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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 490
 
| Backstory on this guy
I bought him in January from a friend. I knew he came with his special set of issues but originally thought he would just take retraining. So I began at the basics and we made head way. After a month he could walk and trot on a loose rein and in a straight line. I decided to do some digging into his past and WOW. I am his 15th home in 13 years. A few years ago he was almost starved to death, rescued, sold, ran through a sale, bought and went through 2 more homes before he came to live with me. No wonder this guy had so many mental issues. I have poured my blood, sweat, and tears into him. Hes made a complete 180* change from the lifeless crazy boy he was to the sweet personable brat he is now.
But something is physically wrong with his back. My gut tells me its not fixable. While he has came a long way under saddle, he isn't right. I have been on him once in 3 months because of this. He will be walking along, then out of the blue just buck and freak out, almost like he's been shocked. I suspect he has a pinched nerve or kissing spines. I do not think its a training issue because he always acts apologetic afterwards. I do not feel he is safe to ride.
My dilemma is this...
I cant keep a pasture ornament any longer. My husbands truck just needed a new transmission, my hours got cut at work and I fractured a cervical vertebrae getting off a horse sunday. Do I try to rehome him and risk someone will try to ride him and get hurt, or worse yet, mistreat him like before. Or do I have him euthanized? My plan was to get xrays done of his back and may still do it. But my gut instinct tells me its not good. He still moves around fine, a little slow on cold days but don't we all!
What would you guys do? |
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
 
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | I just dealth with something similar but he never had any behavior issues with us. He had a bit of a roach back, but had never been injured to our knowledge. He was supposed to be my husband's ranch horse but he rarely rides anymore and only needs one good horse. I was sick of him nagging me to ride him and keep him legged up so I rode him this spring on and off to get him sold. He felt off in tight circles but fine otherwise. I sold him cheap, as is and unsure of what his issue was. I was guessing maybe needed hocks done since he was just 5 or 6. A guy I knew growing up bought him for a ranch horse and had him checked out, turns out he has a lot of hock damage. So much so it is uncomfortable for him to just do much of anything. He kept all this hidden :( so I did refund his money and since I can't keep one around for a pasture pet, he was sold as unsound. If you can't find yours a pasture home, I am guessing auction is your next bet. It sucks, but part of life :( |
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Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | or euthenize if you don't want do take him to auction like you mentioned. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| He has had a hard life until you got him it seems. My heart breaks for both of you. I would put him down if you can't find him a good home. He has paid his dues. Living in South Texas any horse I might send to the sale is going to Mexico and that is a hard way for a horse to end his life. If I have one that I can no longer care for I put them down. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 490
| I wont unload him at a sale. Several friends have already suggested it. He hasn't had a good life. I have given him a new start and he shows me that he is grateful. I want to keep him til he goes but that may not be feasible. :-( |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | i have a couple at home that are no longer sound to ride, they have earned their retirement, so they will be with me til the end, i am the only home a lot of my horses have ever know......if you cant let him live out his days in peace then have him put down....
m |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1034
| Euthanize. If he is an unpredictable bucker and you take him to auction, someone could be very hurt. I ways feel bad for horses of low value with issues like that because of the 15 homes and neglect you described.
Edited to add: I don't know where you are but here in CA horses like that end up at the Mexican Rodeos to be tripped. I'd euthanize just to avoid that.
Edited by HorseMommyFiveO 2014-11-12 10:04 AM
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Jazz's Girl - 2014-11-12 9:47 AM
I wont unload him at a sale. Several friends have already suggested it. He hasn't had a good life. I have given him a new start and he shows me that he is grateful. I want to keep him til he goes but that may not be feasible. :-(
I am sitting here with tears in my eyes. Many of us have been where you are now. It is so hard to be in that situation. All I can offer is hugs to you. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2128
|  ughhh it hurts my heart. Never an easy situation. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Poor fella, I hope that you can find him a home. I have had my horses fo so long out here that they are a part of the family, but I'm one of the lucky few that I can just turn out horses in my back pasture. I have had a few horses giving to me so that could live their life out with me. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Why not just give him to someone that wants a companion horse for an older horse that needs a friend. |
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 Northern Chocolate Queen
Posts: 16576
Location: ND | What have you done to diagnose his problem? Any vet, chiro or massage work at this point? I can certainly understand not wanting to spend a lot of money on this horse but at the same time I couldn't send him down the road or put him down without knowing what's wrong. It could be an easy fix.....I own one that went through a few homes, I threatened him many times over with a one way trip to Mexico because of his issues & he's turned into my #1 mounted shooting horse! If he was mine, I'd find out what the underlying issue is & go from there. If he can't be helped (or helped at a reasonable cost) to where he can lead a useful life I'd put him down. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1162
Location: White Mountains of AZ | Southtxponygirl - 2014-11-12 8:16 AM
Why not just give him to someone that wants a companion horse for an older horse that needs a friend.
