When/How will the old horse tell you its time?

[RedHorses]

My first horse had two hard months in the spring. He was always a reserved horse who wouldn’t admit he was missing a leg if the tiger was still attached, but I could tell he wasn’t quite himself, and he wore his toes too fast (arthritis in his forelegs). When summer came he perked up and was his normal self. But I could predict more hard months - fall, a warm spell in the winter. They could easily add up to five months a year - which I felt was too much time to be enduring life. So I gave him the summer and euthanized before we got to wet, cold, damp fall weather.

Second horse lost his worry. He was always a chicken, and worried about everything. The more pain he was in, the spookier he got. That last summer he was at peace. He’d lost a great deal of strength in his hindquarters, started moving away whenever one of the younger horses acted up in his direction (never used to take guff from any youngster before), and even stood differently when snoozing in the field. Nothing anyone else would notice, just me because I knew him. He’d dropped some weight and never got it back, but superficially he looked good and many people commented on it. He did still spook at some things on the trail, not that we went out much because it was painful for me to feel how weak his hindquarters were. I discovered the right question by accident after I’d decided to euth before winter - we all ask if we can keep the horse going and the answer is almost always yes, but I asked should I keep him going? Was it right to prolong his life just because I could, and because I wasn’t ready to let go? I had a fear of him going down on the ice one winter night and being unable to get back up - and I just couldn’t do that to him. His being at peace, losing the worry, moving away from any conflict all seemed to be his way of saying “I’m done fighting” and I had to respect that.

My first horse taught me a bunch of things about knowing when it’s time and I posted that knowledge on various BBs over the years, distilling it into a set of guidelines that I used when it came time to decide about my second horse. That info is here - it might help
http://endgame-journeys-end.blogspot.com/

You will know. But only if you’re paying attention. Easier said than done when it’s our beloved friend.

[2ndyrgal]

It’s the hardest question you will ever answer…

And you’ll wonder either way. I’ve had to make that decision twice in the last year. One, my 27 yr old OTTB show hunter. When he, who could easily outrun horses less than half his age and twice his stride stopped running anywhere, seemed do be suffering from a bit of senility, and didn’t seem to have any proprioception (knowing where your body parts are without looking), I knew it was time. Cool and foggy fall morning, show halter, new baker blanket with our farm logo embroidered on it, groomed like he ws going to Devon. He walked up the hill under his own power, hollered to his buddies once, they answered, and he turned that regal head and never flinched. It wasn’t quick nor easy, he was a tough bastard while living and he died the same way, but it was him. My vet cried on the way down the hill with me, while my husband gently buried him.

My beloved Haffie, Mikey was not an easy decision, but he had foundered from a fever from some virus, and the Bute was thickening his bowels, so there was no good result coming, he was probably 20, and we’d done everything we could. He looked fabulous, he loved me dearly, and God love him, he walked up the hill with me, to his favorite pasture spot. I had one prayer, that it would be instant and easy for him, and it was. The most difficult thing was explaining how a horse that LOOKED so good, really wasn’t, and I couldn’t wait until he was down or had colicked, just not fair. I gave him enough grain that morning and pain meds that he spent his last evening turned out in lush pasture and his last morning comfortable. I owed him that.

I’ve seen people wait. You need to think about how a flight animal would feel if it was unable to flee, and let that influence your decision.

It will be hard, very hard. Love is.

[TesignedInGold]

I just posted a thread about Rocky - the 29 year old retired show horse, who had a rough day. His owner was talking to me about it, and we had good conversation after we knew Rocky was out of the woods!

Rocky is 29 - and gets stalled when he wants in. Usually that means during the day in the summer, and at night in the winter. He stands by the gate and lets us know, in no uncertain terms! Although 24/7 turnout is best for his joints, being a black horse, he prefers to come in from the heat. And winters in NJ are hard, especially at night.

He is still able to lie down, and roll. We didn’t quite figure out what was wrong with Rocky that day - perhaps mild colic, or stress from rolling and not getting up. But he is still able to go down. He doesn’t do it as often as he used to, but he will still go down for a good back scratch.

