Having pony pts. What to expect?

Lianne862 said:
Thank you dazed'n'confused that's good to know she's very greedy so hopefully will be easily distracted with some food. Ive been putting it off for months because I knew I'd be like this but now she has made the decision for me really as she's so distressed & in alot of pain so I know I've got to do it but I still really don't want to let her go :(
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Please believe me when I say that this is the worst part, when it's all done you will feel relief that she's no longer in so much pain and you won't have to worry about doing the right things for her. I'm not saying you won't feel guilt & sadness and you'll miss her dreadfully but that worry hanging over you will be gone.
Decisions like this never get easier no matter how many times you've been unlucky enough to have to make them.
Horses trust us to take care of them and part of that is knowing when to take a deep breath and put them first before ourselves - your girl is lucky to have such an owner.
Don't worry, she'll know that she's loved very much...
 
I'm sorry it's got to this stage and I know from you're other thread you don't want to use anyone from a zoo, I choose to in part because I preferred his attitude to that of the local huntsman and I didn't want to have an injection.
Rightly or wrongly I felt I had to be there, it was my responsibility and I didn't want anyone else there either. I had only owned her just over two years but she was a very special little mare and I felt I owed her that to repay in some way all the pleasure she had given me and so that I wouldn't spend years wondering if she had been ok at the end.

He arrived and talked me through what would happen though we had had several conversations on the phone. my little mare was a little unsettled at first but he said it is often the smell of the oil that they're not sure of but he took his time, just stood calmly and talked to her, I was at her side. He then asked me to stand behind him because of any potential danger, I was calm but not with it and went and stood in front, when she was calm and I was in the right place the gun went off, I was shocked at how loud it was and I know I let out a huge wail, she was gone and the next second I was in the tightest bear hug I have ever had.
My little mare never knew a thing about it and the man I had chosen couldn't have been more compassionate. I used an old headcollar and rope and they went with her and he cut some of her tail for me, I didn't see the loading but it was very quick, there was a lot of blood to deal with and though I washed some of it away my friend and the mare's previous owner did the lions share later but as it wasn't on concrete there was still remnants the next day.
I can't really say how I felt when it was over but there was a major concern that she would go down in the field and parts of it get quite muddy and I knew I didn't want her flailing trying to get up and have to wait for the vet etc to come out with her struggling so though I could have maybe kept her going another week or two I felt it wasn't a risk I was prepared to take so on balance it was the old saying better a week too soon than a day too late.
Whatever you decide to do or when you decide to do it it will be hard but not as hard as watching your horse suffer.
 
Lianne862 said:
Thank you dazed'n'confused that's good to know she's very greedy so hopefully will be easily distracted with some food. Ive been putting it off for months because I knew I'd be like this but now she has made the decision for me really as she's so distressed & in alot of pain so I know I've got to do it but I still really don't want to let her go :(
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You might want to check with who ever is coming out, I assumed a bucket of carrots etc but she had to have her head up, probably better to check beforehand.

Don't look on it as letting her go, try and think of it as the ultimate sacrifice you can make for her, putting her pain, well being and feelings before yours.
 
Our local equine crem bring their own bucket of food, just in case the owner hasn't got one ready. We have had different people from the cream and the hunstmen to pts our horses, over the years and they have all been extremely professional. They are all horse people and want everything to go smoothly.
It is never an easy decision to make but it is the one that all responsible owners have to make at some time.
 
Such a difficult decision to make, but ultimately our biggest responsibility.

I have stayed for both methods -- personally, I don't have a problem with the blood but I think you need to make that decision in advance. As above. handing over the rope and walking away after saying goodbye is absolutely fine. It is instant. The gunshot echoes in your mind for a while but I don't find it too dreadful (no more dreadful than the decision itself). Make sure there is someone around who can clean away the blood. On my yard we build a little bed of woodchips (bark) and then shovel it into the hedge and you'd never know. If you think you don't mind the more raw aspects of the deed, then I nonetheless wouldn't recommend actually watching but do feel free to return and say goodbye again, knowing that the spirit is now galloping free. Other horses might also want to say goodbye.
My thoughts are with you xxx
 
Thoughts are with you.

I've put 3 to sleep, all by injection. All went peacefully and quickly. I stayed but stepped away. Most recent one was last June, then the crem people came to collect him. I just pointed them in the right direction, having witnessed that before, its not something I like to watch particularly.

