Without wanting to upset!! ? about PTS!

Ok, we all have different senses of humour but having been on the wrong end of this I didn't find it funny or amusing to say the least.

Maesfen, humour may have worked for that family which is great but I didn't find it funny and that's ok too. It's ok for me not to like the idea of someone chuckling at the idea of being given the wrong ashes and it would be ok for me not to like the idea of someone chuckling at the dishonesty of the man. Either way it's ok for me to have an opinion on it......

This is said with a gentle tone, not a moany one. Genuinely I think it is ok for me to be shocked at that reaction. It isn't that far out surely?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Wagtail said:
I'm surprised so many horses go to the hounds, especially if the reason they are shot is due to conditions such as arthritis or laminitis. Surely they would have had bute, and possibly not therefore suitable to feed to hounds? Genuine question.
Click to expand...

The huntsman was happy mine was on bute Wagtail. I guess the stuff left in the muscles can't be terriby toxic to dogs?
 
ChristmasPTrees said:
The huntsman was happy mine was on bute Wagtail. I guess the stuff left in the muscles can't be terriby toxic to dogs?
Click to expand...

I'm sure some of the scientists would let us know but for the hounds I guess a nice bit of left over painkiller just makes life that little bit easier on occasion!
 
Unfortunately I've held dozens of horses as they were pts, sometimes shot, sometimes by injection, and it's an individual choice. I would choose the knackerman everytime, as they do it so often that it is quick and accurate. Vets on the whole only shoot occasionally, and faff around a bit. x
 
BillieBlitzen, sorry that you are offended by my humour.
I have got a fair way through life by laughing at adversity. myself and life in general.
I just find the idea of having any ashes in a container in the house amusing. It is not as if whoever they belonged to is going to be there with them.

My sister and I collected father's ashes and immediately let them blow away in the wind. Having then at home would not enhance loving memories or make me think of him more often.

He was a pall bearer for years and years, often helping out at the funeral home too, my sister and I knew what he thought about wreaths and flowers just being a waste so, all monies donated instead went to charity where they could do some good. One small wreath from the family and that was mainly fruit and veg.

At the do we had after there was a lot more laughter than tears, everyone thankful that they had known him and glad for his passing rather than not having an active life.
My tears were not for Dad but for Mum who had lost her best friend and husband of 64 years.
 
I think FH, that it's only as we get older and deal with funerals of any type, be it human or pets that we accept them better/easier and as you say, laugh through adversity. Nobody wants to hear the 'he was a rude, nasty old beggar' at a time like that, they'd rather hear of the time he fell off his bike a bit the worse for drink type thing and remember the good times; humour has a huge part to play at times like that for making people feel better.
 
We once had an aged labrador pts at home, as she was terrified of going to the surgery after having to have 2 overnight stays. This elderly bitch had been greatly respected by the other 5 that we had at the time, they were all in the room at the time. She lay in front of the fire as the vet injected. After checking that her heart had stopped the vet stood up, the Rottie went to make a fuss of the vet and stood on the body, as if it was part of the hearth-rug. This brought home to me the fact that after death the body is merely a shell, Rottie would never have stood on the lab while she was alive.

We have had the hunt shoot horses at home but actually I prefer to get the knackerwoman, who we know as a friend of a friend. After one emergency we stood talking (and laughing) in the yard for about 1/2 an hour after the body had been winched onto the lorry.

I have been to a funeral today, of an elderly gentleman. His wife was distraught as she entered the chapel in a wheelchair following the coffin. By the end of the 'funeral tea', she was chatting to friends and sharing a joke, which is just as it should be.
 
Two of my much loved horses were PTS this morning, my Shetland and my Clydesdale.
Both were shot by the local hunstman. I have no idea what will happen to their bodies. It was the way in which they went that was my main concern, not what happened after.
The guy was an angel, he really loves horses, you can tell. He chatted to both my boys and put them right at ease, stroking and petting them while giving them apples, they didnt even see the gun it all happened so fast. He was symapthetic, professional and gentle. I could not have asked for anything more. It was a difficult eperience and I was heart broken when my Shetland went down first but I lost it when my Clydesdale was shot, my legs buckled from underneath me, it was devastating :(:( BUT I still believe it was the best thing, they both went thinking happy thoughts munching apples.
Our very old boy who had to be PTS last year collapsed in his field at 3.15am and our only choice was the vet and the injection. He took over 15 minutes to die and it was VERY traumatic for all concerned, and we also had to wait til mid afternoon for someone to collect his body.

