Do horses grieve?

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malibu211211

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My boy, Donnegan is having to be PTS tomorrow
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as most of you know but I am worried about his field mate. She has been with him for the last 3 years, they used to do everything together and have moved yards together twice.
She is coming in with him tomorrow morning until the vet arrives
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I'm worried about her as although there are 3 of them in the field, my boy and her are always together.
Is there anything we can do to make things easier for her?
Do horses grieve for fieldmates? (silly question but I don't know
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Is there any way that he can be PTS in the field? The best thing then is to let the others go and sniff his body - that way they will know and accept that he is gone. They may be startled by it, but they will understand. A bit like a mare or a cow will sniff and slowly accept that her foal/calf has died.

So sad, but at least your girl has others for company. We had a pair that were inseparable, but when we lost one of them, old Bonzo coped alright.

Sorry that you are losing Donnegan
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Hi, Yes horses do grief.. When Trooper was PTS his field mate Zhelda had been with him since she was a foal, she was 5 when we lost Trooper. My other horse Gary had been in the next again stable to Trooper and also in the next again field to Trooper all his life, Gary as 19 when i lost Trooper so he and Trooper had been together since Gary was a foal too. They were so quiet and withdrawn for a few days after Trooper went. The day Trooper was getting PTS it was like they all knew as well. Some people say its better if they can see the body so they can say goodbye but my guys didnt get to do that. They do get over it,, well they appear to do so. Try not to worry about her too much. Thinking about you for tomorrow. x
 
I am so sorry. As above do let the other one see the body, they can then accept it and not wait for the other one to come home.
As with people give the other horse as much time as it needs.
It will turn away when ready. Geive yourself at the same time if you need to then. Don't hold it in until later. Will someone be with you? Do you have someone to listen to whatever you want to say?
I do feel for you
Best wishes
 
Yes, they do - and not just for those who have died. They can also be very upset when companions are sold on. If you can, let his fieldmate go to him after he is pts and sort her feelings out that way. Can you get another pony to keep her company. Lots of fuss and treats and time to grieve quietly if necessary.

Very sorry to hear you are losing Donnegan
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Sorry to hear that
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Anyway, I have not read other replies so sorry if anything is repeated. It is better, it at all possible for the horse to be PTS with his field mates present, and they should be allowed to spend time with the horse between it being PTS and taken away (a good few hours if possible). This way they will accept the loss and hopefully get over it much quicker.

If they see the body it make acceptance much much easier.

Hope all goes as well as it can for you x
 
yes they do grieve the best thing is to let them smell and see his body. sorry to hear of your loss. big hugs for tomorrow.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Geive yourself at the same time if you need to then. Don't hold it in until later. Will someone be with you? Do you have someone to listen to whatever you want to say?
I do feel for you
Best wishes

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks everyone

Yes my long suffering friend, Bellaboo will be with me and no doubt she will listen to me waffle on as usual. I wonder if Bellaboo's filly will understand? (she's not the brightest spark, bless her
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) as she lives with D 24/7 as well
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I cannot see the screen after reading this that I was sent so it's your turn for the red eyes
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DON'T CRY FOR THE HORSES
by Brenda Riley-Seymore

Don't cry for the horses that life has set free
A million white horses forever to be
Don't cry for the horses now in God's hands
As they dance and they prance to a heavenly band
They were ours as a gift but never to keep
As they close their eyes forever to sleep
Their spirits unbound on silver wings they fly
A million white horses against the blue sky
Look up into heaven you'll see them above
The horses we lost the horses we loved
Manes and tails flowing they gallop through time
They were never yours they were never mine
Don't cry for the horses they will be back someday
When our time has come they will show us the way
Do you hear that soft nicker close to your ear?
Don't cry for the horses love the ones that are here.

