Support needed to put down a young, unsound horse.

[summerfield]

Hello all,

I could use some support. I am sitting here crying as I type. I finally contacted my vet about putting down my horse- we will see what he says. I have kept a smile on my face as I have tried and tried and tried. And I can't keep up the facade anymore.

He is a 9 year old navicular horse I have owned for 2 years. And we have spent 2 years in varying levels of lameness. I have tried everything from traditional treatments to barefoot rehab, so please don't make suggestions. There is nothing we haven't tried (see other threads for details, I suppose). Right now his feet are absolutely beautiful. And he is lame.

 I dread going to the barn and I dread "riding" him. His primary symptom has always been tripping, which I feel makes him dangerous.

I feel HORRIBLE. But I don't know what else I can do for him. I have spent $10k (on a $2500 horse!) on various vet bills and treatments. And I am mentally done. When I went to the barn yesterday, for another afternoon of trying on hoof boots (he trips in them. Dangerously close to falling), taking hoof pics, analyzing his gaits, oh, yeah, he doesn't want to go near the mounting block again, etc, I just realized that I cannot do this anymore and left in tears.

Horses used to be fun. And since I bought him, they have not. I have watched all of my friends go to clinics and schooling shows and take lessons, and all of that stopped for me. I left barns with friends to go to barns better suited for rehab, so I lost all of that social aspect. And he is still lame, and now developing other problems, too (allergies/SI) that I have no more resources to address.

I feel guilty beyond belief. But I cannot keep going. This horse was not well-treated before I got him, and I have given him 2 happy years. He used to be terrified of people touching his ears, and now he loves getting his scratched. He is fat and happy. But he isn’t sound, and he never will be, and I don’t want to watch him struggle over the frozen ground again. And I, as selfish as it may be, want to have fun with horses again.

How do you deal with the guilt? With the “If I just try one more thing, one more six month period?” With “Am I doing the right thing?”

[Hawkridge]

Hugs to you…I’m not here to judge and from what I’ve read, you’ve done what you can. Was he symptomatic when you bought him 2 yrs ago or show anything on x-rays in the PPE?

It’s a tough decision, I know. Can you give him away to a non-riding companion home or will his other issues prevent that? I guess the new allergy issue isn’t heping

[Cat_Tap]

I know exactly what you are going through. My horse didn’t have navicular problems but pedal osteitis. He couldn’t keep shoes on but his feet could not hold up barefoot. He was a very talented but not an easy horse to ride. He would get better and it would take me a few rides to be confident on him when he went sore again.

Spend all kinds of $ trying to help him. The constant up and down of hope and despair wore me down. He was also a very proud horse who wanted to work but you could see when he was in pain.

When I finally made the decision my vet was on board with me and very kind and helpful.

I think once you have decided, it is the right thing.

[Cat_Tap]

@Hawkridge

Hugs to you…I’m not here to judge and from what I’ve read, you’ve done what you can. Was he symptomatic when you bought him 2 yrs ago or show anything on x-rays in the PPE?

It’s a tough decision, I know. Can you give him away to a non-riding companion home or will his other issues prevent that? I guess the new allergy issue isn’t heping

I would never give away a horse in pain, it never ends well.

[mpsbarnmanager]

Hugs. I understand the guilt, but flip it. He is in constant pain. It will only get worse. If anything, THAT is something to feel guilty about. Not the fact that you are now ending his pain. That is something only you can give him, and now you are doing it. Don’t feel guilty. You have tried to help, and you couldn’t. Not your fault. If you tried to rehome, he would still be in pain and could easily end off at a slaughterhouse or worse. You are doing the right thing.

I have a 12 yr old WB gelding I am about to have to euth. He has very advanced ringbone and now he is to the point of not wanting to leave his stall. He also has stifle problems. He will never be sound, but it is sad bc he was a training level event horse when I got him. Insanely well trained. But he is on pain, and I need to do it before cold weather comes and it gets even worse. He is stoic, but in pain. It is our JOB to make these calls. It sucks, but there it is. Be strong. You can do this. You owe it to him.

PS- Did you do the nerving surger?

[RedHorses]

Money concerns are a legitimate consideration when considering a chronically unsound horse. If it wasn’t people would be building huge facilities that would allow for temperature controlled turnout areas with special footing and the like.

Your horse is not sound. He’s not going to get any better.

You tried more than many people would have done. You earned his trust and gave him some years of love.

Try not to beat yourself up over letting him go.

[WildLittleWren]

It sounds like you have done everything you can. Sometimes the kindest thing to do is the one thing that hurts us the most, but it is a brave and selfless decision.

[Hawkridge]

@Cat Tap

I would never give away a horse in pain, it never ends well.

I assumed he was pasture sound…but if he’s not then for sure put him down as it’s the best outcome for him.

