Methods of PTS - DISTRESSING, please don't read if easily upset

Binky01 said:
Jesus that's awful Dex!!

Hugs for having to go through that ordeal! x
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Thanks Binky
It was really hard typing it even though it was 5 years ago.
I wanted to add that i do not blame the vet in anyway- infact when he left the practice with another to set up on his own, we went with them. My frustration is as much at the stupid gun laws that wouldnt allow him the backup of having a gun in the van. That way he said he could have heavily sedated him and then shot him with little fuss or drama.

Praying Dex's liver recovers but if it doesnt then sedation (if necessary) and gun will be his end.

FWIW If only we hadnt lost all the small abatoirs with their experienced knackermen, such a valuable resource lost to the country and how many posters recommending the hunt as the best way to end a horses suffering actually support hunting?
 
NicoleRobinson said:
This is all sooo sad :( im actually near in tears lol i dunno what id do if i had to put my boy down, i think id actually cry for yrs and never leave my house! My friends horse was involved in a trailer incident and had to be pts and everytime i seen her we cryed, this lasted for like weeks ... Although i do no someone whos horse got pts then the next day she went to see a new horse :O not even joking with u's, she bought it a couple days later!
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Nothing wrong in getting another horse straight away in my opinion, everybody copes differently, and some cope better by having something to focus their energies on after suffering a loss. Doesn't mean that they didn't care or grieve for the last horse ;)


Dex, I'm so sorry that you and your horse had to go through that, we had the same thing happen with a dog, that was also screaming, it was truly horrific. At least your experience can teach others to triple check that their horse is actually gone and that a backup should be available xxx
 
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Our yard owner always supervised horses being pts. mostly we had the gun very professional local man body taken away instantly. My last mare was injected she had twisted gut and was already sedated, vet was brilliant she was injected in the field she was already laying down and we all stayed with her by all I mean human friends, equine chum and the dogs. Knackerman came instantly and it was all over. Our yard has always supported each other on these occasions.
 
I went and saw Delia one week to the day after having Breeze pts. I took her home the following week. In my case, she turned up out of the blue and having another horse helped to stop me missing Breeze so badly as I didn't have an empty stable to look at and another horse to look after and get on with life.

We bought Farra four weeks after Cairo died. It was a bit too soon for Andy, but we have not seen another like her since for sale, and she has turned out to be perfect for us. Again for him, turning up to the stable and seeing her in the stable started the recovery of loosing Cairo, he did cry, but his blood pressure lowered within a week of her arriving and she did give him comfort and got him out of his depression at having her to look after.

For some people, they need a long time to get over it, and for others they prefer to find a new horse to love and help them get over the death of the one they have lost. All folks are different and just because some people get a new horse soon does not mean that they didn't love the old horse any less.
 
fumanchu said:
Bloody Nora!!

Gun is final, isn't it.
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Yup, there isnt any grey area with a gun- the horse is either alive or dead

touchstone said:
Nothing wrong in getting another horse straight away in my opinion, everybody copes differently, and some cope better by having something to focus their energies on after suffering a loss. Doesn't mean that they didn't care or grieve for the last horse ;)


Dex, I'm so sorry that you and your horse had to go through that, we had the same thing happen with a dog, that was also screaming, it was truly horrific. At least your experience can teach others to triple check that their horse is actually gone and that a backup should be available xxx
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I have always found that getting another horse to focus myself upon is the best way to deal with the empty stable. My rule is not to try to replace the horse with an identical one..

I didnt want to put anyone off pts with injection, rather point out that a scared/hurt animal can overpower the sedation and thus death isnt always the certainty you would hope it was.

Also, to clarify, it was his friend shouting for him not F- he was quiet throughout.
 
One shot, only way as having a massive epileptic fit and to dangerous to try inj, very quick and peacefull, vet very good, terrific bedside manner with horses.
Other than that mine have all been by inj, my choice, every faith in my vets of 25yrs, all went quickly with no probs.
 
Had both methods several times and been there for both, both for mine and to support others.

Have to say I would always choose the injection. Our vet's are great, it has always been very peaceful and quick with no twitching.

I appreciate that the gun is the most instant (and this may sound selfish, but it's honest) but I don't like seeing the blood on my horse or clearing it up afterwards (I wouldn't leave that to anyone else to have to do), plus one time it had to be on concrete the sound of the shot and scrabbling hooves as he went down has stayed with me forever.
 
Darkly_Dreaming_Dex said:
That is why i wouldnt have the injection without a gun standing by
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I wanted to read this thread as I'd like to think I'll be prepared when the time comes, whether that's by prior planning due to old age or in an emergency.

Some of these stories are bringing me to tears, though (not because of the horror of some of them), it's all just so sad :(

and i'm at work, so i should probably stop reading.

