Letting horses see...

Lammy

Lammy

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...A horse that has just been put down. How many of you allow them to go and see a horse after it's been shot?

I let mine look today and I was intrigued but not surprised by their different reactions. They stayed in the barn whilst it happened and all the horses had their heads over the doors when we came back in. We lead mine out together to go and look, my old mare was scared of the body at first, had a quick look then she was done. The two year old sniffed EVERYWHERE, he walked all around her, pawed at her, sniffed her head and whinned at her before he was finished and seemed to understand.

I've always thought it good for them to look and it was nice to seem them so calm about it, they'd known the mare for nearly a year. My old girl didn't really like her but my boy was quite attached so their different reactions really showed that.

I was also really impressed with the hunt, the guy fussed her, gave her some mints before hand and it was all over so quickly and he gave us time to let the horses see the body. And there wasn't much blood at all and none on the headcollar which the owner wanted back. Much prefer that over the injection now.
 
I do. I would only ever have mine PTS by the vet by injection and I bury mine on my own land (I dont support hunting so would never get a hunt involved, luckily that doesnt happen round my way anyway). I always give the horses at least a couple of hours out in the field, I also watch them. I had to PTS one of my ponies last summer, one in particular pawed at him a lot and kept trying to get the rugs off him (which I had to keep on as the field borders a road so didnt want kids seeing it and it was very upsetting for me).
 
Lammy said:
...A horse that has just been put down. How many of you allow them to go and see a horse after it's been shot?

I let mine look today and I was intrigued but not surprised by their different reactions. They stayed in the barn whilst it happened and all the horses had their heads over the doors when we came back in. We lead mine out together to go and look, my old mare was scared of the body at first, had a quick look then she was done. The two year old sniffed EVERYWHERE, he walked all around her, pawed at her, sniffed her head and whinned at her before he was finished and seemed to understand.

I've always thought it good for them to look and it was nice to seem them so calm about it, they'd known the mare for nearly a year. My old girl didn't really like her but my boy was quite attached so their different reactions really showed that.

I was also really impressed with the hunt, the guy fussed her, gave her some mints before hand and it was all over so quickly and he gave us time to let the horses see the body. And there wasn't much blood at all and none on the headcollar which the owner wanted back. Much prefer that over the injection now.
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If you can get a good huntman to do the deed it is indeed very quick, they are masters at their craft.

I've always been of the opinion that you let them "see" their field mate once its happened, helps them come to terms with why their friend isn't coming back.

We had a foal who was 3 months old when his mum went down with Laminitus and passed away, we let him and the other mares and foals she was in with see the body. It helped them all come to terms and it meant the other mares did let him feed from them (We knew it was coming though so had put him on hard feed as soon as his teeth started to come through so he was monstly weaned.)
 
I don't
I've had several pts....2 went to hospital and were pts there so as far their field mates were concerned they just went off somewhere. There was the usual calling for a few minutes and back to grazing.
I had one die a horrible liver related death in the field next to his fieldmate who just looked confused rather than upset.
When my old dog dropped dead on my kitchen floor recently, my other two dogs (one who was his son and had been with him 13 yrs)sniffed him and walked over him as if he wasn't there. I was quite offended on his behalf but also quite relieved
 
I didn't let my horses see my dead mare but then I did not see her either. A friend stayed with her and the knackerman did his job and she was loaded in the van before I came back out of the house. My other two called for a short while and then settled. I have no views either way but I do not see that my two were that upset by not seeing her. They could no doubt smell the blood, as in her case there was a lot of blood. They settled very quickly in to a new routine without her, although I am sure they of course missed her in their own way.
 
I always give mine the opportunity to see, and make physical contact, with their fallen companion, it gives them 'closure' if you like, they accept it and are generally very calm about it. Much better than screaming their heads off searching for a friend who has suddenly disappeared which I have seen and seems to distress them greatly.

What I do try to avoid is having them around when the body is winched onto a trailer, that does seem to upset them :(
 
My first mare was pts at the vets. Her field companion (my other mare) didn't see it - her friend was taken away never to return and she was inconsolable for weeks, it was heartbreaking to watch her walking the fence line and shouting for her.

When she grew old and the time came for her to depart, I let my new horse watch the whole process. She was pts by injection in the adjacent field. After the vet left, I allowed my new horse to go into the other field. She sniffed her then grazed near to her but wasn't upset or scared of the body. I then put a new field buddy in with her and the body was taken away. She shouted and trotted to the gate but after that was fine. I think they deal with death in a very matter of fact way - they don't carry the emotions that we do but they do like to know what's happened so they have closure I guess.
 
My old boy collapsed and died in the field so the others were obviously there when it happened. Yard brought them in when they realised J had gone but I asked for them all to be brought back out to see him before he was taken away to be cremated.

They were unsettled for a few days after but I'm not sure how much of that was to do with J being the boss of their little herd.
 
Had to deal with this a few times recently and do find it touching and fascinating how their reactions all vary depending on circumstances. The bolshy bargy bully of a cob always would refuse to go near the corpse whereas the herd leader has sniffed respectfully and then moved on. The baby ( 10) of the herd has twice now boldly walked up to the deceased and tried to bite it and has been shocked to get no reaction.

And yes I always think it best if they can see what has happened to help them understand. They always seem to be subdued for a few days and then its business as usual.
 
We had one PTS who had been with his friend for about 20yrs.
They were always together, stables next door etc.

When R1 was PTS, R2 wasn't there to see, as we had another one going on the same day, so just wanted it over and done with, no fussing. When we brought R2 back to the yard in the evening, we left R1s rug over the door. He didn't even look at it. In fact, he's become a much more manageable horse for me to T/O and B/I! He used to drag me everywhere, but now he walks nicely. I guess poor R1 was just a pain in R2s side for all those years!
 
It really is the very best thing you can do allowing horses see/sniff the body of their now decease companion. They understand death andd will not be left searching for thier frien. Please do it. Dogs too.
 
Circumstances didn't allow it last year when I had to have a pony PTS and my horse was incredibly upset and called for him for days - he thought he was coming back. More recently I had to have this horse PTS and did it in the field and allowed the others the chance to have a look. They came up and snorted a bit and then went off, but did watch intently whilst the body was removed. Haven't had any calling for him at all, so if at all possible I'd do the same again.
 
The old girl who used to be in Pie's field went down and couldn't get up. She was down by the hedge and he was what alerted the yard owner - he was stood in the same position for several hours so they actually went to check on him. Turned out he was standing with her while the other horses had wandered off. The vet came straight out but sadly it was her time so the deed was done in the field. The other 2 mares and Pie all walked over and sniffed her, he stayed with her till they came to take her away. Then the 3 of them cantered up the field with the truck.
I think they all said goodbye in their own way, and none of them seemed to be too disturbed by the whole process. I was just very touched by my boy's behaviour!
 
My old chap went last week. My youngster was there when it was done, and was not visibly upset by it, even when the old guy dropped. He sniffed him a bit, and then went on grazing. Due to very unfortunate circumstances, they couldn't collect my old guy until late the following evening, so his body stayed where it was. I was gutted, inconsolable, and distraught that he was still laying there. The young horse was not bothered at all. I had arranged for the collection to let me know when they were going to *do it* so me, and young horse, could make ourselves scarce. Sadly, it didnt work out like that, and I was only alerted to the presence of the collection by the screams of the young horse, who then broke through the fence to try to get to the body/truck and I had the horrible experience of seeing my boy being dragged by the neck onto the lorry, while trying to catch a stressed out youngster and take him away. Not the best experience for either of us. Best laid plans and all that.
 
I firmly believe that where circumstances allow animals should see the body of their deceased companions. I've allowed both my cats and horses do this and have never had problems with those left calling and searching for their friend.
 
I kept my mare and her daughter together for 13 years save for a period of being weaned. Never had any separation anxiety. When mum was put down I showed daughter her body. It was the right thing to do. She was still upset at her mum passing though and the next morning she galloped round her field screaming out her neighs. It was heartbreaking but it would have been so much harder had she thought her mum had just disappeared.
 
The old pony (aged 28) at our yard said goodbye to all the horses on it.

She burst through the metal field gate, breaking it, leaving her companion which was bizarre Enough as she can't be left on her own - she once flipped herself in the trailer when the other horse left it. Then came into yard and spent time with the ones round the front. Then came cantering into the back of the yard (where I was, Only one at yard) and said goodbye to all the other horses.
She then lay down on the concrete and died.

She knew she was going, and said goodbye herself - it was amazing and heartbreaking at the same time.
 
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Agree that where possible animals should see the body. I do believe they understand then and can accept it. I have seen horses "guard" a grave for several days after their friend was buried.
 
Lammy said:
...A horse that has just been put down. How many of you allow them to go and see a horse after it's been shot?

I let mine look today and I was intrigued but not surprised by their different reactions. They stayed in the barn whilst it happened and all the horses had their heads over the doors when we came back in. We lead mine out together to go and look, my old mare was scared of the body at first, had a quick look then she was done. The two year old sniffed EVERYWHERE, he walked all around her, pawed at her, sniffed her head and whinned at her before he was finished and seemed to understand.

I've always thought it good for them to look and it was nice to seem them so calm about it, they'd known the mare for nearly a year. My old girl didn't really like her but my boy was quite attached so their different reactions really showed that.

I was also really impressed with the hunt, the guy fussed her, gave her some mints before hand and it was all over so quickly and he gave us time to let the horses see the body. And there wasn't much blood at all and none on the headcollar which the owner wanted back. Much prefer that over the injection now.
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You are so right to allow them closure. Horses do grieve. In my humblest opinion, Closest companions need to know their friend has died and will not be returning. The pining and anxiety seems to last for a shorter time than when foal is taken away abruptly for weaning. Some mares never recover fully from that heartache.
 
