Old horse

[Seashells]

Today we found her on the ground and she was struggling to lift her body. It hurt to see her try and try, but not have power to do it. I struggled to help and it was kinda dangerous since she could land on me (I have to get underneath her and hope she keeps enough drive to throw her front legs out and push her body weight up). It brings me to tears! She has a spunk for life and she's not sick. Yet, I know there will be a time when she won't be able to do it, and we won't be able to force her up. She's sweaty, and trembly and after she got to her feet (we stood beside her with our arms on her til she gain circulation and focus. She started eating and I brushed her. I could tell she was feeling stiff. Okay I'm really starting to feel like I should put her to sleep because one day we won't be able to help her, and she may just suffer into shock and go through more pain. I'm dreading the thought of that. Am I wrong? I don't want to do it!!! I would like your honest opinion. What would you do?

I've owned this quarter horse mare for 30 years. She's my first horse and has been in my life since I was 13 years old. Since October, I've only seen her lay down 4 times, and each time she needed help to stand. Yesterday I saw her thinking of rolling, only to put it off. She knows she won't be able to get up on her own, and barely with our help.

 

[MBhorses]

My heart goes out to you and your horse. I sorry but I don't have the answer. You need to pray about what your hearts is telling you. If if heart is telling you she is still have the will to live then she need her chance.

 

[Brandi*]

I am not usually a big supporter of euthanasia. But in this case I can only imagine how horrible that must be to see her stuggle like that. Imagine how she must feel when she can't get up. Horses naturally don't want to be down for long periods of time. And if she is to the point where she isn't laying down because she knows she can't get back up it might be time for you to make a decision. You can't always be there to help her get up. If you could then I would say great, let her live her life out until she decides to go. But the reality is, you can't, and like you said it is dangerous. This is a really sad situation and I am so sorry. I can only imagine what you must be feeling.

I wish we could treat our horses like human elders. We don't put them down when they can't get up anymore. But it's just not a possibility and you certainly don't want her to suffer. She must get tired of standing all the time. And then to struggle so much just to get up must really take it out of her. Poor poor girl. I am so sorry

Edited:

You are going to get many different opinions on this but please first and foremost listen to your horse. I have seen many people put their animals down just because everyone says they are old and that is the kind thing to do. You will know whether it's time or not. There is no way any of us can know either way since we don't know her. I will be praying for both of you

 

[FoRebel]

Look into her eyes, into her soul and ask her what she wants... Her soul will tell you what you need to do for her.

 

[StarRidgeAcres]

I'm so sorry you're facing this difficult decision. You know what the answer is, just listen to your heart and to what your mare is telling you. I know you will find peace in your decision.

 

[Minimor]

For me, if this were my horse I would say that it is time. I have come to believe that it's better to let them go a little too soon rather than waiting a little too long. When an old horse does not lay down because she knows she cannot get up again, and if she does lay down she is shaking and sweating from the effort it takes to get up again, that tells me that it is time.

 

[minih]

My heart goes out to you both.......

 

[Candleliteranch]

I'm speaking straight from my heart and my own very recent personal experience. We recently lost my 33 yr old mare. She was so very near and dear to me that I kept putting off making that decision. She went down very late one night and couldn't get up on her own. We tried and tried to help her up but it was no use. She struggled and tried so very hard for me, but to no avail. Some of you may remember me posting about Ember once before. I had planned on having her put down BEFORE she lost her dignity. I promised her that. I had the plans all made and the vets out and had said my goodbyes. Long story short, I let the vets talk me out of it. They said she didn't look "ready" yet. Well, I should have listened to my heart and soul and done it then anyway. What did they know from seeing her for 10 minutes? I was with her every day and I knew she was ready. I let her go on for another season. I know now that I did her no favors by doing that. I will never forgive myself for letting her go on. She did lose her dignity when she could no longer get up and I saw that in her eyes. It was so horribly painful for both of us I will never forget it as long as I live. I will NEVER do that to another horse, dog, cat or whatever again.

Search your heart and your soul and as painful as it will be, if you feel now is the time, do it for yourself, but mostly for her. She will understand and thank you for being brave for her.

