I think I'm putting down my difficult horse

[whattodowheretogo]

I've posted about my horse on here before but I'd just like some last minute opinions.

I bought him a year ago from a TB breeder and trainer as she felt that she was too old for a horse like him and she couldn't sit his spooks.

No ground manners, didn't know where to put his feet, didn't respond to pressure.

I wanted a project and he was one in every sense of the word. I fell in love with him as soon as I saw him.

When I tried him out he was good, but at the end, he took off with me across the field and didn't stop until he physically couldn't go any further. I wasn't concerned about that, I just figured he was green and overwhelmed and these things would come with time.

When we got him home he needed a chifney to be taken anywhere or he would just set his neck and try to canter off (my ex was looking after him for a lot of the time - he's a racehorse trainer and rehab yard owner so he knows what he's doing!) and even he would struggle with him.

Through the months his ground manners improved but to this day he can suddenly try to drag you somewhere and canter off.

His biggest issues are ridden. I've had many rides on him when he's simply decided to take off and nothing can stop him until he's done himself in. One lesson I had we were cantering for so long with him screeching round the corners and bucking that I was getting lightheaded. My trainer couldn't do anything but stand and watch.

He will do things like take off, then screech to a halt in front of the fence, then shoot off again.

I've taken everything right back to basics, over the winter I worked solely on the ground with him, teaching him the saddle and bridle is a positive thing, we learnt to stand stock still at the mountain block, yield to pressure etc.

But he is so unpredictable - he'll do a nasty spook at "nothing", just completely drop his shoulder.

I've spent months just walking and trotting in the school to make it a nice calm experience for him. I've honestly tried everything.

He's just messed up his only saving grace - to hack he is brilliant and super calm. But this weekend he took one look at something on the floor, bolted for home and ran into the main road. I came off, got concussion and fractured my foot.

I've been riding for 17 years, I'll ride literally anything. I ride friend's difficult horses for them if they've come off and had accidents and have a great time. But there's just something about this horse that I just think.. what is it going to take?

I'm so thankful that this wasn't a worse injury for either me or him.

I'm pretty certain that I'm going to put him down. It's something I've discussed with my vet before after he remarked what a difficult git he was.

I feel like it would be unfair on him to pass him on, I'd worry about how he'd be treated given all his quirks, whether he'd be passed on again etc but also I'd worry that he may seriously injure himself or someone else.

Thoughts/suggestions?

Jesus OP, I bet you wished you'd asked on an equine forum like H and H! Of course you should PTS if you've explored every avenue for this horse. We had a similar TB who was dangerous on the ground and a blind bolter. We tried everything for several years, but she just couldn't come right. Scoped for ulcers and nothing, x rays, bloods, tack changed, turned away for months etc. Eventually she was PTS on the recommendation of her vet. It was the safest thing for everyone. No way would anyone have rehomed her or passed her on and she was becoming increasingly dangerous.

I’m sorry I don’t know anything about horses so I’m sure you’ll all think me terribly soft and naive but is this really what happens? They’re put to sleep because they don’t want to be ridden? How sad and horrible. 

I was thinking the exact same thing. I didn't realise animals were simply PTS just because a human couldn't make use of them.

Imagine if the elderly were PTS as soon as they retired!

I'd PTS or perhaps pass him onto one of those up thread that want to keep him forever .

We aren't the ones buying horses simply to ride. They weren't created to do that for us.

Using animals to work. No thanks!

Justaboy - I think there would be more clinical signs if there was some sort of organic/brain/ neurological problem

Bluebell Even if the OP had her own land, and was willing to accept the personal risks of taking care of such a horse, it would not be acceptable to place others at risk. A properly cared for horse needs regular visits from a farrier (to trim its feet, typically 6 weekly), equine dentist, and vet (yearly vaccinations, injuries/illnesses). All of these people would be at risk of injury or worse. And the OP would be at a daily risk due to the daily necessities of picking out feet, adjusting rugs, grooming etc etc. If the OP was ever ill/otherwise unable to care for the horse someone else would need to undertake these tasks for her. Horses are a huge responsibility.

GetInMyNelly I guess you must have an equally visceral reaction when you see the sniffer dogs at the airport looking for explosive or drugs. Or guide dogs Or sheepdogs. Or therapy animals. Or diary cows. Working animals, ewww.

It's like a parallel universe.

@tabulahrasa

I know you weren't asking me but if that was my dog it would have been pts a long time ago. A dog is meant to be a companion that brings you joy. What are either you or the dog getting out of this currently? It's nothing to do with his breed either, i love rotties. You must be in a constant state of heightened anxiety whenever he leaves the house! The slightest mistake in dealing with a situation and there could be all sorts of consequences with a dangerous dog like that.

GetinMyNelly Horses weren't created, they have been selectively bred for centuries (from a now-extinct wild ancestor) and are now dependent on humans. Whilst some hardy native breeds can largely look after themselves (in the right environment) Thoroughbreds like the OP's need a great deal of hands-on care, whether they are working or not.

I’m sorry I don’t know anything about horses so I’m sure you’ll all think me terribly soft and naive but is this really what happens? They’re put to sleep because they don’t want to be ridden? How sad and horrible

People's reasons for putting a horse to sleep vary. The OP's horse is not just dangerous to ride - he's dangerous to handle on the ground as well. You need to be able to handle horses. In the example I gave, I was at risk from my friend's horse when I went to check other horses in the field. Horses are herd animals and must be kept with other animals to be happy. Thoroughbreds need care. This cannot be given to this horse, or any horses around it, without putting people at risk.

