How the hell do you choose a day to PTS?

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Mary Poppins

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Just had the vet out to do my boys Cortisone injections. He has arthritis in his knees. However, the vet has advised he is PTS as although he is not in alot of pain, he has danilon daily, he is finding it hard to support himself.

I know what needs to be done, and I will do it, but how the hell do you choose a day to have your beloved horse put to sleep?

Feeling very sad and tearful right now. :'''(
 
Massive hugs to you.

You will need to contact the people who are doing the euthanasing to find out when they can do it - and then match it up with what day is best for you in terms of other commitments. You will also need to discuss it with your YO (if you're on livery) to ensure that the timings suit them too. I would caution against a weekend.

Really, really sorry to read your post ((((( xx ))))
 
amymay said:
Massive hugs to you.

You will need to contact the people who are doing the euthanasing to find out when they can do it - and then match it up with what day is best for you in terms of other commitments. You will also need to discuss it with your YO (if you're on livery) to ensure that the timings suit them too. I would caution against a weekend.

Really, really sorry to read your post ((((( xx ))))
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Sorry to hear.

I'd agree with the above but also add that I'd choose before it gets too wet/cold/windy and uncomfortable. So sooner than later. Choose a day that's set to be nice weather so you have some time with him out and out together first. If this was after winter, answer would be different.
 
thatsmygirl said:
Iv been there and tbh I made sure I done it on a day where I had a few days of work afterward or backed onto a week end.
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This is a good idea.

I had one go down earlier this year. He was old and although sudden it hadn't sunk in. I went straight back to work without thinking anything of it and ended up being away with the fairies and making lots of mistakes and wishing I'd never gone in.
 
I agree with amymay too. Vets quite often prefer to do it first thing, so there's no chance of them being late from earlier appointments. And if you would like your oh, friend, family member etc to be with you immediately after so you aren't alone, plan for that too.
I too am so very sorry to read your post xxx.
 
Thanks guys, your replies really mean alot.

I know it's not allowed, but I just wanted to show you all my boy, taken earlier on in the year with my children. (Hope it works).
3fcbd364-5985-426f-b41b-9cad7651c2c8.jpg
 
Agree with AM completely and just to add if you are at livery to make sure your YO is willing to let him go there after the sad case a few weeks ago when a YO insisted horse was taken off yard even though it could hardly move; not what you need at a time like this..

TBTH, now you know it must be done, the sooner you get it over and done with the better so that you have less time to brood over it; believe me, it does help just make sure preparations are OK with everyone who needs to be involved.

It's a horrid time but you're doing it for him, nothing else matters so it really is a case of grit your teeth and get on with it, sorry if that sounds blunt.
 
Thanks maesfen and amymay. You're not being blunt, I do appreciate people telling it how it is.

And thanks for everyone else giving advice, it has all be taken on board. :(
 
So sorry to read this post. It's actually made me a bit teary as he looks like my mare who I lost 2 years ago on 15 November for the same reasons :( he really is handsome x

Will it be the vet that does it? I would call them and find out what days they are available and take it from there. I chose a day that was likely to be quiet at the yard and gave myself about a week to prepare myself and so I could warn others who might want to avoid the yard at the time.

Weather will also be a factor - if you are due any bad weather you wouldn't want it to be called off at the last minute.

X
 
Hi Mary Poppins. So sorry to hear this.

Have you thought about what you will do with his body? I know it isn't a nice thought but something you need to organise. The fallen stock lorries are only in my area on certain days during the week so maybe this is something you need to check also.

I lost my old boy around this time last year and I wished I had been more organised but it was kind of sudden
 
Mary Poppins said:
I just can't choose a date. How do I choose a date to lose my boy???
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Yes you can choose a date, because you love him and you want to save him from the pain and suffering of a long and undignified decline.

So you will choose a day that is the least bloody awful, and you will spend those last few days loving your boy, and feeding him the treats that have always been rationed, and making sure he knows how much you love him and care for him.

You will hold in your mind "Better a day to early than an hour to late" he has no idea of what is to come, so he has no stress about the event, so love him, and take him on that last walk as you have led him through all the other steps of hos life with you.


Above all ((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))
 
So sorry to hear this :( He's beautiful!!

Put your practical head on...imagine you're planning something else entirely...
1. Check out weather forecast for next week and see which days look good and which days you can be there and YO would prefer.
2. Ring vet and see which mornings of those you've chosen they can do.
3. Ring the collection people to see which day they can do (unless vet will sort that out too for you).

Book the day/time that everyone can do.

