PTS - is it a good idea to let the friends see the body?

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Orangehorse

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I have one horse and a companion,and unfortunately it looks as though the companion's days are numbered. They have been together for 10 years. I hope to have time to arrange to get another friend, my horse is a friendly chap and quickly latches on to a new horse, so the plan is to introduce friend, give the companion a day or two pain free and plenty to eat, and then do the deed.

So then what? Should the other two see the body? If not, will my horse be calling for his friend and think he has been transported away?

I have to be a bit careful as we are overlooked by lots of houses, so I don't want to upset people by leaving a dead horse where they can see it.

Poor pony, my horse is obviously trying to protect him and shelter him from the wind, as the old boy can't get around too well. He was a happy little chap, which was not surprising considering the comfortable life he led.

I have never had a horse PTS before (somehow), so don't know what to do for the best. Advice gratefully received.
 
Where are you Orangehorse?
Only asking, as the BHS has Welfare officers - some who are trained as 'Friends at the End', so are able to give all sorts of help from paractical to just over the phone.
You dont need to be a BHS member to phone them about this.

Personally, I've found the equines left behind (if field mates) tend to be far more accepting if they can visit the body of their friend, even if it does mean them then being on their own for a while till another friend can be found for them.

Hope your old one is okay at present x
 
When my horse was PTS his pair bond was in the yard with him and after he had had the injection she came over to him and sniffed him all over. The only time she got a little upset was when he was collected and she neighed as the lorry drove up the track, she then did a very unusual thing of going into the stable where he'd been and weeing were he had. Luckily she had three other horses with her, but they weren't that bothered at all and even though she seemed a little depressed for a couple of days she never got overly distressed. You won't have to leave them together for long, I think she accepted that he had died in a couple of minutes and then he was picked up so the neighbours probably won't notice. I think organising a new companion for your boy is a very good idea, just make sure the new companion does not bully your old man in those few days.
 
I have seen it from both sides :( We made the mistake of thinking two horses that had only been together a week couldn't possibly have bonded, and when one was put down, the second stood at the gate and yelled for a week - really sad :( The next time was a fully bonded pair of eight years. We offered the remaining one the opportunity to sniff the body, but he completely wouldn't go near. However, it was obvious he knew what had happened, and he never fretted for one moment, nor looked for his companion. After that I have decided that any remaining horses will always be given the opportunity to say their farewells. I hope all goes well for you xx
 
I prefer to let them see, sniff and move away in their own time; they seem to settle far better then and with the weather as it is I would be inclined to have it done sooner rather than later and find another companion afterwards.
As to the neighbours, I would knock on their doors and tell them what and when it is going to happen then it is up to them if they keep their children indoors or not but they should not have a say in how it's managed at all, you don't have a say of what they do on their property, the same should apply to you.
 
Thank you for the replies and your experiences. It was my gut feeling to let them see the body.

I don't really want to leave my horse by himself, unless it is dire necessity. Last time he was out alone he got out of his field, jumped a cattle grid and galloped off down the road to catch up with some horses that went down the lane. Not something I would like to repeat!
 
I always bring out their friends after PTS, they look and sniff and seem to completely understand that their friend has gone, I have never had an adverse reaction. The Huntsman is not keen on owners doing this, however.
 
When my horse was pts I am told they took her friend (they were inseparable) to see her body and she snift and then turned away it seemed to really help as she coped on her own for 6 weeks after.

Hope all goes ok
 
I've not let my others sniff the one that's just been pts, but then I've not lost one who has really strongly pairbonded - they've been more of a herd.

However, just to add an extra thought. Sometimes a horse would be trailered to our local vets (which is also a livery yard) and would be put to sleep in the indoor school. I don't know for sure why that was done, but I suspect it's probably that their home yard was too overlooked by other properties, or by children etc. Not judging whether it was right or wrong, but I guess that can help in certain circumstances, although it doesn't help with how to help your remaining horse.

Especially given that you know he got stressy last time he was alone, I'd definitely make sure he has a companion even if it's a matter of asking a friend if you can borrow a horse/pony for a little while til you are able to find a longer term companion.

