Pony being put to sleep

[OrchidaceaeRosa]

Hi, my daughter (11) shares a wonderful pony who has been retired for a while now but we have helped look after her and love her and her owners have been amazing to us. Unfortunately we have noticed some changes in her and in the next few weeks or so the inevitable will probably happen. She’s reached an amazing age and is living out her days in a beautiful environment and in a place she has lived for a long time. We are extremely sad but know it has to be what is right for the pony. The lady who owns her is so lovely and said if I want to be there at the end then I am welcome to be. I’m totally torn, I know I’m going to be devastated watching it but equally I love her to bits and feel like perhaps I owe it to her, although she will have her owner and family with her so will be surrounded by love. I’m torn, I don’t want to let her down but equally I’m not sure I will cope with it. It’s such a sad situation. Has anyone got any advice please? Thank you.

I've done this twice with my mares over the years. It's not pleasant. But I couldn't be anywhere else. I appreciate it's a little different with a shared pony as they have their owner too so it's up to you. One thing I will say is be there when they go down. Say your goodbyes. Then get out of sight once the lorry turns up to remove the pony. I've seen other peoples horses loaded into the fallen stock lorry. I did not want that in my memory of my own girls.

If being shot you may not want to be there. I was for my two old ladies but I felt a bit traumatised. If by injection I understand it's less of an issue.

As pp said, absent yourself for the collection of the body unless you feel you have to be there (I was because there was no one else to oversee).

Thank you for your advice. I’m sorry you have been through this twice x

I second this.

Unfortunately I think it's inevitable when you keep horses - I see it as the last compassionate act/duty we can do for them. Remembering all the wonderful rides and companionship sort of means the end is not what you focus on.

Hopefully you have good memories ❤️

Lots of happy memories, thank you for the memories words and advice x

I worked at a stables for many years and unfortunately I have see quite a few horses and pony's put down.
Do you know what method is been used ?
Obviously it can be unpleasant.
I have see ones that have been injected stager around quite a bit and in one horrible case fall into a wall badly cutting his eye.
Most do just go down , though the time frame can vary quite a bit .

If they are shot , its absolutely instant and can be a little alarming for those watching.

I absolutely agree with pp , do NOT be there when the knacker man comes , it's a horrible sight and sound ( winches are noisy sometimes) .

In your case I would speak to the owners, they may want it to be a more private affair or they could be upset if you don't come.

We had to have our old boy put down a few months ago. We had bought him over 20 years ago and he was such a lovely boy.
We had him heavily sedated and then injected. It was as peaceful as it could have been but he still went down with a thud and bit his lip so there was a little blood but the vet assured us he wouldn’t have felt anything. We gave him a huge cuddle when he was on the floor and then left before the lorry turned up.
I wont lie, I had trouble sleeping for the next few nights as all I saw when I closed my eyes was him going down. Gosh, I’m even getting tearful now thinking about it.

I’ve been at all 4 of ours ( 1 left) , we had them sedated and then pts by injection and it’s obviously very upsetting but very straightforward and uneventful . All of mine have then gone to the local pet crematorium which we use for all of our animals , the people there are lovely. In your case @OrchidaceaeRosa , I’d take your daughter up the day before to say goodbye and then leave it to the owner on the day .

Before my daughter moved her horses back home we had a companion horse on loan for our old gelding. Sadly after a year he injured his already compromised tendon and needed to be PTS. His owner and her husband were with him at the end - I said my goodbyes to him in the yard beforehand and then we took our horse to see his body. None of us were there when he was taken away. It was a horrible morning but it was the kindest thing for him.

Knowing that the owner was going to be there I'd choose not to be. I'd rather just remember the good times.

Thanks everyone, she passed away this morning 💔