The impossible situation -- Dangerous Horse, and Humane Solution

[InWhyCee]

I wouldn’t hold it against you if you chose to have this horse put down. Not being interested in domestication is one thing, being dangerously agressive towards well-meaning bipeds is another.
Selling him would probably only prolong his misery – and create a lot of misery for someone else.

The university program sounds like a good idea if they’ll have him – at least you know he’ll be well-cared until the end of his days, whether or not can be “rehabilitated.”

Longshot: There is also a huge animal rescue near the Grand Canyon called Best Friends (they’re on the Web) that takes a lot of animals (e.g. feral dogs, cats with palsy) that no one else will. If this horse does NOT display agression towards other animals, maybe he could apply to their herd.

PS: Are animals insane? I once had a fluffy house kitten who inexplicably turned into a biting, scratching, killing machine at about six months of age. (Yes, she was neutered, but that didn’t help.) We donated her to a feed mill – as a ratter – after she gleefully shredded several wild rabbits and still-alive birds in the front yard, screaming all the while.

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“It is by no means the privilege of the rider to part with his horse solely by his own will.” – Alois Podhajsky

“Go on, Bill… This is no place for a pony.”

[This message was edited by InWhyCee on Apr. 08, 2002 at 01:31 PM.]

[LMH]

I feel like a broken record but I can’t help but keep saying how wonderful the support is…

I would never wish this on any horse or animal owner. I am so grateful though for as forum as this to generate support and before that clear advice in the road to reaching a decision.

It is wonderful that this post can remain a part of the archives…should anyone ever face a situation like mine, they now have a place to turn…and in the future, I offer any contact from anyone suffering from a decision like this put before them.

Life is too short to dance with ugly men

[SillyHorse]

I have been following this thread since the start, and I want to add my sympathy, hugs, and admiration for you, LMH. You found the absolute best solution to an awful situation, and my hat is off to you.

SillyHorse

[Coreene]

So very, very sorry because I can’t imagine the frustration you must be feeling.

I am another vote for humane euthanasia.

[Clarice]

I hate it that you are having to deal with this. I think it is good, though, that you are able to think logically about it. Locally we have a university equine program which requires advanced students be assigned to a “special problems” horse. It is the student’s job to work with that horse exclusively to retrain said horse. You might try such a program as a last resort. If that fails, I would probably choose to have him humanely put down. Even if he were not gelded, I would not want to breed a horse of his temperment. I know this must be a tough decision, and hope you all the best. I also know that it doesn’t take long to get badly hurt trying to salvage a dangerous horse. Good luck.

[LJD]

Sorry.

Pony Rock

[stasha]

I feel that your signature line sums it up best…only slightly alter it to “Life is too short to ride ugly horses.”

This animal’s ugly attitude is NOT getting better! As a person who has dealt with animals with problems, I urge you to GET RID OF HIM!!! If you ever feel uncomfortable with a situation, get out of it, FAST. Find another professional opinion, if you want. Personally, I agree with the rest…euthanasia is probably what it’s going to take to end this problem.

Eventamy, you have a good point about the “going to sleep” issue…

“The frog does not drink up the pond in which it lives.” ancient Aztec proverb.

[gwen]

What a difficult decision but you did the right thing!

BARB*

House hunting on Long Island…we’re looking at cardboard boxes…since that’s all we can afford in a nice area…

[SoNotaDQ]

He would be either donated to the university with a large warning in writing that he is a dangerous animal and what dangerous things he does. He will probably be used as a surgery horse. They will operate on him and he will never wake back up

The other option would be just to put him down plain and simple.

The first option you can at least write off a donation up to 5k and you will not have to pay for his burial.

I would not keep him. He is a large liabilty in many ways

I am sorry you are having to deal with this, it sucks on many different fronts.

[HuntJumpSC]

You made the right decision…hats off to you for having the heart to do what was humanely best for your horse. SUZ

Proud member of the following:
Rust TS Clique
SC’ers Clique
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~~~Flying an airplane is easy: You pull the stick back, the houses get smaller, push the stick forward, the houses get bigger.  If you pull & hold the stick back, the houses get smaller, then REALLY bigger!~~~

[UNCeventer]

There are retarded people, and people with emotional problems, obsessive-compulsive, etc. Do horses also have problems like this? Are there retarded horses?

Die hard member of the JESSE fan club!!
Member of the Disgruntled College Student Clique

[Daventry]

I wasn’t going to get involved in this topic but after reading a few comments, I had to post. At first, I thought the original post was a joke but soon understood that it was real!

I totally disagree with Tosca’s statement of “All animals can be saved” BUT, it is my opinion. Although, it’s a wonderful statement and I wish it were true, with all my years in animal behavioural studies, unfortunately for some animals, it can’t be done - humans included.

Do you think a Ted Bundy, Jeffery Dalmer or a Paul Bernardo can be ‘saved’ and put back into society at some point - NO. No different than an animal that has suffered years of abuse at the hands of humans and never learns to trust again or an animal that has lost it’s lifetime mate, many to never mate again. Sometimes animals are capable of rehabilitating and sometimes it’s just not possible.

LMH has already been through 5 trainers and it sounds like she’s definitely tried her hardest and come from all angles on trying to fix this one and I give her credit for trying as hard as she could. I don’t know that I would have stuck it out for three long years! How many more tries is she supposed to give him? How much more money does she have to put into this horse before enough is enough? My opinion; enough is enough.

I’m also trouble by the statement “If I decide to go forward with euthanasia”. There should be no ‘IF’ in this statement, only a ‘WHEN’.

