[QUOTE=Desert Topaz;8011725]
You can also donate to a vet school or a zoo or animal sanctuary with big cats and/or wolves.[/QUOTE]
Haven’t there been a couple of threads about this? If anyone is good at searching. I know my searcher is always “broken.”
[QUOTE=Socprof;8011768]
The last one we lost I had cremated. I have the land to bury him, but for a variety of reasons just couldn’t. I have nothing but praise for the young man that picked our guy up, and their office people. Pony returned in a nice wood box in three days. The box hangs out in the living room with his pictures. Somehow it sounds a little creepy when I type this, but it really made losing a family member less sad. If you need contact info, I’m happy to pass it along. It was more expensive than having him hauled out, but not much more than the cost of a backhoe.
(Appx. 900lbs - $1500)[/QUOTE]
That is a crazy expensive backhoe price!! Strangers around here charge $100/horse. Last one buried two for free…refused my check…said I had enough on my mind without paying!!! Nice guy!!
Burying with a small excavator here, 3 Xs now on our farm (backhoe other 2 Xs). Very well done, excavator is heavy duty enough to pick up the horse by their legs and gently lower them into the hole. Holes are big enough to lay the horse flat, this is important to me personally (one mare had horrible DJD in both knees and could not bend them) someone goes into the hole to arrange the horse carefully, I still do not watch them go into the hole though. I am there to hold them when they are euthanized and say good bye and then I leave. Vet usually stays and helps get the horse arranged, tie up legs so equipment can lower them carefully.
Not an easy decision to make, but a necessary one when we own animals.
I’ve paid around $450 for both the Euthanasia and the cremation. I don’t have the ashes returned. I know the prices can vary but I wanted to put out there that it may not be as bad as you think. Unfortunately I’ve been through this more than I like as I’ve had older horses.
I’d never even heard of a renderer until COTH. Everyone around here just buries them. My only note, and this is horrible, but I think necessary- do make sure the hole is quite deep. Several times I’ve seen the grave be too shallow and dogs/coyotes dig them up. Maybe I’m not made of stern enough stuff, but it’s hard to see a barn dog chewing the leg of your old friend (ask me how I know). Deep graves. Deep, deep graves.
I’m sorry you’re going through this, but you’re doing right by having a plan.
FWIW, the removal service I just used said that cremation is a lot cheaper than it used to be. I’m not sentimental like that, so I just had them pick him up, and that was $275. Much cheaper than I anticipated. They were lovely to deal with over the phone, very sympathetic.
I am fortunate to have this guy in my area, and he happened to be home and able to pick up the day my horse had to be put down.
He composts them and then re-assembles them for art or educational installations.
It may seem creepy, but the idea that my horse will benefit others is comforting to me.
Here’s a list of resources you could look into for your state.
I know COTH has mixed feelings about HSUS, but, this seems to be a helpful thing to look at in this case.
Thank you very much to everyone! My old guy was put down yesterday, and I decided to have him cremated. It is expensive, but very worth it to me. His ashes will be buried on our property near the farm where he spent his life. I wasn’t able to bear being there for the pick up, but they came quickly and my friend said they were extremely respectful and professional. His ashes will be back to me within the week. They made a very difficult situation slightly easier.
Sorry about your old boy and glad he went easily. Great that the pickup was also done respectfully and you can just deal with the ashes where you want them to go. My condolences on your loss.
You have been very fortunate! Granted, I made only 2 calls to check on charges, but both were around 1000., citing the drop off fee, operator, pick up fee. I think it’s a result of plenty of work. Definitely it pays to have a friend with big equipment!
starhorse:
Thank you for that link.
Burial on my property is legal in my state, even though I was told differently.
It is nice to know I have that option.
Sorry for your loss, Miss Milly. Glad it went as well as could be expected, and your loved horse will be remembered in the way you wish.
Firstly, sorry you are going through this. you are not alone. But you know to do the right thing.
Secondly, if you go that route, have the hole dug, and the horse put down near the hole and buried before rigamortis sets in. Doing it in a stall brings up a whole lot of complications.
The lying down and unable to get up is often a sure sign … they are too big and have heavy organs that makes any length of time lying down helpless very hard on the horse.
Make sure you know the local rules and are not near wells, etc.
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