Putting a horse to sleep

MissSBird

MissSBird

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Like my last post keeping this really brief to try and stay sensible.

It has become inevitable my mare will have to be put to sleep. She's my first horse and I've never had to do this before. God I feel sick even typing this.

There's a lot obviously to think about, but my YO has been fantastic in offering her house to sit in on the day, her husband to hold Annie etc.

What are peoples opinions on lethal injection versus the gun? Are there any marked advantages to either? I don't want her stressed or upset. Also would you be there, or leave and let someone else hold her? I admit the thought of seeing her fall over is terrifying to me right now.

And my other pony, what about her? They're in the same field and stabled together every night - theres a grill between their two stables so they are really aware of each others presense. The little one does call to Annie occasionally too. What's the best thing to do to make this change smooth for her? They've been around each other for nearly two years now.

Thankyou everyone
 
Im afraid the gun is best hun,having seen an injection not work correctly i can assure you its the best way for the horse.
Personally if this is your 1st horse i would not be there,i have held lots for other people from a young age but dont think i could od it with my own.
As for pony if you have horse PTS in a paddock then let the other pony out so the pony can see for itself what has happened it can come to terms with it.Obviosuly wait until your horse has been laid to rest but tis always a good idea to let other friends see whats happened in order for the to greive.


Huge hugs to you hun what an awful time for you x
 
I'm sure others will offer much more informed advice than me but personally I would advise the use of a gun, as I have heard the delay in the use of injection can be a bit distressing for the people around. I would also recommend saying your goodbyes in advance and getting someone else to hold her- there really isn't any need or benefit in being there until the very end unless you particularly want to. Huge hugs x x

Edited to add: I've just had a flick through your old posts and I'm really sorry that you haven't been able to get to grips with her pedal bone problem
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I had my old welshie PTS last November. He was really very poorly and weak so we used the injection (just bit less traumatic for us tbh) and he had gone before his knee's even started to buckle.
Wouldnt use the injection on anything else though, especially if it was young and strong.
The gun has the advantage of being quick and over before they even realise its happening.
We left our boy for his life long companion to see before he was taken, but she just sniffed him and walked away, though she did call for him for quite a few weeks after (but they had been together for 21 years!)
 
Oh I am so sorry. Do say your goodbyes and get someone else you trust to hold her. It would be very emotional to do it yourself and although I am very happy to hold for other people, I personally have never held my own. I would also let her companion see and stay with the body until he/she is ready to walk away. It won't take long and they seem much more accepting if they are allowed to accept the death themselves.

I have never seen one PTS with a gun, only injection. And it can take a while/multiple injections depending on the horse. They usually go down after the first and then are not conscious but it can take more injections/time to actually stop the heart which as others ahve said can be traumatic for the person holding the horse.
 
mine went by injection had spiral fracture of off hind was already heavily sedated so vet could fully assess damage I too let fieldmates see body before she was removed
 
It's a very personal decision hun but I prefer injection as it just doesn't feel as violent. Sullivan (RIP sweetie) was pts by injection and whilst you can never say that these things "go well" it was as kind as it could be. He had no idea at all what was going to happen and was grazing in hand happily right up to the last seconds. The vet gives a preliminary injection to sedate the horse and Sullivan was pretty much out of it from that moment. The second injection then collapses the horse so you need to be ready to gently help him to fall safely.

The vet will listen with stethoscope to make sure there are no heart sounds and ned is gone. No pain, no inkling, no blood. Just huge sorrow that you don't think you're going to be able to hold inside but you can. This is the last and greatest kindness any owner can give a much loved horse.

I stayed with Sullivan right to the end - how could I not? - but a best friend stood with me so I could help Sullivan and she could help me.

You will need to make arrangements for his disposal hun and make sure you have his passport if he's going for cremation.

