How can this happen?

[chocolategirl]

I think this happened more than you would think, don't know why I believed it had stopped.

I had my old pony PTS in an abbatoir, before anyone jumps down my throat, the livery yard didn't want him done at home as it was also a riding school, and the pony travelled fine, plus I arranged that he would be PTS on the house lawn with me present.

A friend had taken one there before, but on arrival was told they had finished for the day, but they had a stable for him, the stable was beautiful. Big bed, big net... She left him and was told it was done the next day.

I told them I would not be leaving the pony, he MUST be done while I was there, but on arrival they told me the same. I announced that I would just transport him back home then, and suddenly they could do him after all. It was as good as a PTS can be. He thought he was on his way to a show, he was happy, the lawn was nice, the end quick, I stayed until I was convinced he was gone.

A few years later, a friend bought a wonderful looking horse, that soon went lame. She went back through the passport to previous owner, and contacted them. Guess what? They had gone to the same abattoir, been shown the marvellous stable, which was just 'for overnight' and had left him there.

Thank goodness I had remained firm. By hook or by crook, I was going to be there at the end. Especially thankful as it was an abattoir that was years later featured for cruelty!

I guess the abattoir could have claimed that they 'bought' the horses? They did pay. I think I got £40 for the pony.

I have PTS since, on our own lawn by the vet. One of the marvels of having your own place and being able to make your own decisions.

Why does this not shock me in the slightest ??‍

 

[ycbm]

Why does this not shock me in the slightest ??‍

Because it's well known in the horse world and exactly why the owner of a horse they knew was dangerous that was easily sellable for €000s on the right day has to take a share of the blame for not making sure they saw it dead.
.

 

[luckyoldme]

Because it's well known in the horse world and exactly why the owner of a horse they knew was dangerous that was easily sellable for €000s on the right day has to take a share of the blame for not making sure they saw it dead.
.

Honest to god I would have loved to know my horse's past.
Bought from philip mcateer who if people dont know was the guy who ended up on tv in one of those consumers rights programmes.
I was so naive it makes me laugh now but he advertised loads of eyecatching 10 yesrs olds who had all been ridden by 74 year old owners.
Reading this it makes so much sense how the system works.

 

[Orangehorse]

Years ago there was a small dealer locally. She knew a man who must have had an abattoir and she used to go and have a look to see what he had there sometimes. She could see a nice TB type and asked him why he was there, to which he replied that if she could catch it, she could have it. She approached it carefully and it went for her and chased her out of the yard - so that is why it was there!

But the point is that those animals had been sent to be PTS but there she was looking if there were any bargains to be had.

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

Wrong on so many levels
I really hope your friend is able to get her money back and the dealer gets their comeuppance x

 

[McFluff]

Reading this forum helps me realise how naive I am. And how fortunate that my yard facilitated PTS at the yard - as they have always aimed to be the final home for horses I hadn’t appreciated just how well all the elements were planned. And I can see how the logistics can make onsite PTS very difficult. It’s so sad that we can’t trust paid professionals to do the right thing, and the poor horse suffers.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Reading this forum helps me realise how naive I am. And how fortunate that my yard facilitated PTS at the yard - as they have always aimed to be the final home for horses I hadn’t appreciated just how well all the elements were planned. And I can see how the logistics can make onsite PTS very difficult. It’s so sad that we can’t trust paid professionals to do the right thing, and the poor horse suffers.

We have terrible trouble getting deliveries of things like building materials and even white goods because of our access - we have to keep our own horsebox on a neighbour's farm - but our local equine crem can always get the vehicle round when necessary. Our lane is single track with a right angled turn. I can't imagine there are many places with a worse access tbh and if there is, that place should not be offering livery because they can't offer a complete service.

 

[McFluff]

We have terrible trouble getting deliveries of things like building materials and even white goods because of our access - we have to keep our own horsebox on a neighbour's farm - but our local equine crem can always get the vehicle round when necessary. Our lane is single track with a right angled turn. I can't imagine there are many places with a worse access tbh and if there is, that place should not be offering livery because they can't offer a complete service.

I get what you are saying. And if anything comes from sad situations like this, maybe it is for people (like me) to consider end of life arrangements for our horses. Honestly, I didn’t think about it at all when choosing a yard. And I doubt I’m the only one. I now can see how lucky I am that my yard has plans and options, as I hadn’t a clue what was involved. I was so focused on the emotional and difficult decision, I now know that there are real practical issues to consider. As I said, I’ve been naive about this issue.

 

[Esmae]

My boss 40 years ago used to go to the abattoir if he needed a new horse. We had a few on the yard, and without exception, all were good useful servants. I daresay that he left a lot behind. Not that this is any excuse for the purpose of this thread.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I’m on a riding school which has full livery plus us DIYers. There have been several horses pts in my time there, always stuffing their face on treats unless they’ve had a catastrophic fall/keeled over. Owners just ask the vet to come at the crack so any kid helpers don’t see, I mean, we can’t always organise week days.

I can’t imagine send my horse away to be pts. Well, I can, it would save me the absolute nightmare of seeing it. I’m bloody dreading it, but I think the right thing to do is to be there. I empathise with Amberecho’s friend: she’s learned a hard lesson.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Yes breeder was utterly distraught that her horse ended up in the hands of the dodgiest of the dodgy and offered to buy her back so she could PTS (again!) But rather than subject her to an unnecessary journey by shipping her back to Ireland, my friend put her down yesterday herself. And stayed with her to make sure of it. Just utterly tragic.

It has been reported to trading standards.

But breeder wasn't distraught to send the horse to a slaughterhouse? Yes it's very dodgy what's happened but to send your horse off to be killed in a horrific manner like that is just so callous and I have no sympathy for that breeder. Im glad the horse had a dignified end , eventually.

 

[Caol Ila]

Just saying, it's a wee bit unfair slagging off the breeder on the grounds of double hearsay and vague details and no knowledge whatsoever of their circumstances. I just feel sorry for AE's friend, and the horse. Horse dealing can be dodgy business. Nothing surprises me.