To question why Valegro has been put to sleep?

[PoopaScoopa1]

He was only 23, and Uthopia only 24... was it just that they weren't making the owner money anymore?

It's making me so angry because every article I've read just says that as they aged their health issues increased but what health issues? Why isn't there any information on what was wrong? And yes I know he has said the two horses were partners and did everything together blah blah, but it just seems such a waste of lives. These two could potentially have had another 10 years to live out their lives enjoying just being horses? But I guess if think you'll have to keep paying money to keep an aging horse healthy when you can't get anything from them anymore may as well just get rid, eh?

Argh.

They had both been retired for many years.

I read something a few weeks ago that made a lot of sense - horses don’t die peaceful deaths naturally very often. They were never designed to. As a prey animal they would have never died from old age. Therefore they aren’t destined to just fall asleep one day and never wake up. Almost always a horse has to be PTS to end their suffering.

And it’s always better to be too early than too late with that decision.

I was there that day in Greenwich Park & saw Valegro, Uthopia, Alf, Carl, Charlotte & Laura win gold for 🇬🇧. It is the only time I have ever cried at a sporting event. RIP to both amazing horses.

As for you, OP, your post is utterly pathetic, totally ignorant & beneath contempt. You know absolutely nothing about those horses, or their health & welfare. I have absolute trust that Carl & the other owners will have made the best possible decision for them both after taking expert veterinary advice.

This.

Many horses die in an emergency with the vet or farmer (or whoever has a gun and can shoot) racing to the scene. It’s often not even quick to get someone to you, not like it is with racehorses who need to be shot when falling at a fence.

Lots of competition horses don’t have long lives or long retirements. Those ponies that live into their 30s or beyond are likely to be hardy with a life of walking round on a lead rein. For many horses to have any kind of retirement is a luxury. Valegro retired from competition almost a decade ago.

Like my Mum says - horses don’t understand or fear being PTS. They do understand and fear pain.

Being able to let these 2 boys have a dignified and peaceful death is the final act of kindness that Carl could give them.

Yes, I completely agree.

I think it’s easy to project human emotions and feelings onto them but in reality, they had spent almost two decades together as stable mates and travelling to competitions together. The retired together and spent their days together with a close bond.

Whilst to us it can seem brutal to euthanise them both if one of them might have lived for another year or so but to them, it would be brutal to carry on alone.

Both horses were Olympic gold medal champions and Valegro especially was a legend in his own right who undoubtedly inspired many. They deserved the kindest end and going together, when they would have been unaware of it, is what they got. Any pain is for those left behind who loved them but the horses are now free from it.

There's a saying. It's a farming saying but it can be applied to anyone who has animals. "If you've got livestock, then you've got deadstock". You have to face the tough decisions. It's part of being a responsible owner. You have to be able to deal with the tough endings and take the pain of loss so that they don't have to.

When we take a horse on there’s an obligation to do right by that horse’s welfare - and that extends to ensuring they have a comfortable and dignified death when the time comes too.

They don’t understand tomorrow, or what it means if they’re not here in the morning. They live in the here and now. And as they get older, the here and now can be painful, cold, and a struggle. We as humans have become abhorrent at extending the life of elderly and suffering animals because we cannot imagine tomorrow without them. It’s selfish, and abusive.

To have had these horses for so long, have them underpin your life, your career, your brand, your personality, have had them there at your best days and your worst days, and then to decide to let them both leave this world quietly and with dignity at the same time whilst they were still in fairly decent health so that they never had to know a days suffering or a day without each other - THAT is responsible horsemanship. And to do it knowing that you will have the weight of a portion of the equestrian communities unreasonable judgement on you is also unfathomable as you’ve proven.

They died loved, safe, and comfortable. They will have died peacefully without worry. These were the Kings of our Sport. To think they were afforded anything less than the most honourable death, or that their death was premature, would be ridiculous.

I completely agree with you! I read it in the press and thought the same. Both at the same time? I’m very suspicious and can’t help thinking at least one of them would have had at least another 10 years. Do the vets collude?

