Discussing euthanasia with vet

[alterusername]

Thank you for your words of advice. My vet did agree to euthanasia in my mare’s case, particularly given her difficulties with the farrier and possible difficulties in turnout. Given the many curveballs this mare has thrown me, I expressed my desire to have her go on a good day and not in a moment of crisis.

I am currently trying to figure out whether I want to be present at the appointment or not. I do have the option to not be there (my horse’s trainer could be there in place of me). To those of you who have euthanized horses, do you regret being there or not being there?

[SMF11]

My 2 cents is you should do what’s best for the horse. If you and she have a bond, I think you should be there for her.

[sascha]

I have been there for others. I was not present for either of my own horses - in both cases stable owners stepped in and said come say your goodbyes (they were scheduled) and we will take care of everything.

If not an emergency when I am unavailable, I will be there for my current horse when the time comes. I will not stick around for removal/burial.

I do not regret not being there for either of my previous horses.

I would prefer to be there when the time comes for my current horse as although she is comfortable with other people, she always looks to me for guidance and security. I would prefer to give that to her on her final vet appointment too.

[Lunabear1988]

I could not be there for mine. I was there right up until the moment though. It was just too painful for me emotionally. In one case I almost stopped it and again asked the vet if it was the right thing. She agreed that it was and my lovely barn owner held him during it.

[Amy3996]

I stayed for the appointment. He was my first horse and my heart horse. He gave me his everything and owed me nothing. Being with him in his final moments was important to me. Once the vet confirmed that he was gone, I left. Watching removal and burial would’ve been too hard for me.

It’s such a deeply personal decision. There’s already so much grief and emotion - if not being there makes it easier for you to get through that day, that’s what you should do.

[beau159]

@alterusername

I have a call in to her vet of 5 years, who knows this mare through rehab of the fractured withers, but I do not know this vet’s stance on euthanasia. How do I broach the topic of euthanasia, given this mare’s quirks?

It’s been 10 years now since I had my vet put my horse down, who was only 14 years old at the time. Chronic arthritis in his hip. Some days, he couldn’t even trot on his own in the pasture. He was becoming aggressive because of the pain. (Not like him at all.) It was really hard to make that decision but it was the right one. My vet didn’t question it.

They know.

There’s nothing wrong with putting down a horse that you know is in pain.

[wsmoak]

@alterusername

I am currently trying to figure out whether I want to be present at the appointment or not. I do have the option to not be there (my horse’s trainer could be there in place of me). To those of you who have euthanized horses, do you regret being there or not being there?

It’s really up to you, what is your personality, etc. If you are super sensitive and think the sight of the horse going down will be seared into your brain, then don’t put yourself through it.

I was there for mine recently, I held the rope and answered the vet when he re-confirmed I wanted it done. But by then I was pretty detached, knowing it needed to happen before winter because of all the other stuff going on here.

[Baybear]

Agree with all the other comments. None of us come to this decision lightly. Its not like you have decided to give up on this mare but she is creating more safety concerns for you and potentially others. She apparently is no longer happy in work as her rearing and acting up is probably due to pain. You cannot risk your farrier or others getting hurt when shes in need of a trim (or cleaning hooves)
FWIW years ago a local barn owner died and her instructions per her Will was to euthanize her couple of horses. The vets obliged. I’m sure they could’ve found good homes, but that is what her will stated. At least one boarder there also euthanized her horse - she had an old retired horse there who felt she wouldn’t handle a move to a new barn well.

And do any of you recall that Buck Branaman documentary where there was one absolutely roque horse? Horse was clearly unsafe and felt he would never come around. I believe the owner euthed that horse. When a dog becomes dangerous, the majority of owners and/or shelters make the hard decision to euthanize.

As I said no one makes these decisions lightly - it’s always difficult even in situations where you know there is no choice. In the long run you are doing right by this horse and for you.

[BigMama1]

@alterusername

I am currently trying to figure out whether I want to be present at the appointment or not. I do have the option to not be there (my horse’s trainer could be there in place of me). To those of you who have euthanized horses, do you regret being there or not being there?

I don’t want to see them go down, because it doesn’t always go smoothly. Once they are safely down and sleepy, I’m happy to be there.

[candyappy]

@alterusername

do you regret being there or not being there?

I am present when any of my animals is euthanized. I want their last memory to be of me talking, stroking them, telling them how much I loved them and yes, feeling my tears fall on them.

I know sometimes it can go badly but It is a risk I am willing to take.

No matter how much it hurts I can’t stay away. I have never regretted it.

[MsM]

I was there for my old horse and it was difficult. My vet’s procedure was that you hand over the lead rope after the injection so she can safely guide the horse down. So thankfully, I could turn away and not see him go down. But I did hear and feel it and that part was awful.

Not sure if I could stay for my current horse. Maybe wait until he is very heavily sedated but leave before he goes down. I hope not to have to face that for a while.

