Not something I want to think about but......

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goldypops

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With whats going on with my poor doggy at the moment its got me thinking about what I am going to do when the time comes for my neddies to go to the big horsey heaven. My old pony is 27 and still bucking round the field so hopefully its a long way off but think I really need to have some sort of plan in my head.
So my question is what are the fors and againsts for the different methods of pts and by whom should it be done and of course any other tips/advice very welcome.
I do have one tip to throw in - I make jewellery from horse hair (tailendjewellery.co.uk
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) and often have customers who have just had their horse put down and taken a small snippet of hair. Unfortunately they havent taken enough or a piece long enough to have a momento made and are understandably disappointed and upset. So if its something you think you may like always take as much hair as you can.
 
Trooper had all his favourite foods in a bowl in the field on a lovely sunny afternoon in July, whenhe was halfway through his tea the vet gave him an injection and he just sat down. He died with his head in my lap and it was very quick and peacefull. He was cremated and I have his ashes in a treasure chest under the coffee table and one of his shoes had been gold plated. I also have a large hunk of his tail but never really knew what to do with it - you have given me an idea now.
 
Depends on the horse/circumstances.
Florin was shot. Very quick, ears were pricked forward being stroked where it was done so knew nothing by a slaughterman. Lovely man, so very careing. Florin would not let a vet near.
I chose a slaughterman as he does it for a living.
My sister had her old pony injected. She just laid down and went to sleep.
It is good to plan.
 
I think it's really important to think about what you would do if our horse has to be PTS. I bought a 16 year old and thought a great deal about how I wanted it to be (if I had any control over what happened when the time came). As it was he was PTS aged 26 in exactly the way I had planned. It definitely made things much easier at such a difficult time.

As to which method, I think it is very much personal choice. My boy was shot, I was brought up on a farm and have been around large animals being shot since I was a child. It is so quick and I am glad I chose that method. I totally understand that some people find the idea of shooting very difficult, but I believe it was the right thing for my boy.
 
Wow goldypops thats a lovely idea, I think i will definately be a customer in the future, oldest horse is only 16 at the moment though, so hopefully not for a long time...

If I have any control over it I will definaely have mine shot by an experienced slaughterer, having seen both methods carried out on several occasions, it is definately my favourite out of the two. I can understand why some people woldnt like it though, the thought of it digusted me before I actually witnessed it.
 
When Dutchess was put down, I braided a piece of tail for her owner ( I had helped look after her ) and gave her Dutchess' shoes. Poor mare was crippled with colic. Died in the middle of a georgeous hayfield last summer with a piece of grass hanging out of her mouth, she looked so peaceful..
 
I personally wouldn't plan as the circumstances can sometimes predict what happens.

My old horse was shot, because he broke his leg and the vet said if he injected him he'd go down on his bad leg and feel the pain - you have to remember this was 20 years ago before the injection became as quick as it is now!

So I always said I'd never have a horse shot but I think you just have to wait and see.
 
I had Cybele PTS by injection. The bullet would have been my first choice, but she was scared of men and headshy, so I thought it wouldn't be a good plan.
My experience of the injection was HORRIBLE, it was not quick, definitely not peaceful, and has left me with images I am finding difficult to shake.

No horse of mine will ever go by injection again.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I had Cybele PTS by injection. The bullet would have been my first choice, but she was scared of men and headshy, so I thought it wouldn't be a good plan.
My experience of the injection was HORRIBLE, it was not quick, definitely not peaceful, and has left me with images I am finding difficult to shake.

No horse of mine will ever go by injection again.

[/ QUOTE ]

Really? that was recently though wasn't it? I thought that they'd progressed the injection now? I know they can twitch a bit which must be horrible....
 
The twitching (which actually looks like blinking and the nostrils look like they are breathing) wasn't too bad - I took exception to the fact that she didn't sink slowly to the ground as planned, but leapt up in the air, threw herself over backwards and died with blood pouring out of her nostrils.
She had been heavily sedated prior to the LI as well...

But... I suppose it was typical Cybele - it wouldn't of been like her to duck out gracefully, she always liked fireworks!

ETS: In answer to your post, it was the beginning of October.
 
My old boss had her's pts by injection. The mare had been lame for a long time so she had time to plan. We all gave her treats and hugs then the vet injected her - she was gone before we realised it was so quick.
 
I used injection, though at the time my mare was down and pretty much out, in fact the vet commented at the time that they usually use 3 syringe fulls and half way through the first my mare went.
Oh just an add on my friend has a necklace made from her horses tail by tailend its gorgeous not how I imagined it to look at all!
 
We have had all but one shot, by both the hunt and the knacker firm. The ones who were shot all died a better death than the one that was injected and it is our method of choice. We are fortunate that we have the option of a woman horse slaughterer so fear of men is not a problem.
 
Well, I don't know.....I was recently told that staying with your horse as it was shot is not for the faint-hearted, as there was a lot of twitching afterwards and the horse drops with something of a thud. I have witnessed two horses be pts with injection and they went relatively peacefully.

So now I am really confused
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I have had 2 PTS by injection, they were both very old and one was a donkey who was pretty poorly. He went v v quickly and the head vet (who has his own horses) carried out the procedure. The 2nd pony didn't go so quickly but still was pretty peaceful and yes there was some muscle twitching and exhaling but i didn't find that too bad as it had been explained first.

I don't think I could have a horse shot, i don't know why as yes i know that they don't know what's going to happen, I think it's just the whole idea of a gun and in my mind injection is no different to anaesthetic, the horse knows nothing about it either.
 
I've always had my (hunters) horses shot and taken to the kennels but have always found the mess to be really hard emotionally to clear up although at the same time it started off the healing process and by the time I had finished I had become calmer. I had a pony injected only because he was so weak he didn't have any fight left in him and the kids were off school that day. It was amazingly quick, although i agree that the twitching etc can be very distressing, but the vet should reassure you about that. I can't say which is better than the other, everyone's experiences are different. I hope I never have to go through it again but I think I'd favour the injection for my wee ponies and shooting for the big guys, but that really is a 'fuzzy soft' emotional response. I may be different to the others on here but the horseshoe and hair thing really turns me cold - I have to not see their things around the place, I have a big sort out and everything goes asap. I jet wash their stables and move another horse in as soon as I can. I can't bear the empty box every day. It's just my way but it works for me. Everybody who has animals / horses dreads this happening to them, I like to think that I've always done my best for my horses, they could not have had better lives and that I love them enough to let them go. Bless you, and I wish you strength and courage in whatever you decide. x
 
i've been struggling with this thought for years. Shadow was an absolute cripple about 4 years ago and i was thinking maybe a couple more months before the time comes, but fortunately for me she has improved drastically and is ridden, jumped and competed now, all at the age of 28!

but honestly, i cant handle the thought of the bullet, even though i can imagine its over quicker. i just feel sick. i've been on the yard when horses have been shot in a quiet place and i am literally wretching for 2 hours - i dont deal with death well! my plan is to knock out first so she's sleeping, and then PTS by injection. neither option is one i like, but i suppose you have to plan where possible.

i would hate it if i wasn't there, i think i'd need closure to actually get it in my head that she's not around anymore - we've been together since i was 10 and she was 12/13
 
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