Horses and Euthanasia

As we grow old, so does our horses. Horses who have diligently served us long enough are more than deserving to have a peaceful death. Although it is hard to admit it, there will come a time that we should choose to let our old horses live, or let them leave this earth as peaceful and as pain-free as possible. 

Signs that tell us that our horses are nearing their last hop and breath include the horse’s difficulty to stand, excessive weight loss, having sores on his pressure points like the elbows, loss of teeth, difficulty in eating, and severe lameness that cannot be alleviated by painkillers. We must always observe the horse’s behavior. See to it that his needs are being met and take note of signs of pain.

Alas, if your horse has finally taken his last breath, there are options of burial. Aside from burying, cremation is also available for animals like horses, and it is best to source crematories in advance. 

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Here in the US, burying your horse on your own backyard or land is allowed, provided that you and the authorities have agreed that your horse is kept as a pet, and not as livestock, for livestock cannot be buried in one’s own yard, and as long as the horse’s remains don’t pose a health risk for the humans living around the place. Before proceeding, consult your horse’s veterinarian and raise possible concerns. Local authorities must also do a check on the horse’s body for possible environmental and health risks before authorizing burial.

In the United Kingdom, authorities have specified rules for horse burial on the owner’s lot, that the burial bust be (a) at least 250m away from any water source such as springs, (b) at least 30m away from other springs and 10m away from field drains, (c) there must be at least 1m of subsoil below the bottom of the pit, allowing an amount of extra soil to cover the remains, and that (d) the bottom of the hole must not have water, as well as many others.

Different countries have different sets of rules for burying pets. If you decide to bury your horse in a different manner and in a different place, make sure to contact the people in charge of the location/s you have chosen and ask proper permission from them, as well as abide by the rules of local authorities.