I know this topic has been discussed many times, but I guess I am seeking approval or advice from somewhere.
I have an 8 year old who I have been rehabbing from a racetrack injury. His recheck was yesterday, and the films were well, not good. We’ve been given the option to do a Fetlock arthrodesis or euthanize. I’m struggling with the idea of committing him to more stall rest and painful recovery just to make him pasture sound. We haven’t even x-rayed the other fetlock, so we don’t know how bad the joint disease is on that side. My vet supports either decision, but I feel so lost and don’t know what to do. Advice?
It is not wrong to euthanize. I would much rather see a horse in pain with a long rehab road euthanized than see one lame in the pasture clearly suffering. They only have today, they don’t have the hope of what could be. And a joint arthrodesis is far from pain free with a guaranteed recovery. There are possible complications of infection, anesthesia, etc. The age does make it hard. It just feels so unfair. But the age also means that if you manage to get him pasture sound now he will still have a lot of years from that arthritis to worsen and make him uncomfortable again. And to be pragmatic, a lot of years of you supporting a pasture pet. It’s not wrong to consider finances. We all feel guilty when we do, but unless you are ultra wealthy, supporting a pasture pet for 15-20 years is not something to take on lightly.
I’m sure you’ve heard this quote, but it applies so often “Better a month too early than a day too late”
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I had to put my 8 year old mare down just over a year ago. It stank, it hurt, it broke my heart. It took me months to make the final decision. I 100% empathise with how you’re feeling. You are not alone in this.
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I euthanized a horse shortly after his seventh birthday. The prognosis for a physically and mentally pain free existence wasn’t great, I’d already rehabbed him once. There were neck problems and the neurological issues were starting.
Based on the data the OP has provided I would be comfortable with euthanasia.
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It may be worth considering what one of my professors told me as a vet student one night when we had to euthanize a youngish dog, “animals don’t have the sense of time we have. They don’t know how long they’ve been with us, just how we treated them while they were here.”
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If you can keep him for the rest of his life and give him a good retirement home then maybe give it a shot, but I would be on the side of sending him across the bridge. How long would the stall rest be and what would his quality of life be after rehab?
It’s a heart wrenching decision but in the end you are looking out for him. Whatever decision you make will not be the wrong one.
Hugs to you 
Financially, the horse’s racing connections are committed to having him rehab completely. Which makes it feel even more like I am giving up.
The surgery would ultimately add about three months of stall rest. If we do nothing, he’ll never be able to leave the stall. The quality of life is the tough part. There’s no guarantee that the leg won’t break down further following it being fused. I’m terrified of doing the surgery then him having a pasture accident.
Are they willing to give him a forever retirement home? One that isn’t of risk of him ending up in a bad situation? Do they have a say on whether you euthanize or not?
So many things are worse than euthanasia…
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One of the connections is my partner. So, yes? to all of your questions. He’ll take my lead regardless.
Can you guarantee he will be pain free once pasture sound? I think we keep them going sometimes longer than we should. He is the one who will have months of stall rest and a long recovery. It sounds kinder to let him go now.
i know it isn’t easy to do but it seems like the best for him. Being young( energy wise) you have no idea what he may do after he is put out to pasture.
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Every time I’ve signed on for extended stall rest to produce a pasture sound horse, I’ve regretted it. I’ve found it’s just not fair to them, when you can’t explain why they’re in pain or why they’re locked up, especially for a serious length of time. And it sounds like best case here is pasture sound…that leaves an awful lot of room for a less than desirable outcome–what does that look like for this horse?
This is one I would 100% spoil silly for a few days, stuff full of carrots or his favorite treats, and let him go on a beautiful sunny day. Especially with winter coming.
I’m so very sorry. These decisions are always so hard.
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Tough situation with other people in the mix. Some questions to consider: How has the horse done on stall rest? Has he been relatively content to be a stall potato, climbing the walls, or something in between? If you fuse the joint, what are the odds for long-term pain-free pasture soundness? ( I know, no crystal ball, but vet should be able to give you idea of the likelihood of long term success) Does the horse have the temperment to deal with a disability or is he likely to attempt acrobatics that will result in further injury? Are there other issues (like the other ankle) that might worsen due to the stress? Do you have the time and emotional support to deal with a post-operative TB? Are the other interested parties able to help?
Personally, I would only attempt it if the vet found no other issues and felt there was an extremely high probability of success. And the horse was kind and able to stall rest without melting down. And I was able to spend the time to care for him (or send him to a rehab place) That many “ifs” mean that I feel the chances are that euthanasia is in his best interest. So sorry.
It is my opinion that, if you’re asking the question, then euthanasia is probably the best option. There really is no such thing as “too soon”. As @Ghazzu noted, animals have no sense of time/the future. They only understand the here and now. Stall rest is difficult for any horse, especially a relatively young, athletic one. And what kind of future, honestly, does this horse have even in a “best case” scenario?
Hugs to you. This is never an easy decision. Sometimes what is best for the horse is the most difficult choice to make.
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Think through a few things. What does “pasture sound” mean to you? What does it mean to your vet? I hear a lot of horse owners saying their horse is pasture sound when it’s lame (they call it “slightly off” or “sore on some days”, but it means lame - in pain, every day, unrideably so)
Would your horse have to live the next 10+ years in pain - low now but perhaps increasing?
Would your horse have to have pain relief every day for life?
Would your horse have to forgo normal companionship with other horses to remain alive (if excessive hooning around might endanger the leg)?
Or can you guarantee it can live pain free with companions until it dies?
If you can be sure that this issue won’t cause a lifetime of pain just so you don’t have to endure putting the horse down, and you can afford to keep the horse for the rest of their life, that’s one thing.
But nobody would look askance if you did put your horse down - remember: your horse will die one day. You can do it now while the sun is shining or when your horse is truly suffering or its suddenly too huge a financial burden to bear. Choose the path that’s best for your horse and put aside your squeamishness and sorrow.
(((hugs)))
