Why the hardest part of my job is saying goodbye

Read the next installment from the winner of our KBIS blogging competition, BGA member and trainee vet nurse Lucy Fletcher.

Lucy works at Peasebrook Equine Clinic and this is her second blog. 

The weather has certaily changed and it's been a wet, windy weekend at work.

As I'm writing to you it's 2.30pm on Saturday afternoon and I’m just grabbing a quick sandwich and a moment to blog before I head back to the busy yard.

I have two horses and a foal in to use the cold-water spa and treadmill this weekend, and Emilie the vet is on hand to assist me with this.

It's been a busy week in the clinic. A week for mixed emotions, happy clients who have had a horse pass a vetting, devastated ones who have had to have a loved four-legged friend put to sleep.

As a nurse, we have to be able to deal with clients in a variety of situations, but comforting clients who are making the decision to have their horse or pony put to sleep is by far the hardest.

Some want to be there for their equine friend until the last breath and some don’t and we must respect that everyone is different. You really do have to read the situation as to whether the client may want a hug and support during this awful process or whether they would just like some space.

We all get saddened by any equine that has to end their days no matter what the circumstances. I have learnt to be strong when an owner is falling apart at this which is important, it is part of the job but it’s one part that is never going to easy.

I think the worst is when an owner has an uninsured horse and they just simply cannot afford to pay for the horse's treatment, which in some cases can mean the end of the road for their beloved equine. Personally, I find this upsetting because if it wasn’t for money, the horse would more than likely be okay.

We build up good relationships with our clients. We are a private clinic which I like because we have far better relationships with the clients than a corporate clinic, it allows us to go the extra mile for them and it’s the little things that make all the difference, for example, if the client is worried about their horse and needs to call the vet, they have a direct line to us, not an automated system or a call centre.

We allow clients in the clinic to watch their horse or pony have their rehab treatments because they want to be part of teh process. Some clients like to think of us more as friends because we can offer that personal, caring, nothing is too much trouble service.

The sun is starting to come out! I must head back to the yard. I can’t believe my next blog will be in December and the countdown for Christmas will be on!

I’m going to take this opportunity to thank BGA for allowing me to blog about my qork. I feel truly honored to be taking on this position as the association is something I feel very passionate about. I’m extremely excited about getting involved with the BGA in future as well... watch this space for some exciting news soon...

Until next time, happy riding and love to all your equines.

Lucy x

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Read Lucy's first blog here.