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nicolanapper
Platinum Member
England
4247 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Mar 2009 : 3:27:59 PM
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Following on from Patww's thread re oldies needing to find homes, has anyone read the article in the Daily Mail today. Apparently, the Rescue Centres, RSPCA, Redwings etc, are being inundated with enquiries to rehome old/unsound horses during this awful economic time.
All very sad, there is no room for most of these horse as the centres are full to bursting, and now they are finding donations are dropping off too. Many of them are suggesting that rather than trying to rehome horses (old horses like old people don't like change) then people should do right by their horses and have them pts, that way there is least stress to these beautiful animals. I fear this is just the beginning, but personally I think the Rescue Centres are right, better to pts than to leave starving and neglected in barren fields with no shelter, love or care.
Nicky
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Ryans_gem
Silver Member
England
262 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2009 : 3:45:31 PM
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I agree with pts for the older unwanted horses, people need to realise that when they breed horses they do actually live a long time the BHS has even stated that people need to think carefully before they breed becuse there are too many horses out there.
At least when they are pts no one can hurt them abuse them or try and breed any more horses out of them. |
  
My horse is my very best friend. Nothing in the world can separate us. When he dies I know he'll be waiting for me at the gate... just like always.
A horse doesn't care how much you know, untill he knows how much you care.
~ Pat Parelli ~ |
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garnet
Platinum Member
2382 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2009 : 4:15:46 PM
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| I agree. Far kinder to pts at home when age or health mean that they are no longer saleable. |
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navaho621
Gold Member
Wales
510 Posts |
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Jude
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
81 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2009 : 5:45:02 PM
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| Of course there is always the problem that if people cannot afford to keep their horses how will they be able to afford the £2-300 costs of euthanasia and disposal?? |
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bridie
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2395 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2009 : 6:03:55 PM
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| Im looking for a companion for my gelding.....there dont seem to be many available from local rescues. |
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vjc
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4952 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2009 : 6:09:27 PM
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I agree totally, it must be so traumatic for those poor oldies just when they are at their most vunerable time of life to be sold on, and also the injured ones that no one wants  |
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Slave 2 Magic
Gold Member
England
1023 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2009 : 7:07:38 PM
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| I would always go for the pts option. I would hate to pass an older or lame horse on and not know what would become of them. My insurance covers disposal costs of £250 but at the end of the day it is the responsible thing to do and the kindest thing for the horse. |
West Yorkshire
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Scarlet Arabian
Silver Member
England
339 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2009 : 7:18:23 PM
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i agree, the most responsible thing to do,
PTS and remember them as loyal servants , not as some one else's problem.
Abby |
    
stacatto wind...... kharibe........salana A/A........julien p/b........scarlet...
whitsbury/new forest
www.scarletarabianbridles.co.uk |
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tut 99
Silver Member
401 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2009 : 7:46:01 PM
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Yes do the right thing PTS , at least you then know there end . It is not an easy thing to do ,but it is the right thing to do .
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Vera
Membership Moderator
United Kingdom
8652 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2009 : 7:57:30 PM
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I agree but I've been critised for saying so. So many people say that it is not OK to put a healthy old horse down but I would rather put down an old frind at home, amongst friends then for them to end up god knows were. Its the least we owe them, to secure their future.
There are good homes out there, there are homes willing to take in an oldie but I've heard too many times of these OAPs ending up in dreadful condition being passed from pillar to post.
If someone can't afford to have their horse put down then one could ask if they should have a horse at all. Its the same for people who don't call the vet when they should. Besides (not my choice) but the kennels will put them down at home and then take them away for a lot less. Having said that I think that vets charge far too much for euthanasia (and castration). They should offer these at not a lot above cost - in my opinion. |
    
Hampshire |
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Acorn Arabians
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2052 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2009 : 8:52:57 PM
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I agree wholeheartedly.
I will always remember a lady called Rose on IHDG who was dying and she had two golden oldies and she had them pts Rio and Thor (their names are etched on my brain) when she bestowed this last act of love she asked us all to light a candle for them , I light one every April I also light one for Rose as shortly after that she stopped posting - so I presumed from the content of her last post she hastened her own end. She did the kindest thing for those old boys, they were born there and they passed on there. I hope I would have the courage to do the same. |
Edited by - Acorn Arabians on 14 Mar 2009 8:54:00 PM |
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NUTTER
Platinum Member
England
2452 Posts |
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pat ww
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3459 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2009 : 9:36:33 PM
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in times of economic crisis tough decisions have to be made. the same money could save one or many.
i know of an oldie the local bhs had a hand in rehoming, some months later his new owner, supported by the same people, had an appeal in the local paper for financial help.
to the tune of £5,000 a year for his medication, he was 34, most of his teeth missing and had surived right up until the moment of his 'rescue' out 24/7 unrugged and only a handful of hay thrown in by others on his yard with a concience.
At this point it is time to let go.
he'd been moved round yard to yard over his life, the moves did not bother him, but why do people feel the need to preserve a single life at all cost that has run its course.
My friend and i had the hardest decison last year when we had one pts, we'd had her 19 years between us. But despite the vet attending she was an old ill and depressed horse, who showed no signs of improvement.
There will be hundreds of young horses needing to be rehomed in this economic climate. the same money could rehabilitate many of these who have a full life ahead of them.
hard choices have to be made, by the rescue centres and responsible owners of the oldies. |
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rosie
Platinum Member
England
3662 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2009 : 9:51:19 PM
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Agree with everything that Vera has said.
PTS is sometimes the right decision.
Lisa |
     
