Saying Goodbye to
Six Thoroughbreds
Saying Goodbye to
Six Thoroughbreds
Elderly Horses Rescued After Owner Seeks Help
The care of an equine can be complex and costly, but even more so as they grow older. Aged equines are more susceptible to health issues and earlier this year we sadly saw an extreme case of this, supporting an elderly owner who had recognised they were not meeting their horses needs and could no longer provide adequate care for them.
Back in spring, six thoroughbreds aged between 17 and 23 were signed over into our care, after concerns were raised about their welfare. Four mares and one gelding were in particularly poor health, with body condition scores (BCS) ranging between 0.5 and 1, splayed and split hooves, lice infestations, lameness, and severe dental concerns.
Though some were ex-racehorses, the owner had recognised that the group had not come out of winter well and that they hadn’t been able to provide routine care for the horses in a long time.
Elderly Horses Rescued After Owner Seeks Help
The care of an equine can be complex and costly, but even more so as they grow older. Aged equines are more susceptible to health issues and earlier this year we sadly saw an extreme case of this, supporting an elderly owner who had recognised they were not meeting their horses needs and could no longer provide adequate care for them.
Back in spring, six thoroughbreds aged between 17 and 23 were signed over into our care, after concerns were raised about their welfare. Four mares and one gelding were in particularly poor health, with body condition scores (BCS) ranging between 0.5 and 1, splayed and split hooves, lice infestations, lameness, and severe dental concerns. Though some were ex-racehorses, the owner had recognised that the group had not come out of winter well and that they hadn’t been able to provide routine care for the horses in a long time.
Extreme Dental Damage and Untreated Conditions Leave Two Horses Beyond Recovery
One stallion aged 17 was housed separately, had a slightly higher BCS of 2 but his feet were also overgrown and in need of immediate attention. Our welfare team worked with the owner to secure sign over into our care and all six were transported back to the charity’s site in Lincoln.
Upon arrival, it was clear that some were struggling more than others. One mare had extreme dental issues, her teeth were distorted and misplaced into her gums, she had deep, ulcerated diastemas (gaps between teeth) and even with dental intervention, there was no guarantee they would ever recover.
The gelding was suffering from an inflamed eye, also known as uveitis, that had irreparable damage, he was also very lame and had dental issues relatable to an aged equine that had not received any recent dental checks. Two days after their arrival, the decision was made to euthanise both horses preventing them from any further pain and suffering. Sadly, they had multiple concerns that could not be rectified at this stage of deterioration.
Extreme Dental Damage and Untreated Conditions Leave Two Horses Beyond Recovery
One stallion aged 17 was housed separately, had a slightly higher BCS of 2 but his feet were also overgrown and in need of immediate attention. Our welfare team worked with the owner to secure sign over into our care and all six were transported back to the charity’s site in Lincoln.
Upon arrival, it was clear that some were struggling more than others. One mare had extreme dental issues, her teeth were distorted and misplaced into her gums, she had deep, ulcerated diastemas (gaps between teeth) and even with dental intervention, there was no guarantee they would ever recover. The gelding was suffering from an inflamed eye, also known as uveitis, that had irreparable damage, he was also very lame and had dental issues relatable to an aged equine that had not received any recent dental checks. Two days after their arrival, the decision was made to euthanise both horses preventing them from any further pain and suffering. Sadly, they had multiple concerns that could not be rectified at this stage of deterioration.
Initially, she was unable to stand and was being fed every two hours around the clock by members of the Oakham veterinary team, with Miriam’s body too weak to produce milk.
Severe Pain and Declining Health Lead to Humane Farewell for Third Elderly Mare
The team were checking on the group around four times a day and had witnessed the close bond they all shared. This meant that separating them for any veterinary, dental or farrier treatment would’ve caused stress and hindered their already fragile state. The team worked around this by keeping the pair bonds together whilst they proceeded with further health and veterinary assessments. The second mare was also suffering with lameness in all four limbs and required a large amount of dental intervention, which had no doubt contributed to how very thin she was.
Her quality of life was already poor; she now required extensive treatments to help improve her teeth and long-term pain management due to the lameness. It wasn’t easy, but not long after the first two, we also said goodbye to this dear older lady
Severe Pain and Declining Health Lead to Humane Farewell for Third Elderly Mare
The team were checking on the group around four times a day and had witnessed the close bond they all shared. This meant that separating them for any veterinary, dental or farrier treatment would’ve caused stress and hindered their already fragile state. The team worked around this by keeping the pair bonds together whilst they proceeded with further health and veterinary assessments. The second mare was also suffering with lameness in all four limbs and required a large amount of dental intervention, which had no doubt contributed to how very thin she was.
Her quality of life was already poor; she now required extensive treatments to help improve her teeth and long-term pain management due to the lameness. It wasn’t easy, but not long after the first two, we also said goodbye to this dear older lady
These six horses didn’t get the future they deserved, but we were able to end their suffering with dignity. With your support, we can give other horses the chance they never had.
Please support our work so we can continue rescuing equines from pain, neglect and suffering — and give every horse the chance at a better life.
We Couldn’t Change Their Ending – But You Can Help Change Another’s
These six horses didn’t get the future they deserved, but we were able to end their suffering with dignity. With your support, we can give other horses the chance they never had.
