Age old query... WWYD w/ a young unsound horse?

[SuperSTB]

I see a couple threads on people with horses that are young and basically will never be sound again. So my question is "what would you do?" or "what have you done in this situation?"...

You have a young horse- less than 10yo, permanent injury that leave horse comfortable but worthy of nothing more than a pasture puff. Rescues are full of these guys and basically have the same problem. How comfortable (mentally and financially) are you to consider euthanizing? Would that even be an option for you?

[animaldoc]

If horse was comfortable and I had the space/money/resources to keep a pasture puff for 20 years, I would.

If the horse had a chronic condition that could not be kept comfortable, I would have no problem euthanizing - just did this in July with my horse. While I felt it was best for the horse, it was still tough since he was my buddy. He had already had numerous surgeries and layups for the same problem and it kept recurring, so really nothing could be done.

If the horse was comfortable and I didn't have the space/money/resources for a pasture puff, unless I could find the perfect home with 100% guarantee of them keeping the horse appropriately for 20 years, giving it back to me if they couldn't, etc. I would rather euthanize than worry that the horse would end up in an unsafe situation.

Like you said - there are SO many of these horses out there, especially right now.

[NorCalDressage]

Re: euthanizing

I really cannot judge someone for doing that. Everyones situation is different and you cannot predict all things. Some people think this is cruel, but really, what is the alternative? Maybe sending the horse somewhere to an uncertain future, where the horse may face a bad situation? Sometimes euthanizing is the kinder thing to do. Harder for the human sometimes though. But you have to let go, doing the right thing isn't always the easy thing.

[Quinn]

Splash was in a pasture accident as an 8 year old and has a "Sweeney Shoulder." He is only pasture sound. I owned my own farm at the time and it wasn't a big deal (financially) to retire him. I sold the farm a year ago and he's now on retirement board with another retiree of mine. Very inexpensive but still exceptional care for both. It's a personal decision and one that only you can make. I choose to have them cared for this way but I do find it to be a financial drain.

http://community.webshots.com/user/ballyduff

[ambar]

I might euth in this situation, I might not -- depends on my emotional attachment to said horse and my ability to provide pasture room and suitable care. I certainly think it's a better option than letting the horse out of my hands to possibly run into trouble down the road, and I wouldn't judge someone else for doing so.

[pines4equines]

We keep them. But I don't know what I would do if I had to board somewhere.

I currently have one horse who is getting lamer and lamer and we are considering doing the nasty but he still has such a happy gleam in his eye, he's just not ready. My check book is but he's not.

[Chall]

Q:"what have you done in this situation"?
A: kept him.

[BuddyRoo]

I think it really depends on the situation.

IE: If you have your own place, it's a lot easier to afford to keep a pasture puff for many years. But if you board and are limited to having one horse, you may be unable to afford a 20+ year commitment to a horse that you cannot ride if riding is a priority.

We had a mare who and could no longer be ridden by about age 6. That was many years ago. Because we had our own place and several other horses, it wasn't a big deal to keep her. But she didn't require any meds....just the routine hay, farrier, vetting. Even now, my mom has her but she's renting land and it's just not that pricey to keep her.

In my situation, I couldn't afford that. Not w/ board at 360/mo. Not if I ever wanted to ride.

I did however keep my older gelding for 3 unrideable years towards the end because I OWED him. I'd ridden him for over 25 years.

If I were in the situation now of having my young mare become unrideable, I would euth.

[LittleblackMorgan]

ahhh...this goes hand in hand with my thread....and I board....TWO unrideables...sigh...over 600 a month for board, and another $850-1200 a month for vet bills...

