Knowing When It’s Time
- Posted by Erica Larson
Sometimes you know it’s time: When an older horse in less-than-ideal health suffers a serious bout of colic, euthanasia might be the best option. Other circumstances tell you it’s not time: When an otherwise healthy horse develops a potentially life-threatening condition, treatment might be the better choice.
But what about when it’s not so clear-cut–when continued medical treatment and careful management are options, but the animal’s quality of life could go downhill very quickly. Do you stay the course? Do you opt for euthanasia?
My horse’s “girlfriend,” Maddie, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred/Paint mare owned by my good friend Emily, had earned the nickname “Mad Cow” because of her sometimes cantankerous temperament. From a distance Maddie looked like a picture of health: well-conformed with a sturdy build, solid bone structure, and good muscle tone. If you took a closer look, though, Maddie had significant health problems.
First, there was recurrent airway obstruction, or heaves. Certain environmental triggers, such as dust mites, would set off a reaction of labored breathing and coughing. She often required clenbuterol, even in open, airy stables. Maddie was also allergic to alfalfa as well as to many other plants. Fortunately, the lush Kentucky pastures she grazed and a specialized feeding program were enough to keep her in good body condition
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Written by:
Erica Larson
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21 Responses
re: Knowing When It’s Time
Sorry Marilyn. It was Virginia’s post that I was responding to.
re: Knowing When It’s Time
Thank you Marilyn – for having the courage to do the right thing and to tell others about it. Reselling dangerous horses is common practice and it is unacceptable – for the horse and for future owners who are unaware of the history of the horse. Euthan
re: Knowing When It’s Time
I cried reading all of your stories. Being elderly myself, I have to admit, it is not an easy time of life. Yes, animals live in the moment, and they don’t view death the way humans do. It is natural for them to die, still, when a best frie
re: Knowing When It’s Time
It IS the hardest thing to decide on, yet it is also the greatest gift we can give them.
I lost my Arabian in 2001 and the hurt is still there. I had him 21 years, he was my first horse. His case was very easy to decide: he colicked and I could
re: Knowing When It’s Time
Shelly, you know in your heart you did the right thing for your paint mare. Saying good by is never easy but with the tumor coming back so quickly you really didn’t have any other choice. Know that your beloved mare is at peace and perhaps enjoying a l
re: Knowing When It’s Time
Yep, that was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I just hope I did the right thing. I feel horrible.
re: Knowing When It’s Time
Tomorrow I am having my 26 year old paint mare put down. She has been retired for about six years now, and I’ve had her for 20 years. I was married on her, she got me through a lot of hurt times in my life…she has been with me through it all and I lo
re: Knowing When It’s Time
Erica
I wish every horse owner could read this well written blog. Emily is very fortunate to have a friend like you to help her during her loss. Since my horses (and I) are mostly senior citizens, I’m having to make the euthanasia de
re: Knowing When It’s Time
I too had to make the decision but mine was clearer but no easier. It is just over two years and I have several great horses but I miss Zee so much. He was a once in a lifetime horse.
re: Knowing When It’s Time
There are times when it is necessary to euthanize a perfectly healthy horse. A perfectly PHYSICALLY HEALTHY horse. And thank heaven my veterinarian concurred: The mare was only 8 years old, but something was just "not right". As her fourth ow
re: Knowing When It’s Time
Emily, the last comment you made is what the human/horse relationship is all about: that we are EACH better individuals for having shared life together. God created these awesome creatures & they DO KNOW their Creator & they DO know about the e
re: Knowing When It’s Time
It was agony, trying to determine the right path for Maddie. While the decision ultimately was a lonely one, Maddie and I were never alone in our ordeal and I would like to express my gratitude to the hundreds of people who helped us over the years.
re: Knowing When It’s Time
My beloved Tennessee Walking Horse mare was always there for me-for joy, for comfort, for love. At age 24 she started having complications from heaves, and as I was seriously struggling with the decision on putting her down, she died in her stall
re: Knowing When It’s Time
I put down my 36 year old OH gelding after many years of a wonderful friendship. Butch was there to help me over a divorce, i cried many tears into his soft neck and heard his soft nickers. Butch was there again for me when I lost my house but finally
re: Knowing When It’s Time
This article was about my nieces horse and she would post things about her battles with maddies struggles. Emily did what was right for her horse but it makes your heart heart for her. I was lucky I just put my 37 yr old boy down..I could have ba
re: Knowing When It’s Time
I believe it’s best if the last thing any beloved animal knows is the touch of it’s primary caretaker and the surroundings in which the beast, large or small, is most comfortable.
re: Knowing When It’s Time
Goodness..so glad I read this. Today had my darling PTS at the age of 20. Despite being an ex animal officer and farmers daughter it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Little Pinky was my homebred boy out of my childhood mare and had hi
re: Knowing When It’s Time
On the day I made the decision to put my 20 year old mare of 15 years down, because of bouts with laminitis, colic and Cushings, the vet suggested trying Pergolide for the Cushings. Colic and laminitis could be managed with diet. Although expensi
re: Knowing When It’s Time
My previous horse, an Arabian stallion, let me know in no uncertain terms when he was ready to let go at age 27. For years he had been putting up with itchy skin lesions during the summer – they would appear at the first signs of the Arizona mons
re: Knowing When It’s Time
Last month I made the decision to euthanize my beloved 15 year old bay pleasure mare. She had a bad case of hives six years ago and in trying to treat her my vet used dex, sadly she developed laminitis. We dealt with reoccuring hives and chronic lamini
re: Knowing When It’s Time
In January I had to make the decision to euthanize my beloved Paint mare, Robin. I knew it was inevitable but I worried and wondered how I would know when it was the right time. She was nearing 25 and her health was failing. Dear Robi