breezy
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 1,065
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Post by breezy on Feb 10, 2009 23:34:36 GMT 1
I wonder what drug my vet used? It was only about 20ml in volume, and my boy was dead in seconds - having seen a horses shot as well, I'd have said it was as quick. He didn't fold gently down though - went rigid and fell over sideways.
Bx
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Post by gordo on Feb 10, 2009 23:56:01 GMT 1
When dear Bertie was pts last year, the vet came and sedated him then I held him as she shot him. I was amazed how quick and 'dignified' it was and Bertie was stuffed full of apples and polos. He bled very little but then he was an ickle shetty. When its G's time (I have decided that he will just fall asleep one warm and balmy evening and slip off to RB), should it need to be done he will be heavily sedated and then shot. As he is so big I don't want any fear of him flicking his head up at the critical point and it going wrong and will use the vet that did Bertie as she was so very kind and efficient. My parents horse was injected when he was down and going into heart failure so it didn't take too much to release him. Dad then dug a hole in the field and between us we lifted/dragged Che to the hole. The soul was long gone and we were burying an empty shell but he was treated with love and we made him look lovely for my mum to come and say goodbye. Never, ever and easy one but as I say, G will just fall asleep...
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Post by julz on Feb 11, 2009 0:45:44 GMT 1
Caroliine, how is your friends horse? Did she/he go peacefully?? Since you started this thread, it's brought back the last 8months for me... I've never forgotten him, never gone a day without thinking about him, but over the last few days, have remembered the night he went.... and now Im sat here with hot tears rolling down me face.. No point to this post really.. just wanted to ask, how your friend and horse are... Does it really matter how it's done or what people's preferences are? so long as the horse doesnt suffer more than is necessary, and goes quickly and as painless as poss.
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Caroline
Grand Prix Poster
Intermediate Poster
Posts: 2,277
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Post by Caroline on Feb 11, 2009 1:38:51 GMT 1
He hasn't gone yet. I knew she was waiting for a nice day, so thought it might be today - but no. The hunt won't take any more at the moment because they have so many coming in off the forest. My friend doesn't want the knackerman - so has decided to use a vet. I printed off this thread and gave it to her today so she has everyone's experiences and input to consider.
I've offered to hold her horse for her as she doesn't feel she can do it. I don't think she will take me up on that, but don't know. On the one hand, it would be an honour. My other half is a priest and we do a lot of funerals, Ushering a soul into the next life is a regular and spiritual duty.
On the other hand it would be very sad. I am having a rough week in animal rescue and feel at the end of my tether in some ways. Still, God works in mysterious ways and however it works out will be for the best.
I am very grateful to all who have helped on this thread. I can feel how painful it has been for many. As others have said, I think it has been a useful and educational discussion.
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Post by DonnieDarco on Feb 11, 2009 10:32:26 GMT 1
I have been reading this thread with interest over the past couple of days, but never adding any comment as I have no experience. Until about 2years ago, I was thought the way horses were pts was by injection (I know in the past they were shot, but didn't realise this was still practice) However a sad and morbid subject this maybe, it is unfortuntely something many of us will have to deal with at some point in our lives and in a way its nice to have had this discussion as I think it can be rather a taboo subject My chap is 26 this year (but looks and still acts like he's 3 but very sadly the time will come sooner than later I fear, and its nice to be a little bit prepared beforehand (but he's going to be another Peter Pan horse Darco's vet is fantastic, and I would discuss options with him and what he is comfortable with, but its nice to have other peoples experiences to draw on to help when the time comes. I wish you and your friend Caroline my deepest sorrow, but also Thanks for what for me has been a most informative thread. Hope all goes as well as it can. Sam and Darco xx
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Post by Zuzan on Feb 11, 2009 12:05:09 GMT 1
The Mods have kindly (thank-you Mods) said they will stick this thread in Hall of Fame for all those of us who haven't needed to make this decision yet but would like to know we can refer to it if and when we do need to.
