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 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.

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 💜

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.

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

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

How are things @Clinicalwaste ?

I beg your pardon?

What might not be a big decision for you will be a huge decision for someone else. We all have different experiences.

OP is more aware of her pony's health than anyone else and of course she doesn't want him to suffer.

Try and have some empathy for the OP. This is a very much loved pony.

I always go by the old adage "better a week too soon than a day too late". A severe decline can happen very suddenly and the pony will suffer before the vet can get to you so now that he is declining I would let him go before you get to that point. Remember, throughout his life he will have had many injections and vet visits and he won't know that it is the final one he will get. A vet once said to me euthanasia isn't a welfare issue but leaving it too late could be. It's a hard decision for you but he deserves to go peacefully with dignity and without any more discomfort. If you feel you need some support on the day look at the BHS Friends at the End scheme.

Thanks for checking in. He is due to be put to sleep in two weeks at the end of June after much discussion with the vet. The massive amounts of feed and Bute have given him a good few weeks and i have actually managed to get weight on him so he is looking so much better. I am still agonising over the decision as he looks better but it still comes down to not wanting to put him through another winter and he is just stiff which is worsening. He was so funny today holding court at his field with all the passing walkers making a fuss of him and taking pictures. He was such a pocket rocket when he was younger and just loving a fuss and having a bit of an ego. I will miss him terribly. I have put down so many animals in my life but now in middle age i am finding it harder and just don't feel as emotionally resilient as i once was. Thanks again for all the wise and kind comments.

It's so so hard. I had to have my darling mare pts a few years ago. She was 21 and had several complications with her feet. I'd have done anything to keep her going but I knew I had to do it. Like you, I'm middle aged and finding it so hard to let them go.

Just know that you're doing the best thing for your lovely boy ❤️ his memory will live on.

It's so hard but you've given him everything. A loving home and family, long healthy life and a peaceful death with minimal pain or discomfort, which I think is what we all hope for.

A last summer would be nice but I definitely wouldn't put him through another winter. You're doing the right thing.

Always been taught...

Better a day too early than a day too late. He owes you nothing. I'd explore the option sooner rather than later as his health doesn't sound good at all.