I've never shown the body to any of the other horses, but bizarrely, they have always known and never called or made a fuss after the horse who has gone.

Thinking of you xx
 
Thanks for this thread, I've been wondering this myself, for two of my herd.

I always say better a day too soon than a day too late to other people, but can't seem to make this decision.
 
I'm so sorry you have this ahead. I had my pony pts last winter for the same reasons. It was a mild winter and her laminitis kept flaring up. I thought if she cant even have the winter to be turned out into a field, then really what is the point.
I have no advice, only to reassure you that the waiting really is the worst part. X
 
MiniMilton said:
I'm so sorry you have this ahead. I had my pony pts last winter for the same reasons. It was a mild winter and her laminitis kept flaring up. I thought if she cant even have the winter to be turned out into a field, then really what is the point.
I have no advice, only to reassure you that the waiting really is the worst part. X
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That's exactly what I said about my boy just the other day. I'm doubting my decision already because he seems to be getting better again. The trimmer's visits have been the marking point for progress. The last visit was good but this winter has not been restful at all. Its been the same as the summer and spring. He's currently on hay alone and still has pulses. Sorry to hijack post a bit, I'm going through the same thing as OP but finding the decision just too difficult. I keep thinking there's more we could do then I realize hang on ems pony is finding hay alone a challenge, which he never used to.
 
It really helps to read everyone elses stories thank you. They are coming on Wednesday so just got to get through tomorrow seeing her struggle :( I am going to stay with her I think IL regret it more if I don't we've been through so much together I want to be there for her right to the end. She's still struggling to move & rocking when I was down tonight so I know I'm making the right decision I just want her out of pain now xx
 
Lianne862 said:
I have got to have my old pony pts this week due to laminitis that we cannot control & other health issues. I have chosen to have her shot as she is terrified of injections & thought it would be less stressful for her. Having never been around a horse being pts i am just wondering what to expect? Is there anything I should or shouldn't do or watch? I want to be as prepared as possible so I can stay as calm as possible for my pony.
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It is horrid we had one pts this morning by injection - it is never easy how ever the end comes, heartbreaking he was picked up this evening and the owner decided not to watch him being pulled in the trailer.
 
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Most of mine have been 'done by the gun'. (last 2 were injected, as done in a hurry by the vet, not huntsman)

Pony was very quick and professional. She looked at the man as I handed over the lead rope - in the field with good access for the wagon - please remember this, as if the wagon can't access the pony easily, it's harder for you/or whoever is dealing with the pony. I said some calming words, she lowered her head very briefly and pop... she fell straight down and then did a 'little trot' with her hind legs, while her front legs 'shivered'. This is a normal muscle spasm, some do it, some don't to any amount of degree. they are gone soon as the pop happens. Some bleed from the nose - depends on where the 'bullet' hit - ie, a blood vessel.. One I had done didn't spasm or bleed - the others have.
I don't mind being there, and can watch them loading after. I think it's closure for me. I can't walk away til they've gone.
Old horse was harder. He was VERY suspicious of the huntsman and it took a good 20 mins to get him to lower his head long enough and steady enough for the job. Was hard to watch, but the huntsman was very soft, calm and patient. He didn't spasm much but he bled loads. - be prepared that blood doesn't 'soak' into the ground. I had to bury it with earth.

Meg and Mini pony had the needle. Meg sat down on her hind legs for a few seconds and coughed lots - the vet said she had been holding her breath! Mini just fell over and didn't move.
All still very much missed.

Thinking of you OP. You're doing the right thing. The day/deed will be hard, but we owe it to them. Thinking of you.
 
Fools Motto said:
Most of mine have been 'done by the gun'. (last 2 were injected, as done in a hurry by the vet, not huntsman)

Pony was very quick and professional. She looked at the man as I handed over the lead rope - in the field with good access for the wagon - please remember this, as if the wagon can't access the pony easily, it's harder for you/or whoever is dealing with the pony. I said some calming words, she lowered her head very briefly and pop... she fell straight down and then did a 'little trot' with her hind legs, while her front legs 'shivered'. This is a normal muscle spasm, some do it, some don't to any amount of degree. they are gone soon as the pop happens. Some bleed from the nose - depends on where the 'bullet' hit - ie, a blood vessel.. One I had done didn't spasm or bleed - the others have.
I don't mind being there, and can watch them loading after. I think it's closure for me. I can't walk away til they've gone.
Old horse was harder. He was VERY suspicious of the huntsman and it took a good 20 mins to get him to lower his head long enough and steady enough for the job. Was hard to watch, but the huntsman was very soft, calm and patient. He didn't spasm much but he bled loads. - be prepared that blood doesn't 'soak' into the ground. I had to bury it with earth.