I know which I prefer.
 
HeavyHorseHugger said:
Two of my much loved horses were PTS this morning, my Shetland and my Clydesdale.
Both were shot by the local hunstman. I have no idea what will happen to their bodies. It was the way in which they went that was my main concern, not what happened after.
The guy was an angel, he really loves horses, you can tell. He chatted to both my boys and put them right at ease, stroking and petting them while giving them apples, they didnt even see the gun it all happened so fast. He was symapthetic, professional and gentle. I could not have asked for anything more. It was a difficult eperience and I was heart broken when my Shetland went down first but I lost it when my Clydesdale was shot, my legs buckled from underneath me, it was devastating :(:( BUT I still believe it was the best thing, they both went thinking happy thoughts munching apples.
Our very old boy who had to be PTS last year collapsed in his field at 3.15am and our only choice was the vet and the injection. He took over 15 minutes to die and it was VERY traumatic for all concerned, and we also had to wait til mid afternoon for someone to collect his body.

I know which I prefer.
Click to expand...

It takes that long to 'die', as in the heart to stop. They are not conscious, they know nothing of it.

Then again, it's a lot cheaper to get the local huntsman out so personal preference is the key.

Sorry to hear of your loss.
 
Moomince Pie said:
It takes that long to 'die', as in the heart to stop. They are not conscious, they know nothing of it.

Then again, it's a lot cheaper to get the local huntsman out so personal preference is the key.
Click to expand...

What an amazingly bitchy comment. You don't know what went on, however you were told that the vet - you know, the professional person there on the ground - found it very traumatic.

Heavyhorsehugger, have a hug yourself. However they go it's always distressing because they leave large holes in your life. It will get better.
 
Moomince Pie said:
It takes that long to 'die', as in the heart to stop. They are not conscious, they know nothing of it.

Then again, it's a lot cheaper to get the local huntsman out so personal preference is the key.

Sorry to hear of your loss.
Click to expand...

Nice, sympathetic response.......

As with littlelegs - regardless of the cost, hunt every time for me.
 
*hic* said:
What an amazingly bitchy comment. You don't know what went on, however you were told that the vet - you know, the professional person there on the ground - found it very traumatic.

Heavyhorsehugger, have a hug yourself. However they go it's always distressing because they leave large holes in your life. It will get better.
Click to expand...

The professional person on the ground will have sedated the horses prior to injection. They will have known nothing of it.
If they didn't, OP I would be seriously considering a different vet next time. Any vet worth their salt always sedates prior to euthanasia these days.
 
I had no idea the hunt did this but then being a townie its not something I've heard of where we are. It does sound very professional and probably the quickest and kindest way, it's just the mention of being fed to hounds after that gets me, I can see people's points of view but personally when something close to you becomes part of your family I couldn't feel comfortable with them ending up like that.
 
Thanks guys. Dont worry about "Moomince Pie"...seems to enjoy having a dig at all I say or do.

I couldnt have cared less about the cost...more about how my boys spent their last few minutes on this Earth. I feel sad for those who dont have choices for the end but if you do then its your last gift. Just because I chose, in my opinion, a quick and dignofied ending doesnt mean it was because it was cheap..!!! Which incidently it wasnt that much cheaper than the vet.
 
Before I joined this forum, I was very anti the shooting method. I thought anyone who could have their Horse shot was a very cold hearted person. I was very niave and had no idea what actually happens and it was complete ignorance on my part.

Now thanks to this forum, I have a better understanding about how both the shooting and injection work. I have completly changed my view as my eyes are opened!

If Ruby needed to be PTS I think I would choose the hunt.
 
Hi there, I hope you don't mind me barging in and posting - I tend to lurk here mainly. Anyway the reason I have posted is that I am one of the victims of the scam knackerman John Cooper pulled that has been referred to here.
In 2007 and went to check the horses first thing in the morning, only to find my horse of a lifetime, my eventer, had catastrophically broken her leg. The vets is only down the road and he was out within 10 mins to put her to sleep.

I had always promised myself I would have her 'at home' when I could finally afford my own land, so I made the decision to have her cremated and the ashes returned so I could scatter them at home. Sentimental yes, but when I got her she was a skinny, sick neglected baby but she had come right and ended up novice eventing and I am not embarrassed to admit I adored her.

When I found out what Cooper did I was devastated. But apart from the emotional fallout I had paid a lot of money and been totally ripped off. I compare Cooper to the type of person who rips off the vulnerable by selling them driveways they don't need at vastly inflated prices. I was vulnerable and in hind sight I would have done things differently. But hind sight is always 20/20 isn't it.