[Delaware TB]

I have the same situation right now. I have a 4 yr old gelding that subluxated 2 pasterns in the paddock as a yearling. I would have gladly spent the money for surgery, but the prognosis was very poor. He has his good days and his bad days. There are days that he has been out playing like nothing was wrong with him, and days where he is quite sore. He is one of 4 horses I have here at home. I also have a semi-sound mare that I'm probably going to be responsible for for the rest of her life as well. I have been going back and forth about this for years. I have decided to go ahead and put him down before winter hits and the ground freezes. It was not an easy decision. I've been trying to wait for him to tell me that he was ready, but the truth is that if I kept him inside and gave him bute over the winter he would probably be fine. I had to accept the fact that part of the decision was what was best for me. I lost a 29 yr old mare last Jan. that had been since she was 4 yrs old. I spent the last 4 years nursing her, and keeping her going to the bitter end. In that case, I was glad I did. She gave me everything she had. I unfortunately do not feel the same way about my poor gelding. I've always tried to stay slightly distant from him, because I've known what the outcome of his injury would be.
My advice is to take your time. Not only do what is best for your horse, but what is also best for you. It took me 3 years to give myself permission to take into account what is best for me in this situation.

[Cloverbarley]

Providing they are not in pain I keep them however I have a large property and can easily find space for a few cripples and geriatrics.

I have a 9 year old with a broken cannon bone. Permanently lame (mechanical). Will never have free use of the leg again as calcification has obstructed the joint.

I have a 5 year old with a broken neck. Was in a bad way for a couple of years but now almost fully recovered and riding out.

I will continue with horses who have injured themselves providing they are not in pain. If they are temporarily but treatment is available which could give them a decent quality of life (along with pain relief), even if that may not mean riding, then I go for that. If not, then euthanazia is the only option. It was considered for the two horses above and had their treatment not been successful to a greater or lesser extent then no they would not be with me today. But it was, so they are :).

[appychik]

I've got one also. He was just 4 when he was formally diagnosed with a fractured coffin bone. Has basically been as pasture ornament since... he's coming on seven years old this February. He's never been truly "under saddle"... just lounge/long lining training.

As long as his pain is managed and he's staying "pasture sound", there will be no plans to put him to sleep. The moment that the pain can't be managed, then I will ease his pain for him. He had a very rough start in life and I guess I owe him a good ending.

However, because of him I own two gimpy horses now... my older boy is cleared to work still, but I can no longer show or train him extensively (can't show period as he's not 100% sound). The younger guy was to be his replacement but he didn't (obviously) work out. So, no new horses until I get my own place... can't afford board on three horses. :no:

[Dune]

Well, it definitely changes things if you don't have your own property. I had a friend in this situation with a chronically lame navicular horse that she owned from birth. She euthanized him at age 7. I had one that had various issues that kept him from really advancing in his training, but he was "sound enough" for Training/1st level if you weren't going to be consistent. I gave him to my instructor's mom who "talked the talk" but I knew wouldn't "walk the walk" (never rides) :winkgrin: and she's happily keeping him in her backyard and will do so for the rest of his life. :yes:

[mvp]

Have you noticed that most people to have spoken up here have been able to keep theirs because they had room (or did)?

Speaking as one who does not. I would euthanize the horse before I made him someone else's problem. There are no guarantees here, and the odds are against the horse.

That having been said, I also might look for a dirt cheap but reputable retirement situation. That means lots of leg work in finding the farm, even if its far away. Then go see it, meet the people and see the horses they care for.

If I could find the best of all possible situations-- the other people who actually wanted this horse as a companion animal, I'd check out their place as above, give the horse to them and ask for right of first refusal if things changed for them.

I think that we are 100% responsible for the horses we own while we own them. They are like a game of musical chairs. If the soundness stops when you're the one standing, you must make the decision.

I know euthanasia for financial reasons is not politically correct. In the OPs situation, I'd speak with trusted, good horseman-type friends. If I made peace with a decision to euthanize for financial reasons, I'd do that and spare myself the judgement of people I knew might not agree. Let them walk a mile in your shoes.

Best of luck with whatever you decide and pasture situation you can find for your horse.

[Oakstable]

I have my own place and have euthed two youngsters because their quality of life was impaired and they would never be able to enjoy a simple turnout.

I am still feeding a 29-year-old pensioner.

It comes down to quality of life issues.

I know my regular vet does not euth a horse for reasons of convenience for the owner, but if someone cannot afford to care for a unuseable horse, I believe euthing is FAR better than putting it at risk of ending up in a feed lot and a trip to Mexico for slaughter.

[Chall]

Have you noticed that most people to have spoken up here have been able to keep theirs because they had room (or did)?