The horse is lame on three legs, no doubtedly sore, frustrated with the world, he won’t jump, no dressage, can’t be pastured, etc., etc. and is obviously a danger to anyone and everyone. I myself, like everyone, else hates to hear and see the day a horse has to be put down but there is NO choice in this matter. He HAS to be put down. If not for the safety of others then for the safety and the well-being of this horse. Can you honestly say this horse would be happier being alive then put out of his misery?

I definitely agree that it is more than probable that there is some kind of brain injury or disfunction. This is one of those instances where we all wish horses could talk. I wish you nothing but the best of luck on making the right decision - for you - and know that nobody would frown upon you for making the decision to put him down. You HAVE done everything and all that you could do to try and save him.

In posting this topic, you may have initally thought you were looking for an answer or a last minute pardon but deep down, I think you’re looking for approval on a decision that has already been made. Based on the other posts, we all approve and you shouldn’t feel bad at all because you tried much harder than most would have!!

[Blondie22]

This sounds like such a difficult situation for you to go through and kudos to you for trying your best and putting up with everything for 3 years. Although I agree with the majority on what to do in such a situation, I have a question. Is he dangerous and mean because he is unsound on those 3 legs and in pain? I’m sure you have had everything possible checked out, but you didn’t say if this was a possible situation. I also agree with Weatherford’s idea of contacting the breeder to find out of an abnormalities in his parents or siblings. If there is, then at least you can be comforted by the knowledge that there was nothing you could have done for him. I have encountered some nasty horses, but none as dangerous as he sounds. As sad as the thought is, he is vicious and should be humanely euthanized in his home environment to avoid any potentially dangerous situations. In response to those who were wondering if a horse could be mentally deficient: Obviously I am no expert but it makes sense that if there can be vicious domesticated dogs, then why couldn’t there be vicious domesticated horses? Maybe something negative happened to him before you got him (not sure if you know his full history), or maybe he’s just missing a few important screws, but I wish you well in your decision. Good Luck. It’s not easy to put a horse down, especially under these circumstances.

Kelly
~Just My Luck~
~Silver Edition~

[Hilary]

I have been in your situation before, and agonizing as the decision is to euthanize, and hard as the day is when it comes, it is the right answer to situations like yours.

Please email me if you want. It’s a very difficult thing to do.

Hilary

[khobstetter]

LMH

Sadly it sounds like there is no other options but to send him QUICKLY to horsey heaven!!!

The problem with trying to do the “pasture ornament” thing is that there still has to be people involved in caring for him off and on…such as a shoer and a vet. He has to keep up with shots and worming and its inhumane not to trim his feet at least.

All of those sceniro’s include access to humans that he could very definately hurt really badly since he would not be handled daily. Someone could really get hurt!!!

Also, no matter how perfect or secure the pasture, there are circumstances beyond your control that could get someone REALLY hurt and you hung out on the line legally… IF a child or young adult or anyone was out walking and stopped to walk in the pasture or even reach in to pet him,the phirana could attack!!! Also…what in the RARE instance something gets him out of the pasture (broken gate or fence, etc) …your on the line again as is anyone he comes in contact with.

It is so hard to do this kind of thing BUT there is never a reason to put people at risk…
I feel so bad for you!!!

[levremont]

You made the right decision and I you are a strong person to have been able to make that decision. I only hope I could be so strong if faced with a similar situation.
When my filly was born ( out of my jr jumper mare that I had had for several years and who was very affectionate towards us even after the foal’s birth) we could not imagine that a horse could be born this evil. That is what we called her at the time “evil baby” ( we had another filly at the same time called “angel baby”). From the moment she hit the ground she was “out to get us”, at a week old if you simply walked into the stall she would charge at you, kick and bite, her ears were always pinned. Once she got to being about 6 months old no one was allowed in her paddock other than me and my mother, she was so unpredictable I kept saying to my mother what are we going to do with this filly, she will kill me one day, how in the world will I ride her? I did a lot of ground training with her, go trampled, kicked with both barrels, smashed against fences and gaites. At the age of three everything changed, she is now a sweetheart, she is a pleasure to ride, is loaded with talent, gorgeous and on her way to being a wonderful jumper (she is however a workaholic, she hates to not work and will get “grumpy”!). I have no idea what I would have done had she stayed “evil”, I have no idea why she was “evil”, he had been well handled since birth.
You gave your boy more than enough chances, he was lucky to have you. I am sure he is at peace now in a large green pasture, and he helped other horses in the process what better thing could you have done for him?
I feel for you because my dog of 6 years was put down a month ago because she attacked children for no reason… some decisions are hard to make but are the only fare solution.

[vineyridge]

You found the best possible solution.

When I had to have my horse put down, there was much comfort in the thought that she was training new vets to treat other sick horses. Her death meant her life wasn’t wasted.

[LMH]

thanks for the quick responses so far—really unless someone has been in this situation you cannot begin to imagine the frustration and guilt involved.

I would firesale him but he won’t sell and I feel that could be a HORRIBLE disaster for him or the new owner…while he is difficult to say the least, I would hate for him to be subjected to a life of abuse or being passed around…

Life is too short to dance with ugly men

[Coreene]

I have now gone back and must say how very moved I am to read of such a noble end for your horse. How wonderful knowing that others will be helped later because of Resolute. I am sure that the interns who were able learn from him will never forget you.

[AAJumper]

This is such a hard thing to deal with…it is so incredibly hard to be the one to make a decision to put an animal down. But I do think that putting him down is probably the right choice to make unless he can be a pasture ornament like Portia suggested. I knew of a horse that was very aggressive and was sold to someone for cheap. He ended up pinning this woman in a roundpen and attacking her. Luckily she was okay, but had the horse put down. I think that was the best thing to do, since this horse could have killed her.

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