any horse owners have advice on euthansia?

[robots]

please if anyone could advise me on this ..I have a 35 yr old horse I have had for 21 years and have to make a decision...does anyone have experience of this ..hope do you cope....any actual advice on methods of euthansia also would be very helpful

any advice pls

Hi- I have had horses for few years but have never had to euthanise one. However a few years ago one of my friends had a horse similar to yours. he was in his 30s and had reached the end of the road and the vet decided he was better off put asleep. I offered to hold him whilst this was done for her as she could not cope.
Here is what happened- this may make you be prepared for it.

The vet inserted a catheter into the horses neck, which did produce some blood. He then injected the drug used to kill them into this cateter and the horse eventually collapsed and lay on his side and went to "sleep" This was not a large horse about 14hh, but the actual point where he went down was quite dramatic cos thay are such a weight. It was very quick and was done in front of the other horses (this is so the herd understand the death of the horse and that is has not just disappeared) The meat man then came and took his body away. My friend said her goodbyes before and after when he was lying on the ground.
The other alternative is to have him shot- I belive that done correctky is very quick and has no blood involved, but I personnally would not like this. The local hunt may also take the body or you could have his ashes- we have a local pet crematorium.
I am so sorry to be so blunt, but at least you will know what the facts are.
I dont know how you will cope- it will be very very hard. my friend bought another horse a few months after.
If your horse is suffering- and only you will know that- then you must do the kindest thing for him. I would be DEVASTATED if anything happened to either my horses - i have 2 or my labrador dog. I know it will happen eventually, but not a nice thing to do. Anything else I can do please let me know. Thinking of you xxxxxxxxx

thank you lillymolly ...nothing anyone can do tbh i just need to get my head round it and do it...thank you tho nice to know someone is thinking of me x

Hi Robots I had to have my 34 year old horse euthanised. We wanted to bury her next to our donkey and had to check with DEFRA as to being able to bury her. As long as she was a pet and not a working animal and had at least 6 ft of earth above her then we could. We walked her up to the top of the field which has got some lovely views. The vet put a cathater in and jabbed her. She went doen on her side and that was it. Again there was a horse standing with her. The vet did say that occasionally the horses can take a couple of breaths after they have died but this is just expelling air. I have also had horses shot and taken by the local hunt and the euthanasia was far better from a human point of view. It will be hard for you but peaceful for the horse.

thanks sophie x

I'm so sorry, it is such a hard decision to make.

I have seen several horses put down in my life as I used to show and work in a racing stable and then a breeding farm.
I've seen it many different ways.Once you have decided whether you wish to bury your horse (and obtained the DEFRA info and permission)
IMHO the "nicest" and easiest way was this.
To choose the spot for burial - get the hole dug in advance
In our case the horse was taken very close to the spot and given an injection to partially sedate, so she lay down gently of her own accord, and dozed, then she was given a lethal overdose of barbiturate and died very calmly - she was also an older horse.

In my case it was made easier by her quality of life being so awful, so to see her die was almost a relief but I missed her so much, she had been a dearly loved horse of my familys for 20 years.

If it is a quality of life issue (i.e. the horse is arthritic and generally failing slowly) rather that a very sick horse who is dying anyway, I would opt for having it shot.

The reason being, as horses are such large animals and have a slow heart rate and respiratory rate it can sometimes take a while for the anaesthetic drugs used to euthanise them to circulate and do their job. This can distress the animal as it struggles to breathe etc whilst feeling dis-oriented.

Although much less pleasing for us humans, having the hose shot can be done whilst it has its head in a lovely bucket of carrots and is literally instant. Much kinder to the horse and there is no anxiety or distress for them.

If you feel the time is right, I would act swiftly. A friend diliberated for a week or two to over what to do with her old horse and after she had finally made her mind up, the day the vet was due, she found the horse collaped and covered in blood after geting cast in his stable. The vet thought he had suffered a stroke during the night.

I feel for you and your horse. It is a very sad decision to make but it is the kindest thing you can do for an old horse, particularly with cold wet weather on it's way.

Love and hugs to you both.

If it is a quality of life issue (i.e. the horse is arthritic and generally failing slowly) rather that a very sick horse who is dying anyway, I would opt for having it shot.

The reason being, as horses are such large animals and have a slow heart rate and respiratory rate it can sometimes take a while for the anaesthetic drugs used to euthanise them to circulate and do their job. This can distress the animal as it struggles to breathe etc whilst feeling dis-oriented.