I let mine see his best friend being put to sleep. He tried to wake her up, pushing her and then licking her eyes and pulling her ears but then he seemed okay. Where I made a huge mistake was not moving him away whilst she was loaded. He was incredibly distressed and started attacking the other horses immediately, charging across the field at them with his teeth bared (he is a very friendly pony). He then spent hours at the spot she died just sniffing the ground and weeks later would still stop there for minutes. He would also bury his head in her rugs when he came on to the yard. It took him months to get over it.
 
When I had Bren pts on Friday, the other 3 didn't see him after as he was in his stable. I think they knew what had happened though. He was down in the field when I got there, and the other 3 were at the opposite end all together. Usually, the 4 of them were together, or in pairs in the field. There was no calling either when I brought him in, usually he was very vocal when he or one of the others came in.
 
If I can I let mine see. My TB was put down in the field by a really kind knackerman and the others watched. Her friend knew she was gone but for 2 years whenever she returned home to our stables she cantered over to check out whether she was hiding in one.
We took the friend and 2 others to Spain, the friend broke her leg and had to be put down; the other 2 stood over where she was waiting for the man to take the body away for 2 days.
 
I too definitely agree they need to see and touch and get 'closure'. I made a huge mistake years ago when my childhood pony (who was in his late 30's) became poorly. I called the vet who said please get him in for when I arrive, but when I was leading him into the yard he collapsed and when the vet arrived he said that there was only one option now. Unfortunately he'd collapsed round the back of the buildings and my welsh mare couldn't see where he'd gone. I was so distraught I couldn't think straight nor bear to see him shot so I said goodbye and went to stand with my mare instead. I didn't want to have to see him afterwards and didn't think my mare would either so neither of us saw him dead. In the next week though I thought I would loose my mare as well, she didn't eat and paced the fence wildly. The house nearby even complained of the noise she was making. It was a horrible time and in hindsight if I'd manned up and showed her his body I think things would have been much easier. After all, she'd seen him walk off and not come back so as far as she was concerned he'd gone somewhere without her. They'd been together for 20 years.
 
only_me said:
The old pony (aged 28) at our yard said goodbye to all the horses on it.

She burst through the metal field gate, breaking it, leaving her companion which was bizarre Enough as she can't be left on her own - she once flipped herself in the trailer when the other horse left it. Then came into yard and spent time with the ones round the front. Then came cantering into the back of the yard (where I was, Only one at yard) and said goodbye to all the other horses.
She then lay down on the concrete and died.

She knew she was going, and said goodbye herself - it was amazing and heartbreaking at the same time.
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That has really filled me up far more than any of the other stories; just shows how much they know.
 
I let b see her mum after she was pts.
Wish id let my other 2 as well, as they were calling quite a lot whereas b was more settled. Both the others refused to move for several minutes when I tried to lead them past the stable where she was waiting for collection.....id definitely let them see now as I feel it really helped b understand where her mum was.
 
I was always of the opinion this was the kindest way...but I lost my oldest Stafford bitch last Thursday. I took my other 3 to see her after she had been PTS and No2 and 3 sniffed, licked her mouth and were settled. My youngest Stafford bitch is only 14 months old and was horribly distressed. She is still unsettled. My only thought (they are all rescues) is that she must have seen this under more distressing circumstances before I had her.
 
I think it's amazing how empathetic some horses are whilst others are blasé to the whole thing. The 24 hours before our old girl was put to sleep (it was scheduled) he didn't leave her side the whole time. The old boy we had years ago was scheduled to be put to sleep as his arthritis was catching up with him and he found getting up hard. We separated him for a few weeks to stop the others pestering him but when I came up the morning he was due to be put to sleep I found my pony had broken in with him and was by his side. It's like he knows. The other horse couldn't have given a stuff about either event! Didn't even lift his head from grass!
 
My old mare died in the paddock last winter, and it was 24 hours before I could get the body removed. My other three sniffed her and then quietly moved on. She had been the boss, but the next eldest (my gelding) took over the role and all was very calm and peaceful.

Not so when the same mare lost two foals. One drowned at birth, and the other inexplicably died when he was about six months old before being weaned. Zara was distraught both times and it was heart breaking hearing and watching her. She kept returning to the bodies and even when they were removed, it was a couple of days before she stopped going back to where she had last seen them.
 
Lammy said:
...A horse that has just been put down. How many of you allow them to go and see a horse after it's been shot?

I let mine look today and I was intrigued but not surprised by their different reactions. They stayed in the barn whilst it happened and all the horses had their heads over the doors when we came back in. We lead mine out together to go and look, my old mare was scared of the body at first, had a quick look then she was done. The two year old sniffed EVERYWHERE, he walked all around her, pawed at her, sniffed her head and whinned at her before he was finished and seemed to understand.

I've always thought it good for them to look and it was nice to seem them so calm about it, they'd known the mare for nearly a year. My old girl didn't really like her but my boy was quite attached so their different reactions really showed that.

I was also really impressed with the hunt, the guy fussed her, gave her some mints before hand and it was all over so quickly and he gave us time to let the horses see the body. And there wasn't much blood at all and none on the headcollar which the owner wanted back. Much prefer that over the injection now.
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Nope wont let them see a shot horse but my boy saw his mum after she was injected
 
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