What do I do with my two horses while my other pony is put to sleep

I had to put two of my geldings down this past summer - and my horses watched and mourned (stood on their graves) for two days after both incidents. There is no way around it, they will greive. If at all possible, take them away and do not let them see it. My experience was awful and painful - especially the reactions from my other two geldings!

If u r able to try & move ur grey mare out to a different location when u have her put to sleep. Every horses reaction to the death of a pasture mate varies but u should never have a horse put to sleep in a area where ur other equines often go or r around- I am a vet & have noticed that with older equines when put to sleep often start to smell ''dead'' a bit faster than the younger ones. That smell can be left on grass, clothes, & the general area where they r laid to rest. You probably do not want ur other horses to smell that.

Also, I think u would rather be with ur equine during her last minutes so u may just want to feed ur horses later or earlier that day while ur vet euthinizes ur mare to comfort her & say good bye. After she passes I'd suggest taking her halter & other objects she often used & either placing them separately from ur other 2 equines belongings or thoroughly wash them. This is so u may keep them intact if u r no longer going to use them & so ur other horses do not smell ur mare as smell can trigger panic or distress in equines if they r having separation anxiety.

I suppose it depends on how and where the vet is going to do it . And who disposes of the animal after death.

Taking them for a walk sounds like a good idea.

30 years old sounds very old to me for a horse.

Say goodbye to your horse , give it a treat and try to keep it calm and comfortable. Putting it to sleep is just about what happens ,if drugs are used , the animal will lay down and just fall asleep and die.

Ohhh thats so sad. I think you probably should take them for a walk or anything just to get them out of there. Horses are the most beautiful animals in the world. Its sad that she has to be put to sleep.

Put them 'out to pasture' while your 'old grey mare' is put to sleep . and if you really 'can not' be with her, then go out to that pasture and love your two other horses TOTALLY . but let them 'run free' and make sure they are 'far enough away' from the death that they can not 'hear' or 'see' any of it, and make sure that everything is 'totally cleaned up' when you return them to the barn.

When I had my old horse put down, we loaded him in a friend is trailer . I stayed & stood by him for the injection, etc. It was like ripping away part of my heart to have to put him down, but seeing how peacefully he died was a relief to me. The trailer was on the other side of the barn away fro the other horses.

I have read that when horses that r very attached, it may be good to leave the body accessible to the other horse(s) so they can grieve. In ur circumstance these horses have not fully bonded with this old one, so it should not be too difficult for them.