PTS - horses and dogs. Is it different?

Emilieu

Emilieu

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Following on from the thread about PTS a healthy horse in the event of your death I'm interested to hear your opinions. Leaving aside the healthy question I think most horse owners agree that PTS is the only way to guarentee a safe future for an elderly or unwell horse if you can no longer care for them. I'm wondering if people feel the same way about dogs or is it specifically because of the significant expense of a horse? A friend of mine was in this situation recently - following the illness of her parents there was no-one to care for their dog - and I was under strict instructions not to dare suggest PTS - in fact the person i mentioned it to looked at me like a murderer. So... is it different with dogs? And if so, is it because of the finances or because we tend to see them more as family members than pets?
 
I think dogs are seen as more a part of the family than horses. However I think it would be harder to re-home an older (but healthy) dog. The breeding is just as out of control in the dog world as it is with horses IMO. Certainly with my parents dog, if they were to die I am not in a position to have my own dog and none of the other siblings are really into animals, so that decision would probably have to be made. But I'd rather know what happened to him. My mother re-homed one of the family dogs due to behaviour issues a few years ago (as the vet was adamant he would not put a healthy dog down) and within a few months her behaviour had deteriorated so much that she was pts anyway. Rather it had happened in the first place so she didn't have to go through the stress of moving home. Not quite the situation but I think you get my point?
 
Actually I don't agree that putting to sleep a horse, elderly or with health issues is the only option. If I was faced with that decision for my horses, as long as their quality of life was acceptable and pain free, I'd rehome them with one of a number of family or friends I know, for whom horse welfare is paramount.
Every horse owner should have a plan to safe guard their horse's future. I do accept that in some circumstances this isn't possible but euthanasia should never be the first solution.

I wouldn't have a dog PTS for those reasons either.
 
I took my mum's two border collies when she died (we already had two of our own) and it was made a very easy choice because virtually the last thing she said to me was "look after my girls". I think my brother was relieved that I took them as his life style doesn't really accommodate pets.
That said, one of them is quite quirky and "sharp", although much better with age and, if I hadn't been able to take them, I would have considered PTS, particularly for her.
Six years on, our own two have departed (both at the grand old age of 16) but we still have mum's two, one of whom is asleep on the floor in my office. I am glad we were able to have them - they are a great reminder of my mum and part of the family. The quirky one is now nearly 15 and on more drugs that your average rock star but I am still glad I didn't have to consider the alternative.
ETA - if I am no longer around, my horse will go to one of two very trustworthy friends - they can fight over him when I'm gone. The dogs will stay with OH unless we go together, in which case it will be my brother's decision as to what to do.
 
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With all due respect, dogs are usually family members so not in the same category as horses. I know it's far far harder to have my dogs put down than any number of horses because I don't have the same sentimental views about them, a horse is to do a job but a dog is a family member.
At the same time it is heart wrenching to see how many dogs end up in kennels due to the owner dying and nobody to care for it. In those case, particularly with an older dog or one who has any type of issue, I do genuinely believe they would be happier off out of it rather than be in kennels being rejected due to their age; that is no life for somebody that was at the heart of a family life for all of their own life, my heart bleeds for them just thinking how abandoned they must feel; a healthy younger dog might manage but not the oldies and I find it pretty unforgivable that anyone could do this to a family member..
Always quality of life not longevity for me.
 
Think dogs in general are easier to take over as 'guardian' than a horse for financial and logistical reasons. My OH would keep my dog if I died but he wouldn't have full control over him. He's a large entire Rottie and OH is not an 'natural' animal person.

Even though we have both been in the dogs life since we got him as a pup and he likes my OH, if OH goes out and I'm at home dog is happy as Larry. If I go out and OH is at home, dog sits at window sometimes whining until I return and is completely indifferent to OH. So if anything happens to me and dog cannot get over grief he will be PTS. Even though physically healthy, his mental health would be a deciding factor.

Regarding horse, OH had said if I died he would employ a Pro to take on my horse to get him out competing and fulfilling his life. I've told OH to contact his breeder and a couple of very trusted Pro rider friends to sell him to.

Regarding both dog and horse, OH has been quite sentimental about it, that they would be the last links he has to me but stated the animals welfare has to be paramount, to which he has agreed.
 
Personally, I love dogs and horses the same. I don't see any difference. The most painful death of any animal to me was when I had my mare PTS last November.
 
