[missy'sbabydoll]

Well the mare I adopted two years ago has a horrid attitude. I have spent two years riding bucks dealing with rearing etc. She does have cause to act like this as the old owner who has owned her since she was a weanling never taught her anything. Spoiled her rotten and then when she became to much to handle sent her to a trainer at three for a year.

Well said trainer was mean to say the least. Baby came back and was worse. At four she started acting study and being pushy etc. At five lady sends her back to trainer, this time when she comes back she is even worse. So lady contacts vet turns out she has an ovarian tumor, causing excess tosterone. Well lady just give her to the rescue because she can handle her. DOES NOT TELL RESCUE ABOUT TUMOR

I take her and right away notice obvious pain in the right side. I have her x-rayed, TRAINER CRACKED TWO RIBS! Well when that was healed we started training. Jump forwar two years to now. I get another exam find out about tumor.

Vet says removal may change attitude, no riding till surg. Fine surg done, easier than expected able to do laparscopic took like 20 mins. Well last night I sat on her in the arena, just sat with halter, now she is completely healed and while she can't be ridden on trails and such, 10 mins in the arena is what she is supposed to be doing. Just light walking. I am watching Jade ride.

Ask Baby to go forward, she flips, literally, rears and takes of bucking I come off. Fine usually she stops and stands until round 2. Well she didn't stop, she came after me, striking and kicking and trying to stomp me on the ground. I yelled at jade to get off stormy and get dad. I managed to crawl to the fence and roll under. She kicked the heck out of the fence trying to attack me.

I call vet Immediately! She is to be here in morning. Well I go to feed this morning and baby looks like her hoof is stuck in the railing, I am being extra careful due to previous events. I even put a helmet on being by her legs. Well I went to pick up the hoof and realized she wasn't stuck, just then WHAM her foot comes and me and contacts my nose. Luckily it's not broke and thank god for the helmet. Vet comes can't find anything wrong.
Ultrasound ok, and not reacting to any way as if in pain, vet turns to walk to away, baby lunges to bite her!

well I decided to have her put down next week. She is too dangerous. Blood work is all ok, there is no reason for her behavior. I am being called evil and mean for doing so?? Am I, It's the same as if a dog attacked someone, what is the difference??

I really need advice guys, she is not safe to give to another rescue or I would.

[Jess!]

I can totally understand about putting her down. Some horses are just plain outright nasty, no matter what we do.

You have had surgery for her, given her plenty of time, so you had other options and you took them, so no one can say you didn't.

I wish you the best in luck in whatever you do end up deciding to do.

[Lou3]

I completely understand. If she's a menace to humans then putting her down is the ethical thing to do. You cannot keep her with that attitude she has and it would be unethical to simply sell her on to some other unsuspecting soul.

[3WishesDun]

It sure sounds like you have gone above and beyond to try and help this horse..... I am sure that you have not arrived at this decision without much thought and turmoil. I wholeheartedly respect your decision. And I am sorry that it had to come down to having her euthanized.

[doublebarr]

MBD - you are doing the RIGHT thing. She is very dangerous, and you seem like someone that is not unfamiliar with "onery" horses. Seems she is now stuck with a horrible attitude and is not safe. I would also put one like this down. Even rodeo strings will not keep a "mean" horse as it's too dangerous, and they know about handling "bad" horses.

You are not bad, just practical and wise.

[Jennie'sPassion]

You have three kids to consider. I would do the same thing in your situation. It isn't worth one of the girls getting hurt or worse.
You have done all you can. At least she will not suffer. Hugs to you Helen.

[magicsdoublepla]

i think it becomes inhumane when people put a horse down when they CAN be helped, but the owner hasnt' tried to help at all or anything.
you have tried to help this mare. have done things that sound like they should have worked, but she is dangerous. and my next words are pretty much like 3WishesDun's post.
i'm sorry you'll have to put her down

[EquineJessie]

not inhumane at all!

[ComancheGirls]

I can understand why you are doing this, I wouldn't own a horse like that either. You have done everything you possibly could and there is nothing else to do. I wish you the best of luck and please be careful, she sounds like she's out to get you.
Just a curiosity question.....does she act this way with men too? Like I said, just curious.

[scorpiogirl]

What a bad situation.

I haven't seen it suggested before, but have you tried working with her on the ground, kind of like advocated by "natural" horsemanship approach? I've gotten a long way with my mare who, while not as distrustful as yours sounds, did many of the things you describe. Of course keeping a dangerous animal is liability, but if you feel like you've invested so much into her that you want to try, that is imho the absolute first thing to start with. Or use a trainer that specializes in groundwork and trust/respect from a horse. OR attempt to find someone that is looking for a horse of her quality that specifically wants a challenge. I know it sounds near hopeless.

Good luck, and I don't think whatever decision you make is a wrong one in this situation.