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.

As others have said there will have been good reasons for PTS. It won't have been financial. If you want to complain at something maybe focus on the damage done to elite horses in the name of sport. The training needed to get to that level and the stress of travelling to compete, not to mention the medical management needed to keep them sound enough will have taken a toll.

I have a 32 year old Hanovarian that showed in the high level 3

I clicked on this thread with trepidation after seeing some awful things said on social media.

I have to say I'm so relieved to see sense and understanding (generally) prevailing on this thread.

Valegro and Uti had both been retired a long time, so anybody saying this was a financial decision is talking out of their arse.

Carl and Charlotte adored these horses and it was absolutely the right decision to let them go together. Always better a day too soon, than a day too late. They had both reached a good age for their breeding and workload.

RIP boys, you changed the face of dressage across the world.

I recently had my 25 year old PTS and she was a complete dosser and very low mileage compared to these two. Horses are big and heavy and their joints wear out, age related issues like Cushings, weight loss and dental problems snowball quickly, especially in winter.

If it were a question of finances and money could have saved her she would have lived forever. I’m a big believer in ‘better a day too early than a day too late’.

Same. I’m so glad that there are actually a good number of sensible people in the world who appreciate that doing the best for animals doesn’t mean keeping them alive as long as possible so they can have a ‘long life’.
Ive always stood by the mantra of ‘better a day early than a day late’.

Carl has always done his best for those horses and making that decision will have been one of the hardest of his life.

Amongst the other tributes I read one from the man who had been their designated groom, and it is clear they had a happy retirement. They were ridden regularly while they were still up to it, both good in traffic but apparently Valegro was a good placid hack while Utopia was more spirited. Up to a couple of years ago they did some dressage at home just for fun. Of course it was right for them to go together and it is clear they were much loved. I feel sad the someone would seriously question this when it will be such a loss for Charlotte and Carl.

It's always better to do it too early than too late.

Many owners make that decision at this time of year when they have a retired horse they know will struggle through winter. It's the bravest & kindest thing you can do for your horse.

BHS identified that delayed euthanasia is one of the biggest equine welfare concerns.

I'm actually quite heartened by the replies and on AIBU too. Some of the trolling on social media has been horrible.