For me yes it is very different. My dogs are far more important emotionally to me than any of my horses. If anything happened to me my dogs would remain on the farm and live out their lives. My horses would all be put up for sale if that is what my successor wanted, and that could include some of my personal horses if it was so wished, or they could remain here; either way they're all sound and in great shape and very saleable so stay or sell is fine by me. The old horses would remain here until their deaths. The farm would still run without me so I doubt very much would change upon my death.
 
I think it rather depends on how you view each to be honest.I have three children two of whom would love to have the dog they have had dogs all their lives and know how to care for them. I love my horses the same way as I love my dog but the kids are neither experienced enough or willing to learn how to care for a horse properly so if anything happened to me I would want the old and difficult one PTS the youngster could be sold. Having said that I doubt any of the kids could be pursuaded to PTS the old girl so no doubt they would club together to have her looked after so the grandkids could still play with her as she is patently safe for them
 
I had this discussion with my parent the other day and I asked them that if I died before my horses that they would keep them if they could afford to but if not, to put them down. One is 17yrs, lame with arthritis and ringbone and this condition will only deteriorate, the other is 18yrs and is really healthy (touch wood, touch wood!!!) . As arrogant as it sounds, I couldn't bear the thought of them going to a home where they weren't loved and cared for as much as they are with me. So yes I have a vague plan in place, they are my responsibility and I have to take care of them even if I'm not there.
Oh and I strongly disagree with the statements that dogs are harder to let go of than horses and that horses are there to do a job, I love my horses as much as I love my dog and I would be equally heartbroken if I had to loose any of them. Oh and if my horses were only around to do a job, they would've been pushing up the daisies a long time ago haha).
 
My dog has very few issues so would be easily rehomed if I died, however a staffy I recently rescued (and subsequently rehomed with my friend) would have to be pts if she couldn't stay with one of us as she is very very very anxious and doesn't cope with change well so it wouldn't be fair on her (or her new owners) I think it depends on the dog. If you have a happy, healthy friendly dog who mixes well with other dogs then it should be rehomed is needed but if you have a more complicated dog (behavioral or health) who would suffer from rehoming or is at risk from being passed around because of their issues it would be much kinder to have them pts. I agree about not putting a healthy dog dog but I think it should cover mental health if a dog isn't mentally happy and you can adjust their life to make them happy then they should be PTS.
 
Maesfen said:
With all due respect, dogs are usually family members so not in the same category as horses. I know it's far far harder to have my dogs put down than any number of horses because I don't have the same sentimental views about them, a horse is to do a job but a dog is a family member.
At the same time it is heart wrenching to see how many dogs end up in kennels due to the owner dying and nobody to care for it. In those case, particularly with an older dog or one who has any type of issue, I do genuinely believe they would be happier off out of it rather than be in kennels being rejected due to their age; that is no life for somebody that was at the heart of a family life for all of their own life, my heart bleeds for them just thinking how abandoned they must feel; a healthy younger dog might manage but not the oldies and I find it pretty unforgivable that anyone could do this to a family member..
Always quality of life not longevity for me.
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So very, very true. I think it was tragic to see an old, partially sighted, lame dog whos owners had died being put into keenels to look for adoption. If the family had an ounce of deceny he would have been put down at home.
 
Clodagh said:
So very, very true. I think it was tragic to see an old, partially sighted, lame dog whos owners had died being put into keenels to look for adoption. If the family had an ounce of deceny he would have been put down at home.
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Personally I prefer horses to dogs.

I also would not put to sleep an elderly horse I have made arrangements for mine too safe guard their future if something happens to me.

I do not think of dogs any more part of the family than the horses, in my life the horses have the edge over our dog.

Everyone is different and has different views and priorities. I was much more emotional and heart broken over my horses and cats being PTS than our dog, or even the dog we have now Because I am not a dog lover I am a horse lover and cat lover, and therefore stand higher in my affection and thoughts.
 
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Well when I had my mare I certainly wouldn't have put her down if I died.. I'm not the only one that could look after her or have a use for her so why shouldnt she go to a different home?

Same with the dog I wouldn't put her down either, I know my mum or dad would take her anyway.
 
