I think its nearly time for the old girl....

teresagarsden

teresagarsden

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My mum still owns my first pony Tammy a 13hh Bay Welsh Section C who is now the good old age of 29 yrs.
We got her as a 2 yr old and she has always been with us due to her quircky nature and bad start in life, we keep her with our other two horses out during the day ( unless very bad weather) in at night all has been well until about 8 weeks ago...

She has steadly gotten more lame, at first we thought it was due to an old shoulder injury making her lame in front, then a week ago my sister went to catch her from the field and she was walking like she was drunk (just hindlegs)

The vet was called and after numerous checks and tests they have decided its more than likely arthritis in her spine, as she has prevoiusly had a reaction to sterroids she was put on 1 bute per day, there is no noticable improvement we were hoping that the anti-inflamatory might help to settle things.
My mum is so upset as Tammy is her baby and she is the one that looks after her she really is one of the family and up until this started has been hacking out and running around like a 2yr old.
Just to add she is still going out with her friends and acts like there is nothing wrong, she is a perfectly happy little pony in herself, eats as usual even with bute in feed.

It is obviously now time to think about putting her to sleep but I would like to share your experiances on a few things

1. Injection or gun ( I am sure mum will be there and I would like it to be simple and not too bloody.
2. Do we let her 2 friends see her when she is gone, I have heard this is best but has anybodies horse reacted badly to this.
3.What do i say to mum, I am trying to strong now but I will be in bits on the day.

Thank you all in advance for your time :O)
 
I am so sorry. It is hard but she sounds like she is comfortable being a field ornament for the moment at least. As for your questions:
1) The choice is completely yours, obviously the injection is less bloody but it can also be more traumatic to watch due to after movements and breathing. (There was a big thread on euthanasia-wagtails given you the link that may heolp you decide but will be upsetting). My boy will be going before winter due to arthritis and his companion having struggled last winter. ill be having the gun, i can say my goodbyes before and ino it will be quick and the man will then remove him as once he is gone i dont need to see him.
2) Some people say yes others say no. Some horses get very stressed out by the idea whilst others are much happier with it. Its totally upto you, if you can allow the others the option to go see her without you leading them then i would do that. E.G in a secure field/yard and just allow them in, again this is probably only best if injected as if shot the others may be distressed by the smell of blood.
3) You know your mum and say whatever you think best. She will need time to grieve as will you and the other animals. Be there fore her and try to talk about the good times. It maybe best if she isnt there at the very end as she may distress the mare more so.
 
She is indeed a very good age and very well loved. Must admit I've always had mine shot, either by the local hunt or local knackerman(cows). It's very quick, one bang and they are gone, my vet did say it disresstes(hope I've spelt that right) him having to put down an animal by injection, as sometimes they thrash about and don't go quietly. But you have to choose for yourself and must admit mine weren't good with needles.
 
Thanks to all those that replied,
Tammy is not the best with needles so I will point that out to mum,as the final choice will be hers but I will print off this thread so she will have the value of all of your opinions.
I will read the thread linked -thanks for that wagtail
Tammy is managing ok but she stumbles and has fallen on her knee once - luckily it was in the field in the longer grass but she seems to manage to get up ok and still enjoys a good roll.

She has taught 3 generations of my family to ride and is so cheeky, she also bred 2 lovely foals.

It wont be the same without her, she is naughty every day and make us all laugh so much.
 
Either way is humaine and fine.

I remember it being a fortune having them injected when I last needed one put to sleep, which influenced my decision as I was a student...
 
I'm sorry for your situation but you will be doing the right thing for her when the time comes. I've been through it twice now, once with my mare in 2008 who was put down by injection and more recently in april this year with my best friends 37yr old again put down by injection. For both of them it was incredibly peaceful and quick, it was slightly slower for my friends mare to fall due to her aged circulation but it wasn't distressing at all, for anyone! For both of them it meant that we could be there holding them right to the end, and although I've never seen a horse shot I could never see myself personally going down the shooting route.

As regards to letting others see the body, yes definately. Let them go as near as they want but don't force the issue, some will want to right up, sniff and even paw at them and some won't want to go anywhere near. When I lost my mare we let my BF's pony watch, when amy had gone we led her over but she just ignored her so we put her straight out with another horse. When zilly was put down in april again we let bergie watch and I brought him over afterwards, he got very distressed so we left it. Her body wasn't collected until the next day and although she was covered I knew that he'd know she was under them. The next morning I opened the gate so he could come through if he wanted, I explained to him that she was going at 9am and if he wanted to say goodbye he could but it was up to him (sorry people may think I'm mad but I talk to mine like they're human) anyway I went to get something and he'd come through gateway and was grazing by the side of her body. When she was taken there was no distress from him and I know if she'd suddenly disappeared he'd of been beside himself!

As for your mum, just be there for her. I know I found the decision almost the hardest part. As someone said to me, you loved her enough to let her go!

Another thing that helped me was my OH took a lovely picture of my mare and had it framed. It's a lovely reminder of our partnership. May be an idea you could do for your mum to give her a an appropriate time xxxxx
 
Sorry to read about your pony but sounds like you are doing the right thing by her

No advice/thoughts re the end

But with regards to your mum why not plan a day just you and her doing something you both enjoy, shoping,spa,cinema,meal something to look forward to. A day when you to can talk as much as you like about the pony laugh, cry and have a lovely mum daughter day.I did this with my mum after her mum died and everything had calmed down. We cried a lot - blamed it on the steam room!! but it helped her to have day away from everything and me as I felt i had surported my mum

Good luck and remember all mums love a hug
 
Another thing that helped me was my OH took a lovely picture of my mare and had it framed. It's a lovely reminder of our partnership. May be an idea you could do for your mum to give her a an appropriate time xxxxx

Great idea.

Thank you all for your advice :O)
 
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