Making Euthanasia Available to Every Horse Owner

[Lord_Helpus]

Rather than become fixated on a man named KAVANAUGH, i decided to read a “Young Adult” horse book. So i read "Legs, the Journey of an American Thoroughbred ". I am now in a pensive/sad mood.
We all know that horse slaughter exists. But, how many good, caring horse people get involved? The % is small. Until this afternoon I have given donations, but not my time, to slaughter bound horses.

Several years ago i heard of a rescue in Oregon which held an Euthansia Clinic once a month. I called the people and found out a lot about it. The idea seemed sound, but then I got busy, and …

Once a month this rescue advertised an Euthansia Clinic. People could bring very sick or hurt horses. After preliminaries the owner would sign the horse over to the rescue. If people could pay, they were charged the net cost of the Euthansia and disposal, but no horse would be turned away.

Non terminal horses would be put up for adoption. Just because the owner wanted the horse to be PTS does not mean it was; euthanasia was only done if it was the last humane option.

Evidently the rescue was inundated with horses. Many were just an inconvience to the owner. These were rehomed. Others were in excruciating pain. For these horses there was a dignified end to their pain. The lady I talked to recounted the story of a man who brought a horse who was so badly foundered that he was walking on his coffin bones. The man thought that “he might make a good riding horse for someone…”. The rescue people could barely get him off the truck before the poor thing went down at the bottom of the ramp and was euthanized right there. The man had no idea anything was wrong. He thought the horse was just lazy and didn’t want to run around. … Just no words for an owner like that.

I cannot find any information about this group anymore. Was it a bad idea? A good one that was poorly executed? Is this a concept worth re-examinating ?

I am feeling like I am ready to become a catalist for bringing a humane end of life option for horses. I want to put slaughterhouses out of business.

Any and all comments appreciated.

[sherian]

we are in a hay shortage , pasture is crap, just had the fall horse acution at the local stockyard, 58% went to the stock dealer, I assume most will go to the feedlot from him. Slaughter is a necessary evil - better than starving to death this winter. I say worth re-examining , free euthnasia for the crippled ones would be a blessing, but there are very few homes for lawn ornaments right now and the rescues are struggling for hay too it may just have to be euthnasia period.

[RTF]

I have never heard of this, but it sounds like a great idea. It’s expensive to have a horse PTS and then disposed of. I live in close proximity of a sale barn and many people would rather drop off at a sale and get a check over getting a vet bill. It’s incredibly sad. Sometimes, I think, part of the problem is people having an issue over euthanasia, I would rather do that than send a horse down a road that might lead to a sale barn. Think of either an unsound horse, or maybe a dangerous horse, or a retired horse that still costs in the thousands to care for each year. I have clients that board/keep old horses with me, and they are very hesitant to PTS. I am honestly amazed at what they will do vet wise to keep the old ones going. It’s not cheap, and they don’t complain. Lucky for the horses the owners can afford it.

[alibi_18]

@Lord Helpus

Once a month this rescue advertised an Euthansia Clinic. People could bring very sick or hurt horses. After preliminaries the owner would sign the horse over to the rescue. If people could pay, they were charged the net cost of the Euthansia and disposal, but no horse would be turned away.

Non terminal horses would be put up adoption. Just because the owner wanted the horse to be PTS does not mean it was; euthanasia was only done if it was the last humane option.

I’m sorry, but worded like that, it sounds like a fraud to me.

If it’s an euthanasia clinic, than horses must be euthanised.

Were people warned prior to going that their horse would have to pass the « last humane option » test from the rescue or would they find out just on site?

I’ve had my older gelding euthanised.
Was he in a terminal state? Nope.
Was he a good candidate to be rehomed? Not at all.
I wouldn’t have liked to deal with a rescue to defend my right to euthanised my horse.
I’m lucky I had the means to make it right by him.
Rest his soul.

[betonbill]

I remember hearing about something like this, but thought it was in the Bay Area of California (could be wrong). I think they came under a lot of criticism for “killing innocent horses” and may have discontinued it or gone under. I wonder if they still have it because in theory it was a great idea.

[Xanthoria]

I know it’s less acceptable from a violence perspective, but I do wish horses were shot instead of being loaded with barbiturates. At least then their bodies could be used to feed other animals, or the earth, without contamination, and a bullet is very cheap. As is composting.

On the whole though I very much support a quick, kind death vs slaughter, as would any animal lover.

List of euth clinics here: https://www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org/resources-for-owners/

[KBC]

@Xanthoria

I know it’s less acceptable from a violence perspective, but I do wish horses were shot instead of being loaded with barbiturates. At least then their bodies could be used to feed other animals, or the earth, without contamination, and a bullet is very cheap.

i have just started the research for my old mare, and asked the vet for a quote, first line was pointing out the size of the hole we would need to create.

I have spoken to someone I trust, he assures me that he can carry out the act for me, quickly…I just don’t know if I can walk her over the bridge when a gun is involved.

[horsepoor]

I wonder if it was Sound Equine Options doing this? They do have a page on the website that discusses no cost euthanasia. http://soundequineoptions.org/no-cost-euthanasia/ They are in Oregon, and certainly not a fraud (as someone commenting speculated). It seems pretty upfront about the horses being examined first to determine if adoption/rescue is warranted, or euthanasia.

[Peggy]

I have heard of these, maybe in Northern California. I was thinking that a rescue near my old barn did one, but it seemed unlikely given that particular rescue and then I remembered it was a CASTRATION clinic.

