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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
    
Location: Florida.. | Did he see you coming when you approached him in pasture before you touched him? he may be deaf. my deaf paint would get startled easy and about killed me a few times .. kicking and or bolting or jumping over onto me .. he was deaf.. i wish i put him down. i sent him to a boys ranch to be taken care of but i wonder sometimes if i did the right thing for him.. they knew his issues.. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455
| I cannot understand why anyone would argue this. This horse is dangerous (and I am truly sorry for that).... yes I do believe you would be doing the best for the horse by humanely putting him down. So sorry, it is a tough situation, some horses horses are just not meant for this world. I have had a few myself. It is an unfortunate part of this business. Risking a person's health or life is not worth the battle. It sounds like you have done everything you could. |
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 I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| Bibliafarm - 2014-10-17 9:05 PM
Did he see you coming when you approached him in pasture before you touched him? he may be deaf. my deaf paint would get startled easy and about killed me a few times .. kicking and or bolting or jumping over onto me .. he was deaf.. i wish i put him down. i sent him to a boys ranch to be taken care of but i wonder sometimes if i did the right thing for him.. they knew his issues..
I didn't think of deafness but of eye problems. If he can't see or hear well and you startle him when approached, then one of those may be the issue.
It is up to you and I would never second guess your decision that he is too dangerous to keep around, but alas, I hate giving up, so will go to great lengths to give one every chance. This may be why I have not succeeded as well as I would like, in my barrel racing career.
Do not discount something like PSSM. I believe that it is responsible for many buckers and inconsistent performers and many say that about ulcers as well. A simple feed change to a very low starch plus oil may show changes in a few short weeks.
Whatever you decide to do, it's your horse and your family's safety at stake, so do what your conscience tells you and don't let others make you feel bad about it. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| SoFast - 2014-10-18 9:03 AM I cannot understand why anyone would argue this. This horse is dangerous (and I am truly sorry for that).... yes I do believe you would be doing the best for the horse by humanely putting him down. So sorry, it is a tough situation, some horses horses are just not meant for this world. I have had a few myself. It is an unfortunate part of this business. Risking a person's health or life is not worth the battle. It sounds like you have done everything you could.
Ditto. A humane death is better then being sent down the road and ending up mistreated and abused because of his behavior. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455
| On another note, we use to start colts for a guy that raised world champion show horses. There were tens of thousands of dollars invested into these horses before they even hit the ground. They were not junk. Every single one that we started was really pretty easy, they were always full of it and in show condition, but once you got past that they were very trainable.
Until we received one that was a lot like you described, only probably worse. We did all we could (and yes we put on ranch miles and had him to the vet for blood tests, etc.) He WAS DANGEROUS. The owners decided to put him down (and probably lost $20-30k doing so). They had an autopsy done and the vet found that he had a brain tumor. Sometimes, feed, medication, therapy or training will not help. This was one of those times.
***edited to add, that my husband told me it was not a brain tumor, but something was wrong with his brain and neither of us can remember what... this was quite a few years ago.... but my point is the same.
Edited by SoFast 2014-10-18 12:05 PM
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I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| SoFast - 2014-10-18 12:03 PM
On another note, we use to start colts for a guy that raised world champion show horses. There were tens of thousands of dollars invested into these horses before they even hit the ground. They were not junk. Every single one that we started was really pretty easy, they were always full of it and in show condition, but once you got past that they were very trainable.
Until we received one that was a lot like you described, only probably worse. We did all we could (and yes we put on ranch miles and had him to the vet for blood tests, etc.) He WAS DANGEROUS. The owners decided to put him down (and probably lost $20-30k doing so). They had an autopsy done and the vet found that he had a brain tumor. Sometimes, feed, medication, therapy or training will not help. This was one of those times.
***edited to add, that my husband told me it was not a brain tumor, but something was wrong with his brain and neither of us can remember what... this was quite a few years ago.... but my point is the same.
Like. |
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 Ones with the Hotties
Posts: 1451
Location: Centerburg, OH | My first thought was part blind or deaf. Sometimes no matter what we do and no matte how much we want to fix them we cant. |
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Veteran
Posts: 151
Location: Australia | Just thinking outside the box... My dad said my uncle once had a horse that had run into a fence as a yearling and had a dent in his forehead, he'd be fine so long as he was cool, but when his blood pressure got up the dent would press his brain and he'd go off... I'm not quite clear if that was a neurological reaction, or pain, i only ever heard the story 2nd hand, but for such odd behaviour it might be worth looking into neaurological issues or head injuries. |
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 Goat Giver
Posts: 23166
| rodeoveteran - 2014-10-18 12:20 PM SoFast - 2014-10-18 12:03 PM On another note, we use to start colts for a guy that raised world champion show horses. There were tens of thousands of dollars invested into these horses before they even hit the ground. They were not junk. Every single one that we started was really pretty easy, they were always full of it and in show condition, but once you got past that they were very trainable. Until we received one that was a lot like you described, only probably worse. We did all we could (and yes we put on ranch miles and had him to the vet for blood tests, etc.) He WAS DANGEROUS. The owners decided to put him down (and probably lost $20-30k doing so). They had an autopsy done and the vet found that he had a brain tumor. Sometimes, feed, medication, therapy or training will not help. This was one of those times. ***edited to add, that my husband told me it was not a brain tumor, but something was wrong with his brain and neither of us can remember what... this was quite a few years ago.... but my point is the same. Like.
