Who stayed with their horse for PTS by injection?

I have always stayed. I have found it to be as useful for me as it was hopefully calming and reassuring for them. Fly was the worst in terms of not being on level ground and so she went down hard and flipped over, which I was expecting, but that doesn't make it easier, but for Dan, it was a hell of shock. The vet knew I was capable, so she left me to stay with Fly on my own and do check her vitals which meant it was just me and her at the end and I am so very grateful for that.

What I tend to say to people in your position is this. If you think you can hold it together until after the horse is gone, then it can be very good for them to have you there I think. They know you and you it's a familiarity in a strange situation that can help them. However, if you think you'll be a blubbering mess, that may make them anxious and so it may be better to allow someone else to be with them. It's all personal choice and what you think will be best for your horse.

That said, I am so very sorry to read this and I want to send you huge bear hugs and my thoughts will be well and truly with you on Thursday. xxx
 
I have for three, one was mine, one my friends and one was my share horse. All very peaceful and not traumatic. Only the last was sedated, he was a 17.2hh shire x, he didn't know a thing and he just carried on munching grass even when he was sedated.
 
Over the last 30 years I have had 11/12 of my own horses pts, I have held them all. All bar the last 2 were shot, this is my preference, but these days our vets usual method is by injection. I have held several horses for other people and most just sank slowly to the ground as the iv injection was administered. My last horse, a 17 hand Shire, immediately fell sideways, like huge oak tree, l was quite shocked by the suddeness of it.
 
Joanne4584 said:
Hi.

I do not want to start the age old debate about which PTS method is best. I have decided on injection and the vet is coming this Thursday.

The question I'm asking is, have any of you stayed with your horse while it was PTS by injection? I'd like to be there with my horse but on the other hand I don't want to witness him collapsing in a heap.

Any experiences would be much appreciated. Thank you x
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yes I have 3 times now,I will always be there for them this way, I will also never have the gun as the sound /blood/ and could not hold them that option. I was hugging them when they went down and continued long after they were gone. It was peaceful and none of the three fought the injection, just like dogs and cats in the past they slept peacefully.

I owed it to all of them to have peaceful sleep with me hugging them till I felt I had said enough goodbyes and had my final hugs.


Its not really that bad them dropping down as you will know its for the best and them dropping is so quick, like when they go for an operation.

You do whats best for you but don't worry about them dropping honestly its so quick he will be down before you know it. Then he will sleep peaceful make sure you have close friends and family there too for support. Trust me it makes a lot of difference having them there.
 
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I didn't. He was a big horse and I didn't want the sound of him hitting the ground to be the last thing I remembered about him.

I said goodbye and a very good friend held him. OH was there too and both said he went onto his knees then onto his side.

I held a friend's a few years ago and she did the same. No fight, very peaceful.
 
So sorry that you're having to face this.
My old pony was PTS by injection a few years back, I was allowed to stay with her whilst she was sedated but was asked to leave the stable just before the final injection was given, the vets reason being that if the pony panicked she didn't want to risk her squashing/flattening me. To say that I was heartbroken not to be close to her in her final moments would be an understatement, I felt I had completely abandoned her when she needed me the most, utterly gut wrenching.
I do realise though that not all vets handle it this way and I hope that you are allowed to be close by.
 
I have stayed with several, none have had any complications, but one did go less peacefully.
My horse of a life time went very quickly and peacefully and he was just at rest, I sat with his head on my lap.
Everytime has been different, but I have never seen a horse in discomfort.

So sorry you are having to go through this, I hope you are as okay as you can be, will be thinking of you x
 
I've also been through this, and although many go peacefully, as several posters have written, some do struggle and I think you need to be prepared for this. The first time I wasn't. Hopefully it won't be the case with yours.

One other thing: despite what some claim, horses generally if not always die with their eyes open, and there is no point upsetting yourself trying to close them.

All my sympathy, really.
 
Yes - I was there and stayed to the end - I felt it was the right thing to do, to be with her until the end.

Felt it wasn't fair to ask someone else to do it.

It was hard - but I'm glad I did it x

PS - Once she'd gone down, I knew she'd gone if that makes sense, if you want to PM if you want to talk, please do x
 
No experience, but after visiting this post numerous times, I would like to offer support and thoughts, my girl went to rainbow bridge in theatre, however a few doggy friends have left me, I've always stayed, I do agree it has to be your choice and what is best for you, if you can remain calm it may be good for both of you, however if emotions are too high just stay in the area and visit when at peace for your thanks to a loved one and goodbyes. My heart goes out to you and yours.
 
