminitis episode – both mid 20’s. The laminitis is very mild – sore on hard ground/turns – but no laying down, no heat, no pulse, no reaction to hoof testers. Stands normally – usually resting a hind foot and not at all rocked back.

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but how do you know this is laminitis?

Honestly that is a good question! Basically from the exam the vet did - she didn’t think it was laminitis initially. After watching him walk/turn on hard, somewhat rocky, ground - decided laminitis based on him being a slightly cresty large pony. If you see him walk on soft ground or a straight line he looks perfectly normal. Blood work will be done in a couple of weeks and hope to know more then.

[luvmymorgan]

Thank you! I tend to do exactly that - beat myself up when I can’t do everything exactly right! But I have to take a breath and find a reasonable compromise between what’s best for them and what is best for me. I have a rather stressful job that requires well more than 40 hours a week - I only have so much mental capacity and energy!

I rescued this guy from an auction and it took months for him not to shake when you walked in his stall. So he’s been nothing but a pasture pet for almost 15 years. Chances are if anyone else that bid on him had gotten him - his life would have been much different. I’ll do the best by him that I can and if he can’t tolerate it I will put him down - I tend to keep all my horses till the end!

Thankfully for now a slightly altered turnout schedule(early mornings for now will swap to nights soon planning on 10 pm to 7 am), deep bedding when inside, soaking hay, remission supplement and he seems to be doing better. Bute being tampered down as well - only 1/2 gram today. Still trying to get the muzzle to work - my other gelding has decided to almost attack the pony when he has the muzzle on. Was pretty sure I was going to get run over trying to get between them to remove the muzzle . But will keep working on it.

I greatly appreciate everyone’s advice and support!