Mine have been boarded the whole (14 yrs ??!) time. They are the first horses I ever owned (& the last probably). It helps that there are two horses and two of us own them. That said, it might not be the most responsible thing I have done as sometimes I wonder about putting $ towards animals that can go to humans (or retirement accts).
So here is what helped me:
-more than one person responsible financially, so its easier to switch the $ burden during rougher patches
-pasture board (but some years they were completely stabled),
-they live 2-3 hours away to achieve the cheaper board,
-one is rideable,
-I'm not into showing or even riding that much anymore so hanging out with them is sufficient,
-I got used to liking them for who they are because not everyone liked the breeds (Arab and TB) anyway when they were both rideable.
-I still have a job
and
-I still love them :) (and hope they still love me)

[mvp]

Chall you are doing it right! It sounds like your horses have a great deal and are lucky to belong to you. I think you are also right to put the cost of keeping horses into the larger and financial context. We are, after all, responsible for putting money toward retirement of two-legged pensioners, too. Thanks for bringing that up.

[magnolia73]

I board, and if my horse was rendered permanantly unrideable, but pasture sound with limited meds needed, I'd put her on pasture board at a cheaper farm.

If she had to be in a stall, I'd euthanize her, only because she is miserable in a stall, and if the meds needed to be pasture sound were very expensive, I'd euthanize. I'd never, ever try and rehome her and lose control.

[twofatponies]

This is hypothetical, so easier to say what I would do than if I were actually in the situation.

If I had my own place, pasture puff is easy. Assuming the horse does not have chronic pain or a recurring problem that needs frequent uncomfortable medical treatment etc.

As a boarder - if the horse could be comfortable and happy in a nearby pasture board/retirement situation, I would do that. But I would be more inclined to euth if the horse then developed a subsequent medical problem or condition on top of the original lameness, rather than subject them to a long complicated recovery. I think.

[chaltagor]

I sent mine here: http://www.stonyridgefarm.webs.com/ That's him on the front page with Cameo. He was less than 10 when I sent him there. Euthing never even crossed my mind; he's got DJD in a hock and a stifle issue but he's happy and content. There are plenty of retirement farms that cost less than the regular boarding rate as they don't have all the amenities and they are usually situated where the land is cheaper.

If I couldn't afford him I'd ask his breeder if she could take him back, or ask people who have met him if they could help but I wouldn't bother with a rescue. They are too full of ridable horses as it is. I've got another horse that is 100% sound that I can't find a home for, how the heck could I find a home for another horse that isn't? I'd keep him safe, even if it means being euth'd.

[WorthTheWait95]

I board ($600/month) and have a lame young horse. He was 4 when he came up lame and will be 8 in April. I won't euth him. He's extremely sound as long as no one is on him, happy and healthy in every other way. It's expensive and it sucks not being able to ride him but I'm not going to shove him off on someone else. I can't make peace with the idea of euthing him when he's so comfortable and happy presently. For some it's the right choice but for me it's just not. If he ever came to the point where he DID have pain and it wasn't manageable then I would for sure but I think we're at least 15-20 years away from that (hope so anyway!).

My vet does use him as his go to 'buddy' horse for client horses that need a friend for whatever reason (companion PTS, moving to new farm by themselves, whatever) so I do get months off of board while he 'goes to camp' to help out that family. He's currently being a companion for a 30-something year old horse. They had to put their young horse down unexpectedly. He'll most likely stay there through the winter then come back to me in the spring. It's a nice deal since he has a 'job' and I get to save a little here and there.

[LittleblackMorgan]

Chalt, did you truck your horse to KY for retirement from NJ? I wish I could find a place like that, at that cost, here in NE for my retired-yesterday TB mare.

[Hampton Bay]

I have two young horses, one of whom has been trying to kill herself since she was born, so this has crossed my mind. Recently too, after the filly's cut leg swelled halfway up her cannon bone and she became hobbling lame on it literally overnight.

I have my own property, but money is still tight. Since both of my young horses are easy keepers, I would probably keep them around as long as I could, provided they were comfortable of course. However, if money really became a big issue, I would put them down. With my filly, who I bred, helped deliver, bottle fed before she stood, etc, it would be a REALLY difficult decision. But I also couldn't risk too much financial strain for a horse who was permanently lame at a very young age.