 

[bluetaterbaby]

I'm so sorry. Prayers are there with you. I remember my shetland pony getting down like this and not being able to get up. It was so heart- wrenching. We had been together for many years and shared so much. He made my life so wonderful. I'll always cherish these memories.

 

[wildoak]

It's a terribly difficult decision to make, but your mare may be telling you it's time. I've done it once with an old mare and I have a 30 year old now whose day isn't too far away. She's like your mare, doesn't lie down often but at this point can still get up even though I know it's getting harder for her.

My first one was very arthritic, so bad that she could hardly turn and come for breakfast, and had a difficult time standing for the farrier to trim her back feet. When I made the decision, I buted her for about 3 days and ponied her to my vet's just down the road for her last outing. I was fine with it until I got there and the vet said, oh she looks like she's moving well.......well, she was full of bute. I kind of lost it then.

When you make your decision, whether it's now or later, I hope you will be at peace with it. I think in many cases it's a gift we can give our old friends, allowing them to go with some dignity.

Jan

 

[Basketmiss]

I am so sad for you to go thru this...

You will know if it is time when you look in her eyes. Animals show so much thru their eyes.. They will have that almost pleading look like please put me out of my misery, I am tired and want to go to God...

I agree with wildoak, I would do it while she still has her dignity.

She has had 30 years which is a great life, not the longest horse life but not the shortest either.

I know you dont want to see her in pain, that is what just tears my heart out!

(((HUGS))) to you and her...

 

[Laura]

For me, if this were my horse I would say that it is time. I have come to believe that it's better to let them go a little too soon rather than waiting a little too long. When an old horse does not lay down because she knows she cannot get up again, and if she does lay down she is shaking and sweating from the effort it takes to get up again, that tells me that it is time.

[SIZE=12pt]I agree...you will both be in my thoughts...spend a last day with her, feed her treats and remember the amazing friendship you have shared and then let her go.....[/SIZE]

 

[jrae]

Look into her eyes, into her soul and ask her what she wants... Her soul will tell you what you need to do for her.

I completley agree with this statement. You hava a bond with this horse....and she WILL tell you.

 

[hobbyhorse23]

I'm going to be the one dissenting voice here and ask a few questions. Is this mare on anything to help her? One of our elderly Arabians got so stiff with arthritis in his knees that he couldn't lay down but after we put him on Adequan shots and then oral Hyalun (brand of Hyaluronic Acid) he showed dramatic improvement and was able to get up and down again. He never had seemed quite ready to go but after the pain was gone it was obvious he wasn't ready yet. If you haven't tried any of those sort of products on your mare then I'd certainly look into it before putting her to sleep.

Just one note of caution because of how you said you'd helped her up- did you have someone at her head pulling on a lead? Horses get up by using their heads as counterweights so it's usually more helpful to have someone standing at their head giving them some leverage than to try and push from the rear or side. Bo (the Arab) used to go down with seizures in his last few years and by the time it was over he was nearly too weak to get up. We let him rest until he seemed ready then got my dad on a lead up front and me under his shoulder as the most agile person and we all pulled and pushed with his efforts until he got up. We agonized for a long time about whether or not we were letting it go on too long but he'd go months between seizures acting perfectly normal and bright-eyed and interested in life. The seizures themselves weren't bad either, he'd feel them coming and find a soft spot to lay down then drop when they hit and twitch for an hour or two like a dreaming dog. When they were over he was tired but fine. The time did come when we knew we were within a matter of weeks and then one day he went down and didn't come out of it and we knew it was time. We called the vet and let him go where he'd fallen, surrounded by the family who loved him and his stablemate of fifteen years looking on over the wall. It was very very tough but that's three times now that we've waited to let an animal of ours go, not sure if it was the right time, then been grateful we did because there definitely was a moment when they said "It's time." I would never have stopped second-guessing myself if I'd done it earlier and we always made sure those last weeks were full of love and quiet time together. It can be very special as well as heart-breaking.

If you've tried everything and your mare is still reaching the end of the trail then all I can suggest is to love her. Lay hands on her, walk her, be with her, and open your heart to hear what she may have to tell you. She WILL tell you when it's time.

