When is it time?
Advice and support to help you cope when making tough end of life decisions
WE SPEND OUR lives making decisions on behalf of our horses and we have their best interests at heart. From choosing where they’re kept and what they eat to who their companions are and what exercise they get, we take care of it all. However, there’s one thing most horse owners can’t bring themselves to think about, let alone decide upfront, and that’s how and when to end their beloved companion’s life when the time comes. Few horses die naturally without suffering and so we have to make the decision on their behalf about when it’s kindest to end their life. Old age creeps up on horses as it does on humans, and they’ll become more prone to certain diseases, less able to maintain body condition, and lameness and creaking joints will become day-to-day management issues. All these factors add up to affect a horse’s quality of life, the equation that indicates a horse is still able to enjoy life without compromising his natural behaviours or welfare. Vet Stuart Thorne is a director at Fellowes Farm Equine Clinic, in Cambridgeshire. His experience of conducting end of life procedures means he’s well placed to advise owners on what to expect, and how planning ahead can make a euthanasia run more smoothly. “Planning in advance may seem unthinkable for many owners, but it really can reduce some of the stress when the time comes,” explains Stuart. “The advantages are that you can think about where you’d like the procedure to happen, choose a quiet time of day, and arrange for somebody to be with you and drive you home afterwards, which is a big help when you’re very upset.” Each veterinary practice will have a slightly different approach, so Stuart urges owners to speak to their own practice first, who will be able to offer advice and also record your wishes on your horse’s clinical records, so you don’t have to go through it all at a highly stressful and emotional time, when it can be difficult to think clearly.
Planning a horse’s euthanasia really can reduce some of the stress when the time comes
Assessing quality of life
Every horse i is difffferent, but there are some conditions that are commonly seen in ageing horses, and it may be useful to factor these in when assessing your horse’s quality of life. Age-associated medical conditions fall under the general categories of mobility and comfort, maintaining body condition and painful or distressing medical problems. Conditions your horse may be prone to as he ages include skin tumours, heart murmurs, dental disorders, certain types of colic, liver disease, and degenerative joint disease. “Husbandry becomes critical when looking after geriatric horses,” explains Stuart. “The basics may get forgotten or owners think routine preventive care, such as vaccinations, regular farriery and worming are no longer so important. In my view they’re even more important in older horses, and annual vet checks or geriatric health checks may pick up issues earlier, allowing for monitoring and timely treatment interventions.” But knowing when it’s time to say goodbye is by no means straightforward. As owners, we know our horses better than anyone, and can pick up subtle changes that indicate something’s amiss. However, it’s this closeness, says Stuart, that means owners often need an outside, objective opinion on a horse’s true condition as they may be in denial about the true welfare status of an animal as he gets into old age. “There’s a saying I really stand by, and that’s that there’s a big difference between prolonging life and prolonging death,” says Stuart. “If you’re unsure about your horse’s quality of life, perhaps speak to your farrier first to get an objective opinion if you don’t want to approach a vet directly, he or she sees your horse every five to six weeks so will have noticed any detrimental changes. Better that than seeking the opinions of other owners on the yard, who may not be impartial.”
A wide range of conflicting emotions usually occur in connection to the death of an animal
A time and a place
Most owners electe to have their horse euthanased at their yard or somewhere familiar. If it’s not an emergency euthanasia – where you may not have a choice – a quiet area of flat grass, or a school or large stable may be suitable. Consideration should be given to the timing of the procedure so that the yard is quiet and children are not around. Also bear in mind access and gateways and whether a large truck can easily access the area to remove the body afterwards. The question of whether companion horses should be around at the time of death is often asked by owners. In Stuart’s experience, field mates deal with the loss relatively well. “I’m happy for field mates to be in the vicinity, as long as it’s safe. It amazes me how quickly companions move on; after three minutes or so they move away and start grazing,” he says.
What are the options?
There are only two ways to euthanase a horse – by firearm or by lethal injection. Vets are able to deploy both methods, however, there are circumstances under which other trained professionals, namely a hunt servant or ‘knackerman’, may carry out equine euthanasia, but only by use of a fifirearm. According to Stuart, it makes no difffference to the horse which method is used, but every case is considered independently. “If a horse has severe cardiovascular compromise, for example, we may advise using a firearm, as the horse can’t carry drugs around the body efficiently due to its poor circulation,” says Stuart. “On the other hand, some people may find the idea of using a gun too dramatic, so opt for lethal injection.” Whether you’re present at the moment the horse is killed is personal choice. Some people say goodbye and leave it to the vet, others opt to have a trusted friend be there instead, or you can go through the procedure and be present alongside the vet. Vets are unlikely to routinely carry a gun, so if you choose this option it’s wise to book in advance.
The practical issues
The disposal of a horse’s body usually takes one of two forms – cremation/incineration or removal by the hunt kennels. Some people wish to bury their horse, but there is strict legislation surrounding this, which differs across areas of the UK so it’s important you look into it properly. Before burying your horse, you should contact your local Trading Standards office and the Environment Agency for advice. As the owner, it’s your responsibility to pay for, and arrange, suitable disposal of your horse’s body after death, although many vet practices are able to make arrangements on your behalf. You can also opt to join the National Fallen Stock scheme, which will give you access to the national database of registered fallen stock operators (www.nfsco.co.uk), who are licensed to remove horse carcases. Any horse may be cremated, no matter which method was used for euthanasia. There are several options, including group cremation, where several animals are cremated together, or an individual cremation. You may choose to have some or all of the ashes back for burial or to keep in a casket. The cost differs considerably between these options, with individual cremation, unsurprisingly, being the most expensive. Provided a horse was not euthanased by lethal injection, or was not suffering from a disease making it unsuitable for animal consumption, many hunts will remove the body and use the carcase as food for hounds. If your horse was sedated prior to euthanasia, however, then it may not be suitable for this type of disposal due to the drugs used, so check with your vet.
WhateverW the circumstances of your horse’s death, grieving is part of the healing process and shouldn’t be ignored