Knowing when to say goodbye

"It was with almost unbearable sadness that we, together with our vet, had to take the decision to put down a beloved horse we had worked so hard to save. Solo was known to many ILPH supporters, through the Adoption Scheme and from his story of dreadful suffering and an almost impossible recovery against all the odds. He was found cold, filthy and emaciated with almost half his body covered with open sores due to rainscald.

He simply refused to give up, and went through 52 days intensive care, 19 of which he spent in a sling, until well enough to be turned out for the first few tentative minutes. Sadly though, as he recovered flesh and strength a conformation defect came to light, in that he had very weak hind legs that had probably been made worse by being asked to show jump too much too soon.

After barely two years with us the swelling and heat in his suspensory ligaments became evident, and although kept pain free he was suffering in that he couldn't be turned out with his friends to play as it was too much of a risk to his soundness. His future held only deterioration and pain that could not be controlled, so the decision had to be made."

Making the right decision is hard even for professionals like the ILPH, who see the results of neglect and abuse every week of every year at their centres throughout the UK. It's a decision that they have had to face all too many times, but when it's a horse that they have saved from the brink of death, a horse that had won a place in their heart, it is just that bit harder.

For all of us who keep animals it's a decision that we dread, we hope that nature will take its course without us having to intervene. But life isn't that easy. It's so difficult to be objective about the well being of a loyal friend, whether he is unable to be ridden, or is old or infirm.

It's a decision that we can sometimes all too easily put off, because they are still eating well or still walking around relatively soundly. We hope that they'll get better, or not get worse. But dare I say it, it's because they mean so much to us or have spent so long as part of our family that we can't face life without them that we put the decision off, convincing ourselves that they are okay.

If they break a leg or twist a gut and are in obvious pain then the decision is easy, it is something that has to be done quickly to stop their suffering. It is easy when the suffering is so obvious, but when we have to assess mental suffering and the gradual loss of the quality of their life, then it becomes harder.

Vets can sometimes help with the decision, but because they can only assess the medical condition of the animal and are not around to see any mental or social changes, they won't see the whole picture.

May be the most difficult cases are the adult, but not elderly animals, who can no longer be ridden due to injury so they are turned out in a field, possibly alone. At the ILPH we often receive calls from people owning such horses asking what they should do. We can advise, asking whether the horse seems to be happy leading such a quite life after possibly a very active one. Is he grazing contentedly, or is he pacing up and down the fence, calling to other horses ?

Asking too whether the owner has the commitment and finances to keep him for possibly another 15 or 20 years when he can't be ridden. If the horse is obviously in distress because of a solitary existence, then could they provide a companion or seek a loan home for him where he would have companions. Loss of quality of life isn't only for the old and infirm and the possible decision to put a younger horse down who is suffering mental stress could be the most difficult.

Although not commonly known, part of the work of the ILPH is to offer such advice and to help owners when they have to make that difficult decision. We are able to help the individual assess the animal's quality of life, its future prospects and, if necessary, advise on the most suitable method of euthanasia and the options for disposal of the body. We will 'hold your hand' in your hour of need and possibly even hold your horse in his.

It's not only neglect and cruelty that can adversely affect the quality of life - through mistaken love and kindness and the inability to make a very difficult decision horses and ponies can suffer unnecessarily.

Remember when a horse is put down the only one to feel the pain is the owner.