Sorry!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
I cannot see the screen after reading this that I was sent so it's your turn for the red eyes
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DON'T CRY FOR THE HORSES
by Brenda Riley-Seymore

Don't cry for the horses that life has set free
A million white horses forever to be
Don't cry for the horses now in God's hands
As they dance and they prance to a heavenly band
They were ours as a gift but never to keep
As they close their eyes forever to sleep
Their spirits unbound on silver wings they fly
A million white horses against the blue sky
Look up into heaven you'll see them above
The horses we lost the horses we loved
Manes and tails flowing they gallop through time
They were never yours they were never mine
Don't cry for the horses they will be back someday
When our time has come they will show us the way
Do you hear that soft nicker close to your ear?
Don't cry for the horses love the ones that are here.

Sorry!!

[/ QUOTE ]
Thats lovely, set me off now.
 
Sorry to hear about your boy
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.

By far the best thing you can do is have Donnegan put to sleep near the others (but separate) and then allow his best friend/s to come into the area afterwards, so that they can sniff him and give them a finite ending. It does help them.

Keep strong for tomorrow. Very sad.

Tia x
 
I had to make the decision to have one of my horses PTS 3 weeks ago. He would have been lost without his best mate Mary so that morning I turned them both out together for a few hours, Mary stood with Paul when he was PTS. I think it was a comfort for both of them and though Mary was a bit withdrawn afterwards she got on with things far better than I did!

Very sorry to hear about your boy, my thoughts will be with you tomorrow, be brave.
 
When my pony was being walked to the field to be put to sleep, as my horse passed her as we took her out of the field she seemed really concered and was looking at her etc about what was wrong. I was really suprised as they had not know each other as long as some of our other ponies had, but milly knew there was something wrong with sky.
 
That is very sad
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Years ago when I had my old boy his companion developed compaction and was stabled under vets orders (parafin) whilst my old boy was turned out for the day. Unfortunately I was not in the country at the time but the YO told me that they called to each other all day. Captain was brought in at 5pm, Duke was ok and still standing - they went out again at 6pm and Duke had passed - they presume of a heart attack. Captain never called for him again although was very low.
So I believe they do greive just like us

Don't have anything to add to the great advice given .... except be proud that you have given him a wonderful life and doing the responsible thing all horse owners have to face one day ... no matter how hard it is
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Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Thinking of you x
 
These were sent to me by friends when mine was PTS

By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.

For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.

No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.

They romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.

For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.

The sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.
 
I am so sorry, it will be a tough day for you.
I would allow them to see his body as it's important for them to understand what's happened.
We had a long time herd member pts a few weeks back, and all that day her close mates stood and watched over her body from behind the hedge of the next field.
They were joined by the senior gelding who I had never seen take much interest in her in the past, but perhaps it was some sort of ritual that the top chap had to stand with them.
By nightfall all decided to wander off and they didn't return to that spot again.
They will likely sniff and even paw at her but that's natural horse behaviour.
The others will settle especially if there are two of them.
 
Just saw your post: All my thoughts will be with you tomorrow...
((((Big hugs)))) and virtual pats to your boy and the rest of the gang. They will be fine and help you go through this, I'm sure.
 
i have no words to comfort you , i have lost a horse to a bullet and saw my dearest friends horse drop to the floor when she could not bare to look , i will wipe my tears and have another glass of wine raised in honour god bless and give a packet of extra strong mints from me xx
 
sorry for your upcoming loss, I lost my mare a few months ago and her field mate my gelding ( they were a true unseperable married couple they even had rows) was stood by the fence on the other side of the paddock she was pts in he saw it all and was with her till the end so to speak i didnt let him in to her but he stayed for ages wandered off when he seemed to have realised and said good bye he was a tad low for a bit but seemed to get over loosing her very very well! I would agree with others let him see either during or after i trully do think it helps them get over their loss. So sorry again thinking of you tomorrow xx
 
I believe that they do grieve for each other, our old Appy seemed very sad when her companion of 20 years died in the stable next to her. She had other companions, but no-one she was as close to. She got a new lease of life when we got the new Appy, a couple of months later and they were very good friends until the old Appy was pts 2 1/2 years later.
 
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