Horse Euthenasia

J

jellybaby2

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I need to start thinking about having my old event mare PTS. She is a 24 y/o TB and I need to decide whether or not to put her through another winter.

She is a bit 'down' on weight at the moment, and so I have until October to make the decision.

I would have her euthenased at the field she is currently living in, and then would need to have her body disposed of as she would not be able to be buried where she is.

So, two questions.

Do I go for lethal injection, or the bullet?

How do I dispose of her body - I would like to have her cremated and then partly sent back to me so that I can scatter some of her ashes at home in Cornwall. Does anyone have any reccomendations as to a company who would do this for me? I would have sent her to the hunt in either Cornwall of Wilst where we lived, but the hunt up here are rubbish so shes not going there!

Thanks in advance

JB xx
 
Why does she need to be PTS what is wrong with her??


1 I go for injection every time .
2 Best thing for cremation is google horse cremation in your area.
3 have you checked her teeth, had bloods done in case its something simple.
4 there are feeds designed for older horses and things like weight gain.
 
would agree with Leviathan that google is your friend in terms of cremation i'm more pro bullet than injection - as the horses we have had put to sleep at home that have been injected have been slower from my perspective to die than the ones who have been PTS'd by gun but this is just my opinion and i'm not sure what options you may have - in my neck of the woods in ireland most are PTS'd by bullet.
 
Yes, have done everything, she is on a mixture of veteran and weight gain mix. Wormed, bloods etc all fine. I am a very experienced horse owner and am simply not being 'fluffy' about the welfare of my lovely old mare.
 
For every pro.bullet there will be a pro injection owner.
It is your choice and I have seen both,injection is less "violent" and usually very quick now and I think is probably the choice of most owners.
Google horse disposal in your area ,they are very professional and caring people,used to dealing with distressed owners. They will be able to discuss your requirements before the day, as this is to be planned, rather than an emergency.
You have obviously given this much thought and it is a good idea to give her a last summer and not try to take her into the winter if you feel she is going to struggle.
You know what is right for your horse.
 
It's a tough decision but you know your horse better than anyone and if she cannot gain enough weight she will be miserable in the cold winter moths, lose even more weight, and very possibly die of heart failure due to hypothermia. Personally, I would choose the injection. It is very quick and for them, it is like having a vaccine. They don't realise what's happening.
 
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