How do you shoot a head shy horse?

[at work]

What she said. Being sentimental isn't caring more, it is very often beind selfishly blind to suffering. Grieving when an animal dies is normal but should be kept absolutely seperate from the decision about quality of life.

I'm another one who would vote for shooting (OK euthanising) people too - because I've known people who would have been very grateful for a quick end to sufferring

 

[Hippona]

I'm gonna have my old lad cremated and made into a diamond.....then he will be with me forever.......yes I know pukey but thats my choice.

 

[Weezy]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm gonna have my old lad cremated and made into a diamond.....then he will be with me forever.......yes I know pukey but thats my choice.

[/ QUOTE ]

No, not pukey, as you said, it is YOUR choice, and I hope you have a beautiful stone to admire for years

 

[TGM]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm gonna have my old lad cremated and made into a diamond.....then he will be with me forever.......yes I know pukey but thats my choice.

[/ QUOTE ] That's fine by me, whatever floats your boat! People can do whatever they like with their animal's bodies once they are dead, as long as they don't kid themselves that their choice means they care more about their horses than others who make different choices.

 

[MrsMozart]

I thought I'd thought carefully about how my horse went. Apparently I didn't - she was okay, I cannot fault that; it was me that went through the ringer.

We used the injection. It was gentle and she went quickly and quietly. I sat with her afterwards and it was the best thing, for me, that I could have done. Had issues that needed talking over with her. I knew she was dead, but it was easier to say what I needed to when she was gone. Daft, doesn't make sense, etc, but it doesn't matter, it was right for her and then for me. If we'd been with a hunt I would have sent her there if I could (didn't know about the zoo option).

I chose to have her PTS at the vet's, where I believed other horses would benefit from the investigation into the reason for her having to be PTS. I can only assume that that is what is/will happen.

 

[natalia]

mine will be shot, end of, i don't like the injection, the whole process takes to long and i don't like the thing the vets tend to sew on to the skin to make sure the drugs go in (cathetar, not that can spell it), I've had to hold several livery horses in the past year and a few rescues for the vet to inject, and it really just seems like such a fuss, at least with the gun its one shot and its gone. We had one that they loaded first before shooting, and actualy, if your horse is good to load and a good traveller, its quite a nice way to go, she was a small 12hh pony, she walked on to the trailer no fuss, and then fed a carrot and that was it. This was with chambers, and the trailer looks and smells like any other, its spotlessly clean just has the added winch at the front. Best thing for a headshy horse is just to feed it lots of nice things and i'm sure the man will do his job very quickly. I would never have any of mine done in a stable, and on one yard there was one that got done in a stable that couldn't be removed (he was down and really couldn't get up, so there was no choice) , the stable was joined to at least 4 next door so poor pony had to be butchered to be removed. NOT NICE. and very messy.
When your laminitic was done could they not have given her a hell of a lot of pain killers first so she could walk better? there's no way i could make any of mine walk if they were this bad, i would insist they were pumped full of drugs so they could at least walk to where you had it done. otherwise the enduring memory of that horse would be of it crippled with pain trying to move.

 

[Honeypots]

[ QUOTE ]

I chose to have her PTS at the vet's, where I believed other horses would benefit from the investigation into the reason for her having to be PTS. I can only assume that that is what is/will happen.

[/ QUOTE ]

I did the same with my mare..

She had cancer and as it was hard to diagnose and happened so suddenly I agreed to let the veterinary hospital do a PM so they could learn whatever they could from what was going on isndie her. She was then sent for cremation.
I wasn't with her when she was PTS as I had taken her earlier to the hospital and told them that if they felt she neeeded to go overnight then they were to go ahead which is what they did. She was already blind and had begun headpressing so I knew she wasn't really 'with it'. I felt she had already gone...

 

[CVSHotShot]

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it disturbs me because my horse is a big part of my life, to think that all people think of their horse is to put a bullet in its head and feed it to the hounds when its old and done is greatly disturbing IMO

also you wouldnt put a bullet in ur granny's head either would you?

[/ QUOTE ]

So you think your horse will just fade away and die one day peacefully? Or you'll arrive one morning to find he just hasn't woken up? With any animal, you have to be able to take responsibiliy and let it die with dignity - that is, when it is in too much pain or the quality of life is diminished, not keep it going until he just fades away.