Rock certainly has his health issues, he develops crystals while urinating and has since he was younger. That is managed as it has always been. He also now has an enlarged sheath, which has been this way for a year or two. The vet feels the diagnostics might be too invasive for his age, and so we let him live it out. It doesn’t seem to bother him, he still pee’s plenty. He lives on DMSO, and it helps him tremendously.

When Rocky is no longer able to live a life of quality - when he no longer gets to enjoy the things he loves, then the decision will be made for him. But for now, he still enjoys trotting into the barn for meals, rolling, and bossing around the pony mare.

[saddleup]

I lost my two old guys last year, six weeks apart. The first went down in his stall and couldn’t get up. The second literally lost interest in everything once his best friend was gone, stopped eating, wouldn’t walk anywhere, basically gave up. He was 27.

It was the hardest thing to make the decision to put them down, but my vets agreed that it was time. No, there wasn’t a mystical moment when I just knew, but I did know that I didn’t want to see them suffer any more.

[Roxyllsk]

With an older horse, I never worry about the bute. I figure that it’s worth giving them the best possible ‘today’ because you never know that they’ll have a tomorrow. So bute him up in the evenings if he must be in and see if he is better in the mornings. When the bute doesn’t help him any more, and he’s sore for more than the first few minutes of walking around in the field, then you’ll know it’s time.

Honestly, they really will tell you when they’ve had enough. And it’s always better to do it a little too soon than to wait to long and watch them really suffer.

[Wyocowboy]

I am new here and registered just to post to this thread. Thank you all for your posts and insights. I have a 33 year old AQHA mare that I have had since she was 9 years old. Her name is Fizz aka Miss Mite Bar. Together we have traveled hundreds if not thousands of miles together. Together we have seen more beauty and wonders than any man or horse could see. This last spring Fizz was looking pretty rough inspite of having plenty of good hay and twice a day feedings of LMF senior feed. As soon as the snow went she was out in pasture and slicked out nicely and put on weight. She is looking good right now but winter is coming. My wife and I swore we would not put her through another winter. We live on the Idaho/Wyoming border at the western base of the Tetons. Winters here are long and harsh with temps at night in the minus 10 to 40 degree range. Health wise she is ok and her teeth are good for 33. She has only lost one tooth and eats and grazes fine. Still nickers at me at the gate when it’s feeding time. She is stiff and arthritic but still has no problem getting up when she lays down. She is outside 24/7 all year long with a good deep shed for shelter. She is blanketed all winter except on sunny warmer days. I have her scheduled to be “helped on” i.e. put down on the 18th which is this coming Saturday. After reading this thread, I find myself second guessing my decision to put her down. My mind tells I am doing the right thing but my heart is looking for an excuse to keep her. I have not ridden her for 2 years now and I know she misses the open trail but she just can’t carry my weight any more. Although her over all health is good she could die over the winter just from old age. Burying a horse in this country in the winter is next to impossible. And even though my heart is saying no, no , no my mind is telling me it’s time to let her go with dignity. So this time next week, she will be at the Rainbow bridge waiting for me to lope the fields of heaven. Thank you all again for the great comments and insights you have posted.

Happy Trails,
Steve aka Wyocowboy

[findeight]

Welcome to our board here, despite the sad occasion. It’s never easy for us, even when it’s obviously time and we have extensive and comfortable facilities with full time supervision and vets 30 minutes away 24/7.

I am familiar with your area and its seasons, especially your tough high country winter. Better a little too early and painless then going down midwinter alone in the night. Hate to bring it up but…do you have at least the occasional predators? Have friends up near you, they mention them sometimes.

She deserves better. And you know she came out of last winter in sorry shape and know she misses trail riding but can no longer carry you so it’s the right thing.

Make her last week comfortable and spend the time with her. Stuff her with treats, think your grass is gone but anything else she likes, she can have. Cry in her mane if you want, we’ll never tell. Remember her as she was without having to see her continue to waste away or regret leaving her a lonely, frigid death.

Horses don’t think in terms of things being better tomorrow, they exist in the moment and when those moments start being painful, they can no longer do what they would like to and have trouble holding weight, they lose their spark and joy in life. That’s when it’s right for us to step in.

