[PaulineW]

  Its not something I'm looking forward to but I believe in being prepared. My old mare is not doing too well, and if she goes downhill before the end of winter I'm going to let her go with dignity.

Who do I need to contact to take her away? I have had two horses put down many years ago (years apart) - one was buried onsite in a pet cemetery, and the other was taken care of by the yard owner so we didn't have to witness it.

I'm now on a rented property so will have to make the phone call when its needed. 

Thanks in advance.

[shygirl]

ask Douglasbrae near Keith. if they cant help im sure they will know who can.
they are very nice people.

[mojocafa]

David conchie in carnoustie would probably be able to advice you. I will be at conchies next week, I could ask for you.

[sabrina]

I have used Douglasbrae and they are very good. He was here ready to pick up as soon as the vet had done the job.

[PaulineW]

David conchie in carnoustie would probably be able to advice you. I will be at conchies next week, I could ask for you.

  I never even considered asking him! I'm going there tomorrow for horse food so could ask if I see him. Thanks.

[bigchicken]

Douglasbrae came for my old Rocky great service and the driver was excellent.

[farmvet]

Try Gavin & Susan from equine recovery services. They are amazing. They come in a converted ivor Williams with winch etc and take your old friend away as a single horse instead of on a pile of dead stock. They operate a 24 hour service too. Based in Cumbernauld but i'm sure they cover angus. 07879285085 07732652007. The price for Perthshire is much the same as douglasbrae..around £200 for injected or £150 if they shoot. The carcass handling is identical but this is historical pricing at all the knackers going back to when carcasses could be fed.   
Very brave of you to be well prepared in advance. It definetly helps a lot. Have a chat with your vet too as they will usually be happy to make all those difficult phone calls for you.

[Hevxxx99]

I had to face this exact problem at the end of November when my 31 year old mare lay down and wouldn't get up again.   

The vet came and put her to sleep and was able to advise me on who to call.  In my case, it was the local hunt who came with an individual trailer but as she was injected rather than shot, she wasn't fed to hounds, but they were still happy to help and very kind and sympathetic.

Good on you for thinking ahead and being prepared.  Horrible to have to deal with that situation, but even horribler to have to watch them suffer.

[bazzais]

Can you not ask the owner of the land if they mind a pet burial -  although terribley emotional, I do find its a nice way to say goodbye.  Hire a minidigger and DIY.

I'm so sorry - its hardtimes at these times

Godbless Pauline

[ellied]

Douglasbrae cover down as far as Fife and west to Stirling at least.  I use them and the drivers are very good whether you want to help load, watch or go indoors and leave them to it.  I usually pay between £80-130 for a chunky Highland up to 14.2, lower rate being youngstock.

It's not the nicest thing but the animal is past suffering and the companies that do individual personalised pickups are to my mind often profiteering off the owner's grief with the anthropomorphism and sales brochure approach.  Better to use the cash for the living animals than overpay for the fallen stock.   

The first one I lost I had buried by digger because she was my first pony and I can say it's no easier to see being done.  But harder if you sell or lose the lease on the land.

[PaulineW]

Thank you for all your replies - most appreciated. Burial on site is not an option unfortunately, so removal is necessary. We take each day as it comes. x