Meg and Mini pony had the needle. Meg sat down on her hind legs for a few seconds and coughed lots - the vet said she had been holding her breath! Mini just fell over and didn't move.
All still very much missed.

Thinking of you OP. You're doing the right thing. The day/deed will be hard, but we owe it to them. Thinking of you.
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Thank you I've sorted out some space in an old barn that has good access for him & as its concrete the YO has said I can put some straw down so it's abit nicer not that the pony will care but I will & I think it will be easier to clean up after. Does the spasming normally last long? I think that & her actually going down are the bits I'm dreading the most :(
 
Lianne862 said:
Thank you I've sorted out some space in an old barn that has good access for him & as its concrete the YO has said I can put some straw down so it's abit nicer not that the pony will care but I will & I think it will be easier to clean up after. Does the spasming normally last long? I think that & her actually going down are the bits I'm dreading the most :(
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You just have to remember that whatever happens she is already gone and not aware of what her body is doing it is normal.
 
The five Ive seen just waved a leg or two then stopped, and one did nothing at all and they really don't know a thing as people have said. It's an awful time...but not for them. Good luck with it x
 
Also does anyone know if it's normal practice for a slaughterman not to give a time & ring half an hour before they come? I was trying to get them to come in a 3 hour time slot when the yard is quiet as YO asked as our yard is very small & the barn she's going to be pts in is right in the middle but they wouldn't & were quite rude on the phone when I tied to explain. I'm really worried now there going to turn up at a busy time & it will upset others on the yard & that he might be as rude as his receptionist I really wanted it all to be as nice organised & calm as possible & now I feel I'm just going to be on edge all day waiting for the phone call not knowing what to do with myself :(
 
Oh thats a shame. Ours always ring...though if I call them in the morning theyll usually give me a rough window. Id just explain to everyone on the yard, and I am sure theyll all be really supportive anyway. I would hope so. Im disappointed the receptionist was rude. The ones up here are always really kind and the guys themselves are always quiet but very gentle. Try calling them first thing.
 
Does your YO know them if so see if they will ring them for you and sort it out . Its is very easy when you feel stressed to take things the wrong way and maybe they could explain better to them.
 
Quite some years ago, we discovered an old pony with a terrible leg injury in the field, we called the vet...they would be an hour, too long for our poor pony, the farrier was on the yard, and he is the hunt man too... he had his gun in the farrier lorry, and he dispatched the pony very quickly and dignified, as some said we heard a pop, not as loud as a balloon popping... there was a little blood in the gun hole, but pony was sent to rainbow bridge within 10 min of us finding him. Farrier then called his kennel man and less than half hour later the hunt wagon came and took pony away.. we did let the hunt have the body as said pony had hunted for many years with several children.. seemed fitting way to go. I have also seen it done by a vet with a humane bolt gun , same sort of thing.. I would never hesitate doing it this way
 
Lianne862 said:
It really helps to read everyone elses stories thank you. They are coming on Wednesday so just got to get through tomorrow seeing her struggle :( I am going to stay with her I think IL regret it more if I don't we've been through so much together I want to be there for her right to the end. She's still struggling to move & rocking when I was down tonight so I know I'm making the right decision I just want her out of pain now xx
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Will think of you tomorrow... x
 
Lianne862 said:
Also does anyone know if it's normal practice for a slaughterman not to give a time & ring half an hour before they come? I was trying to get them to come in a 3 hour time slot when the yard is quiet as YO asked as our yard is very small & the barn she's going to be pts in is right in the middle but they wouldn't & were quite rude on the phone when I tied to explain. I'm really worried now there going to turn up at a busy time & it will upset others on the yard & that he might be as rude as his receptionist I really wanted it all to be as nice organised & calm as possible & now I feel I'm just going to be on edge all day waiting for the phone call not knowing what to do with myself :(
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Do not stress, you cant control everything much as you'd probably like to, take some deep breaths

