Euthinization for NO reason

mftx4 · 09-08-2009, 02:47 PM

You don't even have to go craigslist to find free horses not finding homes. We have them right here on the forum. I agree with others here, that you may not know all the circumstances that lead to the owners decision to have the horse put down. Not all horses that are ill show outward signs in the beginning. Have you spoken with her vet? Do you have a detailed history of the horse? If you are involved with horses and intend to remain so, you too may someday be in the position to make tough decisions. I hope no one judges you.

firelight27 · 09-08-2009, 04:31 PM

Yes, but was this horse well trained? Was it safe and kind, and would have made a great kids horse? NO MATTER WHAT the market is doing, there is ALWAYS a place for a SOUND, SAFE, BROKE AS HECK kid's horse, and 18 isn't that old. If it was a crazy horse, or a dangerous horse, etc. that is one thing, but she could have at least TRIED to sell it before just killing it. I mean, I don't know the situation. Maybe she did, but it sounds like the OP is saying she didn't even attempt to sell/give it away at all. Just put it in the ground. If I had an older horse (or a horse of any age really) and I ABSOLUTELY could not afford it anymore and had tried EVERY last thing to find it a new home THEN I would consider euthanizing it rather than let it be slaughtered. However, if this woman really didn't try her best and DROPPED THE BALL on this horse then shame on her. Shame on her a hundred times over. If that is really what happened, she does deserve to be judged because this was a living creature. Shame on anyone who thinks its OK. Its called being lazy.

Now, if the horse had medical problems, if it was not trained, if she had already spent all the time she had available trying to get it sold/find it a free home and THEN she euthed it because it was the last resort, then no, she shouldn't be judged. But if none of those things hold true then yeah....awful person.

Alliekk · 09-08-2009, 04:45 PM

Who are you to say what really happened though? Just because a horse is old does NOT mean it is kid safe! The OP said the owner took the horse off the property, but didn't know exactly what was going on. This tells us the OP does NOT know whether or not the owner tried to find a new home and she does NOT know if the horse had underlying medical conditions.

nicz2cu · 09-08-2009, 05:14 PM

Thank you, I was just about to say the same thing.

I imagine it was a pretty hard decision for this person to make.... but one she felt that she could sleep better at night knowing that the horse was not somewhere suffering from a person who might not love her as much.

I'm having one put down Friday myself, while it bothers me... it's the best thing for her instead of passing her off to who knows where.

Unless one knows the complete story, it's best not to pass judgement.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alliekk

Who are you to say what really happened though? Just because a horse is old does NOT mean it is kid safe! The OP said the owner took the horse off the property, but didn't know exactly what was going on. This tells us the OP does NOT know whether or not the owner tried to find a new home and she does NOT know if the horse had underlying medical conditions.

firelight27 · 09-08-2009, 05:28 PM

Yes, but you can't come jumping in defending the person either, because she could have done it for the wrong reasons. Maybe she did it for the right reasons, I don't know. The OP doesn't really know and without the facts its hard to say. I'm just saying IF a person (not necessarily this person) puts down a sound horse who is not dangerous without first doing their best to find it a new home, then they should be ashamed. If, after attempting to find a home they just can't, then euthanasia becomes an option. I think it should be the LAST resort when you have honestly attempted everything else and have really put an effort forth. If it is your final option, then sadly you have to go ahead and do it. But I KNOW there are people out there who will do it just because the horse is "too much of a burden on them"...yet their double mocha latte is plenty affordable and the two hours a day they spend watching Desperate Housewives and Numbers isn't taking up too much of their time. Instead, the could *gasp* spend the coffee, clothes, etc. money on taking care of the horse they are responsible for...or, if they do not want to care for it, turn off their TV to go out and try and do the right thing by the horse and find it a new home. And I mean really try, not just snap a couple of awful photos and put an ad on CL for a week and then decide it just isn't working. Effort has to be sincerely made.

I'm not saying the person the OP is talking about is like this (Because I really don't know) but SO many people in the USA are so self-entitled and selfish I wouldn't put it past them.

faroutfax · 09-08-2009, 05:29 PM

Honestly I cna see why she made that choice. Very sad, but it was probably the best thing for the horse.

I know that if the same thing happened to me I'd probably look into having Lady euthanised. We are finding out just now that she is atleast 25 years old, and though she is in fine health and acts like she is a 3 year old, I don't think finding a home would be possible

An older, barely halter broke horse is very likely to end up in the slaughter house. And I wouldn't want that for her, she's been on the meat trucks before

But at the same time I'm trying to put atleast abit of training on all of my horses so hopefully if anything happened they would be able to find homes easily.

One of the best things you can do for your horse to keep them out of the slaughterhouse IMO is to put abit of training into them

nicz2cu · 09-08-2009, 05:34 PM

But.... you or I don't know and your post is coming across as if it's a selfish thing for the woman to have done.

You might not like what I'm about to say, but if something were to happen to me .... mine will all be put to sleep, that's how much I care about them.

