Tomorrow is the day I say goodbye to my gelding Cash. I have posted about his situation before. The vet will be out to send him over the bridge tomorrow. I’ve made arrangements for my neighbor to come to take my other gelding out to keep him occupied, so he won’t know. I feel better doing it this way, but just wondered if the other horses will ‘know’ what’s going on, or what kind of behavior I may expect from my other horses. Not trying to anthropomorphise, just wondering.
Think it’s better if they can see their buddy after the deed is done. They seem to know when they are let to sniff and nudge their friend that they are gone. Might have some whining and looking for his buddy ,but only last maybe a few days. My current horse was present when his buddy was PTS didn’t stop the looking and calling out for him but only lasted like 2 days.
Had already got another horse prior to his bf being PTS so think that really helped.
^ I agree with this ^ …
Bless you for helping Cash cross the bridge ~
((hugs)) laced with strength and comfort and understanding ~
Horses know when a herd member is missing; they don’t know anything more. If member does not come back they will know that a member is missing but it won’t make any difference in behaviors after a very short period of time.
Sorry that you’re about to do something painful by putting down a horse. The trauma is far greater for you than the remaining horses. Life quickly moves on for them; not so much for you. That’s a sadness but part and parcel of equine ownership.
G.
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Yes they will realize their buddy is not there (if they were close) and often will call for them. The last 2 that were euthanized here on the farm (2016 and 2017) were unexpected losses. Their herd mates called and looked for them for several days. I do not let mine see the body because usually there is a deep hole and heavy equipment nearby for burial. I don’t want to risk injury to the other horses just to see their buddy’s body.
It is very similar to weaning a foal, they do get over it especially if they have new buddies or familiar horses to hang with.
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My vet recommends letting the other horses see, smell and even touch the body. They grieve but seem to understand death. I’ve seen several actually go through a grieving stage. I think it’s easier in the long run than they never know what happened to their friend. Anyone who has had to break up a herd will tell you sometimes the one left behind will whinny and search for a week…
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Let them see him after he is gone. They will understand why he is missing and will probably not be as upset. Yes horses grieve. I have witnessed this.
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My vet suggested that I bring my pony to see my gelding when we let him go. The pony nickered to Cole and nudged him The pony realized that Cole was “gone” and not just asleep.
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Thanks everyone. My gelding Jack has his mini buddy, Bean. Jack and Cash have a love/hate relationship, and Jack has never been the type to ‘miss’ anyone, have only ever heard him call once for Bean. I am still going to have my friend come and keep Jack occupied, at least while the vet is here. I appreciate your responses.
Things just feel surreal today, I hope things go smoothly, still battling with the 'what if’s", but know in my heart that it’s the right thing to do. Cash got extra everything for breakfast, and some cookies as well. I haven’t been able to love on him, as he resists being touched, so out of respect for him I’ve avoided that. He won’t stand for grooming either, so couldn’t say I got to do that. Feels like he’s already distanced himself from us all, but I did take the time to stand with him the other day and say my goodbyes. Told him thank you, and that I loved him. That he was a good boy. Just hope I can hold it together to see my boy out of this world. This is tough.
It’s all good if no hole has been dug yet,as in my case. Hole was dug after my gelding got to sniff nudge his buddy.I then lead him back to barnyard,to lock him up while backhoe dug hole and buried his bf. As i didn’t want to be there to watch horse be buried. My horse is just fine with big equipment, so the backhoe being there didn’t bother him or spook him.
Hugs to you. So hard to go through this with any of our animals.
Sending many good thoughts during this difficult time, OP. I hope everything went as smoothly as possible today. hugs
Thinking of you tonight and sending along a hug.
Its done. Cash crossed over peacefully. Once he was down, the vet allowed me to go to him and be with him as he passed. I was finally able to pet him and kiss him one last time. Told him he was a good boy and that I loved him. Its been a rough day. Jack has been calling and looking for him all afternoon. Its heartbreaking. I sat with Jack for awhile but it doesn’t seem to help. The vet agreed that it was time, he was ready to go. That helped some. Thank you all for your kind words. It really helps.
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hugs
My “heart horse” died of a sudden heart attack in the pasture just before his 27th birthday; I was thankful I was there to witness it for closure’s sake. My one mare had lived with my old boy since her birth-- he was turned out with the mares and foals, he was the “baby-sitter” for the weanlings, and the both of them had been dragged around the country together on my life’s adventures. While they both preferred the company of others, they definitely had a brother/sister type relationship (or more accurately, a same herd relationship) and would always look out for each other.
When my old boy passed, none of my horses had much reaction to him dying, to his body was lying in the field, or when the cremation company winched him up onto their flatbed trailer. But when the trailer pulled out the gate, my mare started running and letting out the saddest whinnies I have ever heard. She called for him the remainder of the day (and she is not typically a vocal horse). It broke my heart.
She was OK with time. I am sure Jack will be, too, but it’s so hard to watch. I am not anthropomorphizing when I say horses grieve just like we do.
Thinking of you and Jack as you both mourn the loss of Cash.
((HUGS)) Sorry for your loss. RIP Cash. 
I have been through putting down a very much loved horse. My current gelding was let to sniff ,nudge him after he was gone. Even with that he still whinnied and looked for his bf for a few days. Was heart wrenching to hear and see him looking calling for his bf.
I was there for my boy till his last breath sat with him after he was gone tears streaming down my face. Petting him knowing that was the last time i’d get feel his soft coat and run my fingers through his mane. Before he was gone but was heavily tranq. I told him how much i loved him what a good boy he had been. Hardest part was he was only 7 years old. His time here was way to short, him being gone has left a HUGE hole in my heart, i miss him dearly. I gave him the final gift i freed him from his pain.
Jack will settle down in a few more days. Just give him some extra love ,spend time grooming him or whatever it is he likes most.
Hugs for you. It’s tough to let one go.
As far as the other horse(s), I wouldn’t bother to let them sniff the body. A horse is gone, and to them it’s no different whether he’s been sold and has left your property or is actually “gone”. They’ll quiet down after a few days and readjust to their new herd dynamic.
When one pasture mate “left”, one old boy had a fit for days. He did not see him or sniff him. When another left suddenly, and he got to see , but wouldn’t touch his buddy, he accepted it.
Only we seem to grieve for months.
And I’ve seldom see a horse fuss when one loads and leaves unless he’s not coming back, and then;) sometimes there’s a sigh of relief.
