It happened again.

[southerncomfort]

Oh gosh, I'm so sorry for you.

It's obvious how much you adore her and I so wish she could have come right for you. You honestly could not have done more for her. x

 

[Alibear]

I'm so sorry, but now that the decision has been made, I'm another who would encourage arranging it sooner rather than later.
That's what I did last autumn, and I have no regrets.

 

[Nonjumper]

I'm am so sorry to read your update. However, like some of the other posters I would also encourage you to get it done sooner rather than later. That way you will have some time to grieve before going away. Leaving it until a few days before you go away would be a mistake imho.

 

[Bernster]

This is so sad, I’m sorry you’re going through this. It does sound like the kind thing for both of you though.

 

[Annagain]

I'm so sorry. You've tried so hard with her. Life's so cruel sometimes.

 

[AandK]

So very sorry to read the latest update. A good idea to get YO to book it in, it's so hard to make that call. I would also agree with getting it done before you go away, at least a week before if possible to give yourself a bit of processing time. Thinking of you.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

I’m so sorry to read this. Sending hugs. I’d make the call asap but whatever feels right for you is best.

 

[ihatework]

Thank you everyone. It just doesn’t feel real and I feel sick every time I think about it too much. I know I need to do it soon but the thought of ringing up and arranging it makes me feel ill. I’m going away end of September so I don’t know if it’s a good idea to arrange it for the week before that so I have something to look forward to and hopefully the holiday will allow me some breathing room. Or is that a stupid idea and I’ll likely ruin my holiday?

I’m so sorry to read this. It’s absolutely devastating for you.

If it helps, IME once the decision is made it is much easier to do it asap. Give her a few days of spoiling then say goodbye. The worst of the grief should then have passed and you should have more chance of enjoying your holiday x

 

[J_sarahd]

Thank you everyone.

I need some advice on logistics. I’ve never had a horse pts so I don’t know what to do re collection etc. How much collection usually costs? How much notice to I need to give them? Sorry for the stupid questions. I just want it to go as smoothly as possible.

I keep being okay and then remembering silly things like I will never ride her again or we’ll never go cross country, or do things like removing feed/hay costs from next month’s budget. God, this hurts.

 

[Fieldlife]

Thank you everyone.

I need some advice on logistics. I’ve never had a horse pts so I don’t know what to do re collection etc. How much collection usually costs? How much notice to I need to give them? Sorry for the stupid questions. I just want it to go as smoothly as possible.

I keep being okay and then remembering silly things like I will never ride her again or we’ll never go cross country, or do things like removing feed/hay costs from next month’s budget. God, this hurts.

I used a local knackersman, recommended locally. You could post anonymously on a local FB group to get details. One in Surrey is very good. I booked 6am time, so very quiet. Told people on yard what happening.

I asked a trusted person on the yard to hold for the deed. Someone I knew would do it right, and not be too devastated. I met the knackersman, brought my horse out, fed him carrots, left him with a bucket of carrots, with my trusted person, and knackersman and drove away immediately before the bang.

I booked the knackersman and did the logistics via email.

I asked for the invoice to be addressed to my husband so I never had to see it, he paid it for me.

I have held my horse for previous PTS, but I wouldnt do so again, if they are a trusting horse, and if there is someone I 100% trust willing to do it. If you hold yourself, you have to look back to know they are 100% gone, and that is a very painful memory. Maybe totally different if use lethal injection (which would not be my choice). I think leading horse to the place, feeding it carrots, ensuring is calm, introducing knackersman and walking away leaving with trusted person is ok, by me. But everyone is different.

Think humane gun and collection is about £300

I believe vet for lethal injection, and collection is a fair bit more expensive. As collection costs a lot higher.

I think knackersman will come pretty quickly.

 

[w1bbler]

I would also go with knackerman, get recommendations from your local area.
Vet is a longer process & then you have the body to deal with.
Knackerman will leave you to have final cuddles & they can go with a favourite treat in their mouth, the body then removed as soon as you are ready.
You can hand the horse over & leave, don't watch the body removal.
Also practicalities, what do you want done with the body, just disposal, ashes back etc. Get everything clear in your head before booking ( whichever method)
Knackerman can usually be arranged at fairly short notice, same day in emergencies

 

[scats]

Im so sorry to hear this. I’d get it done sooner rather than later. That bit between making the decision and doing it is horrid, so don’t put yourself through weeks of it.

