So, today I volunteered to stay with a friends horse whilst he was shot. He has a long standing history of navicular disease and it was clear he couldn't continue any longer.
I have been with a horse that was put to sleep by injection before and whilst it was very sad, it was a clean and tidy option.
I've never stood with a horse being shot before but have spoken to friends who have and they all told me what to expect-bucket of feed at the ready, big bang, horse drops to the floor, job done.
Please don't read on if you'r eating or don't have a strong stomach.
I thought I was prepared. I was obviously upset but anxious to put the horses needs first and not to distress him. He had a lovely relaxing groom and a heap of hay and carrots before the knacker man arrived. When the time came I lead him quietly to the designated spot in the field with a lovely bucket of feed. He was very quickly dispatched with the minimum of fuss (apart from a misfire first time round )and fell to the floor, dead.
I was surprised at the lack of drama really. Until the knacker man said he just needed to put the rod in then he would winch him into the wagon and he'd be off. Naively I thought "the rod" was part of the apparatus used to winch him into the wagon. I almost keeled over when he produced a 3 foot metal probe and inserted it into the horses head. It was incredibly distressing to see all his legs flailing (all be it an involuntary nerve reaction) in the air post mortem.
So in short is this normal practice and if so why does no one ever tell you about that bit? I'd have been much better prepared if I'd known it was coming.
Sorry if I've upset anyone but I'm genuinely curious.