Euthanising Horses -- questions

[Debutante]

I know itÕs an unpleasant topic but I have questions regarding the practice of euthanasia in horses. It seems to be a sad reality that every horse-lover is faced with sooner or later. Since there are so many knowledgeable people here, this is the natural place to go for answers.
For example, in the case of an older horse that has gone down with a severe colic, in the U.K., the ÔpreferredÕ method seems to be by shooting the horse in the head, whereas in N. America, some vets seem to ÔpreferÕ a combination of tranquilizers and a bolus injection of anesthesia. Is this an accurate observation or is it really based on the judgment of the attending vet? What are the pros and cons of each approach? Does the owner generally have a say in the method used? What happens to the cadaver afterward -- is the owner responsible for arranging burial or disposal?
There are a great many aged horses and ponies at the barn where I ride. Some are in rather poor health with age-related infirmities. When the time comes, I want to be Ôwell-informedÕ so not add to the stress by asking too many questions.

Thanks for adding to my 'horse education'.

[floppy]

i cant answer much but the last horse share i had the horse was put to sleep by injections and the owners had the choice of of shooting it or the injections. the vet dealt with the carcas.

There was another lady at the same yard that chose to have her her horse shot.

but here the question also lies as to what one does after the horse has past away - does one bury it? or give it to the knackers? if one choose the 2nd then shooting is the option.

this lady that had her horse shot gave the horse to the knackers.
horse meat is very popular here.

You are not allowed to bury dead animals here..not even a small animal.

My old riding instructor in turkey buries any horse that dies in one of his fields.

i would never give my horse to the knackers.not for any price.

[Anna.C]

Thankfully this isn't something I've had to go through... yet. We did have to have a pet red deer put down recently. She had gone a bit crazy and was attacking people (I'm told they tend to go a bit loopy in old age) and we couldn't find anyone to take her like a zoo or wildlife park because of the foot and mouth issue.
A local deer farmer came out and shot her in the head while she was eating out of a bucket. It wasn't pleasant to watch but it was very quick and she never knew what was going on. I think that has to be top priority - right?

(Thanks to everyone who gave us advice about Sophie when we took her on - sadly things didn't work out as we'd hoped)

[KarlR]

I've always heard that it's better to have them shot. Locally there used to be (probably still is) a chap who used to come out and do it, taking them away afterwards. He charged £100, and was very quick: he used to say "If I ever take two bullets, I'll never shoot another horse".

The vet option sounds nicer, but I've heard that it can take time for them to expire, although I know that drugs have got better in recent years.

I'm not sure which option I'd choose.

[Speedy]

Fortunately I've never yet had to make this decision. When my first horse died (bless her heart) the carcass went to the hunt kennels. My vet was brilliant and organised everything and they handled the carcass with care when they removed her. I don't have my own land to bury horses on and this way just seemed easier at the time. For this reason I would have my horse shot - quick and easy and the hunt will take the body, whereas it is much more complicated if they've been injected. And at a time like that, I don't want to have to worry too much about organising things.

[ponyvet]

It's not usually up to the vet, we tend to ask the owner what they want.

Shooting is a faster way of doing it, and the horse is dead instantaneously, before it even hits the floor.

There are two ways of using chemicals:

1. Sedative first then euthanasia drug - this is the way owners really like to do it, since they think if the horse is doped up it won't know what's happening. I think it's the other way around since this is the longest method and the horse can take 3 or 4 minutes to die.

2. Eutahanisia drug only - this is quicker than using a sedative but still takes up to 2 minutes for the horse to die.


In theory most of the euthanasia drugs have an effect on the brain first, to cause the horse to lose consciousness and then they stop the heart. However in odd circumstances it is possible for the herat to stop before the drug reaches the brain and the horse has a herat attack whilst it is conscious. I think that's bad. It doesn't happen often (and never to me - yet), but it really isn't a way I'd like any of mine to go. Also using drugs you don't always get the horse dead straight away. Especially in older horses or very sick horses (and why else are we putting them down!!) the blood flow around the body isn't good, so the drug takes a long time to work, and sometimes you need to give a top-up dose.

People don't like the idea of shooting a horse, as they think it's scary, and it makes a loud noise. The truth is though that by the time you hear the noise the horse is dead, so to me that way means the horse is just standing around and then no it isn't, it has no idea.

It's easier and cheaper to get rid of the cadaver if it has been shot than if it has been given drugs, since it can go to hunt kennels or to a knackers yard for rendering, but if it has had drugs it can only be buried (under special licence) or burnt. Cremation services are generally very good, but very expensive. The owner is responsible for making these arrangements, but your vet can advise you on who to contact.

Personally I don't like using guns, but I do think it's the most humane way of doing it. However most owners do choose to have their horse injected, so that's actually most common.

[Thinkerbell]

This is an important topic. As owners, it is our responsibility to decide to let go of a suffering animals. I have seen so many pets who has been kept alive because their humans cannot bear the loss.

