PTS - Potters

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NatalieS

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Horrible subject but have to face reality, we have a 28 + horse with cushings disease not on any drugs because he is not rideable due to loss of eye sight. We are now at the point of having him PTS because he is stressed out most of the day and spends hours running up and down the fence even though his friends are in the same field, i think this is mainly because he can't see. I can't have them all in together because he treds on the shetland pony and has nearly caused her to be PTS so its too dangerous. It sounds awful but we can't go on forever
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Does anyone know the details for Potters near Bath who take the horses away and put them to sleep?

Sorry to ramble
 
Seeing as he is blind and old dont you think it would be better to have him pts at home rather than load him off to be slaughtered?
 
Sorry to here of your dilemma, but is there no way that you could have him PTS at home to save him any further stress, as his eye sight is not very good, I could not imagine anything worse than being taken from his friends and put into a horse box for his final journey, do you not hav a local hunt?
 
Horses going to Potters aren't put to sleep, they are slaughtered. To me there is a difference. I agree with the others, give the poor old boy a break and let him go at home.
 
Can he not have a buddy who can be his eyes for him? Then you could keep him in a small paddock with this friend so that they wont be too far from one another. If putting him down is your prefered way to deal with this then I think it would be kinder to have him put down in his field rather than taking him into a new environment where he will be even more stressed and could hinder a quick end.
 
Don't knock her decision. If he's used to travelling and enjoys it what better way to go than full of anticipation and excitement?

The hunt are expecting to do my old boy one day in the not too distant future and he will be groomed, plaited and loaded onto the lorry as if he were off out for a show. It makes me sad to think of it but he will go to his end full of excitement and pride.
 
I am pretty matter of fact about Potters and what they do, but wouldn't personally subject a horse in this condition to the journey - it could potentially be distressing and lead to injury.

Perhaps you could research a local hunt that could put your horse to sleep at home.
 
But this is a blind and elderly horse that sounds like he is already in a very distressed state. It is pretty likely he will become even more distressed if travelled in a horsebox.
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(I don't have a problem with abbatoirs per se as I think they fulfill a useful function. However, it does not sound like it may be the best option for this horse, bearing in mind the details given by the OP.)
 
I agree with others about PTS at home. Sorry to hear he has got to this stage, must be so difficult for you.

Just out of interest, can anyone tell me that if a horse is PTS, where does he/she go then? (Sorry I know this is not a nice topic but I would like to know). I think I read that you can have your horse cremated and the ashes given to you.

Once again, sorry.
 
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Don't knock her decision. If he's used to travelling and enjoys it what better way to go than full of anticipation and excitement?

The hunt are expecting to do my old boy one day in the not too distant future and he will be groomed, plaited and loaded onto the lorry as if he were off out for a show. It makes me sad to think of it but he will go to his end full of excitement and pride.

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I certainly wouldn't knock the decision, but from what the OP says the horse is already stressed and to PTS at home would seem a much nicer option for him. I am sure he still has his other faculties, and believe me, once he gets to Potters he will know perfectly well he isn't at a show
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But this is a blind and elderly horse that sounds like he is already in a very distressed state. It is pretty likely he will become even more distressed if travelled in a horsebox.
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(I don't have a problem with abbatoirs per se as I think they fulfill a useful function. However, it does not sound like it may be the best option for this horse, bearing in mind the details given by the OP.)

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Ditto
 
Our local hunt will come out and shoot horses at home. They charge about £250 (£60 to farmers) This would be cheaper than an injection and less stressful for the pony. I have nothing against taking horses to Potter's, I have known lots of horse that have gone there (the equine college I went to took two lorry-loads there in the time that I was a student) and I assume that they use the same method of dispatch as the hunt.
 
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Just out of interest, can anyone tell me that if a horse is PTS, where does he/she go then? (Sorry I know this is not a nice topic but I would like to know). I think I read that you can have your horse cremated and the ashes given to you.

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The answer to your question varys. You can have your horse cremated and have the ashes returned to you if you wish. (this is abit pricey though) You can just have the horse cremated with other animals this means you will not get the ashes back but i think it is cheeper.
I have had to face this desition with Lucy she is ill and no one knows what is going to happen, i have the hunt on stand by if the worst should happen, to come and put her down at home then she will go to hounds. She loves her hunting and i feel this is what she would want.
If the horse goes to a place like potters it is slaughtered and ends up in the food chain somewhere.
 
seems like a shame to travel the poor beast he will be confused and scared. i would put him to sleep a home
 
I agree with the majority here - i think it's unfair to take an almost blind stressed horse to a strange place to be PTS.

I know people have differing view on having horses PTS and many aren't emotionally connected to their horse so it doesn't bother them so much as others. Even so I still think it'd be unfair to transport a horse in the condition you describe. If they will come out and PTS then I think that's a much better option.
 
So sorry to hear this
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Potters, I think, will come out and PTS on your own premises and remove the body afterwards. Slightly more expensive, but frankly, considering the condition he is in now, loading him up and taking him away unthinkable and likely to add to his suffering.

Don't forget to allow his close companions to check his body over in their own time afterwards. Maybe give the knackerman a nice cup of tea and a few quid if he'll wait. It really will allow them to move on and prevent any more heartache from watching them pine for their friend.

If you can't stay, see if there's anyone else he is familiar with who might be willing to.

Like I said, real shame and hope he is soon (and easily so) at peace.
 
Our hunt (Thurlow) will come out and PTS for no charge - I gave an envelope that would shout a couple of decent rounds at the pub for their trouble but for them it was the service they offer and it meant I could be the last voice my boy heard.

Please consider looking into having something done at home.

and most importantly BIGGEST HUGS and cake and alcohol for reaching such an sad upsetting decision, wish you all the best for whatever you choose
 
As all the others say, have him pts at home, either the hunt or potters and they will take the body, very sad decision but a brave one.
 
You can find a knackers who will come and PTS and take the body away. It will cost a bit. I expect your vet would have some names of people.

The hunt would probably PTS but you might have to deal with the body.

If you take a horse to Potters that is drug free, you get a bit of money.

I'm with the others here, in this situation have the poor old boy PTS at home.
 
How many here have actually taken horses to Potters or similar?
I have & can assure you all its quick, they will do it while you are there if thats what you want & they are 100% professional. Stephen Potter has I believe won a welfare award for the way he deals with horses.
I'm lucky enough not to have to take my horses down that root (yet), but for those who have no option, either for economic or other reasons (it cost me over £300 to have a small pony injected & then burried 6yrs ago) please don't be afraid of it. Its no more distressing for the people than any other method, The horses get no more distressed there than at home, because they simply don;t know whats coming.
 
My point is that for this poster she may not have the option of PTS at home. I've collected a couple from yards in the past where the YO wouldn't permit it unless it was an emergency. Not all hunts offer the service either.
 
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How many here have actually taken horses to Potters or similar?
I have & can assure you all its quick, they will do it while you are there if thats what you want & they are 100% professional. Stephen Potter has I believe won a welfare award for the way he deals with horses.
I'm lucky enough not to have to take my horses down that root (yet), but for those who have no option, either for economic or other reasons (it cost me over £300 to have a small pony injected & then burried 6yrs ago) please don't be afraid of it. Its no more distressing for the people than any other method, The horses get no more distressed there than at home, because they simply don;t know whats coming.

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I have, and in circumstances where it was the right thing to do, but if you read the OP then surely you will agree that in these circumstances, and for this old horse, it is not the right or fair thing to do
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