Note: This is not about Hampton - he is feeling good! This discussion came up last weekend and just thought I would bring it to my blogger friends. No one freak out this is NOT about Porkchop! Or any specific horse. :)
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| But that Porkchop topline tho |
How do you define pasture sound?
Say you have a horse that has retired from work for whatever reason that may be. Their option now is to be a pasture friend, companion, pet, etc.
What exactly does Pasture Sound mean?
For me, that means they are sound at the walk but probably not the trot. They are bright, alert, and eating. And maintaining acceptable weight. They may have aches and pains from aging, maybe an old injury. But their pain is not causing them suffering. I do not count aches as suffering, as we ALL have our stiffness and general days where we take a little longer to get going. So moving and creaking around in a stiff manner is pasture sound. Quality of life is still good, but maybe they move a little slower and don't run and buck with their friends. They can get up and down easily.
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| Hacking at Flying Cross Farm. What a pity it's so ugly |
There is this grey area though between pasture sound and ... quality of life is not acceptable. I think this area probably differs from person to person. How and where to you draw the line?
Over the years there have been a (sad) number of horses I would not have classified as pasture sound.
A mini who had dwarfism and could not get up without assistance. She would thrash and hit her head trying to get up until someone came to help her.
A 30+ year old pony who became emaciated and had pressure sores all over his body.
An old navicular horse who stopped coming up for breakfast with his friends because his feet hurt.
I am sure everyone has stories like these.
What's your definition and criteria for a pasture sound companion horse?
My criteria are the same as yours - the horse can (relatively) comfortably walk around at whatever speed suits them, get up and down without assistance, can eat well and maintain weight, and maintain overall quality of life. When they can no longer get up and down without help, keep their weight, or walk comfortably, it's time to consider euthanasia, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI've put a lot of thought into this because of Pig. I think a horse that can't get up is done. The mental horror they go through being stuck down isn't fair to inflict on them. Beyond that, not weight bearing lame or not wanting to walk around or in PAIN is a no go. A horse who is miserable all the time is a no go. A horse that doesn't eat, not even grass. That's also a no.
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting topic. I would generally agree with your assessment. my older gelding is better than pasture sound- which means he can be lightly ridden (and it's better for him mentally and physically). But I don't know that he has much time before that wont' be feasible. I worry because I think he'll be miserable not getting out.
ReplyDeleteMy line is when he is no longer happy.
I think being lame in the walk, and any difficulty getting up and down, would definitely be the game changer for me. Old Skye is 33 this year, and she always worries me because her arthritic right knee won't bend enough for her to tuck it underneath her while she's sleeping - she keeps it straight out. But she gets right up without difficulty and even trots up mostly sound, plus she eats (mostly soup honestly, her teeth are buggered, but she chews on some hay and grazes well) and runs away from me like a hooligan when she doesn't want to be caught. So for me, she's still a happy ole lady. But the day she can't walk without pain even with meds, or when she struggles to get up, or just isn't her old fireball self anymore... I think that's where I'd draw the line.
ReplyDeleteI generally agree - walk, a little bit of trot in pasture without significant pain or impairment. I would add that it's dependent on situation, too. Our pastures are all quite hilly, so there is a slightly higher bar for pasture sound in most places in Vermont.
ReplyDeleteSimilarly, I think the good days / bad days equation has to come in. A horse can be pasture sound on their best days, but not at all on their worst days. So pasture sound has to be an average.
Finally - for us, winter is a factor. A horse can be pasture sound in summer but if they're fading slowly, it's kinder to let them go in the fall before cold and ice and the work of breaking trail through snow. So "is it fair to put them through another winter?" is also a factor for us in assessing retired / pasture sound horses.
My criteria is the same as yours. Comfortable to walk around and hang out. Able to get up and down with relative ease. Desire to eat and drink. I also agree with Teresa, that the horse needs to appear content with that lifestyle. I don't want a horse to suffer in any way, be it physical or emotional.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely on my mind a lot recently, since Phoenix is 32 and is always changing. I generally agree with your assessment, but it's always on my mind that I want to avoid getting to the point where the horse can't get up at some point. I have a hard time watching P walk so slowly when he previously walked with purpose. I wonder how much pain medication is appropriate (he's on double dose equioxx currently). He still enjoys many things in life, but struggles with chewing in particular. We are nearing the end of being able to chew chopped hay I think, and I struggle with the idea of leaving him without food overnight once he finishes the mash he gets before I go to bed. That said, he's in great weight currently, maybe even a little chubby. I'm keeping my mind open to the idea that attempting this upcoming winter may not be in his best interest and evaluating him all the time. As you said, I've seen many horses suffer past what makes me comfortable to see so I don't want to make that mistake myself. His comfort and dignified end are more important than my sadness in losing him.
ReplyDeleteYour criteria is pretty spot on IMO. I think trouble eating should probably be added to the list - My friend had a rickety old guy who she went through the steps of making his food easily eaten, until the day she ran out of options, that was the day she said goodbye to him. If a horse can't eat, then it's probably time to say goodbye.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your criteria. We have a horse at the barn right now that I think is no longer pasture sound and it's probably past time :( I have tried to gently bring it up to the owner, but I think she disagrees. The horse cannot keep weight. All the other horses on the farm are moderately over weight and this horse has ribs showing despite being on good grass with free choice hay and a high fat complete feed plus flax. The horse is lame in both front feet and is covered in melanomas. She still has a good appetite and can get up and down on her own, but it's sad to see her....
ReplyDelete