I am incredibly fortunate to have never had to make the decision, my thoughts are with all of you who have had to.
 
As a veterinary nurse, I've helped PTS loads of horses, cats and dogs. With the injection, you are always reliant on the circulatory system and finding and maintaining venous access. There is also a large quantity of drug to administer when you're dealing with horses, although the exact amount required varies from horse to horse making it not an exact science. I also don't think it can quite be described as instantaneous, although very nearly so. If you've ever had a general anaesthetic you'll know what I mean. You go under VERY quickly, but there is that split second where you feel the drug taking affect. There is also the issue of disposal when you use the injection.

Because of these reasons, I choose to have my own horses shot, however I feel it's a personal choice with pros and cons to each method. If you really want to stay until the end sedation and injection may be prefferable. I'm afraid I don't, I leave my horses with a very competant veterinary nurse friend of mine. Maybe because I've seen so many horses shot and I don't want that to be my last image of my own.
 
well, i have only had 1 of mine PTS, she severed her tendon in the field, my liveries saw it happen, and managed to get her in, whilst i called the vet and drove down. The vet was there quicker then me - it takes me approx 7 minutes. He had already examined her when i arrived and i was met by one of the doors by one of my liveries who told me to get back in my car, and go (i was heavily pregnany with twins and was due at the hospital at the time she had her accident - i had already been told if my BP was high, i was being admitted, thankfully i called the hospital and they understood i wasnt going to the appointment and rearranged it for the next day). Well, i couldnt not be with my mare when she went. There was no choice over if it was via injection or bullet. and injection would have been my choice anyway. she was led out to one of the helipads (still haunts me that she walked on her leg which had apparently been dangling....) They would not let me hold her as they did it - which i hated - but i was heavily pregnant with twins so i can understand my vets concern. She went instantly. My other horses/her herd stood at the fenceline and watched from a distance, as my mare fell, one of my older horses, boss of the field cried out to her... that will haunt me. My mare went instantly, never twitched etc. My horses mourned for about 24 hours, and refused to leave the fenceline, even after she had been collected from the cremation company.
As far as i know, she wasnt sedated in any way when she was injected, i certainly wasnt charged for any sedation if they had given her a bit.

As a YO, i have been there when liveries have lost their horses.
1 - was PTS via injection, again, went straight away, very dignified. Wasnt pleasent when the cremation company came to collect, as they struggled to get her out.
2 - another was PTS very recently within an hour of a jumping accident (completely shattered his leg), he was sedated 1st, and also given pleanty of painkillers so he wouldnt put his hoof down before the owner made a decision.
3 - ok, so this one died of old age, happily in the field, but the part that wasnt nice was that she died in the field, at the end of the day (just before it went dark), in winter. The owner to this day thinks the creamation van went to get her from the field, well, no, i had to arrange a farmer to drag her, that wasnt nice as her neck bent backwards and i heard it break.
I guess one thing i would say, is IF you are having a horse PTS, choose where it is done carefully. It may be nice for the said animal to go in their stable, but do consider how it may be removed, A nice piece of lawn, with access for a van etc is ideal, but obviously, in some cases, it has to be exactly where the horse had an accident etc.

massive hugs to everyone whos lost any horse, or animal, or human for that matter - hugs to everyone!
 
Its the gun for me every time. I have been there when a friends horse fought lethal injection, the vet said he had given enough to kill an elephant and the horse was still thrashing around. We phoned the hunt kennels who were there within 10 mins with the gun.

Personally I have had to have 2 pts in the last 2 years - both by the hunt. First was actually out hunting, daughters (who was 15 at time) horse was kicked and his leg was broken. The thing that I will never forget is my daughters cry of "mum" as she jumped off her horse. I phoned the vet but as it was obvious that horses leg was broken, asked the master if he could shoot him. When I spoke to vet to cancel him, he said it was best thing to do as it would have taken him ages to get there. The hunt were brill, they picked him up and bought him home for us. Horse now buried next to his mum in the field.
Other was a very elderly mare with cushings who I didn't want to go through another winter. Same person from hunt came to our house, Mare had a huge feed and spookily had gone and stood by the hole which had already been prepared by OH. It was very quick in both instances and I held both until they fell to the floor, then walked away to be on my own as I didn't want my last memories of them to be of them being buried with the tractor.
 
My old boy was already down a drugged up having colic treatment when I chose to let him go. He went by injection, very peacefully, and with a sigh. Myself, my mother and his field mate were all there with him and as he sighed his last breath and passed away, Star looked up to the sky and neighed - still gives me goosebumps thinking about it.
 
i have witnessed 2 horses being PTS by injection (not my horses though). the first one (36yo with chronic stomach problems) went peacefully and quickly. the second (retired racehorse, shattered foreleg below the knee) also went down peacefully however needed a second shot to finally stop his heart.

i am as yet undecided as to what method i will use on my 2 neds, i will cross that bridge when i come to it!
 
