Making the decision to euthanize your horse will most likely be the toughest and most emotionally draining “horse decision” you will ever make. That said, it is also one of the most important! In this article I will outline the decision making process, the actual euthanasia procedure, and your options for how to deal with things when the procedure is over. Planning ahead for this day will help to alleviate some of the stress and heartache associated with making this difficult decision.

The decision to euthanize: While there are many reasons to euthanize a horse, the decision to do so is never easy. Reasons range anywhere from emergency euthanasia for a broken leg, to making a kind decision to let your aged friend pass on when managing daily life with quality becomes impossible. It is a good idea as a horse owner to set some guidelines for yourself, before making an instant decision is your only option.

For example, if your 27 year old horse colics and requires surgery, knowing ahead of time whether surgery would be an option for you or if euthanasia is your choice may help make this time easier. Something else to consider is exactly what “quality of life” means for you and your family, and what is your plan when that quality of life is no longer possible. These are just a couple of examples of things you can prepare for.

Just remember that this is a very individual and personal decision for you and your family and try not to let the opinions of those around you influence you too much. If you need someone to help you with the decision-making process, the best place to turn is to your regular veterinarian. He/she truly is the only one that is armed with the knowledge and experience to help you make the right decision.

The procedure: After you have made the decision to euthanize, it is likely that your veterinarian will perform a physical examination. During this exam he/she will determine whether or not euthanasia is the appropriate and ethical thing for your horse and explain your options. Keep in mind that any veterinarian retains the right to decide not to euthanize. You may be confused by this statement, thinking “isn’t it my decision whether or not to euthanize my own horse?” The answer is not as simple as it sounds. While yes, it is your right to decide, it is also the veterinarian’s right to refuse if they think there isn’t a valid reason for euthanasia. At that point they will generally have recommendations for treatment of a medical condition and/or possibly re-homing the horse with someone who is willing to take care of him until there is a more appropriate reason to euthanize. While this doesn’t happen often in the practice I work for, sadly it has become an increasingly larger problem given today’s economic conditions.

Once the examination is complete and you and your veterinarian have both agreed that euthanasia is best, the procedure will begin. Every horse is an individual; therefore procedures can differ from horse to horse. Veterinarians will make decisions about how they handle euthanasia dependent upon the health, attitude and manageability of each horse. For example sedation may be necessary prior to euthanasia if the horse is anxious or fractious, or intravenous catheterization (i.v. catheter) may be required if the horse is extremely debilitated, therefore making it difficult to obtain access to the jugular vein.

For the euthanasia itself, the veterinarian will administer an overdose of a barbiturate (most commonly Sodium Pentobarbital) into your horse’s jugular vein. Barbiturates depress the central nervous system, starting with unconsciousness progressing to depression of breathing and finally stopping your horse’s heart. The advantage of using barbiturates is their speed of action. Barbiturates induce euthanasia smoothly, with minimal discomfort to your horse. Though your horse may take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes to collapse, rest assured that as soon as the solution is administered, your horse has lost consciousness and is no longer experiencing pain. This part of the procedure is often the most difficult for horse owners. Horses are big creatures and most of the time they are standing when it is time to euthanize. This means they have to collapse to the ground when they die. Unfortunately, you or your veterinarian don’t have complete control of how this will happen. Sometimes horses will crumple up and lay down nicely, while other times their bodies stiffen, and they fall to the ground more abruptly. Once your horse has collapsed, your veterinarian will assess vital signs such as eye movement and heartbeat to ensure that he has passed away.

What to do when it is over: Outlined below is a list of the options you have for your equine companion following euthanasia. Often times for families this can be the hardest decision, and some find peace of mind knowing that a few different options are available.

Burial: While to some, burial may seem like the best option, it isn’t always possible. Some of the things to consider include laws for your county or state, size of your property and availability and cost of equipment needed and/or hiring someone to dig for you.

In many places livestock burial is legal. However you should always check with your governing body to find out what those laws are. (Click here for a summary of livestock burial laws for Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.)

Cost: Cost for burial can range anywhere from free to a few hundred dollars, again depending on availability of people and equipment. There is a local place in Oregon that you can pay to bury your horse on their property, (click here for more details).

Cremation: Though cremation is the most expensive option, especially for horses, for some folks it is the only thing that will do! Cremation has become popular enough among horse people, that it is now much more available. It is reasonable to expect to find a place locally that can accommodate your needs. (click here for more details)

Cost: Average cost for cremation of a horse will range from $600-$1600 depending upon the size of the horse and transportation options and expenses.

Rendering: A common misconception about rendering plants is that they “kill” animals. In fact, rendering plants do not kill animals; they process waste from slaughter houses, butchers, restaurants, etc., as well as whole animals that have already died. Rendering is a process that converts waste animal tissue into stable, value-added materials. After a horse dies, if it is not buried or cremated, the remains may be taken to a rendering facility if there is one nearby. In the past, renderers paid a small amount for animals, and often offered a pickup service; now, there is normally a charge for pick up.

Most medium- to large-sized communities had rendering plants up until about 20 to 40 years ago. Now, like a lot of businesses, consolidation has hit the rendering industry and most rendering plants in the U.S. are now only near or adjacent to large slaughter facilities, or meat or poultry raising plants. That said it is usually possible to figure out a way to use a rendering plant if you need to, though transportation may be your biggest hurdle.

Cost: Average cost for rendering is around $200 depending upon your location and how far they have to travel to pick the horse up.

Euthanasia Programs will sometimes take an unwanted horse for research projects and then they will be humanely euthanized.

Oregon State University—Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital
30th Street, Corvallis, OR 97331-4801
541-737-2858; www.oregonstate.edu

Nikki James is a certified veterinary technician with Pacific Crest Sporthorse based in Oregon City, Oregon.