Making the ultimate decision for old horses. Why/How/when/where?

D

dozzie

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 November 2006
Messages
8,670
Location
Hampshire
Visit site
I have decided that this has been the last winter for my old boys (32 and 34). It has been particularly harsh this winter, I know, but they havent done well and it has been really difficult keeping weight on. One has Cushings and has dropped weight very recently.He has very few teeth left. He cant go out on the fields due to Cushings and Laminitis so I feel the quality of his life is compromised at his age. The other is just really tricky to keep eating. He has come through lookiing very poor. Both are perky in themselves so in many ways I feel the decision is being made because I cant look after them as they need to be looked after anymore which really hurts as I feel I am letting them down. I have had them both since they were 2 year olds.
I am thinking about maybe the week following bank holiday weekend in May but that seemss so soon, or the summer holidays. Need to do it when i dont have to go to work so I have plenty of time to say goodbye.

I am thinking Ricky (the one with Cushings could have a week or so on the really good grass in the summer before PTS, if I go for the summer. Plus it gives more time for them to go naturally. Can you tell I dont want to make the decision !

Anyway, I thought it would make a good discussion! I havent decided how,or when! I know the why and where!

What would other people do?
 
Last edited:
Well, we've been over this many times on here, but it still isn't easy to be specific. Are you completely happy with your decision and the timescale? If not, or you have any doubts, hold back as this is one regret that will replay over and over and drive you mad.

Calling time is truly awful - make absolutely sure it is the right call for all the right reasons. Put yourself last.

(Hug - been there and done it - twice x)
 
Havent had to do it yet but if poss I would like mine shot, poss more upsetting for me but def instant for the horse, neighbours horse took 30 mins to go with injection. Would like my hunter to go to hounds but no hunts in our region so may bury him (we have a big holding and no watercourse issue etc, neighbour was allowed to do so.).

Would like to say maximum respect to you Dozzie for having given those horses such a long and happy life and being prepared to put their comfort first. Good on you.
 
Make the decision, then stick to it. I left it too long with my old pony. He really had given up before I listened to what he was saying. I swear to god, I will never make that mistake again. Better they go feeling light of heart and in no pain, that feeling fed up with what remains for them.
The only thing I would suggest is this... If they have been together for a long time, you should let them go together. It would be awful to have a pony pine needlessly if you are going to PTS fairly soon anyway. Best they go together. Give your cushings boy a last really good feed of all the things he has missed out on with his lami. Thats better than a week on grass, which could bring on a lami attack anyway.
 
I dont think I will regret it, it has taken a long time to come to this decision. I know it is for the best. I am not willing for them to go through another winter and I have to remain firm with the decision. Next year will be worse as they will go in looking worse and if they come through they will be very poor.
 
You must be v fraught having had them for soo long and I take my hat off to you. Whichever way you choose It sounds like they have had a cracking life with a caring owner so I guess let them go together having had some peaceful days with maybe a bit more food than they would normally have had. I would talk to the vet to see at what notice they can come out to pts as I would love for it to be on a beautiful day. good luck
 
Is the Autumn half term too late? Quite often its a lovely Autumn, and that pushes it right to the limit, but hopefully before it turns cold again. Do you have your own land, so you can have them buried at home? I think they would qualify as "pets" seeing as how you've had them virtually all their lives.

Of course, it is possible they make take matters into their own hands as it were. A couple of years ago, we had reached the same decision with our old man - he would have a lovely summer and then That Would Be It. He actually ended up being PTS in April, but we had at least made all the decisions in advance which made things a lot easier when the time did come. He was shot and buried in his field.
 
Better a month too early than a week too late (see Joannes post above). Also better to have it done sooner or later. If over Easter or the May Bank Holiday suits you & gives you time away from work etc then arrange it for them, & as already said have them both done together, it'll be easier for them, but do make sure you have someone with you that can take over from you if required. It's no good any of us pretending this isn't going to be an emotional maelstrom for you.
You are not letting them down - on the contrary you are giving them the greatest gift any of us can ever give a horse - a painfree peaceful end, which is a fitting repayment for what they have given to you.
 