We did exactly this with two of our retired elderly competition horses. It would have been cruel to take them through another winter on the Yorkshire moors so waited for a sunny day, called the knackerman and job was done in minutes. I don’t know why pps are suggesting that 23 and 24 are on the young side, we have had many many horses and I would say that’s a pretty decent age. Ponies, yes you might expect them to live on a bit, but horses not so much. Money isn’t a factor- Roly Luard who owned Valegro is absolutely loaded and very close to Carl.
One thing we have learned over the years is never give any details about a horse’s demise and never ever tell anyone that you are planning to pts as the haters come out in force, especially when it’s a well-known horse.

It's really good to read so many sensible replies to this post, none of which I can add to but I just wanted to say, far too often we put our consciences first when it comes to what is best for an animal.

Too many animals are made to suffer, including wild animals that should to be humanely PTS rather than 'rescued', because we let our emotions get in the way of what is the kindest thing to do.

Tell me you know nothing about elite level dressage and horse ownership without telling me!

Totally agree with all the sensible people on this thread. Too many people project human emotions and scenarios onto animals. We have NO IDEA what the situation was, but the responsible and loving thing to do is ti put the quality of life of the animal first.

Not sure we’ll see the OP again. Shame really as I’d love to know what she was truly thinking to make such an unreasonable post.

Another ten years of failing health and missing his life partner?

Why would you subject an animal to that?

Do the vets collude? In what? With who?

And to what end?

23 and 24 is a good age for these two beautiful horses to have reached.

It is always better a day too soon than a day too late - and as anyone who has been involved with horses will tell you, it is the last act of kindness you can do for your equine friends.

Well done Carl for making a decision which put the two of them first. A month too early is always better than a day too late, and they have gone to the great fields in the sky together after a summer and before a long winter of cold and wet which is so hard on older horses. I only wish we had the ability to make the same choices as humans.

I’ll tell you. I’m in my 70’s, grew up on a small farm. Joined the pony club around about 10, it was a long time ago. I spent most of my Saturdays hunting, and when not at school twice a week Thursdays and Saturdays. My life evolved around my passion for horses. I competed in local gymkhanas but never sought a professional life in the equestrian world. I have no experience of dressage other than watching. However what I see in the modern world ( as I call it) is very different to the life I experienced growing up. It seems is much more commercial, much harsher. We perhaps were unusual in that we were lucky to have parents who were compassionate when it came to our personal relationship with our animals. I’m not talking livestock, but pets and in my circumstances my boy. My attitude to animal welfare has not changed over the years and perhaps people like me are not in tune with modern practices. It all seems so money driven to me.

Valegro has been retired years (2016 I think?)

There could have been any number of reasons and they’re are none of our business.

I had my old retired mare put to sleep a couple of years ago. She was 24. To look at her you wouldn’t think there was anything wrong with her but she had arthritis and I couldn’t keep her field sound anymore.

If you can’t go for a buck and canter across your field anymore, or lay down to sleep or have a massive roll in the muddiest puddle you can find because you’re worried you can’t get back up, then what’s the point. I wanted a calm, quiet and dignified end for her. Not one full of fear and pain because she’d gone down with n her field and we couldn’t get her back up.

Putting my daughter’s much younger riding pony down at the same time was certainly a consideration floated by our vet. They were very bonded (which was actually a massive pain in the arse) and there was concerns the other one wouldn’t cope with the loss of her buddy. As it was, she was fine but I can certainly understand why someone would let 2 pair bonded horses go together.

embarrassed for the OP

Don’t be embarrassed for me. My lifelong involvement ( I’m in my 70’s) with the equestrian world has led me to reflect on modern day practices. I have seen major changes in animal welfare over the last 50 years, many for better.
I admit here the world of dressage is not one I have been involved in, other than my contact within my lifetime round horses. I spent years hunting and am quite well aware of the toll certain activities take. This forum is for free speech, I’m sorry you feel the need to denigrate a fellow commentator. We all have different life experiences, and mine has been fulfilling on reflection. My passion for animal welfare increased as I grew older.

You literally think you know better than an Olympic MBE equestrian with a team of top vets. So yes, it is embarrassing.

I don’t think I said anywhere I knew better, I am reflecting on 50 years of changes that I have witnessed in animal welfare, and my lifelong passion for the equestrian community. It is very sad that a discussion forum cannot express views without leading to rather personal comments. Forums like this only give a glimpse of the lives we lead. You never know what experiences your fellow commentator has led. An earlier response explained my life’s involvement with horses and how for most of my formative years my life evolved round them. Now in my dotage I lead an easier life.