And now, the end is nigh....

B

Benjamin

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I have had this post floating around my head for about a week or so. Now if that doesn't make me sound mental, then maybe this will.

Have you thought about, or made plans for your horses final hours, days, week?

I have made the descision to have Benj PTS at the end of the summer. Obviously if he goes downhill it will be earlier, but I have given his last moments a lot of thought over the last week.

I didn't have a great deal of choice for Rudy, but Benj is going to be different.
I don't want him to have to travel anywhere, get stressed by anything, worry about anything. I will have him done by injection, but it will be done in the feild, under his tree. I guess, because of this, I need to be mindful of the ground so he can be collected and taken away without too much fuss and drama.

Sorry this is quite morbid. And maybe a bit mental!!

P x
 
Having had to deal with "planned" and emergency PTS in the past, while it is stressful knowing what is going to happen - it IMHO so much easier afterwards because you know that you have made the right decision and there isn't the wondering and regrets that often accompany an emergency PTS because of the panic and speed required in those circumstances...
 
I would advise you speak to your vet. My mare was pts last year by injection and it did not go as smoothly as I would have liked.
 
Always the hardest decision to make - and like many horse owners have given it much thought, and have had to do the 'deed' twice.

I have to be honest, I was more concerned with the practicalities, rather than the sentiments, in both cases - whilst being mindful of the horses peace of mind.

I think we possibly all have an 'ideal' of what we would like to happen - and sometimes it can happen that way. But we must also be fully cognisant of the practicalities. And whilst romantic to have a horse put down in their favourite place - logistics of removal of the body doesn't always make it possible.
 
:( Have a hug and a big well done for thinking about it and planning for such a diffucult time. Im sureit will go as smoothly as possible but could you have a friend/yard ower on hand incase you find it too difficult towards the 'end' so that he still has someone he knows with him?
 
It is a very hard decision to make.I would have a friend with you when the time comes,just incase you find it difficult at the end. I know Id be too upset and would have my hubby with me.
 
Huge hugs P. I applaud you for making a tough emotional decision before your much loved friend goes downhill.

I echo what amymay said about considering all the practicalities. I would also urge you to think about whether you really want to be there at the last moment and for the necessary but somewhat undignified processes afterwards. Having made all the arrangements and said your farewells there is no question of shirking your responsibilities if you ask someone you trust to be with him when the end comes. It's different in an emergency situation but as you have time to carefully plan this, your last memory of Benj doesn't have to be his final parting.
 
He is a lovely horse, and you webpages look like you've had a lot of fun.
It is the hardest decision you have to make, I hate even thinking of it.Have had to in the past, as well,
But, I do know my boy will have to be shot, as he is needle phobic,should the decision have to be made by me.
We found our mare dead a couple of weekends ago, it was a horrible, horrible shock, but now I look back I am grateful. She was old at 28 but still in light exercise and fit. We suspect she had a heart attack, but am now incredibly grateful we didn't have to watch her decline or suffer in any way.
We did have to remove abit of fencing for the people to take her away, but as the ground was hard, there were no other issues. Obviously had we had to make the decision, we'd have chosen an easier site- as you rightly say it has to be considered.
Thinking of you. x
 
I am so sorry to hear this, seems like it was only yesterday that he and Cairo had that gallop down the long green together.

Cairo, we had no choice, his liver had failed and it was time to say goodbye. So much harder to do what you are going to have to do, my heart goes out to you at having to make this decision.

Cairo had already laid down by the time the vet arrived in the indoor school so he was pts there. He was tired and relaxed, and we gave him a final meal of sugar, sticky mix, apples and mints. Once he had finished, she gave him a sedative first, he went to sleep with a mouth full of polos and once he was sedated, then put the catheter in and administered the injection.

As Cairo was such a big horse, it took two lots of the final injection which made things a little longer, plus where he had been laying down the blood pressure had dropped, so she had to redo the catheter and put the injection in the other way.

It was more distressing for us, but Cairo was not aware of anything as he was heavily sedated. The only final thing is that at the last minute, as his heart stopped, he puffed like mad, lungs really bellowing for about 15 seconds. We had been told it would happen, but it was still horrible. That said, he apart from his sides going, there was no other sign and he did not have his legs go or anything else.

Andy was then able to sit with him while I bought Chancer in to say goodbye, and then again sit with his back to Cairo's waiting for the people to come and take him away for cremation. He found this time very useful in helping with his grief. Had Cairo been shot, this would have been more difficult.

We had always said Cairo would go by injection, he was used to having GAs all his life and did not fight sedatives etc and for him it was the best way to go. The people who came to get him were able to drive into the school and then he was winched onto the lorry. We went and sat down by the fields whilst this was done and they then came to get us once he was loaded. They were full of compassion as well as professional. When they delivered his ashes, they bought some flowers and were just so nice. He is now scattered in the summer paddock, where he has gone into the grass that is now eaten by Farra and Chancer so it is like a bit of him lives on in them. I know I sound daft, but we find it comfort to think this is the case.