My friend has just had her mare PTS on Friday :-( by injection. It was so peaceful, she didnt fight it at all and just fell asleep, we then said our goodbyes and left. it was lovely and a very dignified ending for such a wonderful mare.

I have seen a horse being PTS by the gun and I personally would never choose this method, there is a lot of blood and the horse was very distressed.

I just hope and pray every day that I never have to make the decision to put one of mine to sleep I hope that nature takes it course and they have a peaceful death.
 
I am so sorry for all of your losses but thank you for sharing them so that they can inform our own choices.

From what I am reading it seems that the injection method works better when the horse is first sedated. Is this done automatically, or do you have to request it?
 
When I had to have Spooks PTS, I spoke to my vet about his preferences, and my concerns re: horses fighting lethal injection etc.

His opinion was that the modern injection drugs are not known for their problems, and he would always sedate first to ensure the horse is relaxed. I decided to go with his preference. Spooks went quietly with a mouthful of carrots and polos.

The only 'glitch' was that as he was on a slight slope and as a result fell to one side and rolled over, but as the vet said - he was already well on his way to the big field in the sky, and wasn't any the worse off for doing a pretty impressive drop and roll manouvre!

Friends with heavy machinery came to bury him, I stayed and watched him being moved onto a trailer, but understand that seeing your horse suspended from a JCB isn't everyones cup of tea.

I always thought I'd go for the hunt, but when the time came, I just couldn't do that. - Funny how opinions differ :)
 
It must be general practise to sedate as they did this with my friends mare.
She was put to sleep at the horsepital, so they had a tube already in her neck, they then put sedation in walked her out to a little paddock and then put the lethal injection in, she fell to the floor so peacefully (the vet guided her down) we then we sat with her as she took her final breathes. It was so lovely but very sad. :-(
 
NicoleRobinson said:
... Although i do no someone whos horse got pts then the next day she went to see a new horse :O not even joking with u's, she bought it a couple days later!
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I must be a heartless cow then as my horse was pts at 12 and I went to see one at 2pm on the same day - some people deal with grief differently. I knew that if I didn't get on with getting another horse I would never get another one. He was delivered at the end of the week!
 
I have had 2 horses shot by 2 different huntsmen. Both excellent and very quick, one done at home in a convenient place for a pick-up and one at the kennels. Couldn't fault it for quickness and understanding. My friend has had 2 done by injection, both big tb type horses, 1st one was colicking and sedated prior to euthanesing and he fought it although he was already down, her second horse which was a tendon thing, ongoing, not an instant decision, she knew what to expect as the first horse had been difficult, anyway, eventually the vet had to send her out of the barn as it was so distressing, he fought it, threw himself about etc. for about 2 hours, the vet couldn't get near to him to get another line/syringe in (I don't know all of the details as she sent my friend out). She said the noise was horrific and when the vet eventually came out and said 'it's over' she was drenched with sweat and exhausted. Next time she is having the hunt. No discussion. I think it is necessary, if you have the vet, to discuss all eventualities before you go ahead (if it is pre-planned of course) and possibly keep a preference in mind for the accidents/broken leg situations if and when they happen.
 
I am thankful there has been a post like this, as its something we usually dont think of till the eleventh hour. I have no experience at all of a horse being PTS, and I wish I did have as I have very little experience with death full stop.

When my lad goes ideally I want it to be injection as selfishly I want to be able to say goodbye and I don't like the thought of his big white face damaged. He will be buried in the field at my parents house.
 
I have thankfully never had one of my own horses put down, but have held a few.
One had broken its leg out hunting and the huntsman shot it, it was quick but bled a lot more than anything i have ever seen.
Another was a dear old loan horse who was a respectable 42 years old, just had colic but wasnt fair to put her through an operation so as she was down and we owed her so much we wanted to stay with her so she was done through injection. She was sedated anyway and just let out a big sigh and her whole body relaxed and she just looked so peaceful after 2 hours of much pain.
My horse now i would have done by injection, he is far far too head shy for a gun and i would dread to think what would happen if someone tried. My other would probably be shot as she is too highly strung to be sedated lol. I think it depends on the horses temperament as to how they will react to the injection.
 
I have never had to have a horse PTS before and i am not looking forward it.

