PTS... advice please :(

I'm so sorry to hear about your mare. It's such a tough decision to make.

I had to have my first horse PTS a few months ago, and I chose the vet and injection.

It was very peaceful and he went quickly. I know there is always a possibility for something to go wrong but from my experience it was absolutely fine.

I was with him when he was sedated, then walked him to the field for the final injection. I handed him over just as the vet was giving the final injection as they don't want you to stand too close in case they fall on you when they go down.

It was very quick and the vet was very professional and caring.
 
0310Star said:
Thank you everyone, that's really helpful... I'm welling up just reading this as she has deteriorated so fast and this is something I didn't think I would have to do for a while yet, but at the same time I don't want to wait until she is REALLY bad and suffering.

I think the part I was mostly worrying about was the loading after so I am glad I don't have to stay to watch that part... I was planning on going the cremation route but I am unsure whether or not to have the ashes back or to just keep a bit of her tail as I am having some photos done before the time comes professionally so I have a nice photo to put up at home and I was going to put some of her tail in with it. Do you think its a terrible thing to not have any ashes back?
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I had all my ashes back of all my animals it is a personal thing and I want my ashes in the ground with my horses so we are together. I stayed with all of mine and even hugging my late mare as she dropped I stayed with her till she went and let her son see her too. I have never stayed for the winching in and never would.


I used Giles now after a horrid experiance of another well known company and wish I had always used him and he (when I last spoke to him in January when he collected a liver) was putting in an offer for land as the feedback for burial was quite possitive, so he will offer burial too. Lovely guy treats them with respect to the end and after. He is a member of the APPC
Here is his website http://www.equineandpetservices.co.uk/

http://horse-care-and-advice.weebly...ation-of-your-horse-or-pony-or-other-pet.html


With all mine the collection has arrived before and after they go. The worse part is the winching in and I strongly advice you not to watch but keep your last memory of her being asleep, then walk away before it starts
 
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Thank you tashcat. I always knew I would have to make this decision (she was diagnosed with all those problems in 2012 and her outlook was bleak but we've managed it well) but I always thought it would be easy to make. Don't get me wrong, I feel 100% the time is right, but I didn't know how I would feel about it and that feeling of dread knowing when its going to happen.

She's very good at telling you what she wants, she lets me know when she wants to wear a rug and when she doesn't, she let me know about a year ago she didn't want to be ridden anymore by stop letting me get on, and the last year she's spent happily in the field. But she's deteriorated quickly, it was only a few weeks ago I posted on here having been looking at retirement livery yards and then Saturday we really noticed a difference in how she was moving around (my non horsey boyfriend even commented on how stiff she was). She's never been one to show pain, when she was diagnosed in 2012 the vet actually said he couldn't believe she hadn't tried to kill me while riding and that she would never be ridden again, and we continued until a year ago with no pain killers and careful management. So for her to be buted and still looking uncomfortable says a lot to me really about her being ready.
 
Sorry to hear you are having to make this call - I have had to do it a few times over the year and it is never easy and you will probably question your decision for some time. I was speaking to my vet about my dog the other day and her advice was that if you were thinking it was time to pts it probably is. Another friend once told me 'better a week too soon than a day too late'. It it nobody's business but yours what you do and certainly it is not up to other liveries. I was going to suggest that you speak to your YO about when would be the best time / place (some like it to be when other liveries are not likely to be around) but I see that you are already going to do this.

I keep my horses at home so it is easier for me but when the time comes I call my vet and arrange it for the next day. She makes the arrangements for collection and although I have them cremated I never have the ashes back but I do take some mane and tail. I have always had mine done by injection and all have gone very quickly and peacefully. I hold them when the sedative is injected and then either walk away or stay to the end depending on how I feel. As others have said, do not be there for the collection.

Spoil her rotten for the day and hold on to your happy memories.
 
Luckily the other liveries on my yard are fantastic and aren't the types to comment on my decision but will be around for advice if I need it.
I know its time, but I am dreading the day so much already when its not even booked so I am not sure I can wait another 4 weeks...
 
I had to have Bren PTS last year. It was the first time for me, and wasn't planned as he was colicking. Surgery was his only option, but at 26, Cushings and half blind, wasn't something we would put him through. The vet was absolutely fantastic and talked me through exactly what would/should happen, and he went exactly as she said, and very peacefully. He was an emergency call out, so was late at night, but I went back to the yard first thing the next morning and took some of his tail. I wasn't there when he was taken away.
 
Thank you everyone for you advice. I think I will speak to the YO today then call the vet and see if I can do it next week as I honestly don't think I can wait a month. I am worried she will have a good day and I will change my mind, then have to go through all this again when she goes downhill again.
 
