Old Horse

[Debandbella]

I have an approximately 25 year old horse that i have said im not putting her through another winter for the last 3 years but she has always rallied round by the end of summer, this year she seems to have gone downhill, ive decided her time has come, i had it all worked out that we were using the injection despite a horror story i heard, however someone came to see Bryony today with a view for taking her on loan, they have used both gun and injection and will never use injection again. They told me 2 horror stories about it that they have experienced. Its really worrying me,i cant bear to watch her die but the thought of a gun at her head cripples me especially when they cover her head first. I know theres a people with horses on here and would appreciate any input of your experiences before i make my final decision.

[judygram]

I'm sorry to hear about your horse but sometimes its the kindest thing we can do for an animal that is suffering. I don't have horses, never have but we do indeed have some members who do and maybe they will post about what they had to do if faced with the same situation.

I know it won't be easy for you but please accept my condolenses.

[Debandbella]

Thanks for that, i wont let her suffer, shes had a good retirement and deserves the best i can give her, shes been a brilliant pony and i dont regret what im about to go through for her. Shes been worth every minute of these last few years, i bought her as a rescue knowing this time would come before long.

[Talon]

Deb, My heartfelt condolences are with you. We just recently put our sweet horse Annie down 3 months ago suddenly due to a shoulder break. If you search here, you will see the thread I started when we lost her. So I feel your pain. It is a difficult thing to go thru, but I am happy you don't want to see your horse suffer. You are a brave and selfless person.
As someone who grew up with horses, and have boarded horses at our barn for the past 20 years, I have experienced what you are about to go thru many times. Both with our own horses and those of our boarders as well. Some were planned, some were not, some were very sudden.

It is my VERY STRONG OPINION, to give them an injection when their time has come. It is the most humane way without a doubt. If you have an experienced vet, then this is the kindest way to put them down. First, they give them an injection that is a tranquilizer, this calms and relaxes them. We give our hugs, kisses and say goodbye all the time while stroking them, and then the vet gives them another shot that is an overdose that just puts them quietly to sleep. It happens very quickly and they feel nothing other than what you would feel going into a deep sleep. You hear their last couple of breaths, and then they are gone to be free, running with the horses in the big green pasture in the sky.

I have also experienced the gun as a way to end their lives. It is HORRIBLE!! A sight that I will never forget. The sound of the gun I can still hear in my head to this day, the sound the horse made, the grunt, the loud thud as they fell. That was with one shot between the eyes. Imagine, it doesn't always end with one shot, it may take a couple, how HORRIBLE for the horse that you love so much to experience that pain and suffering.... I didn't even know this horse, I can't imagine if it were my loving pet I was witnessing.

I have also seen many a horse whose adrenalin has kicked in and they were being put down by injection, they are already calm from the tranquilizer, so they felt no pain or suffering by having more shots administered to be put to sleep.

IN MY OPINION, IT IS THE ONLY KIND WAY TO PUT YOUR HORSE DOWN.

I am sure you will do what is right for your horse. Please keep in touch, and I would love to see pictures of her if you have any to share. We also cut a snip of her mane, put a ribbon around it for a remembrance.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Penny

[TalonSis]

I'm sorry to hear about your horse. Its a really hard thing to go through. But you have done such a wonderful thing by taking her in as a rescue, I'm sure she is very appreciative.

In my experience, the injection is the best option. Its much easier for me to know that they went peacefully, instead of by using the gun. While in some cases, when its the only option, it can be done right, and supposedly the horse doesnt feel any pain.

This is a very hard decision to make. While I would choose the injection, i'm sure you'll do what's right. Good luck.

Melissa

[danmcq]

I'm with Talon and Talonsis.

We had horses for years. One was basically blind at 25 and just followed people around, otherwise it stayed in it's little area where it knew water and food was and navigated surprising well there.

When the time came, a back hoe was order and a ramped down hole was dug 9 feet deep. She was lead down, hugged, wept over and injected. It was a very calm ordel. She still remains in that pasture with a marker.

It was very peaceful and a closure we could live with.

God bless you and please know my thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.

[Talon]

OH MY DAN! You had to lead her down into the hole? hmy:
We never dug the hole until after, you were braver than I could be..........

[danmcq]

Well, it was not so much bravery, as it was a nessecity. Since she was blind, she would only go when lead and did so with full trust and confidence that she was following us along a safe path.

A normal sighted horse, I would have never done that with. Too much chance of them getting nervous and spooked seeing a dead end and high walls, even if sedated to calm them.

[luvparrots]

I don't know anything about horses only pain. I believe the injection is the best way to go. I have had major heart stopping and brain surgeries. Before a surgery I was given a sedative so that there was a calm and light feeling and going to sleep was very pleasant. This is the way for your companion to go. There will be no pain and no fear. Bless your sweet companion and may she have the peace she deserves after so many loyal years.<br><br>Post edited by: luvparrots, at: 2009/09/30 02:49

[Debandbella]

Thanks for the replies, i think its going to be the injection, although another forum seems to favour the bullet, cant bear that, going up there with my "death partners" this afternoon and will bring her in from the field. Depending on how she manages the walk from the field to the stable will influence my decision as to whether todays the day or not. Its a lovely sunny day and would be "nice" for her to go on a high rather than in cold miserable weather. Rung the undertaker and given him the interrogation this morning so its just a phone call to let him know when the vet comes. I can just see her being all bright and breezy when i get there though, weve been close to this point several times although this is the closest so far.