Hadnt thought about Autumn half term tbh.It does give a bit more time for nature to take its course for Crispin but Tricks will have to spend the summer on a mud patch and I dont want that for him. Hence I thought maybe the summer for Tricks (Ricky). A week on the summer grass rather than the spring grass! He would possibly make that.

I dont need to have them pts at the same time as they wont pine for each other. They both love Dozzie more than they love each other and she isnt going anywhere!
 
Last winter my old guy (only 26) didn't come through it as well as usual,even in summer he wasn't the usual fatty he normally is on grass in summer after that made the decision that if he didn't come through this winter well would seriously consider pts in autumn before next winter.
Luckily he did fine this year,think maybe I managed his needs better so atm not considering it.
Think you know your horses and know when time is right and where the best place is tbh.
 
Yes I have had them long enough to know what is best tbh. I know them inside out. :)

Maybe I shouldnt have said about my boys!

I wanted to generate a discussion on why/how/ where and when.

I should start a new thread
 
Ive just had to do this for my pensioner pony, he had cushings / shivers and COPD. Id been thinking about the time coming for 6 months, but everyone around me said he was still enjoying life. TBH I didnt recognise him really, age and illness seemed to over come him, so I was greatful for any reassurance regarding his quality of life.

2 weeks ago, I received a call from the yard to let me know he had gone downhill. Although I had been expecting it, it was still a shock. After seeing him i knew it was time, just as people had told me I would. I had the vet later that day for my youngster, so asked for some bute and buted the poor old boy to the eye balls for 3 days. Thankfully the weather was fab and he had a few days in the sun.

Im greatful that he hadnt got to the emergency stage, I hated the idea of his co-ordination going completely due to the shivers and lack of muscle (thanks to cushings)
I didnt have the option on 'how to' as the vet thought the injection would be unfair due to the neurological problems my boy had. Im glad he was shot, he was completely gone in 30 secs, it really was his time.

Im gutted and have been crying ever since.
 
((((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Dont be gutted. You did the best thing. I am not feeling bad about the decision I have made, but want to make the right decision in terms of the timing. You had the decision taken out of your hands. It may be the same with me. Dont be sad. xx
 
Last edited:
I know it was for the best, but he was my first horse and he had been with me for a very long time.
 
I have had to make this decision with my new horse, only had him since august but we were involved in a car accident 6 weeks ago, and he has rapidly gone downhill. He has a huge lump on his head and the vet feels he has got quite a brain trauma, just by the things he is doing. So we have put him in a lovely field with lots of grass where he can be happy and calm, and next we he will be gone. I have always said I would want him shot, and then cremated. <<<<<hugs>>>>
 
(((((((((((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))

Sorry your horse was involved in an RTA.

It is hard isnt it? But what is the best you can give them? A lovely field full of grass and no flies! It is what I want for mine. :)
 
I think that once you have made the decision then you need to do it straight away. Otherwise you will just keep putting it off. Your boys have had a wonderfull life and remember they do not know. It is you who have to agonise over when. The hard bit is making the decision....you have done that. Now just make the necessary arrangements. You know you are doing the right thing.
 
You will know, when the time has come if you know your horses, don't let others cloud your view, and remember its better a week to early than a day to late. Good luck, it is not easy I had to make the decision four years ago, and know it was the right time.
 
Hello,

Well done for speaking up about your brave decision. You know your horses the best and I respect your decision.
Practically speaking,which you want to know,is how,where,etc. From personal experience,I would choose shooting. It really is instant. It saves the worry of injection,although mostly peaceful anyhow. With shooting,it can be a little traumatic,but whomever you choose to do it,will be professional and would be happy if you chose not to be there. Don't feel like you have too.....maybe better to say goodbye and then leave. Don't feel guilty about it one bit.Just remember as soon as the shot happens,the horse is dead anyhow.