But hopefully I will not end up in that situation! Filly's leg is back to healing nicely, and she is sound on it again.

[cdalt]

I am struggling with a similar issue right now: my 5 year WB gelding was born with a deformed neck which makes it unlikely that he could ever be a riding horse. He can't flex at the poll and his head is put on a bit "crooked". My vet recommended that I put him down when he was born (and couldn't stand without help for over 24 hours) but since he did not seem to be in pain I couldn't bring myself to do it. Now my husband has retired, I'm pushing SS age myself and we have a buyer for the 5 acre lot that this gelding lives on. We are not by any means destitute but will be living on less in retirement and I have 3 others (2 17 year olds and an IR pony) to support. I have not really tried to give him away because I doubt that with the current economy anyone would want to take him as a companion horse since he is about 17.2 and not what you'd call an easy keeper. Even if I can find a place to keep him for a while, I worry what will happen down the road in 5 or 10 years - it is hard enough for me now to do right by him ( for example, just lifting his feet to pick out is a major difficulty for me since I have had 3 back surgeries and have bad knees). I hate the thought of putting him down but I also worry there are worse fates that could happen to him if I give him away. This is the side of owning (and loving) horses that is so painful.

[chaltagor]

Chalt, did you truck your horse to KY for retirement from NJ? I wish I could find a place like that, at that cost, here in NE for my retired-yesterday TB mare.

Tapps did it, yes from NJ. They've trailered a lot of the horses to there, most from the NE. I try to visit Mocha (and the owners of Stony Ridge) once a year. It's a wonderful place and he is sooooo happy there. He does a little too well; he had to have a muzzle on this year. :lol:

If Stony Ridge was in the NE their price would triple at least. They are wonderful with the horses and if you need to find a better board rate and also want to ensure your horse is safe and happy it's not a bad trade-off ($ vs distance). The cost of the van ride is less than some people's monthly board. If you've got any interest or questions April would gladly talk to you about it.

[mhtokay]

I euthanized a 3 year old that had some sort of heart/lung problem. I kept an old boy for 7 years after an injury as a pasture puff before he I euthanized him for a severe colic. I have my own place, but have given up worrying about what other people think. Finally comes with age, I guess. I think putting them down is more humane than giving them away to an uncertain future. Money and time IS an issue.

[TheOrangeOne]

Just an addition, but what about a horse who is only pasture sound on a certain amount of maintainence: where do you draw the line?

[WorthTheWait95]

Just an addition, but what about a horse who is only pasture sound on a certain amount of maintainence: where do you draw the line?

For me it would most likely depend on what that maintainence was. An oral supp or rounds of adequan wouldn't bother me a bit. My lame 7 year old gets platinum performance and Corta-Flx RX everyday. Living on bute wouldn't bother me for a while but the amount of time a horse could live on bute is finite before you start having serious side effects and choices would need to be made. That's tough to put a limit on since each case would be so radically different I guess.

[shanky]

I retired mine at a retirement farm in VA.

[mvp]

Maintenance?

For someone like me-- who spent a decent amount on joint maintenance while the horse was working, and who will save money when the horse is boarded in a retirement place, I have no problem with daily meds as part of the deal. I wouldn't want a place that didn't have someone laying eyes on my horse at least once a day, so the "feed him alone" regime that goes with medication shouldn't be a big deal.

I'd do bute 5 or 6 days a week, but test for kidney function periodically as the horse aged. Or I might do Previcoxx. I'd continue daily MSM. I might even continue weekly the weekly IM injections of glucosamine as he gets now, so long as my retirement peeps were willing and able. Same for Adequan, though I understand some vets think it doesn't work well on oldsters. I'd want input from my horse's caregivers about how well it works for him.

As I see it, do what's practical and what you can afford.

[Hampton Bay]

Just an addition, but what about a horse who is only pasture sound on a certain amount of maintainence: where do you draw the line?

For me it would also depend on how much this maintenance is going to cost. 5 years ago, I wouldn't have cared, but life changes. A joint supplement, blanketing, hosing in the summer, reasonable meds, no biggie. If the horse has to be kept on GG and a bunch of pricey supplements/meds, or very expensive corrective shoes, to stay pain-free, then I would have to draw the line.