[Uncorked]

I made the decision to put down my 1st warmblood (whom I had bred) due to navicular at age 10. I too tried everything…isoxuprine…special shoeing…injecting the coffin joint and the list goes on. Finally, I was tired of always having to put him on the lunge line to see if he was sound that day so I could ride. I had him nerved. It was the best thing I ever did. While they eventually grew back I had 2 wonderful years of clinics, showing, and just enjoyment from my horse.
When the nerves grew back I knew it was time…there was literally nothing left to try (this was back in the '90s). I had a choice to either rehome him or put him down - I didn’t own property and couldn’t afford to pay board on a horse I couldn’t ride… I decided the most kind thing was to put him down…I was afraid like Cat Tap mentioned that it would not go well for him…he was high maintenance, required special shoes, and could only be out at night during fly season.

Sometimes the best thing is to let them go…it is one of the hardest…if I could have written a check for any amount that could have “fixed” him I would have (I would have hocked everything) but unfortunately sometimes there is no amount that can make it better. Hugs to you and go with what your gut is telling you is the best course of action for your guy.

[Jackie_Cochran]

I think that horses can sense that their lives are nearly over &/or sense that they could go downhill bad if moved on to another owner.

Your horse may be telling you that he just does not want to hurt all the time anymore.

Winter is coming, and if it is a hard winter it will be hard, very hard on your horse, especially if you live where the ground freezes solid or there are ice storms.

I went through this with an Arab mare. She was so thin when I got her (and I did know she was lame), and in the two years I had her she gained all her weight back, got sassy, and went from the lowest horse in any herd she was put in to the supreme leader.

But she never got sound, I had a feeling that a hard winter was coming, and all I could think of was her slipping and falling during one of our relatively frequent ice storms, and having to be put down then, scared, hurt, anxious and confused.

We put her down on a nice fall day. When the ice storms came I was SO RELIEVED that I did not have to worry about her falling and not being able to get back up.

You gave him two good years. He is at the apex of his life, it has never been better, it will never be any better than this, winter is coming, and you will be doing him a favor by putting him down.

And I am so very sorry you are going through this. It is these types of situations when we prove that we really are horsemen(women) and not just riders.

[ChocoMare]

You’ve gone above and beyond. To give him the gift of a pain-free passing t’would be the last and best thing you could do.

That’s putting him first. That’s grace. That’s love.

There is no condemnation here.

((( Hugs )))

[Frosty_M]

Horses limp because they are in pain. You can eliminate the pain forever and set your dear horse free. It is not kind to keep a horse going that is in constant pain. Do what you know is best for your horse. If he could he would thank you for it. Let him be free and happy in heaven. He will always live in your heart and the memories that stay with you will be happy ones. ((((HUGS)))) We are here for you.

[Lunabear1988]

OP, I’m so so sorry you are going through this. I just made the decision myself to put my young horse down after trying for 2 years. It wasn’t navicular but it came down to him being constantly uncomfortable with no end in sight. It hurt terribly to do it, but I know I did the right thing. I think when you are thinking of this, it’s usually the right thing.

I took care of a horse with navicular. It was no joke and personally felt he was a good year or so past what he should have been living. He shuffled around, pinned his ears when you went to turn him out. Laid down a lot because it hurt to stand. The owner kept him for a companion for her much older horse. The older horse was in better condition than him. Her reasoning was he still played. Well, he tried to run with older horse but I wouldn’t call it a true canter. It was awful. She actually didn’t do anything but put regular shoes on front with a crappy farrier. It didn’t help and he’s supposed to live his life this way. Awful to me.

I think you are doing the right thing. I’m sorry. Big hugs to you.

[Lyssabd]

Hugs to you OP. We are given a gift and responsibility when we own horses - the gift of being able to end their pain, and the responsibility of doing what is right. Sounds like you are making the right decision for your horse and yourself. It is never an easy decision but how lucky are we to be able to end their pain before it is unmanageable and before they are truly suffering. Hang in there and know there are a lot of people behind you supporting you from afar who have had to make the same tough decisions for these animals we give our hearts to.

[Wicky]

A horse that is in pain, and that trips, is a danger to himself and to the people who work with him. I made the same decision years ago, with a two year old. {{{{{{{{OP}}}}}}}}}

[JustTheTicket]

As much as you think about how he’s so young and he could have had so much potential, all he knows is that he’s spent the last two years with someone who was genuinely concerned with making him happy and healthy. He has no concept of how long he might’ve lived, and you can’t bankrupt yourself financially and emotionally trying to heal a horse that won’t get better.

When the day comes, give him plenty of ear scratches, an obscene amount of his favorite treats and let him go happy. It sucks having to euth such a young horse, but you’re doing him a favor. Don’t feel guilty about that.

[Arcadien]

Fully support you. (((OP)))

[Marshfield]

Euthanasia is 100% valid for your horse. My guy had one slightly clubby foot and unilateral navicular disease. My only regret was not doing the neurectomy sooner. He did return to schooling third level and retired about four years after surgery and was sound when he died from cancer 7 years post op. So, I know it has a bad rap, but for us it was worthwhile

[PDDT]

Hugs to you Summerfield. God speed your sweet horse.

[TCA_Arabians]

Sending a big hug your way. You have to love them more than your own pain. I think you do. And, I think he knows it. They just do these wonderful animals that share our lives and enrich our souls. He’s counting on you now. You’ve been there for him and he needs you to be there one more time. Lots of tears are perfectly ok.