Please, if this is a particularly sensitive subject for you right now, do not read the topic. This is not posted to distress those already having a worrying time with their beloved horse and pony.
I was just thinking that almost everyone who owns horses must consider this issue at some time in their lives. It's a difficult subject and I hope this isn't too upsetting but all responsible owners will have their own thoughts often about it. So I hope it's not too untoward to discuss it. Personally I've made the decision for many small pets over the years and cried over each and every one of them.
As we all know it's not always cut and dried what's best for the horse so in some circumstances the owner must wrestle with all the options and then make the decision they feel is best for their own horse- there's often not a right and wrong answer.
My own friend struggled to get her mare through an illness which recurred and led to losing her that second time around. However some people told her she should have euthanised her mare when she first got the illness and was given a prognosis of 60% chance of recovery. I reassured her that they were wrong. The mare was still 'herself', cheeky and interested the first time around. The second she was losing the will to survive, and that was clear, so my friend made her hard decision.
Some less clear situations I have thought of that may affect people include;
The horse becomes unrideable but is still sound for retirement
The horse suffers some mishap (accident etc.) that makes it unmanageable by anyone but the owner and at times potentially dangerous.
The owner of an elderly or frequently unsound horse becomes compromised through injury or illness and is struggling to care for the horse financially and/or physically
The horse suffers recurrent illness with varying short periods of very good health
EDIT
*These are all situations where Euthanasia is often an option given.*
I would like your thoughts on this and what you would be inclined to do if any of the odd situations arose for you- any reasons you feel particularly strongly about the best thing to do from your personal perspective.
I hoped a discussion like this might help people to think about what they might do and never have to make a decision under sudden pressure- I know since losing her first horse my friend has made plans for 'if the worst came' with her second.
I was just thinking that almost everyone who owns horses must consider this issue at some time in their lives. It's a difficult subject and I hope this isn't too upsetting but all responsible owners will have their own thoughts often about it. So I hope it's not too untoward to discuss it. Personally I've made the decision for many small pets over the years and cried over each and every one of them.
As we all know it's not always cut and dried what's best for the horse so in some circumstances the owner must wrestle with all the options and then make the decision they feel is best for their own horse- there's often not a right and wrong answer.
My own friend struggled to get her mare through an illness which recurred and led to losing her that second time around. However some people told her she should have euthanised her mare when she first got the illness and was given a prognosis of 60% chance of recovery. I reassured her that they were wrong. The mare was still 'herself', cheeky and interested the first time around. The second she was losing the will to survive, and that was clear, so my friend made her hard decision.
Some less clear situations I have thought of that may affect people include;
The horse becomes unrideable but is still sound for retirement
The horse suffers some mishap (accident etc.) that makes it unmanageable by anyone but the owner and at times potentially dangerous.
The owner of an elderly or frequently unsound horse becomes compromised through injury or illness and is struggling to care for the horse financially and/or physically
The horse suffers recurrent illness with varying short periods of very good health
EDIT
*These are all situations where Euthanasia is often an option given.*
I would like your thoughts on this and what you would be inclined to do if any of the odd situations arose for you- any reasons you feel particularly strongly about the best thing to do from your personal perspective.
I hoped a discussion like this might help people to think about what they might do and never have to make a decision under sudden pressure- I know since losing her first horse my friend has made plans for 'if the worst came' with her second.
Last edited: