Weird but do you think anyone might be interested in this?

[Mongoose11]

So, since joining this forum I have become more and more aware of our beloved animal's mortality. It seems that every day people are here breaking their hearts over decisions to be made and illnesses coming on. I know that lots of owners find it hard to be with the horse until the end and let the huntsman hold the horse, but I was wondering if someone might want another HHoer to be there instead, to hold the rope, to watch the passing and to make sure the removal is done as gently as possible?

I know we don't 'know' each other, but we do, right? I'm just wondering if it might be nicer than a complete 'stranger'. I find a strange beauty in death, its finality, it's the final stage of nature and while it makes me incredibly sad it doesn't frighten me. I was incredibly proud to have been there to wait to witness the collection of a lovely old boy for my friend in the Winter. I felt that I did him a good turn by talking to him until the last moment and keeping my eyes on him and warm thoughts projecting to him until he was out of sight.

All I'm saying is that if anyone ever wanted me to be there, if they couldn't be, then I would be. Doesn't matter how far I'd have to drive. If anyone has a need.

I hope this isn't strange. Just occurred to me

 

[LittleBlackMule]

This might actually be good to know...

 

[DHB00]

I think that is a lovely idea.

 

[Nicnac]

That's a lovely offer

 

[AmyMay]

It occurred to me too billie. So not strange.

 

[SadKen]

That's very kind. I could and would be there in an emergency, someone needs to man up and try and keep the horse calm and I could do that for sure and have done in the past. It's the planned ones I'd struggle with. Very thoughtful offer imho.

 

[Mongoose11]

Perhaps we could create some kind of 'go to' list just incase one of us needed someone to hold the horse and oversee it all...

 

[crabbymare]

There is an empty list for people to offer to do this that I have seen elsewhere which is a bit sad but I think its a lovely idea

 

[Mongoose11]

There is an empty list for people to offer to do this that I have seen elsewhere which is a bit sad but I think its a lovely idea

Where is that CM?

 

[babymare]

I think sometimes people needed someone uninvolved to be there. in want of better words unemotional. i have held many for people. i can stay calm and quiet to end. Even just there for owner wirh matter of fact attitude to deal with situation. the tears come later for me. i hope i will be the same for my baby later this year .

 

[Haylee]

I think that's a good idea, as I can never bring myself to

 

[spottydottypony]

I held my boy when he was PTS last year and it was the hardest thing i ever had to do. When i lost my other horse this year April i couldn't hold him i was too upset at what had happened to my other horse. I would hold anyone else s horse but i couldn't hold my own

 

[Abacus]

I would rather ask someone known to the horse. We have a yard rota between 3 of us and my horses clearly know and trust the others as they do me. But it may be useful if you haven't got anyone you can ask or they don't want to do it.

 

[titchward]

a brilliant idea x

 

[noodle_]

tbh i would be holding the rope for my animal but full understand people cant/dont want too

id hold the rope for someone else as i know how important it is to give them that final stroke and love,, and let them know its going to be ok.

 

[weebarney]

This is really good to know as my horses are quite nervous around men.

 

[AmiRobertson]

This is a really lovely idea and its lovely to know that i would be able to come on here and ask if i found myself in this situation and also to let others know that I could be a possible support for them

 

[mynutmeg]

I can't imagine not being there for my own horses / animals but do understand that not everyone feels that way.

I have sat and held another livery's horse as we waited for the vet and he was pts. Long story but he wasn't really aware by the time he was found. I still felt glad that I was able to sit and give him some comfort as the owner couldn't get there. Someone did the same for my loan horse when he was pts as it was an accident and no other option, no choice in waiting and needed done before I could have got there but someone (I'm not sure who) sat and cuddled him as he was pts - the most important thing is that there is someone giving them love as they leave us

 

[Em123]

This is a lovely idea,
X

 

[Buds_mum]

I have held my own to be pts. And I would do it for others if needed so I would be a 'list' to lend a shoulder to cry on just to be there. Absolutely. It's so so hard but when it is not your horse you can distance yourself and be calm for the animal.

 

[MrsMozart]

A very kind thought indeed.

I've been there for mine, but each time a good and kind friend has been there for me. My family was always there. The friend was the one who helped afterwards. I've held my animals until they've gone, then my friend has taken over the removal as that's the one part I can't cope with for my own, though have done it for others.

 

[snooples]

I could never let my horses be with a complete stranger at the end, it would have to me or someone else the horse knew, but thats just my opinion

 

[Mongoose11]

I completely understand that many would want to be with their own. I'm guessing that if someone doesn't have anyone else and can't be there themselves that it might be nicer to have one of us. If there's a need then I'd like to think that an owner could find me or someone else here to be with their horse until the end.

 

[touchstone]

I'll be with my own when the time comes, but will happily hold the horse/offer support for anyone who needs it, and have done many times in the past.

 

[cambrica]

I think its a lovely idea and I know if anybody needed me I wouldn't hesitate to assist.
Personally, I have been there for my own many times, horses and dogs. However if I felt that I was unable to control my emotions whilst being there I think I would have to hand the reins over.
After working for several years in a vets I found it far worse for the animal if the owner is upset or even hysterical as in some cases. So far I've managed to 'hold it together' then breakdown afterwards.

 

[pony&cow]

I held my gorgeous girly when she lost the fight against grass sickness. I somehow stayed strong right until she fell to the floor at that point I did too. we owe it to our horses to be there until the end.

 

[Suncat]

I can't remember the details right now, but I'm sure I've read about something very similiar recently - I *think* the BHS or Riding clubs are setting up a volunteer list of people to give advice and support in times like these?

 

[GlamourPuss86]

Lovely idea I'd happily go on a list for it, working with death daily as it is, it's the norm for me, be it human or animal.

 

[Django Pony]

I can't remember the details right now, but I'm sure I've read about something very similiar recently - I *think* the BHS or Riding clubs are setting up a volunteer list of people to give advice and support in times like these?

The BHS do a "Friends and the End" scheme: http://www.bhs.org.uk/ownership-advice/euthanasia-and-friends-at-the-end

 

[Jenni_]

I think its a lovely idea. I would do it for anyone that asked. After seeing many pass in a professional environment you build up a practical, yet sympathetic way about it that could definitely help an owner who is faced with losing their best friend.