Depressing

[cob1]

Since deciding to have my TB PTS, i have had lots of Qs, as ive never has one PTS to sleep before.

Always thought of this subject as a bit of a taboo.


Should i be there or not?

I am dreading what it will feel like afterwards and it will be wierd only having one again - what happens if i dont want my youngster (well 5 year old) anymore as i have always favoured my TB?

This is the bit i was dreading with horses.

i found it hard buying and bonding with my new one as i thought i wanted a new ridden horse when the TB had to be retired suddenly (which i do).

 

[Flame_]

I have never been present when my horses have been PTS and while I think I loved them and I do miss them I have always been absolutely fine. I think it would have been harder if I had been there and I'm not looking forward to when the time comes for my ponies, as then I'll have to hold them. Personally I'd say if you don't have to be there don't be, say goodbye before hand.

I think your five year old will be a good friend to help you cope with it.

 

[jesterfaerie]

I think it is entirly up to you but I think it is the sort of thing that you cannot decide until the day comes. You may decide today that you definatly want to be with him but when it comes to it you may find yourself feeling that it would be best if you weren't and visa versa.
So personally I would say to try not to force a desison on this part yet.

You may feel that only having your youngster may bring the two of you closer together.
So I would leave things how they are and see if you begin to get alog with him more before you decide if you still want him or not. Because you may decide you do not want him and get rid the perhaps end up facing the fact you may not find something that lives up to your TB and regret not having any horse at all.

My thoughts go out to you. I am sorry you had to make the hardest choice.

 

[Kenzo]

Of course you will feel like this, it is part of the grieving process, all sorts of things go through your mind, specially about the PTS process in which is the best way, your mind will be pounding one day, then you will feel blank and depressed the next.

All I can say is that there is light at the end, you will feel a lot of pain after your horse is PTS, mixture of emotions, but what I can promise you is that your youngster will be your rock, you need something to keep you busy and keep you sane. Ok so your other horse wont be like the one your loosing, but don't compare, don't look for things in your youngster that your other horse has got, this will only make you think that you don't like him as much, instead appreciate what you have, look for the different quirks, change can be good, your youngster will teach you things your other horse could never do, but at the same time your other horse will of taught you many things your youngster will not.

You'll get through, stay strong and think about the future, the good times you had and not worry too much about the present. x

 

[Rana]

It's a decision only you can make, and you need to be comfortable with that decision - it's no good beating yourself up later, so take the time to think about it now.

Personally, I was there when I had my old girl PTS. I asked my "favourite" vet to do it (he has 30 years experience, and known my pony for 18 years). I owned her for 18 years, and grew up with her. I felt I had to be there. And I would always make that decision again (unless circumstances don't permit).

If you are going to be there, make sure you know exactly what to expect. Ask your vet questions, or post on here. That way there shouldn't be any surprises. I had mine injected, and expected the worst. She went peacefully, and I was SO relieved.

It was hard seeing to my other horses on the same day, and I've sinced moved yards as I found it a bit difficult to cope with. I think I did bond more with my others though.

Take time after the event to consider how you feel about your 5 year old. Winter isn't a good time for selling horses anyway, so give it a good few months before making a decision. The last thing you want is to "lose" both within a short space of time.

Thinking of you xx

 

[YorksG]

Well said Kenzo, couldn't agree more. As for being there at the time. We have had all ours shot, and in recent years the people doing the job have asked us to go into the house while the deed is done. (I think this is a mixture of health and safety and to stop hysterical owners making the job more difficult) They have all died eating and we have known that the end was quick and painless, stress free in their own yard. That is the most any of us can do. I hope that your youngster uses his talents to help you to feel better, I am sure he will.

 

[cob1]

Thats the thing..... he is needle shy and tries to tank of with you or jump out the stable so i have decided that shooting would be best.

Plus i dont like the idea of the injection as i wouldnt know he had 'gone' that second, which with the shooting i kinda do if you know what i mean.

