PTS and disposal - help for someone in trouble?

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LindaW

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A friend of mine has recently had a run of terrible luck, partner upped and offed, leaving her and her little girl unable to afford their house, now moved into smaller rented accomodation, really struggled but moved heaven and earth to keep the kids little 23yo dartmoor pony.

Pony was yesterday diagnosed with advanced liver failure most probably due to ragwort poisoning (owned her 4 years and never kept her anywhere with ragwort, so damage is prior to them buying). To say they are devastated would be an understatement, it was the little girls ninth birthday only 2 days ago.

My friend understands that it can be a slow agonising death, and is prepared to have pony pts before she suffers (is taking advice from vet tomorrow on how comfortable pony can be kept), but I know she's worried to death about how to afford the pts and disposal costs.

Can anyone tell me the most economical way to go ahead, whilst still being humane to the poor pony?

It's an awful time for them, and under normal circumstances they'd have managed, but right now, she is having problems.
 
Local hunt kennels is usually the cheapest option, we've had two old ponies put down by ours, and they would always be my first choice. Our huntsman is sensitive and professional, quick, kind and efficient. As we hunt (and the ponies did) it was the obvious decision.
 
If you don't have a hunt in the area who can do it and believe me as Palomino has said they really are very good and sensitive another option to consider is the zoo park if you have one near you.The ones near me used to do it for free but I do believe they now make a small charge.It would be worth ringing them if you have one nearby.
 
dont have the pony injected, it will cost a fortune for disposal, if your local hunt wont put a horse down then find your nearest slaghter house, they should come out + put the horse down on sight + then take the body away. by having the vet do it it pushes the charge up alot!! i have just been through this myself so ive looked in2 it. i personally believe a shot is the kindest thing for a horse, injections can sometimes take a while. they dont feel a thing with a shot, it just sounds brutal to the owner, sorry if this all sounds a little matter of fact, but its not an easy subject to dress up!
 
Our local one is Rockwood Harriers, I called them and they don't. No problem with using a hunt, would be my first choice.

I'll suggest a zoo park but can't for the life of me think of one in north Sheffield or nearby - maybe she'll know of one.

Beginning to sound like we are in the middle of nowhere!

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Edit, as far as I know, she wouldn';t have an issue with her being shot at home. Will look up slaughterhouse tonight and enquire tomorrow.

Thanks
 
So sorry to read this.
We had ours by injection at home- £60 = £25 sedation £38.00 call out.
Local horse crem £90 collection,£200 communal cremation no ashes.
If there can be a best way - to do it at home means the pony has no idea what is going to happen,once sedated he was gone.He still had a mouth full of feed bless him.
Maybe at 9 DD should not be there but take some tail for her to keep.
Hope all goes well-very sorry.
 
So sorry to hear of your friend's troubles. I hope things soon get better.
Re the wee pony - if hunt and wildlife park don't work out try to find a good knackerer. The one who took our old Dartmoor was very good and kind. He came wearing normal clothes, gave her a little pad and shot her so swift and calmly I think she didn't even realise. It broke my and my dad's heart though. ;(
On the cost side -as she hadn't been given drugs or anything he took the carcass for a much smaller fee than normal.
 
So very sorry for your friend. Feel qualified to reply as I had to have 2 horses PTS within weeks of each other in Nov/Dec.

Injection by the vet these days is a lot better than it used to be, but is expensive and you have to pay for the disposal.

If the owner hasn't signed section 9 of the passport then a slaughter house will pay her for disposal. Sounds harsh, but the reputable ones (like Turners in Cheshire) are reputed to be understanding and professional. If section 9 has been signed then the slaughter house will require payment.

There is no right or wrong way in this situation... just the best way for the owner/pony.
 
The vets will usually know of a hunt that can dispose of a horse. I know when I had mine PTS the vet gave me the numbers of hunts who would collect and cremate (She was pts by injection)

The cost of disposal was £200.
 
Been signed, pony had bute and AB's last week for an infection (which led to the blood tests which led to the diagnosis).

Closest FH's would be either B&BM or Grove & Rufford. I'll call and ask if they will come this far (we go out with them when they come over this way)

You know it is hard when it's a younger horse, but when it's an oldie that's been a good servant to lots of kids over the years, it's bloody heartwrenching too. She's not even mine and I'm bloody upset.

YO has given permission for her to go out with her friend on the summer grazing until it's time (winter field is wrecked), just so her last days are happy ones.
 