Please support our work so we can continue rescuing equines from pain, neglect and suffering — and give every horse the chance at a better life.
Pain Relief Brings No Change, Prompting Difficult End-of-Life Decision for Elderly Pair
With just half the group remaining, hopes were pinned on the two other mares and the stallion.
“The mares also had dental issues, which we might’ve been able to get on top of” explained Equine Welfare Team Leader Lauren King. “They did have lameness concerns as well, but we gave them a course of pain relief for two weeks initially, and we said let’s see what difference that pain relief makes, if we can get them to a level of comfort, we can maybe do a bit of further investigation.”
Unfortunately, despite the intervention of our in-house veterinary team, the two mares didn’t improve. They were still suffering significantly from their lameness, even on the highest doses of pain relief, one of the pairs behaviours made it difficult to treat her as she was very stressed and fearful of any intervention or separation from the herd. As the two mares were very closely bonded, and due to their advanced ages and multiple health concerns, another difficult decision was made to put them to sleep.
Pain Relief Brings No Change, Prompting Difficult End-of-Life Decision for Elderly Pair
With just half the group remaining, hopes were pinned on the two other mares and the stallion.
“The mares also had dental issues, which we might’ve been able to get on top of” explained Equine Welfare Team Leader Lauren King. “They did have lameness concerns as well, but we gave them a course of pain relief for two weeks initially, and we said let’s see what difference that pain relief makes, if we can get them to a level of comfort, we can maybe do a bit of further investigation.”
Unfortunately, despite the intervention of our in-house veterinary team, the two mares didn’t improve. They were still suffering significantly from their lameness, even on the highest doses of pain relief, one of the pairs behaviours made it difficult to treat her as she was very stressed and fearful of any intervention or separation from the herd. As the two mares were very closely bonded, and due to their advanced ages and multiple health concerns, another difficult decision was made to put them to sleep.
Severe Lameness, Arthritis and High-Risk Castration Leave No Path Forward for Final Stallion
Only the stallion was left, and his issues were just as complex as the others. Every stallion that arrives at Bransby Horses is gelded and this plan was put in place for him, keeping him onsite to remove the stress of travel and to allow our vets to monitor him closely. Castrating an older stallion carries many risks, as he was 17, we delayed this procedure to see how he would respond to treatment for his health concerns first. Sadly, over the two-months he was under our care, his lameness deteriorated significantly, and our vets suspected he was also suffering from arthritis.
The post-castration plan of restricting his movement for two weeks became less and less achievable, as doing so would only worsen his arthritis and cause him more pain. He was on the highest level of pain medication and there was no way forward for him that wouldn’t increase his suffering.
“When you care for them day to day the whole team start pinning their hopes on the next one then. First it was, we can still get the mares and the stallion through this, and then as you gradually just keep losing more, it is really difficult.” Said Lauren.
Severe Lameness, Arthritis and High-Risk Castration Leave No Path Forward for Final Stallion
Only the stallion was left, and his issues were just as complex as the others. Every stallion that arrives at Bransby Horses is gelded and this plan was put in place for him, keeping him onsite to remove the stress of travel and to allow our vets to monitor him closely. Castrating an older stallion carries many risks, as he was 17, we delayed this procedure to see how he would respond to treatment for his health concerns first. Sadly, over the two-months he was under our care, his lameness deteriorated significantly, and our vets suspected he was also suffering from arthritis.
The post-castration plan of restricting his movement for two weeks became less and less achievable, as doing so would only worsen his arthritis and cause him more pain. He was on the highest level of pain medication and there was no way forward for him that wouldn’t increase his suffering.
“When you care for them day to day the whole team start pinning their hopes on the next one then. First it was, we can still get the mares and the stallion through this, and then as you gradually just keep losing more, it is really difficult.” Said Lauren.
Final Farewell to Stallion Underscores the Complex Needs of Elderly Horses in Decline
At the end of May, we made the heartbreaking decision to euthanise the stallion. “I just felt very sorry for them.” Explained Equine Welfare Assistant Georgia Form. “Just the fact that we couldn’t save any of the group was so sad and such a difficult time for the teams working with them”.
While this case is very distressing and not the outcome we were hopeful of, it’s also a reminder of the additional care and treatments many aged equines require. Taking on a horse, pony, donkey or mule is a big responsibility and we would urge any owners that may be struggling to provide adequate care for their loved equines to call us.
If you do require advice or support on any aged equines in your care, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Welfare Team on 01427 787 369 or email welfare@bransbyhorses.co.uk. You can also visit our Caring for an Aged Equine advice page.
Final Farewell to Stallion Underscores the Complex Needs of Elderly Horses in Decline
At the end of May, we made the heartbreaking decision to euthanise the stallion. “I just felt very sorry for them.” Explained Equine Welfare Assistant Georgia Form. “Just the fact that we couldn’t save any of the group was so sad and such a difficult time for the teams working with them”.
While this case is very distressing and not the outcome we were hopeful of, it’s also a reminder of the additional care and treatments many aged equines require. Taking on a horse, pony, donkey or mule is a big responsibility and we would urge any owners that may be struggling to provide adequate care for their loved equines to call us.
If you do require advice or support on any aged equines in your care, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Welfare Team on 01427 787 369 or email welfare@bransbyhorses.co.uk. You can also visit our Caring for an Aged Equine advice page.
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