A very hard decision ahead

The only other option I thought off is a lady down the road (I do her Horses when she goes on hols) has a lovely laid back older girl who is happy to be on her own. I was going to maybe ask if she wanted a few days free grazing if she would like to bring her girl down (all expenses covered by me) then when the other Horse goes Ruby won't be on her own and when Ruby goes the Horse left won't mind at all. Not sure if I am living in a dreamworld with that though.
 
LaurenBay said:
The only other option I thought off is a lady down the road (I do her Horses when she goes on hols) has a lovely laid back older girl who is happy to be on her own. I was going to maybe ask if she wanted a few days free grazing if she would like to bring her girl down (all expenses covered by me) then when the other Horse goes Ruby won't be on her own and when Ruby goes the Horse left won't mind at all. Not sure if I am living in a dreamworld with that though.
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That could work, so long as no horse involved is likely to be running around because of the changes in management, which could risk injury.
 
Thanks AmyMay, it will be done the same day. I just didn't want Ruby being distressed before it happens. And the other lady doesn't want her Horse nearby when the deed is done. So I think the sedation route might be a good option to ensure that Ruby is calmer.
 
From what I've heard (I have no first hand experience to offer I'm afraid) the planning and the waiting is the worst part. I'm sorry you are finding it so stressful.
I think we all agree you are doing the right thing for ruby.
Remember over the next few days to spend as much time with her as you can. Take photos, take some hair from her tail if you'd like to, and generally spoil her rotten!! But please also remember to look after yourself. You are doing the most selfless act any of us can do for our horses. You are letting her go and ensuring she will never feel pain or fear again. You are making sure her future is set.
She is so lucky to have you as her owner xx
 
I do think that the owner of the other horse could be cut some slack. She doesn't want her horse to be upset either, and who can blame her.
My horses have seen others pts from their stables and then they've been allowed to sniff the body. I'd never do it with other horses in the same field though, sorry.
I hope that you can find a way that will work for you all.
 
I had an idea in my head of how I wanted it to go. Our field is split into 2. I wanted to bring Ruby into the other section to do the deed so there were no loose Horses around. Give him a feed whilst it was being done (they would be in full eye sight of each other) and then once its done the other lady bring her Horse out and into the lorry. I won't be doing it whilst there are lose Horses around her. She will be separate and lead to a place where she is in full eyesight but also easy enough for a small lorry to get in and take her after. Luckily our field isn't muddy yet so a small lorry can drive into the field and not destroy the ground. I appreciate she may not want her Horse to see it, but he is so so laid back I really don't think he will care. Unfortunately my mare will be very very distressed as shes pretty attached to him, I don't want her last moments to be of fear and stress. So I think that the only solution to be fair to both Horses is to have the vet and transport arrive at the same time, Ruby will be given a sedative and then the other Horse can be loaded up and then the injection can be given. The only flaw in this is if the other Horse does takes aged to load, I am not prepared to have it drag on and on.
 
Tiddlypom said:
I do think that the owner of the other horse could be cut some slack. She doesn't want her horse to be upset either, and who can blame her.
My horses have seen others pts from their stables and then they've been allowed to sniff the body. I'd never do it with other horses in the same field though, sorry.
I hope that you can find a way that will work for you all.
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I can see it from both sides to be honest. I think what Lauren has suggested above sounds sensible enough, but if owner is adamant that she doesn't want her horse there then I would just time him being loaded with ruby being brought out of the field.
 
Where are you based Laurenbay? If your other livery goes before Ruby is Pts then my mare is fine on her own and could keep her company (she's 25 and very sensible) for a couple of days and then I could pick her up again. May be okay for an emergency situation. I'm Leicestershire/Nottinghamshire based. Mare would travel 90 minutes but that's the maximum for her.
Thoughts are with you at this horrible time.
 
Mosh that is so so lovely to offer, unfortunately we are about a 2 hour and 45 min journey from you. So very kind of you though and I really do appreciate the kind gesture x
 
Would the other horse's owner at least wait until she was sedated before taking him? Even if it takes a fair while, she could be kept sedated while he's loaded up and driven off. There's no reason why he should react to anything as he won't know what's going to happen once he's gone.

