Humane Slaughter

[Selous]

I had a few issues with the 32acp, largely due to an oversize bore allowing gas leakage round the bullet. Had failure to penetrate the skull on more than one occasion. Never had that problem with an old 310 cattle killer that was great. Roadside RTA now I don't have a humane killer are attended with a 12bore. Birdshot in one barrel for up close and personal and buckshot or slug in the other in case I can't approach close enough. 410 good providing you can get within 2-3 yards whereas a 12g was ok for head shots for a much longer distance. Buchan and I did some basic pattern testing to check what happened and I will see if I have the pictures somewhere

 

[stone]

The captive bolt stuns the beast which should then be bled immediately! Cant wake up then!

As Apache says
some owners won't like to see the effect of that and nor may the stable owner either

 

[Paul 600]

As Apache says
some owners won't like to see the effect of that and nor may the stable owner either

If they have called for me then the poo has hit the fan and the beast will need putting down immediately.

 

[stone]

A captive bolt would not be my first choice in a horse as their heads are very mobile and they usually come with a fussy owner attached, who wont like you pithing/bleeding 'Bonny'.

Have an old .22 captive bolt and it is underpowered for large cattle/bulls. The 9mm model much better. Still need to bleed/pith.

I'd have used a .410 in the same situation.

My favourite method for horses is a .32 pistol. Most owners elect to have them injected.

You cannot get a safe angle with a long barrelled rifle in a standing horse. You need to aim down the spine.

and also shooting a horse at close quarters such as in a tight stable or on the trailer may be quite dangerous especially if it rears or falls in your direction once shot... Known a few vets break a leg or other bones when they got trapped
most vets in our area now inject or call out an experienced locall firearms person to assist

 

[TopTommy]

I haven't read everything on this thread but I have used everything from c/f to r/f (centre fire to rim fire guys!) but cannot fault .410 for safety, speed and remaining calm whilst doing the job on the highway. Imaging a writhing fallow in possible view of waiting motorists etc. Imagine no ricochet, minimal noise and inconspicuous - almost fire from the hip and no need to 'aim' as you would with a single bullet. I have always found this humane kill is over in a second and even the cops hardly notice what has happened. I do take a .22 as back-up just in case the poor animal has got itself somewher where I can't get a short range shot with the .410 but this has only ever happened once. PLEASE don't use a knife in the axis - it's where all the spinal and facial nerves converge and if you don't get it right instantly it's horrendously painful to the animal. Happened to me once and I'll never do it again. I suffered as much as the poor deer did for those vital seconds. Hope this helps us all.

 

[stone]

If they have called for me then the poo has hit the fan and the beast will need putting down immediately.

I agree
but when your dealing with a £10,00 pet
Some owners are not that way inclined , that's when you need to use a less distressing method to achieve the same outcome

 

[Apache]

If they have called for me then the poo has hit the fan and the beast will need putting down immediately.

Yes, but how those final moments are handled matter a huge amount. The image of you cutting the pony's throat or it rithing around whilst pithed are not especially nice to see and will be with that owner for the rest of their life.

Just because we are used to killing things, they are not. It's not like a farmer where you hardly need to break from conversation.

 

[006remmaj]

I've got a .410 side by side Belgium shot pistol for humane dispatch!! Wilts!!

 

[Rushjob]

Yes, but how those final moments are handled matter a huge amount. The image of you cutting the pony's throat or it rithing around whilst pithed are not especially nice to see and will be with that owner for the rest of their life.

Just because we are used to killing things, they are not. It's not like a farmer where you hardly need to break from conversation.

Wise words there.

Always know your audience!