When To Put An Arthritic Horse Down - T-Tees - Your Answers Await, Life's Questions Unraveled

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No one likes thinking about having to put their horse to sleep, but sadly, euthanasia – also known as having a horse ‘put to sleep’ or ‘put down’ – is something all horse owners and keepers have to plan for.

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Many horses do not die from natural causes, and so owners need to think about what they will do when the time comes. This guide will help you to consider what options may be available and help you to make decisions about your horse’s death.

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No horse should have to go through unnecessary pain or distress and euthanasia can prevent your horse from suffering. Having to put your horse to sleep is never an easy decision to make and it can also be very upsetting for you as an owner, even when you know it is the right thing to do.

When to plan for your horse’s euthanasia?

If you don’t yet have a plan for your horse’s euthanasia, we recommend taking some time to think about it as soon as you can.

If your horse develops a long term illness you may have a bit more time to consider your options; but if your horse suddenly falls ill or is involved in an emergency situation, it’s likely you won’t have much time at all to think about the emotional and practical implications of your horse needing to be put to sleep.

You will need to consider:

Where you would like your horse to be euthanised, and what the circumstances may allow
How you would like your horse to be euthanised, and by whom
Who to contact in an emergency
Costs involved, including any insurance cover

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It’s important that all horse owners know the options available and the procedures involved, so that you can make a fully informed decision and act in the best interests of your horse.

When is the right time to put a horse down?

It can be difficult to know when the time is right for euthanasia. Sometimes it may be obvious that your horse is in distress and suffering, but if your horse has gradually declined, it may be less so.

There are a number of reasons why a horse may need to be euthanised including:

old age, when their condition has deteriorated to such an extent they no longer have an acceptable quality of life
serious injury
a disease or illness that cannot be treated

You should always talk to your vet and other professionals if you’re concerned about your horse’s health or welfare. Your vet will be able to offer advice on any potential treatments or euthanasia.

The final decision though will be yours. You know your horse best, and you will make the right decision for them when you consider your horse’s best interests. Talking to your family and friends will help you to consider your decision and get support. Even though you know you have made the best decision for your horse, it is never an easy decision to reach.

What to look out for in your horse

When your vet visits, you may hear them talking about your horse’s ‘quality of life’. This is a term vets use to understand how much animals are now able to enjoy their lives and carry out normal behaviours without pain or suffering.

Signs that your horse may not have an acceptable quality of life include:

not being able to graze or forage for food for most of the day
not being able to get up and lie down unaided – this is so they’re able to have a proper deep sleep (REM)
not being able to walk and trot, and preferably canter

What if my horse dies suddenly?

Some horses do die from natural causes. Although you won’t need to put your horse to sleep if this happens, you will still need to arrange for their body to be buried or collected. For more information on planning for the practicalities of this, see below.

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Sadly, horses can and do suffer from unexpected fatal accidents, or those that mean they need to be euthanised quickly. Having a plan in place for these emergency situations will make them much easier to cope with from an emotional and practical point of view.

In life we don’t always know what is around the corner. A sudden or unexpected loss, can leave us feeling shocked and struggling to cope.

If you’ve experienced the sudden loss of your horse and are struggling to come to terms with this, our free Pet Loss Support service is here to support you through this time.

Talk to someone now

Should I stay with my horse during euthanasia?

Whether or not you wish to stay with your horse while they are put to sleep is entirely your choice, but it may depend on the euthanasia method chosen. Someone will need to stay with your horse to hold them, and it may be comforting to know that you were with them at the end.

What if I can’t stay?

Try not to feel guilty if you do feel unable to watch. If you are upset or panicking then this may upset your horse as they’re very sensitive to our emotions.

The professionals involved will understand if you do not wish to stay. If it’s likely to be too upsetting, it’s OK to say your goodbyes and leave your horse in the capable hands of the professionals.

The British Horse Society also has a scheme called Friends at the End which ensures that no horse owner has to face the loss of their equine companion alone.

How is euthanasia in horses carried out?

Horses are euthanised by either:

injection
gun

It’s a good idea to discuss the options for euthanasia with your vet before you make your decision. They will advise you on the options available to your horse. Bear in mind that these may be decided on by your horse’s circumstances, and unfortunately you may not always be able to choose the method you would prefer.

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You should also consider what is least stressful for your horse, for example some horses will be fearful of injections while others will be headshy. Regardless of which method is used, euthanasia must be carried out by a qualified professional.

Horse euthanasia by injection

Only vets can legally carry out euthanasia by injection. The process is as follows:

Anxious horses might be given a sedative first
A lethal overdose of anaesthetic drugs is then administered intravenously (through a vein)
The horse will collapse gradually, experiencing a rapid loss of consciousness followed by the heart stopping
In some instances, it may be necessary to give a further dose of the lethal injection to the unconscious horse, to stop the heart
The vet will remain with your horse until they have died, and any natural reflex reactions have ceased.

You may see some minor muscle tremors, noises or twitching of your horse’s more sensitive parts (such as the nostrils and muzzle) for a short time after death. This is a natural response of the body system and, although this may be worrying as an owner, your horse is not in any pain while this is happening – they will have already passed away.

Horse euthanasia by gun

In the interests of welfare and safety, this method of euthanasia should only be carried out by a trained, competent person, who has a licence to use a firearm. The procedure can be carried out by a vet or by other licensed individuals:

The horse may be given a sedative beforehand to ensure they are calm. The sedative can only be given by a vet, so it might be an option to consider a lethal injection while they’re there.
A bullet is discharged straight into the brain. Your horse will fall to the ground straight away, and a trained vet should be there to make sure your horse’s heart has stopped beating before being moved. Although this type of euthanasia can be upsetting as an owner, it will also mean that your horse passes away instantly.
The horse’s limbs may make sudden twitches when they are on the ground. These are normal reflexes after death and can occur even though the animal is no longer alive.
Some bleeding from the bullet hole and the nostrils may happen, though it can range from a slight trickle to a strong flow. Placing horse shavings or earth (depending on the surrounding) on top of any discharge and leaving it for a short time is the best way to clean this up. Just be sure to safely dispose of the shavings afterwards. On hard surfaces you should have a hosepipe ready to wash any blood away.

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