[/ QUOTE ]

I hardly think having a bullet in your head is 'Dying in dignity!'

What shes trying to say is, If the time comes when that her horse isnt going to pull through a sickness/lameness or is just to old & is in pain etc, she wants to have him PTS i.e. with an INJECTION that makes him go peacefully, I dont actually think you can call 'shooting' a horse having it 'Put To Sleep'...

[ QUOTE ]
Or you'll arrive one morning to find he just hasn't woken up?

[/ QUOTE ]

Everyone has their own opinion on things, especially a topic as sensitive as this. So if they want to believe this is how their horse will go, why not let them think thay way until the time comes that they have to cross that bridge?

 

[TGM]

[ QUOTE ]
I hardly think having a bullet in your head is 'Dying in dignity!'

[/ QUOTE ] Why?

It is instant and the horse has no idea what is about to happen.

[ QUOTE ]
So if they want to believe this is how their horse will go, why not let them think thay way until the time comes that they have to cross that bridge?

[/ QUOTE ] Because it will actually be much more traumatic for them if that scenario doesn't happen and they have to face up to the prospect of having their horse euthanised and disposed of without having ever considered the options in advance. Being in a highly emotional state is not a good way to make wise decisions.

 

[at work]

Bootys_New_Mum - have you ever seen a horse shot?

It is astoundingly quick, when I had to have my horse done it was over before either of us had time to know or worry about it. Yes it is dignified, because there is no fear.

Injections are slower in very big or very sick animals, generally of course they are very humane, I wouldn't question that choice, but I think they ar eeasier for the owner, rather than the horse. Also, you hear plenty of tales of an injection going wrong.

Why not let someone just hope their horse will go peacefully -because last time someone I knew did that, it became painful for the rest of us to look at the horse before a "peaceful" end actually happened. If you wait long enough every horse will die naturally - that doesn't always mean it is a good thing to wait for it to happen while they struggle with life.

 

[CVSHotShot]

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[ QUOTE ]
I hardly think having a bullet in your head is 'Dying in dignity!'

[/ QUOTE ] Why?

It is instant and the horse has no idea what is about to happen.

[ QUOTE ]
So if they want to believe this is how their horse will go, why not let them think thay way until the time comes that they have to cross that bridge?

[/ QUOTE ] Because it will actually be much more traumatic for them if that scenario doesn't happen and they have to face up to the prospect of having their horse euthanised and disposed of without having ever considered the options in advance. Being in a highly emotional state is not a good way to make wise decisions.

[/ QUOTE ]

She has already decided how she is going to cope with it-by having him euthanised & cremated.
What I was saying was, why not let her think that her horse will die naturally, Its not like its impossible! theres no point stressing about the thought of what MIGHT happen to him. If we all did that we would be completely grey by the time were 30!

 

[hellspells]

[ QUOTE ]


Everyone has their own opinion on things, especially a topic as sensitive as this. So if they want to believe this is how their horse will go, why not let them think thay way until the time comes that they have to cross that bridge?

[/ QUOTE ]

You started by saying that having a horse shot what you can call 'putting it to sleep' then go on to say everyone has thier own opinion - slightly contradictory surely.

 

[Arabelle]

Lots of knowledgable information on this thread, so not much I can add. I do want to say to the OP that if you don't want to watch your horse being winched away - don't. I don't care who calls it 'copping out'. You have done your duty to your horsey, it is just a corpse now, so why the diddly do should you have to upset yourself by seeing its dead body winched onto a truck? What purpose could that possibley serve?

I count myself very lucky that when my old boy was pts in his 30s, my vet and stepdad dealt with disposal and sent me and my mum up the road for a cuppa while they did it. Of course, if we had to deal with it, we would. But we had a choice, so chose for our last memory of Justin to be peaceful.

I actually think there is a bit of macho swagger going on with the people who have dealt with multiple horse disposal - don't feel under any pressure to witness things that may upset you when it is of no use to anyone that you should.
A

 

[Hippona]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'm gonna have my old lad cremated and made into a diamond.....then he will be with me forever.......yes I know pukey but thats my choice.

[/ QUOTE ] That's fine by me, whatever floats your boat! People can do whatever they like with their animal's bodies once they are dead, as long as they don't kid themselves that their choice means they care more about their horses than others who make different choices.