I have mine PTS via injection (done 5 that way and never had any issues). I tend to ring collection service the night before and arrange for about an hour after the deed is done. Cost varies depending whether you are having ashes back or not and size of horse.

If you give a vague area, people might have recommendations of a good collection service to use.

 

[Jeni the dragon]

No advice but sending loads of hugs to you and your girl.

 

[TPO]

Sorry to read your news. FWIW I think you are whole heartedly doing the right thing for her.

Re logistics. I always use the vet. It's always gone smoothly and peacefully.

If it's been planned then I call the fallen livestock (knackerman) company and arrange a collection. When planned they've always been early and stayed out of the way (as much as yard layout allows) until after the deed is done.

If they can't be there round the designated time I've bought a tarp and placed that over the horse weighed down with some bricks or stones, you might prefer someone else to do this.

In emergencies I've called them for a same day collection and they've arrived as soon as they could. I've used a tarp in those situations too.

Don't watch your horse being loaded. Once the deed is done I'd recommend leaving or being indoors until the body is away.

In recent years I've paid for the collection when I've made the appointment. Last time I used them was 2021 and it was £154.

I think the vet is around £350 because £500 is always in my head as the overall cost. I never get ashes back or anything like that.

Use a spare halter for the deed, not a good one you want to keep.

I've had gun once and injection five times. I'm from farming stock and fairly agricultural about things but I'd pick injection every time for this.

Sorry that you are going through this but well done for putting Nova first x

 

[J_sarahd]

Thank you. I’m extremely sentimental so will want ashes back. I am in Leicestershire, so any recommendations would be great.

 

[AandK]

I used vet for my boy last year. I booked collection for about 30mins after the vet appt so I had time to sit with him before they arrived, same for my late mare 5yrs ago. Vet did offer to arrange for me if needed but I booked them both myself and then cried like a baby! I booked them 48hrs before.

 

[doodle]

I'm so sorry.

Re logistics, each time I have had the vet organise the collection. Both times there was very little notice given. Once at home the lovely lady had arrived slightly early but she kept her distance and I didn't actually know she was there till after I walked away. I got ashes back that time. That was hard, it is a big box, and he was then buried with his pair bond who we lost 2 years earlier. He was slightly sedated then came out of his stable. Injection and it was all very calm and easy. I held the rope till the injection went in and vet took the rope and I turned away. Price wise it was around £900. In some ways it was helpful to see him gone because he really was gone. I never understood when people said it was just a shell but it was, something had gone and it just wasn't him anymore. However he did make a couple of fairly big movements after he was gone, vet assured me he was in fact gone but I wasn't prepared for that.

Other time horse was already at the vets. He was distressed and I didn't feel I could stay calm for him. So I said goodbye and my friend drove me home. Vet texted shortly after to say he had gone and it was all very calm. Same lady collected him but again I left the vets to deal with it. I didn't want ashes back as I didn't want to keep them and there was no real place for him to go. So that was cheeper but not sure how much as it was insurance claim and vets sorted it all and after a month or so sent me a final bill once insurance was sorted.

It was awful both times, but both were badly injured, would not get better and we're in pain again. I'm not sure I could make the decision and then leave it for a while, it would hurt too much.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

My sister had the ashes back from her favourite horse. She was a bit stunned at the size of the lovely wooden box she got back with a brass nameplate on it. I believe it is still under her bed as she didn't know what to do with it, seemed too nice to bury. It cost her in the region of £500 and that was about 18 yrs ago. We use a very good knacker and he charged about £240 to put down and take away in 2017. Not sure where he is based but we are Northants/Warwick's border.

 

[webble]

I have previously used the vet and am again this time. I have booked the vet for 10.30 and will call the collection people and tell them that, they will arrange to be lurking shortly afterwards. I'm not sure what the vet will charge the collection is around £500. I'm another that says don't stay for removal and depending how strong you are maybe not pts either

 

[mini-eventer]

I used the local fallen stock man for my old boy, I have no preference over injection or bullet. But the bullet is quick and he was immediately removed. Which suited me I just wanted it over with. He does offer individual cremation but I'm not hugely sentimental about death so didn't opt for it.

I knew the time was approaching and a few weeks before took some tail hair to make into jewellery. I didn't want to mess about on the day

 

[Mosh]

If you are in Leicestershire, which is where i am based, a lot of my friends have used King's Hill cremation services.
Very professional and kind and have the options of ashes back or not and various other things such as keepsakes. My friend for ashes back and some jewelery was about £1000-ish
Chine house have been to PTS and have always been polite, calm and professional and I think helped organise things as well if needed and liased with everybody.

