Has anyone had 2 horses put down together? Did you get them sedated in case the other got distressed or is it over so quickly they are unaware anyway? help please!
Thats a horrible situation. do you mean in the same stable or field etc? knowing my vet they would prob charge me extra for the sedation so i would be more inclined to have it done in two seperate areas?! when my ponio was PTS he hit the floor quite quickly but with a bit of a bang. so sorry for you
They will be in the same field, although I dont really want to seperate them as they are very attached and would fret making the situation worse. I want them to be shot but there is a vet on site who would sedate them for me first if I wanted to, just not sure what to do!
Whilst I have not had mine sedated before having the huntsman do the deed, personally I would have them sedated first in this instance in case one of them does get upset.
maybe consult the vet. im sure its not the first time he has done more than one at once. if they are in the same field at least you can more one out the way.
I wouldn't separate them but you could possibly have one sedated and do that last, although it will be so quick that I don't think the second one would have any idea what had happened (providing it's not standing right next to it of course) If you want the kennels to take the carcasses then you'll be unable to sedate anyway. You could always do one, let the other 'talk and sniff' so it knows it's gone then do the next one as soon as it has settled again - shouldn't be more than a few minutes anyway, they soon accept the loss. To be practical, it would help if it is done where the blood, which there is a lot of, can be washed away (not into a ditch) also where the pick up vehicle can get to them easily without getting stuck, you don't want more problems than necessary at a time like that.
Sorry you're having to go through this
An old horse was put down in the corner of the school while mine was recovering from an anesthetic (the YOs idea - to save money on callout fees!)... I thought mine might have got upset, but he was fine with it... he was still rather groggy though and was not attached to the other horse... however, her field companion watched over the fence from the other side of the school - and she was fine too (more so than if they had been separated).... the old horse went very quickly and quietly though... but I know that is not always the case...
trying getting them done at exactly the same time, I think a bit of sedation would be good to, if one hits the floor before the other sometimes it can upset the one left standing.
sorry that you're having to go through this.