Saying Goodbye to a Beloved Horse

Cushings disease laminitis andor founder and certain respiratory diseases including recurrent airway obstruction also known as heaves.
Many of these health issues are exacerbated by the changing seasonal conditions that occur within the final few months of each calendar year. Winter with its cold rain wind and snow is an especially stressful time for older horses. Awareness of this fact is likely responsible for the increased number of requests for euthanasia Twidale reports receiving during the fall and early winter.
If as winter approaches issues concerning the health of the senior horse become more acute it may also become apparent that the time for a frank and honest discussion with a veterinarian has come. But when caring for an older horse with chronic health problems it is in the horses best interest that you remain mindful of the factors that affect his quality of life yearround. 
Routine veterinary care for the older horse consists of regular vaccinations teeth floating and deworming and careful attention to any special dietary requirements. There may also be a need for palliative care. But as the horse gets older and chronic health conditions become harder to manage eventually questions will surface that demand practical and humane answers. 
Will he ever be rideable again? Can his condition be cured or is treatment only a palliative care designed to keep him comfortable? How much discomfort is he currently experiencing? Will his condition get worse especially going into winter? How much worse? Will the treatment continue to adequately manage the symptoms that cause him the most discomfort? How long can you afford this treatment on top of the regular expenses of owning a horse e g. board feed routine veterinary and farrier care etc.? 
Your veterinarian can and should be able to help you answer many of these questions.
Chronic incurable diseases should begin a discussion between the owner and veterinarian as to what is best for the future of the horse says Twidale. Age is certainly one factor but usually there are other factors which advance the decision to consider euthanasia. Sometimes the decision is easy such as a broken leg lacerated tendon or severe colic with ruptured bowel which calls for immediate euthanasia on humane grounds.
She purchased her thoroughbred gelding Kydan for use as a hunter when he was five years old. He developed into a talented intelligent and challenging horse with a distinctive personality that required patient understanding