PTS help

I had my horse shot when I was 17, by choice. First experience with pts was injection & the vet screwed up big style so I didn't want mine to suffer the same. I also held him. Parents were never involved anyway but ym did try & stop me. Horse had major trust issues with strangers though & I insisted I did it alone, even though I knew how it would be. I stood holding him & stroking his neck, but not looking at his head. I remember letting go as instructed when he fell, & watching him still moving on the floor. But even then I knew he was gone, so not as distressing as it sounds. He did bleed after as expected, but didn't bother me, I sat with him for a while & stroked him, think I must have blanked out the blood as I don't remember seeing it. I don't regret holding him at all, but don't clearly remember myself everything that happened after that, ym later filled in the gaps, I did go into shock. Remember ym taking me away before he was removed, & then going hugging my pony that someone had brought in, but no other memories from a few hours after leaving my horses body, even though him being shot is still clear as day 14yrs later. Since then I've held two others whilst shot, & both equally quick & painless. And out hunting once a horse was shot, we were told to look away, heard the bang & when we looked back very soon after horse was still. I would choose a bullet everytime, I've seen horses go peacefully by injection since, but my first memories of injection are horrific & no amount of logical thought will ever get me over that. Now if a horse is shot, I see a peaceful end, but injection I see an action replay of that first horse all over again. Wouldn't have a vet out to use a bullet now though, as most don't have experience of it anymore. Would be hunt or knackerman. I'll hold mine when they go, I find it a comfort after that I was with them to the end. But many people find it more upsetting so its really a personal decision.
 
I've always used the hunt, and always will if possible.
Last summer had my pony PTS. I phoned on the Tuesday, arranged it for the friday. Man came, just a little late (the worst part is waiting). Arranged for it to be done in the field, easy access for the wagon. He parked it, came and made quick friends with pony, who although suspicious of 'odd people' was relatively calm. Humans had all shed a few tears before hand, patted her, thanked her for everything, handed the leadrope over, within seconds bang, she was down and gone. Ears pricked, didn't twitch. Man pulled the headcollar off quickly, I grabbed it and gave a final pat, took a few tail hairs too, he ran to the wagon, reversed it to the body and loaded her up, quickly but still with dignity. All done in a matter of moments. Little blood left behind. Wagon was very clean and in top nick, which I think is important. I saw everything and wouldn't have it any other way. The shot is a bang, but no worse than people who do clay pigeon shooting, and no need to be deafened by it! Ear plugs- you what??
We got a very delayed bill for the job, which was only due to a few crossed wires, so make sure you know what to expect and when.
 
its loud, the horse tends to buckle which can be seen as a jump in the air before legs buckle and it hits the ground, its not uncommon for them to turn over with the force etc, and its perfectly normal for twitching, and noises as the body rids its self of gases, blood often comes out of a nostral.

its never pleasant, but it is a quick end. hugs.
 
My thoughts are with you, its really tough I know.
I have always chosen injection but thats only as I don't feel brave enough to cope with the gun, although it is probably the method I would most prefer.

If I were you after having so many injections etc I would opt for shooting. Say your goodbyes then walk away and let the hunt (or whoever) deal with it. Im sure they would prefer it that way.
Good luck
 
goodtimes said:
You mean there might be more than one shot!
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Just to reassure you - I have been present for about 50 horses being shot, not once have I heard a second shot. This is with 2 different hunts and a local knackerman. They are professionals who pride themselves on their accuracy.

Like everyone else I've heard the stories about more than one shot being needed but I really think it is very rare and unlikely to happen...

thanks i dont know what would happen tbh if there was an emergency,the YO has had horses shot herself with the hunt so maybe thats why she doesnt want it done:-/ she said she doesnt want the mess ? or noise upsetting the other horses ? im not going to be able to take him far as he will be sedated but i suppose if we stagger to the end of the property theres not much she can say. bit disapointed tbh
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Archiepoo,

IMHO your YO is way out of line. Part of having a yard is that horses will at some point need PTS and that the method of doing so is the owners decision. Arrange with the hunt to meet you at the edge of property - somewhere safe that they can park (and sorry to have to say this) with a safe line just in case for the bullet. Then do the deed, there is sod all she can say then. It's up to you whether you take her offer of burial - I don't keep ashes or anything like that so I personally wouldn't - but there are very strict rules and regs about burying animals so you might find you can't anyway!

