Hard questions re PTS

Just wanted to say that I'm thinking of you today and hoping that all goes well. He sounds such a special boy, but how fortunate he is to have a home where he has been loved and valued for all that he has done.
I didn't keep the ashes of my horse of a lifetime, but I have her mane in a box frame and her name plate. It is 5 years since she died, but my memories of her are rich and sweet and when driving along the lanes where we used to ride,her presence is almost tangible.
I'm sure, with your vets support, you will know when the time is right.
 
I had my 5 year old pts at horspital last spring while pigging out in a field of lush grass and daisies...the abnormality in one of her joints was so odd that I allowed the vets to use her for research. Hopefully it may help some others in the future. Good luck today, lets hope that the vet is positive for some extra time with spring coming. Thinking of you.
 
Another option would be to join the fallen stock scheme, for about ten pounds they will send you a list of services for pts and disposal in your area, I copied this from the site for you:-

Although horse owners can join at the time an animal dies they may wish to join in advance to save having to go through the procedure for registering for the Scheme at what may be a distressing time

On registering for the Scheme the horse owner will be given, details of collectors and premises operating in their area including prices for a variety of collection and disposal services such as;

* disposal only
* putting down the animal by the collector
* collecting an animal after it has been put down by a vet
* an urgent request for attendance
* out of hours attendance
* roadside attendance
* incineration and return of ashes

On requiring the service, the owner will contact their preferred collector and make the required arrangements.
Payment

Members will receive a statement from NFSCo summarising the services used. An NFSCo administration fee of £1.75 for members who receive statements by post or a reduced fee of £1.25 for those opting for email invoicing will be applied to the monthly statement - only if a member uses the service in the same month. Payment will then be collected 14 days later by direct debit.
Collectors – How the Scheme Works

All premises approved under the animal by-products regulations are able to register as collectors for NFSCo including;

* Knackers
* Hunt kennels
* Maggot farms
* Renderers
* Incinerators

Collectors without premises must make their own arrangements for the legal disposal of fallen stock with the approved premises of their choice.
Charges

Collectors provide charges for the postcodes in which they wish to operate;

1. on a headage basis for cattle, sheep, pigs and horses and;
2. on a weight or volume basis of a standard container for all species.

Charges are reviewed and updated throughout the year through re-pricing exercises.
Collections

Members contact a collector when they have fallen stock and arrange a suitable time for the stock to be collected. A signed receipt is left for the member with details of the collection.
Payment

Collectors submit a monthly invoice to NFSCo providing details of the members, collection points, species, categories, quantities of fallen stock collected and charges during the month.

Payments to collectors will be made by NFSCo within six weeks of the date of the member’s monthly statement.
Audit

The SVS on behalf of NFSCo carries out audits of specific Scheme requirements at each plant registered to the Scheme and each collector using these establishments to ensure they comply both with the provisions of the ABPR where they apply to the Scheme and supplementary provisions required by NFSCo.
 
Sorry you may be facing this but maybe you won't have to make the decision quite yet, still it's good to be prepared and know what your options are. We have had two oldies (pony and a donkey) PTS, both by injection and both at the time were pretty poorly (the donkey we think had started to have strokes) and it was pretty evident they had just had enough. It was peaceful for with both of them and, although sad there was also a sense of relief afterwards as you knew they were no longer suffering.

In total we have had 4 horses/pony pass away and we have buried all of them in the field. We have finally (a year or so ago) planted some trees where they are buried so, hopefully in years to come our other horses will be able to benefit from these trees and it's a lasting reminder of the ones we have lost. If i wasn't able to have them buried (we got permission from DEFRA) then i am not quite sure what i would do actually - I guess I would consult the vet and, knowing me would probably opt for cremation as I am a bit soft and am not sure I like the thought of my horses body being chopped up and eaten by hounds or zoo animals etc - even though i know in reality it's only a body at the end of the day!
 
I used the hunt last September for my old boy. Partly because I had read all the positive comments on here about it. The hunt put down a huge amount of stock of all sorts, it is part of their everyday life. It was done quietly and professionally. All my horse knew was that this man smelling of horses and dogs came walking up to him and gave him a pat.

I didn't want ashes and I didn't want him just going 'nowhere'. I went along to the meet the following Saturday and had a mingle with the hounds. Might sound a bit strange to some but I found some peace there.

