Im struggling slightly... PTS question

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Arniebear

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i have to make the decision to put my boy to sleep but im struggling with how i do that :(

how do you pick a day to do it? hes is sound in mind which i think makes it that much harder, yes he is not comfortable in his hind legs even wandering round the field (hence he cant stay as a lawnmower) but he still joins in with everyone else when they decide to go for a canter. He still comes trotting up for daily cuddles.

My mum and everyone else keeps asking when im going to do it but how do i just decide that todays the day? part of me wants him to be have a leg hanging off one day or something so i dont have to decide which is just a horrible thing to think and say :( i love him to pieces but i know this is right for him and everyone agrees.

my mum has said he cant be buried at home - which is fine i guess so what do i do? just ring the hunt and say please come shoot my horse? like i dont actually know what to do :(

do i stay with him? do i stay out of viewing but wait to hear the shot? i dont think i can just leave him - in fact no i cant leave him i owe him that much.

ahhhh i hate this, i wish he had never been a racehorse then maybe he wouldnt be as broken as he is.

sorry i just dont know what to do
 
My deepest sympathies.

If you have a local hunt offering this service, you will find them very caring and professional. Yes just give them a call, they will be used to it. They may well advise you to walk away before the final moments, especially if you think you will be badly affected, but don't worry your horse will have someone calm and caring with him as he goes.
 
Alex, you'll get quite a few replies with very good advice from those on here who have had to deal with PTS over the years. As you say, its making that decision, rather than things being taken out of your hands with a sudden catastrophic injury or illness.

It might be worth you contacting the BHS if you wish; they have 'Friends at the end' who are trained volunteers who can talk with you & answer your questions impartially & if required can also be with you & horse on the day & also hold your horse if you find you cannot.

xx
 
Ok, being practical about it, I would try and go for a friday. That gives you three days before going back to work.

If you use the hunt, explain that you don't want to hold the horse, and they will ensure that they have someone with them to help. They will then remove the body and dispose. If you are happy for the remains to be used (providing there are no drugs in the system) then this will be a cheaper option. Having the body incinerated will be more. But you will be able to discuss this with the huntsman.

If you wish to go with the injection the vet should have contact details of a disposal company who can remove the body.

My horses have all been shot. I have handed the rope to the huntsman and walked away. There is no shame in doing that. And my personal feeling is that having a very upset owner with the horse helps no one.

As you're now reconciled to having the horse put down, don't wait any longer than is absolutely necessary.

I'm really sorry that you have this to face. It's the most awful part of animal ownership.
 
What a terribly sad post, a horrible situation

Is there anyone that would make the phonecall for you?

Please don't overthink it, the vet or hunt will give you an appointment, same as normal. Choose a day when you have time and not when you have to go straight to work or anything

I would always recommend being on site at the time but you don't need to necessarily hold your horse (and won't be allowed to depending on the method used)

The feeling if relief when you tackle the situation will be immense

Stay strong and make logical calm decisions for your horse x
 
I've done the phone call to the hunt twice, and to the vet once. Non emergencies.
Our hunt had 2 'collection' days, so it had to be one of those. (I guess an emergency would be different?) Last time, Phoned on the tuesday, arranged for that Friday. They knew where to go, and met in the field. Truck towing a trailer. Kennelman held the rope, I turned my back. Over VERY fast, pony gone and loaded, and away within 10 mins of him arriving. Much the best. Had details on a piece of paper I gave him, and some time later had the bill.
That's about it really, sad as it is, I walked away KNOWING it was the best, and smiled at myself for knowing that.
 
IME, if you have either the hunt or a knacker firm to pts, they will not allow you to hold the horse, you have to be behind the gun, just in case of accident (which is extremely unlikely).
If you have bucket of his favourite feed available, give the lead rope to the huntsman (or whoever) and stand back. You might prefer to go out of sight - the horse won't care - he'll be eating, or you may prefer to stay. Some people need the reassurance of seeing that all went well.
You will probably be surprised at how quickly and peacefully it happens. Yes the bang is quite loud but the horse will drop instantaneously, with a mouthful of feed. There will be some reflex twitching and a small amount of blood after the death. The huntsman will then give you the headcollar and lead-rope. At this point, I always go into the house, imo the worst part is watching the winching onto the truck.
As for the day, make it convenient for you, avoid birthdays and other landmark events, you don't want them forever associated with the pts. As a teacher, when I decide not to take another horse through winter, I arrange it for the last day of October 1/2 term, this allows me to spend time with the horse during the holiday and gives me time to get over the event a bit before having to go back to work. It is always a difficult decision and a difficult day but you have made the decision in the horse's best interests and that knowledge will get you through.
 