[TheOrangeOne]

Say the horse needs joint injections and $250 a month of specialty feed/supplements/meds to be pasture sound.

[WorthTheWait95]

Say the horse needs joint injections to be pasture sound.

That wouldn't really bother me. You can usually make joint injections stretch with adequan and legend or a good oral supp so at most you're looking at 1-2x/year most likely. No big deal in my book.

I think it really comes down to financial security though. I'm lucky in that keeping my young horse indefinitely is an option and the cost of things like injections, supps, etc are okay with me. Can I keep many horses this way for an extended period of time? Most certainly not and I'm sacrificing riding time to keep the one I do have. I could put him down or give him away and get another riding horse but I love him and want to make sure he has a good life so I won't (not saying that people who DO make that choice don't love their horses! Just saying I have the option to keep him and seeing him almost everyday makes me happy so I do). I have two other horses, one retired but still gets walked around bareback and another that is a going jumper so it's not like I can't ride at all. Maybe my view would be different if that wasn't the case but I don't think so.

[Cloverbarley]

Have you noticed that most people to have spoken up here have been able to keep theirs because they had room (or did)?

Yes it is definitely far easier for those of us who keep our horses at home. I have loads of land so space for my oldies and any who happen upon unfortunate accidents always have a home here till the end of their days. So many people are not in this situation and I understand that this certainly puts constraints on how one handles predicaments such as these. Again, we all do what we can with what is available to us. I have a number of boarders whose horses are retired here for whatever reason. The horses live a nice life and their owners are happy knowing the horses are well looked after.

Speaking as one who does not. I would euthanize the horse before I made him someone else's problem. There are no guarantees here, and the odds are against the horse.
Well euthanazia wouldn't be my first choice if I did not have the lifestyle I have. I have many good friends who would take my injured/old horses if I no longer lived in this style. I would never ever give up ownership of said horses however. If I did not have these lovely friends then yes euthanazia would be considered. I would also choose death for my injured/old horses over an uncertain future.

[smm20]

I have a current plan for my horse. I think it is important to consider bad situations before they happen, so first of all, I have insurance with major medical. But, if my horse were to become lame and unrideable, I also have a plan. I would retire him to a good facility and he would live like a king for two full years. Then, I would euthanize.

Now, if my financial situation changed during this time, the outcome might be different, but only for the better. If I won the lottey/became the Pillbury Bake-off champion/married a foreign prince...etc, then he could live like a king for the rest of his life.

[onthebit]

Grace we've had more than one retiree come here on daily ULcerGuard or GastroGuard for maintenance and on a myriad of supplements for joints, pain, etc. In every case once they have transitioned to 24/7 living with a group and after they've been here for a few months they are off all or almost all of the maintenance. On top of that they are usually sounder, at the very least as sound, than when they arrived. I could tell you some impressive stories of neurotic, lame horses that show up here for retirement that take a deep breath and stop tearing themselves down from the inside out after being a herd member, having excellent pasture to graze on 24/7, and the constant movement of that lifestyle. The most fascinating ones are the horses that arrive hating turnout and end up being the opposite, the barn becomes the place of evil.

I know you are in a really tough situation right now for so many reasons with this horse. I am offering you hope that in the right scenario the odds are good that he won't be the super high maintenance horse that he is today. That said, if your gut tells you he will always cost a fortune just to keep him pasture sound then I would consider euthanasia a very reasonable option.

[SuperSTB]

Great opinions and experiences told here...

Last week my gelding sustained an injury (vet says he'll be fine) but before we knew he'd be okay I discussed this with my hubby and sister. We kind of determined a course of action if the injury was 1. life threatening (the obvious conclussion is to euth) and 2. required surgery (we placed a financial and % success rate cap) and 3. surgery not an option but prognosis of pasture sound only.

A couple years ago I would have said- "pasture sound we'll keep them around" (and we have our horses home) but now... I'm thinking I'd lean a heck of a lot more towards euthanasia but mentally I do actually feel guilty and a little like some heartless jerk. I mean seriously- put a horse down because they are pasture sound at best? But there is a glaring reality in today's horse world that is not all sunshine and roses. I've placed horses before- my own and also rescue or off track beasties. Not all the stories had happy endings which equally breaks my heart, damned if you do and damned if you don't.

