Letting horses say goodbye 😢

[exracehorse]

I found my beautiful mare dying this afternoon. In the field. She was put to sleep 30 minutes later. I’m heartbroken. She is being collected tomorrow. They are all in their own paddocks but next to each other. And as I rent the whole yard .. the five were were very close. Do I need to let them sniff and say goodbye. Do they even care ? I’ve not had to deal with this before. Am dreading tomorrow.

 

[Carrottom]

So sorry for your loss, I think it is up to you. It is not something I have done but I have not had horses in a close stable herd. If its too hard for you don't do it x

 

[Melody Grey]

I’m not sure of the answer to your question, but so sorry for your loss. That must have been awful

 

[Laurac13]

So sorry xxx

 

[Kunoichi73]

I can't answer your question either but wanted to say sorry for your loss.

 

[poiuytrewq]

No, you don’t have to do anything. They will all get on with life either way, I have done both.
You do what’s right for you and makes you feel better.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Look after yourself and hold the thought that you didn’t let her suffer.
Hugs

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I’m so sorry xx

A friend with a family herd always lets the others say goodbye but you should do whatever you feel is right for you.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I found my beautiful mare dying this afternoon. In the field. She was put to sleep 30 minutes later. I’m heartbroken. She is being collected tomorrow. They are all in their own paddocks but next to each other. And as I rent the whole yard .. the five were were very close. Do I need to let them sniff and say goodbye. Do they even care ? I’ve not had to deal with this before. Am dreading tomorrow.

So sorry you found your mare this way, I let my boy sniff his mum, he new and then we walked him away. He went withdrawn for a while after but glad he said goodbye, so I think yes let them say goodbye but do what you feel is right for you and the horses.

 

[JackFrost]

Different horses react in different ways. Some grieve. If you can, I would let them all say goodbye.
She is so beautiful and that is a lovely picture.
I did not find the collection process too awful, I knew my horse was at peace, which was all that mattered, and having her still there was in a way quite comforting.
It is so hard when it happens, but I'm sure you gave her a wonderful life and she knew she was loved.

 

[criso]

I did because my younger one Tigger used to get separation anxiety whenever the other Frankie was out of sight, even if I took F just across the yard.

I thought if I did it when Tigger was in the field and he came in to find him not there he would call for him which was what he usually did.

So I left him in the stable which was within sight but not that close.

After I took him out and he didn't particularly want to approach or sniff, if anything a little spooky

However he never called or looked hor Frankie so I feel like he understood he had gone.

As it sounds like yours are within sight you may not have to do anything but is there a way of opening a gate so they can go and investigate if they want to.

 

[Bernster]

Sorry to read that. My boy is quite clingy and was very close to his herd mate. The yard owner and the other horses owner were very kind and let Bertie see his mate. He did look a bit and seemed a bit spooky about it but then started grazing. I’d like to think it helped.

 

[Snow Falcon]

Am so sorry for your loss. Do what you think is right for you. Seeing the horses reaction maybe upsetting.

 

[eahotson]

I am very sorry for loss.

 

[Baywonder]

Oh my god I am so, so sorry to hear this.

Others have posted helpful advice, so I will just send you virtual << hugs>>

 

[Maddie Moo]

Very sorry for the loss of your beautiful mare.

 

[PurBee]

Sorry to hear of your sudden loss of your adorable mare. That’s a gorgeous picture of you together.

Animals behave unpredictably around their passed-on herd/pack mates. Some seem to be uninterested, some sniff and ‘get it’. There was one horse online very well known who died and his lifetime mate sniffed him but it didnt register really, as he walked off and called for his mate. My own animals behave very normally, as if its not registering. They know the smell but their behaviour afterwards is slightly different. There’s usually calling a couple of times. Mostly they are very chilled-out, just quieter, but im never sure if thats because of me and my feelings they pick-up on.
As others say, do what you feel is best. Ive never experienced personally or read of another animal to behave traumatised by seeing their pack/herd mates body, so that concern is usually minimised with animals.

