Horse being PTS today - advice for companion please

TJ&Ozzie

TJ&Ozzie

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Hi all,
My elderly horse has taken a sudden turn for the worst and will have to be put to sleep today. I have rung the hunt and they are coming at midday. I keep my horses at home and only have 2. Ideally I would have got a new companion for my pony (I am booked to go to the rescue centre) However this has all happened far quicker than we thought it would and we cannot leave my horse any longer as he is in so much pain.

I am so so worried about what to do with my pony whilst it is done. He hates my horse going out of sight and gets very stressed. So, do I leave him in the field whilst his companion his shot or do i take him away and have him stressing out then let him go back to him afterwards to see the body?

I haven't slept all night and feel so sick, I am releived I can help my old boy and take away his pain but am so worried I am going to stress my other pony out. The other pony has a stonking heart murmour so stress isnt good.

Any advice people have would be gratefully accepted. Thanks
 
I would bring him in. Then once the other horse has been destroyed take him to see the body.

Im so sorry xx
 
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Yes I have and I will do that afterwards if need be. It is what to do with my pony whilst the actual process happens I am worried about. I dont think I will be able to take him away whilst its done as it will stress him. I just want it to all be over for both of them now. Ozzie is in so much pain and the whole thing is going to be awful for TJ.
 
Id leave him in the field providing you can keep him out the way. Could you get someone to hold him? Last thing you want is for your old boy to stress and fidget about whilst the huntsman is trying to do the deed. Horses and ponies have no idea what a gun is ot associated the bang with death, as far as your pony is aware his friend will have just passed away.

Will be thinking of you today. X
 
*hugs* I'm so sorry for your loss. My old riding school had a horse who broke two legs galloping around the field one day. The vet took care of it with all the horses still grazing in the field and a few of us nearby to make sure other horses didn't come too close - a couple came to say their goodbyes, then drifted away. The horses reacted very calmly to the whole process. I hope the same for you all today, and that your youngster finds a new companion soon. x
 
Charem said:
Id leave him in the field providing you can keep him out the way. Could you get someone to hold him? Last thing you want is for your old boy to stress and fidget about whilst the huntsman is trying to do the deed. Horses and ponies have no idea what a gun is ot associated the bang with death, as far as your pony is aware his friend will have just passed away.

Will be thinking of you today. X
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Yes, I have a good friend coming to be with me. I havent decided if I can hold Ozzie while its done or not yet so one of us could hold tj and the other with ozzie. Thank you x
 
fattylumpkin said:
*hugs* I'm so sorry for your loss. My old riding school had a horse who broke two legs galloping around the field one day. The vet took care of it with all the horses still grazing in the field and a few of us nearby to make sure other horses didn't come too close - a couple came to say their goodbyes, then drifted away. The horses reacted very calmly to the whole process. I hope the same for you all today, and that your youngster finds a new companion soon. x
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Thank you x I wish he was a youngster. The pony that will be left is 23, he is my old pony club pony and to be honest I always thought it would be him that went first. x
 
a friend had both her old ponies shot at the same time her husband held them both and the huntsman shot one then the other, the other 2 horses were in the field and they left them all out there for a while and went indoors to have a toast and a cup of tea whilst the remaining horses investigate the 2 on the ground, when they had lost interested the huntsman loaded them and left. she said she did not realise it could all be so peaceful and the horses so accepting.

i would try to borrow a companion though as he may still panic when you take his friend away.
 
twiggy2 said:
a friend had both her old ponies shot at the same time her husband held them both and the huntsman shot one then the other, the other 2 horses were in the field and they left them all out there for a while and went indoors to have a toast and a cup of tea whilst the remaining horses investigate the 2 on the ground, when they had lost interested the huntsman loaded them and left. she said she did not realise it could all be so peaceful and the horses so accepting.

i would try to borrow a companion though as he may still panic when you take his friend away.
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Once his friend has been driven away I will take him to my other field which is next to a livery yard. He will be able to see some other horses for the afternoon before I bring him home again tonight
 
I'm so sorry you are going through this, but you know horses are very tuned into emotion, your old pony will sense the sadness and absolute love that you are feeling and be comforted by that. They constantly surprise me with their wisdom.
The hunt will be calm and professional and that will help to lessen the distress for both horses. I'd leave your other lad in the field and let him come over when he's ready.
He will grieve for his friend, but he knows he has been struggling. Unfortunately life has its low's but with your care and the prospect of another companion, he'll get through this time just as you will.

Thinking of you today.
 
Thank you all so much for your kind words. I just want to fast forward to it all being over now. My poor boy is in pain and I want to be able to comfort and settle TJ into a new routine. Horses break your heart far worse than any man!
 
Just wanted to say I'll be thinking of you today, horrible situation for you to be in. I hope your pony is ok afterwards, so sad he's losing his field mate, hope you find a suitable companion soon. x
 
I don't often post on here but when I did in my hour of need people were so helpful and sympathetic. Thank you all so much. My dear old boy went very peacefully and my pony is very settled. He called for a little while but spent the afternoon in my garden with me mooching round grazing on the lawn. He's totally normal now and spent the night with a big haynet in his stable and a radio on. He's going out next to his friends on the livery yard today so he can have a chat to them :) thanks again for all your advice it really helped x
 
Huge hugs, Im glad it was peaceful and things went ok.
My friend had this problem a short time ago- her horses had been together forever when they suddenly lost one. The one left behind was the panicker but after seeing his friends body he accepted it and was good as gold for a few weeks until they managed to get another horse. Its funny how clever they are, I don't think we give them credit sometimes maybe?
Id lend you our little companion if I was closer short term x
 
So sorry to read your post but you sound very brave and you did the best for all concerned.

Huge hugs to you and pony and I hope you find a companion soon enough. Again as above if you were closer I would lend you a field buddy until you were sorted. Do you have a friend who may like to come and live with your pony ?xx
 
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