Euthanasia - last time I ask, promise!

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

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I've posted about this a couple of times but my arthritic little mare has to be pts 2 weeks today. I have known this was going to happen since April, we decided to give her a last summer while her legs could cope and now her time is nearly gone.

However - I just cannot decide what to do for the best. I currently have both the vet and the knacker man booked, but I just do not know whether she should be injected or shot. I've talked it through with my vet at length, who said the injection is more peaceful and often better for the owner. I have made it very clear though that I want what is best for her, not for me. A friend recently had her gelding pts and even though he was dying and already down, he kicked and struggled while the drugs took effect and she got a good sock in the leg as he died.

I have gone over and over this since April and I just don't know what to do even though it's nearly here. If anyone has any advice or suggestions, please feel free as I need something to help me reach a final decision. If it was your decision, what would you honestly do, or have you done? And thanks to everyone who replied last time I asked this!
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it will be the hardest decision you will have to make i lloked had why horse when i had her pts sleep 4 months ago and i did that with the needle because it was quieter and she did not mind having injection thats why i chose that way and another reason was that with her being shot that bang would stay with me for the rest of my life. but if you boy does not like injections were he gets streesed out go with the gun if he does not mind needles i think i would go with the needle every time!
 
Im sorry that you are having to go through this but you really are being a super owner! I live in Italy where all are PTS via IV Tanax. It is very peaceful and they know nothing about it IF its carried out correctly. All of mine are heavily sedated then anaesthetised. Once they are down and out my vet then and only then injects the lethal dose of Tanax. Within a minute or so they slowly stop breathing and leave for pastures green on the other side. I promise you that they know nothing and dont suffer in any way. I prefer this way to shooting which is awful for the owner and can go wrong ( my first TB was shot and it went horribly wrong
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). Big hugs to you. Mairi.
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I'm so sorry you have to go through this, it isnt a nice time is it.
I have had 2 pts by injection at home but they were given a sedative first and found both times as peaceful as you could expect.
They both took a large (last) breath which was almost a bit upsetting and one of them did jerk a leg but they knew nothing about it as they were sedated first.
I didn't have them shot as I was told the noise was upsetting and there was a little blood on the head obviously which I couldn't have coped with.
It is unfortunately something that we all have to face at some point and even knowing this doesnt help.
I hope it goes as well as can be expected and that you know in your heart you are doing the right thing.
 
we have had 3 horses put to sleep here. The first was a pony with colic and he was shot. Hubby founhd the whole thing traumatic (for him not the pony) and said never again. The second was a 36 year old who had cancer and he had the injection. He just sat down then lay down and died. The third and last was my husbands horse who had severe colic. He was already down when he had the injection and did get up for a few seconds then just lay down and gave a huge sigh and died. The injections seemed peaceful, no thrashing or kicking, no gasping for breath they just went off seemingly peacefully. I have an old boy who is fine right now but I know the time is coming. I will be having him injected. So sorry you are having to face this difficult decision.
 
I know of many horses PTS by injection and have only heard of one that didn't go quickly and peacefully. It was a mare of my mums and she reared and kicked when she went down. However my mum has had about 10 PTS this way (she has a large stud - she's not just somekind of serial horse killer!) This was the only pony of hers that reacted in such a way and the vet says she was VERY unlucky to have experienced this, the mare had a reaction to the drug and apparently this is very rare.
We had a much loved pony P.T.S. a couple of months ago by injection and he went very quickly and peacefully - no kicking or gasping, just a quiet dignified end.
You must do whatever you feel is right - personally I prefer injection as it seems a more peaceful less violent end. Discuss it further with your vet if you have any unanswered queries.
Hugs to you, I know it is an awful decision for any owner to make and a very upsetting time no matter which method you choose.
 
I am having two of my oldies pts on Thursday. They will be sedated first and then euthanased by injection. I too have given them the summer (such as it was) and am dreading Thursday, even though I know that it is the right thing for them both, so I know exactly how you feel and am full of sympathy for you.
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Firstly I am so sorry you are going to lose your mare. Good for you to sticking to your decision though. If the mare is struggling it is the kindest, most compassionate service that any owner can provide for their horse.

