Opinions on old lame horse?

This horse was clearly blessed when he acquired you for his owner! Thank you for giving him such a great retirement.

For me, I would give him a little more time to get over what may be a temporary lameness. If he's still enjoying life, if he's still eating well, even if there is some pain I'll keep going. If he's given up, I give up.

However, if you feel you cannot do this any longer, I certainly wouldn't fault you! You've gone beyond what 99% of horse owners would do, and I applaud you for it. You've done your best for him, and if you can't handle it any more, then euthanasia is the correct thing to do.

Selling him... even if you could find anyone to take him, that would be a huge mistake.

He's a beautiful boy. I understand why this decision is so hard for you. But you're the one who has to make it and live with it. No matter what you decide, in this case you're making the right decision.

You may not like this, probably not any way, but while he still has his feet I would have him humanely destroyed! When his bone does brake that is going to be the worst pain ever and who knows how long the vet will take to get there. Pain killers are not working and by the look of the first picture he is not really using himself to trot in fact he looks as though he is trying to spare himself with that stiff legged gait and drawing himself up.

The kindest thing to him would be to put him down now while he is not overly bad. Chances are he would not survive the winter anyway. What season is it when you took the pictures. It looks as though he could have Cushings Disease too (hairy coat rather early in the year. I would have expected that length of coat in November. Does he drink and pee a lot?

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but you did ask for the opinion. I am so sorry.

Aww. You really have tried. I think if it hurts him just to stand that it might be time to let him go. It is quality of life you should look at. If you could turn him out and just let him be a horse, then maybe keepp him, but it sounds like he is past that. He is probably in pain all the time. And if that bone breaks, he will be in agony. Your responsibility is not to keep him alive at all costs, but to know when enough is enough. This is different, but I had a dog with kidney disease. She was OK, so I kept her going for awhile, and then it ended up being too long, and I wish I'd put her down sooner, becasue she went downhill so fast and was so miserable. He is very cute and I'm sure you will miss him, but it sounds like it might b etime to let him go.

With respect to those who suggested giving him away, I think that is the worst thing you could do. He is going to have lots of health issues whether he is ridden or not. I really think it would be best to put him down at your place where he is comfortable. And it does seem like now is the time, before he gets worse. You will know when the right day comes.

Looking at the pictures he is such a sweetie by the way, lovely colour! :)

I'd say you have a few options, you could keep him on but no doubt he would cost you an absolute load not just with vets bills but shoeing and board (Which is indeed expensive these days!). And i know it sounds harsh but unless you can afford it i wouldn't keep a horse that i couldn't ride. But out of sentimental value you might want to see him to the end of his days in your care which is a lovely thought :)

You might want to consider euthanasia, i know its every-ones worst nightmare but it may be worth talking to your vet and having a careful think about his quality of life and how much pain hes in. would it be kinder to put him down? Your choice completely!

You could give him away as a companion horse, now i don't know how he'd fare since he has so many health problems. I think you know better than anyone if he could be a companion horse, it is nice when a horse is retired to do that sort of thing though because they get all the care they need (generally) and have plenty of company until the end of their days. Same with a retirement home but because of his conditions i don't know how feasible that is - though it is a nice idea i think :)

Personally, i honestly wouldn't have enough money to keep him, so i'd opt for sending him to a retirement home or finding him a nice place to be a companion for other horses, if he wasn't up to that i'd probably end up having him humanely euthanized. It would be really difficult to say goodbye to such a lovely horse but at the end of the day, its his comfort that matters. A lot of people would probably say its cruel of me but that's just my opinion.

Hope i've helped! xx

Dear Amanda,

I know so little about horses it's pathetic, but I can at least have a go about answering your question. It really depends on the horse--and how you feel about him. He is a beautiful animal, lovely eyes--and I can see you've taken great care of him, and shown him a lot of love.

I had a dog(no comparing dogs to horses, I know), a Maltese, who lived to be about 14 or so--old for a dog. He developed hip problems, and got to the point he couldn't walk without stumbling, and became incontinent at the same time--and it was obvious by then he had a lot of pain.

It hurt us, but we decided to take him to the vet and end his life, because his quality-of-life wasn't the best at all; he was hurting. I still think that was the best decision we made, even though it felt so painful to us. He was family, and we lost him.

If you think you can let your horse continue for a while, and he is not in any pain, let him be, and just love him. If when winter comes and he begins to show further signs of deterioration--PLUS quality of life is downgraded--then it may be the best thing to have his life gently taken from him. I know that hurts--it would hurt me, and I love the pets we have now(two cats).

Listen to your heart, and your mind, and ask questions of your vet. You will be guided in the right direction for your friend(who says horses can't be friends??).

I hope this helps. I wish you luck--and love your friend all the more, as his age and his health problems have made it clear his life is drawing to a close. If you need me, I am here.

My best and deepest wishes remain with you and that beautiful quarter horse.Take care, Amanda, OK??

Peace,

Tina

I am in the same position as you with my late boss' hunter. I nursed him through two seasons with my boss hunting him. My boss died two years ago and I have kept the old boy comfortable. I know that I should really had him put down last year but the boss' daughter, didn't want him to go on.

Now even she can see his stiffness and discomfort so, the decision has been made and he will be put down and go to feed the hounds he loved to follow.

He will be shot with a humane killer, by the kennel huntsman here at home with me giving him an apple or carrot. It will be quick and it will be the end of an era.

Like you, I have done my best by this horse, as you have yours. The kindest and best thing we can do for them both is to send them to the bridge and hope that one day we will meet with them again.

I try to give all my animals, even the sheep which go for meat, a good life and a good death.

That is a beautiful horse. I wouldn't give up just yet. How old are the pictures. Has anyone addressed the mud on his feet. Persistent lameness can be caused by constantly muddy feet causing thrush and/or white line disease. Dry, clean feet and shorter toes may help the old boy move more comfortably. By the way, he looks like he enjoys life in the pictures.

Its time to euthanize...

He clearly isn't comfortable on his own four feet anymore and you aren't getting any use out of him nor will anyone else...

Good luck

I think you should donate him as a therapeutic riding center, as a good petting horse if he's friendly with people and doesn't try to use them as a scratching post.

By the way, his color is beautiful!

if i had him , i would try 2 sell him to a person with time and money for this.