Need Advice - when things get too expensive with an older horse

[scrbear11]

@4LeafCloverFarm

Is he a safe, calm, easy going horse? Perhaps a well-respected Therapeutic Riding program in your area would be a good fit?

Why do people always suggest this? I know of no not-for-profit Therapeutic Riding Program that has the budget for a geriatric horse that needs extensive dental work.

[firefoot]

@Palm Beach

I don’t think you need to make the euthanasia decision today. If you cannot afford to pay cash for the dental work, don’t get it done. You have given the horse a good 10 years, but you are not obligated to turn yourself inside out financially for him in his older years. It doesn’t sound like the choices are dental work v. euthanasia. With older horses, expensive medical things tend to come up the road at you, and the dental work may just be one of multiple expensive things heading towards you in the next few years. Tell the vet that you will not take on debt for the horse and when he reaches a time where he is no longer happy and comfortable you will make sure he has a peaceful end. Your vet will not judge you for that, nor will we.

This is the best advice, and honestly the hardest. But you can only do what you can do. Putting yourself into debt is never a good idea, least of all when it’s for an animal. That sounds super harsh, and don’t get me wrong, I will have the hardest time making this decision for my own horses, but your first obligation is to yourself. If you don’t have the means, then you don’t have the means. Your horse and your vet will understand. Put the surgery off, make him as comfortable as possible, it could be a while until he shows symptoms of being uncomfortable. Maybe then you’ll have the money, maybe you won’t and you’ll need to make the decision, but it doesn’t need to be today and you DON’T need to beat yourself up about what you can or can’t do. You are doing enough.

I absolutely agree with everyone who says to keep him – don’t rehome him. Nobody wants these old guys with issues, that’s how I ended up with mine. They are better off with people who know them and love them for who they are.

Take it a day at a time, spend time with him if you can, and just remember that you have to take care of yourself first, whatever that means.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

@scrbear11

Why do people always suggest this? I know of no not-for-profit Therapeutic Riding Program that has the budget for a geriatric horse that needs extensive dental work.

I make suggestions based on my own experience. That may not be the same experience you have. The OP already clearly stated that this horse would not be a good candidate as a lesson horse or child’s horse. Had I known that in advance, my suggestion would have been different.

[4horses]

I would wait on the extractions. Is the horse eating well? If he is eating well, i would wait.

My old mare is 26 years old. I have decided not to do any more dental work on her. The last few dentals made her extremely sore. She wouldn’t eat for days afterwards. She did have a fractured molar removed- it took over a week for her appetite to go back to normal. She has arthritis in her jaw and gets so sore, even with just a routine float.

Provided she eats well and maintains her weight, then i see no reason to put her through that.

My senior cat has cancer. The vet said she needs multiple tooth extractions. Again I don’t see putting her through that, given her age and eventual poor prognosis.

If the teeth aren’t causing pain and the horse is eating, i would save your money and wait.

Another option: could you pull shoes and give the horse time off? Use that money towards the dental?