Firstly I am sorry what you are having to go through, its not easy and you will make the right choice for you when the time comes. My friend had her old lad pts 3 weeks ago and she asked me to be there for her and the pony incase she lost it, the vet was lovely and explained things in a simple way as my friend was not taking much in tbh. Old Jack went down sitting like a dog and then slowly the vet guided his first end down more gently, my friend stroked his face and around two mins later the vet checked for a heart beat and said he had gone. I left my friend alone with her boy whilst I let the vet out of the gate, I had already sorted out one of my own horses old rugs out and asked my friend if she wanted me to cover him up whilst I waited for the man to come and take jack away.
The removal men were booked to come around 1/2 hour after the vets appointment, my friend had a coffee with me and she left me to sort out the rest. The removal man was lovely too, he was very efficient and I did stay and watch jack being put on the lorry as I felt responsible for him untill the moment he left my gateway and I needed to know he was respected (which he was), this was the first horse I had ever seen pts and if I am honest it put my mind at rest as my mare is 30 and whilst healthy I know she wont last forever xxx
 
I stayed with my boy all the way.

It was the loveliest end I could have wished for him. In a way I guess I was lucky as he was laying down already. The vet told me he would thrash around but he didn't, he just died with his head on my lap.
 
I'm so sorry your having to go through this, hugs to you.

I was with my boy until the end. He had been on box rest for nearly 6 months and I really wanted him to feel the grass under his feet one last time so he was put down in his field.
The vet was very understanding, calm and professional which helped.
After a charge around the field he just munched grass...he looked so well I asked the vet if she was sure!!
Under an oak tree in the shade she first injected him with a sedative and then after one last hug and kiss, I told him he was a good boy and she injected him.
He sort of just fell sideways but not with a thud.
She said he had died before he fell.
There was no twitching, noises etc etc he just looked like he was flaked out after a hard day of playing with his mates!
I covered him with his rug, took his head collar off and didn't look back.
Seemed strange walking back with just a head collar.
I couldn't be there when they collected him, luckily the YO sorted that for me.
The girls on the yard emptied his stable as it just seemed a bit pointless...selfishly I didn't wasn't to make his stable nice for another horse...
Be brave and remember that it hurts like hell, you might cry your eyes out or be as calm as a cucumber, whatever your emotion, it's fine..people understand.
Some people can't be there at the end, some chose not to and others can't even if they wanted to but I wanted to be there as I didn't want to let my friend down, be with strangers or be scared. If you go through everything together over the years then this is another journey to take.
Good luck, my thoughts are with you.
 
I stayed with my girl til the end and she died in my arms, she was pts by injection as she was very ill. It was heartbreaking but manageable. I'd always personally want to stay with them til the end, I like to think that she knew I was with her right til she went.
 
I stayed for my second horse but not my first. I just couldn't face it, I stayed with him until he was fully sedated, said good bye and left. With my mare I stayed with her until the end, she went so peaceful, Honestly it was like she went to sleep. She sat on her bottom then down at the front then onto her side in a matter of 30 seconds or so she was gone. If a none horse person was watching they would have thought she was just taking a nap it was that peaceful. She was however very reactive to drugs. 1ml of sedalin would sedate her for practically the whole day.
 
Oh all you lovely people have made me cry! Your messages are beautifully written, thank you xx

I am pleased I am prepared for what could happen, so there shouldn't be any horrible shocks.

The YO has said they will be there in case I need them so hopefully they can supervise while he's loaded onto the lorry.
 
Sorry to hear your news ... I have stayed with all mine til the end - I always feel it's the least I can do ... But I won't watch them being loaded afterwards ... It's not pretty and they don't need you any more...
 
blitznbobs said:
Sorry to hear your news ... I have stayed with all mine til the end - I always feel it's the least I can do ... But I won't watch them being loaded afterwards ... It's not pretty and they don't need you any more...
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A agree totally with this. My wonderful hubby dealt with the practical side of things.
 
My dearly loved home-bred mare aged 26 was recently put to sleep by injection. It was very quick and she went straight down onto her side and looked totally at peace and relaxed lying in her paddock. I think the vet controlled how she went down but he did a great job.
 
V sorry to understand your situation. It's not easy. I was with my mare when she was pts - she was v poorly so went down v gently with the sedation (vet was so good and guided her down). It was all v peaceful and dignified - I wasn't there when she was picked up. I think it's individual choice - I wanted to be there, I couldn't not be there until the end - but it's not for everyone and there's no shame in that as it's never going to be anything but upsetting. Thoughts with you.
 
Be aware the whole procedure takes longer than shooting. The vet should stitch a needle into the vein with a length of tubing that they actually get the rest of the drugs with, even with an experienced vet this takes an few minutes. I have had to had two PTS this way, one was so ill he just lay down, the other dropped like a stone.
 
Very sorry to read this OP but you are doing the right thing staying with your horse till the end imo. I don't know how many horses I've been with at the end, but there's been a lot. I feel it's my duty to be with them right to the end. My vet is very competent at putting down horses and they usually just slowly 'lay down'. He guides them to where he wants them to fall. Sometimes they are sedated first, depends on the horse really. We do bury some of our special ones so my husband and I do the removal ourselves. I'm okay with doing that but I generally don't let other people stay around for that part as it can be upsetting to some people.

Be brave and strong for your horse xx
 
I'm so sorry that you and your horse friend have come to this situation. You are a kind and careful owner, making sure, as ever, that your horse has the best of everything.
I stayed with my beloved Arabian until the point when the vet said "he's so deeply sedated now, he doesn't know you are there". He went with half a carrot,still uneaten, between his lips. It was completely peaceful.
It helped that the vet had known me and my horse for a great number of years, and we both liked and trusted him completely.
Big hugs and love.
 
