How are horses put down?
No horse owner wants to face the awful decision of having to put their beloved equine companion to sleep. It remains a very emotional and difficult task, regardless of the fact that euthanasia is generally chosen because it’s considered to be in the horse’s best interests.
Why might a horse need to be put down?
We imagine our horses passing away peacefully in their sleep, but it doesn’t happen very often. More frequently we are presented with ageing or ailing horses and ponies, for whom we are constantly assessing their quality of life. Taking account of the subtle changes which indicate they are nearing the time to let them go.
It’s important to bear in mind that, whilst the idea of having to put your horse down is probably something you’ve planned to deal with far into the future, unfortunately accidents and illness can happen. A severe injury or unmanageable colic might mean we are faced with this heart-breaking decision sooner than we’d thought. So it’s good to have an idea of what euthanasia entails and the arrangements that will need to be made.
What are the options for euthanasia?
There are two possible means of euthanasia in horses, both equally humane and acceptable.
Euthanasia by injection
The first, most commonly chosen option, is euthanasia by injection. Normally the horse is first sedated before an injection of the solution. Euthanasia is given into the jugular vein in the neck, causing him to gradually fall to the ground. The vet will then check for a heartbeat until the heart has stopped and the horse has died.
It’s common for the horse to let out a few deep breaths, and to twitch a little after the injection, even when the heart has stopped. These are just normal bodily reactions.
Euthanasia by shooting
The alternative option is euthanasia by free bullet, or shooting. This is something that can be performed by a suitably licensed person which could include your veterinarian, a knackerman, huntsman, or equine slaughterhouse. It’s a very rapid process, not requiring sedation unless the horse is particularly anxious or nervous.
The horse immediately drops to the ground, meaning that owners must remain a safe distance away. There may be a small amount of blood, and twitching or stiffening of the legs is not uncommon. Although often perceived as cold or impersonal, shooting is a very rapid method of euthanasia. It involves no suffering and no further stress to the horse than lethal injection.
There’s no right or wrong method, it depends on individual preference and the situation at the time. If a decision needs to be made as an emergency, there may be little choice. But it’s advisable to have an idea of what you might choose, should the need arise. Some owners find euthanasia by shooting more distressing. Particularly owing to the noise and the fact that they are required to be more distant from their horse.
