PTS - sedation and captive bolt shooting versus sedation and injection. Any advice?

[Foxhunter49]

Usually it is a free bullet that is used on horses.
If she is so insistent on using sedatives then the vet might as well go all the way.

I will always use the local hunt or the knacker man to shoot a horse.
In many years of working with horses I have been present with more horses being euthanised than most. I have only ever seen it messed up twice and both times was with (different) vets using a humane killer.

 

[RobinHood]

I'd be querying why they want to inject sedative into the muscle as I've known horses react very badly and become a danger to anyone near them.

A huntsman or knackerman would be my choice.

 

[Supertrooper]

I had my mare injected, as did my friend. Neither of the horses were sedated and it was very quick and peaceful.

Personally I would never have a horse shot but that's just my own feelings on it xx

 

[dalesponydiva]

Landyandy....so sorry for your loss of Tara...God Bless Her.

My own feelings are that the vet would rather pts by injection BUT my friend has had a bad experience with the injection. My old horse was shot ( many years ago ) by the local "knackerman". My vet, at that time, didnt like shooting horses and said "let the professional do his job". Stan Waite was very professional and kind and efficient. He didnt let me stay while he loaded her but i was only 18 at the time.

 

[Polos Mum]

I would suggest your friend finds someone experienced in the method she prefers. If she really wants to use the vet then let vet use the method they are comfortable with (injection), if she really want's them shot then find someone who does this day in day out - your local knackerman or the fallen stock company local representative.

Forcing a vet to use a method they don't want to - and hence don't do very often just doesn't sound like a good idea.

People have strong ideas of the 'best' way - but the best of either is certainly using someone highly experienced in what they are doing.

 

[dalesponydiva]

RobinHood...........this is what i'm frightened of. The horse is a big, sharp, unpredicatable animal and I wonder how he will react to an IM sedation?

 

[Goldenstar]

Why can't he have an IV sedation ?

 

[indie999]

I have just had my horse pts today, I would recommend getting your local hunt to come and pts esp if your friend wants to have them shot- I feel they are much more experienced with the gun than the vets who I feel 'faff' around as don't feel happy with it.
I much prefer this method and with no sedation its so quick and the horses love the huntsman, mine went quite happily with him to the spot.

I am not going to judge as now I have only one good experience to share.

My family always used hunt and I got so pestered to use hunt, and constantly told "they wont know!" This is so true they have no idea they are about to die. Only we know that and that is what is hard for us.

I went for the injection and am glad I did I felt he had gone with the massive sedative he was fast asleep prior to final overdose(I can see how bolting them would be fine if the sedative is done first). I can see how the bolt would be fine without sedative too, although for my peace of mind he was fast asleep after first jab.

But whatever you decide I do agree the hunt is the way to go if you are going for shooting.I have only heard good things. Money was not an issue for me ie sedative and it did cross my mind that as I paid a lot of money was it really the best option? I dont know.Either would have been fine. I just couldnt face the blood.

With hindsight they really wouldnt have known what hit them(literally) if either method was employed. Just do what you want to go with and spoil them madly as its done. I had some very kind pm's from folk that had used both types themselves.

I stayed with mine and felt very dutiful to do this as I wanted to make sure it went smoothly. My last act of kindness(although it didnt feel kind organising it). But what a nice way to go. Not knowing.

 

[Goldenstar]

I never use the hunt ( well I did once but that's another story) I just can't bare the kennel van being here when they are alive .
In these sorts of things there's no right or wrong way as long it's done and done right .
I have had lots lots shot I have never seen a vet faff about but then I only use an experianced equine vet.
I have seen the captive bolt used but not on my own horse a free bullet would be my choice.

 

[Liane]

I have used the local slaughter/knacker man, he was so so professional, he left his lorry up the road, walked down to the yard and had everything in his pocket, he literally took the horse by the leadrope off me and I only took a few steps away and he had hit the floor, he then sorted everything and took him away. I thoroughly recommend, the horse didn't know a thing and was not in the least bit stressed.

 

[missieh]

What about the poor other horse (even sedated) that picks up on a potentially botched captive gun attempt?? No get the knackerman in if she wants the gun, as others have said, its what they do.

Why are they being PTS?

 

[Bertieb123]

Free Bullet it usually kills outright, Captive Bolt not recommended on horses, the vet probably wants to sedate before as captive bolt doesn't usually kill just causes massive brain damage other things have to go with that to cause death, massive blood loss or as others stated pithing. As for injection it sometimes does not go according to plan. At the end of the day it is never an easy choice. We have always called the local Hunt who have always been compassionate and efficient, our vet has never wanted to put any of ours to sleep by choice, and I can understand that as their job is to save animals at the end of the day, if they don't feel confident to shoot an animal (which I can understand) and you don't want to use injection, find a specialist who uses free bullet. Feel for you it is such a difficult thing to do.

 

[Toffee44]

I get knacker man who does bolt. Never seen a horse distressed, literally hand horse over and then done.

Dreading getting my girl done this year, hugs to your friend. For what ever reason missieh I am sure it's been thought long and hard and for that owner it's the right reason.

 

[_GG_]

RobinHood...........this is what i'm frightened of. The horse is a big, sharp, unpredicatable animal and I wonder how he will react to an IM sedation?

To be honest, this is why I would choose a free bullet by an experienced knackerman or hunt. Sedation is not always simple, it can be stressful for horses as some fight against it and also, most horses get a little anxious with needles.

Instead, even if the horses are sharp and fresh...the hunt or knackerman will just wait for the horse to be ready, with head in bucket loving a big mouthful of food. No stress, no drama, no anxiety, just food and then gone, they know nothing.

I would not choose captive bolt. I would choose knackerman or hunt for my own as I have had horses PTS by all methods and I much prefer free bullet. But...if your friend is insistent on sedation, I would think it better to put a line in for sedation and then administer the lethal. It is never a good idea to make a vet do something they themselves are not confident with.

I am so sorry to hear that so many of you have been through this recently... It is bl00dy awful. Hope your friend will be ok x

 

[Littlelegs]

I prefer the bullet, but hunt or knackerman, vets don't have the experience usually of anything but injection.
I have seen one go by captive bolt in my teens, & it was quick & not traumatic from the horses pov, although it wasn't nice to watch, especially the pith. But I don't know if that was one off luck it went well.

 

[missieh]

Not in tending to judge in any way Toffee44 as totally agree with your sentiments. Just an aside question.