I saw a horse being put down by injection, it wasn't mine but I wanted to see out of 'curiosity' because of the debate. It didn't look dramatic or uncomfortable for the horse, and the way it suddenly fell back on its hindquarters wasn't shocking, it had straw to fall on etc. I only shed a tear, I admit, not because I knew him well or anything but because of the sight of such a tall majestic animal suddenly falling like that. If it were my horse I would definitely be with him, it's a bit like holding a dying person's hand, you don't want them to be alone when it comes to the end. The horse is my friend isn't it? Still, it's each person's choice.
 
Firstly huge hugs to you for having to go through this.

I have been there twice, once for one of mine and once for a friend who could not bear to be there but wanted someone who the pony knew well. Same vet for both ponies. As another poster has said ponies had catheter put in which did take a little time but both were sedated and very quiet for this. The vet actually said he would like to take the ponies heads as soon as he had administered the final injection as he wanted to control their fall and that I should just take a single step backwards. The both fell as though just fallen asleep on their feet and very peacefully. My girl was eating an apple at the time and the other pony polos.... There was no movement afterwards or sounds although I do understand that there frequently is.

My vet was so lovely and as soon as he had checked the vitals just stepped back to let me have some minutes alone with mine and a good cry. My friend came back to her's afterwards to say goodbye. I am probably extremely lucky as my vet did all the arrangements regarding the collection and stayed to see it went ok and ushered me off with a friend to see my other horses whilst it happened.

You sound like a wonderful person whose horse couldn't ask more of an owner. Being there is a very individual thing however I felt I 'owed it' to my pony after 20+ years together. My experiences were such that I would always be there in the future. It is the hardest and bravest thing we have to do but the kindest.

My thoughts will be with you on Thursday xxx
 
Big hugs to you OP and so sorry that you are about to go through such a painful time. It will be awful, but time is a great healer and the memories will fade to a point where you remember the good more than the bad.

I was with both of mine when they were pts by injection. The first was planned for a very old boy who had really taken the decision for me. The second was only recently after a horrific accident in the field left the mini with such injuries that he could not be saved. In both cases they went quietly after sedation and then the final injection. In the case the old boy, the vet asked for the rope whilst giving the last injection so that she could control the fall and make sure he fell so that the collection would be easier. I was absolutely adamant that no-one but me should be with them, I had comforted them through the good times and the bad, it would have seemed odder to them if I walked away and left them with the vet.

Staying is not an easy thing to do, and the one thing I would say is that if at any point during the process you feel that you need to walk away then you should do. Don't worry about what people might say, it is you that will have the memories, and if it is all getting too much then there is no shame in handing the rope to someone else.

One final thing, I'd like to echo what another poster said, it may be wise to stay away while the body is collected. I didn't for my first and thought I regretted it, I felt like I'd failed at the very last hurdle. So despite the best efforts of the collection driver trying to distract me with paperwork with the second, I watched and whilst I don't exactly regret it, I'm not that keen on the last memory I now have of my little man.
 
I stayed with my old horse when he was PTS by injection. My vet was fantastic and allowed me to hold him while he put the first injection in, but was very clear that when he instructed me to move away I was to do so without hesitation. It all happened very quickly. One thing I would say, he was in the yard when it happened not a field or large barn, so if this is the case I would definately put straw down to cushion the fall. I said goodbye but left before he was take away, I don't think that's something you would want to witness.

Thoughts are with you, it's not easy, but I think it's important to be there at the end.
 
My old girl was put down not quite 2 years ago. The vet explained every step beforehand and then during the process. She was sedated then led to the field so that she could go down on a soft surface and be easily removed after. For most of the time I had owned her (nearly 18 years) she had had epilepsy and to be honest seeing her collapse due to the injection held no fears for me - anything was better than having to see her go over backwards. The vet told me he was putting in the final injection and having done so she started to snore then collapsed sideways. The vet had explained beforehand that she would only fall when she was unconscious so be unaware of the fall or landing. I held the leadrope throughout, even during the collapse because the vet knew I had plenty of experience in helping her to fall safely. He then monitored her heart for the next couple of minutes and told me that she had gone. There were no involuntary movements or breaths from her at all. All my friends had very similar experiences with their ponies and horses. There are some videos on You Tube you can watch if it would help. Nothing frightening or gory, I promise. Just horses going down gently and with dignity, and their owners (and the vet) crying quietly beside them.

Good luck OP, it isn't nice but it is a relief to know they are no longer suffering and that you know they went without difficulty. If you can't be there though, no one will think any the less of you.
 
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honetpot said:
Be aware the whole procedure takes longer than shooting. The vet should stitch a needle into the vein with a length of tubing that they actually get the rest of the drugs with, even with an experienced vet this takes an few minutes.
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I think this must depend on your vet. OH was with his horse when PTS by injection last year and it took no longer than a flu jab, just larger bore needle (if that is the correct term). Horse was dead before he hit the ground.
 
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