Euthanisia, which do you "prefer" shooting or needle?

Sampson.rebecca said:
Hi all,
I know this subject isnt the nicest however i am doing it for my degree and was wondering which people "prefer" to use, the injection or shooting? If you could please either complete my survey below or write your comment including where you are from as it is nationally and internationally?
Thank you all
https://www.surveymonkey.com/analyze/browse/4pFlnpRwNE7u1_2FbKgaxkHFU_2ByP0sevQSKo0OqKQtjQI_3D
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I've heard horror stories of horses with half a dose of barbiturates, and even for human prisoners (executions), who're strapped to a board and understand what's happening, there have far too many 'incidents'. Bullet for me every time.
I'm in Hampshire, UK.
 
Shooting every time had one PTS last month and it was the needle it confirmed my view gun is best horse went over backwards was still 'there' for a few moments on the ground definatly slower than shooting.
 
shooting BUT by a professional knackerman not a vet. Quickest for the horse, possibly more stressful for me (noise and blood) but horse comes first in this situation.
A vet might shoot a horse once or twce a month, a professional 2 or 3 a day - so they know what they are doing.

Clearly if mid op or vet onsite and speed is key I'd make an exception - but ony aftercareful consideration as weak systems stop the chemical getting around quickly enough
IMHO
 
Hi, had my first pony "shot" about 30 years ago, and it was quick and as easy as it could be. Three years ago had my old boy "injected" and it was as quick and easy as it could be.....
I have heard first hand horror stories of both though. I suspect they are few and far between, but did cross examine both times to ensure had a second charge for the bolt, the first time, and enough barbiturate to fell an elephant the second!
Yorkshire.
 
After witnessing more of both than I can recall I would definitely say the bullet, the brain dies first and then the nervous system shuts down where as with the injection, the body shuts down and the heart slows down but the brain is still functioning, I've seen horses flip over backwards, horses with sheet panic in their eyes, one of our foals wasn't given enough and we had to sit on her thrashing on the floor while the vet ran to get more dosage!!! Whereas the bullet and I agree with above to be done by the knackerman, big bucket of feed and horse puts it's head down and is munching away and the deed is done quick and knows nothing about it.
Yorkshire
 
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Only seen one and that was a bullet. Incredibly quick and stress free for everyone. Very sympathetic person, very, very experienced.
 
Both mine were PTS by injection.

The first time was my choice.

The second time I wanted bullet, but didn't want to have to wait for a marksman to come out, as my dad is a vet and so was able to PTS by injection quickly.

In Somerset.
 
Just to add my location is the uk
Just would add if the horse is down I would probally inject unless the horse was two far gone to get the catheter in its safer for the humans
 
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I've only seen the injection. I must say I am undecided. The last two by injection were not as quick as I would have liked. My mare ran sideways then fell hard on her back kicking for a few seconds, probably only two - three and then she was definitely unconscious. A livery a few years before did not kick her legs but did gasp for around 5 minutes and the look on her face as she went down was one of utter shock (pricked ears and flared nostrils). My mares death was not as bad as that. But I have heard of awful stories of horses having to be shot twice and even coming round on the horse box after they have been shot. A friend of mine witnessed a horse with a broken leg being shot and it not working. She and the huntsman had to wrestle with it to keep it still for a second bullet. So for me, it is just a terrible decision. I guess I will go with the injection the next time, but I'm not so against having the bullet as I used to be. I'm in Lincolnshire.
 
Shot everytime but needs to be an experienced person Knackerman Huntsman not your average vet who doesnt get enough experience. I was told years ago by a true large animal horse specialist vet shooting a horse properly is an art form and the most humane method when carried out by an experienced horse slaughterer. I was told a Horror story by a local owner about a local vet (small Animal) who tried to shoot a horse I would have taken the gun off him and shot him.
 
First choice is bullet from the knackerman, second choice is bullet from older vet but last resort is injection from any vet younger than me - East Anglia
 
Bullet by the knackers firm, or hunt if nearer/quicker in an emergency. Only twice had injection, no horror stories but not as quick as the bullet.
 
Bullet by experienced person. It is quicker and better for the horse imo. Having had to have a horse sedated for vet treatment lately, it brought home to me how horrible that feels, I certainly wouldn't want that feeling to be my horse's last experience.
 
personally going from a purely selfish point of view, that its not as messy and more dignified, id say needle. My first pony was pts via needle but was already heavily sedated due to a broken leg so it was quick and i had no choice (vet didn't carry gun). However I'm not sure what i would pick if i had time to think about it and horse was fully aware - i guess with a gun they can go with their head in a bucket of food and knowing nothing.

A tricky one but ill say needle for the sake of this - Yorkshire
 
Whatever the person doing it is more experienced with. I've used both, have no real preference, although did go for injection with our most recent ones purely because they were being done with their field mates close by and I felt the few seconds gap between cause and effect would be easier on their field mates - I didn't want them thinking the humans were the cause. That's probably ridiculous logic but I wanted it all to be as calm as poss. Yorkshire.
 
lisa_dundee said:
After witnessing more of both than I can recall I would definitely say the bullet, the brain dies first and then the nervous system shuts down where as with the injection, the body shuts down and the heart slows down but the brain is still functioning,
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Where did you get this information?
 
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