I really don’t where to post this, so I’m sorry if this is in the wrong place. Five years ago, I went to a horse auction and outbid the kill buyers to buy this beautiful older chestnut gelding that I immediately fell in love with. Unfortunately, as soon as he came home, I quickly learned why his previous owners decided to bring him to the auction in the first place. He is a kicker. He kicks without warning, and if you act “Firm” with him, or carry a whip with you, he will become much, much more aggressive in his actions. He is not afraid of whips or people, at all, whatsoever. I have sent him to four different trainers so far and nothing has seemed to help. I have had him thoroughly checked out by several veterinarians and they couldn’t find anything wrong with him that could be causing his behavior. Since he is registered, I did do some research on his blood lines and found out his sire was famous for having a nasty, dangerous temperament, and his foals have a big reputation for inheriting this behavior. Apparently a lot of people avoid his blood lines for this reason. I have had two different veterinarians offer to euthanize him, after spending time with him, and agreeing that he is a dangerous animal. The problem is, I have never euthanized a healthy animal before, and I have a really hard time coming to terms with it. I have tried to re-home him, but people quickly lose interest once I tell them about this behavior, and I don’t blame them at all. And if someone did buy him, I would feel so guilty and responsible if he kicked them and someone got hurt. I really just don’t know what to do at this point, or what the right decision is. I guess I am just looking for advice, and most of all: what would you do with this horse if you were in my situation?
Euthanize.
It is the only realistic solution for this horse.
I’m sorry for you.
He’s not healthy. He’s as fundamentally broken as if he shattered both front cannons. I’m so sorry.
This is a truly dangerous horse that will hurt you. Euthanize. You are getting good advice.
Five years… you gave him more than a very fair chance, and no doubt saved him from a one way ticket to a kill pen. If you are unable to keep him as a pasture pet (or hes too dangerous for even that), there’s no shame in euthing him.
Euthanize him before he hurts you or someone else. Or worse. All it takes is one moment of complacency for something very bad to happen. If he were my horse, this is the decision I would make and never doubt myself.
Unless you are willing to keep him indefinitely and take the risk of him hurting you, I would euthanize this horse. He is not a healthy horse - there is more to good health than just the physical aspect. He is mentally unhealthy and at this point it really doesn’t matter why as he has proven to be unfixable. You, or someone else, could be injured or even killed due to his behavior. Do not attempt to re-home him. The chances are very high that he will either hurt someone or he will end up back in a bad situation himself - or both.
I’d feel better about recommending you give up on him if I knew more about the trainers he’s been to, and what he’s like when he’s not kicking. I don’t think euthanizing a horse who’s truly dangerous is a bad idea, but I’ve certainly seen difficult horses turned around in competent hands.
If you have had two vets offer to eauth, you have to know this is truly the right thing.
You have done all that you can.
Let him go.
This, the vets I’ve known who were in the position of having to euth healthy horses were not so keen on doing it, unless the horse was really dangerous or unmanageable. I would think if you have two vets agreeing/offering to euthanize, it is better for all involved, not just for convenience of the owner.
If you have a teaching hospital I would reach out and see if they are taking any donated horses for this kind of behavior. My friend was able to donate a very dangerous pony this way, ended up in an endocrine study at Cornell. Might be a long shot but at least you can tell yourself you tried absolutely everything before euthing. Also, even if he ends up being put down, they might want the body to autopsy for any abnormalities.
I am afraid this is the truth. you have given him more time than many might have. His time is up.
He is not healthy, and 2 vets telling you that, well there is no shame. Please before he hurts someone.
There is no joy in owning a horse that is so unpredictable or dangerous. There are so many nice souls that need a home out there. I am sorry. 
The OP has two vets who are in agreement about euthanizing him, he’s been to four trainers and he has five years. He’s been given more than a few chances and sorry but it’s better to put him down than to risk your life or someone else’s. One kick from him can kill instantly. And the OP is not giving up in him - he’s had more than enough time, chances, and help. He’s NOT WORTH THE RISK.
OP: there is no shame in euthanizing him. He clearly isn’t happy or maybe he’s just wired wrong. Some just are. You’ve done more than the majority out there and I commend you for that. Life is too short and there are so many others out there with good brains and temperments who need homes.
I agree with all the recommendations above. You have to remember that for a horse to be considered ‘healthy’ they must be healthy and happy in both mind and body. Your boy obviously is healthy in body, but not in mind. This is absolutely not an easy decision to ever make, and good for you for at least asking others their opinions. COTH does have a big world of experience to pull from.
My trainer just euthanized a perfectly sound horse that very occasionally would just go out of his mind and was extremely dangerous during that time. No obvious triggers, no physical issues, purely mental. The horse was fine for months and months and flipped out at a show one Saturday. By Thursday the horse was gone. A difficult decision for her, but the risk of anyone being hurt was one she was NOT going to tolerate, period.
As the owner, you absolutely should visualize the ‘worst possible scenario’ with this horse. It is your responsibility. I think this may make the decision a bit easier to justify. Hopefully, the same responses from posters here will help enforce you are doing the right thing for your boy.
Two vets opinions…not given lightly. I think you should follow their advice.
Agree with others- euth before someone gets hurt, or worse. Sorry you are in this situation- you did a kind thing to rescue this guy from a one way trip, take comfort that euthanasia is far kinder than the alternative ending he faced.
You saved him from a terrible trip to Canada and a painful, frightening death. You’ve had trainers and vets evaluate him. You’ve done right by this horse. Giving him a pain free, dignified death sounds like the right move. Almost never do vets suggest euthanizing a healthy horse. This horse does not have a healthy mind.
Perhaps “give up” was the wrong phrase, and certainly not meant to hurt the OPs feelings. It’s clear the OP has invested time and money and thought. And as I said, I’m not opposed to euthanization. But I’m sure each of us can think of 5 trainers who would be useless in this situation. Nothing was said about the qualifications of the trainers, the duration of training, the type of training, over those five years. If the horse has been in training for most of those years with 5 different qualified trainers? Or if the horse was evaluated by 5 different “trainers” for brief periods amounting to not much time at all during those years? Different scenarios. The vet opinions do carry weight, especially, as previously noted by another poster, since IME vets are often reluctant to euthanize a healthy horse. But are they equine vets? Or general livestock vets?
Again, I’d feel better making a recommendation if I had more info.
God bless you, OP, for putting in an incredible amount of time, money, and emotional energy into this horse. Not all of them are savable, and you’ve done a great job. As others here as well as your vets have said, this horse isn’t “healthy.” You are not failing him by letting him cross the bridge.
Horses are like people – some have something truly wrong with their brains, beyond what our knowledge base can fix.
Virtual hugs to you. Let us know what you decide.
The horse needs to be euthanized before he kills someone and based on what the OP has written there is a high probability it could happen. Period.
Two vets.
Four trainers.
Five years.
He’s had plenty of chances.
The OP isn’t taking this lightly and has clearly looked into everything. A human’s life is worth a lot more than this horse’s life.