Although much less pleasing for us humans, having the hose shot can be done whilst it has its head in a lovely bucket of carrots and is literally instant. Much kinder to the horse and there is no anxiety or distress for them.

If you feel the time is right, I would act swiftly. A friend diliberated for a week or two to over what to do with her old horse and after she had finally made her mind up, the day the vet was due, she found the horse collaped and covered in blood after geting cast in his stable. The vet thought he had suffered a stroke during the night.

I feel for you and your horse. It is a very sad decision to make but it is the kindest thing you can do for an old horse, particularly with cold wet weather on it's way.

Love and hugs to you both.

P.S. Just read all the other posts. Sorry to disagree with them. I realise that doesn't make your decision any easier. That is just my opinion. X

2nd Time- After reading your post imho, it sounds like shooting is more humane for the horse but more stressful for the owner IYSWIM?? I hope I would have the strength to do what is best for the horse if I ever have to make that decision. Something to think about for the original poster. So hard though ..... Loads of loves, been thinking about you all day x

Hi, I had to have my pony put to sleep last November after 23 years together and it was a day I had dreaded for a long time. I too was unsure whether to opt for shooting or injection and in the end he had the injection. I can honestly say that although I miss him like mad every day, I couldn't have wished for a better death for him. It was a beautiful, crisp, sunny morning, he had his breakfast and was not aware something was wrong or distressed in any way. In fact, when the vet was administering the final dose (he had a slight sedative first) he was resting his head on my shoulder up until the last minute. He was gone very quickly.

I had worried about being upset but that didn't really happen until afterwards because I was so focussed on making it as easy and peaceful as possible for my pony. I felt it was the last thing I could do for him. The vet helped by being very calm and professional but also kind, making sure we had time alone with him both before and after, and dealing with the man who came to collect him. The one thing I couldn't face was seeing him being put in the lorry so I made myself scarce for that bit.

I don't know how much help this is but I had spent most of his life thinking that I would opt for a humane killer (I had seen a donkey killed on a documentary and it was very very quick) but in the end I was glad I opted for the injection.
It was sad but not traumatic and when I remember him, I remember his life, not his death.

Oh pixel that story brought a tear to my eye.
I sometimes think having animals brings so much heart ache, but then they bring so much joy too. Dont you agree. I remember seeing that documentry too when I was a girl I think. I hope your story helps Robots.

Robots, I don't have any experience of this, but I couldn't let your post go by without saying how sorry I am that you are having to go through this. Not the same, I know, but I had to make this decision about my old dog (he was 16) about 2 years ago and, although it was a terrible decision to have to make, I know in my heart it was the right thing to do. At the end he didn't even seem to recognise me any more and it was that that convinced me that I'd made the right decision. It was helped by how fantastic the vet was. She even sent us a card afterwards saying that she knew we had had our dog's best interests at heart and had saved him from further suffering. [Am welling up now! ] FWIW, my friend had to have her horse put down (tragically - he was quite young, about 12, but managed to get into a field with acorns in, glutted on them and poisoned himself) and she went for the injection. Again, she said it was very peaceful at the end. I wish I'd been there for her, but she felt she had to go through it alone (I was close to both her and the horse, as I used to ride the mother of the horse that died for her). As someone else said, they let the horse I looked after come and see the body after the deed had been done so that she knew what had happened to him. So for you, robots. Please take comfort in the fact that your horse will not suffer. Thinking of you.

Just wondering how you are doing Robots?

HI all...I am fine thank you all for your lovely posts..it means alot..

to lilly molly..thank you for thinking of mex

to ellbell...of course it is the same...my friend is going through the same with her cat at the moment and her pain is just as great as mine ..I would never judge someone elses loss..thank you

to Pixel..thank you...I know it going to be a very hard day but am trying to be positive and I absolubtely will be there at the end although plan also to avoid the lorry bit

and finally to 2nd time..this is absolutly my dilemma that she is very old and altough is fine and alert although very thin and fading fast it is artificial because of the bute..and I want her death to be quick and fearless...I know the injection will be nicer for me but that isnt the issue is it? I am 90 per cent going for humane shooting as I have had some experience of injections going horribly wrong..including one vet chasing a horse fighting for its life after it freaked during the letahl injection(uite horrid) I know it is going to be bad but I have had time and I think I am prepared.My friend who ownss the yard has said she will take over after it is done and deal with everything but I fell I must must must be there at the end..thank you ,you have helped my decision x

I hope this isn't too garbled ..am late for work

thanks allx