So thank-you everyone who has contributed.
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Post by DonnieDarco on Feb 11, 2009 13:12:13 GMT 1
That is a brilliant idea - thank you mods and Zuzan.
I was wondering how to save this thread somewhere on my comp!
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Post by julz on Feb 11, 2009 14:24:50 GMT 1
That is a brilliant idea - thank you mods and Zuzan. I was wondering how to save this thread somewhere on my comp! you can bookmark it... it will be stored in your profile under bookmarks,
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carols
Olympic Poster
Posts: 628
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Post by carols on Feb 11, 2009 17:10:05 GMT 1
Hello today about 3 hours ago I had my soulmate of 15 years ( he was 23 ) put to sleep .He came down with insulin resistance related laminitis for the first time on Xmas Eve and had appeared to be making a reasonable recovery - yesterday he didnt want to weight bear on his better foot , this morning he was worse and there was no option really . My vet came we took him outside and he was given the injection - he went rigid and fell on his side - he knew nothing - it was a good death , he made a few mild involuntary movements and a release of breath but he was long gone then. As mentioned the vet checked his heart and the blink reflex . Injection was the right way for us today . RIP Halley
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Post by K8 on Feb 11, 2009 17:25:57 GMT 1
Carols i'm sorry.
RIP Halley. xx
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Post by DonnieDarco on Feb 11, 2009 17:54:54 GMT 1
Thinking of you Carols
RIP Halley
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Post by wabuska on Feb 11, 2009 19:02:26 GMT 1
Sorry to hear of you loss Halley. Very hard.
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Post by lisap on Feb 11, 2009 19:46:02 GMT 1
We have had retired horses and ponies for many years now and it is our experience that it is the hand behind the gun/lethal injection that counts as regards how peacefully a horse is PTS. Our present vet gets the awful job of sending all our oldies to Rainbow Bridge when their time has come, purely because he is a genius with a needle. Not one of 10 horses and ponies has ever struggled against the injection. However, we have witnessed other vets who are less skilled, and this has unfortunately resulted in a less peaceful exit. We always make sure that the horses' companions are either brought to the body, or we try to do the deed in the field where the horse is usually kept. It is always very low key, they all know Mark (who gets as upset as we do, bless him), and the end is always very, very peaceful. Either I, or the owner will hold the horse and feed it treats, and Mark knows exactly when to tell us to step away. The horse does not go rigid when it falls, it simply dies so fast that the unlocking mechanism in the legs do not have time to release, so the horse goes down in the standing position, if that makes sense. It doesn't look very nice, and sometimes the big nerves in the body fire off after death and there are a few twitches and kicks, but the horse is completely dead before it hits the ground. We do not bury our loved oldies, but the knacker man is a super chap, and is very respectful of the bodies. I always suggest that owners leave one of us to be with the horse when it is taken away, and my friends did the same for me when my old girl went off to the Paddock in the Sky. It's not the most dignified thing to see a beloved horse being winched into the wagon, despite the gentleness and respect given to the body. We are so lucky in that we have a little memorial garden for all the horses, dogs and cats that have lived at Springfield. We have name markers and each animal has a shrub planted in memory of them. It's a happy place for us to go to and say hello to them.
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carols
Olympic Poster
Posts: 628
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Post by carols on Feb 11, 2009 20:07:25 GMT 1
Lisa I agree - I waited until my own vet whom I have complete trust in could be with me rather than have one of the others a couple of hours earlier - thank goodness he was working today. Although they may not go rigid that is how it appeared to me - it is so quick . I was with him until the chain was around him and the winch ready then i turned and walked away without looking back. My goodbyes were said in the interim between the vet leaving and him being collected - a pleasant time .(if that can be )
Thank you to Kate Donnie and Kanga
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Post by jen1 on Feb 12, 2009 16:02:54 GMT 1
Carol im so sorry he was one in a million, RIP HALLEY,
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