HHO's morbid fascination?

IMO as soon as you choose a horse to buy/loan or care for in any way, you should be thinking of what you will do, should the worst happen.
Any horse can have an accident at any time. Colic can strike a horse at any age. The 'heat of the moment' is NOT the best time to be having to consider the options. You should also take into account access for the knackerman (or whoever) so that no matter how you decide to pts, the body can be removed - there are not many people who can bury a horse, even if they would like to. And if you would like to do so, you need to have worked out how to do it.
Usually the best people to advise you about anything are those who have experience of the subject. I have posted on more than one pts thread, not because I have a morbid fascination with the subject but because I have had several horses pts and feel that someone with less experience might benefit from my experiences.
I shall also say, as have several others, if you don't want to read threads on particular subjects, don't open those with the key words in the title. I manage to avoid most of the 'pink, fluffy' threads, which do not interest me.
 
Alec Swan said:
The curious thing, to me anyway, is that everyone has a valid point! To date, no-one's talked crap!

There is the odd poster who seems to have a morbid fascination with the final act, no question. There are also those who will, understandably, be in a state, because they are facing it within the next few hours, or days, and are asking what they should expect, and perhaps how they should best cope with it. Generally those are the only ones to whom I will respond.

I have attended at the humane destruction, of many horses, and think that I can speak with a little experience. Whilst it's a job which I loathe, in a strange way, the responsibility of being quite certain that suffering ends, instantly and humanely, is what gives me the needed impetus, and perhaps perversely, a degree of pleasure. It's to do with taking pride in the act of bringing an end to a life, in a humane, gentle and kindly fashion, though I may not have explained myself too well!!


Again, the OP was quite right, in that there are those who enjoy a certain morbidity, and there may well be a degree of inexperience on their part. For those who need to ask, and would want an experienced opinion, then ask, and I will help you, if I can.

Alec.
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That has been put so well :)
 
With regard to the suggestion that it is unhealthy/shows an unhealthy state of mind, to discuss the death of an animal, what utter rubbish. It is actually far more unhealthy to attempt to dissociate oneself from death and dying, and the attendant practicalities. It is most usually the people who have avoided the process of the death of an attachment figure (human or other animal)who have the worst problems with prolonged grief reactions.
These threads actually allow people to explore the issues and for some 'rehearse' their own reactions to the death of their own animal, thus allowing them to react in a way which helps the animal and themselves.
 
yorksG said:
With regard to the suggestion that it is unhealthy/shows an unhealthy state of mind, to discuss the death of an animal, what utter rubbish. It is actually far more unhealthy to attempt to dissociate oneself from death and dying, and the attendant practicalities. It is most usually the people who have avoided the process of the death of an attachment figure (human or other animal)who have the worst problems with prolonged grief reactions.
These threads actually allow people to explore the issues and for some 'rehearse' their own reactions to the death of their own animal, thus allowing them to react in a way which helps the animal and themselves.
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Discussing the passing of your much loved horse is absolutely normal.....I was expressing the problem with constantly chewing it over and being kind of 'taken over' by it.

None of us ultimately know what ending will come for our horses,but I feel that some of the poster's on here could put the fear of god into most people!
 
Cazza525 said:
Discussing the passing of your much loved horse is absolutely normal.....I was expressing the problem with constantly chewing it over and being kind of 'taken over' by it.

None of us ultimately know what ending will come for our horses,but I feel that some of the poster's on here could put the fear of god into most people!
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I have not witnessed this on the thread, no-one being 'stuck', but if they are it is likely to be those who did not follow the process, or think about their reactions prior to the event. Or those who had planned and then found that the incompetence of a trusted professional caused suffering to their animal. However if you are aware of the possible difficulties you have the luxury of learning from the mistakes of others, considerably more comfortable than having to repeat them yourself.
So I maintain that it is a healthy and useful topic for discussion.
 
Cazza525 said:
Have been on this forum now for a while and have enjoyed the help and guidance by many of you over horse related subjects.

I cannot however fathom out why a subject of being PTS is becoming more and more popular on this entire forum. You can just tell by the amount of hits certain threads have that there must be a certain amount of morbid fascination in this final act.

I have had a handful put down over the years and although I was there and it has emotionally affected me in some way,I would rather not chew it over and over. I personally don't think it healthy to watch videos of the final act and go on and on about how each horse has died.

This is a horse related forum,and although it is an important subject, I would rather read about other things.....ie solving problems NOT the best way to kill.

I logged on ten minutes ago and the first page of new lounge is covered in meatman threads,were you there when PTS etc. Hardly an enjoyable experience tbh.

I have enjoyed a lot of ppl's informative and practical advice over the time I've been coming on here but am seriously considering terminating my account.

I'm sure there will be some of you that will say....'if you don't like the post,don't read it! ' ....which I don't, but am a little concerned about the way of thinking on here now.

It's bloomin winter and gloomy enough without harping on about the horrid stuff ALL the time :)
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100% AGREE WITH YOU!

I Was disgusted at the videos posted - i didnt watch them and can only assume what they were trying to show. Turns my stomach!
 
Charem said:
Having had my childhood dog pts last year at a very grand old age, discussing this subject always has me in tears. At least here I can discuss it, in a calm, rational manner without people seeing me cry...oh dear here I go again! Hiding behing a computer screen can have its good points.
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I agree
 
My wonderful cob, who I gifted to friends a few years ago, was put to sleep yesterday. We were there for him, it was devastating, but the best thing to do. I can say from personal experience that reading the odd "morbid" thread over the years helped me to be mentally prepared for what happened. I had some things in the back of my mind that you wouldn't necessarily think of in the emotion of what was going on, and it was good to have that mental preparation. I think all knowledge is worth soaking up, even if it isn't the nicest thing to read about.
RIP Joe.
 
perhaps some people "re-visit" the death of a pet because they havn't for whatever reason been able to move on - the world generally puts a lesser value on animals & there is expectation for people to "pull themselves together" & move on really quite quickly - people may not necessarily be morbid but simply still grieving - i dont see myself as at all fluffy but was genuinely surprised by how distraught i felt about the death of our 19 yr old cat [ so not much of a surprise really] earlier this year:(

Its also worth remembering that just because its not new to you doesn't mean that its not useful to someone else:)
 
Well. I am umming and arring! I have a lamanitic pony whom I have owned from 4 months old, he is now 16. He has suffered from laminitis for quite some time but usually in short bouts. This last bout however seems to be ongoing. I am trying all lotions and potions as once he has the shot I know there is no going back. Yes I am guilty of hugging and kissing him and telling him how much I love him. He has never been an easy pony and no-one else would understand him. He doesn't like many people, a bit like myself really. I know that the time will come, possibly quicker than I want but I won't let him suffer. I have gone through the options with my friends and I will say goodbye but wont be there at the very end as I don't want to see him go. I will drive away when the deed is done and come back when he has gone. I have seen a friend's horse put down by injection and had one of my own shot several years ago and also seen a friends horse after it was pts and go in the open top trailer! As I am petrified of death myself I know I couldn't cope.
 
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