Last picture courtesy of Sweet Photography |
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rosie
Platinum Member
England
3662 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2009 : 9:55:44 PM
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Hugbug has posted a poem called the horses prayer on the 'poems' topic.
Very relevant for this topic?
Lisa |
Last picture courtesy of Sweet Photography |
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angelarab
Platinum Member
Wales
2876 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2009 : 10:09:43 PM
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| this subject will always make me cry, but i agree 100% I have found myself being involved with a pony at the moment,she does not have consistent TLC from her human she is not eating enough due to bad teeth her feet are a mess and my vet confirmed she could do with gaining about 60-80kg i am trying to offer the owner subliminal help, but pony seems to be a chore. it's so sad, sorry |
 "Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened."
www.northwalesarab.co.uk |
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Libby Frost
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4711 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2009 : 10:29:27 AM
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| You will find, though, vets very rightly sometimes, will refuse to put a healthy animal down, they do with dogs anyway........ |
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Grey Girl
Platinum Member
England
1554 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2009 : 11:29:49 AM
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| Libby: I am shocked that you say some vets will sometimes refuse to put down a healthy animal. If it is elderly and fed up, or has a problem other than health, then the kindest thing to do (IMHO) is to let it go. And in the case of these horses whose owners cannot afford to keep them (and let's face it, some of these poor people are now having trouble feeding and sheltering their family, let alone their animals)... and especially if it is old... the alternative is being shoved about and ending up God knows where. If there's a good reason for putting to sleep an otherwise healthy animal... then the vet should do it. And yes, I do appreciate it must be hard for the vet too. |
 Said the little eohippus, "I´m going to be a HORSE"  |
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s.jade
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2401 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2009 : 2:59:40 PM
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I got absolutely blasted for voicing this opinion elsewhere.
Best early than late IMO. We have some that would be PTS, yes they are all 100% healthy and fit, good do-ers, but they were born and bred here, the right home never came up for them so they are still here, at 18 upwards they'd never go anywhere else now, having never left us!
It's sad, but only for us - and a site better than ending up at a sale/abandoned |
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fidodido
Gold Member
England
797 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2009 : 3:15:12 PM
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| Agree with everything Vera has said. It was once said to me that there are much worse things than death and this is so very true for many horses. |
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BabsR
Platinum Member
England
2790 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2009 : 3:38:34 PM
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Agree with all that has been posted.......None of my horses will ever be unwanted or rejected. However, there comes a time when your best friend/s will look at you.....and you will know, when it is time for them to cross the Rainbow Bridge.
Heartbreaking but at least we know we are making the right decision, and it is the final act of kindness, to ensure their end, is in familiar surroundings amongst people they trust. They are at peace in the paddocks they once grazed.
Babs
www.SunrayAngloArabianStud.co.uk
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Jude
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
81 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2009 : 4:44:50 PM
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"You will find, though, vets very rightly sometimes, will refuse to put a healthy animal down,"
You don't have to use a vet to put a horse down, in fact I probably wouldn't unless in a real emergency situation. I have always used our local knackermen who are simply brilliant and expert at their job and the horses have no inkling of what is about to happen, unlike using vets and injections. |
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nicolanapper
Platinum Member
England
4247 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2009 : 5:23:58 PM
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Have to agree with you Jude I too would rather use a knackerman. They do it everyday of the week, are very experienced, and the ones I have met are utterly charming and totally aware that most owners are totally distraught at having their horse pts, and are therefore very sympathetic and understanding. Bit like Undertakers really, and I don't mean to be flippant when I say that!
Nicky |
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Hugbug
Bronze Member
England
50 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2009 : 5:24:32 PM
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A Horses Prayer
I'm only a horse, dear Master,
but my heart is warm and true,
And I'm ready to work my hardest,
for the pleasure of pleasing you.
Good corn, and hay, and water,
are all that I wish to ask.
And a warm dry bed to rest on,
when I've finished my daily task.
Don't strike me in needless anger
if I'm slow to understand,
But encourage my drooping spirits
with a gentle voice and hand.
Finally, O my master!
When my health and strength are gone,
When I'm getting old and feeble,
and my long life's work is done,
Don't sell me to cruel owners,
to be slaved to my latest breath,
But grant me the untold blessing
of a quick and painless death;
That, as you have always found me
a patient and loyal friend,
The years of my faithful service
may be crowned by a peaceful end.
I plead in the name of the Savior,
Who cares when the sparrows fall.
Who was born in a lowly stable,
and knows, and loves us all!
-ANONYMOUS |
The Wind Of Heaven Is That Which Blows Between The Horses Ears
   
H.T Orient, ...Huggy Bear, ...Huggy Bear, ...Murphy.
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nicolanapper
Platinum Member
England
4247 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2009 : 5:28:56 PM
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Hug bug that is just lovely and oh so true. Thank you for posting that.
Nicky |
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