[LauraKY]

Really depends on money and room. We have a 13 year old that was retired due to a pasture accident. He's an easy keeper, is the herd boss...so he keeps everyone in line and was my daughter's first horse. He's ours for as long as he can stay comfortable.

That said, we have had a horse in for training, diagnosed with neurological problems. He was a hard keeper, must have individual turnout and can be destructive both in turnout and in stall. After being asked for our opinion by the owner, we recommended that she consider euthanasia. She is still considering her options. It's a tough decision.

We also have a dollar limit that we will spend on our own personal horses, depending on their worth, age, training and competitive level. Fortunately, so far, the only horse to come close to his limit recovered very well. Whew! Didn't have to make that decision. Guess that sounds pretty hard hearted, but it's a business for us and if we go broke on one horse, we can't take care of the rest.

[mjrtango93]

I was unfortunately in this same situation several years ago. I had a really fancy, uber expensive, young (as in not even 7 yrs old) jumper that was actually in the works of being sold. He somehow cast himself, tore all the axial ligaments in his rear fetlock and dislocated the joint. He spent a couple days at the hospital with 3 different approaches to stabalize the joint that all either failed, or he would not tolerate. Vet hospital refused to euthanize after I informed them he was insured. Took him to my trainers so my normal vet could provide care, where I found out the chances of recovery and what it meant long term. I opted to euthanize for a slew of reasons that all had his best interests in mind. Mine was a bit more cut and dry though. A minimum of 1 year in a stall basically immobalized hoping the joint would set, best outcome would be reasonably pasture sound and nothing more. This horses temperament would not tolerate that! He flipped over at the vet hospital in the splint, tried to jump out the window in his stall at home 2 days after he got there, was attacking anybody that went in his stall, pulled the shoe which was the only thing keeping the joint intact, and even if we made it through the year off stall rest he was horribly horse aggressive and could not be out with other horses, and had a tendancy to jump or run through pasture fencing. He was unsafe in these circumstances and was euthanized within the week after clearance from insurance. I was fortunate in the fact that things would have never worked out for the particular horse so it did make the decision easier to make.

[Hannahsmom]

I was in this situation a couple of years ago. I was given a young horse that we thought was just stiff and sore and turned out to be a quite serious injury. I had put time into him and then paid for all the diagnostics to find out what was really wrong. I had made the decision that if the breeder couldn't take the horse back, I would put him down. Maybe that is cruel but it is what I decided. I have another teenage horse that I have commited to caring for thru his old age and this was a realization to me that as someone who boards. I can afford the long term care of one horse, but not two. Fortunately the breeder took him back and he is on pasture so my guilt level is low but it was a wake up call to me and to honestly assess whether my finances can handle the correct care for multiple horses.

[InsideLeg2OutsideRein]

I promised my TB (he's me first and still only horse) that I'd make sure he'd be cared for until it's his time, and that's a quality of life issue for me, as long as he is pasture sound, I plan on supporting him. I would probably draw the line at an expensive surgery (say 10k plus). For the 7 years I've had him I had maybe one year of riding, the rest he's been off with one problem or another (currently off again). I cannot go out and buy another horse as I can only afford to board and care for one. I do lease a schoolmaster, so that I can ride and continue to learn, but those are fixed costs and could be terminated should my financial situation unexpectedly worsen.
However, I would consider euthing him before rolling the dice on the slaughter truck, if things every became that dire.

[Ozone]

Tough decisions for sure. I have a not sound what so ever 15 year old that frankly, I am tired of trying this shot, that injection, this shoe and those shoes just to be let down time and time again = me writing the check to the vets and the horse still is not sound. I was told in the beginning give him time - well, I did - lots of it too. Then more injections, more shots, more time off. I was willing to give him away with my own intentions that if someone wants to give him a bit more time he could ride again. Now, I feel that is not the case.

I board my horses. It's rough. He is SO happy though, how can I look at him and say well - you are used up and it's time to euth. you - tomorrow is your time. I would probably never forgive myself ..... but truly, something has to be done and I am not oppose to it no matter how hard it would be.