PS re the earplugs, I always stand in front and slightly to the side of the horse, as a result the gun goes off right beside my ear and it's deafening! Our KM always wears silicon earplugs and offers the owners a (new) pair :D
 
archiepoo said:
thanks i dont know what would happen tbh if there was an emergency,the YO has had horses shot herself with the hunt so maybe thats why she doesnt want it done:-/ she said she doesnt want the mess ? or noise upsetting the other horses ? im not going to be able to take him far as he will be sedated but i suppose if we stagger to the end of the property theres not much she can say. bit disapointed tbh:(
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If you can walk your horse to the corner ie of field or a hardstanding as long as trailer can access to collect the horse afterwards thats all you need. Just out of sight of anyone (if you arrange a time let other owners know so they can keep out the way...ask someone to be around to keep anyone out of sight etc). Access for collection is what you will need. You may need to wash away any blood ie hose or bucket etc. Mine was done in middle of field and I just made sure there was a gateway for trailer to come. (I explained and the guy came in 4x4 with a livestock type trailer. He said he didnt use chains to move the body and put like a collar around my horses neck and he went up on a conveyer belt.It was all quite smooth, I was amazed how simple it was for the guy.TBH the organising and waiting prior is the worse bit(seems like forever).I used a company called Resting Horses depends on horse size as to cost they are based in Ongar Essex(I am in Herts). 14.1h cost me £275 incl communal cremation?They provide quite a comperhensive service ie you can have ashes back and all sorts! Hunt would be a lot less. But am thinking of anyone in this situation do feel for youx.
 
thanks everyone i feel a bit let down tbh ,the YO is very nice and has helped me a lot so im a bit surprised at her attitude but i cant say anything really-what good would that do? the hunt would be able to come onto the yard to turn around but would have to drive a little way back up the lane off her property ,its just woodland either side so hopefully wouldnt be a problem with that . id have to walk him about 150yds which i really would rather not do as im not going to be able to sedate him as i wanted and hes got in the habit of striking out rather a lot if hes unhappy. its turning something that should be simple (altho not pleasant) into a stress filled episode:(
 
goodtimes said:
My horse is not recovering from an injury. And it's possible we may need to call it a day.

My last horse was PTS by injection. It was very quick and peaceful and I was with him.

However, this lad hates injections. He has been sedated and had GA four times over the last 6 weeks and he has fought it and became distressed every time. So of course I will have him shot when the time comes.

The problem I have is... I don't know if I can be there. The thought frightens me as I have no idea what to expect.

Please, and I know for some of you this will be very difficult, could you tell me your shooting experiences.

Pm me if it's easier, or just ignore. I don't want to upset anyone.

Thanks.
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I'm sorry that you are facing this. There has been both fact and fancy on this thread, some will be from from experience, and some from second hand and possibly skewed information.

I have brought the lives of many horses to an end, not by injection, though I've stood with horses, whilst vets have performed the final act, and on behalf of the owners. I've always used a firearm.

Firstly, most horses, when they are shot, are shot with a free bullet, as opposed to a captive bolt pistol. It's all so often the .32 CK cartridge, or the .310 Greener which is used in a "Bell" gun (though it's hardly that). There is NO deafening bang, and you wont need ear defenders. It's more of a loud pop, if that makes any sense.

Most who perform what's so often the final act of kindness, would all so often prefer that the owners weren't present. Nobody enjoys the job, NOBODY, and having distressed owners present only adds to the difficulties.

There's an old adage, and it's that "If you go about the job, like you've got all day, it'll take you seconds, rush it, and the reverse is true". If you're to have your kennel huntsman call out to you, be guided by what he wants. He may well suggest that you hold a scoop of mix for your horse, this will lower his head.

Those who may well have alarmed you with tales of second or more shots being needed, really should keep their thoughts to themselves. I will give you an assurance, that I have never needed a second cartridge, and though it must have happened, I don't know of any competent man who has. It would be extremely rare.

Take your time, try to stay calm, and all will be well, I promise you that. If you need to PM me, then do.

Alec.
 
archiepoo said:
hi im facing this too ,am ringing my hunt tomorrow. feel a bit better after reading this thread tho.ive only ever had it done by injection before- just one question my YO wont allow it to happen at the yard so do they ever pick horses up and do it in the lorry or what do you guys think will be best?
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How very strange - whatever is the thinking behind that rule? Yes I'm sure our local Equine Crematorium would collect the horse for you and allow you to be present when the horse was pts on their premises. This family used to run the local knackeryard, so some of the practices may have carried on from then.
Actually I've just read your explanation, I've had horses watch members of their herd shot, one had to be in the next stable as her best friend had a stroke and couldn't be moved but the only way out of her stable was blocked. She did not panic or stress in any way but knew exactly what had happened and of course knew before we did that her friend was ill/dying.