TheresaW - bless you, that must have been hard. At least this wont be a shock, but then I am not sure the knowing makes it any easier...
 
I've had 7 done by injection, all were very peaceful.

They've even managed to give us a little giggle for doing something 'cute'. One decided to fall onto the needle, despite all out efforts to make her go the other way - just her personality, a little awkward to the end :)

Last one had a lovely deep sleep for ages, he was 31yrs old, and the body had given up, but the heart was strong. He was surrounded by all the people and horses who loved him, on a lovely sunny spring morning, int he field, and we all had to wait for a good 20 mins whilst he slipped away - again, his character - everyone worshipping him to the end :)
 
paddy555 said:
I have had around 9 PTS by injection. No problems and will always use that method with a vet who is good at injecting horses.
I don't see the point in planning ahead and waiting. All it does is give you a horrible few days/weeks knowing what is going to happen. If the horse is not that bad I don't even think of PTS, if it is bad and not going to improve sufficiently to have a reasonable quality of life I ring the vet and ask to PTS that day. I have always had success with this and although it is horrible at the time it does not prolong the agony for me. At my last PTS the receptionist asked if I wanted the practice to arrange disposal. They would have rung the appropriate people and got it sorted if I had wanted.
I am not sure I see the ashes as being any part of the horse. I always take some mane or tail before it is PTS. That, at least, is part of my horse.
Good luck, this is the horrible part of horse owning.
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This sums things up perfectly for me. I could never plan a day in advance. I knew it was coming with my mare and did take some of her tail quite a while before she was PTS because I didn't want to do it post mortem, but that was as much planning as I could bear. I rang the vet on the day I made the final decision and had her PTS that morning. I also have no interest in any ashes. The body is a body to me, not part of the horse. The horse is the soul inside that body. I do keep some tail hair but that is for when I feel ready to have a bracelet made. I am still not ready for that after nearly 4 years so the tail hair is tucked away safely. I never look at it. I have only just felt ready to go through all her photos in order to paint her, and she has pride of place. The painting has her spirit for me and gives me comfort. However, she is the only horse I have felt this depth of feeling for. The others I have mourned for a little while and moved on. I loved them all, but she was special.
 
Here are some of the other facts for consideration that I haven't seen anyone raise.

Injections are not great on a healthy horse, by this I mean a horse with something like a broken leg, as the adrenalin is so high they can fight the sedation. Having watched my horse years ago fight sedation for a major colic surgery, this is not something I take lightly. That horse was actually PTS by injection when his time came but he was old tired and ill so didn't fight it. I very recently had to have my beautiful big horse put down after he went blind. I chose to have him shot as these people take their time, he had no idea what was happening and never fought it. He was otherwise healthy, fit and full of life and always fought sedation.

Practicalities. So these don't hit you when you can't really deal with it. Cost. Vet and injection plus indivudual cremation can easily creep over the £700 mark. Professional knackerman will shoot and remove for around £270. If you choose to have your horse cremated and the individual ashes returned, be aware this is quite a big box.

As to whole attending the event...I didn't last time. I was visibly upsetting my horse when I had to say goodbye and did not want to pass on my distress.

It's horrendous having a much loved animal PTS. It doesn't get easier. I literally made myself physically ill crying after this was done as he was one of my horses of a lifetime. Some horses come and go, some always stay in your heart and he is one of those. Good luck in your final choice. I am just so sorry you are having to face this,
 
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Thank you wagtail, my mare is my first horse and I've had her over 7 years now - she's only 19, but she'd been hammered in the past judging by the xrays. She's a very special mare, she taught my OH everything he knows, she is the most forgiving horse to handlers and (used to be) riders, and is just a joy to be around.
I think a nice framed photo in the new house with a bit of her tail in will be the perfect memorial for me as I cant take it wherever we move to x
 
I'm so sorry you are facing this decision. My first horse is now in her early 20s (had her 16 years) and, whilst still fairly healthy, it is something that has been creeping into my mind. Of course, I hope to have her for another 10 years or so but you just never know. My friend who used to run the livery yard we were at has given me the number of the removers who she has always used as they are apparently very good and sympathetic/efficent etc.

The last thing I wanted, if I have to make a decision quickly, is to be scrabbling around trying to find out names and numbers. It sounds morbid but at least this way I feel I am a little prepared.

My thoughts are with you
 
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Thank you Luci, that's really helpful.

with regards to cost, it has come at the worst time with us moving house but I don't want it done in a way I will regret so I will find the money. I think after reading all of these replies, injection in her field and removal to be cremated is the choice that feels right, a nice peaceful ending.

