Feeling done

[amateur_move]

Long story incoming…

About 2 years ago, I bought a 4 year old TB as a hunter prospect. He was already started, very amateur friendly, quiet, great brain. He was kind of a jerk on the ground but nothing terrible – although this would progressively get worse. His only quirk undersaddle was that, when he spooked (which was not often), he dramatically leapt into the air. I thought it was silly and kind of endearing. We made a lot of progress together, and even won some at the Low Adult Hunter level.

Fast forward to about 1 year ago, it’s a cool day outside and we’re hacking in a group lesson. Horse is being a little playful, but nothing too bad…until he lets loose a powerful buck, and I come off. I thought I was okay and was ready to get up and get back on, but it turns out I had shattered my femur. This resulted in surgery, nearly a week in the hospital, and a tough recovery of ~6 months.

I came back to riding after 6 months, and even rode my horse a few times. It became clear to me though that I was not going to be able to trust this horse after my traumatic injury. I decided I’d like to sell. Of course, as soon as I made this decision, the horse went lame.

Several thousand dollars were spent trying to diagnose and treat the lameness, and finally it was recommended that we pursue an MRI to conclusively figure out what is wrong with the horse. I declined the MRI at that point because I have several acres at home, and a couple of retirees. I decided to bring the horse home, turn him out for several months, and see what we get rather than throwing more money at him right now. That was a month ago. The horse has been doing okay at my place. He’s definitely pasture sound and is not being asked to do anything.

Yesterday evening, he kicked me in the knee while I was trying to do the leg straps on his blanket. It knocked me to the ground. I got up, I’m okay, but I’m terribly shaken up. I know this is coming from my emotional mind and not my rational mind, but I don’t want to have anything to do with this horse anymore. I do not want to touch him or look at him. I absolutely do not want to give him an opportunity to hurt me again.

In my mind, there are 2 options:

1. Euthanize. Rationale: The horse has lameness issues and is dangerous.

2. See if I can find someone who would like to have him for free. Obviously, I would vet this person very well and would work with my trainer to find someone with a good reputation. Rationale: The horse has potential to do very well if he comes back sound, because he was previously going great.

What do the wise folks of COTH think? Am I missing any potential options here? Either way, I’m out a significant amount of money, which I think is a lost cause at this point. I want to do the best thing for the horse and for my mental health (and physical health if he tried to hurt me again).

[ParadoxFarm]

No real advice, but I can totally understand how you’re feeling. I’ve gone through that with certain horses, too. Usually my husband’s horse. I’m just sending virtual hugs your way. Sucks to be in that situation.

[amateur_move]

Thank you, I appreciate your kind reply

[pony_grandma]

I euthanize. Rehoming is too risky. I don’t pass any problems forward onto anyone else. What or when if he does injure more?

[Scribbler]

@amateur_move

Long story incoming…

About 2 years ago, I bought a 4 year old TB as a hunter prospect. He was already started, very amateur friendly, quiet, great brain. He was kind of a jerk on the ground but nothing terrible – although this would progressively get worse. His only quirk undersaddle was that, when he spooked (which was not often), he dramatically leapt into the air. I thought it was silly and kind of endearing. We made a lot of progress together, and even won some at the Low Adult Hunter level.

Fast forward to about 1 year ago, it’s a cool day outside and we’re hacking in a group lesson. Horse is being a little playful, but nothing too bad…until he lets loose a powerful buck, and I come off. I thought I was okay and was ready to get up and get back on, but it turns out I had shattered my femur. This resulted in surgery, nearly a week in the hospital, and a tough recovery of ~6 months.

I came back to riding after 6 months, and even rode my horse a few times. It became clear to me though that I was not going to be able to trust this horse after my traumatic injury. I decided I’d like to sell. Of course, as soon as I made this decision, the horse went lame.

Several thousand dollars were spent trying to diagnose and treat the lameness, and finally it was recommended that we pursue an MRI to conclusively figure out what is wrong with the horse. I declined the MRI at that point because I have several acres at home, and a couple of retirees. I decided to bring the horse home, turn him out for several months, and see what we get rather than throwing more money at him right now. That was a month ago. The horse has been doing okay at my place. He’s definitely pasture sound and is not being asked to do anything.