[/ QUOTE ]

No...not at all...its just this is my horse of a lifetime......the others I obviously care for but don't have the same bond with...I don't think there is a 'right' decision...its a very individual one which each owner has to make for each horse...whats right for one horse isn't right for another....

 

[eriskaypony]

[ QUOTE ]
It is not a business for me, just had horses since I was a child. My Old Appy mare was with us for 23 years and I was devastated that she died, but I could not have forced her through another winter. Her best friend had been with us for 20 years and had to be shot in the stable following a stroke (no we didn't get the vet) It was a decision made for her, not me. I have never sold a horse, when they come through our gate we know that they will leave on the knackerwomans waggon the last time they go.

[/ QUOTE ]

Coming from farming stock my wife is very matter of fact about animals. That did not stop her crying her eyes out when we lost the last pony which was her baby. But equally she had no hesitation agreeing with the vet that it was best that she was PTS. None of our ponies will ever leave our land. When our kids outgrow their ponies we've got local jockeys lined up. Then they'll live out their retirements until the their time has come and they'll be PTS and buried on our land. That way we know they'll have a good life and good death.

 

[TGM]

Personally, I think facing up to the realities of life and death makes it easier to cope when the inevitable happens. I would love my old mare just to drop dead in the field, and I know it happens to a few horses. However, I know statistically the chances are much higher that I will need to have her euthanised and by facing up to that now, I won't get such a shock when it happens!

 

[CVSHotShot]

[ QUOTE ]
Bootys_New_Mum - have you ever seen a horse shot?

It is astoundingly quick, when I had to have my horse done it was over before either of us had time to know or worry about it. Yes it is dignified, because there is no fear.

[/ QUOTE ]

No, thankfully I havnt had to experience it, I really hope i never have to to be honest. When its time for my horse to go, I want to be there with him to the end, holding his head and so that its just like hes going on a long sleep. He often falls asleep with me when hes lying down so it wont be any different except he wont wake up.
I think I would be mentally disturbed if one minute my horse was alive, next he is lying on floor dead with blood pouring out of his head.

However, It is completely different if he had an accided (God forbid on the road etc) where he was going through hell in agony, then i think its only fair that he is put out of his misery quickly.
If he is simply not going to pull through something like cancer, but he is not in any pain for now, then I would have him euthanised b4 it gets to the stage where he is uncomfortable...

 

[JoLane]

I don't think there is anything wrong with being sentimental or crying your eyes out when a horse has to be killed through whichever methods, but the tears have to wait until the animal has been put out of misery as this is most important thing. And of course if an animal has been diagnosed with something fatak then it's better to kill them before they get sick. It doesn't matter to the horse how it is killed as long as it's quick. If only we could have the same options for humans?!

 

[at work]

So your image of a horse being pts is that it is lying down, with you holding it's head? Usually, even with injection, they are standing and you have to be ready to move out of the way quickly, as they go down. IMO if a horse is lying down because it cannot get up (colic or similar being exceptions) then you have already left the decision too long.

"...euthanised b4 it gets to the stage where he is uncomfortable"
Before he is uncomfortable - you won't even have noticed a problem and he won't yet be diagnosed. Take the rose pinks off.

 

[CVSHotShot]

[ QUOTE ]
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Everyone has their own opinion on things, especially a topic as sensitive as this. So if they want to believe this is how their horse will go, why not let them think thay way until the time comes that they have to cross that bridge?

[/ QUOTE ]

You started by saying that having a horse shot what you can call 'putting it to sleep' then go on to say everyone has thier own opinion - slightly contradictory surely.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not Contradictory at all actually!
In fact if you read it again you will see that i was Giving my OPINION.
'I ACTUALLY DONT THINK you can call 'Shooting' a horse, 'Putting it to sleep''

 

[at work]

Sorry to reply to myself but it is unusual for them to be pouring with blood after pts - although it does happen. Often there is no blood.