I was lucky that my YO sorted everything for me. I said "this week" and she came back to me and said "wednesday at 10.30". And so it was. If you have a good sympathetic friend or YO then maybe ask if they could help out with arrangements.
 
He's gorgeous - you poor thing.

Yes to doing it sooner, but allow yourself some time with him first. It's set to be cold at the end of next week, so early-mid next week perhaps.

I would pick a date in a rather negative way - make sure it doesn't clash with other important dates for you (anniversaries, birthdays etc) as you will then always associate the day with losing him. Better a bland date with no other associations.

I hope it goes as well as it can for you and him.
 
I've been in your position. It is just an awful decision to make :(

1) Contact insurance companies etc (if he is insured) and find out what method of disposal/euthanasia is covered in your policy.

2) Speak with your YO. My mare had to be moved off the yard to be PTS. Also some YO's prefer it to be done during the day, midweek, less people on the yard, much quieter, and to be honest you don't want an audience!

3) As someone said, check the weather, nothing more miserable than your beloved horse being PTS in the middle of a horrible horrible downpour of rain :(

3) Decide if you want him buried, taken away or cremated for you to keep the ashes, you need to different arrangements for each.

4) Once you have gone through all of this and you are as happy as you can be with the arrangements book the vet and book yourself some time off work!

*Massive hugs to you* It really is a horrible situation to be in. And he looks like a beautiful horse.
 
I keep my horses at a Riding School, so I will sort out with the Owner what day would be best, and TBH I hadn't thought of that, the place is full of people all day, every day.

I'm going to have him cremated and bought back home, he doesn't like being on his own, so he can stay with us at home.
 
Mary Poppins said:
I keep my horses at a Riding School, so I will sort out with the Owner what day would be best, and TBH I hadn't thought of that, the place is full of people all day, every day.

I'm going to have him cremated and bought back home, he doesn't like being on his own, so he can stay with us at home.
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Well if it is a Riding School your YO must have dealt with something like this before, I am sure they will be more than happy to help.

Also at my last yard (as grim as it sounds) we has a "designated area" that if something was being PTS noone was allowed near from a designated time until we said the horse had been removed. People were always allowed as much time as they wanted.

Also, when the person comes to collect the horse. Don't stay, leave the person to do their job.. it is not something you want to see.

I hope it all goes as well as it can, I know I may be being a bit.. graphic but having been through it all, and seen more than I should have, I felt I should add that last bit in.
 
Thanks Damnation. I'm going to sort things out tomorrow for sometime next week, not really thinking straight this afternoon.

I'm going now to finish the horses off for the night...I know someone whose going to get spoil rotten!!!!

All your advice has been very much appreciated.

xxx
 
I am sorry - your horse is beautiful.
Do it soon, for your sake, because it is very hard to have this hanging over you. I also look at the weather forecast.It is the final act of kindness.
x
 
AshTay said:
So sorry to hear this :( He's beautiful!!

Put your practical head on...imagine you're planning something else entirely...
1. Check out weather forecast for next week and see which days look good and which days you can be there and YO would prefer.
2. Ring vet and see which mornings of those you've chosen they can do.
3. Ring the collection people to see which day they can do (unless vet will sort that out too for you).

Book the day/time that everyone can do.
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Totally agree with this.

We had my Dad's old mare PTS 2 weeks ago. I still can't think about it without crying, it's awful, but you have to do the right thing for your boy.

One thing you might want to think of is keeping a worn shoe and a peice of tail hair as a momento. There are some lovely jewellery places that will make bracelets etc from the tail hair. I like to cut this on the morning they go, but a few days before would be fine too, just don't leave it until after the deed when you'll feel awful.
 
sorry to hear you have to make the decision, but you know in your heart it is the right one. dont wait and ponder on it do it as soon as you can as the thought is worse than the deed. snug him up now, give him extra danelon if he requires it, maybe the owner of the riding school could sort this out for you so that is mutually acceptable on time and place. much easier for someone else to talk to the vet etc as you will get wobbly lipped. thoughts are with you he is a handsome one!
 
Your boy is beautiful, so sorry to hear your bad news. I had to have my best boy PTS nearly 3 years ago. I had taken him to specialist vet on the thursday, and they explained how much pain he was actually in, so rang my local vet straight away to see when suited him. he was pts on the saturday, I was a complete mess. I think he knew, i tried not to cry but i was a blubbering idiot, hugged him so much, still miss him. The longer you leave it, the harder it will be. my thoughts and prayers are with you, I know how very hard it is. xxxxx
 
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