Thank you for all your comments, its given me a more positive take on everything, especially with regards to my youngster.

 

[Kenzo]

Yes I had my lad shot too, I will go into some detail as that part was not the worst.

It was very quick, the knacker man as they call them was a nice normal guy, was not what I'd imagined, I led him out of his field, spent a some tearful moments while he ate in another field, then my dad held him, I went back to the car park and he was done while eating grass, my horse suspected nothing, he didn't look or smell like vet, he just thought he was being fussed, it was done in minutes and was on the wagon and gone. My horse was a box walker and weaver, I didn't want him suspecting anything or taking back to a stable, I want the process done and it was done respectfully, the hardest thing was going to the yard everyday and not seeing him grazing in his field, seeing his rugs in the tack room, that is the part that hurts not he PTS process.
My friend took some some mane from him, i keep a plait of it in jewellery box so it reminds me of him everyday.

I was lucky to have my youngster though, I thought I'd never get attached to him, my other horse which was a TB was such a soft and loving personality, I could not fault him, but buggar lugs below is completely different! but I love his cheekiness, his grumpiness ....it kept me occupied and make my my tears turn in to tears of joy and then the odd giggle (and scream) at times, but he got me through it. I still believe my old horse is in the field with them, I feel his presence, I truly believe he watches over me and looks after me when riding my young horse.

 

[Booboos]

It's a really, really difficult decision, but there are no wrong answers - whatever you decide is the right thing to do.

We had two 'oldies' put to sleep for health reasons this winter. I stayed with them while the vet injected them and it was all very calm and peaceful. Given that they had to be PTS, I would say this was the way to do it and I was re-assured it was done right by being there.

A few years ago we had to put a relatively young horse to sleep due to health problems and I have to admit I had to leave the house as it was breaking my heart. OH took over, but it all got a bit messy as the knacker man's lorry couldn't get near the field, so he was taken out, got very wound up, had problems shooting him safely, etc., so it was not a good experience.

 

[cob1]

Ive got the vets doing it - two are coming as i doubt i can be there - both have treated him over the time for his ailments and he has spent a week or two here and there at the surgery so know him well! Plus i dont really want to know which one is doing it and it will be easier to look both in the eye - some people might think this is a bit mad thou!?

The crem is picking him straight up and its being done in our jumping field where he has had many a blast.

 

[LankyDoodle]

I wasn't there when my mare was put to sleep; my husband was. When I read about people on here having had their horse pts and them having been there until the bitter end, holding them and hugging them, I feel a massive amount of guilt. This is not because I feel I made the wrong choice but because I feel that so many other people are so much braver than I am. So I can totally understand why you are not sure what to do.

Like others have said, it is not something you know for sure until moments before the end. I kept changing my mind until the vet got there. When the vet put his arm round me and asked if we were ready, I told him I just couldn't be there. That was my choice and he respected my need to not be there. I had spent all day with our mare, saying goodbye to her and cuddling her. She had a huge bucket of grass and then some wet cool mix as we walked down to the barn. She was not able to go out in the field as her feet were shot to pieces. My husband cuddled her all the way through and one of our friends was there with them as well. I think it was the best way for it all to happen.

What I am saying is that this is very individual and you will not know until the day comes. As time moves on, you will begin to notice things about your youngster that you hadn't noticed before because of the comparisons you were always forced to draw. You'll have another horse to concentrate your efforts on. What is more, the legacy of your TB lives on in your youngster. That sounds so very cheesy, but it is true. When George came along, we'd had Sparkle years; he was a stressy, messed up, nervous boy and she, in her way, sorted him out through the years. Now I see her in him, and I will see her in our new horse because George will pass it all on.

I understand your emotions are all over the place right now, and you just want it all to go away. You will make all the right decisions for you in the end, have confidence in that fact.

 

[YorksG]

Kenzo, I think you may be from my part of the world, was it Crowthers? Also known as the Yorkshire Pet Cremmatorium (I think) Steff and her team are excellent.