While I haven't witnessed either of the methods in horses (I was there when our Alsacian was eutanised), instinctively I am partial to shooting, and preferrably at home. Done correctly, shooting is quick and painless. I am a fraid that injections will cause the animal to gradually lose control, and thus make the situation unnecessary stressful for the horse. Aso, I do not mind sending the carcass to the knackers... I know it sounds harsh, but to me, it is a kind of, uhm, recycling. The important thing is to allow our animals to die in a way that is as painless and relaxed as possible.

That makes the loss of a beloved pet somewhat more bearable.

[Gill]

I had my beloved boy shot by my vet. She was brilliant and also organised the hunt kennel to take him away. I stayed with him but left them to it after he was dead.
I think it is the best way, but be warned, very shocking as the gun goes off and you hear his last gasp.

[ponyvet]

The other thing I forgot to say was that if you use the drugs you often see post mortem reflexes - like breathing, tears and sometimes feet paddling. That can be very distressing and although the animal is dead, it's heart has stopped and it is not conscious, the muscles and nerves obviously aren't dead straight away so a lot of reflexes can be seen. This doesn't happen so often with shooting.

When you do get post-mortem movement people become very upset qand think the horse is "trying to fight for it's life". It's an understandable emotional reaction, and the same happens with any animal euthanased by chemical means, but isn't really the case.

As a vet it's hard to explain that to people.

Also when the horse is put to sleep, people behave in different ways. The ones who are calm throughout tend to experience a calm situation, since the horse stays calm. Obviously if the owner is hysterical and wailing before the horse dies it too can become wound up - this also causes problems for chemical euthanasia, since the horse often needs a higher dose, and tends to be more difficult to handle too.

If your horse is put to sleep, regardless of which method you choose, it deserves to experience a calm death. Imagine if your last moments on earth were with your beloved owner in hysterics. It's hardly fair to the horse to go like that, so should you ever be in that situation, remember you're doing it for the welfare of the horse, and stay as calm as you can and let it go in peace.

[Speedy]

Good advice ponyvet - but I don't think I could stop myself from wailing after she'd hit the ground (would definately have to go with shooting). But as she'd already be dead by then, she wouldn't know about it....

This is a very worthy thread, but depressing and makes me sad.

[Sarah]

Just a quick point here.

If your horse dies, and you want to bury him on your land, you will have to check with the local Environment Agency to see if that is permitted. There is a risk that local groundwater could be contaminated by the corpse and this could lead to a very hefty fine indeed.

Sarah

[horsemad]

It is definitely a good idea to think of these things before such a situation arises....and ponyvet has given lots of really good sound, practical advice (as always! You are a great asset to this forum ponyvet!)

I have to admit though, I had tears welling up when reading all the above posts - the horse I look after isn't exactly a youngster and I can't bear to think of anything bad happening to her! I've only been sharing this horse for about 3 months, but in that time I've completely fallen in love with her....

[ally]

Im not proud saying this, but over the last 10 or so years I have held many horses and ponies at this time.
Usually because , either the owner wasnt there (accident )
or the owner couldnt bear to be there.
At least the last thing the horse saw was blue sky and a friendly face.
I felt if I could stand and hold my own horse for the knackerman to shoot , then I could do anything !!.
As for disposal, does it really matter !! .... once your horse has died all that is left is the ' overcoat ' it wore , and nothing else.
The ' essence ' or spirit of your horse will always be with you in your heart .. and there is no greater epitaph than that !!!!

Love Ally :)

[sweetbriar]

You can have your horse cremated. I have seen adverts for animal crematoria that do this in my local horse mags. Personally, I would prefer this. The idea of someone or something eating my pony would drive me to hysterics.

As an owner of an older pony I would choose to have her shot. I think you just have to be really organised about everything when the time comes.

[Tina J]

I've kept my last two horses until the end of their lives. Both were shot. In both cases the vets told me that injections are better for the owners, but only if they are not going to be there, (in that owners just don't like the thought of shooting) and that shooting is better for the horse. Having found for myself that it takes at least a minute for blood to circulate round the horse, I decided to take the advice. I wanted death to be instantaneous not to take at least a minute (hold your breath and look at your watch for a minute - its a long time!)

I couldn't face being there the first time. With my last horse I was older (less hysterical and more able to stay calm) and held her to the end. She literally did not know what had hit her. She died with a carrot still in her mouth, in her own field. It was the local hunt who came out, and the chap who came was brilliant. You do want someone who knows what they are doing. I was not in the slightest bit bothered what happened to her shell once her spirit had gone, and the hunt are an easy option as they have staff who are (a) experienced and used to handling horses, and (b) can then remove the body.

A friend of mine who had to have her old chap put down kept him on a farm, and the farmer kindly used his JCB and buried her horse after. Not an easy option unless you have a very understanding local farmer though - and Sarah is right about water courses and properly needing permission.

The best thing we can do for our horses is to give them dignity in life, and then a very quick and dignified end. To me, that means having them shot at home, where they are not stressed, and it is all over in an instant. It does also seem to help their companions to see the body and to know that their friend is gone. My mare's friend sniffed her, and then never looked for her again. But if one of a bonded pair just disappears, their companion can be mopey for ages.

You are so right though to think of this in advance Debutante. I don't know what the disposal situation is in Canada with respect to hunts and disposal of the carcase etc. but it is definitely better to find out, and to know who to call in advance, than to have to do your research when you are upset that the deed is imminent.

