Hormonal Filly
Well-Known Member
As some of you may know, I’ve said I’ll have my cob put to sleep before winter and at the end of this month will be his time. Hes only 10, but has severe neck arthritis and it isn’t fair to put him through another winter. He’s had a nice 6 months retired with the sun on his back but it’s clear to me he isn’t happy.
It’s the thought of the heartbreak my other gelding will feel that’s killing me most.
My cob and other gelding are the best of friends, they have lived together for over 5 years now. My other gelding doesn’t know life without him.
I can ride my other gelding out on his own and box away from him, but he calls for my cob if he’s in a field without him. When I went to camp this year on my cob, my other gelding actually adjusted really well turned out on his own, so it is possible.
On my livery yard (apart from me) all the horses have their own big paddocks. All within eyesight, in fact over the fence from each other so he has friends next door etc. I don’t plan on getting another and really don’t wish to put him in with anything else (bad experience) so would like him to stay on his own in the future if possible.
My questions are.. shall I let my other gelding witness it ‘happen’ which sounds awful, or is it best if he doesn’t see it? (I have opted to have my cob shot) I want him to understand he’s gone, without being traumatised. I’ve never been in this situation before and can feel myself welling up just thinking about it but know it’s the right thing to do.
I hope he doesn’t suffer to much without him, I’m hoping he learns to accept life without him gradually but being a typical welsh he’s OTT about everything in general.
To add, has anyone else’s been through similar to this? Did their horse accept it well?
It’s the thought of the heartbreak my other gelding will feel that’s killing me most.
My cob and other gelding are the best of friends, they have lived together for over 5 years now. My other gelding doesn’t know life without him.
I can ride my other gelding out on his own and box away from him, but he calls for my cob if he’s in a field without him. When I went to camp this year on my cob, my other gelding actually adjusted really well turned out on his own, so it is possible.
On my livery yard (apart from me) all the horses have their own big paddocks. All within eyesight, in fact over the fence from each other so he has friends next door etc. I don’t plan on getting another and really don’t wish to put him in with anything else (bad experience) so would like him to stay on his own in the future if possible.
My questions are.. shall I let my other gelding witness it ‘happen’ which sounds awful, or is it best if he doesn’t see it? (I have opted to have my cob shot) I want him to understand he’s gone, without being traumatised. I’ve never been in this situation before and can feel myself welling up just thinking about it but know it’s the right thing to do.
I hope he doesn’t suffer to much without him, I’m hoping he learns to accept life without him gradually but being a typical welsh he’s OTT about everything in general.
To add, has anyone else’s been through similar to this? Did their horse accept it well?