[Halt At X]

I have an 11 year old pasture puff. I have owned him since he was a weanling and am VERY attached. He has moderate navicular with low ringbone. We are still playing with different treatments to try to get him riding sound since his diagnosis a year and a half ago. He is my baby and I will keep him around as long as he is comfortable. I am very lucky to have him at home, but I am limited to him and my daughter's pony so I have to borrow horses for me to ride since I can't keep 3...

[LittleblackMorgan]

Since I just found out Friday that my new horse is irrovocably lame, I now have 2 I cant ride, I board as well. My gelding has a good shot at being sound but she will never get better. Now we have the farrier meeting with the vet tomorrow to discuss special shoes. I have no clue what that's going to run me, th gelding's barefoot, but I will say that I can't drop a lot of money into the mare.

My gelding is my forever horse, the new one was my show horse (who didnt make it past 30 days of training...). My gelding will get/has gotten the best of the best, my mare? I do the best I can. Does that make me a bad person? I hope not. As it stands, I pretty much want to bash my head off a wall when I think for a second on the situation-a 13 year old who has an ultra-rare medical issue, who is showing signs of real progress, and the 8 year old with killer blood lines, who can't be ridden, who I can't get the papers for (despite it being clearly outlined in my contract).

I'm wondering WTF I am going to do sooner than later. She's got a home now, but if the gelding requires hospitalization...and her special shoes cost tons, and she needs crazy supplements or something...I don't know...I will do right by her, but I for one NEVER thought I would be in this situation with not 1 but TWO. At the same time.

[Hannahsmom]

Since I just found out Friday that my new horse is irrovocably lame, I now have 2 I cant ride, I board as well.

{{Hugs}} I feel for you.

[dandme]

I have a little pony boy my mare had last year early...he had contracted tendons, and it took a few weeks to get him walking [Dynasplints],he had a pretty big hernia, so got that fixed, and never worried about the little swelling in his stifle... just before he was 1, he was dead lame...took him in for xrays , MRI etc and he has basically a blown out stifle..all told me to put him down, but he hasn't told me. One vet said I could keep him in a smaller area and see if it fuses...so I took him home :-) he never really lived in a herd so he enjoys his people and dogs. Luckily he is small enough and laid back enough that he is doing well. I am lucky in the fact that he is small and as long as he puts weight on his weak leg enough to help his good one, all is ok... some days he does great and we have some days my husband and I hold our breath. so far we've had fewer of those days... it is a personal decision and no one can really give you an answer... some think I am nutz, but what else is new ;-P Good luck w/ your decision... and listen to yourself and it will work out...

[shakeytails]

I have my own farm with plenty of pasture and bale our own hay, so costs are minimal. I'd probably keep a young pasture-sound horse as long as I could afford it. If he needed more than I could afford (like $250/month injections), I would think seriously about euthanasia. I'd rather put one down than send one off to an uncertain future. While I certainly have my favorites, the horses are still livestock. They are not people and I have financial limits. I wouldn't hesitate to euth a severely deformed foal, a really bad founder or navicular, or a surgical colic.

If I had to board, and my only horse became permanently unsound for riding, I have no idea what I'd do- probably find a less expensive alternative for board and keep him.

[paintlady]

My mare sustained a pretty bad tear to her check ligament when she was 9 y/o. There was no guarantee that she'd be rideable again. While she was laid up, I had to consider my options. I don't have my own property and boarding is expensive.

Luckily, I found an amazing farm to board my mare at. It's not close enough if I wanted to ride, but perfect for a layup or retired horse. The owners have a ton of property on which they keep a bunch of "pasture puffs." My mare spent 6 months there on pasture board while she was recovering.

Thankfully, she did become sound again so I moved her to a farm closer to home so I could ride again. However, if she didn't, I know I could have kept her at this farm and still been able to afford to board another horse closer to home. I'm keeping these folks in my back pocket when it's time to retire my mare.

In summary, I don't think I could ever bring myself to sell off my mare if she was permanently injured. I don't understand people who dump their lame horses off at auctions. If she was comfortable, I would find a retirement board situation so she could live out her days. If it got to the point where getting around was painful, I would have her euthanized regardless of her age.