Speak with the YO, explain, this wont be the first time they have dealt with this, let them warn the liveries in advance or as they appear at the yard what may be happening soon and ask that everyone gives you space and makes themselves scarce when needed
 
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Lianne862 said:
Also does anyone know if it's normal practice for a slaughterman not to give a time & ring half an hour before they come? I was trying to get them to come in a 3 hour time slot when the yard is quiet as YO asked as our yard is very small & the barn she's going to be pts in is right in the middle but they wouldn't & were quite rude on the phone when I tied to explain. I'm really worried now there going to turn up at a busy time & it will upset others on the yard & that he might be as rude as his receptionist I really wanted it all to be as nice organised & calm as possible & now I feel I'm just going to be on edge all day waiting for the phone call not knowing what to do with myself :(
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That's really unfair. If it was one of the horses on my yard, and the owner was upset by dealing with a stroppy receptionist, I'd take over, ring them up and have a firm word. You don't need any extra stress at the moment.
 
When I had mine PTS last year he was in the field with his usual mate, plus my other horse was on the other side of the electric fence. I gave them a small bucket of feed, kept them reasonably close to each other and away from the horse being PTS and neither of them raised their heads, flinched or reacted at all to the gun. I was really surprised, they were allowed to have a look and a sniff and even then were fairly unbothered by it. I agree it's probably not ideal to have it done when lots of people around, but I don't think it'll bother the other horses and if there are people then I would hope and expect that they will be sensitive and give you some space. Try not to worry about them, concentrate on yourself and your pony. Unless there's someone else (local hunt) you could contact maybe?
 
My husband was with my pony when she was PTS - I was frightened I'd let her down at the last minute if I got too emotional. The huntsman came, I handed her to OH and he came back to find me once she was loaded and away. I found it helpful to have a task to do at the time, so popped on my headphones, turned the volume up and mucked out her stable til OH appeared. The fact my husband was there meant that I could ask him about it when I felt ready, so if you decide not to be there but think you might wonder about it later maybe ask a close friend. Wholeheartedly echo what others have said about not being there for the aftermath, you don't need to see that and can be very difficult to forget (having been there when a friend's horse was PTS).

I'm so sorry you're having to face this, but it's the last and kindest thing you can do. Be kind to yourself x
 
I had both of mine done by injection. Minto I stayed with. He was at home. The whole day he was very calm. I was torn between wanting the vet to hurry up and come back to do it, and not wanting it to happen. He was in pain, he was not going to get better and the last day he had had enough and I just wanted his suffering over. Vet sedated him and I walked him to where it would happen. I remember wanting the vet to hurry up and do it. He explained what would happen. I held his rope but turned away into a bear hug from yo/surrogate mum. Once he was gone I could look and it wasn't as scarey a sight that I had been worried about. The cremation people had arrived but I have no idea when they did. But they stayed well away and didn't interfere. Vet stayed for ages. Once I was ready we went to he house for a cup of tea and my friend went and told the cremation people he was ready for them. They also brought my friends dads horses ashes back that day. I saw that horse being loaded, it wasn't nice but again not as scarey as I had though but I don't think I could have Watched mine being loaded.

With soli I didn't stay. He was at the vets and had been for nearly 3 weeks. When I went to say goodbye he was very distressed. I coudnht have stayed calm for him and feel it is important that whoever does stay is calm. He knew the vets and nurses and again I just wanted it over for him. So I left after taking some of his tail hair.

I don't know if I would stay again.
 
Lianne862 said:
Also does anyone know if it's normal practice for a slaughterman not to give a time & ring half an hour before they come? I was trying to get them to come in a 3 hour time slot when the yard is quiet as YO asked as our yard is very small & the barn she's going to be pts in is right in the middle but they wouldn't & were quite rude on the phone when I tied to explain. I'm really worried now there going to turn up at a busy time & it will upset others on the yard & that he might be as rude as his receptionist I really wanted it all to be as nice organised & calm as possible & now I feel I'm just going to be on edge all day waiting for the phone call not knowing what to do with myself :(
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Really sorry that the person on the phone was so insensitive. If it was me in your position, I would ring them back and say I'VE made other arrangements (after I'd done so). After the deed was done I would write a letter to the slaughterman and give the reason why you didn't use him - no holds barred! You don't need this added to your already highly charged emotional state!

You have my thoughts tomorrow, and I hope the deed goes smoothly for your beloved pony.
 
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