Be brave for him hun and try not to cry until it's over so you don't make him anxious. I took a snip of his tail the day before and I found that very comforting. You could also keep his shoes. And there's a website called hoofbeats-in-heaven where you can post a memorial for your ned and you can light a virtual candle for him xxxxx
 
I have to say I always have my horses pts by injection, sitting with then while they doze off is much nicer than seeing them drop to the ground with a bullet, they dont know any difference, I prefer my horses to be with someone they know and love at their final moments and to doze off peacefully.
 
My boy was PTS last April and luckily enough I had my friend there to organise it, thanks Bellaboo.
I had originally decided on him being shot as I had heard some horrible stories about the injection. My vet said it is not always instant with a gun, well that put me off straight away.
I am so glad I chose the injection as he looked so peaceful.
I was with him and led him out to the back of the barn then handed him to our vets assistant (who D knew as they'd been his vet for the past 7years) I did'nt want to see him fall to the floor. They came and got me when it was all done and we went back out to see him to say goodbye
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My only regret is I didn't insist that my friends mare (who had done everything with D for the last 3 years) see him after he had gone. She really suffered and became very depressed. She now becomes quite down when there is any slight change
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Please insist that your other horse sees yours once she is gone
Thinking of you x
 
I feel for you hun, but the gun is the quickest more humane method for the animal, yes its not as easy to watch or consider as the owner but the horse doesn't know what's going on until the deed is done.

I've witnessed both methods and if I had the choice (baring in mind some vets no longer have guns) then I would always opt for the gun.

best wishes.
 
I chose lethal injection for my pony who I had had for 15 years. As Frogs says, they are heavily sedated beforehand and really don't know what is coming.
I stayed with my pony, it was the least I could do for him after being my faithful pet for so many years.
My OH stayed a discreet distance away to arrange for his removal and to mop up my tears that flowed once the deed had been done.

I'm sorry you're going through this, it really is the worse thing about owning a horse.
 
I'm truly sorry to hear this
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We said goodbye to our old pony in January and she had the injection. The vet is a greatly experienced horse vet and said he wouldn't use anything else! My first pony was also pts using the injection and I have seen it once before. All three occasions went very smoothly and without trauma to horse or human - well excluding the overwelming sadness.

Her friends should be allowed to get closure by sniffing the body til they are satisifed she is gone and then whatever arrangements made for her body can then be carried out. My two are buried side by side - albeit fifteen years apart
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The noise from the gun is a bit much for me to handle though if done by an experienced person, should be instantaneous.

I go with the argument many horses are given general anaesthetics without a second thought from their owners - the 'last injection' is just an overdose of that, so what is the problem.

I hope everything goes as well as possible whatever you choose. (hugs) x
 
I'm so sorry to hear your situation.

I have never had a horse put to sleep but plenty of other smaller animals. Obviously, these all went by injection. I dont think I would ever use a gun on a horse. It just seems to brutal. It would be much nicer to see them drift off by injection. Yes, sometimes more than one injection is needed but what if the gun goes wrong? Personally, the thought horrifies me so I would always stick with injection I think.
I would always stay with the animal I think. It is your descion of course and often if you become emotional it can stress the horse but I dont think I would be able to live with the fact I had let my horse (or any other animal) die in someone elses arms.

I am so sorry. I hope it all goes as well as a situation like this can go.

xx
 
Every one will have their own opinion regarding the gun or lethal injection. Be careful not to read too many horror stories as both can go wrong, but it is uncommon.
I think it's a very personal choice. When we had Sammy pts we used the injection but mainly because I was 16yrs old and wanted to stay with him until the end. For me I'd always be with my horses at the end, they're my best friend and deserve to be with someone they know and trust, as a result I'd always opt for the injection as I wouldn't like to see mine shot.
I'm sure whatever you decide will be best for you and your horse and I'm sorry you've had to make this decision.
As BoF said there are some nice ways to remember your horse. I have Sammy's shoes and some tail hair which we had plaited in to a bracelet. I also kept his nameplate off his door. We also sponsored a tree at the ILPH and it has a nameplate on it.
*runs off to have a little cry*
 
Both my horses were PTS by injection, and it was fine for both of them. As said above, if you're going to be there, you need to be really brave and keep your tears in until they've gone, but I'm so glad I was there for mine, I couldn't have walked away from them at that time.