Sarah
 
When the old herd leader with my horse's group was pts, the herd all stood the other side of an electric tape pen and watched closely. As soon as vet had confirmed no signs of life, we opened the tape and allowed them in. They all took turns to sniff, nip ears, nuzzle and nudge, and then they just wandered off. They revisited him a few times over the course of a few hours (he was covered with a rug), and then didn't come back. This included the mare who was quite bonded with him - they were all very calm and accepting of it, and we actually found it very touching.
 
I've had 2 of mine pts...both were pts at the veterinary hospital . My cob..thier companion..was very attatched to both and called a little when they left the field but that's all. Tbh, it quite normal for them to have left the field and so it was really no big deal.
I guess he doesn't know where they are....
 
hayinamanger said:
I always bring out their friends after PTS, they look and sniff and seem to completely understand that their friend has gone, I have never had an adverse reaction. The Huntsman is not keen on owners doing this, however.
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This surprises me - our huntsman is superb and never rushes you, either before or afterwards. In fact, the last time he came he went to the tackroom and had a brew, and told us we could have as long as we needed. He is such a lovely man, and never forgets there is human grief involved - I wouldn't use anyone else.
 
For various reasons I couldn't let the remaining two see the one I had PTS after the deed this year. I was worried the older one would fret whereas it was the younger one that looked out for him over the next few days-but even he didn't seem distressed/down etc.
 
I'm with Goldenstar, horses get sold, move fields etc all the time and the remaining one's just have to lump it, I don't see the difference with pts, the horse has just gone as far as the others are concerned. Plus, I think if your field is overlooked it's best to get the body removed asap.
 
I took my other horse to see the body, and I'm so glad I did, he was lovely with her, sniffed her head, and nuzzled her mane.

They'd been turned out together for 12 years as a pair.
 
Two weeks ago my little NewForest mare was PTS. It was sudden and at night. The others were all up the field when it happened.

The following day the one who had been her friend came into the yard with the others for their tea but when it came to going back out he just stayed in her stable and sniffed it all around. The body had been taken the night before and the stable closed up. I opened the stable up because I felt they all needed too have the opportunity to go in.
Horses do have feeling and do pair up so is possible I think they should see the body.
 
Orangehorse said:
I have one horse and a companion,and unfortunately it looks as though the companion's days are numbered. They have been together for 10 years. I hope to have time to arrange to get another friend, my horse is a friendly chap and quickly latches on to a new horse, so the plan is to introduce friend, give the companion a day or two pain free and plenty to eat, and then do the deed.

So then what? Should the other two see the body? If not, will my horse be calling for his friend and think he has been transported away?

I have to be a bit careful as we are overlooked by lots of houses, so I don't want to upset people by leaving a dead horse where they can see it.

Poor pony, my horse is obviously trying to protect him and shelter him from the wind, as the old boy can't get around too well. He was a happy little chap, which was not surprising considering the comfortable life he led.

I have never had a horse PTS before (somehow), so don't know what to do for the best. Advice gratefully received.
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Undoubtedly let him see the body and allow him time to analysis what has happened. Don't give a toss about the neighbours, they shouldn't be curtain twitching anyway.

Don't be upset or try to stop him if he attempts to paw his friend as this is a natural reaction. Also give the surviving horse Star of Bethlehehm or Rescue Remedy in its feed or better still a few drops on the tongue and this will help it.

Your horse could well pine for its mate and its totally unfair in my opinion not to give it the opportunity to say goodbye in its own time.

Make sure the vet is aware this is what you want to do so that the person collecting the carcass is aware and is half an hour later to arrive.

My friends mare and gelding were turned out and stabled together (with a low partition) for about twenty years. When she was pts with colic he never saw her body and spent weeks pining for her, running up and down the fence line calling for her, etc. He got colic and had to be pts not long after, they beleived he had pined away. PLEASE don't let this happen to yours.
 
When I had an elderly mare PTS some years ago I took the other two out of the way and they were fine but I then lost a very elderly mare who died in the field while out with my younger mare, the young mare refused to leave the body and even as the JCB carried the body to where she was to be buried my young mare walked along side it with her nose on the body. She stood and watched as Sandy was buried and when the JCB left she laid on top of the grave!! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I wouldn't have believed a horse could grieve so much. I am really not sure what is best.
 
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