I've just retired my horse. I'm happy to keep him as a non-ridden horse and he could go on like that for another 5-10 years. I really hope he does. He'll require the same care as a riding horse, possibly more because he's elderly now. But he's my friend and I owe him this. I am lucky that in the meantime plenty of owners are happy for me to ride their horses for free, or they will pay me. Not everyone is in that situation though. My horse is safe to handle and take care of, by me and other people. The OP's horse is not.

@Orlandointhewilderness

Presumably the OP is ok with paying £400 a month livery, horses cost the same ridden or non-ridden and I’m assuming they would be ok paying that if the horse was rideable. There are plenty of places that offer full retirement livery, at a cost, doesn’t need to be close by.

I find it interesting on these sort of threads that the non horse folk can often see things with more clarity than those who have been doing things traditionally for a long time. Why is it ok to put horses to sleep when they no longer behave as we would wish? Why do they need to work to have value to us? Not being goady, just a question we horse people should ask ourselves more often.

PTS. It's the best thing for the horse. He's difficult to handle, can't be ridden, charities with volunteers will struggle, and most are overwhelmed. Better to be PTS in a a familiar field munching a scoop of nuts than having the stress and risk of being passed on to different yards and ending up god knows where.

“What are either you or the dog getting out of this currently?”

He’s lovely in the house and garden... on walks if there’s no dogs...

So I keep him away from unknown visitors, hire secure fields to walk him on and muzzle him the rest of the time... so for about 99% of the week, he’s fine and for the other 1% I can manhandle him.

And yes, many people would have had him PTS already, but, I don’t have young children (well they’re not children at all anymore) I have a job where the hours work in his favour, the design of my house means it is easy to have him away from visitors - so I’ve been able and willing to keep him.

But if that changed I would basically be having him PTS because he can’t behave how I want him to, I wouldn’t feel any guilt about it, sadness, yes, but not guilt and I think it’s by far the better option over trying to pass him on.

I don’t see that that’s any different with a dangerous horse.

FFS, what are people not understanding.

I'm not clued up on horses (DPs family are as they have had a stud farm many, many years). Even I can bloody well gather that PTS is the best option. The OP had clearly tried every avenue and is in turmoil about this.

It's NOT about the fact that OP can't be bothered anymore, it's about the fact that it is DANGEROUS and UNPREDICTABLE! They are powerful creatures that can cause a hell of a lot of damage. Even when not being ridden. It can bolt/escape. OP is trying to avoid this happening and someone getting seriously injured or killed.

OP, I love animals. Horses are beautiful animals (I'm scared of them though lol) but it's definitely for the best. You are making the right decision. Such a difficult situation for you. Hope you find peace with it.

People who are shocked at a healthy horse being PTS might need a reality check. It's a tough world. In a few places I worked, OPs horse would have ended up in the factory ages ago. Horses are not pets. They are expensive and can be dangerous. OP sounds like she is giving this horse every chance.

I have two horses who've been retired for years. I don't own land so have paid varying forms of livery for them over the years, so no issue with keeping going those that are safe to keep going. One of them gets dangerous if in pain. We keep a watching eye on her. However, these two are safe to handle in the main and it's very unlikely they'd hurt anyone, if they were as OP's horse and had every investigation possible without result then I would pts.

I think you are doing absolutely the right thing. He is dangerous with that level of unpredictability, selling him on would be extremely reckless, and the cost of livery if you keep him prohibitive. You could try to regime him as a companion, but who wants a thoroughbred as a companion. Don't feel bad, you are doing right by him.

There are thousands of owners out there like me, with an unrideable retired horse.
Most horse owners go above and beyond for their horses.
But there are a few, that can't be rehomed, rehabilited, retired safely, saved.
The op is doing the responsible thing.

I'm not a 'horsey' person but this post was in active and it drew me in. I am always impressed by how pragmatic and practical 'horsey' people are in these situations and personally I think the OP is doing the right thing in having the horse PTS. It's easy to romanticise our relationships with animals and get very sentimental, but when you are talking about something that could become a two-tonne killing machine then you have to make the most responsible and safe decision. The horse won't know either way and doesn't sound healthy (mentally I suppose) either, so it's a kindness ultimately.

I put my boy to sleep in April for slightly different reasons than you, OP, so I feel your pain. You are doing the right thing. I spent 6 years managing DHorse’s various physical problems, blowing thru all insurance. A cascade of injuries with guarded prognosis made the decision for me. I did not consider retiring as his personality meant he would have been bullied. He was extremely well-cared for & his end was quick & at home.
You’ve done your best. He will be at peace. Mourn & move on.

Why is it ok to put horses to sleep when they no longer behave as we would wish?

Because they are large, heavy, strong animals who cannot be reasoned with. This makes them dangerous when they reach the point where they cannot be handled safely. This horse sounds like he is a danger to himself and others. If he is not behaving safely, then being put down is the only option before he hurts himself or some else

[ReadytoTalk]

@voci

Why's it unfair to suggest you could rehome it? Sounds like you've got plenty of space and experience. Ideal solution if you don't think it should be pts.

I still fail to see why you're making it about me. I've got enough on my hands as it is. It's not my responsibility. If you want you can try bokt.nl; the best forum about horses imo (and they also claim to be the biggest forum about horses in the world- I think that could be correct the whole site is utterly immense.). It's likely that you'll find someone there who'll possibly take the horse.

I think we fundamentally disagree because you think horses are mere things. Res; abusus, fructus, usus. I don't. I think the horse above can still have a very good quality of life, adapted to his strengths/weaknesses (apparently he has no medical problems).

I don't bear you any ill will or anything btw; I just respectfully disagree.

I know very little about horses and am a complete beginner but I understand. It must feel awful but something you have to do.

Why are people giving their sympathy to the op? It is the poor horse that is the victim here.

Op, please, whatever you do, never ever get another pet or animal. You don't deserve them.