I left the horses there so their field companions could see them and touch them, and they seem to realise very quickly and then leave them and carry on grazing.

Thinking of you xx
 
I have had one shot and one by injection. They were very different circumstances so to be totally honest, if your vet is a specific horse vet, I would let them decide. Every case is different.

I can truthfully say that neither was as traumatic as you would think. I held both of them right the way through. I think the least I could do was be there. I don't think it matters what it looks like as long as it is compassionately done. There is no doubt, the one that was shot didn't look as peaceful, but I just had to rationalise that for myself.

Some people find it easier to hand over to a trusted or experienced friend. If you think that you will be unable to keep yourself composed then that is definitely the best thing to do. However I know I found strengths I didn't know I had and I am so glad I was there.

I am so sorry that you are having to face this.

x
 
i had my beautiful pony STAR R.I.P. Pts by injection last year there is a new drug out know that sedates them and puts them to sleep straight away i mean it took seconds for my girl to drop took her heart beat and she was gone as peacefully as anything and the vet said how the drug works they dont feel a think the drug goes straight the the brain so the body has no clue whats going on the old drugs just to give them a heart attack then start shutting of the organs thats why some time the body twitches. I have never seen the gun so dont know how it worlks but i have heard a gun go off and hell that bang has stayed with me every day not a nice sound. I would do it in the field on your own or with a friend then allow your other horse in to say her good byes she will probally sniff and paw her to try and get her up when this does not happen your other horse will reliease what has happened and will walk away. What ever you do i hope it goes well i am sorry you are in this situation coz it will be one of the hardest things you ever have to do.xx
 
I agree with bright eyes on the point that people let vets carry out operations unser GA all the time and that the injection method is the same just that when the horse is 'under' the overdose is given. We have had two PTS by injection although both were old and quite poorly but it went very peacefully really and I would opt for it again.

I know it makes no difference to the horse at the end of the day but I couldn't have mine shot, that's a personal choice. I know others who swear by it but it's not for me.

Very sorry to hear you're having to make this decision.
 
Personally unless my horse was in desperate pain like if her leg was hanging off or something id go for the injection, everytime i hear a gun it makes me feel il but thats me personally not only that with an injection like ppl have said above you can hold them whilst they drit off.
 
I've haven't had a horse pts by gun simply because circumstances didn't warrant it. The injections I have seen have all been peaceful and I have stayed with them.

It really is down to individual choice, the horse, circumstances. Do what you think you can cope with. You have good support which is a blessing.

I know how you are feeling and I truly hope it goes as well as it can for you and Annie.
 
i'd definately say that the injection in my opinion is the best way to do it as at least they cant be used for food afterwards i know its a horrible thing to do ive done it once already this year to my first pony she was 16 and had been diagnosed with cronic navicular so it was best for her she would have been able to be a field ornament but it would have driven her insane, i found that being there while she got it made it all sink in that she realli was gone and as a way to say good bye i dont think i could have let anyone else hold her after 12yrs together, but you have to think how you will cope with it

just remember though she will always be with you
 
sorry bout havin to make that hard desicion. my freind had her pts by gun and it went horribly wrong as he shot the bolt the horse lifted his head and it went up his nose he then reared up and galloped off round the field someone holding the horse let go of him not expecting him to do that. i will never use the gun after that experience. so injection for mine when the time comes. xx
 
I feel so sorry for you and the decision you have to make, I’m unable to add anything of any worth but I thank you for posting and allowing people like myself gain knowledge of such an awful time we eventually have to come to.
I often look at my ageing beautiful boy and wonder, when and how, I hope you find your answers from others that have kindly posted their experiences, I know I have.
 