Hi, I had to do the same thing for my old boy last year, and it's so difficult. You're definitely doing the right thing though.

I chose the summer because I wanted him to have a last few warm days, and just found out when the vet could do it. It's much easier once you've decided on a date, and as time goes on you remember the happy times (trotting for cuddles) and not the sadness of this decision.

Mine went out with a mouthful of carrots and his ears still forwards, they don't know a thing I promise.
 
I had my boy PTS on a Friday night. Like yours, he was an ex-racer and his arthritis had deteriorated dramatically. Mine wasn't pre-arranged though. Although I knew that I had to make the decision sooner or later, it just happened to be that I brought him in from the field that Friday night and decided enough was enough. A friend phoned the vet and she was out within 15 minutes. Within the next 15 minutes he had gone. He was given an injection in the stable which I think was a muscle relaxant, although not sure and I was too upset to ask questions. We then walked him to the top of the yard where he was given a sedative. He was totally out of it and snoring with the sedative. I then handed him to the farmer who held him while he was given the final injection. We did walk away at this point but then within a couple of minutes, the vet came to find us to tell us that he had gone and we could go and see him again. It's how I would do it again. I couldn't pre-plan something like that. For me, it had to be there and then. Hope you're ok.
 
Whoever you use it is a really difficult phone call to make and you might want your Mum to do it.
The time between booking and PTS is really hard; I felt horrible and close to backing out. You try to convince yourself they are not that bad too. If it can be done the next day it is much easier. We used the local knackerman who could come out at short notice and he was very slick as well as quiet and gentle.
Read the WHW accounts of methods so you know exactly what to expect if you do stay with him. It may help you decide.

Mine have gone stuffing their faces with the sun on their backs which has made it easier when I think of those times. They were oblivious to what happened.

Such a sad time. My thoughts are with you x
 
It's hell when it's not an emergency! I feel for you. The horses always suddenly seems to perk up just when you've made the decision

Personally, there's no way I would NOT be with my horses when they've been PTS. I feel it's the least I can do, just as I wouldn't walk out of the room if a relative's life support machine was going to be unhitched. But different people think different things, and you have really got to keep a hold on yourself if you ARE going to be there. My last 3 have all been injected, I have absolute trust in our vet, and it's been as good as it possibly could be in the circumstances.

For my liveries, I will be with their horses if they can't face it (but have to say I'm quite grumpy when they say after "Oh, now I do so wish I'd been there !"

What is helpful, (someone did it for me and I do it for them) is to be able to just walk away immediately the horse is dead, and let the friend deal with any admin. bits and bobs. Seeing your horse's body loaded up, however gently, is gut-wrenching.

I've always hoped with my horses that I would just one day, at the end of hopefully happy lives, find them dead with a nice bit of grass in their mouths - but it's never happened yet
 
I have had to have a few horses and been closely involved with a few horses being PTS over the years and I would absolutely recommend the local hunt. I think it was Amymay who suggested a Friday and I completely agree with that.

Each time I have had the hunt come out, they have been extremely calm, quiet, reassuring and professional. They will have a bucket of food and handle your horse like he is their own.

I have only ever known them ask to be left alone with the horse...I think it keeps the horse more likely to keep head in bucket and also, probably makes a lot easier for them to do what is a very difficult thing.

I have watched the whole process and I would choose it every time for my own, but it can be upsetting, so I would suggest maybe say your goodbye and leave.

I am sorry to say this, but there will be a need for a little clean up, so if you don't think you can handle that, try to have someone there who can.

As for when, I have to say, the longer you draw it out, the more you will be putting yourself through the mill.

It sounds like you have firmly made the decision, you should be at peace with that as I fully believe from what you say that it is the right decision, so i send you my deepest sympathies, biggest hugs and I wish you the very best of strength when the time comes.

