After considering all my options, after making “the appointment” and sitting with that decision for a week, I have decided that he isn’t ready to go yet. I feel at peace with it.
What he is telling me might change quickly, and I am prepared for it. But for now, he still has that spark that makes him who he is. When that changes, well…then it will be time.
Sheilah
Have you had the discussion with your vet yet? You might want to have an “almost ready but not yet” talk. Have a frank discussion about keeping your horse comfortable, the effects of winter, emergency steps, etc.
One other thing to consider that is rather indelicate to talk about…what are you planning on doing with his remains? That can get much more difficult when the ground is frozen.
I did have a discussion with the vet and he supports me in either choice. He said there is an argument to be made for letting him go now, when he still has more good days than bad. But, since he still has mostly good days and seems comfortable, it wouldn’t be wrong to wait.
I would have his body picked up and cremated. I don’t own my own property, so a burial would be impossible. We’ll see how he tolerates winter. The moment that it looks like he is struggling, I am ready and we have a plan.
Sheilah
You are a good and caring owner. You know him best, and I have no doubt you have and will continue to do what is best for your guy. He is a lucky horse. xxxx
IR I want to share with you about my 25 year old OTTB we euthanized last fall.
Starting in spring 2018 he was battling recurring lymph/cellulitis issues in his right hind. It was not particularly responsive to SMZ’s and usually took several weeks for a flare-up to resolve. While he was having an active case of cellulitis it was hard for him to get up. When he was doing well he would roll daily and take long naps in the sun, and was known for rocketing around the pasture bucking/farting, although that declined once he had the fat rear leg.
Anyways, I COULD NOT get away from the fear that he would have a flare up and not be able to get up over the winter. I just had two horses living outside with a shed, and I was seriously concerned that he would end up down in the snow/ice overnight. At the beginning of November he was starting another flare up and it looked like a bad one so we decided to let him go. I do not ever think it was the wrong decision.
You know your horse better than anyone, but I would be very cautious about the care of a horse who struggles to get up over the winter.
I will keep a sharp eye on him. We have a plan. I truly don’t want to put him in a position where he has to suffer longer than he has to.
The deciding factor was seeing him with the little girl who has been his rider for the last year. He patiently and happily took her walking and trotting through the water at a cross country schooling ride. He can’t (and won’t) jump, but seeing him relish his purpose and do it willingly and soundly told me he still enjoys his life. They only did the water obstacle, but they both loved being there.
I know that this could all change in a red hot second. And the vet and I have formulated a plan for what we will do when it does.
Sheilah
You know your horse and your situation best, and it sounds like you’ve anticipated several different possible scenarios. You seem like a terrific owner who had the best interests of your horse in mind.
One of my boarders, who is a now a very close friend, 15 year old horse had been having a hard time. Recovered from Potomac Horse fever, only to end up with no joint fluid in his knees. Just after that got treated and he was doing well, we turned him out. He managed to damage his suspensory ligament. My husband had been saying that he was struggling but we didn’t see it until she was there one morning and saw him struggling to get up. It was horrible. She kept putting it off and then she had to go away. I was very worried that he would go down when my husband was away and we wouldn’t have anyone to bury him or anyone to put him down as the vets are only here two days a week.
I made the call to her that I think he should be put down that week she was away. It was tough as she wasn’t able to be here but he was happy and had three human friends spoiling him before. Hubby took and buried him on our little cemetery hill. She was good with it but I still struggle a bit. At least I know that he is not struggling anymore.
I had to put down my first horse when she was 27. She was living with the weanlings and when I went to feed she looked horrible and in pain. We tried banamine and it wasn’t helping. I asked hubby to help her over the bridge. It was tough but at least she didn’t suffer too long. She had been bright and sassy the day before.
It is always tough, but we are kinder to our animals than we are allowed to be to our human family.
Hugs,
Nancy
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