I hope you can understand my thoughts behind this and if not.... then you'll just have to think the worst of me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by firelight27

Yes, but you can't come jumping in defending the person either, because she could have done it for the wrong reasons. Maybe she did it for the right reasons, I don't know. The OP doesn't really know and without the facts its hard to say. I'm just saying IF a person (not necessarily this person) puts down a sound horse who is not dangerous without first doing their best to find it a new home, then they should be ashamed. If, after attempting to find a home they just can't, then euthanasia becomes an option. I think it should be the LAST resort when you have honestly attempted everything else and have really put an effort forth. If it is your final option, then sadly you have to go ahead and do it. But I KNOW there are people out there who will do it just because the horse is "too much of a burden on them"...yet their double mocha latte is plenty affordable and the two hours a day they spend watching Desperate Housewives and Numbers, etc. instead of *gasp* spending the coffee, clothes, etc money on taking care of the horse they are responsible for...or, if they do not want to care for it, turning off their TV to go out and try and do the right thing by the horse and find it a new horse. I'm not saying the person the OP is talking about is like this (Because I really don't know) but SO many people in the USA are so self-entitled and selfish I wouldn't put it past them.

WildHorseSpirit · 09-08-2009, 05:45 PM

"You might not like what I'm about to say, but if something were to happen to me .... mine will all be put to sleep, that's how much I care about them."

Mine too, I don't want them to get beat, neglected to sent over the border. It is MY decision as an owner, I do have people I trust looking for homes just in case but seriously I would let them go home instead of being passed around from home to home. Once that horse leaves your care you really don't have a say, verbal means nothing and written you have to go to court.

LindaMM · 09-08-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alliekk

Wow, there are so many understanding people on this thread, but when I had my elderly gelding with SERIOUS injuries put to sleep I was flamed for it and my thread was locked. I just don't understand this forum! Yes, I think it is sad that this horse was put to sleep, but at the same time, the horse will never know suffering. The owner PAID money to make sure of that. Brave decision.

You did do the right thing. Sorry you got so much flack.

But, don't worry.. those who think they have the answer to keep every old horse suffering along into their 30's will show up on this thread too...

I would have a problem putting a healthy 18 year old horse down, especially if it is a decent riding horse, simply due to finances. But.... I've been advertising my 20 year old mare for a partial lease, and 3 months later I still have no takers. So, I imagine she may have had a hard time rehoming the horse even if she offered the horse for free.

These are hard times. In years past, the horse would have been able to be sold at auction, and probably would have been bound for slaughter - same result, jus a different means of getting there.

Alliekk · 09-08-2009, 06:00 PM

Putting it into ''general terms'' doesn't hide what you said about her. You already made your mind up, and while you start saying hypothetical things, we can tell you are actually referring to the owner. No one introduced any hypothetical terms into the thread before your ''latte'' jaunt. Just stop for a minute, back up a step and review. OP sees horse leaving stable and last she hears is the horse was euthanized. There really shouldn't have even been an original post without first knowing the facts, that's how people get angry, with people just assuming she was ''completely healthy'' and the owner ''hadn't tried''. How do we know either of these things? We don't. We probably won't ever know. Think about your horse(s). Would you have the heart to trust one to someone you don't know? And then find out the horse suffered in its last years/days/minutes? Wouldn't you want the peace of mind, knowing your horse left you in dignity and will never, ever know the meaning of pain? Suffering? Agony? While the few people that would have taken her would have probably just thrown her out to pasture and called it a ''retired'' life! That is no life, when a horse suffers, just so the person knows it is breathing. That is what's shameful and selfish. We have to think of the horse's well-being over our own pride. I am saying this from personal experience. Not even a week ago my beloved Breezy was put to rest from an aweful injury. It was devistating, and people still felt it was wrong to euthanize him! I had not one, but TWO people flame me, saying they would have taken him in. I would never have considered it. He was in pain. AGONY. And people were saying he should have lived... just to live. There is no quality in life when the pain is too persistent.

09-08-2009, 05:29 PM	#16
faroutfax Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 5,785 Images: 428 Blog Entries: 16	Honestly I cna see why she made that choice. Very sad, but it was probably the best thing for the horse. I know that if the same thing happened to me I'd probably look into having Lady euthanised. We are finding out just now that she is atleast 25 years old, and though she is in fine health and acts like she is a 3 year old, I don't think finding a home would be possible An older, barely halter broke horse is very likely to end up in the slaughter house. And I wouldn't want that for her, she's been on the meat trucks before But at the same time I'm trying to put atleast abit of training on all of my horses so hopefully if anything happened they would be able to find homes easily. One of the best things you can do for your horse to keep them out of the slaughterhouse IMO is to put abit of training into them __________________ One Man's Wrong Lead is Another's Counter Canter Smiley Addict

09-08-2009, 05:45 PM	#18
WildHorseSpirit Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 807 Images: 2	"You might not like what I'm about to say, but if something were to happen to me .... mine will all be put to sleep, that's how much I care about them." Mine too, I don't want them to get beat, neglected to sent over the border. It is MY decision as an owner, I do have people I trust looking for homes just in case but seriously I would let them go home instead of being passed around from home to home. Once that horse leaves your care you really don't have a say, verbal means nothing and written you have to go to court. __________________ Wild and Free Protecting the American Mustangs! At birth I was given a life sentence, sentenced to life with horses and it is one I gladly accept!

