Sorry for the sad question: choosing a burial site

[PonyRiderMom]

One of my horses is having more and more problems. I feel like I can keep her going through another year, maybe, but I am not sure. I am a person who likes to have plans, so I’m trying to figure out where to bury her. I talked to the county, and the person I talked to told me that yes I am allowed to bury my horse on my property. So here are some thoughts I’ve had. Does anyone have any more thoughts? Or can tell me that these thoughts are wrong?

1. Don’t bury near wells (mine or the neighbor’s)
2. Don’t bury in the part of the property that’s always wet
3. Do pick a spot that is accessible by heavy equipment
4. How much do I care about if there are trees in the area? Are big trees nearby an absolute no?
5. What about proximity to surface water? She’ll be buried, so does it matter if there’s surface water nearby?
6. Flat land vs hilly – pretty much the entire property is hilly. Should I be trying to find a flatter part?
7. How long does is take for the ground to settle once she’s buried? Would it be safe for humans to walk over it, horses to walk over it, a heavy truck to drive over it, immediately?

Any other thoughts?

[Djones]

I am sorry for this sad set of questions.

Bury her somewhere you can let settle and fence off if it’s in a pasture. The dirt will compact over time and she will decompose over time. You
will end of with a mound of dirt as her body will displace much of what you removed. It will be a while before it’s just plain old normal ground, so when it’s rained on it will be a muddy, soggy glob. You don’t want horses walking over that til it’s really settled and firm.

Proximity to trees is likely more dependent on what sort of trees. Pines have a serious tap root and few surface roots, other trees have more extensive systems of surface roots.

Pick an area away from foot traffic and use, just because it will be unsettled ground for a good while. At the base of a hill will make gathering more dirt easy (dig into hill face with excavator) and runoff from the hill will help it settle faster.

[Texarkana]

I buried one in November. The excavator left a substantial mound but said it will settle as the body decomposes. So far, there hasn’t been much settling. So I guess we’ll see?

I buried her in an unfenced part of the property, but I do hope to fence that part of the property off one day and use it for turnout. Not sure if I’ll need to fence the burial sight off or if it can be included in the field in the future.

[Catherine616]

I just did this in December. Learned the hard way to choose a spot that the excavator can easily access. The equipment was much larger than we anticipated. Dig the hole the day before so you aren’t rushed the day of. The excavator kindly stacked the dirt so it blocked the view of the hole. Have a plan for moving the horse to the hole. We still have a substantial mound. Be sure to mark the mound in the field for when it does settle. Our horse’s passing was peaceful thanks to compassionate vet and kind neighbor excavator, but it was still one of the worst days of my life. Best wishes.

[clanter]

All of our horses have been buried in a family plot we have at a pet cemetery in Bowie, Texas

Pine Hill Pet and Horse Cemetery & Crematory, they pickup the horse with great care, each step of the process is explained clearly each and every time. When Hailey was put down she was to be buried next to Mulligan who she worshiped … the staff at Pine Hill looked at the records said oh this the horse you told us that would need to be buried next to Mulligan, they had saved her spot. All together we have seven head buried in our family plot, each has their place.

[BeeHoney]

I would also give consideration to having the body hauled away. Unless you own equipment, burying a horse can be expensive/time consuming. Burying a horse is not an easy task, their legs and necks can make them hard to position in a hole. It’s a little gruesome. There also are water quality issues, some areas do not allow for livestock burial. If you have a well or streams or ponds near the burial site, I would be reluctant to bury a horse on your property. If the horse has been chemically euthanized, it’s important to make sure that predators/birds do not have access to the carcass prior to burial.

I have buried horses in the past, but now I entirely have the carcasses hauled off. I save hair from the mane and tail. I have found that at least for me personally, having the body hauled off does not diminish my ability to grieve or remember the animal. Others may feel differently, though.

[cristalle]

I am sorry for the OP and for everyone who has faced this.
One consideration is to put the horse down where you plan to bury him, so that moving the body to the hole is not a huge problem.
The ground will not be stable where you buried the horse for some time, so it is best to use a spot not in general use, either by horse or other animals. If possible fence it off.
I remember a sad story from a friend of mine who had another horse fall into the grave site in a pasture, that was still somewhat fresh (less than a year). They were able to get the second horse out, but it is something you would want to avoid.

[trubandloki]

The person I hired to bury my horse was very careful and compacted the soil some as they put it back into the hole. We were able to walk on it with out any problem after the burial was complete.

I would suggest if horses are going to be turned out in the burial location that you fence the spot off until it settles.

Trees being around should only be a problem because the roots will make digging more difficult.

[Simkie]

I’ve buried a couple in the last couple few years and the back hoe guy was able to compact the soil as it went back in. There’s no mound, the ground is firm, and there hasn’t been settling. Trees nearby might die if enough of their root mass is disturbed. Definitely plan on how large the equipment is, and how it’s getting in & out.

I would’ve rather hauled away, but that’s not really available here. Was quite the surprise coming from an area where I just took dead stock removal for granted.

I’m so sorry you’re at this place with your mare. It’s never easy You’re asking some great questions about the process.

Oh, also, while I’m not generally squeamish about these things, it’s not pleasant watching the body be transported to the hole. It’s not how I want to remember them. Best to leave the back hoe guy to do his thing.

[PonyRiderMom]

Can the equipment needed get through a 10-foot gate or would it have to be a 12-foot gate? Most of my gates are 12-foot gates. If I need to rule out the areas accessible only by 10-foot gates, that would be good to know.