I dred what happened to DEx and her horse happening to me, it must just be terrible. I would also choose a gun over an injection any time
 
Sorry about long post but I had a 16.3hh horse put down by shooting with a compound fracture of his tibia. Unfortunately (I was around the vicinity but not present) we believe the horse moved his head at the last second and he was shot twice which was obviously distressing for everyone present, especially the poor horse. There was a gap of about 15 seconds between each shot. However as a rule you can elect to have your horse sedated before this is carried out which reduces this risk. As for lethal injection I had a horse put down with this and again, I was not present as the horse had wobblers and it was considered too dangerous as he was totally uncoordinated in his movements. I elected to see his body after he was put down but was not warned about any relex movements or sounds and I found the whole experience terribly distressing to the point that it plunged me into a depression and took me a long long time to get over his death. I was assured that the animal was dead but it was horrific seeing his tummy and flank flickering and hear him grunting. The first grunt coincided with my hand touching his neck as I crouched down to stroke him and this totally freaked me out as I believed he knew I was there and he was trying to communicate with me. This grunting is called agonal gasping and is nothing to do with 'agony' in the sense we know it. It is merely a reflex action of the body shutting down and the air releasing from the lungs and vocal cords. The horse is unconscious and out of pain and totally unaware of what has happened to it. I wrote to Horse & Rider magazine totally torn apart and devastated and the kind vet sent me a massive reply about what happens when a horse dies and the reflexes and it put my mind at rest and I was eventually able to move on, but I found the whole experience extremely harrowing. I only wanted to see the body as I didn't get to see my previous horse after he was put down and I always wondered - due to the grief - that the clinic had saved him and he was really alive but they were scared to tell me. Irrational stupid thoughts, but this is what happens. That's why i needed to see Rommy so I could accept that he was gone. I would never ever see my horse again so soon, I would wait until the agonal gasping had ceased which the vet at Horse & Rider magazine said was about ten minutes after death.

At the end of the day you may not have a choice about how the horse is put down, it depends on the circumstances and if the animal is very distressed or in a lot of pain I believe the lethal injection method can make the situation a lot worse. Injections are very fast these days and the horror stories you used to hear are no longer happening, thank god. My vet has said before now that which ever method you pick (so long as the operator is efficient) the horse will be dead before it hits the floor so to speak. Cookies and cream if you have got to the end. RIP Rommy x
 
I have been with 2. one gun and one injection.

The injection was on a cushings induced lami pony. very peacefull and the pony litterally fell asleep.

The Gun was for an old mare who was simply at the end of her days. it was instant and the horse knew nothing but the sound still stays with me. not nice.

I would have no hesitationin using the gun in an emergency situation as the sound of that gun would bring relief but I would consider injection otherwise. Saying that though a friend had hers done by injection and he fought it. Not thrashing around or anything but she felt he hadn't 'gone' and indeed his heart was still beating so vet had to administer a significant amount extra lethal injection.
 
My own horse was PTS by injection however I have seen a marksman shoot a horse from a distance of about 200 yards. If I had the choice I would probably choose that but know in reality it is unlikely. The horse in question knew nothing about it at all and was completely calm grazing one minute and gone the next.
 
all that i have seen were put down by a gun or a injection and all went to plan. i understand how some people dont want to stay by there horse to see them die but to think if you were dying you would want the one person you love to be there with you! dont sya you cant face to be there :( i know its soo horrible, but you dont want them to face it alone, with strangers that they dont know :(
 
I just want to thank you all for putting this all down for me, and for anyone facing this tough, heartbreaking descision.

Rudy was PTS with injection whilst at the vets.
I had always said that I would have my horses shot, even after seeing it myself, but the vet convinced me that the injection would be best for the Ginger Peril, he was heavily sedated at the time. I couldn't have asked for a more peaceful end to his life.

I will discuss all options with my vet the next time I see her, and will do what is best for Benj. Even if that does mean him having to be shot, and me not being there.

I do think I never grieved properly for Rudy. In my mind, I had alot to prove at the time, I was on my own and needed to be strong.

I discussed cremation with my BF last night. Even though the money I do have at the moment should be spent on clearing the mountain of debt I have, I will use some of it to have the old boy cremated. I will only regret it later.

With regards to gun laws. What is the deal with that? I take it all vets don't carry them with them?
I am just wondering, should I have someone on standby in case something does go a miss?
 
Ive luckily never had to have one of my own horses down, but know various horses at my yard ect that have been.

Both times with 2 different horses (both emergancys), i was meant to be at the yard at the time, but for some reason both times (even though i didnt know until later in the day about the horses) i got ill and decided not to go up there until later.

But i wish that i had been there, so i had some experiance of it before it happens to my own!

I would def opt for leathal injection, everytime.

Rip Buz & Freddy x
 
My horse broke his leg and was put to sleep by injection as the vet did not have the gun with him and it was another 30 mins each way to the surgery to get it.

I think if I had the choice I would go for the gun next time as the death was drawn-out and he galloped for quite a while on the floor.

I think it was down to the fact he was a healthy horse with nothing wrong with him except the broken leg.

On another occasion an elderly and ill pony we had put to sleep by injection died quickly and quietly.
 
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