My old girl turned 31 in May. I have video from around her birthday of her strutting her stuff and showing off. She has arthritis in her left knee that has been noticeable for a while but it’s really only been the last few months that she has favored it more. I didn’t know it at the time but she must have already had arthritis in her left stifle. In that short amount of time from then until now, her arthritis has gotten much worse to the point she has trouble walking straight and what I thought was a bowed tendon in her right front is actually a tendon that’s breaking down. 
She was started on Previcox today. It’s too soon to tell if it will work. Even if it does, I’m not sure it’s fair to her to keep her going knowing the tendon is going to continue to deteriorate and the arthritis will continue to get worse until the Previcox no longer works. Having old horses (actually any old animal) can really suck sometimes.
I know. My 28 y/o OT standardbred doesn’t have as many good days as she used to. I miss seeing her pace past the gelding cantering.
Big hugs to you. Enjoy her while you can and make sure you can keep her pain free. If you can’t, as we all know, better an day too early than an hour too late, to let them go.
I feel for you.
My old gelding is finally coming around on Prascend, but I had some serious doubts there for a minute, so I know exactly what you mean.
I’ve had this guy with me since he was a crazy four-year-old who’d go anywhere, do anything, and (not so admirably!) beat the shit out of any horse that dared to cross him. To see him growing old and weak brings me back to all those early days, and reminds me of everyone’s mortality.
Horses are an education in philosophy, that’s for damn sure.
shouldn’t OP be using Equioxx rather than Previcox? I realize that is not their question, but I was under the understanding Previcox is a medication for dogs whereas Equioxx is the FDA approved medication for horses. I think the use of Previcox is consider off label and use in equines requires a waiver?
A least the weather in Texas this winter is expected to mild which should make it more tolerable for the older horse.
Over the years we have always had ongoing conversions with our vet as “when” it is the time for a horse to be helped … the current mystery horse is aged pony who just keeps hanging in there, best guess is he over 40 without any major health issues, but we keep expecting something to show up.
I spent a good bit of time last night looking back at pictures and videos from the last few months. You really can see a dramatic difference in her condition and the change in the leg/tendon in just the last 2 months. While the Previcox might offer her some relief, it won’t stop the progression of the arthritis or the breakdown of the tendon. She seems to be deteriorating very fast.
I think I am going to make the appointment for 2 or 3 weeks from now and hope I can be strong enough to do it for her.
Hug your ponies.
I hate it when people on forums do the “{{{hugs}}}” thing, but . . . {{{HUGS}}}.
I’m so sorry. 
I am so sorry. Getting old is hard on all of us. At least you are putting her needs first. no matter how painful. 31 is a lot of years to live for a horse and you must have given her the best.
When the time is coming, “better a bit early than too late, once the horse is suffering grievously in a crisis”.
It is hard on the humans, a relief to the horse in pain.
Sorry you are there now.
I’m so sorry. I’ve put down 5 seniors in the past six years. It doesn’t matter the reason, it’s never easy. But you know you’re doing the right thing for your horse. Facing the same decision now with my 18-year old kitty. I keep hoping for a turnaround, but I’m losing hope.
The last gift we can give them is to take away their pain, and make it our own.
It really can suck, I agree. ((hugs)) because I can’t offer anything else.
“ How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard .”
Winnie The Pooh
I understand and send you ((hugs)) laced with strength and patience during this most impossible time period.
Thank you all for the support. I haven’t told any of my horse friends yet. I tear up just thinking about saying the words. It took me a full week to call the vet to make the appointment, which is now set for next Friday. Now I have a week to mentally prepare myself, or at least try to. My husband is taking off work to make sure I’m not alone.
I love that quote Zu Zu. So true.
All the vets in my area use Previcox for horses as it is the same as Equioxx but a lot cheaper. 1/4 dog pill is used for horses. I have used it for years.
Nope. Previcox is the commonly prescribed alternative, much cheaper than Equioxx. Yes, it is off label. Many prescribed drugs are.
OP… You have my heartfelt sympathy. Getting old sucks.
Big hugs and jingles for you on Friday… It’s never easy. :no:
Big hugs to you. It’s a hard decision for us but a blessing for them to be free from pain.
Sending the best vibes I can your way. I have done this more times than I want to count. My horses are with me for life so I just know I get to do it 5 more times at least. What we do is best hardest thing a horse owner can do.
I don’t care if you are horseman enough to stand by a Champion, are you horseman enough to Champion a dear friend over the rainbow Bridge…
We are the brave ones, I am sorry for you, I know how watching this hurts…((hugs))
I am tearing up reading this thread. So sorry for you and your horse, OP. It really sucks.
Your horse had a long life, was beloved, and is well taken care of up until the end so you should remember that, too, while you are grieving.
Yep. Doing a head count on my herd and the youngest is 18. Hugs to you, we’ll be thinking of you Friday.
Our feral horse had gnarly knees all his life, rickets our vet called it.
He said maybe from growing up during droughts in the Nevada desert, where he was caught as a five year old stallion.
We never rode him hard, he was wonderful for all we did with him and we managed to keep him from becoming sore on those knees.
As he reached mid teens, they did start to bother him, so we retired him.
At 20, he was hurting on them, not just sore here and there, so on our vet’s advice, we let him go.
Our vet at that time told us, from all a horse can have causing pain, he thought difficulties with knees were the hardest for the horse.
Bad knees will affect directly other structures, knees are critical to support a horse for balance.
There is no way a horse can get comfortable, like with a bad hoof, by unloading weight to other three and compensating.
If your horse is really having knee problems, that is when the ultimate solution is indicated sooner than later, as per our vet’s advice.
It is such a tough spot to be in, but is our obligation to them to see to their comfort, and relieve them of pain at the end. [[[HUGS]]]