It is the last kind thing we can do for our equine babies. :(
 
This is one of the hardest decisions to make but as others have said you do have the opportunity of planning the final day rather than through an emergency situation. I faced this issue last year and booked the vet 5 weeks in advance of D-Day. I chose the 2nd August, no particular reason other than it might have been sunny rather than wet. I booked the knackerman to come 2 hours after the vet and paid over the phone, bought carrots and his favorite extra strong mints and took loads of photo's in the run up to the day. I turned him out with his herd the day before and thank god the weather was beautiful. I took some of his tail (to have a bracelet made). I gave him the biggest breakfast in the world and brushed him. I was with him throughout, in the middle of the field (but make sure the wagon can get access to the body afterwards) Having said my goodbyes I left the field to let his friends say goodbye. The knackerman rang giving me a 15 minute warning that he was on his way. I moved my horses into another field. The morning was very peaceful and everything went to plan. My horse was only 8 and was to be my next endurance horse. I have never regretted my decision or wished I had done things differently. That said the loss was unbearable and is something that no one can prepare your for. Take care
 
I have been through the same hun. i made my decision and then allowed myself to cime to terms and now i have chosen my date in early august. its hard so hard but now i know i feel relief. im not having babys ashes. my choice but i will have some tail and mane and im planting a tree at stables with a plaque but it is so personal. my heart goes out to you so much and you will have moments before the day. but be proud you care be proud you are a good mum. please please pm if you feel you want to. )))( big big hugs ((((((
 
so sorry you have to make the decision, but it sounds like its time and we have to always think of their quality of life and act accordingly. i have had 2 of mine put down by my lovely vet, each time they were given a sedative and i stayed with them feeding them mints until they were really sleepy, then i walked away while the vet shot them....( with shooting there can be a fair bit of blood ) i also kept out of the way when they were loaded into the lorry ...my vet said that it was better for me to remember them standing and not to see the rest.....he was so right......

i found i did all of my crying before the day and once they were gone i felt numb and couldnt cry anymore.....i feel that i made the right decision each time......good luck with whatever you decide.....
 
I've very recently been there, it's 3 weeks tomorrow since I said goodbye to my Misty.

Like your horse she was beginning to struggle, and I wanted to let her go peacefully with dignity.

I made the decision and booked the vet 2 weeks in advance, and for those 2 weeks I stuffed her with bute, and spent ages with her bushing and bathing her (also cried a lot over her too).

I miss her dreadfully, but I know it was the right thing to do for her, and while those 2 weeks we had where tough, I've got those memories of making her feel extra special, and feeling very good.

I used the vet, who was wonderful, they arranged the collection, the chap was parked down the road, and when I was ready they came for her, there was no rush.

Please feel free to PM me if you want to, I know how hard this is x
 
If you have a horse shot there is always blood and finer bred horses tend to both bleed and have nerve twitches longer than a cob or pony.

Most hunts only pick up on certain days - they will come out in an emergency but mostly do certain days.

Never an easy thing to arrange. I am sorry for you. For me the worse is not the decision nor the deed but I hate seeing them winched up.
 
amymay said:
Interestingly GG I've never had anything to clean up. Not even a spot.
Click to expand...

And interestingly back...that has just made me realise the only time I have known it was the two TB's before Christmas...and they were both full of sedaline so that may be the reason.
 
My dad (vet) put both mine sleep and his friend took them away the next morning. We would have had them buried in our field if we could have got hold of someone with a digger.

I stayed with them both to the end, and Misty died with her head in my arms.

Both mine took the decision out of my hands really.
 
Just to add...I didn't watch either of them be taken away, but did go out to the field to see them before they were taken.

Misty died in her stable and my poor dad had to get her out before rigor mortis set in. I'm not sure how he managed to do that, we'd had her almost 12 years and she truly was one of the family.
 
I made the decision to put my mare to sleep, I did doubt myself but I knew it. Was the right thing to do, she was the best horse ever. I did feel like I had let her down, but I know over the years my mare give me so much pleasure and had the best of everything. I phoned a cremation service who a got cheaper because I paid cash, I knew she would be cremated with other animals. On the day I held her till the end because I couldn't leave her because she gave me so much over the years. It was the best thing I did, I miss her so much, i wish I had the decision taken out of my hands, but life doesn't always go to plan. I needed to know where she went.

I hope this helps
 
It is an awful quandry as to when. You will get some excellent advice as I did last year when in exactly the same situation from H&H. I suppose for me (like you) my horse was good in mind but in body he was not living the life of a carefree happy lad. He was stiff and one day the decision was made easier(but it wasnt easy whatsoever) he was really on 3 legs unexpectedly and thats when I put the call in. What suprised me more was the vet came out later that same day which I wasnt expecting so fast to say goodbye. Just an awful day.

You could let him have the summer(this is what I was doing and suggested as I had been considering to have him done at end of a winter but I did leave him until the September).