You have all made me realise that I shouldn't feel bad not having her ashes and that was one thing I was torn on, so thank you for that.
 
So sorry to hear you're going through this OP. I had Pops PTS by injection in February and it was quick and painless. I organised it for first thing in the morning and went down early so I could spend some time with her before the vet arrived. She had a wonderful hour or so of grooming, cuddles and all her favourite treats during which time I took some of her tail. When the vet arrived we removed her shoes and then I handed her to one of the yard staff as I was worried I wouldn't be able to hold it together and would end up upsetting her. I disappeared to the tack room with my best friend and OH where we sat drinking sweet tea. The vet came to tell me she'd passed peacefully and gave me the opportunity to see her one last time before she was loaded up which I declined as I was afraid I'd find it too traumatic and wanted my lasting memory of her to be whilst she was alive. I have absolutely no regrets of how she went and would do the same again when the time comes with my current horse.

ETA - I chose not to have her ashes as I could imagine they'd just end up sitting in our house in a pretty box and personally I didn't feel like I'd get any comfort from that. I still have her headcollar, tail and shoes in a box in the cupboard and when it's not so raw plan to do something with them but I'm not sure what yet. As silly as it sounds it provided some comfort to have things that smelt of her in the early days after she'd gone.
 
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Thanks Festivefuzz, How did you feel about the yard staff being with her? I am terrified to be there when it happens but I also don't know if I will punish myself for not being there?
 
0310Star said:
Thanks Festivefuzz, How did you feel about the yard staff being with her? I am terrified to be there when it happens but I also don't know if I will punish myself for not being there?
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We're a fairly close knit bunch at our yard and she'd been on full livery so I knew she was used to being handled by the yard and felt it was a better option than me holding her as I knew I'd be a blubbering wreck. I did make sure my OH and best friend knew in advance I didn't want to hold her as the deed was done though as I was terrified in the moment I'd want to eek out every last minute with her when I knew deep down I'd have struggled more if I had been there at the very end. In a way it was a relief to know that I could hand her to someone else in that moment, and I like that I mentally can't picture her once she'd passed as I think otherwise that would have been the way I remembered her.

We had a moment just as her last shoe was being removed when she buried her head in my chest and sighed deeply. I honestly think it was her way of saying she was ready and it's a moment I've held onto over the last few months as I've come to terms with losing her.

I too was worried I'd regret not being the one to hold her and that I'd feel I'd abandoned her in her final moments but from what my vet and the yard staff said it was over in moments and that's been enough for me to be at peace with my decision.
 
Ive had 3 PTS now, all by injection. Have to say Ive not had any issues with it at all. They've all gone very quickly. Have you thought about if you're going to be there? I was for mine, but I couldnt be around for the digging of the hole and burial (mine are always buried in their field), my OH dealt with that as its not pleasant to see I imagine.

I only know of one horse who struggled under the injection method and that was because he was very weak with pneumonia so vet said it took a long time for the stuff to get through his body.
 
Hi OP - firstly, I'm so sorry you're facing the most difficult of decisions. You're doing really well and keep asking questions, there are so many of us with experience that hopefully somewhere in the answers and comments you get you'll find the way that's right for you and your mare. If it helps a little, here's my experience:

I decided on the Saturday that my pony would be PTS, similar to you I was not in an emergency situation. I made the arrangements on Monday morning and she went on the Thursday. I couldn't have faced a long wait - those few days were bad enough, but my husband was working away and he did not want me to be alone afterwards so we waited until he was home. On the Wednesday, I took the day off work and spend it grooming, bathing and grazing her in hand while she dried (for some reason it was important to me that she was clean). I took a piece of her mane then too. When the day came, I brought her in, gave her a hug and then handed the lead rope to my husband. He was with her at the end. She was very sensitive and I didn't want to let her down in her final moments by losing it. I knew I could ask my husband (and often do) about her final moments and that he would tell me everything; that has been a great comfort in the time since.

On a practical note, I would absolutely echo what others have said and don't be there for the loading; it can be undignified and you don't need to see it. It might also be worth thinking about what headcollar and lead rope she goes in. Mine went in an old one that I didn't want back. I found it quite distressing the thought of having them handed back without her.

Whatever you decide, it will be the right thing for you both. And after the event, wrap yourself in kindness and give yourself time to grieve.

Thinking of you x
 
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0310Star said:
Thanks Festivefuzz, How did you feel about the yard staff being with her? I am terrified to be there when it happens but I also don't know if I will punish myself for not being there?
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good luck with your decision my late mare was 24 and owned her since 15 months old so 22 and a half years and was my mare of a lifetime. Still hurts to day due to vet not picking up her condition for 2 years otherwise she would still be here.


