Backhoe Sad backhoe job

bandit67 · Oct 29, 2008

When I was thinking about all the uses for my backhoe prior to purchase, and looking back on all the backhoes I've rented or borrowed over the years, this particular task never really crossed my mind.

Yesterday, a neighbor came by and asked if I could dig a grave for their horse that they needed to put down. Of course, I said yes, and once there and digging, started asking about how they will get the horse into the hole. He wasn't too sure, other than he'd heard that they sometimes try to push it into the hole after the injection.

So, I offered to come back when the vet was there and help get the horse into the hole with the tractor, thinking the tractor might make the whole process a little easier. Knowing that I was going to be there when I really didn't want to be when the horse was put down, I sucked it up and went over when the time came. It ended up being just me and the vet out there when the final injection was administered, as the owners couldn't bear to be around for the final moments. It was a bummer, but it was comforting to know that I was doing them a big favor by helping to bury their longtime friend.

He was no ordinary horse, as he and their daughter in past years were members of the local "Westernaires", who perform at various shows, including the National Western Stock Show, which is pretty huge in this part of the country.

All in all a sad day, but it was comforting to me, the grave digger, that all went smoothly and we were able to ease the horse into the grave into a position that looked like nothing more than he was kneeling down taking a nap. The neighbors were very thankful that I was able to help, and with all the horses in the neighborhood, it looks like I may be getting a lot of calls in the coming years. As a matter of fact, the neighbor right next door has a horse that needs putting down any day now, they're just trying to get themselves prepared for it.

The only bright part of this is that I'll be able to help neighbors through a very difficult time, but I don't really think I'll ever get to the point that it gets much easier.

shvl73 · Oct 29, 2008

I bought mine after we put our horse down on Friday night at the stable and they dropped her off the next morning at 6AM via dump trailer. It was July and ended up getting to 95* that day. I scrambled to rent a mini excavator. I lucked out but decided I wanted my own. It is a sad chore and I've since buried two cats and one dog. I love having my hoe but, there have been chores that I wish I didn't have to do. We have another coming soon and I will be there for him but, I'm dreading it.
Good for you to help out.

Dmace · Oct 29, 2008

This seems like a pretty common task lately...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/128820-use-i-didnt-want-tractor.html

JDeerekid · Oct 29, 2008

Your a very good neighbor and friend indeed. It is always tough to put a friendly companion down. It is a hard job but the sooner it is done the easier it is, this is where the backhoe is nice to have.

Richard · Oct 29, 2008

At the risk of me sounding/being tacky.... I was driving my backhoe down the road a year ago (full sized industrial....holding up traffic

, ok, not really holding up traffic)

Anyways, someone stopped me. Never met her, don't know her...seems she lives a mile down the road in the other direction.

A year prior they had a horse die & had some real issues finding someone to come out and dig the hole. Asked if needed, could I ever do that? I said let me know and gave her my name/number.

I dont' know her and don't have any reason to do it...especially for free (as rude as that may sound). So, if she ever were to call me and the desire to do it for free did NOT cross my mind as reasonable.... what kind of charge might one charge for this service?

Again, I'm not wanting to be crass but....should I get a call at 3:00 am one night, in the snow or rain.... I don't really want to do something like that for nothing. Besides....it's saving her the expense of someone from town (15 miles) from trailering their machine out.

Anyone care to share some crass thoughts of money?

thomascw · Oct 29, 2008

2 years ago we put my wife's 35 year old welsh mare down. my wife had owned her since my wife was 6 years old. anyhow, i paid $200 to rent a backhoe and dig the hole myself. I would gladly pay someone that much to avoid doing that again.

Hoosier_Daddy · Oct 29, 2008

Guess I am a softie. I would be glad to help a person who lost a pet bury the pet.

Of course, I work for Beer and Boubon. I would golf for beer also..

BigD23 · Oct 29, 2008

Richard said:
At the risk of me sounding/being tacky.... I was driving my backhoe down the road a year ago (full sized industrial....holding up traffic , ok, not really holding up traffic)

Anyways, someone stopped me. Never met her, don't know her...seems she lives a mile down the road in the other direction.

A year prior they had a horse die & had some real issues finding someone to come out and dig the hole. Asked if needed, could I ever do that? I said let me know and gave her my name/number.

I dont' know her and don't have any reason to do it...especially for free (as rude as that may sound). So, if she ever were to call me and the desire to do it for free did NOT cross my mind as reasonable.... what kind of charge might one charge for this service?

Again, I'm not wanting to be crass but....should I get a call at 3:00 am one night, in the snow or rain.... I don't really want to do something like that for nothing. Besides....it's saving her the expense of someone from town (15 miles) from trailering their machine out.

Anyone care to share some crass thoughts of money?

If I were to get a call at 0300, I'd simply say I'll be there soon after the sun comes up...I don't think I'd charge someone for it unless there was a prior understanding....My .02

Don

shvl73 · Oct 30, 2008

I'll bet most would offer to pay something. If it were me and it were very local, I'd just hand them my 5gal diesel can and tell them which station I buy it from.

bandit67 · Oct 30, 2008

Well, I did get some money for the "job". However, they ended up paying me significantly less than even a rental backhoe would have cost them, and he told me he had no idea how to use one. Add to that the mental state that they were in, and they were more than happy to pay me to do what I did. They even offered more money after I was done, but I turned them down.

As long as fuel and maybe a little bit of wear and tear were covered, that was fine with me. I charged them much less than I would have charged for a regular digging job. I felt a little guilty at first, but once I thought about the fact that any company providing this type of service charges folks, and typically charges a pretty penny, I think we all made out just fine.

I got some money to cover expenses, they got a neighbor to help them out in a very difficult situation and be there for them when they weren't so mentally sharp. It gave them the opportunity to not have to personally put their animal in the grave, and they didn't pay a ton of money to do it (though they were willing to pay much more). I know they spent a LOT more money dealing with their horse that died last year and was hauled off and buried off-site. This time, they got to put their horse in his final resting place exactly where they wanted him to be on their own property.

So don't feel bad about getting paid to do a job like that, just don't take them for a ride, and they'll be forever grateful for your service. They'll ask if they can start recommending you to friends & neighbors, so you better have the stomach to do it. It helps if you don't know the animal very well, but it's still tough when the owners completely break down in front of you.