But I'm glad it gave some one a "chuckle". :(
 
*hic* said:
What an amazingly bitchy comment. You don't know what went on, however you were told that the vet - you know, the professional person there on the ground - found it very traumatic.
Click to expand...
Obviously this is a sensitive subject, and I do not wish to cause any further upset. I'm concerned that the vet found it traumatic though. Was this because he/she made a mistake? Or was it in sympathy with the owner's reaction which would be entirely understandable? I only ask because, if the injection was administered properly, the horse would have been unconscious very quickly regardless of any subsequent movements or outward appearance of consciousness. Yes, death is officially verified by the stopping of the heart, which can take longer - in some unfortunate cases, significantly longer (though there are drug combinations that are designed to stop this occurring). Nevertheless the horse is already gone and no longer suffering. Any decent vet will explain all this to the client. I am saying this now on the offchance that someone reading this post who finds themself having to witness a horse being pts by injection without a proper explanation from the vet may be reassured to some degree.
 
I don't care how much it costs! As if that would be a factor in how I would choose for my horse to die!

I would choose the hunt every time. Seen one pts by injection an it was awful.
 
hi lucia I don't know that story...not sure I want to..but I get the gist of it. I'm so very sorry and you're right, I can't see how any humour can be found in that (or that it should be)
 
If a horse is so ill or injured that the kindest thing is to PTS, then I think that the method used should be the quickest available. If the vet can do it quicker, then choose the vet, if the hunt can get there quicker, choose the hunt. After all, it is releasing the horse from it's pain or misery that is most important, not how the owner feels. That is my opinion in any case.
 
Lucia said:
Hi there, I hope you don't mind me barging in and posting - I tend to lurk here mainly. Anyway the reason I have posted is that I am one of the victims of the scam knackerman John Cooper pulled that has been referred to here.
In 2007 and went to check the horses first thing in the morning, only to find my horse of a lifetime, my eventer, had catastrophically broken her leg. The vets is only down the road and he was out within 10 mins to put her to sleep.

I had always promised myself I would have her 'at home' when I could finally afford my own land, so I made the decision to have her cremated and the ashes returned so I could scatter them at home. Sentimental yes, but when I got her she was a skinny, sick neglected baby but she had come right and ended up novice eventing and I am not embarrassed to admit I adored her.

When I found out what Cooper did I was devastated. But apart from the emotional fallout I had paid a lot of money and been totally ripped off. I compare Cooper to the type of person who rips off the vulnerable by selling them driveways they don't need at vastly inflated prices. I was vulnerable and in hind sight I would have done things differently. But hind sight is always 20/20 isn't it.

But I'm glad it gave some one a "chuckle". :(
Click to expand...

How absolutely awful for you. I cannot believe anyone would find it remotely funny. Reading about this however, has made my mind up not to have the ashes back of any of my animals that I have PTS in future. I will just take some mane or tail.
 
Hi just wanted to clarify that when Shay was pts by injection it all went eactly as planned...the VET didnt find it traumatic though he was very upset for my friend and I, but WE found it awful....and I have vowed never to go through that again where circumstances dictate. Sorry if I didnt make my post clear :o And no, Shay probably didnt know what was going on as he WAS heavily sedated, it was US that couldnt cope with it. However, having been through both forms of euthanasia, I would ALWAYS choose a bullet. That is my opinion and I make no apology for it.

It is always going to be an emotive subect for anybody in that position or even thinking of it. Some people prefer injection, others a bullet....some people wish to be present, others dont or cant. Everyone is different and I dont think there is a right and wrong way.
 
Thanks for clarifying matters, HeavyHorseHugger. So sorry you had to go through what you did... :(

HeavyHorseHugger said:
It is always going to be an emotive subect for anybody in that position or even thinking of it. Some people prefer injection, others a bullet....some people wish to be present, others dont or cant. Everyone is different and I dont think there is a right and wrong way.
Click to expand...
I don't think so either. I get a bit annoyed when it sometimes presented that way, but can understand that is because of the strength of feeling.
 
fburton said:
Including prior to shooting. It minimizes the risk of the horse moving its head at the last moment and the bullet missing the mark.
Click to expand...

This why I choose the vet to shoot if I am at worried they may be a little shy I can get them a little sedation.
Vet to shoot hunt to take that's the best way for me.
Also I am more comfortable with them being gone when the hunt van arrives .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top