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Hanno Ellermann
Hanno Ellermann - Estonia
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Q: With great sadness, I have made the decision to put my 33-year-old horse to sleep. I have had him for 26 years and will miss him desperately. He has lost his back teeth, and despite my best efforts, has lost a huge amount of weight. My vet fully supports this difficult decision. He will be put to sleep by injection and then cremated. My concerns turn now to his companion. I want to know whether it is better for him to witness his friend pass away, or take him away while it is happening. Also, I am concerned about him living alone. He is kept in a field where he can see other horses, but not touch them. I am reluctant to get another horse at this stage.
This is always a difficult time with practical considerations, as well as emotional ones, to deal with – especially when you also have to figure in a companion as well.
Opinions vary, but I feel that unless you are going to leave your horse in the field long enough for him to figure out that his friend will never get up again (at least several hours), there is no value in allowing him to see his friend pass away.
I usually recommend that a new companion is introduced prior to the sad event, or that the companion is moved well out of sight and hearing, even if it is necessary to sedate one or both horses.
While it is always best for horses to have company and have physical contact with other horses, some horses seem reasonably happy on their own.
You will have to see how your horse gets on, and if another horse is out of the question, a sheep or goat can provide excellent companionship.
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StableexpressHanno Ellermann
Posted by Stable Express
Q: With great sadness, I have made the decision to put my 33-year-old horse to sleep. I have had him for 26 years and will miss him desperately. He has lost his back teeth, and despite my best efforts, has lost a huge amount of weight. My vet fully supports this difficult decision. He will be put to sleep by injection and then cremated. My concerns turn now to his companion. I want to know whether it is better for him to witness his friend pass away, or take him away while it is happening. Also, I am concerned about him living alone. He is kept in a field where he can see other horses, but not touch them. I am reluctant to get another horse at this stage.
This is always a difficult time with practical considerations, as well as emotional ones, to deal with – especially when you also have to figure in a companion as well.
Opinions vary, but I feel that unless you are going to leave your horse in the field long enough for him to figure out that his friend will never get up again (at least several hours), there is no value in allowing him to see his friend pass away.
I usually recommend that a new companion is introduced prior to the sad event, or that the companion is moved well out of sight and hearing, even if it is necessary to sedate one or both horses.
While it is always best for horses to have company and have physical contact with other horses, some horses seem reasonably happy on their own.
You will have to see how your horse gets on, and if another horse is out of the question, a sheep or goat can provide excellent companionship.
