Sorry, upsetting thread but I could really do with some advice

[shamalamalam]

I am so sorry to ask and I really hope I don’t upset anyone, but I really don’t know what to do.

Sadly, DD’s pony has come to the end of his road. It’s all been a bit of a shock as although he’s a slightly older gent, he’s been enjoying his semi-retirement with DD until fairly recently.

The vet has recommended we use a gun rather than injection as pony’s circulation isn’t brilliant (plus, from a practical point of view, it gives us more options as to what we can do with him when it’s over) but is happy for us to decide either way

To say that DD, who is just 13, is devastated is a total understatement, she adores the bones of him, they have an amazing bond and is adamant on being with him right to the end.

This is the first time we’ve ever had to do this so I have no idea what whatsoever to expect.

We have to do what’s best for pony, but there is absolutely no way I’m willing to let DD witness what I imagine will happen if he is PTS with the gun. DH or I will be with him in any case.

I really don’t know what to do for the best - for pony, and DD.

She’s finding the whole idea of a gun quite shocking and worse than if it was an injection if you see what I mean.

Any advice would be very gratefully received

Thank you

There are plenty of videos on You Tube that show a horse being PTS by gun - it is actually nowhere near as bad as you imagine.

I have made a point of looking at them so I know what to expect.

Definitely the right decision in your circumstances.

So sorry, it is such a hard decision to make. I do think not seeing it can mean that your imagination creates a worse memory than the reality of it - so not seeing is not always for the best.

I will be going through the same with mine at some point, she is already quite old. It is a day I dread,

@HairyAntoinette

Really? I have never seen that - are you in the UK? No blood for any I have seen. I don't think throat slitting is usual practice - not in my area anyway.

Not sure about the throat slitting??? I've never seen this done.

Must say there is a lot of blood left after the body has been removed. A lot of it came out the nostrils in a bit of a whoosh as the lungs deflated. Sometimes they put a bag over the head after its on the ground to catch the blood.

Never known any to have throats slit either in all my years of having horses.

Many knackermen are professional, calm and pragmatic, they know you'll be upset and won't make things any worse than they need to be ime.

No blood when mine was done, not even a nose trickle and I’ve never heard of throat slitting, I can’t think why that would be necessary. Perhaps if you’re worried about it have a bucket of sand or sawdust close by. The waiting once you’ve made the appointment is the worst part of the whole process - just keep repeating “he doesn’t know anything about it” to yourself. He really doesn’t, and won’t, especially if he’s keen on his food.

You're right. It wasn't in the UK. It was pretty bloody grim and I'm glad to hear it's not standard practice!

Nothing to add to what's already been said but thinking of you

God this thread has had me in tears, putting dogs down as upsetting enough but a horse sounds even worse. I'm sorry for the pain and distress you've all gone and are going through.

I'm so terribly sorry
I have seen a horse shot, it was horrific and I could never do it again,
Your plan sounds very sensible. Your dd doesn't need to watch.
I hope everything goes as calm and peacefully as possible.

Honestly, I think it is perhaps best when the owner isn't the one holding the end of the leadrope. As a yard owner, while I love all of my livery horses and give all of them cuddles every day, I can allow myself to detach from a horse and be calm throughout the process in a manner I would not expect from an owner. I don't think I would be able to do that for one of my own horses. Do you know what I mean?

I was the owner Britnay and was very calm, despite the tears rolling down my face. There wasn't much blood, maybe a teacup full? It can depend how calm the horse is. But I absolutely agree that some owners are not the best people to do this. I knew what to expect, had seen it done before and dpony was most relaxed with me.

One thing I would recommend is if the place you are having it done isn't a usual place for the horse to stand and be held, then practice for a few days before if possible. So we always have them done at the yard gates, mainly for ease of access for the body to be taken away.

Stand there and shove apples and carrots in his mouth a couple of days before if possible. He won't stress about being asked to stand somewhere different and will associate it with being fed and a nice place.

She doesn’t want him to be alone with someone he doesn’t know so wants to be there for him right until the end, which is all very noble but it’s just way too much for her to witness.

I'm glad she's decided against this. When my first horse was put down I was having treatment for depression. I wouldn't have been able to take it and would have upset him. The yard owner, who had known him for 6 years, was with him. It was peaceful (for him) and quick.

I don't know which route I'll go with my current horse. My first horse was shot and it was quick. I think I'll just take advice from the vet at the time.

I hope you're all OK tomorrow. Take comfort in knowing you're doing what's best for the pony.

I hope everything was as peaceful as you could wish for in these circumstances xxxxx

Thinking of you all xx

Thinking of you and DD.

Been thinking of you today, hope everything went smoothly, and you're all OK

Thank you

It was completely awful, but actually not as awful as I imagined

I stayed with him, which I kind of regret, but also I’m glad I did as I could reassure DD that it was OK

DD has broken her heart poor thing so we’re having a snuggle day at home together

Thanks

Thinking of you both, tell your daughter that she is a great horsewoman for putting the pony first, if he could thank her I bet he would.

In time it gets easier to think of the happier things x

I was her age when my first pony was put down. I actually don’t know how it was done - my parents didn’t discuss that with me - but I was upset enough at loosing her, I’m not sure I could have coped with seeing it happen too.

We spent the day together, took lots of photos together and fed her lots of treats before she was taken away. It was hard but I was glad I got to say goodbye properly.

I’m so sorry for you and your daughter, there’s no easy way around this one.

I’m so sorry, I’ve seen your update. In time she’ll take comfort in knowing you were there at the end. Thinking of you.

Thank you!

DD is OK, very sad but accepting it was the right thing to do.

He was a special little soul. DD has some SEN and struggles a lot in life, but when they were together she was a different child. They had an amazing bond.

It’s been weird not having to go up to the yard twice a day and she’s missing her friends up there too.

They’ve all been messaging her and they’re all meeting up at the weekend.

It wasn’t actually as bad as I thought it would be, I guess your imagination runs away with you. I gave pony a load of treats and lots of fuss then the guy told me to walk round and stand behind him. Before I’d turned back around it was done.

We’ve saved some of his tail and one of the other owners at the yard is going to make her some bracelets.

Thanks all!