I don't know how common this is, but my vet sedates before he shoots horses. So you don't get away without a needle either way.

I had the misfortune to have my two mares pts 3 weeks apart. One was shot, one had the injection. My vet had a silencer on his gun, so not a lot of noise really. I gave her a hug and then turned away as I didn't want to see her go down. She was already so sedated that she didn't know if I was there or not. The vet gave her a huge amount of sedation but she wasn't going down, she fought it. That's why I agreed that he should get it over and done with. I couldn't see the point in NOT shooting her, I didn't want to drag it out. Obviously it was instant, no distress for Holly at all. The only thing was her legs looked a bit funny because of the angle she fell at. They were all stretched out straight. We did need to do a bit of cleaning up after she was removed as well.

My second mare was already down when I found her and had a TIA. She was gone before the vet took the needle out, but I don't believe this is the norm. It was extremely peaceful, and I must admit that the body looked more natural as she had lain down herself rather than fallen.

When the time comes for my current horse I shall keep an open mind. It all depends on circumstances at the time. I now have no real preference for either method. If you had told me 3 years ago that I would have a horse shot I wouldn't have believed you. TBH neither is nice, but then neither are that bad considering what needs to be achieved.

Also depend what your horse is like with the vet, and how she is with strangers. You'll have to decide which would be less stressful for her.

Perhaps you could talk it through with your vet?

Wishing you a lovely fortnight with your mare, take care and be strong.

Jo x
 
Only experienced one horse being PTS and that was shot. Will give you the account - blood and all.

The horse's owner said her goodbyes the night before, the rest of us liveries and her sharer stayed on the day. Sharer led the mare round to the car park (we had it done by the muckheap so there was something for her to fall onto and easier to remove the body). He asked her if she wanted to stay so she asked what would happen. He said the gun will go off and she'll be dead before she hits the ground. She might move slightly but it's just a nervous reaction of some kind. Sharer decided not to stay and I saw some of it as she was walking back down the barn. He held the gun up and she was down within a second. The noise wasn't really a bang as such, more somewhere between a click and a thud. He came back into the barn and asked if anyone wanted to see her before he took her. We didn't but I asked how long before he'd have her loaded up. He said 2 mins and when we went out 5mins later he'd gone, not even on the lane so obviously very quick. There was a fairly large pool of blood. Not very pleasant as it was quite thick and dark. He'd already thrown some muck from the muck heap on it so we threw more on to soak it up and then buried it into the muckheap.

To be honest, I expected it to be very unpleasant but it wasn't horrendous. The noise does stay with you but guns make a noise so it wasn't a surprise and it's not very loud. He was very quick and efficient so no complaints with the service. There was quite a lot of blood and I probably wouldn't want to clear up after my own horse, however, he arrived to do the deed at about 2.05-2.15ish and we were cleaned up by 2.45.

I guess it's a terrible decision either way. If my mare reached her end as the other mare at our yard did, it wouldn't fill me with horror. I've never seen one being injected but I know of people who say it always goes smoothly and others that say it doesn't. Think sedating them first is a good idea.

Really sorry you're having to make the decision. Hope things run smoothly on the day whatever you decision is.

x
 
I have held three that were given the injection (not my choice) and two that were shot. Two of the horses that had the jab in my opinion suffered one was OK but it still took a few moments. I would go for the gun every time. The injection is about human perception, what you think of as peaceful - no one can actually tell you for sure what the horse is experiencing either way but at least the gun is quick. The post from Mairi is the only time I've heard of it going wrong. Ask yourself if you were given the choice which way would you want to go?
Whatever you do is going to be traumatic because you are clearly a caring owner. You need to decide what is the best way for you and your horse. Hope it goes as smoothly as possible which ever way you choose.
xxx
 
im sorry that you are having to go through this. i had to make the same decision with my mum last year
i read up on the methods and we came to the decision that we would have her PTS by injection.
I watched the whole thing as i wanted to know how everything went. My vet was very professional, calm about everything. They knew how much she ment to us and the nurse also came out to support us. She was put down in the field, sectioned off for the other horses. She went down very steadily. When the vet was happy that she had gone, i let my other horses in to see her so they could see she had gone. 1 reacted violent and tried to get her up, my other mare got very upset by it all and moped around for a good few weeks.

