Have you seen a horse die?

S

Shilasdair

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Sorry for the morbid title, but I was a little shocked that others were a little shocked on viewing the video of 'Hickstead''s death.
How many of you have never seen a horse die (not including videos)?
S :D
 
Never seen a horse die, no, but have "officiated" at plenty of other animals' deaths and would not be shocked. Saddened certainly, but not shocked at the manner of passing.
 
I'm lucky to not have witnessed a horse die.
When i was alot younger we had to call out one of the New Forest Agisters to deal with a NF pony that had managed to break a leg in deep mud, i can still hear that gunshot now.
 
Saw one collapse (heart attack or similar) when I was about 10 during my first time at the races. Not pleasant. Screens went up 3 times that day for horses to be shot. :(

Also been there for my first pony when he was pts :(
 
I have seen one run into a fence, impale itself and bleed out in front of me. Weirdly haven't ever seen one shot or PTS though. I don't do things by halves it would seem.
 
No i have not seen a horse die, ive seen a dog die and ive also seen a human die.
Its not pleasant, watching Hickstead "drop dead" was quite a shock for me.
 
Seen one die of a heart attack and another couple pts. I'm sure there are lots of owners who haven't seen such things.
 
I didn't see the actual 'event' but I noticed the horse had been down to long for it to be a nap - so went to check on him and he had died. Most likely a cardiovacular event of some kind - was obviously quick for him - he was doing his usual handstands when he was turned out that morning:rolleyes:

He was lucky to have died in his field in the sunshine - instead of his owner having to make 'that' call at some point.
 
Ah well, your question was HAVE you seen a horse die and I would say yes. The first was at my first time racing - horse finished the race, was coming back out towards the crowds and collapsed in front of us. It wasn't nice. We have had two of own own oldies PTS and I have seen a horse at college die of (presumably) a heart attack or similar - that was a shock and the horse's screams at the time were not pleasant. I still think it's preferable for a horse to die that way though than have to witness a horse severly injured and panicked and having to make the decision.
 
I wish I had been there for my sisters pony, but we left the stable as it was difficult whilst we waited for the vet and moved the others to another field. By the time we went back he was gone, always regret it :(
 
I've been unfortunate enough to see a couple of horse dies, the most difficult and first was my sisters. His Shoulder fragmented and took two weeks to diagnose! At which point he was unable to have surgery so we went through a torturous 6-8 months of box rest/small concrete turn out for it to fuse back togther. Which it did. It was all looking well and he went out onto small grass turnout for a period of 6-8 weeks and in the first 5 minutes of being on the grass he twisted on the shoulder and it gave way.

Rather than go through it all again we decided it was time but my mum and my sister couldn't be near, me and my Dad was. We stayed with him and it isn't an easy thing to see. I would much rather all my horses go the way that video shows.
 
Sadly I have seen several die or be pts.

I think there is a big difference between being there when it happens when it was unexpected and deliberatly choosing to watch a video where one knows the outcome and one just wants to watch it happen :confused:.

Not saying the latter is wrong per se but I could understand that it could be viewed as rather morbid or even distasteful. .. just as I can understand the "curiosity " element of it.
 
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Yes I have, a pointer we trained had a heart attack going into the last fence at Heathfield PTP. It was very unpleasant with a lot of bright red foamy blood coming out of his nose and mouth. His jockey was seriously injured and has been lame ever since. Never a pleasant sight. I have had horses put down in the controlled way and it is never as dramatic. Not something I want to get used too.
 
Not quite dead, but I stayed with my mare when she was dying on the M5 before the vet arrived to put her to sleep. She was very very close to going and it was a case of if the vet arrived in time.

Have seen other animals go and it's not been pleasant but not shocking, if you know what I mean?
 
Lots. PTS both injection and bullet (worked at equine vet practice and have 'volunteered' to be with friend's horses), been in surgery when a horse has had an adverse reaction to the anaesthetic, been at racecourses/events when horses have 'dropped' and sat with a very, very old mare's head resting on my lap as she slipped away...
 
tazzle said:
I think there is a big difference between being there when it happens when it was unexpected and deliberatly choosing to watch a video where one knows the outcome and one just wants to watch it happen :confused:.

Not saying the latter is wrong per se but I could understand that it could be viewed as rather morbid or even distasteful. .. just as I can understand the "curiosity " element of it.
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I watched the video of the horse death - I think death, like life is an interesting scientific event.
It doesn't mean I wouldn't try to do something for them if I could - but there's nothing immoral in watching death/accidents.
You could claim that curiosity about deaths/accidents is a survival response to prevent yourself/your animals having the same accident.
S :D
 
I saw my daughter's horse break his leg above the hock, well he collapsed (I though heart attack) and when he got up his hindleg was swinging. It was the most surreal and horrendous sight. He cantered off around the paddock, I was hysterical and he kept collapsing and getting back up. Adrenaline stops their pain, but my horror was all too evident. I should have sat on his neck, but he was a fit 16.3hh TB and I was too horrified to do that. He did go down and stay down eventually and the vet took and hour to get there. I couldn't witness the end I am sorry to say. The worst thing was my poor daughter was just 12 yrs old at the time and she asked if he would be ok when he got up, awful time.

Hickstead's death was very sad, but very peaceful and quick.
 
Nine so far and am presuming will see at least three more. I have to agree with Shills if you have livestock, you have dead stock. Our tally also has three sheep sixteen dogs and approximately twenty cats.
We work on the principle that this is the last act which a responsible animal owner can do, to reduce the stress on the animal.
 
OH yes I have watched all but three of my own die no four I found my first pony a Shetland dead in his paddock and two of mine had to go when I was abroad but apart from that I have stood behind the vet as they were shot. The one unaccountedvfor there was a homebred 3yo who attacked people she was put down and I went to my friends house as I could not face it I still regret it.
 
Where I work I have seen quite a few PTS by injection, cried my eyes out a lot, but as bad as it sounds it doesn't get to me much any more. Don't get me wrong its always a sad day when it happens and the mood in the tea hut is never nice but it happens and you know its for the best. I've also come to work once and come across one having a heart attack, so stayed with him until he passed - which was without a doubt the hardest thing I've ever had to sit through, feeling helpless.
And although I am kind of used to seeing it now, it will still tear me to pieces when it happens to my own.
But IMO lethal injection is a quiet, dignified way of going and you always know that you are doing what's best for the horse...and that's what we all want to do isn't it?
 
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