Bottom line, is this. The horse has the potential to hurt you......well, all horses do, but many choose not to do so. They don't use pain as an excuse to disregard or disrespect humans. I have had many horses over the years and have only culled a few for such behavior, but they have no place on MY place. Our Judge Cash colt is three and is still intact. A little over a month ago, we had his stifles blistered and there are some minor complications we did not realize were happening. He has packed my kid all over the place without trying to hurt her, he has done some bucking, but not serious. The vet could not believe he was letting her ride him without a LOT of bucking. He as a horse, made the choice that he would take care of my kid even though he hurts..........we are doing what we can to get him on the road to recovery and hopefully he won't have to make choices like this again.
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | We had a 2 year old we were due to start. Dad was catching other horses out in the pasture and she kicked out at him for no reason and the next day she was on the kill truck. We don't tolerate kicking. I'd send him packing. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1229
Location: Royal J Performance Horses, AZ | My shoer told me this one time and now i stick to it for the most part.
" A Good Horse costs just as much money to care for and feed as a bad horse does."
If you're tired of dumping money into him put him down. or give him to someone who knows what they are doing.
But since you said you dont want any one hurt. Just put him down. Lots of good horses out there to fuss over one that doesnt want to be broke. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Check for ulcers. Check for PSSM. Check for EPM. They seem to be the most common issues to cause these kinds of behaviors. If you treat for these and nothing, put him down. Certainly, horse insanity or even if he got into locoweed or something may be causing this. Those things would be for that 'just in case' sort of stuff. After checking for and treating for these, I would not feel guilty for putting him down knowing I'd done everything as well as might be expected and saved somebody from getting hurt. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 670
Location: Running my kids somewhere. | I'm sorry you have to make this call. I've been there. I would put him down. |
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Gettin Jiggy Wit It
Posts: 2734
| Just a thought since you said he spokes at every thing and startles easily (which maybe why he kicks?)... Have you ever had a vet look at his eyes? I mean just to make sure they are healthy? It wouldnt hurt. Maybe there is something going on which is why he is so spookey and reactive.
Edited by WetSaddleBlankets 2014-10-20 11:05 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455
| The thing is, if he has vision or hearing problems... there is still not really anything you can do that will "fix" those kind of problems to get him over his dangerous habits. |
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | SoFast - 2014-10-18 12:03 PM
On another note, we use to start colts for a guy that raised world champion show horses. There were tens of thousands of dollars invested into these horses before they even hit the ground. They were not junk. Every single one that we started was really pretty easy, they were always full of it and in show condition, but once you got past that they were very trainable.
Until we received one that was a lot like you described, only probably worse. We did all we could (and yes we put on ranch miles and had him to the vet for blood tests, etc.) He WAS DANGEROUS. The owners decided to put him down (and probably lost $20-30k doing so). They had an autopsy done and the vet found that he had a brain tumor. Sometimes, feed, medication, therapy or training will not help. This was one of those times.
***edited to add, that my husband told me it was not a brain tumor, but something was wrong with his brain and neither of us can remember what... this was quite a few years ago.... but my point is the same.
I bet a lot of people would be surprised just how many horses are out there that have true mental issues that CANNOT be fixed. Some horse's brains are just not wired right, and no amount of training and medication can fix them. |
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Location: Texas | If you get HRTV there is a Charles Wilhelm show coming on that is for a dangerous kicker. It also comes on at 2:30 5:30 8:30 and 11:30pm. Its for a horse that kicks at a farrier. |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| Gunner11 - 2014-10-20 12:40 PM
SoFast - 2014-10-18 12:03 PM
On another note, we use to start colts for a guy that raised world champion show horses. There were tens of thousands of dollars invested into these horses before they even hit the ground. They were not junk. Every single one that we started was really pretty easy, they were always full of it and in show condition, but once you got past that they were very trainable.
Until we received one that was a lot like you described, only probably worse. We did all we could (and yes we put on ranch miles and had him to the vet for blood tests, etc.) He WAS DANGEROUS. The owners decided to put him down (and probably lost $20-30k doing so). They had an autopsy done and the vet found that he had a brain tumor. Sometimes, feed, medication, therapy or training will not help. This was one of those times.
***edited to add, that my husband told me it was not a brain tumor, but something was wrong with his brain and neither of us can remember what... this was quite a few years ago.... but my point is the same.
I bet a lot of people would be surprised just how many horses are out there that have true mental issues that CANNOT be fixed. Some horse's brains are just not wired right, and no amount of training and medication can fix them.
Ppl don't realize their are mental conditions in animals just like their are ppl...some horses are bi-polar, psychotic, etc...
Anti-psychotic medication can fix horses who need "evened out"..... |
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I am a Freak
Posts: 3326
Location: Nowhere Special | I know the feeling.. I have/had a 8 year old gelding, bred to die for, beautiful, draw dropping beautiful and built, athletic all the potential in the world! He was never abused, misused been to 3 different trainers came home everytime with the "boy can he buck" tag. I have sold him twice he came back twice. He is a kitten on the ground and rides 90% of the time fine but when he BLOWS he BLOWS, he will give warning but if its not heeded you are in for a hell of a ride that you will not stay on. I gave him away, lady did everything with him perfect started him from the ground up as if he was not broke, solid, consistent, kind, gentle he WAS doing great decided to have a melt down and blow up on her the other day. That was his last shot, now either a bucking string takes him or he goes into a hole in the ground. There is no excuse for it, to many good ones to feed one that can and will hurt you. Could a cowboy take him and ride him everyday and make him a horse sure, will he get thrown a time or two doing it yep, is it worth it? Not in my mind.. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 178
| I had a similar situation-- he had some behavioral issues, and ended up having a brain tumor as well. |
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