She was a lucky lucky mare to have lived a life in a tight herd and loved by you…that’s such a blessed life for any horse, big hug XX

 

[DabDab]

So sorry for the loss of your mare x

I lost my older horse recently and debated on the day whether to let one of the others approach and see him (they were turned out a field away). I didn't in the end but I do regret it a bit. Arty seems to have accepted now that he's not coming back but she spent days calling for him, it was heartbreaking and she's still not really herself now several weeks later. The other one meanwhile didn't seem remotely bothered that he had disappeared...so depends on the horse

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

So sorry for your sudden loss .

My boys were joined at the hip and when my old boy had to be put to sleep my younger one was sedated and stayed with him during the euthanasia because it would have been more distressing for both of the. not to. He then stayed until the sedation wore off and then sniffed him all over and even licked him. My friends supervised it all for me because I was too distraught.

I hope that it made it easier for him to understand that he was gone and not coming back and he settled well after a couple of days with some light sedation on turn out. I don’t think it is always necessary though but they were definitely pair bonded.

 

[Jeni the dragon]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Take care of yourself.

 

[paddy555]

I'm so sorry.
I think the others need to know what has happened. I have taken them to see a deceased horse and some ignore it and walk on by and some acknowledge it in their own way. Surprisingly you cannot judge how they will react. The horse you think will be least bothered is often the one who cares the most.

I would do whatever you feel up to and can cope with. It could make life easier for them (and you) in the following days if they have the opportunity. Is there anyone who could help you with this.

 

[cauda equina]

I am so sorry about your mare

When I lost my old boy I took his best friend to say goodbye to him
The BF didn't react much at the time but seemed lost and shut down for weeks afterwards
I don't know if seeing the body helped him or not but I was glad he had so it helped me
Sending hugs to you and your horses; losing a much loved member of the herd is so hard for everyone

 

[SEL]

I'm so sorry - absolutely heart breaking for you.

I think they will know now she's gone. Usually the collection is quick but yours will have had the night to realise she's no longer with them. I was desperately worried about one of mine losing her companion of years but she knew he'd gone. Quiet for days and occasionally she'd wander over to his usual sleeping spots to look for him but she wasn't distressed.

*Hugs*

 

[Ahrena]

I’m so sorry for your loss.
They will know she’s gone.

I lost my mare to a field accident about a month ago. I have her yearling son. I only weaned them over a fence so the homebred was still quite attached to her and would call when I took her out riding and usually trot around a bit before settling.

He saw her be put to sleep in the field next to him but we didn’t take him to sniff her or anything. He watched her be taken away but didn’t call or fuss at all. He knew she was gone.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Im so sorry about your mare

 

[Barton Bounty]

I’m so sorry for your loss.
They will know she’s gone.

I lost my mare to a field accident about a month ago. I have her yearling son. I only weaned them over a fence so the homebred was still quite attached to her and would call when I took her out riding and usually trot around a bit before settling.

He saw her be put to sleep in the field next to him but we didn’t take him to sniff her or anything. He watched her be taken away but didn’t call or fuss at all. He knew she was gone.

So sorry to hear of your loss

 

[ycbm]

What a horrible shock, I hope you are OK.
.

 

[scats]

So sorry, I hope you are ok x
I’ve never let mine say goodbye, but weirdly they’ve all seemed to know anyway and never called, even when they’ve been very closely paid bonded.

 

[PotofEarlGrey]

I am terribly sorry for the loss of your beautiful mare.

 

[Marnie]

I am really sorry, that must have been a great shock.

I let my pony see my mare who dropped dead - she had a quick sniff and then wandered off and started grazing. She didn't call though, even though my mare dying left her on her own until I got her an emergency companion so she seemed to accept that she had gone.

 

[BBP]

I’m so sorry. I think if they all appear settled then I wouldn’t worry about letting them go up to her if. They will know by now.

I would however try to move them out of eyeshot for the collection part. And go sit with them yourself during that part. My horse is very emotional compared to any other horse I know and suffered a lot of trauma when he saw his companion collected. He became extremely aggressive to all of the other horses afterwards and it went on for months.