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Original poster

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

56 replies

Clinicalwaste · 26/03/2026 10:25

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.

OP posts:
FestiveFancy · 26/03/2026 23:24

I put my old boy down in June at 24. He had wintered awfully, and I, like you, had decided he wouldn't see another winter but figured he would do as he usually does and bounce back for the summer. I realised he wasn't going to, and although I felt he was in a grey area a bit like you in that he seemed happy enough and wasn't acutely unwell, but I was pumping feed into him like it was going out of fashion, and I decided to call it a day in June instead before the flies got too bothersome. On the day in question he barged out his stable and nearly mowed down the huntsman. He was so lovely, and reassured me that this was the way I wanted him to go, with his cheeky personality he'd always had before his body got him down so much that he lost his spark.

I can remember so clearly at the time dithering over whether I was doing the right thing or not, but when I look back at photos of him now I'm genuinely surprised there was any doubt in my mind. It's hard to see the deterioration when it's right in front of you playing out in real time but if you're having these thoughts, it's almost certainly the right time, OP.

Sending lots of love, it's never an easy time

Original poster
Clinicalwaste · 27/03/2026 10:57

FestiveFancy · 26/03/2026 23:24

I put my old boy down in June at 24. He had wintered awfully, and I, like you, had decided he wouldn't see another winter but figured he would do as he usually does and bounce back for the summer. I realised he wasn't going to, and although I felt he was in a grey area a bit like you in that he seemed happy enough and wasn't acutely unwell, but I was pumping feed into him like it was going out of fashion, and I decided to call it a day in June instead before the flies got too bothersome. On the day in question he barged out his stable and nearly mowed down the huntsman. He was so lovely, and reassured me that this was the way I wanted him to go, with his cheeky personality he'd always had before his body got him down so much that he lost his spark.

I can remember so clearly at the time dithering over whether I was doing the right thing or not, but when I look back at photos of him now I'm genuinely surprised there was any doubt in my mind. It's hard to see the deterioration when it's right in front of you playing out in real time but if you're having these thoughts, it's almost certainly the right time, OP.

Sending lots of love, it's never an easy time

Thanks so much for this. This is such a similar situation. he is only Ok on soft ground with ridiculous amounts of food and bute but still he is not the same he is just a bit more distant and grumpy. Not like him to have ears back etc and he has never gone for anyone either.

OP posts:
FestiveFancy · 27/03/2026 11:11

Clinicalwaste · 27/03/2026 10:57

Thanks so much for this. This is such a similar situation. he is only Ok on soft ground with ridiculous amounts of food and bute but still he is not the same he is just a bit more distant and grumpy. Not like him to have ears back etc and he has never gone for anyone either.

Show quote history

It sounds like he's telling you that the days you're letting him live out aren't as enjoyable as they once were, which was similar to my lad. It's so so hard, but they don't have any concept of the future and if he's on his own, less happy than he was, then kindly, putting him through a summer where he may be hot and uncomfortable, just because he's not abjectly miserable, is for our benefit, not theirs 💜

Balloonhearts · 27/03/2026 16:33

Clinicalwaste · 26/03/2026 15:45

How right you are. Anyone who has a pony who declines over time instead of being in the best of health one day and immediately and obviously needing Euthanasia the next needs to be viewed with suspicion and as you say, is probably an outrageous and cruel person who should not have animals.

I though it was just AIBU that had the batshit posters who are desperate for a row.

All the horse people i know in real life are absolutely sane and lovely.

Show quote history

God, you can tell who doesn't have horses, can't you?

I'd up his bute a bit, look at hock injections and see how he fares going into spring. Reassess in May-June time.

He will be stiff and grumpy now, it's cold and wet and he has arthritis. If he doesn't improve with the warmer weather, I'd make the decision to let him go before the temperatures start spiking.

If he does improve, let him have a last, good summer. I would, however, not put him through another winter. You know how it is when they're older. Each winter is harder than the last and if he's dropping weight and struggling now, next year will be worse. I'd not let him suffer that.

Scared0112 · 14/04/2026 02:56

Based on your posts I’d put to sleep now. He’s not a happy bunny, he isn’t going to enjoy his summer.

reptilemad1985 · 14/04/2026 03:56

him going for you can also be a sign of brain problems / tumours in older equines if new behavour so I would put to sleep now not wait he sounds so miserable

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