Hunt... Or vet?

misskk88 said:
Out of curiosity, what is the usual process with the vet? Will they arrange the removal person to be there, or do you have to sort both separately? Or, can you choose to arrange both separately? Is there a difference in cost/process/time it takes etc?
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It is best to tell your vet who you want to use to collect the horse and let them liaise with them, that is what JoJo's owners did spoke to Giles told him the situation - then the vet called him to discuss times etc.
 
I'm so sorry you have to make this decision.

I've only seen the injection - once with a friend's pony and once with my old boy. Pony was sedated and my boy was already down (colic) so both very peaceful. I'd be happy (well not happy but you know what I mean) to have it again. Although I'm not squeamish I don't think I'd cope with blood or any physical external damage. I think it's all I'd see in my mind afterwards and I'd like to think of my boy's lovely body as it is.

My boy was an emergency so arrangements for collection were made later. YO sorted it all for me. With the pony it was planned (severed tendon) the collection service and vet were both there at the same time. I didn't see either leave.

Having seen the pony go before my boy I was a lot more comfortable knowing what to expect with my boy. I'm not saying you should go looking or force yourself on someone who's losing their horse, but if you happen to be asked to hold a horse for a friend I'd say yes.
 
I had the vet for my big boy, and had thought I would want the injection. However this vet refuses to inject on humane grounds, he sedates and then shoots. Horse wasn't bothered by vets or needles. I was in a total state about the whole thing and just took the view that I trust this vet's judgment, he's seen a lot more of this in his time than I ever hope to and I was happy to go with his judgment. Also the horse was over 17h and chunky, imagine that might make a difference.
I spent the day with my lovely boy but knew I wouldn't be able to remain composed while it was done, and I was determined that he wouldn't be upset by my lack of self control. So I said goodbye to him in his field as the vet arrived, and left. They did it on his way in from the field, and my yard owner held him so he had someone familiar. I will always be grateful to him for that. Didn't see any sign of the lorry to take him away and knew I didn't want to see them moving him afterwards.

So sorry you're having to go through this. It's the price we pay for loving an animal that doesn't live as long as we do, but it's also our last kindness for them xxx
 
Hi all

Thanks for the advice and personal experiences. It really is appreciated, and it is reassuring to know that whatever I choose, there is no right or wrong.

Fuzzy Furry- I never knew of this service or help... I will look into giving them a call, perhaps once I have had a few more days to digest all of your kind responses on here :)
 
Just to add if you go with the vet there will be no poking and prodding to upset her, if she is generally good with injections it should be far less stressful than when she was in pain being treated for colic, the vet will be coming knowing what is to be done and like you will not want to be fussing as it is not a treatment as such so the horse can be eating until they inject if you want, I take mine outside to eat grass, as long as she is still enough for them to sedate it can be wherever you want but do bear in mind ease of movement afterwards.
 
Do what is right for you. If you know you are going to go to pieces when the horse is being PTS let someone else hold your horse. You will only distress your horse and I hate the whole pressure of "I had to be there for my horse". Done both and broadly speaking wouldn't inject a fit horse who fights sedation. Held a friends horse to be shot and the worst part was the "prep".
 
I recently had ours PTS by the vet. Vet coordinated it so that pony's body would be removed straight away.
I didn't want to go knackerman route as there sre too many people nearby to the yard and I thought a shot could upset someone.
Vet was brilliant - explained everything, talked me through it all.

ETS I don't think I could have stayed there if she was shot, but this way I was able to stay with her.
 
I have had the vet once (shot) and the hunt for three others. The horses were totally relaxed with the huntsman and it was all over in a second. For the vet I asked him what he felt was best for the horse and for him as I wanted it to all go OK.

Regarding the clearing up three of mine needed no clear up at all but one did - my beloved 36 year old. Apparently it can occasionally happen so it is best to be prepared. He was pts on his favourite guarding spot in the field and it was a route I walked every day to feed the other horses so for weeks I had to make a detour sobbing and sniffing away (it was all cleared up by my OH but I wanted to just miss that spot). Then of course the grass on that spot grew so lush and dark green it was impossible to miss. When I finally let his friends through to use that paddock (it might have been a year later) they both ran to that exact spot and both whinnied.
 
So sorry OP you're having to look at these issues......... sometime we will all have to do it, if we haven't already done so. It is the last, very last, act of love that we can all show our horses.

I had my first pony PTS by the hunt. I wasn't actually there, left it to others (wish I HAD been there for him though....... I bitterly regret that now, in hindsight).

With my last old boy it was a vet/injection job, done in his field, very quietly and peacefully, and the vet arranged collection of the carcass. Most vets will do this.