Have faith and know we're here for you.

Leia

 

[Brandi*]

Very well put

I'm going to be the one dissenting voice here and ask a few questions. Is this mare on anything to help her? One of our elderly Arabians got so stiff with arthritis in his knees that he couldn't lay down but after we put him on Adequan shots and then oral Hyalun (brand of Hyaluronic Acid) he showed dramatic improvement and was able to get up and down again. He never had seemed quite ready to go but after the pain was gone it was obvious he wasn't ready yet. If you haven't tried any of those sort of products on your mare then I'd certainly look into it before putting her to sleep.

Just one note of caution because of how you said you'd helped her up- did you have someone at her head pulling on a lead? Horses get up by using their heads as counterweights so it's usually more helpful to have someone standing at their head giving them some leverage than to try and push from the rear or side. Bo (the Arab) used to go down with seizures in his last few years and by the time it was over he was nearly too weak to get up. We let him rest until he seemed ready then got my dad on a lead up front and me under his shoulder as the most agile person and we all pulled and pushed with his efforts until he got up. We agonized for a long time about whether or not we were letting it go on too long but he'd go months between seizures acting perfectly normal and bright-eyed and interested in life. The seizures themselves weren't bad either, he'd feel them coming and find a soft spot to lay down then drop when they hit and twitch for an hour or two like a dreaming dog. When they were over he was tired but fine. The time did come when we knew we were within a matter of weeks and then one day he went down and didn't come out of it and we knew it was time. We called the vet and let him go where he'd fallen, surrounded by the family who loved him and his stablemate of fifteen years looking on over the wall. It was very very tough but that's three times now that we've waited to let an animal of ours go, not sure if it was the right time, then been grateful we did because there definitely was a moment when they said "It's time." I would never have stopped second-guessing myself if I'd done it earlier and we always made sure those last weeks were full of love and quiet time together. It can be very special as well as heart-breaking.

If you've tried everything and your mare is still reaching the end of the trail then all I can suggest is to love her. Lay hands on her, walk her, be with her, and open your heart to hear what she may have to tell you. She WILL tell you when it's time.

Have faith and know we're here for you.

Leia

 

[MeadowRidge Farm]

I am going to be no help on this one. I have been there with my 33 yrs old clydesdale Patti, who I am sure some of our older members remember me posting about. I lost her in 2002, ,and it seems like just yesterday. I know I am looking at facing it again, with my arabian, Nazarian, he is 34, but is getting around good yet. It just hurts thinking about it. I have had him since he was a baby, and Patti from the time she was 3 yrs old. You will know when the time is right. I held on to Patti for one week trying to get her up with slings, etc. She had been on meds and we had done everything possible to help her. Finally, I just sat with her one afternoon, and early evening and and told her it was time, and we said our good-bys, I could just tell she wanted to go also. My vet came that evening after I had gone to bed, and met my husband and son in the barn. The following morning she had already been buried in my "pet cemetary" on our farmm and I put a marker and flowers by her. TImes like this just dont get any easier on any of us who truly love our animals. Look into her eyes, tell her you love her..and everything is Ok when its time for her to leave. (((hugs))) Corinne

 

[Reijel's Mom]

I have been there and am going through it again now, so I COMPLETELY know what you are going through! I am with Leia, though - HOW are you helping this horse to get up?

I put a halter and lead on and pull and that is usually enough. Also my husband is at the rear pulling UP on the tail.

I also have the same concerns about letting things go on too long, but so long as my mare continues to be happy and comfortable 99% of the time I'm not ready to let her go and I don't think she wants to go, either. She is not terribly arthritic, she is just weaker than she used to be and the snow/ice don't help. She eats well and is keeping good weight on. When I let her out in the larger area she trots off as always.

I'm lucky in that my husband and I work opposite shifts, so one of us is usually here. And my neighbors know to call me if they see Whinnie down.

