HELP...What to do?

Question

I have a 33-yr-old paint mare that I've had since I was a child. Sadly, she's got cancer and it's progressively getting worse. Treatments won't help and she's losing her sight and hearing and she's dropped off all her weight. Supplements and vitamins don't help to keep weight on her. My family wants me to have her put down, and I know it's what's best for her, but she's been one of my best friends for so long, that I just don't have the guts! However, I've finally made up my mind that it's for the best. Has anyone else ever had to handle a situation like this, and if so, how did you cope?

Answer 1

Yes, actually, i just recently had to put one of my horses down. It was a very difficult decision to make for my family and I as well. Our pony mare Angel also had cancer that was progressively getting worse, on top of other problems she had been coping with for some time.

Angel was 23 years old and we had her since she was a yearling. She was my daughters riding pony so I left the final decision of what to do in my daughters hands. She realized the best thing to do for the horse was to euthanize her and relieve her pain. it was hard to do it, but in the end it just felt 'right'.

I'm truly sorry to hear about your mare. everyone has their own way of coping, I'm sure you'll find yours. Some people feel better talking about their lost friend and reminiscing, while others keep to themselves about it. Just remember the good and know that you did what was in the best interest of your friend.

Answer 2

well its not easy to do but all you have to think about is that you'll be putting her out of her misery and she will be much happier up there in horsey heaven

Answer 3

It is sometimes hard to do the right thing.  But just remember,  She is old, and she lived a full, healthy, life.  You could take a few pieces of her tail and braid it and have it in your room(My TB died unexpectedly the day after I sold him and he had moved to a new barn, My old barn owner who I board my current horse with, went over to the other barn to assist with the burial and she took pieces of his tail and braided them and then I have pics of him in a memory box, he is burried at a big show barn down here so I can visit him whenever)

My friend had to mkae the decision to put down a three yr old because he had contracted EPM pretty badly,  I remember walking him while the vet got everything ready he had no control over his back end and kept tripping me, and running into me(I had raised this horse and my dad gave him to her when his racing career went out the window)

Its hard, but I know him living was more painful.

Answer 4

you sort of answered yourself on how to cope.. if you just know that its whats best for her.. i mean, yea its sad and all, but if you think about what she has been going through, just know she will be happier now up in horse-heaven. she is young again and running around with a bunch of her horse-friends. she would have been miserable and thats not how you want to see her..

Answer 5

Gosh Sweetie, I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this.  Unfortunately, it is a fact of life.  Also a fact, animals are ready to go long before we are ready to let them go.  Rest assured, her quality of life is very poor right now, by her standards.  No matter how you feel about it, it doesn't change the fact that she can no longer live pain-free and independent.  Animals become more stressed out when they are living in pain, or not able to be independent.  Although our animals appear to "love us", they have become fond of our presence, but still rely on their own instincts to move about their own daily business.  It has got to be very stressful for her to be losing her eyesight - she may be living in a state of fearfulness because her eyes and ears, and ability to run from danger are all failing.  You must truly love her for she has lived a long life - a 33-year old horse is a testament to your good care as her owner.  Your love for her, though, should give you the "guts" to want to ease her suffering.  You have within you the power to decide when her suffering, fear, and discomfort end.

Many people, including myself, believe that our loved ones (human and animal) stay with us as long as we keep them in our hearts.  She can be with you forever, if you want her to be.  And she'll appreciate your love for her, during her life, and in her release from pain.  She'll also understand, and know that you did your best to give her the best life she could have.

Google "Rainbow Bridge" - although by the time I finish typing this, you'll probably have it as one of the answers.

Bless you, bless your painted lady.  May she be pain-free soon.  Good luck.

Answer 6

I think you have answered your own question.  If she is your best friend, then you wouldn't want her to suffer for your ease.

If you can not handle it have someone else hold her while the drugs are administered, as it is not pretty when they go down and you keep thinking you see her breathe.

We had to put down a 37 yr old mare a couple of years ago and I chose to hold her for the vet and pet her until the vet confirmed her heart stopped.  I then trimmed a bit of her mane and tail to keep.  I have also pulled the shoes off an old jumper I had that had to be put down and had the shoes bronzed.

It is never easy, but the best choice is to accept that she may be suffering and that ending her pain would be best.

Answer 7

:[

I luckily havent had this yet,

but just think of all the good times you've had together,

best friends arent there forever, remember the good times and remember that you helped her to a better place and helped her out of her pain

Answer 8

I've handled it with horses and many pets.  It's never easy, but you are making the right decision.  Your horse will be tranquilized first, and then the euthanizing drug will be administered.  It is a quiet and comfortable death, which is what she deserves.  I'm sorry for your loss.  I allow myself to grieve fully, just as I do when any loved one is lost.

Answer 9

You do what you have to do and you realize that it is OK to hurt for it.  I wish I could say the hurt will go away.  I can't.  I can only say that it will get bearable over time.