Yesterday evening, he kicked me in the knee while I was trying to do the leg straps on his blanket. It knocked me to the ground. I got up, I’m okay, but I’m terribly shaken up. I know this is coming from my emotional mind and not my rational mind, but I don’t want to have anything to do with this horse anymore. I do not want to touch him or look at him. I absolutely do not want to give him an opportunity to hurt me again.

In my mind, there are 2 options:

1. Euthanize. Rationale: The horse has lameness issues and is dangerous.

2. See if I can find someone who would like to have him for free. Obviously, I would vet this person very well and would work with my trainer to find someone with a good reputation. Rationale: The horse has potential to do very well if he comes back sound, because he was previously going great.

What do the wise folks of COTH think? Am I missing any potential options here? Either way, I’m out a significant amount of money, which I think is a lost cause at this point. I want to do the best thing for the horse and for my mental health (and physical health if he tried to hurt me again).

I agree move the horse on. However I am not sure one buck and one kick equals behavior problems that require euthanasia.

[trubandloki]

I am sorry that you are going thru this.

What was the general thought on what the lameness was most likely to be?

I would not have a problem with you euthanizing.

I can say that to me, like was said above, one bucking situation and one kicking thing really is not enough to consider this a dangerous animal to me, and I am sure someone in a different situation would not have a problem with his stupid personality.
But again, I have no issue if you and your vet feel that euthanasia is the answer.

[cheektwocheek]

I’ve had this exact type before, except he was a WB.
Listed for private treaty (free) on WB’s for sale. Literally went through 60 people to find the right fit for him. 5 minutes after walking off the trailer at his new home, he was listed for 60k. He had a nasty rear in hand and U/S. I could manage him but the boarding situation got rough.
They drugged him and sold him off. After 30 days, drugs wore off and trainer went in the hospital. Never again, I’d euthanize first, people lie.

This is him, 2 days after arriving at his new place.

Horse rearing, bucking

[amateur_move]

I appreciate your thoughtful answer. I agree that someone else who is a badder ass than me could probably manage this horse and be successful with him, if they could get him sound.

Re: the lameness, they found some inflammation in one of his navicular bursa but nothing else.

[hoopoe]

@cheektwocheek

They drugged him and sold him off. After 30 days, drugs wore off and trainer went in the hospital. Never again, I’d euthanize first, people lie.

that is a hard burden to shoulder, indirectly. Thank you for sharing and I hope it does not weigh on you.

have heard this similar story here on COTH many times. OPs horse has an issue that remains buried. There is no shame in making the difficult decision.

[VolteSomeday]

I’m sorry to hear you’re in this position. I’m curious what “kind of a jerk on the ground” and “progressively worse” means. I ask because this could be indicative of neuro/degenerative issues which make (more of a) case for euth but I think the specifics matter.

[SimonSays]

Ugh exactly the kind of things we have nightmares about. Sometimes no matter how much due diligence we do dishonest shit heads exist.

Amateur_move I don’t blame you either. I think this warrants a serious conversation with your vet. I don’t think there is anything wrong with a death with dignity and knowing he’ll never ever end up in bad hands or circling the drain as we call it.

[amateur_move]

He started off mouthy and pushy, but still sweet. Then it got to where he would threaten to kick, pin his ears, bite. Once or twice he kicked out at someone walking past him in the cross ties. His behavior was markedly worse with me than with others. During all of this though, he was still lovely to ride.

[NoSuchPerson]

@amateur_move

I know this is coming from my emotional mind and not my rational mind, but I don’t want to have anything to do with this horse anymore. I do not want to touch him or look at him. I absolutely do not want to give him an opportunity to hurt me again.

None of that sounds irrational to me, at all.

Based on everything you’ve said, I would euthanize. I would not pass him along.

[luvmyhackney]

Personally horse is only 6 many 6y/o horses are assholes just figuring out their place in the world. Especially big confident geldings. Many need very strong boundaries.

He kicked you and bucked you off. My now 7 y/o has bucked me off and tried to kick a couple times. I did ground work boot camp for 3 months and then sent him to under saddle boot camp. Now he’s lovely.

I’d evaluate the lameness and give him to someone willing to rehab unless the injury is bad enough he won’t recover to be rideable. I wouldn’t jump to euth so quick.

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

I would do all you could to find someone to take him for free. I know COTH is often of the mindset that any time you give away a horse for free, terrible things will happen, but if you do it responsibly (not on Craig’s list or something like that), I think a very confident young person or someone who doesn’t mind muscling a horse around a bit (I don’t mean being cruel, but being very firm about boundaries) might be interested in getting a nice horse after rehabbing him.