Thinking of you.

 

[J_sarahd]

If you are in Leicestershire, a lot of my friends have used King's Hill cremation services.
Very professional and kind and have the options of ashes back or not and various other things such as keepsakes. My friend for ashes back and some jewelery was about £1000-ish
Chine house have been to PTS and have always been polite, calm and professional and I think helped organise things as well if needed and liased with everybody.

Thinking of you.

Thank you - we are clients of Chine and my main vet told me which vets to request to come out so if they’re able to organise things then that makes it less stressful

 

[Mosh]

Thank you - we are clients of Chine and my main vet told me which vets to request to come out so if they’re able to organise things then that makes it less stressful

My friend had their preferred vet PTS her mare, his diary was full but the receptionists were lovely and rejigged diaries so he could attend as the mare was comfortable with him.
Diagnosis was 11am and W was PTS at 3pm on the same day so they were very efficient and made sure final wishes were sorted such as collection. They were so kind and dignified.

I am sorry it wasn't better news for you both.

 

[SEL]

Thank you everyone.

I need some advice on logistics. I’ve never had a horse pts so I don’t know what to do re collection etc. How much collection usually costs? How much notice to I need to give them? Sorry for the stupid questions. I just want it to go as smoothly as possible.

I keep being okay and then remembering silly things like I will never ride her again or we’ll never go cross country, or do things like removing feed/hay costs from next month’s budget. God, this hurts.

It's coming up to 2 years since I had to make that awful call for my old boy and i still tear up

The phone call to the vets is awful but they're used to it and super professional. If you want ashes back (I did) it's pricey. I think all in the cost of vet euthanasia and solo cremation was £800 ish. The vets organised the collection for me but I asked that he didn't come for an hour after the vet. Cheaper if you don't want the ashes back.

Your YO sounds supportive and probably knows the best place on the yard. Choose a time that suits you. If you need other liveries to leave you alone then see if the YO can WhatsApp them in advance.

I wouldn't wait until after your holiday because it'll be hanging over you.

And it's OK to not be OK and start crying at random moments. Car journeys always get me and I'd arrive home in floods

 

[Dave's Mam]

Thinking of you & sending the hugest hugs.
Whilst I have never had to avail of their services for PTS, I am also a client of Chine House & have always found them to be brilliant. Kind & compassionate, whilst being efficient & to the point.

 

[Caol Ila]

Very sad for you.

When I decided to PTS my mare, I phoned the vet and the date was arranged for a week later. It was too long. The week sitting there, knowing it's going to happen, is hell. You're looking at the horse, questioning everything. Over and over again. I imagine suddenly, like in an emergency situation, is its own kind of hell. I guess a few days to say goodbye might be as ideal as these things can get, and it never is.

It gave me time to arrange a send off with friends. We had a wee gathering to send her on her way, and it was really beautiful.

The vet dealt with the disposal and all that. I didn't even think about it.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Thank you everyone.

I need some advice on logistics. I’ve never had a horse pts so I don’t know what to do re collection etc. How much collection usually costs? How much notice to I need to give them? Sorry for the stupid questions. I just want it to go as smoothly as possible.

I keep being okay and then remembering silly things like I will never ride her again or we’ll never go cross country, or do things like removing feed/hay costs from next month’s budget. God, this hurts.

Hey, just get your yard owner to sort it for you if you really can't, there is nothing wrong any which way you choose, I've arranged many pts situations for liveries in the past that don't want to be do it and be part of it.

Do what is right for you xx

 

[rextherobber]

So very sorry to hear your update, there are some things we just can't fix, and you've tried so hard ..Nova is very lucky to have you.

 

[Chippers1]

I'm so sorry to hear about Nova I'm in Nottinghamshire and I have used Abbeyfield before with my old pony. He was really nice and professional and gave me as much time as I needed with Misty. I got his ashes back and I was surprised at how big the box was as well, he's buried in my mum's garden under a pear tree.
If you have a look, the prices are on his website which can help.

 

[TinseLeneHorse]

Sorry to see your update. Just heartbreaking for you but she is broken and it's the final act of kindness you can do for her.
Everyone's experience of PTS is different but whatever method you choose you will be stronger than you think you could ever be. The tears will come later. I would seriously advise taking a few days off work after the event to let your emotions settle a bit.
Thinking of you and Nova