It might be worth asking how long between the actual PTS act, and the collection of the carcass will be; I say this because there was a gap of about two-and-a-half hours between the time my boy was PTS and being collected. You will want SOME quiet time, say an hour at the most, but I found it very hard waiting for that length of time. It wasn't anyone's fault, it just happened that the disposal person was also a licensed knackerman in their own right, and they were out on an urgent case, but it did feel like just that little too much time to wait for my boy to be collected. Having said that, I really valued that quiet time to be with him, stroke his face, and take some of his mane & tail, but I left him be and covered his face and eyes up when his body began to go cold - that was awful :(


Someone I know had the hunt recently to PTS theirs; and apparently it was awful as there was quite a lot of mess to clear up afterwards which was upsetting for all concerned.

Most professionals doing this type of work would actively discourage the owner from hanging around after the Deed is done and would shoo the owner away while the actual "collection" is taking place.
 
I told myself I wouldn't cry as I clicked on this thread, and two comments in I'm blubbering like a baby.

It's a really personal choice, and theres so much to consider - so I just wanted to say that at the end of the day both options have their disadvantages and whatever you chose to do will be incredibly difficult. At the same time you'll be doing the absolute best, most loving thing for your horse no matter how much it hurts.

My thoughts are with you, I'm really sorry x
 
I have had two done by injection and two shot. The prep for injection takes longer, which I watched and stayed with them. I have the Vet school do it so its all done by the book very experienced, and had no problems, but it does take longer. The thing about the hunt is its all very relaxed, they come, you had them the horse and a carrot and their money, at this point I walk away and come back half an hour later, after a good cry and its all done.
I like the fact that the animal may be of some use as well as provide a bit of income for the hunt, but its also very cost effective, £130 as against with disposal nearer £500 after injection. It tough which ever you decide.
I get them into a routine of being fed where the deed is going to be done for at least a week before so on the day I and they are not too upset.
 
havent read all posts but have had 2 put down at different times by the vet he sedated them first and I stayed feeding mints till they were almost asleep standing up then I walked away and my friend stayed with the vet and he shot them..i didn't look back so didn't see the horse laying there dead, or the loading.. this has worked for me and I am sure the last thing my horse knew was me feeding her mints . it is a horrible thing to have to do and I am not looking forward to having to sort this out for my current horse as she is now 24 and has cushings so wont make very old bones...
 
last time i had the knackerman shoot and take away and would only use him in future if god forbid i should need to, he was extremely kind, sympathetic and respectful and gave me all the time i needed to say goodbye. After seeing how my old mastiff fought the injection and hearing horror stories from my mum about horses she owned and worked with using the injection it is not something i would ever personally consider now. I was suprised how instant the bullet was, i knew it would be quick but it was litterally quicker than i could blink.

Only you can make the decision, everyone has different views on different methods, i cant imagine how your feeling not knowing which way to go. Thoughts are with you
 
We have always used the hunt. They are professional, and because they do it on a regular basis are sometimes better than the vet. However, you have to do what is right for you.
 
I am sorry you are having to make this decision, it is the hardest part of owning a horse but one that responsible owners do as the last thing they can do for their horse. IMO It is a decision best made before there is emergency, so that you have a plan in place.


Over the years we have had several horses pts both planned and in an emergency. We have had the local slaughterhouse (many years ago), the hunt, the vet and the equine crem. When there is a choice I would always prefer to have the horse shot. It is quicker for them, in fact it is instantaneous. There can still be twitching etc afterwards but there is no feeling woozy before the actual point of death. I have seen both a Section A and a big ID fight the injection while with the gun they are dead before they land on the ground.
The last few have been pts by the local Equine Crem, which is run by the old slaughterhouse family. They are professional horsepeople and always good with the horses. We always send the horse for a group cremation and do not want the ashes back. IMO as soon as the deed is done, the body is just a shell, there is nothing left of the personality which made the horse unique. I echo what others have said about not watching the winching onto vehicle, whichever pts method you choose.
 
Hunt every time. They use the gun to pts all forms of farm animals all the time so in my opinion have far more experience than any vet at putting an animal down. It is instant but messy so I would recommend someone else does it for you.
 
I'm so torn with this, having grown my whole life believing that my beloved old lady would be shot by the hunt. She's 26yo now, and still going strong, but when the time comes, I want to be ready. She's not needle phobic, and I would rather be able to think of her like she's gone to sleep, so I think that the jab is my current preference as I could sit with her for a bit after too. I definitely need to look into the costings of it all too though, as unfortunately that would be a factor in it too.
 
I've only ever seen horses shot. The people doing it have been very professional & its instant,
I had my dog pts yesterday at the vet. The vet struggled a little to get her vein. Dog then got agitated. Had to have 2 lots of sedation before the vet could get near her leg again. It was a horrible drawn out process with a stressed animal. I couldn't imagine how stressful that would have been with something the size of a horse.
I so wish I had taken her to the hunt. 1shot & it would have been over.
 
misskk88 said:
Peregrine Falcon - you mentioned that fact you needed to clean up after choosing the hunt. Like you, I don't think I would find this distressing, but how do you deal with it on a livery yard?

Thanks others for your responses too. All food for thought :)
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With apologies to the squeamish and not meant in an uncaring way, just being realistic.