I 1000% get where you’re coming from. People are saying “it’s just a buck and a kick” but the injuries and the rehab the OP went through are terrible–physically, emotionally, and financially. Few people can afford to go through that again. When a horse “has your number” and isn’t fun to be around there is no shame moving him on–even if it’s not in the “textbook” way of spending all the money to train, rehab, and find him the “perfect” home at a price.

However, if you make the hard decision, I certainly think most COTHers would support you 1000%-I certainly would, and you shouldn’t have to live your life in fear because of this horse.

[Old_Mac_Donald]

How many people are volunteering to take on behavioural cases with long term undiagnosed lameness issues?

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

Agreed. I would not judge the OP for making a hard, final choice at all. I was only saying, if he’s not truly a rogue and his soundness is improving, there might be more options (or there might not, in which case I don’t think there is anything wrong with either decision).

[barnesthenoble]

I euthanized a 6yo TB due to intractable pain and related behavioral issues. I could have thrown a lot more dx at it but I was out of money, suspected the answer wouldn’t change the outcome, and in the wrong hands he’d be dangerous. He’d been poorly treated immediately off the track and was absolutely ready to throw down for a fight if he felt you were being unfair and had a nasty rear, bite, and strike if he felt he needed it. However, I’d also done the rigamarole of treating for ulcers, working on feet, tweaking diet, 24/7 turnout with like-minded friends, conditioning, etc. before calling it.

I’ve also had two TBs get very, very nasty to handle on the ground because of ulcers in one and hindgut + hoof pain in another. Both improved dramatically with treatment. Your description of his behavior on the ground reminds me quite a bit of how these two horses acted.

Without knowing more about what has and hasn’t been done in terms of addressing the bucking, treating for pain (ulcers, feet, back, teeth etc), and ultimately working on ground manners if pain is ruled out, it’s hard to say whether you’re premature in euthanasia. I also understand why you feel the way you do, and don’t blame you for needing this horse gone. I also understand the hesitation to rehome an animal that could end up in a bad spot or put someone else in a bad spot. But I agree with other folks who think based on the information presented, this doesn’t sound like behavioral issues so severe they warrant euthanasia or being branded as so dangerous they can’t be rehomed, and the soundness issue could very well have been a bruise or poor hoof care that has since resolved. It doesn’t sound like you reached a conclusive diagnosis and Dr. Green can do a lot in terms of resolving things.

I think if this were my horse I would be looking to find him a home with someone I trust implicitly or on the recommendation of someone I trust implicitly. Potentially a feed lease-to-own type situation so you can retain control and the decision to euth if things go south, but I know that can be a tall order.

Zero judgment if you do decide to euthanize, though. That’s a tough call to make but it’s not a wrong one IMO. There are many worse things for a horse than a good death.

[RooTheDay]

@barnesthenoble

I think if this were my horse I would be looking to find him a home with someone I trust implicitly or on the recommendation of someone I trust implicitly. Potentially a feed lease-to-own type situation so you can retain control and the decision to euth if things go south, but I know that can be a tall order.

I was typing but @barnesthenoble said it better so I deleted it all. Big plus one to all of the analysis in their post, both the course of action I explicitly quoted above and the “Zero judgment […] many worse things” part.

The one thing I’ll double-tap is that the “feed lease to own” aspect is really important. Few people with the ability to get this type of horse going will sign up to put in the sweat equity here unless they know they get to keep it if it works out. I’m currently doing something similar-ish (slowly putting something of questionable soundness back into work) without said guarantees… but I’m also not paying most of that horse’s bills.

[frugalannie]

My OTTB developed pretty bad behavioral issues (kicking and biting) within a couple of weeks of arriving at my place. Quick fast forward, diagnosed with ulcers and a couple of rounds of treatment fixed that, and he has maintained well on a GI feed and alfalfa cubes. Got cranky again (not nearly as bad, but still acting out) and we put him on Vitamin E. That, with behavioral corrections, seems to have fixed it. Vigilance is maintained however.

As with your horse, he’s always been delightful under saddle, willing to try learning this funny new game (Dressage), hack anywhere in company or alone calmly and otherwise healthy.

So I’m going to assume that you’ve tried all of this easy stuff. If you feel there’s no alternative, consider donating him to a vet school so he can be a blood donor, or be a teaching subject.