Just remember your doing the kindest thing for her - taking the pain and discomfort away. Make sure you have friends and family around after to support you.
 
I had my horse put to sleep by gun. I chose that because he often fought sedation and personally I preferred that he didn't think there was a vet there, he literally went whilst eating a carrot. My horse of a lifetime was PTS in theatre by injection. I didn't have him cremated but I did have his body returned to the yard and he is buried there, obviously not feasible for everyone but I feel really comforted knowing that he is somewhere and I'm not usually one to be sentimental over a body.
 
Mine had the injection. He was sedated before hand and we led him round the corner to where it was being done. I stayed with him and just talked to him while the injection went in. He buckled at the knees and was gone before he hit the floor. Its not a nice experience, but the worst bit is the waiting. I'm glad I stayed with him, but I wouldnt worry if you cant. I think it was more for me that I stayed.
 
I have only had horses PTS by injection. Both times, different vets, it was quick and stress free. I had a local service collect them for cremation.

I'm sure you will hear positive and negiative for both types of PTS but my experience of injection has been that it was very peaceful, both times and I was able to stay with them until they had gone (which was very quick).

It's a horrible thing to have to go through, but the old saying "better a month too soon than a day too late" really has been borne out by my experience. Your horse is lucky to have an owner like you who's prepared to make that call.

ETS.. I didn't have the ashes back and I don't feel bad that I didn't. But it's a personal choice.
 
Sorry to hear you're having to make this decision. A few years ago just before Christmas i had to make the same choice for my old mare, she was my horse of a lifetime and had her since i was a child. I chose the injection, i stayed with the vet and watched her go which was very peaceful and not as bad as i was expecting. i didnt watch her taken away as i was too upset and didnt want to see her go, but my sister watched and she said it wasn't bad it but she wouldnt want to watch hers go. I also chose to have her cremated and the ashes back. I was surprised at how big the box is and i have her now in our tack room, i also kept her shoes which my farrier made into a heart shape and turned into a photo frame. i also had her ashes made into a pair of earrings by a local company, theres so many things you can have done now with them. And for me it was nice to know that she is still with me everyday.
 
Thank you everyone. I've just made the call... 11am Friday 16th. That gives me time to get some photos done and prepare myself, although I have just had a complete breakdown and have been crying for the last hour.
I think making the call has hit me like a brick wall, I still need to organise removal but I cant face that call right now so may leave it until later or tomorrow
 
0310Star said:
How did you feel about the yard staff being with her? I am terrified to be there when it happens but I also don't know if I will punish myself for not being there?
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My YO was with my boy to the end - she had known him for 10+ years and the Farrier happened to be there on the day and he helped as well, again he had known my horse for a very long time. The YO makes sure she is at every pts on her yard - its comforting to know that she was there. Sadly, we had lost one of the other horses at the yard the day before, he broke his leg in the field. Everyone was reeling from that already. It was a tough time for all.

The other liveries that were on the yard that day were all in the office and that's where I went until he had been loaded and taken away. They had all been to say goodbye to him during the day and so had all the staff.

I am glad I didn't see it through to the bitter end - I have a nice picture of him tucking into the grass and ignoring everyone (!) to remember.
 
0310Star said:
Thank you everyone. I've just made the call... 11am Friday 16th. That gives me time to get some photos done and prepare myself, although I have just had a complete breakdown and have been crying for the last hour.
I think making the call has hit me like a brick wall, I still need to organise removal but I cant face that call right now so may leave it until later or tomorrow
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Well done - I had a complete meltdown after making the call; I was worse then than after saying goodbye to be honest. Take your time and decide how you want to spend the next few days. ((((hug))))
 
0310Star said:
Thank you everyone. I've just made the call... 11am Friday 16th. That gives me time to get some photos done and prepare myself, although I have just had a complete breakdown and have been crying for the last hour.
I think making the call has hit me like a brick wall, I still need to organise removal but I cant face that call right now so may leave it until later or tomorrow
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Oh Star I really feel for you. Have you got a friend or family member that could do the admin side of things for you? When I finally made the decision I decided to book it for the next day (she was on 3 legs by this point so it wouldn't have been fair to prolong it even if I wanted to) so I didn't have too long to dwell on things. I tried 3 times to call the fallen stock guy and was sobbing by the first ring each time. In the end my best friend organised everything and was there on the day to ensure it all went smoothly. She even paid everyone so that I didn't have to think about it on the day. I really don't think I could have done it all without her and it was a huge weight off my mind to know it had all been dealt with.
 
I have held a horse while being injected and it was just like he went to sleep.

I will be having mine injected when the time comes. Have heard horrific stories about being shot
 
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