No difference IMO, I do the best I can by all my animals, my old GSD was put quietly to sleep when he developed behavioural problems and became dirty in the house, he would poo as he walked, unaware of the fact he had, vet thought brain tumour, but dog was so aggressive, couldn't be checked. As for my horses, I would rather they had a short but happy life, than be passed from pillar to post, two are from travellers and only knew force, the other two are 20 + yrs old, so all of mine would be PTS, there are more than enough horses needing homes without me adding to it, my horses have had an abuse free life with me and I firmly believe there are worse things than being dead, likewise, if I got terminal cancer, I would choose when to end it, having watched my mum suffer terribly with cancer, I live and enjoy life to the full, but again, there's worse things than being dead
 
My OH could cope with the dogs as they are part of his life anyway, but he is not horsey at all so I don't think it would be fair to ask him to keep them. Three are older and retired and I would be pessimistic about the chances of finding them a good home so I would expect him to have them PTS. One is in work so he could try loaning him out but that can turn out to be a nightmare in itself.
 
Yes - it is to me.

However much I love my horses I do feel that they have a 'job to do' whereas our dogs are companions and family friends.

When our dogs age, I do not resent the fact that they slow down or need medication, we just manage and look after them accordingly. They also do not cost the same to look after as horses and would find it hard to keep paying out for bedding/feed/livery etc for an unrideable horse.

I think it comes down to how people view their horses - if I saw mine as pets I would now have a field of aged/broken horses, but do not have the finances or time to adopt this attitude.
 
On the other hand people are very quick to pts a dangerous dog but not a dangerous horse, so i think it works both ways ad a dog which is old/ lame etc is easier and a lot cheaper to look after than a lame/old horse
 
Sidney said:
I would also pts a dangerous horse.......
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as would I but it is clear to me from a few old threads on here that many people are against pts because of behavior that I and others would deem as dangerous it would be interesting to know weather these people would also keep a dangerous dog!
 
I have worried about this as I am on my own and don't know anyone who would take the horses on, so I have stated PTS in my will.(horses both elderly) The dog I don't know about, also I don't know anyone who would be able to take him but he is a very good little lad although a one person dog very much, so hopefully a local charity would be able to rehome him. Its not something I like to think about really
 
I really think it is a matter of perception though and life experience most of us are horse lovers and know how to look after them but without the knowledge it would be kinder for a horse to be PTS than to suffer at the hands of the ignorant, Again the majority of people know how to care for a dog they may not do it right but far more people actually have experience of dogs and therefore they are more likely to take on a dog than a horse and in doing so would at least have a working idea of how to care for one. Horses are far to complex and difficult to manage not least because everything you do for them is very expensive, I wouldnt even expect a good friend to take on the financial commitment of a pony but I would think most would manage the very obedient and easy care dog
eta I would PTS both a dangerous horse and a dog in equal measure and I wouldn't ahve to be dying to do it either
 
I used to care for death row dogs, usually large and aggressive, some came good, like the gsd we adopted, very aggressive if challenged, all he needed was ground rules and consistancy, he was with us for three years till he was pts due to health/behaviour problems.
However, some were beyond hope of coming good, but since the charity had a no kill policy the poor beggars are confined to kennels for most of the day.
Not my idea of a good life
 
Of course it's different. I couldn't ask my (very non-horsey) OH to take Kali on, look after him, etc. . . . it wouldn't be fair at all. Our dogs, however, live in the house with us and require far less care and knowledge to look after. Kali is family to me . . . just as my dogs are . . . but he isn't to my OH, which is absolutely fair enough.

However, when we are both a little older, and we need to think about shuffling off our mortal coils, we will find someone (someone we trust) to take the dogs on. Kali, however, will be despatched . . . unless his lovely jockey or someone I trust implicitly wants to take him on, with all of his (health) issues and the heartbreak that will go with them.

Horses need much more care, attention and hard work (not to mention money) than dogs . . .

P
 
Clodagh said:
So very, very true. I think it was tragic to see an old, partially sighted, lame dog whos owners had died being put into keenels to look for adoption. If the family had an ounce of deceny he would have been put down at home.
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Penny Less said:
The dog I don't know about, also I don't know anyone who would be able to take him but he is a very good little lad although a one person dog very much, so hopefully a local charity would be able to rehome him. Its not something I like to think about really
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Thank you for your thoughts. The dog in question is somewhere between these two senarios - 11 years old, behavioural issues such as toileting in the house but sweet and easy to care for. No-one in the family was able to take her. She has now been rehomed through a local rehoming service.

For me i love all of my animals as family - horse, dog cats. All i would ever want is for them to be safe and happy - like many of you I am lucky and I know they would all have safe and happy homes with my family and friends if anything were to happen to me. Just a shame for this wee soul that no-one could take her.
 
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