A warning to anyone who wants their horse put down when they die

exracehorse said:
It reminds me of Beau. I kept in contact when we sold him. He was my daughter’s first horse. To a lovely lady. She owned him for years. She died very quickly after cancer diagnosis and also stipulated that he was to be put to sleep. He had cushings and dropped fetlock’s. And I totally understand her wishes. I had a phone call from the livery yard asking if I was willing to take him on. We went to see him. And it was very emotional. And I did take him home. He had three wonderful years with me. Loved. I lost him on New Year’s Eve to colic. And he’s now in heaven with his owner.
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So presumably you had no qualms not acceding to his owner's wishes? Despite "totally understanding" them?
 
blitznbobs said:
I actually think this is incredibly selfish. To make loved ones carry out this excessively unpleasant task when they are already bereaved is not a kindness to them and because once you die nothing belongs to you anymore (dead people can’t own things ) then it will never be a binding agreement… I understand why people want it but it is never going to be a certainty.
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I think it's selfish if the person who's to organise the PTS hasn't been spoken to. I can't imagine finding out someone died and then I had to organise PTS their animals. I would do it as it was their wishes but I'd want to have had a discussion about it.

I've had a chat with Mr FP and he knows my wishes. The young one would be sold instantly or if they'll have him go back to his breeder. The retired one PTS but the other he might potentially look after as a last link to me until he was ready to say goodbye. I'd have no issues with this as she's easy to look after, friends would help him and she'd have other horses around her.
 
Due to my own health issues my son, as my only surviving child already cares for both my dogs and my elderly horse and donkeys for me. Extremely well I might add. He was horrified when I told him I was putting in my will that I was completely happy for him to have my horse and both my donkeys PTS on my death. They are all, like myself, rather ancient now by the way, and one donkey and the horse are becoming quite high maintenance as they age. He assures me he will keep them alive until it is unkind for their welfare to do so. I have impressed on him if his circumstances change that he must keep in mind I have sanctioned their PTS earlier if he so wishes. The dogs have become his own anyway and he would never agree to them going anywhere other than staying with him and us until nature takes its course, neither are old so will almost certainly outlive me.

Luckily he has spent his entire life surrounded by animals so I am very fortunate that I have complete confidence in whatever he decides will be the right decision for them and for him.
 
I registered my pony with World Horse Welfare, as a legacy gift. along with a large sum of money. I did realise when I did this that they might very well have euthanased him right away, as he was aged, and unrideable. But I thought, better they did it, than my executors having to arrange it. As it happened, he has gone before me, but if I did get another pony, I'd register them too. Leaving a pony to WHW means that they will never be without an advocate, and will not end up in some bin-end sale being sold for meat money.
 
I think its pretty awful. I could understand peoples hesitation if it was a 4yo with no health issues and someone offering a home but that's so far removed from this.
I know someone who knew she was dying who had horses and she began the process of sorting them out when she was still "well" I think that's what I'd try and do, obviously this only works if you have the time but if i was diagnosed with something horrible I'd try and get things in place myself while i was able, and yes that would include putting at least two of mine to sleep.
 
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