OP I prefer to have my horses shot, rather than injection. It is quick, the horses go with their heads in a bucket of their favourite feed and know nothing at all about it. I have certainly never seen a horse 'jump'/turn over or any other such thing. Death is instantaneous, the horse goes straight down, forwards. There is a small amount of blood left on the yard, after the body has been removed but so little that a few shavings put over the top and then scraped up again has left the yard so clean that our labradors haven't bothered about it when let out into the yard. The last horse I had pts was in an emergency by injection, she struggled against it, there was just as much blood on the yard and she 'twitched' just as much afterwards. I have never been allowed to actually hold the horse to be shot, although I have been present. I believe this is a H&S rule, in case of accident. IME the shot is not particularly loud. I have certainly never needed earplugs/defenders and neither has the person doing the shooting.

I'm sorry you are facing this decision but please don't worry about this method.
 
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archiepoo said:
hi im facing this too ,am ringing my hunt tomorrow. feel a bit better after reading this thread tho.ive only ever had it done by injection before- just one question my YO wont allow it to happen at the yard so do they ever pick horses up and do it in the lorry or what do you guys think will be best?
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Hunt local to me came and collected mare, I drove behind, sobbing, we said our good byes at their kennels. They had a bucket of food already for her and swopped her head collar over inthe lorry and quietly handed it to me.
They were extremely kind and firm in a good way and wouldn't let me hold her. My last view of her was my mare quiet and peaceful, face in a feed bucket.

They kept the body for hound food - I was very happy with this, I didn't have the spare funding for cremation ( or the desire tbh)
 
Archiepoo, i share your pain.
My YO wouldnt allow rosie to be pts on the yard (by injection) so i called the vets and told them so, the vet was very kind and helpfull and asked a local dairy farmer if i could take her there to be pts when the vet did her rounds.
Thankfully i have a very close friend who boxed her to the yard for me, she loaded fine and hopped off the box on the yard ready for an adventure, i held her around the side of the barn and she was sedated and then given the final injection. it did take a while for her to stop breathing but it was very peacefull imo and i would choose the injection again but then again i have no experience of shooting.
Good look in finding a solution and OP im very sorry about your pony too
 
Alec Swan said:
I'm sorry that you are facing this. There has been both fact and fancy on this thread, some will be from from experience, and some from second hand and possibly skewed information.

I have brought the lives of many horses to an end, not by injection, though I've stood with horses, whilst vets have performed the final act, and on behalf of the owners. I've always used a firearm.

Firstly, most horses, when they are shot, are shot with a free bullet, as opposed to a captive bolt pistol. It's all so often the .32 CK cartridge, or the .310 Greener which is used in a "Bell" gun (though it's hardly that). There is NO deafening bang, and you wont need ear defenders. It's more of a loud pop, if that makes any sense.

Most who perform what's so often the final act of kindness, would all so often prefer that the owners weren't present. Nobody enjoys the job, NOBODY, and having distressed owners present only adds to the difficulties.

There's an old adage, and it's that "If you go about the job, like you've got all day, it'll take you seconds, rush it, and the reverse is true". If you're to have your kennel huntsman call out to you, be guided by what he wants. He may well suggest that you hold a scoop of mix for your horse, this will lower his head.

Those who may well have alarmed you with tales of second or more shots being needed, really should keep their thoughts to themselves. I will give you an assurance, that I have never needed a second cartridge, and though it must have happened, I don't know of any competent man who has. It would be extremely rare.

Take your time, try to stay calm, and all will be well, I promise you that. If you need to PM me, then do.

Alec.
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What a brilliant, thoughtful post. Especially the sentiment about a final act of kindness.
 
(((((HUGS))))) Archiepoo a horrid decision to make - I had the same problem once and I had to let my dear horse be taken away.

Will your horse allow you to give him an oral sedative so that the vet can give the injection stress free. You could give him double the dose so he is really dozy when the time comes.
 