Providing it's not an unmovable emergency (which is just tough, you have to deal with it there and then) on any yard, your own or a livery, you should make sure it is in an area which is quiet and easy to clean up, with drains to swill down to if it's not on grass. If it's on grass, it needs to be away from a water course too and if possible, throw some water over it to dissipate it better as it is likely to burn the ground for a while if left undiluted or cover it with sand; the difference being that the sand will stain and stay as a reminder for some time, the water will make it easier to sink into the ground after the first rains. I do know some people that have had them done by the muck heap pulled down so they're standing on it which soaks up any blood lost (and some will bleed more than others for no sinister reason at all)

My heart goes out to anyone having to have this done but always remember, for them, far better a day early than a day too late; the earlier sits better on your soul but if you leave it too late then you will always be regretting it; believe me, I know how that feels and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

ETA: It would always be the hunt or the knackerman for me and while not nice, I always want to be there. With one exception, mine have all been done at home but the last, I took to the kennels where due to strict H & S, I wasn't allowed to be with her, I had to hand the rope over and walk away; that did not sit well with me at all after all these years for some reason; I still feel disappointed about it, not in a blood thirsty way but more a feeling of I let her down by not being with her.
 
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We have had 7 horses pts on our own earth yard, in the last 20 yrs. We have dogs which have to share the yard. After the deed has been done, we have thrown some shavings over the 'residue' and then swept them up and swilled the area down. The dogs, (mainly Labs) have taken very little notice of the area. TBH there was just as much mess after the ID was injected as there has been with those who have been shot.
 
Ive only had one done and it was with a gun because he was unable to stand for long enough to wait for the vet to come out and faff about with injections so the local hunt came immediately. He was buried here, so body wasn't moved at all but thats not an option for most people. I was about 14 so tbh i didn't watch, i was just in my room crying my lamps out but my dad was there and he said it was instantaneous. I had my dog pts via injection a while back and he did fight put just because of the needle, he also died pretty instantly and no fuss.

Either method you choose will have the same outcome, and both can go right or wrong. Gun is more violent, and will have blood and potentially other things left behind, and jabs shouldn't. It is really a personal choice, of what you think you can manage remembering.
 
I have always used the hunt, quick, calm and efficient and will quietly take the horse out of your hands if you cannot bear to be there. Some will bleed a little, some a lot or even not at all, nothing to do with the method, just how it is. A few buckets of water soon sorts it out though. I have had a knackerman do one the old fashioned way with the brass bell and mallett, she dropped exactly the same as having been shot. The removal is probably the worse to witness as it is inelegant and cumbersome but it's the only way unfortunately, best avoid being around for that part.
 
Just wanted to add - is there a large difference in price?

For me cost wouldn't come into it, but I know for some no matter how much you wish it wasn't, cost can be factor.
 
I have had two put to sleep by the vet both colic cases. I found it incredibly hard waiting for the deed to be done and after they were sedated I ashamed to say I left before the final moment and was not there when the body was taken away. I find it very difficult with all my animals that I have no facilities to bury the body and have to go down the cremation route, obviously not many people can bury their horses and don't know if its even allowed now. However the yard owner stayed with the horses and said that it was all very quick and clean
 
It can be as little as £100 if you use the hunt (though that might depend if you're a follower/farmer etc, each hunt is different) to a bit more for the knackerman; both of which will include disposal in the cost (no chance of ashes back as they use the bodies). With injections you'll have call out, drugs etc and still have to pay for disposal on top even if the vet arranges it for you so probably about £300 plus then you have the pet crem's on top if you want ashes back. It's expensive whichever you decide I'm afraid which is why so many are being dumped instead of doing the decent thing for them.
 
Just to continue in Maesfen's factual but (hopefully) not too gory style......there have been a few comments in this thread about not liking the idea of the horse being chopped up and fed to the hounds; this does not always happen - the body is often incinerated, so no different whatsoever to it being cremated. How the carcass is dealt with depends on the supply/demand of fallen stock in your area, so it is best to call the hunt and ask specifically if this is important to you.

Also, there have been comments about not being able to spend time with your horse after the hunt has disposed of it.....if that is what you wish to do then say so at the time when you ring the hunt up to book the event. Obviously, they won't be able to hang around for an hour or so, but if I am having a 'special one' put down I tell the huntsman that as soon as the horse is down and dead that he should go into the house and have a cuppa and slice of cake and that I will be in in ten or fifteen minutes or so. That has always been perfectly acceptable.

With regards to blood loss, it is unpredictable - many display no loss whatsoever, however, you should be prepared, just in case.

The only time I haven't used the hunt was for a horse that was stupidly headshy and nervous; thought I was doing the right thing but it went horribly horribly wrong. Now I prepare all my horses getting them used to a starting pistol being placed in the requisite area. (Just to explain that I train gundogs and the starting pistol is a basic training aid for the dogs!)

There is no right or wrong as each person has to be comfortable with their own decision but it does help to be in possession of all the facts.....or so I found.
 
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