If she needs exercise cause of your work schedule, have you tried seeing if there's an equestrian program in your area with a student willing to do some riding? Sometimes they get credit if it matches up with their program or they might like the chance just to practice their schooling 
This is why I hate posting. I wasn't mad at you either, just didn't think you understood the process. We've all had bad experiences which is why we need to learn from others. There are quicker methods (think wringing their neck-literally) but that's not something I could do. Chopping off the head I have no problem with when the bird is older, but little chicks and ducklings get to me.
I know better when going to the vet now, but, at that time, I thought the vet knew what she was doing-obviously not.(with the dog that she blew four veins) This dog was 17 1/2 years old and didn't deserve that at the end of life. He may have been struggling, but you would think after she blew the first vein she would have sedated him then rather that keep trying. Yes, I was with the dog and was not happy with her explanation. There was no reason for it.
There are still a lot of people (they just don't admit to it, because they don't know a better method? or just couldn't be bothered? Who knows?) who still use the freezer method.
Am I cruel, I can be when I have to be, but I just prefer a simpler method. And I am well aware of the rocks in the sack method. My father was from the old country (hungary) and could be quite cruel. They were never pets or living things-simply livestock-but he wasn't a nice person anyway.
As for the vet not putting an animal to sleep? Lived it. I had one dog who was off the wall. Something was simply crossed upstairs neurologically. He started having seizures at about 18 months, but came out of them viciously and could never settle down. The vet insisted I sign him over to him and if he deemed it necessary, he would put him to sleep since he was so young. Yes, there was a euthanasia contract to that effect. The vet kept him for a few days, phoned me up and asked me how I lived with him so long. He could not believe how bad he was. He did put him to sleep after that. But these are a couple of reasons why I am so leary of vets. I've had a few bad experiences with them.
