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 Leader of the Pack
Posts: 1343
  
Location: Eatonville, wa | I haven’t posted in forever wow....anyways.
When is it time to give up on a horse that you are sure has some kind of mental issues? I kind of already know the answer.
Backstory.
He 9.
He’s always been a bit of a weirdo. Tries to bite constantly, stupid little things set him off. Thought it was just goofy baby stuff, we worked with him.
If small animals go into his pen, he tries to kill them. He tried to kill a goat , has chased down dogs, has killed numerous chickens and ducks. I have caught him in the middle of EATING a chicken....EATING A CHICKEN.
Destroys my trailer when tied. Chews on it, climbs up on the fenders etc
He’s been to trainers, has had probably more than a year and a half worth of professional training. Everyone of them has said he’s different, mentally.
Trail rode him a LOT. Little scary on him, he would trip a lot. Didn’t pay attention to where he was going. If I didn’t stear him he would run head on into a tree....at a walk.
He’s lazy. He would mentally checkout , then come back and have a spaz attack. He would realize he was working and have a temper tantrum.
2or 3 years ago he ties up at a race. He tests positive for PSSM type 1. Change diet and workout routine.
He changes big time. Before he was a little different, lazy.
Now it’s like having a fire breathing dragon...not in a good way. See eating a chicken.
I was running barrels on him. On days when he’s ON he’s fun! 3D with room for improvement. But he started developing gate issues, then pattern issues. Took lessons, clinics, etc.. no change.
Took him off the pattern, tried other stuff. Won’t go into a roping box once he figured out he had to work, even just scoring cattle. Sorting he wouldn’t enter the pen, drill team he started kicking other horses and having spaz attacks. Trail rides are not pleasant.
Other people have ridden him, tried things with him. It’s always the same.
He’s expensive to keep, PSSM supplements.
My last ditch efforts are another trainer and animal communicator.
Called the communicator today, she knew stuff that was beyond what I have told people. Still with a grain of salt. She said he would mentally check out after being asked things, he was completely blank. When asked about what he would like to do (work wise) he doesn’t want t do anything then would check out. She said she felt like she was talking with a kid with autism .
She said he doesn’t care what happens to the people working him or himself. No remorse.
So here I am with a horse I have invested thousands in training, lessons , clinics. Vets and oh the vet bills ! Tests, X-rays, etc.. chiropractor, massage, back on Track, PHT.
Considering sending him to another trainer as a last try to figure out something for him. Expensive to keep comfortable with supplements. And is borderline dangerous when asked to work at times.
HAVE I INVESTED ENOUGH TO NOT FEEL GUILTY PUTTING HIM DOWN?
I just want to be able to ride again, and not worry he’s going to Checkout and kill one of us.
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 The One
Posts: 7997
  
Location: South Georgia | I think you know the answer to this in your gut. Not worth the risk. |
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 Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| I think with all you've done to try to get him right, another trainer isnt going to make much of a difference. If it were me, I'd either let him be a pasture ornament (by himself) if you can afford it and had the space or have him euthanized humanely so he cant hurt you or anyone or anything else. |
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Leader of the Pack
Posts: 1343
Location: Eatonville, wa | I wish I had the space but I just don’t have space for a horse that has to be by himself, with heavy fencing and nowhere near neighbors lol it’s like Hannibal |
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 The best bad guy on the internet
Posts: 3519
Location: Arizona | I would say you gave it your all and tried everything. It's not fun not having a horse to go and do stuff with and feel safe. I have spent thousands of dollars on trying to make one horse sound, finally I threw in the towel and practically gave her away. So glad I moved on!! Cut your losses now, he's obviously not safe for others as well, so I would have him put down. It just might the best thing for all. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1515
Location: Illinois | I would've already given up had it been my horse. I know it's hard, but I think best is to make an effort to find someone knowledgeable who will give him a home knowing what he needs and if you can't find that person I think best case might be to just put him down. Especially given his special needs with the PSSM |
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Defense Attorney for The Horse
Location: Claremore, OK | I’m sorry it’s been a struggle. I have no problem euthanizing a horse that is a danger to himself and or the others around him. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | There are worse things in life for a horse than to have a humane end. At least then you will know he isn't hurting...or hurting anyone else.
