PTS, experiences with sensitive horses

M

Magicmoon

New User
Joined
1 April 2025
Messages
2
Visit site
Hi all, 18 months on from injury, I'm not sure there are many more options for my 6 year old mare. PTS is being discussed, but we're not quite at that point yet. I am trying to work out what would be best for her if I have to make that decision over the coming weeks. She is very sweet and loving when she gets to know you, but she is very suspicious of strangers and new circumstances (probably in part due to the amount of diagnostic tests and treatment she's had). She is needle shy when the vets visit, but I give her monthly allergy injections which she is fine with. I have used a knackerman with other horses in the past, and they have been eating and none the wiser. This mare isn't a huge foodie though, and she would pick up on the strange person and change of routine instantly. After all she has been through, I want any end to her life to be as stress free as possible, it's the very least she deserves. She's always been the type to fight everything, and I worry about PTS via injection for this reason, especially as having held a couple of friends horses who have gone this way. Has anyone got any experience of the kindest way for this to happen?
 
I'm sorry you are going through this. I would choose either method (my own preference is a gun) but have her well sedated with the strongest oral stuff you can get from the vet before the person arrives to do the task.

I hope things go as well as they can I you have to go down this road.
.
 
When I had my Welsh D PTS we gave an entire tube of dormosedan about 30 mins before to allow vet to place IV (still wasn’t totally happy but we got there).

Vet then gave A LOT of IV sedative before eventual PTS by injection.

Due to extreme head shyness (in part due to pain from a bone spur type thing on his poll) and the sensitivities of others at the yard gun would not have been a good option for him
 
Sorry for this, it is so hard.

But I would go with the others. Give the horse sedation, what ever the vet suggests, before they arrive. If they are not food driven and therefore very happy to have their head in a bucket, plus suspicious of strangers, then I think injection is best for this horse.

Its so difficult. I had always had the gun for ponies - they really did not know anything about it, but for my horse, after a lot of agonising, went for the injection. It isn't quite as "instant" but the horse was likely to throw up his head at the wrong time.
 
When I had the feral one put down the vet gave intra muscular sedative over the stable door. It was into his neck and done very quickly (I stuck a likit under his nose) & made him relaxed enough that we could get him out of the stable for IV injections. If you talk to vets in advance they're really helpful.

I'm sorry you've got to this stage - it always seems worse running out of options when they're so young 😔
 
I always use the knackerman. They're so experienced with this I've never had any horror stories, (but that didn't stop me being up all night thinking about the what ifs the day before I had to have a feral one done...)

I'm so sorry you're having to make this decision.
 
So sorry to read this OP. I had a very sensitive gelding who was also needle shy. He wasn't a eater, the lady who came (Lizzie from Earth to Heaven) made friends with him, gave him some mints and waited until the time was right. She was so calm and quiet, he was so relaxed. He was shot before he knew what happened.

I know lots of people call them the 'knackerman' which is probably the correct word although I personally hate the phase but I do believe it is the kindest, quickest way for a horse to go. I didn't use sedation prior, but I suppose it depends how nervy she is.

If you're South West based, Lizzie is very sympathetic but professional. I've had 2 horses shot by her and if my mare is pts (she is also only 6, rubbish times) I'd like her to do it.
 
I second knackerman. I had to have one of mine put down who had been losing her sight gradually and coping well but when it went entirely she became very anxious and just couldn't stand still. Knackerman was brilliant. He took her off me and just spent time moving with her until he got the right moment. Oral sedation then knackerman would definitely be my choice.
 
I used a fallen stock company for a very sensitive pony who was needle shy. The poor pony was so inherently bothered by everything, that even a heavy dose of oral sedation did not completely knock her out. The chap who despatched her gently took his time (about 10 minutes), and even though she did not want to stand, all they need is a split second and they know when that second is.

I would also opt for a whole tube of Domosedan and a fallen stock person.
 
ihatework said:
For this sort of horse I’d use oral sedation and the knackerman. Sorry you are facing this sort of situation 😔
Click to expand...
This is what I would do. Ime horses can smell vets a mile off and it is the smell that upsets the sensitive ones. I am sorry you are facing this, I had to have a 6 yr old Shire pts after months of vet visits and it is very upsetting to lose one so young.
 
As others have said I would use oral sedation but I would then follow that on with iv sedation
You need a trail run with oral sedation as its effects vary between horses.
I sorry you face this horses are not for the faint hearted.
 
Thanks everyone for your advice and kind words, I really appreciate it. I've spoken with my vet today and he's dropping off a tube of domosedan so I can see how she responds to it. My vet and the referral vets have been fantastic in regards her treatment and rehab, I've just found it so difficult to talk through this aspect. I know it's part of having horses, but to everyone going through this now or in the past, I'm so sorry - it really is horrid.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top