I euthanized Whinnie's best friend, a 33 year old Standardbred, a few years ago. He was also having problems with laying down and not being able to get back up. One January 1st we tried for about 15 minutes to get him up and I knew it was time when we couldn't do it in that amount of time. Justin was a little stressed with us trying to help him up and it not working but after I called the vet I sat with him and fed him oats and carrots and apples until the vet showed up. He was comfortable and non-stressed at the end.

I wish you the best of luck whatever you decide. I know it's hard!

 

[sedeh]

You've gotten some good input here. I think you need to listen to your own heart and listen to what the horse is telling you. I've got an "old gentleman" on my farm. He's my last big horse.....he's 35 now. Has no front teeth but still has pretty good molars. With special feed he's doing okay. I do notice he doesn't lie down as much anymore and I never see him roll. So I know he's getting old and creaky. If he got to the point that he couldn't get up unassisted I would have to put him down. There are days when my husband and I both work(12 hour shifts) and no one is at home. The thought of him trying to get up for hours and unable too would be more heartbreaking to me than to have him euthanized. I know he'll let me know when its time......but I never like making the decision.

 

[Seashells]

Today we found her on the ground and she was struggling to lift her body. It hurt to see her try and try, but not have power to do it. I struggled to help and it was kinda dangerous since she could land on me (I have to get underneath her and hope she keeps enough drive to throw her front legs out and push her body weight up). It brings me to tears! She has a spunk for life and she's not sick. Yet, I know there will be a time when she won't be able to do it, and we won't be able to force her up. She's sweaty, and trembly and after she got to her feet (we stood beside her with our arms on her til she gain circulation and focus. She started eating and I brushed her. I could tell she was feeling stiff. Okay I'm really starting to feel like I should put her to sleep because one day we won't be able to help her, and she may just suffer into shock and go through more pain. I'm dreading the thought of that. Am I wrong? I don't want to do it!!! I would like your honest opinion. What would you do?

I've owned this quarter horse mare for 30 years. She's my first horse and has been in my life since I was 13 years old. Since October, I've only seen her lay down 4 times, and each time she needed help to stand. Yesterday I saw her thinking of rolling, only to put it off. She knows she won't be able to get up on her own, and barely with our help.

Update: Decision is made to let her go. It's time.

Please know I've read ever one of your replies and want to thank everyone for their kind words and support. Today a friend said I've given her a good life, and I replied, "She's given me a good life too."

She allowed me to enjoy horse adventures to the fullest. Parades, drill team, fun days, barrel racing, western pleasure horse shows, driving, jumping, all day trail rides, racing like the wind, costume contests... Plus I'll always have memories of her trusting, gentle, willing friendship...always there, ready to do anything for me. Over the years, I've been told she's a one in a million horse. Her name is Lucky Ronda Yo. Which reminds me of something cute....Many years ago a tiny boy walked up to her and called her "Lucky Rodeo" (we always remembered how cute he was in his little cowboy hat and southern accent). Well, thank you for allowing me to write to everyone, your thoughts and shared stories are appreciated. I'm still in tears, but know I'm blessed to have had her for so long. I'll look back and know...I was the lucky one!

 

[Mona]

Please know that many of us here, will be there with you in spirit, helping you get through this difficult time, and the decision you have made for your dear friend. (((HUGS)))

Update: Decision is made to let her go. It's time.

Please know I've read ever one of your replies and want to thank everyone for their kind words and support. Today a friend said I've given her a good life, and I replied, "She's given me a good life too."

She allowed me to enjoy horse adventures to the fullest. Parades, drill team, fun days, barrel racing, western pleasure horse shows, driving, jumping, all day trail rides, racing like the wind, costume contests... Plus I'll always have memories of her trusting, gentle, willing friendship...always there, ready to do anything for me. Over the years, I've been told she's a one in a million horse. Her name is Lucky Ronda Yo. Which reminds me of something cute....Many years ago a tiny boy walked up to her and called her "Lucky Rodeo" (we always remembered how cute he was in his little cowboy hat and southern accent). Well, thank you for allowing me to write to everyone, your thoughts and shared stories are appreciated. I'm still in tears, but know I'm blessed to have had her for so long. I'll look back and know...I was the lucky one!