Having a horse put to sleep

3

3707rachela

Member
Joined
27 August 2008
Messages
23
Location
Beds/Bucks
Visit site
Hi, my horses field companion is being put to sleep later today, I have just been told, and it is obviously really upsetting. This is probably going to sound really selfish, but I'm really concerned how my boy will cope with losing a friend and then being alone until I can find someone else to go with him. I don't know whether he will be best left in his field or brought into his stable? Whether he should witness his friend being put to sleep or not? He may surprise me and cope really well but I'd hate to think of him fretting, any ideas would be appreciated, thank you xx
 
When my girl was pts this summer, she was moved to the field next to her friend. He was suprisingly fine about the experience and waiting i think about a month for a new friend to arrive. He coped well! i think that your horse may well suprise you!
((((Hugs)))) To your friend i am sure she is making the right decision..
 
Whether you do decide to separate or not, please give your horse time to see and sniff the body; he will accept it far better that way. If it were me, then I would hold horse out of the way but able to see what is happening then let him go and sniff; leave them alone for a few minutes and he will gradually move away, he will know.
 
When Cairo was pts, a few minutes after he was gone, I bought Chancer in. Chancer had been with the old boy for nearly 3 years since he was 16 months.

It was heart breaking to watch, we ended up in tears again. Chancer sniffed, nuzzled and pushed at Cairo twice trying to get him up. My vet said some also do paw with front legs. The third time, he very gently rubbed his head with his nose and mouthed him and then turned and walked away and did not look back. Vet said when they do this, they know their friend has gone on.

Although horses were in the next field, he was very unhappy. He would follow me everywhere in the field and wait watching and calling by the gate, again this made us cry to see him looking so lost. He was spooky and out of sorts. I did have to be a bit firm with him as he seemed to need me to take control.

Getting Farra a month later was very beneficial for both my OH and Chancer. Chancer dragged me to her as soon as she arrived, Farra looks very like Cairo and within 10 minutes they had bonded and were grooming and are best of friends.

In short, after the horse is pts, let him have some time - they only need 5 minutes or so with the horse to know they are gone. I would keep him in as normal routine as possible and if there is another horse that gets on with him, let them go in with him. Unfortunately I could not do this with Chancer as they did not want to change the horses in the other field over. Make a fuss, but don't be too careful of them, ie if they spook and play about, put them gently back into place as you normally would.

Sorry that this is happening and I hope you can get a new companion for your horse in the near future.
 
I'm sorry to hear of your news as I know exactly what you are going thru as I've recently lost a horse that I owned for 17 years- my other horse was really attached to her and I was worried he would get upset and stressed however I really do believe that they just know and he has been really calm about losing his best friend. My vet left him sedalin however he didn't need it maybe you could be left some just in case. I Maybe if he sees/knows what is going like my horse did (he was in the stable next door with a little spy hole in the wall) on he will find it easier to accept.
 
Thanks for all of your replies. I'm coping he will cope well, he can't unfortunately go in with another horse because they are the only two on the yard at the moment, until I can find another horse that is. Will let you know how we get on, xx
 
Theresa_F, what superb, compassionate and understanding advice. I still think of Cairo now and then. So glad Chancer and Farra are pals now xxx.

3707R, if it was me, I would try not to leave my ned on his own for too long. Thinking of you and your friend xxx
 
[ QUOTE ]
When Cairo was pts, a few minutes after he was gone, I bought Chancer in. Chancer had been with the old boy for nearly 3 years since he was 16 months.

It was heart breaking to watch, we ended up in tears again. Chancer sniffed, nuzzled and pushed at Cairo twice trying to get him up. My vet said some also do paw with front legs. The third time, he very gently rubbed his head with his nose and mouthed him and then turned and walked away and did not look back. Vet said when they do this, they know their friend has gone on.

Although horses were in the next field, he was very unhappy. He would follow me everywhere in the field and wait watching and calling by the gate, again this made us cry to see him looking so lost. He was spooky and out of sorts. I did have to be a bit firm with him as he seemed to need me to take control.

Getting Farra a month later was very beneficial for both my OH and Chancer. Chancer dragged me to her as soon as she arrived, Farra looks very like Cairo and within 10 minutes they had bonded and were grooming and are best of friends.

In short, after the horse is pts, let him have some time - they only need 5 minutes or so with the horse to know they are gone. I would keep him in as normal routine as possible and if there is another horse that gets on with him, let them go in with him. Unfortunately I could not do this with Chancer as they did not want to change the horses in the other field over. Make a fuss, but don't be too careful of them, ie if they spook and play about, put them gently back into place as you normally would.

Sorry that this is happening and I hope you can get a new companion for your horse in the near future.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've got a lump in my throat and tears my eye after reading that, very sad time for all concerned.
 
I am so sorry to hear this, and expect it has now been done. I hope all went well. I absolutely agree that the remaining horse must be allowed to go near the deceased, as they accpet death and are not left wondering where their companion has gone.
Under these circumstances, I wouldn't worry to much for a while about getting a new companion.
 
was i doing wrong then buy not letting my boy see his dead girl compainion? i am so sorry for your friends loss if you can not get a horse or pony for alittle while how about a sheep for company that usually works well!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top