^^^ This could be a good possibility. Yard ornament for another family. Maybe who has an older horse and is looking for a companion animal. Make sure they know he's just to be a pasture pet, no riding...I'd definitely look into this! |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | QH<3er - 2014-11-12 10:21 AM Southtxponygirl - 2014-11-12 8:16 AM Why not just give him to someone that wants a companion horse for an older horse that needs a friend. ^^^ This could be a good possibility. Yard ornament for another family. Maybe who has an older horse and is looking for a companion animal. Make sure they know he's just to be a pasture pet, no riding...I'd definitely look into this!
I have a friend thats looking for a campanion for her older mare and she keeps them for life, she dont ride anymore but loves her animals. I was telling her to find a donkey that needed a home. My point is that there is people that are willing to take in a horse/donkey and give them a good home to be a companion. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 292
Location: Northeast Nebraska | Poor guy. I think the right thing to do is euthanize him if he won't get better and you can't keep him. After his hard life, he deserves to go easy, with someone who cares about him holding the lead. |
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | SaraJean - 2014-11-12 9:21 AM What have you done to diagnose his problem? Any vet, chiro or massage work at this point? I can certainly understand not wanting to spend a lot of money on this horse but at the same time I couldn't send him down the road or put him down without knowing what's wrong. It could be an easy fix.....I own one that went through a few homes, I threatened him many times over with a one way trip to Mexico because of his issues & he's turned into my #1 mounted shooting horse! If he was mine, I'd find out what the underlying issue is & go from there. If he can't be helped (or helped at a reasonable cost) to where he can lead a useful life I'd put him down.
Agree!  |
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 Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
Location: Texas | You could try to find him a home as a companion horse |
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 Having Smokin Bandits
Posts: 4572
Location: Woodstown, NJ | Have you had the vet look at him at all? It could be something simple. If you can't afford that and cannot find a good home where you are absolutely sure they will do right by him, I would put him to sleep. It's the decent thing to do for this poor horse. You did a lot of research. What have the old owners done? |
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 Hog Tie My Mojo
Posts: 4847
Location: Opelousas, LA | Honestly, if he is 13 and has really not done anything other than been passed around and roughed up then it will be a long road to get him to be a solid and confident mount even if you do find what is wrong and fix it. I hate to be this way when dealing with any animal, but you have to consider what kind of return you will get on your investment of time and money spent fixing this horse if he is even fixable.
If he does have kissing spines, is he worth surgery or routine injections? Will maintaining this horse compromise the financial security of your family? What if he comes unglued again and hurts you, can you ever trust him?
It is a tough spot to be in, but there is no dishonor in euthanizing a horse like this, it may be the kindest thing anyone has ever done for him. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 490
| I've had him adjusted several times. It makes a difference for a short time. I broke down and scheduled him an appointment for Saturday for xrays of his back so we can see whats going on in there. I trust my vet 100% and he will have sound advice when we see whats wrong. Ya'll pray we can get some answers. I love my big red boy but I have to do whats best for him. Maybe it will be something minor and we can get him pain free. I have a bad back so I know what it feels like to be in pain. |
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 Wide Darn Open
Posts: 2141
| Hope you can find him a good home one way or the other  |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 490
| Update-
After xrays and ultrasound we decided to put him to sleep. His back had a lot wrong in several places. We discussed with the vet at length our options. Unfortunately or fortunately, however you look at it, this was the decision we came to. My husband decided before we ever went to the appointment that if he couldn't live a pain free life then we would euthanize.
I miss the big red brat so much but I know he is not hurting anymore. I was with him until the end and he enjoyed peanut butter crackers and oatmeal creme pies beforehand.
I honestly think he knew and told us it was ok. I suffer from back pain just about everyday and I didn't want him to suffer.
This gelding taught me so much.
He taught me its ok to trust again after being hurt.
He taught me more patience.
He taught me to look deeper than a behavioral issue after you've done everything else.
He taught me to try anything. LOL Especially food. That was his motto. If it didn't eat him first he would try to eat it.
He taught me to come out of my shell. We leaned on each other for strength. He has many of my tears in his mane.
I needed him as much as he needed me. In the last 11 months he has taught me so much. We connected from the first day and I owe him a lot.