We’ll be thinking of you. Come on for support any time.

[Wyocowboy]

Thank you Findeight for the kind words of encouragement. I have already cried in her mane and talk with her everyday about the great things we have done together. Yes we do have occasional predators in the form of wolves and coyotes. Winter is already showing it’s teeth with snow on the higher peaks this morning and a temp of 45 with a wind chill of 34. In the fall I make a temporary gate at the drive way and turn them out on the lawn. The grass is not real long but better than what is left in pasture. Thanks again.

Happy Trails,

Wyocowboy

[Wyocowboy]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and feelings. I read your blog while tears streamed down my face. On the 18th of October 2014 my beloved 33 year old mare, Fizz will be helped on to the Rainbow Bridge. It seems that your blog was reading my mind. It’s been a long and painful process to come to this point but I know I am doing the right thing. Thanks again.

[sbgregory45]

Struggling about the decision to put down my 28 year old horse

I am struggling with a similar issue. My horse needs special shoes on his front feet and has had a hard time being shod for a number of years. He has ringbone and navicular issues and is on supplements and bute. The last six months, my farrier has told me he is getting dangerous to shoe. He falls or jumps backwards when you lift his front feet. Since he is retired, I have removed his hind shoes to make the shoeing experience easier for everyone, but my farrier seems to think it’s time for me to think about putting him down. The farrier is a well respected professional and I totally trust him. Other than the shoeing issue, he is fine. He still comes to me when I call him. Slow at first but usually breaks into a trot. He is keeping weight on. He is stiff and a bit lame but he is otherwise still excited for treats. Plays in the pasture (and is pasture boarded). Kicks in his stall. So he’s not a invalid. I’m very mixed about what to do. He has given me 28 years of his life. Please help.

[2enduraceriders]

[QUOTE=Diamondindykin;5602353]
^^^^ This^^^^

Daily bute cannot hurt him but only help him at this age. If you can afford Equioxx that is even better.

I had to put down a 6 year old horse last year and it was heart wrenching trying to make that decision!! HUGS to you![/QUOTE]

Go for the bute before you decide to give up!

[SabaSaba]

Hi All!
It was very helpful to read your comments. I am in the same boat right now with 27 y/o TB gelding. He does not have documents so he might be even older. He has been with me since April 2009. Not long, some people might say but he taught my son to ride and was a great friend. Past 2 year was not ridden any more, only walked under my 6 y.o. son. Declined much in summer, lost a lot of weight and is not getting it back, very stiff, still able to get down and stand up but weaker and weaker every day i see it. On bute for past 1 week, does not seem much better, still eats has bright eye but withdrawing I have not taken the decision yet and am scared to take it, but see the inevitability… My take - i will see till he is really heavy to stand up… When he will not be able to stand up on his own, i guess, that will be it…

[Lady_Eboshi]

[QUOTE=emcfarling1;5601605]
We have a 28 yr old x-show jumper gelding who has really slowed down these past few weeks. This old guy lived as a show horse his entire life and even as my equitation horse well into his 20s. 3 colic surgeries later, we retired him. He has lymphangitis in his hind leg that blows up about twice a year and is controlled by banamine and smz. Typical old horse, drops a lot of weight in winter but has no trouble gaining in spring. Appetite good and I absolutely love purina Equine senior. We feed all our horses purina senior young or old.
His eyesight is poor but failed gradually and his pasture mate is always by his side.
Unfortunately I feel his mind is younger than his body. In the mornings he can hardly move (stalled over night) and its so sad to see how stiff he is. He has been on a glucosamine supplement for years. I was considering bute daily.
It would be easier for me to euthanize a sick or injured animal but because hes too old??
Anyones experience would help![/QUOTE]

If possible, try 24/7 turnout with his buddy and put him on a daily dose of Previcox. You might see a profound difference in the stiffening-up factor if he isn’t stalled. If he’s still getting up and down without too much difficulty, I’d try the above and see how he goes awhile.

When I usually “call it in” is when they have a pronounced and visible “misery factor” which has no prospect of improvement. If they appear to be just going through the motions of living stoically and mechanically and nothing we try changes that–well, barring a precipitating “event” like colic, that would be time.