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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Am I doing the right thing PTS

29 replies

BinnyWeasley · 15/01/2026 17:59

Made the decision this evening and he is booked to be PTS tomorrow morning. 23yo TB, poor doer, terrible feet (well one terrible foot that is totally mismatched from the others), arthritis and recurrent abscesses (in the bad foot), previous pelvis fracture too. For the last 5 or so summers I would say it was going to be his last and then never got round to organising. I went up this evening, horribly lame again from yet another abscess. He is kept in a 6 acre field with automatic waterer but no other running water, electric or hardstanding, loads of mud and he's a horrible patient. 9/10 times I have to go up with 10mo baby in tow - i just can't be dealing with poulticing a difficult horse with no end in sight for abscesses. I feel totally horrible and yet also sort of relieved. It has been a huge struggle for all of us, I'm on mat leave and SMP only so husband is having to cover all costs. Am I making the right decision? It is really based on logistics and finances but I've had him from a 6yo and I know it's going to feel so strange not seeing his goofy face everyday.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 16/01/2026 20:13

Oh bless him! I’m sure he never kicked you. That innocent face! Such a handsome boy.

CointreauQuaint · 17/01/2026 03:28

Hey @BinnyWeasley I opened this thread a couple of days ago and had to close it as I’d had similar thoughts re my old mare and didn’t want to confront it. I had my mare pts yesterday in what ended up not being as peaceful. Like you I’d been worrying for a few summers that it was the last one, but I wasn’t quite as sensible. She went down yesterday and couldn’t get back up, all very awful. I’d had her for 30 years so I’m pretty devastated even though it has to be expected at that age.i can’t quite believe it.

sending you lots of love and happy memories xxx

Balloonhearts · 17/01/2026 10:24

Absolutely the right thing. He was never going to recover, each winter will be harder than the last and its so much better than finding him down and terrified and suffering until the vet arrives.

BinnyWeasley · 17/01/2026 13:32

CointreauQuaint · 17/01/2026 03:28

Hey @BinnyWeasley I opened this thread a couple of days ago and had to close it as I’d had similar thoughts re my old mare and didn’t want to confront it. I had my mare pts yesterday in what ended up not being as peaceful. Like you I’d been worrying for a few summers that it was the last one, but I wasn’t quite as sensible. She went down yesterday and couldn’t get back up, all very awful. I’d had her for 30 years so I’m pretty devastated even though it has to be expected at that age.i can’t quite believe it.

sending you lots of love and happy memories xxx

I am so sorry to hear of your experience - please don't be hard on yourself, it's a nightmare decision to make and I was very much of the same mind as you until he was hopping lame again. It's by far the worst part of owning animals, especially when they tend to be part of our lives for such a long time. I like to think there's some kind of RED (Retired and Extremely Dangerous) party going on in horsey heaven!

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