Run Free my buddy. Run Free. I love you and will see you again. Thank you for the honor of knowing you and being your human for a short time. |
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Good Ole Boys just Fine with Me
Posts: 2869
Location: SE Missouri | Jazz's Girl - 2014-11-17 2:28 PM Update- After xrays and ultrasound we decided to put him to sleep. His back had a lot wrong in several places. We discussed with the vet at length our options. Unfortunately or fortunately, however you look at it, this was the decision we came to. My husband decided before we ever went to the appointment that if he couldn't live a pain free life then we would euthanize. I miss the big red brat so much but I know he is not hurting anymore. I was with him until the end and he enjoyed peanut butter crackers and oatmeal creme pies beforehand. I honestly think he knew and told us it was ok. I suffer from back pain just about everyday and I didn't want him to suffer. This gelding taught me so much. He taught me its ok to trust again after being hurt. He taught me more patience. He taught me to look deeper than a behavioral issue after you've done everything else. He taught me to try anything. LOL Especially food. That was his motto. If it didn't eat him first he would try to eat it. He taught me to come out of my shell. We leaned on each other for strength. He has many of my tears in his mane. I needed him as much as he needed me. In the last 11 months he has taught me so much. We connected from the first day and I owe him a lot. Run Free my buddy. Run Free. I love you and will see you again. Thank you for the honor of knowing you and being your human for a short time.
wow, tough to read and I'm sorry you had to make this decision. It sure seems like you made the best one you could for him! My thoughts are with you and I'm glad you had the courage to do the right thing for him. |
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 Vodka for Lunch
Location: Lala Land | So sorry for your loss, but it warms my heart to know you truly just wanted what was best for him. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 314
Location: East Texas | Prayers for you, as I know it was a hard day. Sounds like he found the right home in the end to finally have peace. |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
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Thank you for giving him a chance. To think how misunderstood hes been his whole life. He loved you and deserved you. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| So sorry for your loss. You are a good owner and friend to him, hugs.
Edited by rodeomom3 2014-11-17 4:57 PM
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | Jazz's Girl - 2014-11-17 2:28 PM Update- After xrays and ultrasound we decided to put him to sleep. His back had a lot wrong in several places. We discussed with the vet at length our options. Unfortunately or fortunately, however you look at it, this was the decision we came to. My husband decided before we ever went to the appointment that if he couldn't live a pain free life then we would euthanize. I miss the big red brat so much but I know he is not hurting anymore. I was with him until the end and he enjoyed peanut butter crackers and oatmeal creme pies beforehand. I honestly think he knew and told us it was ok. I suffer from back pain just about everyday and I didn't want him to suffer. This gelding taught me so much. He taught me its ok to trust again after being hurt. He taught me more patience. He taught me to look deeper than a behavioral issue after you've done everything else. He taught me to try anything. LOL Especially food. That was his motto. If it didn't eat him first he would try to eat it. He taught me to come out of my shell. We leaned on each other for strength. He has many of my tears in his mane. I needed him as much as he needed me. In the last 11 months he has taught me so much. We connected from the first day and I owe him a lot. Run Free my buddy. Run Free. I love you and will see you again. Thank you for the honor of knowing you and being your human for a short time.
This about made me cry. Hugs to you. It's tough to be strong enough to do what's right sometimes. |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | Why did I read this? I'm very sorry you had to put your buddy down. At least he's in a better place. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2041
Location: home for the winter...what a dumb idea | I am so sorry for your loss.... |
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Hog Tie My Mojo
Posts: 4847
Location: Opelousas, LA | I'm so sorry for your loss.
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 Certified Snake Wrangler
Posts: 1672
Location: North MS | Made me teary eyed too. You are awesome though. Made the best decision for him even though it wasn't the cheapest one. You got to the bottom of his problems and gave him love. Bless you |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 490
| Thanks you guys. I still miss him but its getting easier. My mare has finally stopped looking for him. Now she's the one sticking her head in the feed room.
I am at peace with our decision. I think Wilbur understood when I told him why we were doing it. I shared oatmeal cream pies with him and told him farewell for now.
He looked at me, snorted and just stood there. Some folks may say they don't understand, but they do. He was a special guy and I am thankful I got to be his human for a short time. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Bless your heart! You did the right thing for him. I still tear up when I think of my special little mare. Hugs to you. |
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 Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | So sorry to hear this, but please remember you gave him a loving home and a respectable end. Instead of letting him suffer needlessly. |
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Northern Chocolate Queen
Posts: 16576
Location: ND | So sorry you  I truly hope you find peace in knowing you did right by him. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 999
Location: Sunny So Cal | Making me cry. So much strength and courage to do what is right. Sorry you had to make such a tough decision. At least he got to know what love was. Sorry for your loss. Prayers for you |
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What to do with a gelding