What to do with attached horses when one is being pts?

[SNORKEY]

Hi, unfortunately our elderly mare has reached her last day and the vets coming out later to put her asleep. My younger gelding is very attached, what's the best thing to do, take him well away or let him see her? I didn't really want to stay to the point of her being taken away as its not nice to see.

 

[*hic*]

Let him see her, they seem to work out what has happened and grieve less.

Let him stay with her body until he wanders off by himself, then get her taken away. Don't stay and watch her being moved, as you say it's not nice to see.

 

[KSR]

I always encourage my other horses to come see.. Agree with previous poster..

 

[Littlelegs]

Agreed, they seem to accept it that way.

 

[Maesfen]

Agree completely, try not to have the disposal truck there for at least an hour, more if possible after PTS; they need to grieve and understand. Saying that, mine have never worried about one going, they just see it as it's going out like it would for exercise but with just the two I think it's necessary and fair to leave him with the body if you can.

 

[Nicnac]

I had this situation last month and let my boy watch, then led him out on a lead rope, unclipped him and left him there for a while. He eventually wondered off and has settled despite being a total stress head. He hasn't shown any signs of missing her and they were together for 7 years without any other horses.

Sorry to read your sad news - I can commiserate

 

[Sophstar]

Any of the horses that have been put down in our field, we have left for up to an hour to give the herd time to come over, have a good look and sniff and it seems to help them understand rather than fret and worry about where their friend has gone.

My 2 are attached to each other and when i reach that time and decision, they will be given time alone before bodies are removed.

 

[Tnavas]

So sorry to hear your mare is being PTS. (((((HUGS)))))

I usually leave the other horse in with the one being PTS, they seem to understand what is happening better.

 

[TelH]

My oap mare was pts in the field last summer. I have 7 other ponies and I brought them all in while the actual deed was done but they went back out afterwards to see her.

 

[SNORKEY]

Thanks for your replies, Im back from the yard now, it all happend very quickly. Our vet was very kind and after my gelding watched from the field she led him to her whilst I watched from around the corner. He shied at her and didn't really take a lot of notice and then went to graze. I think he'l be ok.

 

[Tinseltoes]

So sorry for your sad news. Hope your gelding will be ok.