The last thing for a horse

[texasjohn]

Have had to put down a horse, favorite cow, wonderful dog, as well as slaughter cattle. Bullet placement is key, as has been mentioned. 22 long rifle does an amazing job.... recently acquired a 9mm pistol, think I now prefer it for cattle/larger animals. I never want to do it. Do not enjoy it.

It is a required part of responsible stock/animal ownership, IMHO.

 

[Ken45101]

Draw an imaginary line from the left ear to the right eye and from the right ear to the left eye.

I believe more precisely it is from the bottom of the ear to the inside of the opposite eye.

We had a vet put down one horse. NEVER AGAIN! The poor sweet girl ran about 50 feet and stood there shuddering in pain for a moment before she collapsed I feel like we betrayed her trust. It still hurts.

I've read that some vets agree that a bullet is more humane than the chemicals.

I know that a .22 can do the job if done perfectly, but I prefer to be more sure and use a .44 with a flat point bullet (semi wadcutter). A .357 should be adequate too. The last one I put down keeled over so fast that he knocked me down. I truly believe he felt nothing.

A sad, but necessary topic.

Ken

 

[czechsonofagun]

Have had to put down a horse, favorite cow, wonderful dog, as well as slaughter cattle. Bullet placement is key, as has been mentioned. 22 long rifle does an amazing job.... recently acquired a 9mm pistol, think I now prefer it for cattle/larger animals. I never want to do it. Do not enjoy it.

Right! Nothing wrong with killing, to enjoy killing is wrong.

 

[MossRoad]

Right! Nothing wrong with killing, to enjoy killing is wrong.

Unless it is a bug that just bit you, I tend to agree. Them little buggers deserved it. :laughing:

As for animals, weather food, livestock or pet, as quick and humanely as possible is the goal. That's why I recommend using a vet if you do not know how to do it yourself.

 

[Soundguy]

IWe had a vet put down one horse. NEVER AGAIN! The poor sweet girl ran about 50 feet and stood there shuddering in pain for a moment before she collapsed I feel like we betrayed her trust. It still hurts.


Ken

I'm surprized they dind't ace her first..

soundguy

 

[WTA]

I've had to do it a couple times with horses. A 40 year old we had that just couldn't get up one morning and a young one that we rescued and had severe respiratory problems.
I'd rather do it myself with my 45 than call a vet. All of our rendering plants are long since shut down too so I burried them and planted flowers.

 

[Ken45101]

I'm surprized they dind't ace her first..

soundguy

Other people have related similar stories where a vet putting down a horse was a disaster.

Ace is not always effective as a sedative. It made our stallion wild. I have since learned that is not an uncommon result. Some horses it works for, others have the opposite reaction.

(For those who don't know what we are talking about, Ace is the short name for a tranquilizer drug used on horses.)



Here is the University of California Davis vet school reference on Emergency Eutheanisia

Emergency Euthanasia of Horses; UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Extension

I was slightly off in the optimum location. The reference gives a diagram. The full article compares the other options.

Here is the section on using a firearm:

Gunshot

The proper location of gunshot penetration is important in the destruction of the brain and minimizing suffering. The optimal site for penetration of the skull is one-half inch above the intersection of a diagonal line from the base of the ear to the inside corner of the opposite eye. The firearm should be aimed directly down the neck, perpendicular to the front of the skull, and held at least 2-6 inches away from the point of impact. When performed skillfully, gunshot induces instantaneous unconsciousness, is inexpensive, and does not require close contact with the horse.

A .22-caliber long rifle is recommended, but a 9mm or .38-caliber handgun will be sufficient for most horses. The use of hollow-point or soft nose bullets will increase brain destruction and reduce the chance of ricochet. If a shotgun is the only available firearm, the use of a rifled slug is preferred.

This method should only be attempted by individuals trained in the use of firearms and who understand the potential for ricochet. Care must be taken to minimize the danger to the operator, observers, and other animals. Personnel must comply with all laws and regulations governing the possession and discharge of firearms; local ordinances may prohibit the discharge of firearms in certain areas.

Ken

 

[Gizmo2]

We had a vet put down one horse. NEVER AGAIN! The poor sweet girl ran about 50 feet and stood there shuddering in pain for a moment before she collapsed I feel like we betrayed her trust. It still hurts.

I for one would not want to experience that. I trust you have a different Vet now?

 

[kidr]

There is very little margin of error trying to put a bullet into the brain of a horse. The brain sits much lower in the skull than you might think. You may hear a few disaster stories about vets putting down a horse , but you will never hear about the botched jobs done by people who don't know what they're doing. they're too ashamed.......Why would a 22 long rifle be preferred to a 9 mm or 45? That makes absolutely no sense to me.

 

[CMSporthorses]

Because a .22LR round has more than enough penetrating power and does the job well without the dangers (and mess) of over penetration from higher powered rounds...
Remeber too the muzzle velocity of a .22LR is quite high in relation to most pistol rounds... and we are not talking about a self defence type situation were you are trying to stop a threat with what may not be perfectly placed rounds requiring a large wound channel.... this is an accurately placed rifle shot into what ISN'T a small target considering the range of a couple of inches....would you use a sledgehammer to drive a small nail into a piece of softwood, or do you think you might split the timber and make a mess?
Ever shot a sealed full soda can? Think about what a large calibre round at close range does to the sealed can...it doesn't make a neat hole.... the can disintergrates and splaters soda everywhere.....

I might grab one of my teaching skulls in the morning and see if I can take some pics showing shot placement and the "target" behind a piece of very thin bone... you will see why a .22 is ample.

Btw. Acetapromaline is a bloody horrible drug to use in my opinion...Has quite a high chance of bad reactions is the horse is at all agitated before administration...As someone said above the best description is an "opposite" effect..like a huge hit of speed... Often ends with a dead horse in situation where that was not the intention!

Ace is also contraindicated for use in male horses, particularly stallions as it can cause penile paralysis...they can drop and not retract leading to all sorts of complications and even amputation...that will make you wince guys!

A much safer drug to use is Zylazine, but I think you will find it is one vets are less likely to allow owners to self administer, where as they MAY supply ACE, particualrly as tablets...