While making the decision to say goodbye to your horse is never easy, euthanasia can be the most compassionate and caring decision we can make for our beloved horses.
It’s helpful to understand equine end-of-life care even before you might be in a position to make such a decision.
Key Takeaways
- The decision to put down your horse is never easy, but the help of your vet may make this choice easier to understand.
- Not every equine emergency requires euthanasia, but a vet should always be contacted to assess the situation.
- It is important to consider quality of life for your horse.
- There are many legal regulations when it comes to euthanizing and aftercare of a horse, so it is important to do your research beforehand.
When Horse Euthanasia Becomes an Option
When our horse needs the vet, we of course want there to be a fix. However, there are some cases, such as a devastating illness or injury, when recovery isn’t possible, and we should consider humane euthanasia.
Common medical reasons for putting down a horse may include:
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Severe injury
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Fractures, deep lacerations, head trauma, internal injury
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Chronic or degenerative conditions
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Terminal illness
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Quality of Life Considerations
The most important point to consider when contemplating equine euthanasia is the horse’s quality of life. Generally, quality of life issues fall into two categories:
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Pain management failure: Pain management is usually the first line of defense before considering putting down a horse, but when the pain is not controllable with medications, we have to consider the quality of the horse’s day-to-day life.
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Loss of mobility or dignity: Horses are ambulatory creatures. This means when they are unable to move well, it greatly reduces their quality of life. They may have difficulty getting to their feed and water or socializing with their pasture mates.
Emergency vs. Planned Euthanasia
Sometimes we are able to plan the day we say goodbye to our beloved horse, such as in the case of old age, but other times it can happen suddenly.
The time frame in which you may need to consider humane euthanasia can vary case by case. In certain emergencies where the horse may not be able to be stabilized, it may need to be quick. Other times you may have a few days to make the decision with the help of a pain management and care plan from your vet.
When your horse is actively struggling with pain, lack of mobility, or excessively bleeding, or has another ailment where time is of the essence, it is considered an emergency.
An emergency doesn’t always mean a horse has to be euthanized, but it is very important to always speak with your vet about your options first.
Your veterinarian will be extremely helpful in the decision-making process when it comes to this big decision. They can assess the situation without extra emotions attached. They will help lay out descriptors such as quality of life, health management plans, and ultimately when the decision needs to be made for the well-being of your horse.
How Are Horses Euthanized?
For horses, multiple humane methods of euthanasia are recognized by veterinarians.
Lethal Injection
When a vet euthanizes a horse by lethal injection, they may place an IV catheter in the jugular vein or simply use a needle and syringe. A sedative may be used in some circumstances to help the horse relax.
The vet will then administer a concentrated anesthetic drug, typically pentobarbital, which is a barbiturate. This causes the horse to quickly lose consciousness, which may be traumatic for the horse owner to witness. The horse then goes into cardiac arrest, which ultimately leads to death.
Generally, the vet or technician holding the horse may hold the horse’s head up, to help the horse sit and then lay down. Horses who are standing lose consciousness before they hit the ground, and they feel no pain and have no response once they are on the ground. The vet may remain with your horse to monitor them and determine when they have died.
Barbiturates like pentobarbital accumulate in a horse’s body after death. This can have an environmental impact, so it’s important to make sure the body has proper aftercare.
Alternative methods of chemical euthanasia can be used after a horse goes under general anesthesia. These options include:
Gunshot or Captive Bolt
A lethal injection should always be the first choice to euthanize a horse. However, a gunshot or captive bolt may be used in a situation where a vet is unable to get to a suffering horse quickly, like an emergency where the horse is in extreme pain or in a very rural area.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has strict guidelines on when and how to perform this method. It should only be attempted by someone who is highly skilled and trained to use firearms.
Additionally, only captive bolts puncture the skull; concussive captive bolts should not be used. This information can be found on page 42 of the AVMA Guidelines for Euthanasia.
Legal and Practical Considerations of Equine Euthanasia
There are some legal and practical considerations of equine euthanasia that all horse owners should be aware of.
It is important to always check your state’s specific legal regulations on euthanasia. In most cases it must be done by a licensed veterinarian, with the exception of an emergency situation where the horse is shot by a trained individual.
Before euthanasia by a licensed veterinarian, a consent form is signed by the horse owner. This form specifies that the owner understands what will happen and that they approve the lethal injection.
After the euthanasia is completed, depending on the situation, the veterinarian will be responsible for filing a death or euthanasia report. The timeframe and type of form varies by state.
If possible and applicable, before the procedure, notify your horse’s insurance company that your horse will be euthanized. This can help avoid issues with processing claims. In the event of an emergency, pre-notification may not be required.
Aftercare Options
After euthanasia, there are a few aftercare options you can consider for your horse’s remains.
Horse Burial
The first, and probably most common method to lay a horse to rest (especially in rural areas), is burial. There are specific regulations on burying animals, and specific numbers can vary based on state and even county. Considerations include:
Burial is a fairly low-cost option, but does require someone that can use a backhoe to dig.
Horse Cremation
Another popular option to care for your horse’s remains is cremation.
Horse cremation is an eco-friendlier option and allows you to keep the ashes once the process in done. This allows you to scatter the ashes, keep them in an urn, or get customized memorialization options.
Some equine cremation facilities will transport your horse for you after euthanasia, while others require you to bring the body to their site.
Cremation is a more expensive option, ranging from $1,200 to $2,500. This can vary due to your horse’s weight, type of cremation (such as private or communal), and region.
Composting
Composting is a process that converts the horse’s body into usable byproducts such as soil and fertilizer. This is a very practical method of aftercare, but the process can be emotionally challenging for some owners.
Composting involves using layers of carbon-rich material and nitrogen-rich material to assist in decomposition. This process may take a while (up to a year) but is also typically inexpensive if you have the materials on hand.
While this method is an affordable option, there are restrictions on chemically euthanized horses and regional availability.
Rendering
Rendering is a cost-friendly option where the horse’s body is recycled into usable materials such as fuel and animal feed. Like composting, there are restrictions for horses that have been chemically euthanized.
During the rendering process, animal carcasses are ground and cooked en masse with other animal tissue and materials. Recycling animal tissue is beneficial for the environment, though this method may be hard for some horse owners to emotionally process.
Coping with the Loss of a Horse
A horse’s life touches not only you but many other people. This includes the owner, barn staff members who cared for your horse, and other horses that may have developed a connection. It is important to lean on each other, share memories, and find ways to honor your horse’s life.
There are many ways to remember your beloved horse. Ceremonies, plaques, and memorial markers are popular options.
You can even have more personalized mementos made, such as tail or mane bracelets and keepsakes with ashes in them. If your horse has a nameplate on their stall or halter, consider adding it to a special picture frame like the Pearhead Forever Loved Pet Keepsake Picture Frame.
Some horse owners even opt to donate money to a charity or other organization in memory of their horse.
It is important to seek support to cope with the loss of a horse. If you are struggling saying goodbye to your beloved friend, look into options like pet loss support groups or call a pet loss hotline.
Horse Euthanasia FAQs
How much does it cost to put a horse down?
Equine euthanasia can cost roughly $250 to $400. This includes the vet visit, sedation, and lethal injection. Cost may vary depending on what options you decide.
Does a lame horse have to be put down?
A lame horse does not always need to be put down. Some lame horses are able to recover with rehabilitation. Euthanasia becomes a necessity when the horse is unable to recover from their lameness, and it impacts their daily life.
Is euthanasia painful for horses?
Humane euthanasia is not a painful process because the horse is sedated and unaware of what is happening. It is designed to be quick and painless and to end their suffering.