If the horse is not particularly bonded to you so that your presence would calm her, I dont think you need to be there at that moment.

[sheltona01]

I choose not to be there when it was my guy time. I felt it would have been harder on him. It was planned for a while because I felt that the next winter was going to be a disaster for him. The last time, I saw him, I made him nervous because he could tell something had changed. My barn owner was kind enough to take care of everything for me.

He was worth his weight of gold to me and I had him for 12 years. I am actually crying now thinking about him and it has been a few years. I did get a few clients saying how good he looked at the end, but I knew it was time. There were 3 minor issues that could have turned into major ones very quickly. I felt he deserved a peaceful end rather than chaos and panic.

[dacasodivine]

When I put my old horse down, I stayed for the first two shots. Once she was sound asleep, I walked away. I was in the room when my dog was put down and regretted staying for the last shot and watching her take her last breath so knew I did not want to watch my mare take her last breath. This for me was just right.

[Horsecrazy3]

I have been present for all my horses. The vet clinic arranged same day removal from my property and I was not present when they were removed. There is so much heartache. It is a personal decision with no right or wrong decision.

[trubandloki]

@alterusername being there or not being there is a very personal decision. Do not let anyone tell you that you have to do it some way, their way, to do it correctly.

Do what works best for you.

Watching a horse euthanized is not like putting a cat down.

I have gladly stepped in and held the lead rope for a friend of mine. She says her good byes, and leaves before it all happens. Her horse(s) were not distressed that she left. They do not know what is happening.

For sure, if you want to be there for the whole thing, then do it.

But you are not wrong no matter which option you choose.

[Small_Change]

I think the most important thing is to ensure that the euthanasia will be done in a way you are comfortable with, and then have someone there who reassures the horse. Some horses are 100% okay with the vet and tech, others really seem to be reassured by “their” people only. You know your horse best.

As far as how the euthanasia is carried out, I will absolutely not allow any horse in my care to be euthanized without an IV catheter in place, and lots of sedation beforehand. These are both pretty common place now, but I have seen enough without these in place to make sure that I state it ahead of time. The excitement phase without sedation is awful, as is losing a vein part way through. Sedation does prolong the actual dying process a bit (lower heart rate and blood pressure means it takes a bit longer to circulate the final injection, but the horse is without question quiet and comfortable), but it is kind.

Be aware that the older guys can go down with a thump after sedation, simply due to their being less mobile and agile. A younger horse is more likely to lie down in a more usual fashion. A good vet or handler will help guide them down in either case.

After the final injection, there will be breathing, often irregularly, and sometimes groaning or sighing. This is a normal part of the dying process, and happens even after the heart has stopped.

I don’t say any of this to try to scare anyone off of being there - if handled well, the process is sad, but kind and peaceful. Not knowing what to expect is worse. Not knowing what to advocate for is worse. I am a Critical Care RN in my life outside of horses, and have guided so many through withdrawal of care and watching loved ones die. Most people say that knowing what to expect ahead of time makes it easier.

[RMJacobs]

I’ve been present for one pony and two of my dogs. There was no way I wouldn’t be there for the pony, as he was much loved and I felt that I needed to see him through to the end. For the other horse we euthanized, my husband asked me not to be there because it was his horse and my reaction would make it harder for him to cope. He felt the same about the last dog we euthanized, as she was his baby. We ended up having the shelter from whom we’d gotten her do that euthanasia, and they wouldn’t allow DH in the room.

DH also asked for me not to be present when he pushed each horse into their grave, as he thought it was an image I’d never be able to shed. I disagreed, but did what he wanted. I wasn’t there for the burial of my one horse that died on his own, without euthanasia. We no longer had our horse property then, and he was boarded, and I felt the BO would be able to deal with it better without me there. The BO was doing me a huge favor by renting a backhoe from a friend for a very reasonable price and burying my horse on his property, and I didn’t want to make it any harder on him. I did pay for the backhoe, of course, and gave all my tack, blankets etc. to the barn to use or sell as they wished.

Rebecca

[MsM]

I agree, knowing what to expect helps you get through it. My horse was an urgent situation and the first time I witnessed a horse euthanasia. Although he was sedated, he did not lay down gently and I wasnt prepared for him falling over like that.

[RedHorses]

It is a very personal decision to be there to the end or walk away before. I was there for both of mine,. but I absolutely don’t think it’s right for everyone.

I will say that if you don’t think you will be able to keep yourself from breaking down before the horse is gone, consider leaving before it starts. If you’re too upset, your horse is likely to pick up on that and get upset themselves.

The only thing I regret is not taking some of my first horse’s tail.

[Ghazzu]

I’d just lay out the behaviors you’ve stated here, and say you can’t be responsible for the mare injuring someone, as well as the fact that her quality of life is not good, and seems to be on a downward trajectory.