If I were to avail myself of their services, I would want to know that the horse was euthanized and not donated.

Have you seen the article on euthanasia in the horse care issue of the Chronicle magazine? The focus is on the fact that some renderers in some states will no longer take horses who have been chemically euthanized. Adds yet another layer of complexity and possibly cost.

[Lord_Helpus]

@alibi_18

I’m sorry, but worded like that, it sounds like a fraud to me.

If it’s an euthanasia clinic, than horses must be euthanised.

Were people warned prior to going that their horse would have to pass the « last humane option » test from the rescue or would they find out just on site?

I’ve had my older gelding euthanised.
Was he in a terminal state? Nope.
Was he a good candidate to be rehomed? Not at all.
I wouldn’t have liked to deal with a rescue to defend my right to euthanised my horse.
I’m lucky I had the means to make it right by him.
Rest his soul.

IN the YADDA YADDA in the contract the people sign it specifically says that the horse will be rehabed or PTS at the sole discretion of the rescue. Otherwise the people could sue the rescue for killing their horse. Everything is written out.

[Lord_Helpus]

@horsepoor

I wonder if it was Sound Equine Options doing this? They do have a page on the website that discusses no cost euthanasia. http://soundequineoptions.org/no-cost-euthanasia/ They are in Oregon, and certainly not a fraud (as someone commenting speculated). It seems pretty upfront about the horses being examined first to determine if adoption/rescue is warranted, or euthanasia.

Yes, that is probably it. Thanks, I may follow up to see if the people are finding there is a need/benefit there. I clicked on the one for NC but the page no longer exists.

[alibi_18]

@Lord Helpus

IN the YADDA YADDA in the contract the people sign it specifically says that the horse will be rehabed or PTS at the sole discretion of the rescue. Otherwise the people could sue the rescue for killing their horse. Everything is written out.

As long as it is written out and people are being made aware of this fact prior to bringing their horses to the rescue.

Still, I don’t believe the rescue should call these « euthanasia clinics » if in fact, they are just taking over more rescue horses.
It sounds quite deceptive to me, a way to get more horses.

And no, people couldn’t sue (or surely wouldn’t) the rescue after they sign their horse over to them.
It’s like when you sell a horse, it’s no longer yours.
And for what these horses are worth…

[MyKindaFlower]

@KBC

i have just started the research for my old mare, and asked the vet for a quote, first line was pointing out the size of the hole we would need to create.

I have spoken to someone I trust, he assures me that he can carry out the act for me, quickly…I just don’t know if I can walk her over the bridge when a gun is involved.

So sorry to hear this, KBC. As an alternative, do you happen to have any pet crematoriums near where you live? I didn’t want a gun used for my old man and so we went with the barbiturate injections followed by cremation. The CT Horse Cremation people were excellent and I was able to use a euthanasia method that made me comfortable without having to worry about potential contamination or poisoning any other creature.

Whatever you choose to do, I hope you know that it will be the right thing for you and yours. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Palm_Beach]

Euthanasia is very humane. It is a much much much better option than neglect to the point of injury/illness/starvation and a much much much much better option than slaughter. It is just too expensive for some people, or they are too embarrassed to give a horse up. People drop off dogs and cats to animal shelters all the time, there needs to be a place for horses to go, even if they are euthanized in the end.

[BeckyS]

@KBC

i have just started the research for my old mare, and asked the vet for a quote, first line was pointing out the size of the hole we would need to create.

I have spoken to someone I trust, he assures me that he can carry out the act for me, quickly…I just don’t know if I can walk her over the bridge when a gun is involved.

We put my old gelding down with a gun almost two years ago. I gave him a hug, took off his halter, and set down a pan of alfalfa cubes. I went around the corner of the barn. Husband shot, horse buckled and was dead before he hit the ground.

It sucked for me, but it was a quick death. Still very grateful to my husband! It wasn’t stressful at all for my gelding, this was a pretty normal evening home.

The overall cost was $90 for the rendering company to pick up his body the next day.

[Outyougo]

This is a very important discussion. We all want to live on…but won’t happen to horse hound or man. Quick and final is the greatest kindness.

[Lord_Helpus]

FWTW, if you have a horse cremated and they ask you if you want the ashes… Do not say a simple “yes”. I still have George’s ashes behind a table in the living room. I can barely lift the box, much less get it outside and into the bucket of the tractor. A live horse turns into about 60 pounds of ashes.:eek: Next time I will ask for a pound of ashes.

[MyKindaFlower]

Yes, there were a lot of ashes for my horse as well. I kept some in a small glass bottle near some pictures of my boy. My nephew asked for a small amount as well, it was his favorite horse. I still have about 8 ounces of them packed away because someday I would like to have one of those beautiful blown glass ornaments made from them. The remainder were scattered around the perimeter of his favorite field.

[sophie]

How much does it cost to have a horse cremated?

I like the idea of a euthanasia clinic. Better to have those than see horses suffer because their owners don’t / can’t/ won’t make the right decision.

[Guilherme]

Euthanasia IS available to every horse whose owner chooses it.

I’m not sure why we should seek societal funding of this sort of thing. End of life decisions are part and parcel of the duties of an owner. We might disagree on the relative value of any given choice, but since that choice has no tangible effect on society in general I don’t see why society in general should fund it. Or in any way restrict owner’s choices.

G.