when a horse is pts...

Chestnuttymare

Chestnuttymare

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....do you think it is a good idea to let its companion go and see him afterwards so she understands where he has gone rather than friend just disappearing?
I know this has been done before but can't remember what the general consensus was.
thanks
 
it worked for my mums horse when he field mate was pts we took her to see the body she sniffed walked around and then walked away calmly.
another horse i know had to be pts in its stable so its field mate wasn't shown the body she screeched for days it was as upsetting for her as it was us to see her like that.
i think they find it easier when theyve realised thier mate has gone.
 
When Kim as put to sleep last year all her field companions were given the chance to come and see her on the lawn. The mares were interested but didn't seen to distress, though were subdued for the next couple of days. The gelding on the other hand was very upset and got very stressed.

She didn't have a special friend pair bond anymore (one of the deciding factors for having her PTS - she'd stopped socialising so much) but if she had they would have been given extra time with her body, otherwise they would be waiting for her to return.
 
definitely. I know in the past when it has had to happen at my old yard the horses were all allowed to see thier dead companion.It seemed to help them to deal with it and it was quite an amazing sight to watch them all quietly sniff and then stand around with their heads hung as though paying their last respects.It also seems to stop them calling and worrying where their friend has gone.
 
When Thea was put to sleep last year her little chum was in the field with her right up until they took the body away. It was a very peaceful end with her equine friend and a few of her human chums too. After I let apparently the YO dogs and the cat also came to look. It's a natural thing to do, when any of our cats are pts we always let the others come and look, they know then they won't be coming back.
 
I'm sorry, it sounds as if you have to let one go. My highly respected equine vet advised me, on both occasions I had a horse pts, to allow the others to see/sniff the body. It certainly seems to help them. They may still mope, but they are not left wondering where there friend has gone. It works for other animals too.

All the best.
 
I agree with all the above but I lost two in the past year and both were pts in the school, without any of the others saying bye, and not one of them seemed unduly bothered. So I don't know really, whether we read into our remaining horses what their reaction is, or whether it is what it is. Both of mine were well loved and significant members of the herd but the most I can honestly say I and my staff noticed was a sort of calmness / quietness on the yard for a day or so. If you are having to go through this, be strong and my thoughts are with you, god bless. xxx
 
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