When i have to make the decision again I will be going for the injection again.
 
I would prefer gun, more distressing for me as owner but instant for horse and thats important. Except maybe with my big chap as he is headshy.

But if I can get over the headshy bit I would prefer gun and ideally by the hunt kennelpeople as my chap was a hunter in Ireland before I got him and altho I only hunted a couple of times on him you could tell it was what he loved the most. I like the idea of him living on through the hounds.

Hopefully its a good many years off but thats what I would choose.
 
What a horrible time for you, I had my old pony PTS by injection, the vet was very supportive & this was the method she recommended. Snowbird was sedated heavily, I was with her through this, the vet gave me plenty of time for cuddles & to say goodbye, then I went & got in my dads car, we had agreed that once they heard the car door shut, that was the signal that I wouldn't come back again. Dad held her, he said it was very peaceful & the vet told him she was gone before the needle came out. She went on her knees, then just lay down on her side. I have held a couple of friends horses when their time came, both also went very peacefully by injection, this would be my preferred method, but I think its a very personal thing. I hope it all goes smoothly for you.
 
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Bullet. I will never have another horse go by injection. PM me if you want to know more, but I think you can probably read between the lines on this one.

Sorry that you are having to make this decision.
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firstly big hugs to you and little girly and well done for making the decision. I had my little pony put down 2years ago and although the decision was already made on having her put down i had no idea what to expect. she was down already and couldnt get back up . she got the injection. it was so peaceful and made things as easy as they could be.

the vet talked me through what would happen that as the drug takes affect she may take a few deep breathes as her heart stops but by this time she is well asleep. generally its like being sedated and then they go to sleep and then the final dose. she was so quiet and peaceful im so glad it happened that way.

everyone else i have known have a horse put down has had injection and they have always gone peacefully. whatever you decide my thoughts are with you and i'm sure you will make the right decision for your little girl
 
So sad to hear about your mare, you are doing the right thing by her and being very brave.

I had my boy PTS 4 years ago by the vet, he was given 4 bute in the morning and was feeling very spritely as I walk him to the field where it was to happen. He had some polo's then the vet gave him the injection. He was down and gone in seconds, I had heard horror stories re the injection but my vet assured me that he would be gone quickly and that for all parties it was the most peaceful choice.

If you trust your vet the go with him, if you are unsure know that the bullet is not pleasant for the people left behind but the horse knows nothing of it.
 
I would always have my horses shot - and I'd have dogs shot too, if it were socially acceptable.

Both of my ponies were taken to the kennels and shot there, and it was so, so quick. My dad held the first, and he went quickly and painlessly. Mum and I were on our own for the second and didnt want to see it happen, but as we put the ramp of the horsebox up we heard a muffled shot, and that was that. Our old horse also went the same way.

My dad used to be a farrier, and has many terrible stories to tell of injections gone wrong. One horse was put down in its stable just before he got to the yard - the vet had 'checked it', filled out the necessary paperwork and driven off. Dad was halfway through shoeing when he heard terrible screaming and kicking, and the YO came rushing up to him, white and frantic, telling him that the 'dead' horse was not in fact dead. The poor thing was throwing itself around the stable, not able to stand but still apparently conscious, almost like it had come round from the injection. Dad dragged it down to the floor, and had to sit on its head for 40 minutes until the vet came back to finish the job
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The second one he knew of that went wrong was an elderly horse who was to be put down in his own familiar field. The horse did not drop as expected when the injection was given; instead, he stood up on his back legs, broke free from his owner and careered off around the field, unseeing and unfeeling. He cannoned into a barbed wire fence, turned a somersault and broke his neck
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We've also known of two dogs who were put down by injection where it went horribly, horribly wrong. The dogs were left screaming in agony whilst the vets pumped more fluid into them - such an awful way for a family friend to go. Death by shooting is never going to be pretty, but for the animal involved, it is surely the kindest, quickest and most humane route to take. I think the only time I would not choose the bullet would be if I had an incredibly head-shy horse, for whom having something pressed against its forehead would be utterly traumatising. But in every other instance, I would choose the bullet.