 

[cob1]

Thats another thing that is weird, i had to name my youngster, and his showname relates to my old horse. I never thought i would be saying goodbye so soon.

 

[YorksG]

We had our old Appy for 23 years, it still felt far too soon when we had to let her go last October, it is always too soon in our hearts. (sorry for being sentimental)

 

[Kenzo]

[ QUOTE ]
Kenzo, I think you may be from my part of the world, was it Crowthers? Also known as the Yorkshire Pet Cremmatorium (I think) Steff and her team are excellent.

[/ QUOTE ]

No I'm in East Yorkshire, it was one chappy but I have no regrets and would use them again if needed, if anything you learn from the experience and hopefully I can be there to assist when it comes to some else having there's done, I know it is a sad topic but I think it helps us all to talk about it and get it out of our systems.

 

[Happytohack]

Sorry to read that you have had to make the difficult decision to have your horse PTS. In 30 years of horse ownership, I have had 4 PTS. Some years ago, 2 were shot by the knackerman and more recently 2 were PTS by injection, all were PTS at home. I was not with either horse that was shot, but left them happily munching out of a feed bucket while the deed was done and went round the corner, as I wanted to remember them as they were and having held a friend's horse years ago when he was shot, I chose not to put myself through it with my own beloved horses. I was with the 2 that were PTS by the vet by injection - their end was swift, trauma-free and they went with dignity - but they weren't needleshy and were totally relaxed throughout. If you have opted for your horse being shot, I would be very, very sure that your vet is happy and completely competent to carry it out. My own vet will not do it as they simply don't shoot enough horses, which is why I had the knackerman - their job is to put animals down and they take a pride in doing a swift, humane job, in my case I know him through the veterinary practice I used to work for. I hope I haven't upset you by being blunt about it. You have had the courage to make the hardest decision for your horse - in time it will be easier for you as you'll remember the happy times you spent together.

 

[ladyt25]

We have had two of our oldies PTS by injection and it was v quick and they do not know anything, I couldn't have one shot but then neither could I have a healthy horse put down. Both of ours were poorly and they had had enough, we had done all we can for them.

To be honest if I feel my animals are happy i will let them go on as they are happy in retirement out in their field. The minute I feel they are suffering (you can see it in them eyes I believe) then I would call it a day.

Putting to sleep by injection is no different than having you horse out under GA fgor surgery. If you have ever had an op yourself under GA then you know, once that drug is in you are asleep and that's that. They could overdoes you then and there and you wouldn't know. Any involuntary movements are just that, the animal doesn't know. I don't think I could bear to have mine shot, I consider them my pets as well as competition animals and I wouldn't have my dog shot so I feel the same for them. I find injection the most peaceful way all round but then each to their own.

 

[Ebenezer_Scrooge]

I could not bear the thought of my horse being shot. I made the decision long before that I would have the injection. She fractured her shoulder in the field and I got the dreaded call 1 minute after she fell over. I have no regrets over her having the injection by my vets and it was so peaceful. I was there right until the end. You have to do what you feel is right for you and your horse, Thinking of you xx

 

[YorksG]

LadyT, why do you equate having horses shot with having healthy horses PTS? I can assure you that the horses we have had shot have been elderly and ill or just ill. They have all been shot at home, we have kept horses for over 30 years, and unless you only have one at a time and have them all from foals, trust me, in that time you will see a few pass on.

 

[cob1]

Thankyou everyone for their kind comments and support, i understand this can be an emotive topic and everyone has their own views on how it should be done.

Just a few notes for the ones who seemed to assume i was putting a healthy horse down - he has navicular which is quite advanced, DJD in hocks, ringbone along with KS which affect 7 DSPs and also had to have an operation for an infected knee injury in june time - although it did not affect the joint, he is in constant pain and too lame too trot. All these put together with severe mud fever which he gets even with strict treatment and turnout boots cannot be controlled, is affecting his quality of life.

I hope this clarifies some points and alos my vet has alot of experience with using a gun (i used a specialist equine vet with lots of experience).