A bit morbid, but need advice

[cpendle]

Sorry this is a bit of a grim post!

I think I may have to have my horse put down, which is really sad. I'd like the hunt to come and do it, in his field so its as unstressful as possible.

I've never had to do this before. Who do I contact at the kennels? Do they normally come out promptly and do they remove the body straightaway?

Thanks

 

[Sophiesmum]

Having made this decision many years ago we were unfortunate enough to have them have to change the date, which wasn't easy. But when they came they were wonderful, fed her carrots until the moment, she fell instantly, we walked away and they took her straight away, all over done with and gone in maybe 15 minutes from arrival to leaving. I just had the number for the local kennels and if I recall correctly the lady who answered the phone sorted the details out.

Good luck, be brave, keep your chin up, if you want to know anything else pm me

 

[AmyMay]

My horse was put down by the hunt last year - it is the second one I have had dispatched this way.

They did both horses at home, were very professional and I have no complaints at all about the service they provided.

I chose not to be there at the final moments - in the case of the second horse emotionally I was not up to it. The huntsman had brought his Whipper in with him as he knew this would be the case.

Once dispatched the horse in both cases was removed very quickly.

 

[cpendle]

Thanks both, really appreciate your responses. This is SUCH a hard thing to do!

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

Poor, poor you!! I feel for you hugely. I had my old boy pts just before Christmas. He broke down on the Saturday, vet came out on Sunday (bless him - he didn't charge me) and we decided there was nothing we could do. Rung the kennels and the Kennel Huntsman was there within half an hour. You couldn't ask for more professional and kind people to do the job. I also chose not to be there at the last minute and luckily my OH is the terrierman for the hunt so that the KH and him did it together. As AmyMay also says - the horse was removed very quickly and there were no signs that anything had happened.

Surprisingly enough the hunt staff find it as hard and sad as we do - they are usually incredibly kind and love animals as much as we do when animals have to be pts so you couldn't ask for better people to do it.

Hope it all goes ok.

 

[AmyMay]

Emotionally it is the hardest thing I have ever done. Especially when it came to Amy May. However, I have to say that there was also a sense of relief once the decision was made. It's the weight of having to make the decision that I found particularly hard.....

 

[Sophiesmum]

Amy May, Well put, I echo exactly what you said

 

[wizzi901]

Our local hunt were fab. I had vet to sedate then pony who was totally out of it and stuffed to the ears full of food, was shot...you never forget that awful sound but hunt were there within 20 minutes of time given and prompt, polite and acted with feeling.

 

[Abracadabjar]

I to had my boy PTS sleep with the hunt as collection. the vet did what they needed to do and the kennel man came and sorted him out. I will always remember the bob of the cap as the kennel man took him away, It meant so much.

Its one of the hardest decisions you need to do but trust me doing it through the hunt is not only an honour but an amazing send off to your horse.

 

[cpendle]

Thanks again everyone for your support. The deed was done today by the kennel man and it was all very quick and as efficient as possible.

It was a horrible thing to have to do to a good friend and I cried my way through an entire loo roll! But definitely the right decision and the best way to go.

Thanks again

 

[dozzie]

(((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

I think you need some.

 

[Chumsmum]

(((HUGS)))

C xx

 

[catembi]

Feel very sorry for you. I lost Catembi a year ago & it's an awful thing to happen. You are very brave to have made the right choice for your friend. Hope you feel better soon.

xxx

 

[Grumpy Herbert]

It was interesting to read this post. I think it's often forgotten what a vital and efficient service the hunt kennels provide in dealing with fallen horses. It's nice to read that they perform these tasks with sympathy and courtesy.

 

[AmyMay]

(((((((((((((((( hugs )))))))))))))))))))

 

[molehill]

I have to agree with Grumpy herbert.The hunt is forgotten about when it comes to dealing with having horses pts.
In my experience i would never let anyone else deal with it apart from the hunt.I have lost 2 horses over the years and the hunt dealt with it both times,and were sympathetic,and efficient.I didnt have to do anything.
The third time i had to use them was for my friends pony.They were away on holiday and their groom was left at home in charge.The pony was taken ill suddenly,and the vet said the best thing to do was to have pts.I called the hunt and they turned up with in the hour and i held her whilst they shot her.Again delt with very quickly and efficiently.They looked after me as much as the pony as it was an easy job to do.

 

[BarmyC]

I agree with you abracadabjar any horse that we have had has always gone to the hunt.

I find it so respectful when they turn up and doth's his cap at you and says his regards and then again when they leave. They are so good at their job and it can be done with you there or not.

 

[Loulebell]

Sending you huge hugs your way. Having the hunt out for our mare, i think you have made the nices choose for your boy.

 

[Kenzo]

Been there too, I didn't use the hunt kennels we just used a local horse disposal, all very quick, came out, we brough the him out of the field to nibble on some nice long greass and my dad took over while I walked off, he was shot with a mouthful of grass outside his own field (but out of site from any other horses) and very quickly hauled him onto the wagon.

You paint this picture in your mind a of scruffy knacker man that has no respect for you or your horse, it was very different, I truley beleive it was the most least distressing way, he didn't know what was happening, there was no fuss or anything out of the ordinary. Thats the easy part done.

The hard part is going back to your yard/livery/field where ever you kept then and them not being there, you can sence their there but you can't see them. But keep yourself busy, around you horsey friends and if you've got a second horse then really do as much as possible to keep your mind off it all.
Don't mull over photos, only makes you worse, go through them all a few months later when your feeling more emotionally stronger, remember the happy times, plant a tree or something in your horses memory, I took a lock from his main, plaited it and keep it in my jewelry box, so I've got a little bit of him all the time.
Brings a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes now but its the best thing to do once you know there startnig to suffer.

Lots of hugs to you xxx

 

[Blissy]

I am new to the Horse and Hound forum. This is my first post so hello everyone!
I am facing a similar thing at the moment, my horse may have to be PTS, I have already been through all the upset once - but he hasn't improved. At the moment I am trying to work with the vet on the best future for my horse before making the final decision about it.
So you really have my sympathy, and my thoughts are with you.
I have been told all sorts of ways to get my horse PTS and what was the kindest for him, and best for me emotionally too. A riding instructor told me to make an prior arrangement with an abattoir who would do it away from the daily workings (his head in a bucket of carrots and all that) and once he was PTS, I could drive away from it – that is rather than facing the yard everyday – assuming he would have been PTS there (as the only other alternative). The problem is that our yard is a very public place and there are kids there too... and bearing in mind that I would then have to deal with my horse’s body after. I just couldn’t face that. So having initially balked at the idea I realised it wasn’t such a bad one.
Thankfully I have not yet had to decide yet as to what to do. I just hope my horse pulls around.
Wishing you all the best and deepest sympathies.
Blissy X.