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Veteran
Posts: 277
| I think eating a chicken would have been my "give up" point |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Wow you have gone above and beyond for this horse, way more then I would have done,, I think its time to just turn him out for good/ever or put him down, there is no horse worth all what you have done, hes wired wrong, I wish one of my friends would have been done with her horse that sounds a bit likes yours, but shes one of those that just would not give up after shes been told to soap him many times, well shes in a wheelchair now with brain damage because of that one horse that she would not give up on.
Edited by Southtxponygirl 2018-12-19 5:52 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | I'm really sorry that you've had so many issues with this horse. Given that you've tried and tried some more and exhausted every possibility it sounds like, I would not feel guilty about making the decision to put him down given that he can be flat out dangerous at times. |
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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | He sounds like an EPM horse to me honestly. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Herbie - 2018-12-20 9:49 AM He sounds like an EPM horse to me honestly.
He does to me too.. |
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Leader of the Pack
Posts: 1343
Location: Eatonville, wa | If it is EPM, honestly that plus the PSSM. I don’t know if it’s worth trying to treat. |
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 Lady Di
Posts: 21556
Location: Oklahoma | Southtxponygirl - 2018-12-20 9:51 AM
Herbie - 2018-12-20 9:49 AM He sounds like an EPM horse to me honestly.
He does to me too..
Me, three. However, a diagnosis of PSSM along with EPM would be enough for me to humanely euthanize rather than battle both.
Edited by dianeguinn 2018-12-20 12:29 PM
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 Firecracker Dog Lover
Posts: 3175
| You've tried enough. Be done and do not waste any more time or money. Life's too short. Go get something you can enjoy and have fun on. |
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Queen Bean of Ponyland
Posts: 24953
Location: WYOMING | When you are frustrated and at your wits end so much so that an animal communicator is called... sign its time to give up. |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | My statement is in no way meant to be funny OR mean, but at the point that the horse was EATING a chicken, I would have euthanized him and had his brain checked for rabies..........there is NO part of that, that is normal! He has some sort of mental illness (EPM, tumor etc) and while I do believe that most horses that are naughty are that way because they are allowed, I don't think this is the case. Seriously, any horse that would eat a chicken???? There is something worse than a small thing plaguing your horse, release him from it for both of your sakes.  |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | Southtxponygirl - 2018-12-20 10:51 AM
Herbie - 2018-12-20 9:49 AM He sounds like an EPM horse to me honestly.
He does to me too..
ME TOO |
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Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| LMS - 2018-12-20 2:00 PM
My statement is in no way meant to be funny OR mean, but at the point that the horse was EATING a chicken, I would have euthanized him and had his brain checked for rabies..........there is NO part of that, that is normal! He has some sort of mental illness (EPM, tumor etc) and while I do believe that most horses that are naughty are that way because they are allowed, I don't think this is the case. Seriously, any horse that would eat a chicken???? There is something worse than a small thing plaguing your horse, release him from it for both of your sakes.
I agree.. my chickens hang out with the horses in their stalls and pastures, guess they make them feel safe and they enjoy picking up any dropped feed. I couldn't imagine a horse eating a chicken! My 3 yr old colt once kicked up and accidentally kicked one of my hens over the fence into my dogs pen... talk about a bad day ... |
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 Star Padded Honey
Posts: 8890
Location: NW MT | newlifecowgirl - 2018-12-20 10:35 AM If it is EPM, honestly that plus the PSSM. I don’t know if it’s worth trying to treat.
Not to mention, you could very well be dealing with PSSM2 also. Diet recommendations have changed considerably for PSSM1, PSSM2 is different yet & very tough to try to balance the 2 - and I also wondered about EPM. I would respect you 100% for putting him down vs unloading him like some would do. |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| My old trainer had a training mare like this. She was bizarre. She had broke several trainers bones and she would buck and if she couldn't unload you she would bolt and try and scrape you off on the wall. Something mentally was NOT right with that mare.
However, I have seen that same trainer with 2 other "lost causes" that she fixed but the one ended up being deaf... he would never have been safe for someone else.
The eating the chicken is scary, stomping one... less "scary." It is a shame you couldn't get more from the animal communicator or maybe you got exactly what you needed. |
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When do you give up? Long!