The last thing for a horse

[WTA]

That is why I have always used a 45. It has never made a mess or gone through but the bullet is huge and carries a lot of energy with it to really destroy the brain fast. Back in the final days when the Army still rode it was the same gun they used for this and it was for a reason. They actually have a manual out on exactly how to do it too. That's what I read the first time I had to put one down.

I would never use a 22 on a big animal like this. It's just too easy to mess it up and either you will get hurt or the animal will suffer horribly. Get a real gun and get it over with fast.
Plus a 45 acp, if for some crazy reason you miss, will not travel anywhere near as far as a 22 bullet. I remember a little girl being killed when I was a kid by some nut that shot a 22 in the air almost a mile away. I've got two bullet holes in the roof of my well house from a kid with a 22 that was a mile away too. Those things just don't really have a place on a farm other than for shooting rats or rabbits.

 

[Egon]

Barnes .338 Cal 250 Grain Maximum Range Boattail X Bullet

Well, I grew up seeing the .22 used to dispense more than one animal with no problems and here see that some people will agree it is sufficient.:thumbsup:

But for those who are not fully confident in their actions I'd recommend a .338 Winchester loaded with ammunition having the above mentioned bullet. Lots of penetration, lots of energy. Leaves lots of room for a little miscalculation and surely will exceed anything like a .45 or .38 can do.

If your gonna do it do it right!

 

[Ken45101]

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...

Sorry but I have to disagree.

I've put down several horses, usually with a .44 or a 9mm. No mess at all from overpenetration.

A .22 does NOT have a high muzzle velocity compared to other rounds. Out of a hangun, Winchester gives 950-1060 fps. For a .357, they give around 1200 fps, 9mm 1000-1200 fps. Most other handgun velocities are in the same range although .45 with a heavy bullet is a little slower.

Ken

 

[Soundguy]

I guess I'm lucky.. ever equine I've ever owned became a quiet dope when on ace...

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:



Ken

 

[tallyho8]

I guess I'm lucky.. ever equine I've ever owned became a quiet dope when on ace... soundguy

There are hundreds of horses that ride in Mardi Gras parades in the New Orleans area. About 90% of them are aced before they start out. The ace wears off in 30 to 60 minutes but by this time the horse is used to all the commotion and is slightly tired and is normally very calm even with all the sirens blaring, the bass drums beating and the crowds yelling and pushing and occasionally swatting the horse.

When you get to the start of the parade early before the ruckus starts, take the horse out the trailer and let him settle a few minutes and then ace him, he will be calm and cool. Usually, if the horse is unloaded in a hurry when there is already a lot of action, and he gets hyper before you ace him, all bets are off. Sometimes they get even more hyper and have to be removed from the parade.

Most horses only get 1 ml of ace and the veteran horses may only get 1/2 ml. Our late, but famous and beloved Chinese Cajun cowboy Sheriff of Jefferson parish used to ride his horse in the parades when he weighed about 300 pounds. To insure the Sheriff's safety, they gave the horse 3 ml of ace. He went down in the middle of the parade route and the Sheriff rode a jeep and then a float ever since.

 

[Soundguy]

one of my equines is sheriff's dept search and rescue qualified. I've never aced him for a parade.. but If we do any sewmi-surgical procedures to him we do ( dental work, etc.. )

soundguy

 

[dieselscout80]

That's all it ever took. One trigger pull so I'd guess that single shot .22 was a "Sufficient Weapon" Think I've still got it too.:thumbsup:

I don't think the .22 shot in the head ever kill them it just knocked them out and the throat cut to bleed them out is what did the actual killing part.

My Dad always used a .22, but once he had one a cow take 3 or 4 shots. The next time we had a huge steer that had horns and he used a .243.

I stayed with my dog when the Vet put him down and it was very fast.

I think pior planning is best so you know what to do which ever way you choose is always best.

 

[CurlyDave]

Funny thing about this thread. My neighbor was riding his horse last week when it stumbled under him and died--while he was still on it.

The horse was only 13 years old and seemed in very good condition.

Vet came out and did an autopsy--heart problems.

 

[Soundguy]

ouch.. I know a barrel racer that was running a competition that died and fell half way on the rider.. was a friends daughter.. bruised her up and knocker her out.. go figure..

soundguy

 

[tallyho8]

That's what I'm afraid of. After only about 20 years of training, I finally have 2 of my horses very good at pole bending which I love to do. But at their age (and mine too) I am afraid that any run may be their last. (and maybe mine too)

Though my wife wants me to retire from competition, I know retirement is a permanent thing and I am reluctant to call it quits and head for the easy chair. My delimma, live live to the fullest? Or die trying? Or just head for the easy chair and relive your memories?