Advice on PTS please.

risky business

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Hi guys, some may of seen my recent thread and how I've come to a decision that I need to have my horse pts.

This will be the first horse I've ever had to do this with so I'm a bit unsure on the process at certain parts.

I ideally would like him to go via injection, the thing I'm not sure about is what to do with his body? Is there anyway I can 'donate' him as such to a good cause like research? He's got dangerous behavioural issues so not sure if he would be of any interest? I know if he goes by injection he cannot then be donated to a zoo or hunt.

I guess I could ask about him being buried at my yard but not sure what the process is there either?

As awful as this sounds I'd like to keep costs down as I don't have a great deal of money currently.

Help...
 

spacefaer

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You'll hear all sorts of conflicting advice on this but from (sadly) personal experience, the method I've always used and the cheapest, is to get the huntsman out.
They are experienced at the job, considerate to the owner - you can choose to be there or or not. It's over quickly and they will then remove the body for you .

It has cost me in the past anywhere between a bottle of whiskey and £300.

Burial has to be on your own private ground and not near a watercourse.
Cremation is really expensive.
 

meleeka

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Our local ‘meat man’ will collect and cremate. It’s very reasonable and is always what I’d choose. I heard the other day that a fallen stock person would pts and presumably use for meat and that was the same cost.
 

AdorableAlice

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Speak to the vet who has helped you investigate the issues you have had with the horse. Some vets will have an interest in looking a horse that has puzzled them or perhaps they haven't been able to diagnose whilst alive. Equine vets have a real interest in pushing veterinary science forwards and the opportunity to investigate after death is useful for them.
 

Fransurrey

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Sorry to hear that you're in this situation. I'm a researcher at the University of Surrey School of Veterinary Medicine. The pathology centre welcomes donated animals of all types for use in IMR rotations (final year students rotate around the disciplines, including veterinary pathology). As you are already planning injection, you just need your vet to fill in a donor form, which can be obtained from the pathology centre:

Tel: 01483 689 823
Email: vetpath@surrey.ac.uk

I've recently gone through the process, as I had my old boy pts and donated him just over 3 weeks ago. I obtained the form in advance and filled it in myself, but you can ask your vet to do it. My form went with the body, but it can also be sent in advance by the vet - it cannot arrive after the body, though, for disease quarantine purposes.

On the day, I contacted the vet with the euthanasia request. The receptionist arranged disposal on my behalf, with the instruction that he was to go to the vet school. I used Hawkins for that, as the vet school deals with them routinely, so it was easier. The vet arrived just before Hawkins did. My old boy was pts, then the vet completed the form with me and we handed it to Hawkins personnel and left them to it. The costs were £180 for Hawkins and £270 for the vet (vet can pay the disposal company and include the fee with your account, which might give you the option to pay in instalments). So, still not cheap, but for me I get feedback after the post mortem examination and unusually, I may get to use some of his tissue in my research - I'm not sure how much feedback a civilian would get, but I'm sure they would give it to you if asked. Happy to answer questions if you'd prefer to PM. If you do go this route, Louise would probably be the person you deal with and she's absolutely lovely.
 

PapaverFollis

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We've had one cremated, collected by a crematorium, and one collected then cremated by the fallen stock people. The specialist crem collection was a nicer prospect because the collection was individual rather than in the fallen stock wagon ( which still upsets me even though it doesn't matter! ). We didn't get individual cremation or ashes back so it wasn't hugely expensive. We used Leyland Crematorium and they were excellent. We had arranged that one in advance and it went very smoothly. The other was an emergency PTS so just had to get collected asap.
 

Errin Paddywack

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We have ours put down and taken away by a local knacker. They are then cremated. He is very good with the horses and their owners too. Cost usually about £240. He did our two old homebred boys 2 years ago and made a very hard situation much more bearable.
If the horse has had to be put down prior to collection then we use the local hunt and they cremate them.
 

SEL

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Sorry to hear that you're in this situation. I'm a researcher at the University of Surrey School of Veterinary Medicine. The pathology centre welcomes donated animals of all types for use in IMR rotations (final year students rotate around the disciplines, including veterinary pathology). As you are already planning injection, you just need your vet to fill in a donor form, which can be obtained from the pathology centre:

Tel: 01483 689 823
Email: vetpath@surrey.ac.uk

I've recently gone through the process, as I had my old boy pts and donated him just over 3 weeks ago. I obtained the form in advance and filled it in myself, but you can ask your vet to do it. My form went with the body, but it can also be sent in advance by the vet - it cannot arrive after the body, though, for disease quarantine purposes.

On the day, I contacted the vet with the euthanasia request. The receptionist arranged disposal on my behalf, with the instruction that he was to go to the vet school. I used Hawkins for that, as the vet school deals with them routinely, so it was easier. The vet arrived just before Hawkins did. My old boy was pts, then the vet completed the form with me and we handed it to Hawkins personnel and left them to it. The costs were £180 for Hawkins and £270 for the vet (vet can pay the disposal company and include the fee with your account, which might give you the option to pay in instalments). So, still not cheap, but for me I get feedback after the post mortem examination and unusually, I may get to use some of his tissue in my research - I'm not sure how much feedback a civilian would get, but I'm sure they would give it to you if asked. Happy to answer questions if you'd prefer to PM. If you do go this route, Louise would probably be the person you deal with and she's absolutely lovely.