Think about where you would like it done,ie,field or if totally unaccessable,outside stables. This can be discussed with vet/hunt/knackerman nearer time.

I presume you want this done in their familiar surroundings.

Then of course you have to think of disposal. Firstly,burial....you have to contact defra amd your council about this.

Secondly,cremation......costly,and the crem will come and pick up. Obviously you get charged for this,and can get ashes back.

You can also get the hunt out where they take the bodies away and use them for the hounds. Minimal charge for this.

Our local wildlife park also take the bodies......pretty awful,but in the whole 'circle of life'thing each to their own.

I personally used local knackerman. He is efiicient,quick and kind. Takes the hassle and awfulness out of your hands. He took the boy I had away and cremated as he was unable to be disposed of elsewhere,due to drugs. He chaged £60 for the whole service.

I hope this helps. Please feel free to pm me for any support you need.

xXx
 
Our old boy had one last summer and was PTS before the winter when he was 36. He was skinny and had arthritis, but apart from that he was fine. This was a few years ago, it was a dry summer and he wasn't even on bute, managing little trots around the field. Our vet checked him for his annual jabs around September and said although he was showing his age, he was happy. In November the weather turned cold and wet and one day he coldn't get back up. We didn't try to help him up, although the vet was prepared to, he was PTS were he lay. We hugged him until he was completely cold, then the knackerman took him away.

It was a good death, he were hugging him and hand feeding him as he lay - he just stopped chewing, that was how we knew he had gone. He passed over with great dignity, in his own field, surrounded by love. I wish we could do the same for our human loved ones when the time is right.
 
I had to make this decision last week for my lovely 18 year old broodmare. She slipped her foal with less than 8 weeks to go but retained the placenta. We guess it must have happened soon after I checked them for the night at 10.30pm so when I found them at 7.15 am the next morning the mare was already in a toxic state. Vets came and tried to remove placenta but it had broken down into a smelly mush. Horrible.
Spent a good few hours washing the poor love out and dosed on antibiotics. By tea time she was going more down hill. Vet spent a good deal of the night with us but by about 5.00am I just looked at her and thought ' shes had enough' It was like the lights just went out in her eyes.

Chatted to the vet and decision made to pts. As the vet was already on hand, she was sedated, led out onto the foaling paddock and he injected her. She went down as if she was just going to lie down and within 2 big breaths she was gone.

It hurts like hell but I know it was the right decision. This was to be her last foal and I was going to leave it with her for as long as she was happy and then let her be a lawn mower for as long as she was happy. But it was not to be.

I also wanted to have any of mine that had to be pts shot. But again circumstances dictated otherwise and it was a really peaceful end for my lovely girl.

Sorry that was a real ramble - still so upset but 'happy' that I made the right choice for my Holly.
 
PennyJ said:
Is the Autumn half term too late? Quite often its a lovely Autumn, and that pushes it right to the limit, but hopefully before it turns cold again. Do you have your own land, so you can have them buried at home? I think they would qualify as "pets" seeing as how you've had them virtually all their lives.

Of course, it is possible they make take matters into their own hands as it were. A couple of years ago, we had reached the same decision with our old man - he would have a lovely summer and then That Would Be It. He actually ended up being PTS in April, but we had at least made all the decisions in advance which made things a lot easier when the time did come. He was shot and buried in his field.
Click to expand...

We made a similar decision for similar reasons to yours the year I fell and broke my ankle in May. Our original intention was to have the hunt come out at the end of August before I went back to work for the Autumn term in September. It was a very wet Summer (2007) and sister was frightened that the mare could go down in the field while she was dealing with them on her own. For various reasons the Hunt was unavailable at that time so we made the decision to give her until October half-term, when I was back on my feet. We were lucky. She had the best 8 weeks of continuous sunshine that year and went as she had lived, flirting with the knackerman who came to shoot her at home, within sight of her herd in the field.
On a slightly different note, we find that soaked grassnuts do very well for weight gain/maintenance in oldies.
All the best with whatever you decide, it's always a difficult decision, especially when you have had them for a long time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top