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EUTHANASIA

 

Making the decision to end the life of a horse is always going to be difficult and emotional. However, we don’t make such a decision unless it is in the best interests of the horse.

 

If you are having difficulties making a decision, then you should ring the clinic and speak to one of the Vets, preferably one that has been dealing with the horse, if the horse has been undergoing treatment and they will be able to discuss the situation with you and give you appropriate advice.

 

The following information is provided to give you a picture of what the options available to you are, how the process will be conducted and how things will be dealt with afterwards.

 

Once you have reached the decision that euthanasia is the correct option, then there are two methods by which this may be achieved. By far the most common, these days is;

 

Lethal Injection : The drug used is a combination of a strong anaesthetic and a drug to stop the heart. After injection, it takes 10-20 seconds for the horse to lose consciousness and become recumbent. The horse is unconscious but many reflexes persist for a while, so there may be some slight twitching or the respiratory muscles may “fire” due to the falling oxygen levels in the blood and this makes the horse look like it is taking a desperate gasp, this can be shocking but it is just an involuntary muscle reflex. About the last reflex to disappear is the eye blink reflex. The Vet will wait with the horse until there is no longer any blinking of the eyelids when the eyeball is touched. This usually takes about 5 minutes after the injection has been given.

 

Captive Bolt / Free Bullet : There are very few horses that are euthanased by any of the “shooting options”, these days. The advantages are that it is very quick but it can also be quite traumatic or shocking to those holding the horse or watching. There is always some bleeding either from the bullet hole or down the nose.

 

How to   get things organised?

 

Once you have made the decision and chosen the method, you need to contact the practice and make an appointment. We will endeavour to make the whole process as convenient and hassle-free as possible, so we’ll try to fit in with your schedule and give you an appointment that suits your needs.

 

Choosing the location for the euthanasia is important.   The horse needs to be as relaxed and un-excited as possible, so choose a location that is not going to make the horse excited or stressed. However, it is important to consider what is going to happen afterwards, since if someone is going to have to come and collect the horse, they are going to need to be able to get their collection vehicle near to the horse.

 

Options for Disposal:

 

Burial at home. There are council regulations that need to be considered and if you intend to bury your horse on your own land, you need to contact the council and check that you are not going to contaminate water-courses etc.

 

Collection: Basic collection facility will remove the carcase. There are two options commonly used by the practice, Green Brothers in Murton (01904 489 329) Or Harry Atkinsons, Pickering ( 01751 472885).

 

If you would like to have your horse cremated, there are a number of potential options. Green Brothers can collect the horse and arrange for the cremation. Alternatively there are other services that will collect the horse and cremate it, and you can choose to have all, or some, of the ashes returned. Most commonly we use “Ashes” who are based in Myton-on-Swale. www.ashespetcrematorium.co.uk

 

Hunt kennels will sometimes collect horses, especially if owned by subscribers or landowners in their hunt territory. You would need to speak to the hunt staff to organise the collection, directly.

 

When the Vet arrives for your appointment, they will usually have a quick chat to ensure that everything is as it should be. The owner or appropriately authorised agent will be required to sign a consent form, giving permission for the Vet to perform the euthanasia. In certain circumstances the Vet may need to check the horse against its passport, scan a microchip or record the markings on the consent form, to record the horse’s identity.

If you have chosen the lethal injection method, the Vet will usually place a catheter in the vein on the neck and stitch it in place while the horse is still in its own stable. Once you are ready, the horse will then be moved to your chosen location. The Vet will discuss the process, and decide who is to hold the horse during the process. The injection needs to be given slowly over about 15-20 seconds. About 10-20 seconds after the injection, the horse will lose consciousness and go to ground. The Vet will wait, with the horse, until all reflexes are gone. Thereafter, the horse can be collected.