Made my eyes water reading this - sorry for being a sap but can't help being a softie - just the thought of this poor little girl losing her pony is so sad. {{{{{Hugs}}}} to all
 
This pony would be classed as a pet and depending on the council could be buried at home if people have their own ground which is not near a watercourse
Speak to Animal Health in Trading Standards--they will advise
Your vet will also advise and may know which is cheapest route.
 
So sorry to hear about your friends horse.
A friend of mine had the Slaughterman come, he would have took her horse for free but friend wanted her PTS on the yard so she had to pay about £140 and she was shot in the wagon.
My horse was PTS by injection arround the same time, it cost me about £500 with joint cremation but then it was covered on insurance.
Big hugs to you both
 
Is the pony able to travel - would it be possible to take her to the kennels? Whatever the outcome, I really do feel for you and your friend, it's so kind of you to help her through this.
 
[ QUOTE ]
This pony would be classed as a pet and depending on the council could be buried at home if people have their own ground which is not near a watercourse
Speak to Animal Health in Trading Standards--they will advise
Your vet will also advise and may know which is cheapest route.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes I've been told this too, owner just needs to ring DEFRA and tell them they are burying her at home must quote as a pet. Apparently they can not stop you. Sounds like the yard owner is pretty good - maybe there is a tree he could go under so all the children can go see him?

I will be thinking of him and the family xx
 
How sad. I think that the knacker man would be the cheapest, however i am sure that if she explained the situation to her vets they would help out and perhaps waver some of the cost or at least allow her to pay it off at intervals. Most Vets would be understanding in a situation like this.

good luck
 
i wouldnt reccomend having the vet inject. having herd of more than one that took several minuits to pass after tthe injection. i had one with ragwort poisoning, and she was soo bad we had only had her 6months thats how quick she went from bad to worse. she had only 20% liver function when the vet came out, she started having fits in the field and walking into things. i would reccomend having the gun. its instant and you know when its done its done. they will take them to the communial crem too. cost me around £100 if i remember correctly i think he was based in rotherham or barnsley.
this is a hard time knowing exacly how you feel thinking of youxx
 
is the horse poorly with its liver there are a hell of a lot of things to help support the liver? i had a pony with liver diease and sadly for me it was to late. but if you have caught it in time you can suppor the liver and the horse can liver comfortably!
 
Would it be worth ringing any local studs/stables to you to find out what they have done or used in the past?
Never nice but in the circumstances I think the owner is doing the right thing and with a daughter to worry about with her circumstances as they are, I can't see any other way. Hugs to them both.
 
I can only speak for my own experiences and that was having injection and cremation. The injection went extremely well, there was no struggling, no prolonged agony it was very quiet and very calm. I think that the vet I used is a very good vet and i put this painless experience down to her knowledge and ability. Some people on my yard dont agree with the injection for reasons posted in this thread but i have known some horses have to be shot twice/three times as the vet was incompetent. That is an awful sight and very distressing for the animal and owner. Personally I think if you love an animal you owe it to them to give them a dignified end to their life, you look after them alive so why no carry that on right till the last breath?
Personally I couldnt use the hunt, i just wouldnt be able to sleep at night. For me, the day i lost my boy was very painful for me but painless for him and that I feel as a dedicated mom that I was/am was the best way for both of us.
The cost was around £130 for the vet and £300 for individual cremation but it was worth every penny.
 
you say you are in North sheffield,I know we are the other side but if you could arrange transport Im sure Barlow hunt(Dronfield area S18) still offer this service i have used them for two of mine and one where i worked and they were very good and you could tell that they would look after your pony and I felt confident handing my mare over to them knowing that it would be quick and she would be treated with respect and care till the end.
 
Babybels, owner is in discussion with vet, but yesterday vets feeling as that it was advanced and she was past being supported to any degree.

It may be that she can be kept going for a period of time, but owner wants to be fair to the pony. Right now her view is that she should have a last few happy days and be pts before her symptoms cause her real distress or pain. I think, knowing the pony, that is a sensible view.

This morning, once the frost was gone from the grass, I put her out on one of the summer paddocks with her mate, she did a few strides of doddery canter and would have bucked if she could have, before putting her head down to munch.

Everyone, thank you for the support and taking time to reply
 
Although I trust my vet completely, I chose to have the knacker man come out when we had Tojo PTS, as I thought he had far more experience. Although Tojo was a nervous pony, the Knacker man was very gentle with him, and it was over in a matter of seconds. Having seen horses pts by injection and shot by vets, give me the knacker man every time.

It cost us £180 inc VAT to have the knacker man shoot him at home and dispose of him by communal cremation in September 08
 
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