I had to hold a horse while he was PTS for a friend a while ago. It was all very unexpected and she needed a bit of time to come to terms with it all so we kept him heavily sedated for about an hour until she was ready. He was calm throughout, so we know he was pain free as he was thrashing about before that. The vet just topped him up if he looked like he was starting to come round.
 
LaurenBay said:
I had an idea in my head of how I wanted it to go. Our field is split into 2. I wanted to bring Ruby into the other section to do the deed so there were no loose Horses around. Give him a feed whilst it was being done (they would be in full eye sight of each other) and then once its done the other lady bring her Horse out and into the lorry. I won't be doing it whilst there are lose Horses around her. She will be separate and lead to a place where she is in full eyesight but also easy enough for a small lorry to get in and take her after. Luckily our field isn't muddy yet so a small lorry can drive into the field and not destroy the ground..
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That sounds like a very sensible plan and I can assure your fellow livery that even when they have been the very best friends for over 20 yrs the one left behind, doesn't get upset. We have had every horse we have ever had pts in full view of their companions and although they have all known what has happened they have not been upset, not even the one who was in the next stable and had to stay there until the body had been winched out (horse had collapsed after a seizure). Yes they have been sad when they missed their old friends but never distressed about the process. Horses just do not think about things like we do.
 
I've had a horse put down in a field with his two long term companions - they were utterly heartless and didn't pay any attention (i.e. they were horses about it). I don't think the other owner is being very fair - I'd rather my horse had a bad day, than create more stress for the horse which is being put down, or the owner (or, indeed, the vet).

Lauren, I'm only a junction up the M11 from you - I'm not sure if I could bring a pony down to keep your mare company (though if you're stuck, I could try), but I could come down if you need another set of hands.
 
Tiddlypom said:
Whereas my drama diva mare went ballistic when the maxicob went down in front of her, she knew exactly what had happened to him. She was fine up to the point when he dropped.
ETA she is über intelligent and über sensitive.
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Interesting our 'onlooker' in the next stable was a very intelligent Appaloosa mare, who had lived with her friend for over 20 years. She had witnessed the seizure, so perhaps she understood that her friend was ill. But we have never had one that was distressed, not even the mare whose foal had to be pts in front of her.
 
i normally have my horses sedated by the vet and i leave before the shot, my horses have been virtually asleep and wouldnt know if another horse was led past them so if you get your vet to give her sedation she should be fine. i completely understand why you are worried but it should be ok if you go down the sedation route and your vet is aware of the reason.....alternatively if she travels ok you could take her to the vet so the other horse wouldnt see anything and the owner could load hers up to leave at the same time....good luck, hope all goes well
 
I spoke with the vet at length yesterday, she agrees Ruby looks no better on the danilon. She has said I pretty much have 2 choices left, give a steriod injection to see if that would help with the pain or PTS. Obviously with the steriod injections there is a risk of Lami, I can't take her off the grass so it really will be a risk. My vet said she would fully support my decision either way. When she retired I promised myself that it would be quality over quantity and I wouldn't put her through anymore treatments. Easier said then done though.
 
It is a lot easier said than done, and I have recently learned a lot easier to be objective and realistic when you’re a bit removed from the situation.

Wish I was still down there, could come and give you a hug. Xx
 
TheresaW said:
It is a lot easier said than done, and I have recently learned a lot easier to be objective and realistic when you’re a bit removed from the situation.

Wish I was still down there, could come and give you a hug. Xx
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Thanks Theresa, I will be thinking of you tomorrow. Big hugs xx
 
Tiddlypom said:
Whereas my drama diva mare went ballistic when the maxicob went down in front of her, she knew exactly what had happened to him. She was fine up to the point when he dropped.
ETA she is über intelligent and über sensitive.
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When my boy's best friend went down with colic (in the field) Arch was burrowing his head underneath him and shoving, trying to get him back up. Taking his friend away from him was heartbreaking but even though he never saw him again he was back to a slightly quieter version of normal almost immediately and completely normal the next day, he knew what had happened and was ok with it.

Thinking of you LB and TW.
 
The call was made last night, hardest call of my life and I broke down after and cried the rest of the evening. Ruby is being PTS Thursday at 9.30.
 
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