[Simkie]

The guy I use was able to navigate a 10’ gate, but do double check when you call to arrange since equipment & skill definitely varies.

[Equibrit]

I have 4 buried in my pastures. The vet euthed close to the hole which was freshly dug. (It makes sense to have the guy with the digger only come one time) Dirt was pushed back into/on the hole and rocks piled on top. The rocks make sure you miss the grave when mowing. Eventually the site levels out and you can remove the rocks. I now say hello every time I mow the area.

[NancyM]

I have had several buried here. Horses are put down here with a bullet, not drugs, so there is no issue with that problem. Burials have been on pasture areas. There may be a bit of a dip in the ground level over time, but you can top that up with manure or other fill if this is an issue. If you have lots of room and are rural enough or “remote” enough, you can leave the body in a selected spot for local wildlife to consume, again, must not be put down with drugs for this option. It’s easier to bury bones than an entire body. Or, donation of the body to a zoo is another option you might explore.
Sorry, it’s a hard decision that we all must face eventually.

[Texarkana]

@Equibrit

I have 4 buried in my pastures. The vet euthed close to the hole which was freshly dug. (It makes sense to have the guy with the digger only come one time) Dirt was pushed back into/on the hole and rocks piled on top. The rocks make sure you miss the grave when mowing. Eventually the site levels out and you can remove the rocks. I now say hello every time I mow the area.

It is good to know that you have been able to use the space! I don’t mind leaving the burial site unused, but long-term, it sure would be nice to avoid creative fencing around the area.

This year was the first time in my life that I buried one. I always had them picked up. One I cremated, but that has gotten so expensive I wouldn’t even consider it an option anymore. Even having them picked up is $$$; I paid $500 in 2022 and that person has since retired, leaving only the more expensive options.

[Equibrit]

@Texarkana

This year was the first time in my life that I buried one. I always had them picked up. One I cremated, but that has gotten so expensive I wouldn’t even consider it an option anymore. Even having them picked up is $$$; I paid $500 in 2022 and that person has since retired, leaving only the more expensive options.

I’m lucky in having a farmer neighbour who will bring his digger over.

[S1969]

@Simkie

’ve buried a couple in the last couple few years and the back hoe guy was able to compact the soil as it went back in. There’s no mound, the ground is firm, and there hasn’t been settling.

Same; it was dry season though so maybe that helped. But definitely not anything another horse could have fallen into.

I personally cannot imagine having a big hole anywhere near where I am asking the vet to euthanize, or making a plan to drag a dead horse to the hole. I have always walked the horse to the site in the pasture, covered them with a blanket until the excavator arrived (same day; pre-scheduled).

[beowulf]

1. Yes, don’t bury near wells. The increments vary from state to state so check your state’s limitations.
2. Dependent on your property. Wet areas decompose faster as a general rule. Some machinery may not have an issue digging through this.
3. Definitely pick a spot that is heavy equipment accessible - if possible, also pick a spot you won’t need to drive a fence line or any sort of foundation in for the next ~10 years.
4. Should not be an issue. I’ve buried within 15 ft of tree line, minor disturbance of roots.
5. Varies from state to state, my state it is 200 ft.
6. Pick the spot that has the easiest digging. Flat / hill does not matter, but whether there is ledge underneath does.
7. Depends on the substrate. Clay / silt heavy soils may settle faster.

I did not leave a mound for my last burial and it did not settle at all - but we tamped it down as we went with an excavator. It has been ~8 years. I buried him by the property line where our bridle path starts. It was one of the only places on the property you didn’t hit ledge or bedrock 2 feet down. I ride over it regularly (sorry Cody! I don’t think he minds).

It should be safe to walk over immediately, but try to pick a place there is not much foot traffic. In some places that is just not possible.

If there is any possibility of having the hole dug first and euthanizing next to the hole, do it. It’s very easy to roll them in after - have them do it if you don’t want to hear the noise of their body hitting the ground.

If burial isn’t immediate, make sure to tie their legs together and fold their neck down towards their elbow/side. Use bailing twine to fold them into a fetal position. This makes transport and burial easier.

[trubandloki]

On the topic of getting the body into the hole - Hire someone who cares and knows what they are doing. Ask around and find that person.

The guy we hired had done a bunch of these and though he was not a horse person, he is a caring person. He had to move my horse a bit of distance to get the body to the hole (unplanned euthanasia). He was so careful with that body and set it in that hole like it was the most delicate thing he had ever handled. He asked which way we wanted the body facing, etc. He buried the body just as carefully.
He was not cheap ,he was there for hours. But I think he was worth it seeing how he took care of something that he knew was so special to me.

[PonyRiderMom]

I will try to get out there and really walk the property this afternoon bearing all of this in mind. I wonder if there’s a little corner of some pasture I can fence off. Maybe I will get some fencing panels.

How large should I expect the area needing fencing to be? 20 x 20? And if it was a triangle, would a 20 foot side on each side be reasonable?

[Aussie_2020]

I’ve never had to fence the site off. The ground will be a bit of a mound but the backhoe should “walk” across it to compact the earth a few times. My horses shied away from the scary, bald spot anyway. Silly buggers.

Burying on property or having the body transported away costs about the same. At least in my experience. Each were $$$$.

It’s good that you’re planning now, having to do everything in a rush is terrible. A friend couldn’t get a backhoe in for three days. It was summer and by the second day the smell was ghastly. (And the trauma my friend went through was so horrible)