We had a veterinarian once tell us, “Often the most difficult thing to do for you is the best thing for your horse.” We then had our beloved horse euthanized when she had suddenly fractured her femur. Years later, we still often think of her.
A broken femur on a horse is irreparable. If it wasn’t successful on a famous and valuable horse like Alydar, the decision, although far from easy, we pretty clear. Often, there is a grey area and people are on the fence whether or not to euthanize their horse.
Death may be scary and foreign to many people. We once boarded a horse with a woman who was a forensic doctor and was even featured on an episode of the television show Forensic Files. Her horse had navicular disease which soon became worse. Since she had a pragmatic view regarding end of life decisions, it was clear to her to euthanize her horse before his bad stumbles became tragic and painful falls. However, not everyone can be so pragmatic.
Horses and other large animals are vastly different from dogs and cats. For example, small animals can survive with three legs whereas horses cannot. If a horse injures one of its legs, often the secondary issue results in laminitis which claimed the Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro.
So when should you euthanize your horse?
You should put your horse to sleep when their quality of life is poor, marked by severe pain, an inability to stand, or untreatable illness. It is kinder to make this choice a day too early than a day too late, because horses hide pain very well.
Signs to Evaluate Quality of Life
- Pain: Chronic or severe pain that does not get better with medicine.
- Mobility: Trouble getting up, lying down, or walking on their own.
- Eating: Inability to chew food, digest properly, or maintain a healthy body weight.
- Spirit: Loss of interest in life, severe depression, or constant isolation from other horses.
- Emergencies: Severe injuries like a broken leg that cannot be fixed.
If you are facing this difficult choice right now, ask yourself:
- What specific signs or symptoms is your horse showing?
- What does your veterinarian say about their condition?
If you make the often heartbreaking decision, Euthanizing a horse is a difficult experience, and understanding the general process can help with preparation. Veterinarians follow a professional medical protocol designed to ensure the animal does not suffer.
The General Process
- Sedation: A veterinarian typically begins by administering a sedative to ensure the horse is calm and relaxed before proceeding.
- The Procedure: A concentrated anesthetic is administered intravenously. This causes the horse to lose consciousness and leads to the cessation of heart and lung function.
- The Fall: Because of their size, horses will descend to the ground once they lose consciousness. Veterinarians are trained to manage this transition safely.
- Confirmation: The veterinarian will confirm that death has occurred by checking for a heartbeat and other clinical signs.
Natural Reflexes to Anticipate
It is important to know that certain involuntary post-mortem reflexes are normal and do not indicate pain:
- Reflexive Breathing: Sudden gasps or changes in breathing patterns can occur as a natural reflex.
- Muscle Movement: Brief twitching or shivering in the muscles may be observed.
- Vocalizations: Air remaining in the respiratory system may escape, creating sounds like sighs or groans.
- Physical Relaxation: The eyes typically remain open, and the body will naturally relax.
Logistics to Plan Ahead
- Location: Select a flat, accessible area. This is important for the safety of the handlers and for the eventual removal of the horse.
- Removal Services: It is helpful to coordinate with a rendering, burial, or cremation service in advance of the appointment.
- The Herd: Allowing other horses in the stable to briefly see the deceased companion can sometimes help them process the loss of a herd mate.
As owner Gretchen Jackson once said when the decision was made to euthanize her horse Barbaro, "Grief is the price we pay for love."
We agree, while trying to remember the joyous times together and great memories we shared with our beloved horse.
There are more informative articles in our section on Retire & Rehome.