I wanted him to go out without being down. My family have used the hunt, a friend the local knackers and all were good. I have only heard good reports that the hunt like horses and were excellent and kind. All reports good. Due to drugs (bute) I had my horse cremated and they do it by size it was about £257 for my cob. The hunt will advise you what to do as its their job and they will help you as would a vet too through the process so dont worry about that bit. Remember they deal with emergencies.

Booking it is hard, the day the time. I remember thinking I am taking his life but all I can say it was a relief once it was over. But hey its not at all easy seriously not. It still upsets me even a year on. Sorry to waffle but I genuinely think that all the people responding and have been through this are most sincere in advice. It really is the final act of horse or any animal ownership to take a responsible approach when things have got tough and PTS. Its a duty.

It is nicer to do it before the animal fails badly and also perhaps choose the nice weather. I agree a nice juicy load of what ever your horses fav treat is. Staying with horse or going its up to you.
 
Once my friend had made the decision for her horse she asked me to sort everything out, she was going away for a week or two and she didn't want to know when or anything, she gave me the money and I arranged everything and was there with him.

It was upsetting for me but not so bad as he wasn't my horse, she didn't have to deal with any of it which I think was better for her.

Is there anybody you can tell and let deal with it for you?
 
I got someone else (yard manager - lovely and a close friend) to arrange it all for me and be there when she went. I picked the day which left me a weeks wait. I actually gave over the cash on the day it was booked so I didn't have to think about that side of things.

I spent that week spending as much time as possible with her, grooming her and generally making a huge fuss of her and taking loads of pics. I said the hardest goodbye of my life the night before and it took me ages to force myself to leave her, I was an absolute state. It was done before 7am so I went to bed and the plan was I would wake up and it would all be over (typically I was awake from about 6 - in hindsight not the best thing). I found it very very difficult and knew I did not want to be there to hear the shot or see her dead as I think I would have been a massive hindrance to the whole thing as I think me being so upset would have stressed the horse out. She went stuffing her face with her favourite food.

I am pleased with the way it was all done and eternally grateful that I didn't have to worry about the arrangements at all. I also think having it done early in the morning was good as I wasn't stressing that it was 'the day' for ages. You'll find once its done that yes, you'll be upset, but you will probably feel relieved that the actual event is over with as I found it incredibly stressful that I was playing god and nearly backed out of it. If you need someone to talk to, feel free to pm me.
 
This is the hardest way, by far, to have a horse put to sleep and I totally understand why you wish he'd just do something to himself and the decision would be taken out of your hands. I've had lots of horses put to sleep due to injury or illness over the years and it's not a difficult decision but when a horse is old and it's his time but with no specific injury or illness to prompt you into having it done, it really is quite hard.

In days gone by I always had horses shot, it's quick and nothing has ever gone wrong with that method. There has always been a mess to clear up afterwards though but I used to just hose down the area so it dilutes and goes away. Never nice but I always felt shooting was better for the horse than the euthanasia drugs that were around at that time. Nowadays euthanasia drugs are excellent so it's very very rare anything will go wrong and I always choose lethal injection now. Regardless of the method I've always been with every horse of mine right up till the end. For myself and for the horse I could never abandon them at a time like that. I am never a sniffling wreck though, I'm very matter of fact about it all until I check the heartbeat and hear nothing and then I always feel the tears trickle out. If you are not a strong person and think you will lose it then I think it's probably best to not be with the horse and instead ask someone else to be there instead.

If you have lethal injection then the vet will give you the phone number of the local deadstock man who will come and collect the body. I sometimes bury horses on my land and sometimes have them taken away by the deadstock people; it depends on the situation and my emotional attachment to the horse in question. None of the horses who die on my property are winched into the deadstock truck as I always have them in the tractor bucket ready for putting in the top of the truck. The winching does bother a lot of people though so maybe best not being there at that point.

I actually prefer midweek to have things like this happen as my weekends are busy and usually full of social functions where I have to be jolly and happy, so if it happens on a Tuesday or Wednesday it gives me time to deal with it without all the festivities going on around me. But that is personal choice.

If you want a memento of your horse maybe take a shoe off or take some mane/tail hair.

And lastly I'm very sorry for you and I know it will be tough. Give your horse a nice big kiss and cuddle. xx
 
OP certainly dont want to jump in on your thread but facing the same as you i have found peace in this thread. it has helped me so much. i have always known i will stand proud strong and calm by babys side at end from the day i first saw her . but thank you everyone for sharing and helping me x
 
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