I'm so sorry for you
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I had my beloverd Nettie pts by injection, I couldnt bear the thought of having him shot and it was over in moments. Dad stayed with him as I knew I couldnt be strong for him and not cry. The vet was brilliant, she gave him the first and he lay down gently even though he'd broken his leg and was balancing on 3 then she gave him the second and that was it, he was gone. No pain, no fighting, no stress. I'd have injection any day over the gun but that is my preferance.
 
Always a gun for me and I wouldn't dream of passing the job over to someone else; it's my horse and I'm responsible for it so I stay until the end and I clean up afterwards too. It's not a pleasant job but it's the least I can do for them after all the pleasure they have given me, I wouldn't want a stranger being the last thing they saw. I'm also a firm believer in letting others say goodbye to their friend in their own time, I wouldn't drag them away from the body until they have left it of their own accord; grieving is very important for them too and it also gives you a chance to recover too.
The one thing none of those in favour of a shot have said is about the blood; there will be a lot of it so ideally it needs to be somewhere where it can drain away easily, a field is ideal or on a yard where it can be washed away, even on the muck heap, you just need to think where it will be easy for the removal of the carcase.
 
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I know it makes no difference to the horse at the end of the day but I couldn't have mine shot, that's a personal choice.

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I would disagree actually. Having read too many posts where the injection has taken too long, more needed to be administered and both the owner, vet and particularly horse were distressed - it would be bullet every time for me.

I've had two destroyed like this - and almost nothing could persuade me to have a horse put down via lethal injection.

I think that this just highlights my dislike of the injection http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/4728453/an/0/page/7#4728453
 
Up until recently, I would have agreed with those saying that the gun is best. However while on placement with my vets this summer I saw horses PTS by both gun and injection. I had never seen a horse PTS by injection before, and the vet and I had discussed the possible problems. As it turned out, the pony we PTS went far quieter than any horse I've seen shot. The vet sedated the pony first so that it was quiet for the lethal injection to be administered, and the pony literally wobbled slightly then went over. While I still think the gun is a good method, I think injection is a far less violent death.

While things go wrong with injection, it is also important to remember that they go wrong with the gun too. The horse I saw shot took 2 bullets - it had just raced, and moved its head as the 1st shot was fired, meaning it was still breathing when it went down. It would have died eventually, but obviously a 2nd bullet is preferable. My vet also told me of a very similar story to that of pegasus1986.
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I'm so sorry you have to make such a hard decision.
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Sorry to hear you're having to make this awful decision but at least you're facing up to it and looking into what's best. I did the same last year and after posting on here I chose the gun for my little mare. I am glad I did. It was quick and he used a silencer so there was only a "crack" sound. There was no blood. I thought I was strong enough to hold her myself but I couldn't see for tears in the end and yo did it. Even now, thinking how I had to bring her out from the field and say goodbye makes me cry but it had to be done and take comfort from the knowledge you are doing it for them.

Mine had been with her pal for over 20 years so when it was over I led the other one out to see her. She had a quick sniff then turned away. I thought she wasn't bothered but after the truck left, she just stood at the gate with her head down for hours. It was incredibly sad but she has come round and has other little pals for company. Good luck with the decision and remember, we do it for them.
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I am so sorry for the decision you have to make. I had to have my boy pts a few weeks ago, and found it really difficult to decide. The more horror stories I read (with both methods) made it harder - although of course you need to know to be able to decide. In the end I spoke to the vet, he told me that his preference was injection - and that these days so little is needed, its not like some of the problems that there used to be. I would discuss it (or ask someone else to for you) with your vet - ours was an equine only practise, so had a lot of experience. For my boy it was very peaceful, and echo what everyone else said about allowing his long time field companion to see him afterwards and say goodbye. Its a horrible time for you and my heart goes out to you - if you decide to be there, if someone offers to be with you, I would take them up on it. They may just stay in the background, but if at any point you feel you have to walk away then it gives you options - and its so difficult to plan for. If you have any detailed questions please feel free to PM me.
 
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