 

[at work]

Giving my OPINION.
'I ACTUALLY DONT THINK you can call 'Shooting' a horse, 'Putting it to sleep''

And then you admit you've never seen it happen, so you have only your fear and imagination to build your opinion on

 

[TGM]

[ QUOTE ]
'I ACTUALLY DONT THINK you can call 'Shooting' a horse, 'Putting it to sleep''

[/ QUOTE ] Well I don't think you can really call euthanasia by injection 'putting it to sleep' either - the horse won't be asleep, it will be DEAD! At the end of the day, you are KILLING it to prevent further suffering, whether it be by injection or bullet.

 

[Shilasdair]

I don't want to upset anyone, but sometimes horses have adverse reactions to the injection too, including galloping on the spot, and gasping.
So Booty's_New_Mum, neither method is kinder or crueller than another, you just appear to have a limited knowledge of both.
S

 

[CVSHotShot]

[ QUOTE ]
So your image of a horse being pts is that it is lying down, with you holding it's head? Usually, even with injection, they are standing and you have to be ready to move out of the way quickly, as they go down.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes that is my idea of it actually, I can have him sedated heavily first.I have actaully research this all before, this is how I have decided.
They sedate them and have them standing in a very thick bed, once the dope has kicked in some1 lifts the front leg on the side they want them to go down, the horse is then guided down onto that knee where he then just falls over gentally onto his side, THEN the euthanisia is administered. It be quite expensive but it is worth it IMO.

[ QUOTE ]
Take the rose pinks off.

[/ QUOTE ] Not quite sure what that is meant to mean, its not a term we use over here. do you care to explain?

 

[CVSHotShot]

[ QUOTE ]

So Booty's_New_Mum, neither method is kinder or crueller than another, you just appear to have a limited knowledge of both

Giving my OPINION.
'I ACTUALLY DONT THINK you can call 'Shooting' a horse, 'Putting it to sleep''


And then you admit you've never seen it happen, so you have only your fear and imagination to build your opinion on

[/ QUOTE ]


I may never have seen it myself, but i have had friends who have had it done and they both say it is the most horrific thing they have EVER done & if they should have to do it again, they will will be euthanisa even if it is more expensive.

 

[at work]

Ireland must be further away than I thought. Rose pink spectacles - to see things bathed in a kind light that makes the world appear pink and fluffier than it is

 

[Persephone]

Well now I have had both methods. I don't really have any preference TBH.

At one time I would have laughed at anyone who told me I would have a horse shot, but when it came to it, it was the right thing to do.

We were standing in a field, facing the right way for the transportation and in a convenient place for them as discussed, she had a mouthful of treats and the birds were singing. Yes it was brutal, but it was also peaceful.

I do feel now, that if the horse is still standing I would prefer shooting. It's quicker and the horse doesn't know what hit it.

There was a fair amount of blood, which we sluiced with buckets of water. She looked peaceful, a bit odd with the mouth open, but still my girl. I think her legs looked a bit funny too, but nothing I can put my finger on. I guess it's just that you don't often see a horse laid flat on it's side.

My old mare had a TIA in the field so she was already laid flat out. The vet injected her and she died in seconds. Four deep exhalations and she was gone. The vet did say they don't go that way very often though.

I stayed with both of them right through, but not the winching part.

If I had been needed I would have helped but my preference was not to see that process.

I don't see it as a cop out. It was a service I paid someone else to do for that very reason.

Jo

 

[HenryandPeta]

To the OP. If he's head shy, perhaps it's better to practice with him? Although if he's getting on in years he's not likely to change now really is he?!

From my own experience, I would trust the guy with the gun. I had my lovely old mare shot, and left all the arrangements of how he would do it up to him. It's his job after all and he knows what he was doing.

I was 17 when she was shot (I'm now the grand age of 31) and to be honest, I didn't want to be there. I wanted to remember her as I could, and I did not want my last image of her to be the shot. I don't consider this immature or copping out, I made the very mature decision to let Gypsy go and I dealt with that in my own way. My lovely YO arranged for the body to go to the hunt and that was that.

So as far as Dare to Dream is concerned, give her a break. 17 is a young age, and an age at which death is not something to be accustomed to.

 

[martlin]

I don't think I could be there to have my horse shot, for completely different reasons though - I am absolutely petrified of banging noises, can't help it, the Bonfire night is the worst day of the year for me and I cower in a dark bedroom together with my pets - my OH would have to do it for me and most probably he will. We are farmers and we face death and birth constantly, it doesn't upset me, it's just how the life goes.