When you make 'that' decision...

asommerville

asommerville

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and you book a date for your horse to be PTS...how the hell do you cope! I am struggling now that I have booked the vet, everytime I look at him I feel rotten, and people on the yard trying to be nice are not helping - not their fault at all.
 
Stay strong if you where brave enough to make that call and you love this horse it had to be for the right reason. The waiting is the hardest thing spoil him rotten and let him have loads of his favorite treats. When you say goodbye you will know you were right.
 
Is this the horse that is having treatment for hock arthritis etc? Just re read your thread and noticed that you say he was much worse after the injections. Has the vet ruled out infection introduced via injections?

So sorry you are having to make this decision. It is so hard to do and only human nature to feel guilty, even if you know it is for the best of the horse.
 
you just spoil them as much as possible and if they have restricted food or foodstuffs for whatever reason they get the forbidden things that the like. you do feel relief afterwards partly because the waiting is over but also because you know you have done the right thing. obviously you will be grieving as well but at least you will know that the time was right. its always better to let them go before they start to feel down in themselves which makes it harder to look at them but it really is the best for the horse
 
I am in exactly the same position and am struggling hugely too.
No advice, just spoil him/her and be kind to yourself. It's the hardest thing we have to do as horse owners. I am at peace with the decision I have made, but making that phone call about your best friend Is more than heartbreaking :(
 
Yes my 8 Yo, vet has ruled out any infection, the medication into the back and hocks hasn't worked and he is sore even on 2 Danilon a day. Vet has suggested retirement - however as I said he is only 8, used to unlimited time and attention and still sore even on medication, I think it is the fairest thing for my boy. The other option was to get the KS op, possibly make the hocks worse during that rehab, wait for the hocks 'maybe' to fuse and see what we have a year or so down the line...again not fair on him, I would hate to see him in pain.
 
They don't know, it is just another day for them. When it is over your will be sad, but also relieved that you have got through it and you have done the best thing.
 
asommerville said:
Yes my 8 Yo, vet has ruled out any infection, the medication into the back and hocks hasn't worked and he is sore even on 2 Danilon a day. Vet has suggested retirement - however as I said he is only 8, used to unlimited time and attention and still sore even on medication, I think it is the fairest thing for my boy. The other option was to get the KS op, possibly make the hocks worse during that rehab, wait for the hocks 'maybe' to fuse and see what we have a year or so down the line...again not fair on him, I would hate to see him in pain.
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Just to say, my horse had his hocks fused in July (he is 5) they were fused with alcohol injections

but whilst he was in, there was another horse having KS surgery and another having KS surgery and his hocks fused at the same time!!

But best of lucky with whatever you decide to do, I don't think it will ever be an easy decision! I feel the same about my 30yr old!!!
 
OP I'm in the same boat, haven't made the call yet as still deciding how it should be done (posted a thread about it earlier).
It's the hardest decision to make but as a caring & loving owner it's also the best we can do for our treasured friends.
My thoughts are with you x
 
I was on my lunchbreak at work when I called first the vet to finalise the date, and then the crem to book them in too (plus pay for it of course). I went outside to do it and called on my mobile.And then I went back to work and no-one was any the wiser. On the day I tried to treat it as an ordinary vet visit, but one that would once and for all, take away all her pain and stiffness. I suppose I am lucky in a way as I am able to distance myself quite well from my emotional reactions when something has to be done. Even the other liveries didn't know, they just came down in the evening and my stable was empty and my horse was gone.
 
Making the call and waiting is the hardest part for us but the ponies are completely oblivious. I think its just about coming to terms with the decision and processing it yourself. Sometimes it really helps to talk to someone who will be non judgemental just to off load and reassure you that it is the right thing to do. Again in my case my vet was really helpful as were close friends. Surround yourself with people who are supportive.
 
asommerville said:
and you book a date for your horse to be PTS...how the hell do you cope! I am struggling now that I have booked the vet, everytime I look at him I feel rotten, and people on the yard trying to be nice are not helping - not their fault at all.
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Don't feel bad, I know you do I did - your doing the right thing. I hated looking into my mares eyes and donkey knowing the end was near. You know your doing the right thing to end pain/suffering. I use rescue remedy in times of tress or pts. Thinking of you . :(
 
And they don't....

AND I am so relieved to read of so many caring owners that are not "passing the problem on" because they don't have the backbone to make the right decision for the horse, well done all of you for actually caring about your horses and putting them first. There used to be a real stigma about people putting horses down that cosmetically looked ok but I think finally (thank goodness) people are indeed learning that whilst it is crap for us to deal with, the kindest thing is to secure a horses well being and if that means PTS then so be it.

Big hugs to you all and I know that feeling of seeing them, I pretty much avoided the yard for a few days before as I couldn't look my poor horse in the eye!!!

I think for the most part it is BECAUSE we are making that decision we feel a bit like the grim reaper, we have "organised it", if however we had made that decision and the next day before they were due to be PTS something happened and you found them in the field already gone, would we feel better?? I am pretty sure it is because we physically make a call etc to get someone out and we feel we are putting them to their end.....

It is totally the right thing to do though.
 
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