I have also had two of mine gone by shot. They would have struggled against the injection, were hard to sedate, would have fought going down with sedation and for them this was the best choice, it was instant as it was done by the local hunt who came out and were very experienced at doing this. They were done in the field, with horses next door and they went with no fight or fear.

I hope the detail has not upset you, what I am trying to say is that whilst it is heartbreaking to say goodbye, it does not have to be made too distressing if you have a good experienced vet or huntsman who know what to do and someone compassionate to carry out the disposal. We also had family and close friends attend when we scattered his ashes, my niece did a little poem and we all said a final goodbye and then had a few drinks at the pub in his memory. Maybe a bit OTT, but Cairo was a member of the family and for us it helped to do this.

Sending you and Benji a massive hug, it is hard to do the right thing, but worse not to do it.
 
I don't have anything useful to say but just wanted to say my thoughts are with you. It's right that you should be giving the situation so much thought. It will help both you and him in the long run
xx
 
(((((((hugs)))))) to you. :( :( :(
I had to put everything in place for Lucy when she was diagnosed in Nov as she was given a less than 50% chance. I spoke to the vet about the options and called the hunt kennels (hunting is her most fav thing ever) to warn them what may be about to happen. Everyone was so understanding and wished me the best for whatever happened. Luckly we got her through that and a bad episode she had a few weeks ago and she is still here. I'm going away soon and am talking to my vets and the person who is looking after Lucy for me about what i want should the worst happen while i'm away. The vet said if we put it all in place now hopefuly we won't need it.
I think it is a good idea to plan in advance as you never know what may happen. This illness has taught me that.
More (((((hugs))))) for such a brave desition but i hope you have the best summer with him and he is able to go looking well with the sun on his back under his favorate tree. Laura xxxxxxxx
 
I did this 4 years ago with our old pony - we had her when she was 8, and she was 32 when we had her PTS - I'm so glad that I was able to plan it, and do what was right for her, and not have to have an emergency PTS with her being ill.

Like the OP I had given her the summer to chill with her friends, but knew that she would not cope with another winter, as she had struggled with rugs and mud the previous winter.

It may sound harsh to some, but Minnie went to the kennels. The one thing that she loved more than anything was going hunting, and we had always said that when her time came she would go back to the kennels. She had always been a difficult loader, but on the day it came to take her to the kennels, she loaded perfectly, and she looked so happy to be at the kennels.

I also had to send Mum away on holiday so that I could take her, as she didn't want to be there when Minnie went :(

I know that I made the right decision for Minnie, it was absolutely heart breaking, and I still have her headcollar underneath my lorry driving seat where I put it that day, and it will probably stay there as long as I have that lorry, as it is Minnie's momento.
 
Theresa,

Your reply has had me in tears. I know this was not intended. I will never forget that day!
Imagine see those two thundering towards you?! Benj was smitten by him, how could you not be?!

Thank you for your honest reply, it means alot.
Benj has never had a problem with sedation, and after seeing Rudy go by injection, I was grateful to be able to spend some time with him after he had gone. He too did the sighing thing, and if I am honest, it didn't bother me. He wasn't thrashing around, and he laid down quite peacefully. A peaceful end to a turbulent life.

I will take my vet's advice on the best way to go, but from a selfish point of view, I would like be with him.

Thank you again T.
 
Hi Paula its Jayne, havent spoken to you (or emailed!) for ages.

So sorry to hear about gorge Benj but you are doing the right thing. I finally lost the battle with Blue in April this year. He was pts by the vet in our all weather arena with his two best buddy field mates at his side. His legs were so bad, but when he was in the arena he could still gallop and jump about on the soft surface so he had had an hours playtime with his mates before he was pts. He, as you know, was a huge horse but the injection worked perfectly, he went down as the vet actually took the needle out of his neck, my vet supported his head on the way down so he didnt go down like a sack of spuds so to speak and bang his head. Although it was awful and I was completely devastated, it went like textbook, and was so peaceful.

Hope youre ok anyway, sorry to hear about Rudy too hun but please feel free to PM me if you want to.

Take care.

Luv Jayne xxx
 
What I would say of paramount importance is that if he has a very close field mate you should let him see the body. My friend eventually lost her gelding after he pined to death for her mare that died before him. He got laminitis and then went on to get colic as a result of the pining and had to be put down. They shared a field/trailer and stable for 12 years. Let his field mate sniff or pore the body if he/she wants to, horses learn this way that there friend isn't going to rise. This is a natural thing to do, it really distresses me to think that a lifetime companion is constantly calling to his mate when he doesn't have a clue that it will never come back to him.

My youngster was shot after breaking his leg in the field which was inaccessible to lorry and my ex boyfriend (who owned a tractor) had to scoop up his body and drop it onto the yard for the collection man to winch onto his vehicle and take away so this is something you need to think about like you said.