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09-08-2009, 02:47 PM	#11
mftx4 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cordova, Ill. Posts: 2,095 Images: 48	You don't even have to go craigslist to find free horses not finding homes. We have them right here on the forum. I agree with others here, that you may not know all the circumstances that lead to the owners decision to have the horse put down. Not all horses that are ill show outward signs in the beginning. Have you spoken with her vet? Do you have a detailed history of the horse? If you are involved with horses and intend to remain so, you too may someday be in the position to make tough decisions. I hope no one judges you.

09-08-2009, 04:31 PM	#12
firelight27 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 1,114 Images: 121	Yes, but was this horse well trained? Was it safe and kind, and would have made a great kids horse? NO MATTER WHAT the market is doing, there is ALWAYS a place for a SOUND, SAFE, BROKE AS HECK kid's horse, and 18 isn't that old. If it was a crazy horse, or a dangerous horse, etc. that is one thing, but she could have at least TRIED to sell it before just killing it. I mean, I don't know the situation. Maybe she did, but it sounds like the OP is saying she didn't even attempt to sell/give it away at all. Just put it in the ground. If I had an older horse (or a horse of any age really) and I ABSOLUTELY could not afford it anymore and had tried EVERY last thing to find it a new home THEN I would consider euthanizing it rather than let it be slaughtered. However, if this woman really didn't try her best and DROPPED THE BALL on this horse then shame on her. Shame on her a hundred times over. If that is really what happened, she does deserve to be judged because this was a living creature. Shame on anyone who thinks its OK. Its called being lazy. Now, if the horse had medical problems, if it was not trained, if she had already spent all the time she had available trying to get it sold/find it a free home and THEN she euthed it because it was the last resort, then no, she shouldn't be judged. But if none of those things hold true then yeah....awful person.

09-08-2009, 04:45 PM	#13
Alliekk Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 1,423 Images: 153	Who are you to say what really happened though? Just because a horse is old does NOT mean it is kid safe! The OP said the owner took the horse off the property, but didn't know exactly what was going on. This tells us the OP does NOT know whether or not the owner tried to find a new home and she does NOT know if the horse had underlying medical conditions.

09-08-2009, 05:28 PM	#15
firelight27 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 1,114 Images: 121	Yes, but you can't come jumping in defending the person either, because she could have done it for the wrong reasons. Maybe she did it for the right reasons, I don't know. The OP doesn't really know and without the facts its hard to say. I'm just saying IF a person (not necessarily this person) puts down a sound horse who is not dangerous without first doing their best to find it a new home, then they should be ashamed. If, after attempting to find a home they just can't, then euthanasia becomes an option. I think it should be the LAST resort when you have honestly attempted everything else and have really put an effort forth. If it is your final option, then sadly you have to go ahead and do it. But I KNOW there are people out there who will do it just because the horse is "too much of a burden on them"...yet their double mocha latte is plenty affordable and the two hours a day they spend watching Desperate Housewives and Numbers isn't taking up too much of their time. Instead, the could gasp spend the coffee, clothes, etc. money on taking care of the horse they are responsible for...or, if they do not want to care for it, turn off their TV to go out and try and do the right thing by the horse and find it a new home. And I mean really try, not just snap a couple of awful photos and put an ad on CL for a week and then decide it just isn't working. Effort has to be sincerely made. I'm not saying the person the OP is talking about is like this (Because I really don't know) but SO many people in the USA are so self-entitled and selfish I wouldn't put it past them.

09-08-2009, 06:00 PM	#20
Alliekk Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 1,423 Images: 153	Putting it into ''general terms'' doesn't hide what you said about her. You already made your mind up, and while you start saying hypothetical things, we can tell you are actually referring to the owner. No one introduced any hypothetical terms into the thread before your ''latte'' jaunt. Just stop for a minute, back up a step and review. OP sees horse leaving stable and last she hears is the horse was euthanized. There really shouldn't have even been an original post without first knowing the facts, that's how people get angry, with people just assuming she was ''completely healthy'' and the owner ''hadn't tried''. How do we know either of these things? We don't. We probably won't ever know. Think about your horse(s). Would you have the heart to trust one to someone you don't know? And then find out the horse suffered in its last years/days/minutes? Wouldn't you want the peace of mind, knowing your horse left you in dignity and will never, ever know the meaning of pain? Suffering? Agony? While the few people that would have taken her would have probably just thrown her out to pasture and called it a ''retired'' life! That is no life, when a horse suffers, just so the person knows it is breathing. That is what's shameful and selfish. We have to think of the horse's well-being over our own pride. I am saying this from personal experience. Not even a week ago my beloved Breezy was put to rest from an aweful injury. It was devistating, and people still felt it was wrong to euthanize him! I had not one, but TWO people flame me, saying they would have taken him in. I would never have considered it. He was in pain. AGONY. And people were saying he should have lived... just to live. There is no quality in life when the pain is too persistent.