[ponyvet]

I'd also like to point out that in the UK horses that have been shot and go to the knackerman do not enter the human nor pet food chain. I've never asked exactly what they do end up doing with them, but I think most will take the hide and sell it overseas, and the meat parts go to the local kennels.

Horses in this country which do go for slaughter for consumption must be youngish (not sure about the legal age maximum), fit and healthy, and slaughtered at an authorised horse abattoir, of which I think there are less than 5 in the whole of the UK, since we don't buy horse meat, and it all has to be exported. The slaughter houses have to undergo rigourous inspections on a very regular basis and are bound by tight welfare regulations.

[Tina J]

I only know of one person who has taken their horse to a slaughter house. She said that she was convinced that her horse knew where she was, and that she would never do it again. She took her horse because she needed the money if she was going to have another horse after (a slaughter house pay you, for all other forms of euthanasia you have to pay other people to do the deed). The experience turned her vegetarian, and as I said, she would never take another horse again.

However good the slaughter house, you are still taking the horse away from the place it feels secure, giving it the stress of travelling, when you are feeling upset and probably passing those feelings on, and then leaving your animal with strangers.

I would always have a horse put down at home. The same with a dog or cat in fact, if I knew "this was it".

[ponyvet]

I totally, agree, and yes horses do sort of know if they go to a slaughterhouse because horses are afraid of the smell of blood. Some are worse than others. That's one of the reasons they panic so much if they cut themselves!

I expect though that your friend went to a slaughterhouse long ago, since in the few years since I qualified they have become very very tightly regulated, and many of the smaller ones have had to close down.

I think seeing any horse treated like that would be very distressing to an owner, but slaughter of pigs, cattle and sheep is usually (and I've been to several abattoirs - 8 in fact) very clean and quick and quiet. Before I ever went I was a vegetarian because I thought it was a horible thing, and had heard all kinds of stories, but since going and seeing it for myself I no longer am. I actually DO know what goes on in farming and abattoirs, and I have training in animal welfare. I don't think they are as bad as a lot of publicity will lead you to believe. Having said that I still think people are entitled to eat, or not eat meat if they want.

[floppy]

horse meat is widely eaten over here...especially in switzerland.

[Wally]

If it is a small horse , no bigger than about 12.2, then injection can be as quick as shooting, They drop instantly. Bigger horses need more than one injection, it takes longer for the nerves to stop twitching, it is bad for the on looker. Shooting is quicker, but more violent.

On the subject of horses knowing about death, I'm not sure... it's maybe adrenaline they detect, we had to have a horse shot, he had to stay under a tarp for 24 hours until the digger arrived. None of the horses reacted to the body. If the horse died without stress I don't think other horses react. Adrenaline is what freaks them. Slaughter houses are awash with the stuff.Horses humanely destroyed at home do not produce adrenaline so the other horses cannot detect it.


we have no other option but to bury horses, so we just go ahead and plot the burial on a map.

[elle]

a lot of people have mentioned the hunt man coming for thei horse, what does he do ,i gathered that he shoots the horse and takes it away, but what does he do with the carcass?

in regards to cremation, unfortuntly my aunty had have her horse put to sleep 4 months ago and had her cremated. It cost £350 and it was two weeks before she got the ashes back. I think though taht i ould always only ever have a horse cremated because i know this seems stupid but when i go to my aunties i like to talk her horse (shes on a shelf, in a big pine box) and it definetly helps to get over them, it makes me feel likes shes with us all the time in teh room as well.

[Tina J]

Elle,

as far as I know when a horse is put down and collected by the hunt they use the carcass to feed the hounds. The same with any cattle or sheep that they are called on to collect or put down. So this is only an option if, like me, you see the body as a shell and aren't concerned what happens after the life force has gone. The man that came for my mare was very careful with his lorry as there were already dead sheep on board, so he made sure that he parked downwind from my horse, but where he could access the field with his lorry after. She saw the lorry through the hedge and just looked mildly curious - showed no anxiety at all.

Ponyvet, there is apparently a small abatoir still in or near Cambridgeshire. I don't know where it is, but friends with a small holding who rear pigs and sheep for their freezer use it. They are happy with conditions there. The person I know who took her horse though (my sister in fact) was convinced that her horse could smell what was going to happen. I'm not veggie myself, but I do only eat meat if I know what happened to the animal during its lifetime, and that its owner accompanied it to the slaughter house so they know it was transported humanely. Which means I don't eat meat often as there aren't that many small suppliers who fulfill those criteria!

My concerns are always that the animal (and that includes horses) suffered no stress during its lifetime, and no stress at its end. I think that as horses bond more closely with humans during their lives, then they are more sensitive to strange smells and emotions, which is why I always advise that a horse should be put down at home.

[ponyvet]

I'm with you 100% on all of that!

[lamprellsarah]

i never thought about what happened afterwards!!!!
i always wondered though, i always had ideas that i would bury mine but i doubt that i would when the time came!!
although we could do that near ours stables because you need a license or permission or something like thats, maybe because we are near the mains water supply!!!???