Horrible situation to find yourself in :(
There is a sticky admin type post at the top of this forum that i found a useful read and i think everyone should have a read through if you own a horse. I read through it as my horse was 'getting on abit' and a few months later i was faced with the hard choice following an emergancy case of colic. I chose to have him pts ( he was already at the vets) by injection, but unfortuntly for me he died of a heart attack before i got there.

Hugs and best wishes for whatever you choose to do xx
 
I've always thought that the KM will put more horses down in one week than any vet, and experence should many them better at their job.
I've not yet had to do this for one of my horses but I have held several for friends. The KM local to here is very well regarded and a when I met him very kind and calm and clearly knew how to handle a big horse. He was quick and quiet and did not make any fuss. Not my expectation of someone with this as a career, clearly I was very wrong.
Having met the man and seen how he treated the horses, when I am in that sad situation I will say my goodbyes, have a good hug/spoil/ cry and then leave him to do his job in the professional way I'm sure he will. But that is beacuse I'm not sure I could hold it together to be helpful and I wouldn't want my boy to pick up on my distress. Those of you with a stronger personality might stay, I think either way is fine.
If done on grass there was very little mess to even notice - one bucket of water and it was gone. And don't be suprised by how small the gun is, it was palm sized.
 
We had our mare pts by injection in June. It was very quick, she was sedated before so she was calm.
I couldn't have a horse shot, when I was little a vet missed when the horse flinched and shot through the side of its head, the vet had to then quickly do it again, very traumatic for the horse and owner. I just don't like the idea of putting a gun to the head of a horse when the injection is a lot more calmer and the horse is used to injections anyway.
 
SNORKEY said:
We had our mare pts by injection in June. It was very quick, she was sedated before so she was calm.
I couldn't have a horse shot, when I was little a vet missed when the horse flinched and shot through the side of its head, the vet had to then quickly do it again, very traumatic for the horse and owner. I just don't like the idea of putting a gun to the head of a horse when the injection is a lot more calmer and the horse is used to injections anyway.
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My horse doesn't like injections. I have said that in my post.
 
OP, I'm so sorry you are facing this situation. Having livestock means, ultimately, having deadstock.

I have only ever had my horses/donkeys/sheep injected. It has always been quick, peaceful, and very professionally done. I am lucky in that we have our own land and have been able to bury all of my animals here. Except for one of my horses being shown 5 years ago, none of my lot have ever left the farm their entire lives here and are classified as pets, including my show mare.

To be very blunt, the worst part of the whole experience is not the injection (or the shot). It is the drop. I always stay with my animals to the end, giving them treats or a big bowl of feed. Having Shires and a Clyde, they are, obviously, very tall and heavy. When they go down, there is a great, dull thud. I do find that a bit distressing. When my Clyde had to be put down in 2010, my vet wanted me to let go of the lead as he administered the injection. I was standing at my horse's head, and turned my back toward him just before he went down. I will always regret not facing him, because as I turned, his ears were pricked looking at me. I feel as if I let him down by turning away. But, that's just me. I would never suggest someone do something for which they might feel uncomfortable. And, just because I stay with mine, does not mean that everyone should follow suit.
 
For those who are saying they can't understand a horse being shot, you are not being helpful! That is your opinion and OP needs facts.

So, I also originally chose being shot for my old boy as I had seen him as a younger horse really fight general anesthetic when under for surgical colic. That was horrific. When the time actually came though, he was elderly and ill and injection was better for him at that point.

In terms of what happens, I was the one to hold a friends horse who was shot. There is no shame in not being there if you think you will break down. Your distress will only upset your horse. You do need earplugs and we put cottonwool in the mares ears as well. I also was sent to get a plastic sack for her head as there could be blood. Was warned to be careful to get out of the way quickly which I did. It was done quickly and then was strangly peaceful. It's the prep that is upsetting, and it seems to be heartless to be planning the removal of your horse when they are still alive.

If your horse is pretty poorly he might actually be ok with injection. Talk to your YO and explain your reasons though and see if she changes her mind.
 
Snorkey I think your post is insensitive & inappropriate in the light of the op. I'm all for sharing different opinions, but in this instance the op hasn't asked for thoughts on which method to use & that should be respected. It might be possible that the vet in that one instance years ago messed up & that has clouded your judgement. But that vets error has no bearing on ops choice. I too had a horrific experience of injection as an early teen. Which I'm positive was the vets fault. But I wouldn't dream of sharing the specifics with someone about to have a horse pts by injection as it would be cruel to say the least.
 
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