Sorry for jumping on OP's post, but presumably the uni only take animals from within a certain area? I'm horribly aware that one of mine has limited years left in him and had never really considered donation a possibility.

OP - I would say that all the hunt yards I've used have been really respectful to both humans and horses if cost takes you down that route. In fact I know an older huntsman who if he has picked up a horse who has been put down for uncertain reasons will often take a look himself to see if there is anything obvious. Our local hunt kindly did a brief investigation to one horse my old yard PTS after she deteriorated rapidly and found a legacy of worm damage in her gut. I think that gave her owner some comfort that the damage had been done years before she had her and there was nothing she could have done to help.
 

The Fuzzy Furry

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OP, average costs in NW Surrey are: Knackerman to pts by bullet and remove, nothing back to you, is around £250. Same cost just to collect after a vet has injected to pts.
PTS by injection is around £260 - £350 depending on horse size.
Hunt, cost poss a little cheaper than knackerman to pts by bullet and dispose of.
So, you have the 2 pts method costs, ref the bury on own ground you would need to consult local farmer or maybe YO with tractor capable of it - and costs.
 

oldie48

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I have used the local hunt and also my vet. I can honestly say that my horses and I were treated with kindness and consideration by both and I chose to stay with my horses and I know they went very quickly and painlessly. Whatever method you choose I would advise you not to stay to see the body removed and to ensure that the horse is PTS somewhere as private but accessible as you can. The vet arranged removal of the body for me and I believe the cost of that was around £300 when I lost my boy in October 2019.
 

splashgirl45

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i have used both my vet and the hunt, both were very quiet,kind and considerate, cant remember the vet costs as he also arranged for the knacker to collect the body and it was a long time ago.,the hunt was £150 including taking the body. i have never used the injection so cant help with those costs. mine were sedated first by the vet before he put them down but the one done by the hunt was eating carrots out of a bowl when she was put down. sorry you are going through this but we owe them a good quality of life and PTS is part of being a caring owner...
 

LaurenBay

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I have only been through it once, I opted for vet, sedation, injection and then cremated. I didn't want any ashes back and it was in a group so all in all I think I paid around £600. It is more pricey for individual and ashes though.

I have held another Horse whilst it was shot. It was no where near as gory and scary as I had imagined but the Horse still went peacefully and with dignity. I know this is a cheaper option too.

I am so sorry you are facing this decision xx
 

BeckyFlowers

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When we had our lovely horse put down last year (she was ill but the PTS was an emergency call-out) the vet did it and she called a local fallen stock lady who lives locally and came out with her truck to take Lady away. She was really lovely, asked my cousin if she wanted any hair clippings etc and was very respectful. As yours won't be an emergency job you can arrange a convenient time for the vet/hunt and disposal to arrive and have it all done quickly.

A few years ago in order to be prepared for this sort of thing I contacted my local zoo to ask if they would take our horses. They thanked me for the enquiry and said although they do feed the lions horsemeat they get it from the local (ish) abbatoir that does horses as they are pretty much guaranteed to not have drugs such as bute in their system.

OP, I have been following your other post and fwiw I think you are doing the right thing. Must be a horrible decision to make, so have some hugs.
 

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

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OP, I've seen your "other" thread, and just couldn't bypass this without saying how very sorry I am that you're in the position you are in.

But I wanted to applaud you for being so sensible, and considerate about what is an awful situation for any owner to find themselves in.

You are being truly brave, and also truly considerate to your horse as well, as a lot of people in your position would have had no conscience about passing on a problem down the line from dealers yard through to market, through to meat man.

You are a truly special person, and are not letting that happen to your horse. This must be tearing you apart, but I for one would just want to affirm you in the tough choice you are making.

Bless you.
 

Fransurrey

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Sorry for jumping on OP's post, but presumably the uni only take animals from within a certain area? I'm horribly aware that one of mine has limited years left in him and had never really considered donation a possibility.
I would assume that it's a possibility wherever you are and we're possibly your closest vet school (Guildford). It's just a question of arranging the transport.
 
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Melody Grey

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Not an easy choice OP, but I think it's a brave and responsible one!!

I think you'll feel a big weight lifted once the horse is gone. X
 

_HP_

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I would ask your vet...
When my mare was PTS sleep a few years back now, we still didn't have a diagnosis and the vets asked if I wanted a PM done. I said no, but if it would help them, that they were welcome to, so they did.
 

splashgirl45

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hope all goes ok , spoil him until then and take some nice pics as a keepsake, you will be able to look at them in time and remember the good times. hugs xx
 
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Gloi

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I got my old pony pts by the fallen stock people recently. I was a wimp and got my (tougher) friend to hold him. They took him away and it was £180.
 

risky business

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OP, I've seen your "other" thread, and just couldn't bypass this without saying how very sorry I am that you're in the position you are in.

But I wanted to applaud you for being so sensible, and considerate about what is an awful situation for any owner to find themselves in.

You are being truly brave, and also truly considerate to your horse as well, as a lot of people in your position would have had no conscience about passing on a problem down the line from dealers yard through to market, through to meat man.

You are a truly special person, and are not letting that happen to your horse. This must be tearing you apart, but I for one would just want to affirm you in the tough choice you are making.

Bless you.

Thank you that means a lot.

I had a cry with him earlier and I'm sure I will do so tomorrow. Planning on taking my decent camera up and taking some last pictures of us together.
 
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