Your pony sounds absolutely fab. There is nothing quite like a Pony is there?
 
imafluffybunny said:
I have had quite a few horse PTS, all by the vet. Last Oct I had to have an old boy PTS and I decided to go down the Hunt route. I can honestly say this is the way I would go from now on. The man came out, walked up to my horse in the field, patted him and bang, he know nothing about it.
When I think back to when the vets do it, there is so much faffing, the horses have to know there is something going on.
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Agree with this 100%

One thing I would refuse to do is to take a horse to the vets/hunt kennels. They have to be in their own home and keep things as normal as you can. This is why I would use the hunt again, my horse had no idea at all what was going on.
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I took an old boy to the kennels years ago. He came down the ramp head up & with a spring in his step. The last thing he heard were the hounds he'd followed for most of his life. Whether or not you travel them to the kennels depends on fitness they to travel, & whether or not they've travelled/loaded well in the past.

In this case with sight failing I would agree it's inappropriate to travel, but not an insurmountable problem if it became essential to do so.

Sorry that you're finding yourself in this position.
 
So sorry you are going through this, i too am also facing this decision right now and was hesitating over posting something like this as its all so upsetting and tough, im sure whatever you choose will be the right decision for both you and your horse.

Really do wish you all the best. x
 
I was going to say burial at home. We've done this and there are potentially another two or even three who might join those resting peacefully in their field.

Injections have always been my choice and the three I have seen all went perfectly smoothly. I do, however think the shooting option sounds equally ideal, if a trifle more traumatic for the owner.

You will know when your little man is ready to go and don't let the vet rush or delay you when you have reached a decision. I am so sorry you are at the point we all dread and hope that whichever day it happens that he gets quickly and safely on his way.

xxx
 
my boy was pts at the begining of december, he went by injection as it was all my vet could do and no others were working at that hour in the morning. it was very peacefull with just myself, the vet and another livery (to help pass the vet the injections) and very quick. i wouldnt worry about looking like a blithering idiot as i couldnt even speak, just sob and the vet seemed to work out what i was saying just fine.
we used the hunt to remove the body and it cost £300. my YO moved him with his fork lift (i couldnt be there for this so i own my YO alot).

big hugs hun, its such a hard desision to make.
 
Horrible decision to have to make, but it will be the right one if the pony has little quality of life left. Always use the hunt - they are very experienced and very quick. I have never had one cremated as, to be brutally honest, once they are gone, they are gone. My hunt will do it wherever you want - my last one was on the lawn with his head stuffed in a bucket of feed. Made me feel better that he knew nothing about it. Have only seen one injected and never again! Am sure you will make the right decision.
 
OP I am no help at all to you on the actual question, but I did just want to say that the way you write about this pony is absolutely beautiful and has really touched me. You will without a doubt do right by him, that is clear. Do hope you got some heartening news today xxxx
 
I would like to thank everyone for their words of advice and support, it's been very helpful.

Unfortunately the vet confirmed our worst fears, and while it is not an emergency, there is not too much time to play with.

Of course, because of this, today the sun is rising through a perfect silver mist, and he is grazing happily in his silly pink turnout rug, and from a distance, you would never know there was a thing out of place.

We are all devestated. The little girl who had had what can only be described as something akin to a nervous breakdown aged 6, and didn't find a way out of the woods until she met a little chestnut pony who had also had a pretty rotten time, is now a big girl, but is breaking her heart.

I'm not doing too well myself, either. I do appreciate your support. Thank you.
 
I am so very sorry. Have to agree with Skewby, the way you write about him is so touching,what the little fella means to you all is absolutely beautiful.
 
Hi,

We take ours to the kennels as they are all well hunted and even if they haven't been out hunting for years go excited at the sounds of the hounds, they all know the kennels as we often meet from there so its not a strange place to them. Our hunt also will come out and do them at home, not sure on bigger horses as I don't know if their van can take it but they can def do smaller ponies by home collection. Huntsman is fab too and very kind with them. We have used vet to inject on emergencies but I don't think its ever quick enough.
 
skewbald_again said:
I would like to thank everyone for their words of advice and support, it's been very helpful.

Unfortunately the vet confirmed our worst fears, and while it is not an emergency, there is not too much time to play with.

Of course, because of this, today the sun is rising through a perfect silver mist, and he is grazing happily in his silly pink turnout rug, and from a distance, you would never know there was a thing out of place.

We are all devestated. The little girl who had had what can only be described as something akin to a nervous breakdown aged 6, and didn't find a way out of the woods until she met a little chestnut pony who had also had a pretty rotten time, is now a big girl, but is breaking her heart.

I'm not doing too well myself, either. I do appreciate your support. Thank you.
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So sorry, thinking of you. xx
 
I am so sorry, as others have said the way you write about him is very touching and your love and respect for him is obvious.