I think it is a very brave decision to make and I wish you well x
 
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Goodness, what a tough decision. Well sone for considering it now, so your boy will benefit from you being prepared when the time comes.
For either of ours I think it will be the bullet as I have head a couple of worrying things about the injection. Although the bullet is a scary thing, that is just something for me to deal with, not them. For them it would be instant. Ideally it would happen in their field, while being fed treats. I'm not sure I could be with them as I'm sure they would pick up on my being upset. I would have the other in the field after it was done so they could say goodbye. After I think I would have the ashes back, then I could scatter them somewhere nice as I think it helps with the grieving process to have a place to visit and enjoy your memories. Such a scary and upsetting thing to think about, but I just keep reminding myself that the kindest act we can ever offer them is an end without fear and pain.
 
flash1 said:
I would advise you speak to your vet. My mare was pts last year by injection and it did not go as smoothly as I would have liked.
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Its often easier and quicker to shoot than to inject - they can run off and react to the injection - it doesn't always go well. Our vets won't inject! Sorry you had a bad experience x
 
My heart goes out to you, this is something that all of us have to think about at some time, and we must make the best choice for our special friend, it is hard but it really is the last thing that we can do for them and to make sure that all goes as well as it can. Please take care x
 
applecart14 said:
What I would say of paramount importance is that if he has a very close field mate you should let him see the body. My friend eventually lost her gelding after he pined to death for her mare that died before him. He got laminitis and then went on to get colic as a result of the pining and had to be put down. They shared a field/trailer and stable for 12 years. Let his field mate sniff or pore the body if he/she wants to, horses learn this way that there friend isn't going to rise. This is a natural thing to do, it really distresses me to think that a lifetime companion is constantly calling to his mate when he doesn't have a clue that it will never come back to him.
x
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i agree with this. when i found mine dead my other horses kept to the other side of the paddock and grazed while i sat by the body, when it was time for them to go off to another part of the field in the late afternoon they all came over and sniffed and touched him, then left. nobody pined or shouted after him as they knew he was gone and not coming back.
 
Flo_Bell said:
I did this 4 years ago with our old pony - we had her when she was 8, and she was 32 when we had her PTS - I'm so glad that I was able to plan it, and do what was right for her, and not have to have an emergency PTS with her being ill.

Like the OP I had given her the summer to chill with her friends, but knew that she would not cope with another winter, as she had struggled with rugs and mud the previous winter.

It may sound harsh to some, but Minnie went to the kennels. The one thing that she loved more than anything was going hunting, and we had always said that when her time came she would go back to the kennels. She had always been a difficult loader, but on the day it came to take her to the kennels, she loaded perfectly, and she looked so happy to be at the kennels.

I also had to send Mum away on holiday so that I could take her, as she didn't want to be there when Minnie went :(

I know that I made the right decision for Minnie, it was absolutely heart breaking, and I still have her headcollar underneath my lorry driving seat where I put it that day, and it will probably stay there as long as I have that lorry, as it is Minnie's momento.
Click to expand...


Now things have gone very blurry.
 
Sat at my desk snuffling into a tissue after reading Theresa's and Flo_Bells posts..Been quietly planning what to do with Dex if he doesnt continue to improve with his liver/hepatis issues :(

After a truely horrific "stuff of nightmares" experience i would only pts via injection IF there was also a gun to hand..

((Huge Hugs Benjamin))
 
I think for those of you saying you had bad experiences, if you're able I think its important that you share what went wrong.

My view is that in an emergency its the bullet, if its planned its the injection, but you guys saying it went wrong but not saying how isn't hugely helpful.

To the OP - what a strong decision you're making. Huge hugs, and I'm sure whatever method you choose will be the right one for your friend xxxxx
 
Sad post, I know, but like some of the other posters on here I have heard of injections going BADLY wrong (will not go into details) and because of this I would advise that if you go along the injection route you use an enclosed space e.g a foaling box or small barn. Hope this helps in making what is always a very difficult decision.
 
flamehead said:
I think for those of you saying you had bad experiences, if you're able I think its important that you share what went wrong.

My view is that in an emergency its the bullet, if its planned its the injection, but you guys saying it went wrong but not saying how isn't hugely helpful.

To the OP - what a strong decision you're making. Huge hugs, and I'm sure whatever method you choose will be the right one for your friend xxxxx
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Thank you flamehead.

I agree. I have seen both, and heard horror stories for both.

Maybe I, or someone else can make a new post re methods?

P x
 
Can't really offer advice on PTS, but I always have huge respect for people who make this decision in advance. People say it's ideal to just find them asleep in the field, but for me it wasn't that way. Little B really struggled in his last winter and looking back I was utterly selfish to keep him going. I had the vet booked literally 5 days after I found him dead and will mentally beat myself every day for not acting sooner. To me, it did not look a peaceful death. So, kudos to you and everyone who makes the decision BEFORE they need to. xx

p.s. I still have the tail clipping and his headcollar hung in the tack room! I did think about giving his things to charity, but the headcollar has his name on and it just seemed wrong.
 
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