Euthanizing retirees due to finances

I own a 24 year old horse I’ve had for 2 decades. He looks shiny as a penny. He eats well. And he has a hard time breathing. I treat him daily and he’s occasionally fine. At some point, possibly this very summer, I may put him down. It is going to be 98F next Friday. And likely 90% humidity. I seriously doubt I can get him comfortable. I will bring them to my shadiest lots and turn on the big fan in their run in…but I predict a very hard summer for him.

Why would I keep him alive to spare myself the reality of his QOL? Why would I even consider entrusting him with a stranger in some magical other place where he’ll miraculously be fine?

He is mine and I will steward his care as I see fit. Your judgement of the OP is just this side of delusion about what’s out there, what’s possible, and what’s just.

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I did not say it was necessary, or a requirement. I said doing so gives me comfort, and might give the OP comfort too.

You may just drive me to leave coth!!

Where did I say she should not euthanize???

You are talking about euthanizing for health reasons, something that I and my owners have done MANY times! Of course it is a kindness under those circumstances! Good lord!

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What gives me comfort is KNOWING my animals did not suffer.

Even with a perfect retirement home, I can not know that, the same that I can with them in my own personal care.

If I were in OPs shoes, I would not investigate other options. I would want to KNOW that the horses had a dignified end.

That’s just my take.

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You want her to find some mythical home that continues the expensive care of two damaged and unusable luxury sport pets. And trust this stranger to make it all good for them at significant expense. That’s just dreaming and an abidcation of responsibility.

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Why are you mischaracterizing what I said?

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I don’t see that I am. To even suggest she hasn’t considered every possible option is not kind.

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You must have a really cheap farrier where you are.

Trims (no shoes, nothing special) for two every six weeks costs me more than $600/year and per posts here and discussion with people around me I am paying what the average cost is.

Ignoring all the other good reasons why passing them along to someone else for a bit is not a good idea, one of the best reasons for euthanizing now and not waiting until the person leasing can no longer care of them is that the OP can make the decision with out the input of others. No other boarders telling her she is cruel. No barn owner insisting this can’t happen on their property. No having to deal with the logistics of euthanizing some where that the OP has no say in what happens with their bodies.

Euthanizing at home, before the farm sells will hurt the OP, but not the horses. Their wonderful lives will end on a happy note where they have lived.

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That’s the best way to state how I feel.

I am responsible. The buck stops with me.

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I’ve shared my old horse stories on this board. My own retirees as well as a horse I gave a soft landing to that I euthed at 35 years old! Would I ever assume or trust someone else would do the same or make the same decisions? Hell No. To ME… there are way worse things than death or a kind end…. Which euthanasia absolutely is. My biggest pet peeve is possible suffering. That I cannot stomach.

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I’m sorry to see you catching grief over what I think is a pretty rational way of looking at the OP’s situation.

I think it is actually kind to reassure her that she hasn’t necessarily run out of options and is obligated to euthanize her horses. Some here seem to be suggesting that if she were to do anything but euthanize, that would make her irresponsible. What a terrible thing to do to someone who is already having a hard time coming to terms with making that tough choice.

If the OP wants to investigate other options for one or both of her horses, and happens upon something that she’d like to try with them before making the euthanasia call, I think she should absolutely do that. If it doesn’t work out, then the choice is back in play.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with euthanizing one or both of these horses in the OP’s circumstances. There is also absolutely nothing wrong with investigating other possibilities besides euthanasia. And I think that was all you were trying to say, @SMF11 . I agree with you.

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One name:

Fallon Blackwood.

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Horses, like other domestic animals, live in the Now.
They do not conemplate the future or their own mortality and speculate.
They only know how you are treating them.
Euthanasia before a crisis with older horses is not a sin.

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I’ll echo what many others have already said. You have clearly dedicated many years to caring for these horses and put a great deal of money and effort into doing right by them. Euthanasia is the hardest decision many of us will ever make as horse owners. It’s also the opportunity to give them one final gift in a peaceful, painless release from this life and protection from future suffering.

Also, please do not hesitate to protect yourself and your future financial stability. We all love our horses but we are no good to them if we can’t provide for our own basic needs either.

It certainly sounds like these horses are lucky to have you all these years. Big hugs and lots of understanding from me. It takes a compassionate, conscientious horse person to wrestle with these types of decisions.

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Context or a link would be handy for those of us who don’t have a carved in stone memory of the interwebz

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To be clear,

  1. No poster, including me, has said the OP should give her horses away to a companion home.

  2. No poster here, including me, has said the OP should not euthanize her horses.

Carry on.

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Google her.

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When I think about how horses live in some parts of the world it reminds me how good most horses in the USA, particularly those owned by folks who might be on the COTH boards, have it. 5 years owned by one of us is likely heaven compared to where they could be placed.

Thinking of the OP through this tricky time and providing no judgment of any options that are considered.

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Or look up Byrd Rareshide.

There are threads about her case here on COTH.

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I have no words of wisdom, I have not been in your shoes… but I wanted to remind you to give yourself grace when the decisions are made. Selling the farm, being forced into early retirement, downsizing, and most importantly; no longer having that daily route that keeps you connected to your current property. Its going to be a shock to your system when the dust settles.

So please remember to be kind to yourself, give yourself grace as you adjust to your new normal.

Personally, I would not rehome and PTS. Close the entire chapter to start a new one.

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