You can comfort yourself with 2 things, one you have given him a fantastic life since you've had him and second, you can free him of any fear and pain and let him run free in the happy hunting ground where he will be able to see again and to hunt everyday.

For what it's worth I would go down the hunt route, I have always felt that good hunters would want to go that way. Mine all have 'gone away' blown for them just before.
 
Firstly big hugs to you as this is the toughest and worst bit about having animals but good on you for thinking about the right thing for your friend.

I havent read all the replies but you have a few options

1) Injection (which is my personal choice). The horse is normally sedated and then taken to prefered location and the final injection is given. It can take a minute or so to work but I have found it to be a very peaceful method. They can hit the ground with a bit of a thud and make some noises (almost like a donkey bray) as the air leaves their lungs (and my friend who was pro gun who was with me when my boy was PTS has said this would now be her choice).

2) Gun. This needs to be done quickly and by someone v experienced. It is super quick but very loud and messy afterwards :(

Both methods can go wrong and you will hear horror stories of both but if you have an experienced vet then everything should be fine. If you want the carcass to go to the hounds or into the food chain then you must have them shot but if you want them to be cremated then either is fine. Whatever happens you can have them PTS at home and then they will be taken away.

My vets charged just under £400 for injection, cremation and removal.
 
I am devasted for you. At the end of the day we all know this dark part of life will have an impact on us at one time or another.
Nearly a year on from losing our precious girl very quickly (within 3 days) I feel for you. Iur girl took the decision out of our hands and died about 1/2 an hour before I went out to give her her antibiotics, after seemingly picking up the night before.
I would always get hunt staff to put down my horses and will never have i any other way. The staff are compasionate and understanding and I always feel they have more empathy with the animals than knackermen. There are very few vets left, who are mainly the "old school" who can use a firearm, who I would trust to deal with a situation in this way and I would never use an injection.
One of our friends from a neighbouring kennels came and collected our girl and we went down there the next day, which I know sounds morbid but we all wanted to see if we could find out what had taken her so quickly. I am glad I did.
Thinking of you and the tough day you will certainly be having.
RIP Princess
 
skewbald_again said:
we do know the hunt is an option, and he was a great hunting pony in his day - my concern is that I don't know if he has to be taken to the kennels? I won't do that as having lost his sight, he would be unhappy and panic stricken in the trailer. I want him to go (if now is when he has to) at home here, where he feels safe.
I don't think we particularly want his ashes (we're in a farming community and even the children are quite used to mortality) - but I don't want him to panic, or be afraid. He honestly saved my daughter's life, he turned it round completely, the debt of gratitude we owe him is incalculable.
We already put a cow bell on his best horse friend, and a sleighbell on his goat companion, so he knows where everyone is at all times, and are hopefull that he will have another summer of sunshine on his back before this becomes necessary, but we can't see him suffer, so the vet has to look into what is actually going on before we make decisions.
Thank you all for advice so far. Much appreciated.
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Oh my goodness, I am in tears. I feel so sorry for you, it is so sad when they get old but how admirable of you to put the bells on the other animals so that he can hear where they are. I agree that when the time comes he should stay at home at all costs. I do hope you get another summer though and wish you all the best. xx
 
Oh your pony sounds truely wonderful and has obviously done something amazing for your daughter.

We had our horse pts in December with colic. My partner stayed with him (injection) and George went very peacefully although he did fall to the ground a little awkwardly which meant they had to move him straight after he had died. The vet did ask us not to be there but we insisted that one of us would be, I imagine that he felt we may have felt we had to be. Although I will never forget the sight of my partner and George disappearing round the corner with the vet, I take comfort that it was very quiet and there was no fuss. It cost us about £450 to have him collected, cremated on his own and have his ashes back. Although I now think having the ashes back is a little pointless. What I did do is have two of his shoes dipped in silver and they look lovely. A much nicer way to remember him than having his ashes.

I was very controlled before he was pts even when we knew it was enevitable but as soon as it came to the hard fact that it was moments away, I was a mess. I think most people are!
 
The hunt every time for us;my first mare would have been on a complete high hearing and smelling hounds at the kennels,it`s the right way for a hunter to go.
 
Just in case no one else has mentioned this...

it is usually thought best for the companion horse (and goat!?! and your daughters if they want) to be brought to see the body afterwards if the actual PTS has happened somewhere safe for that, e.g. a paddock. Should help them understand and accept that their friend has gone.

So sorry for you having to make this decision.
 
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