So sorry about your girlie
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I'm so sorry for you, its a nightmare time.

I was a veterinary nurse and I personnally will always have mine injected if I have a choice. If something were to happen such as a broken leg cross country, when the animal was already distressed then I would have it shot. This is becasue of the adrenaline that is already pumping round the body can make the sedation and then the anesthetic (which is all the injection is) very unpredictable and the horses generally fight it.
In a case when the animal is not already extremely stressed its injection every time (including when one of mine had colic and enough was enough).

However each and every horse is different, are yours generally quite sensible horses? Or are the horrendusly flightly and very unpredictable? We all know are own horses and the end of the day and you will know whats best in your heart!

Big hug!!!
 
What a truly awful decision for you. I used to work at a rescue centre and saw many horses PTS - all ages, all conditions, by injection and gun. Personally I preferred the gun and would like to think that I will choose that for my mare when the time comes.

In my experience Tinkle's account is pretty accurate, it's not particuarly pleasant for an owner, and you do have to consider where you have it done, but it was always instant. We did have the injection for some but didn't like seeing those go down so slowly, and as hellspells says some fought it. The knackerman we used was very experienced, he always wanted to do his best for the horses.

However, this is only one perspective, whatever you settle on I'm sure you will make the right decision.
 
First of all can I say I admire you for doing what is the right thing for your horse; no horse can ask for more of an owner IMO.

I would always go with being shot, preferably by hunt staff; they are caring, professional and very experienced. I've seen some done by injection and wouldn't have been happy if they had been mine but mine have always been shot without any problems at all. Someone described it perfectly before, also Miss Elz as well.
It's your decision at the end of the day, we can't make it for you, I just hope it goes smoothly for you.
 
Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all the points of view and also the kind words. This forum really is so helpful! I have to say I was swaying towards the bullet, and thought I'd finally made up my mind until I thought of one more thing. Namely, my mare shares a field with 3 other little ones, one of which is her best friend. The two of them have never spent more than a day apart in 22 years. Obviously her death will be a traumatic experience for the survivor so I had planned to leave the body with her for an hour or two, to accept the death and help her grieve. However - if I go for the shooting option the knackerman isn't going to want to wait around. So is this a valid argument against shooting? I want to do what's best for her; but I also want to do what's best for my other mare.
 
I am sorry you are about to go through this, but respect you for your decision.

I have seen too many horses struggle and suffer from the injection and personally prefer them to be shot, which I have had done, and it has been so quick.
However, how the injection reacts will depend largely on the condition of your horse. It sounds as if yours should be OK with an injection, but it is difficult to tell until you try.
I guess ultmately, it is down to your own preference.
Thinking of you.
 
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Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all the points of view and also the kind words. This forum really is so helpful! I have to say I was swaying towards the bullet, and thought I'd finally made up my mind until I thought of one more thing. Namely, my mare shares a field with 3 other little ones, one of which is her best friend. The two of them have never spent more than a day apart in 22 years. Obviously her death will be a traumatic experience for the survivor so I had planned to leave the body with her for an hour or two, to accept the death and help her grieve. However - if I go for the shooting option the knackerman isn't going to want to wait around. So is this a valid argument against shooting? I want to do what's best for her; but I also want to do what's best for my other mare.

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Did you see The Lie Of The Land on Channel 4 last year?
That was the first time I've ever seen a horse put down, and it was very poignant. Basically, the mare, a really old girl, was in a field with three others (her daughters, I believe) and when she was shot - she went straight down - the others galloped over to her body, sniffing and snorting. The men left them be for a couple of minutes, and eventually the mares moved away, of their own accord. It was touching to see - almost as if they had to reassure themselves that it was her, yet she was no more - and when they walked away, you could tell that they had accepted she, as they had known her, was gone.

