OWLIE185
Well-Known Member
I am sure that you have made the right decision and that you are doing the best by your old friend. Give him plenty of nice grooms and lots of his favourite treats.
Thank you for all of your support.
I think I know the right time is now.
I'm going to increase his Bute and give him a lovely weekend.
Thank you for all of your support.
I think I know the right time is now.
I'm going to increase his Bute and give him a lovely weekend.
Well done for being brave. Don't feel that you have to be there holding the lead rope, it's a big ask and I simply could not do it for the horse that I had put down last week. He would rather be with someone else who he knows who is calm, than with you if you are desperately upset, as most of us would be.
But if you feel able to, do take a quick peek at his body after he has settled and someone tells you it's all over. Then you will be able to say goodbye to his spirit more easily. I didn't see the body of my first one and it haunted me for a long time that I didn't have any proof that he was gone.
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I totally agree with this. I had my boy PTS in October last year. He had been getting worse slowly over summer, but the last couple of weeks he was struggling. I told no-one on the yard and not even my OH that I knew he was coming to the end. I had booked the vet for a Wednesday morning to come and assess him, although I already knew what the outcome would be - I just couldn't actually make the booking to have him PTS as that way I sort of knew there was no other option. Anyway, the Friday prior to this Wednesday I brought him in from the field where he had been standing at the gate most of the day. His back legs were wobbly and I just knew - I asked a friend to discreetly call the vet as I couldn't do it and made sure it was the only vet who had ever dealt with him and knew him. She did exactly as I asked and 15 minutes later the vet was there. She put her arms round me and told me that it was his time. We lead him up the yard where the vet sedated him. He was totally out of it with the sedation and I left him in the hands of the vet and the farmer as I didn't want to upset him. We walked away and in less than a minute the vet came to tell us he was gone. I went to see his body which the vet and farmer had put a tarpaulin over and I stayed with him a while and wept my heart out. I could barely stand and nearly had to be carried back to the car. But there is no doubt in my mind that I did the right thing. There was less than 30 minutes between the call to the vet and Rebel going.
You will know when it's the right time - you know your horse best. Enjoy every last minute with him and then just make the call. Once you've done it there will never be any doubt that you did the right thing.
If you want to PM me for support, feel free. xx