Would you put this pony down at the end of the summer? Opinions please.

[Clinicalwaste]

I have had him for 7 years. He is between 23 and 26 years old, I think. He has always been pottery but was cleared by vet and physio to be a child’s lead rein pony which is all I have used him for. He was a show jumper whose career was ended by injury. He had a bad bout of colic in December , a month later he went for me in the field out of nowhere and tried to kick me. Very unusual behaviour. I called the vet who confirmed swollen and arthritic hocks. He is better on a Bute a day but still grumpy. His weight has really dropped off despite being fed and rugged all winter. He dropped off so much last winter I called the vet and had a full check up then. He is up to date with teeth, worming etc. He is only doing 4-5 poos a day. Cushing bloods were ok he was about 22 so only just in the grey area. He is a new forest and I am feeding him more than I have ever fed him including a cup of linseed oil, hi if, mix, carrots, haylage ……. he also has three acres of grass. His companion was put down in January due to medical reasons so he is on his own now. I am not keen to continually manage the decline. I do not want to put him through another winter and have been thinking about putting him down in September. Any advice would be appreciated as I am finding it hard to see the wood for the trees. The vet doesn’t seem that interested in finding out what is wrong with him.

I wouldn't be waiting until the end of the summer.

I'm not sure why you would set a future date. Either things now are such he shpuld be put down immediately or you wait until they are.

I'd do it now, poor chap doesn't seem happy - thoughts are with you

I would put his down on a lovely sunny day, not wait. He is in pain and living alone - it is wrong to keep ponies by themselves.

I’ve never had horses, only dogs, but I can’t ever imagine setting a date to end their life in six months time. Either he is living a good and happy life, or he isn’t. Surely you act in his best interests on any given day.

And if you aren’t happy with your vet, find another one.

I’d be having him pts now , infact I’d probably have done it when his companion was pts . We have an elderly pony , who lives with a very elderly horse and the current plan is when one goes they both go as it will be kinder to them both .

How bloody cruel. Have him put down now, why would you let him suffer a moment longer than he has too? Poor old soul.💔

I’d have done it ages ago. But definitely wouldn’t wait.

What's the thinking behind waiting until September?

We are as responsible for our animals' deaths (hopefully) as much as we are for their lives, it should be a choice that is made for their benefit and theirs alone.

At the moment he is in a grey area so not acute. I don't want to wait for the acute stage before putting him down as by then he will be really suffering. I have always tried to put animals down before their time so they don't suffer.

What are you waiting for? You owe him the courage to put him down now. Waiting another six months might make YOU feel better, but he’ll have another half-year in decline. Don’t make him wait.

I’ve had eight beloved ponies put down over 20+ years. I know it’s tough, but that’s the deal when you have oldies.

I can see the sentiment behind "let him have another summer" before a harsh winter but he won't enjoy the Summer will he ?
Last couple of years have been record temperatures .
He is on his own, he is an old boy and he is unwell .

The Vet isn;t his owner , you are . You have the power to make that decision for your pony .
Make the right one .
End his life for him , send him on his way with dignity .

I am not sure and that is why i am asking for advice. As i said in my post i cant see the wood for the trees as i see him every day. I think he is ain a grey area of decline and no accutely unwell so it is a big decision and difficult to know when to do it.

He has been so loved and well looked after, what a ridiculously silly post. It is actually a big decision to end the life of our family pony. Really....

This is really what the farmer has said to me when i was chatting with him. One of my concerns about the last summer thing was the heat and flies. I am also confused as i am very emotional about it and the vet has been very nonchalant and not very caring which has made me feel i am overreacting to his symptoms

I think that would be the responsible but hardest thing to do as a horse owner. Too many get passed on as field companions but rarely live out their lives that way. A few days with lots of love fuss and treats then say goodbye.

I don't have horses FYI but in my experience a vet will never tell you to PTS unless it's really really clear cut (eg the animal is in terrible pain). I have always gone by the rule that as soon as it's an option, it's time. Past time really. If the vet doesn't try to dissuade you, it's time. Sorry though 💐

I think he is in a grey area of decline and no accutely unwell so it is a big decision and difficult to know when to do it.

My vet said "Better a week too early than a day too late". Given the choice, I'm sure most of us would rather die gently in our sleep without having to go through illness or pain first. It's never going to be an easy thing for you to do @Clinicalwaste but it will be the kindest

Does anyone else remember an episode of "All Creatures Great and Small " from the 1980s/90s where there was an old hunter that was to be euthanised ?
Siegfreid (who was the Equine Vet in the practice ) got the Hunt to congregate in the yard for him so he died with his ears pricked forward .
(Yes I know it's a telly programme but it stuck with me )

You will have lots of lovely Spring days , that would be a fine exit for him.
A bellyful of grass and some treats .

To be fair to the OP its a common way of thinking in horsey circles to let them have a last summer with the sun on their back and PTS before the winter starts, and they can't maintain weight in the cold. But only if they are otherwise comfortable and soundish.

This old lad sounds like he has had enough now, and if he is in pain all the time even with bute. I don't think its kind to put him through any more than is necessary. He doesn't have a little job, he is not even a companion, he is on his own, and he is in pain, its not a nice retirement for him.

Edited to put some punctuation in.

I’m of the opinion that if it’s only going to get worse, let them go before it does. We owe them as gentle an end as we can give and it sounds like he’s already fed up.

This suggests that you’re waiting for a crisis as a defining moment to make up your mind for you.

I think you are right not to put him through another winter, especially with the mud we had this year (we are still dealing with a bad fetlock sprain, and with arthritis will be worse). I think if he is bright enough in himself, but without a companion and struggling with the flies too, I would consider a late May/early June date rather than September. The BHS have a bereavement service that I believe can help you make the call (it sounds as if your vet is not being helpful on that front). All the best OP, it is a hard decision when no acute issue forcing your hand.

I think you're getting a rough time from some posters, winter is definitely hard on older arthritic ponies and I can see why you'd want him to have a last summer in the sun before temperature and conditions make it acute. I have older horses and feel similarly, the mare in her 30s has a new lease of life when it's warm. If his condition generally improves in warm weather I would have the decision on whether he is happy living alone as I know mind wouldn't be