I believe that your other horse may only need a few minutes to understand it all. I think as long as she does get the chance to see the body, and realise that her friend is gone, she will be ok. So again, the method of euthanasia should not matter.
 
Sorry to hear you have to make such a sad decision. I have to hold many horses as part of my work when they are euthanased. If you want to think of yourself then go for the injection thinking of the horse go for being shot. check if your vet will shoot as this way you could leave the body for a while before collection. I have asked vets which they think is best for horse and they have all said shooting....
 
I really admire your courage for doing the best by your pony.

I personally think it depends on the individual horse and owner only had 1 of mine PTS severe colic and that was with the gun.
I was the brave kid on the yard who used to go off across the fields with liveries horses to meet the gun.I have to say the bang has never affected me but then i held my pals pony to be shot at the age of 10 so im very used to it.
I used to take the school horses to be PTS too and i think i was around 13 at the time.
I am only so calm about it because like i said i have doen it from an early age to me its a way of life if someone needs me they call me.
I have also laid horses out for friends if they needed PTS quickly one pal lost a mare to a broken leg,i went out into the feild ands spent an hour bandaging her legs [did all 4 so there would be no focus on the broken one] i cleaned her from the head wound and gave her a nice brush so she looked as best as could be when her owner came to say goodbye.
Then i have done it a few other times with ponies PTS by injection some of the teens on my old yard insisted they wanted to say goodbye and there parents asked me if i could see to it that they looked as well and natural as possible.


But with all this said and done i know when jays time comes fi will want me there as she probably wont be able to bear to be with him,and i think i would want the injection for him as he will know something is up if we take him to a secluded spot on his own,and i know it would stress him out.
If he was in his safe enviroment and just had a little injection he would go very quietly i think.
I think there are pro's and cons with the injection and the gun but i think it should really come down to what the horse would find easier and thats a call only an owner can make.
 
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It should really come down to what the horse would find easier and thats a call only an owner can make.

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You've summed it up very neatly there, I think. We all have different stories and tales to tell, but ultimately only you know your horse - deep down, you will be able to decide what is best.
 
Yes its definently what the horse would find easier if it would be the gun then there is always someone like me who is hard as nails who could be there with the horse if the owner cant face it.
As morbid as it sounds i have been called many times to assist with PTS of beloved family pets as its too hard on the owners.
 
my horse was PTS via injection. He had 5 bute in the am so he could go out and have a last play. The vet came, sedated him and he was swaying and obviously not with it. I led him to the field and she injected him. She pushed him so he fell and didn't split his front legs. I sat with his head in my hands and he was gone. So peaceful and quiet. BTW I also slept in the stable with him the night before which is one of the nicest memories of him I have
 
I have to agree with MizElz, this has been my experience also. Whenever I have had any horses put to sleep (all have been shot, except the last one who was IV because the only vet I could call in this emergency situation did not have a gun), I have always allowed the horse's friend/s come and say goodbye after the horse has fallen. I have done this many many times over the years and every time it has been the same; the friends come over to the body, sniff it, and then walk away, seemingly quite content and accepting. They only need a couple of minutes tops before they move on.

I have always been with my horses right till the very end and I would always opt for the gun over the needle. Whatever you choose, I wish you well. Never a nice time for any owner
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Tia x
 
My own horse was injected but as a veterinary nurse I saw many go both ways and never once saw any of the horror stories that always seem to crop up in these posts. Either way is totally humane, the horse has no concept of death - it has to be administered correctly like any drug or procedure. I believe that shooting is instant but if I were to choose shooting it would be the hunt or the knackerman that carried it out. The vets I worked with didn't like shooting horses as the injection is so popular now they don't generally have the same confidence as the huntsman or knackerman.

If you go for the injection, personally I would not have the horse sedated first. The drug works in the same way as an anaesthetic so it has to be carried round the body by the bloodstream. Sedation slows the rate of distribution of the drug and so it is likely to work slower. My boy was not sedated and I honestly believe he was dead before he hit the floor.

For me the worst part was knowing the lorry was coming to take him away and as soon as I knew he was gone, I left as I didn't want to see him being winched into the lorry.
 
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