End of life: planning and saying goodbye

A decision most owners will face

Defra's code of practice cites research suggesting that only 9% of horses die of natural causes. The British Horse Society puts it plainly: very few horses pass away peacefully of old age. For most, someone will have to decide when their quality of life has fallen too far, and that is why the code calls planning for a timely euthanasia a key responsibility of ownership.

Euthanasia may be needed for many reasons: old age, a chronic condition, illness, an accident, or a change in the owner's circumstances. Serious injury or illness can strike a horse of any age, forcing a decision quickly and under pressure. The British Horse Society says that understanding the options and making a plan in advance makes that moment a little easier.

A World Horse Welfare field officer stresses three things:

• Euthanasia can be a positive welfare decision, especially for a horse that is elderly, injured, ill, or has a behavioural problem that means its quality of life is compromised or will only get worse.
• A week too soon is far better than a day too late. Horses have no sense of time and live in the here and now, so "one last summer" is for the owner's benefit, not the horse's.
• Your horse doesn't know what's coming. Horses learn by experience, and have never been put to sleep before.

Judging quality of life

It can be hard to see gradual change in a horse you look at every day. World Horse Welfare often sees owners who love their horses delay euthanasia simply because they haven't noticed how much the horse has declined. Some ways to stay objective:

• Ask the right questions. Bransby Horses suggests asking whether your horse still greets you and mixes with other horses as before; whether it looks withdrawn or dull, or its behaviour has changed; whether it still eats its normal forage, moves normally and gets up without help; and whether it seems to enjoy life. If several of these signs appear, seek your vet's advice. The lifecycle page has the full checklist.
• Don't rely on appetite. Horses are stoic and their drive to eat is strong, so a horse that is still eating isn't necessarily enjoying a good quality of life.
• Watch it lie down and get up. Horses need to lie flat out to sleep for a period every day, often in the small hours. A horse that can no longer lie down doesn't have the quality of life it should; a camera can help you check.
• Take photos regularly and compare them. Many owners are shocked to see how much their horse has changed in a few months.
• Think about long-term medication. For chronic conditions such as arthritis, PPID or laminitis, ask whether treating indefinitely is truly right for the horse. Just because something can be treated doesn't always mean it should be.
• Turn the question round. Instead of "is it time?", World Horse Welfare suggests asking: "How prepared am I to watch my horse deteriorate?"

Your vet can help, but for an elderly horse or a chronic condition the decision is the owner's, not the vet's: you know your horse best, and you see it every day. In an emergency, such as a catastrophic injury or untreatable colic, the humane choice is usually clear to everyone.

Planning ahead

Defra's code of practice asks owners to develop an end-of-life plan well before the time comes, including what to do in an emergency if you can't be reached. The British Horse Society has a downloadable emergency plan, and World Horse Welfare a "Just in Case" plan. Give a copy to your yard owner, your vet and anyone who looks after your horse.

A plan covers:

• The method you would prefer (see below), and who would carry it out
• The place. Ideally somewhere familiar, with other horses moved away. Vehicles need access, but a horse's welfare shouldn't be compromised by moving it somewhere more convenient. A vet must decide whether a horse is fit to travel, which should only be considered for a horse used to travelling, over a short distance.
• What happens to the body afterwards
• The costs. Defra's code notes that insurance rarely covers the full cost of euthanasia and disposal of the body.
• Your other horses, especially a companion left on its own

Methods

The British Horse Society describes the two methods:

Lethal injection. Only a vet can give it, sometimes after a sedative. It is an overdose of anaesthetic, which makes the horse collapse and quickly lose consciousness before the heart stops. The heart may take 60–90 seconds to stop. The horse may take two or three gasps, or twitch and move its legs: these are involuntary reflexes, and the horse is unconscious and feels no pain. The horse tends to fall slowly but unpredictably. Many vets let the owner hold the horse while the injection is given, then take over and ask the owner to stand well back.

Free bullet. It must be carried out by a vet or another licensed professional. Death is instant, and the horse falls to the ground. The limbs may twitch, a normal reflex after death, and the heart may beat briefly although the horse is unconscious. There may be some bleeding from the wound, nose or ears. The noise doesn't affect the horse, which is unaware.

Bransby Horses notes that the two methods differ in cost, and that some options for the body depend on which method is used.

Being there

Whether you stay with your horse is a personal choice. Many owners want to be there. Others don't feel able to: World Horse Welfare says you shouldn't feel guilty, and the British Horse Society notes that the professionals involved will understand. A friend can hold the horse, or the person carrying out the euthanasia may bring someone. The British Horse Society's free Friends at the End scheme can send a trained volunteer to support you on the day.

Companions

Horses form close bonds. World Horse Welfare's advice:

• For a planned euthanasia, consider finding the remaining horse a new companion beforehand.
• Letting the other horse see its friend's body is a personal decision, but it often helps, so the horse isn't left waiting for its friend to come back. The British Horse Society suggests judging this for each horse.
• Expect some sadness. Horses are often quiet or dejected in the days after a herd member dies. If they don't seem concerned, it doesn't mean the bond was any weaker.
• Two elderly or unwell horses that are deeply bonded might best be put to sleep on the same day.

Afterwards

The British Horse Society describes the main options for the body. Costs vary a lot, and some depend on the method used:

Bransby Horses notes that you may want to keep a memento, such as a shoe or tail hair.

Paperwork. You must return your horse's passport to the Passport Issuing Organisation that issued it within 30 days of its death. The British Horse Society notes that many will send it back to you as a keepsake if you ask.

Insurance. Check exactly what your policy covers; often it pays only part of the costs. For a planned euthanasia, contact your insurer first. The British Horse Society notes that insurers can refuse to pay if a horse with a chronic condition such as arthritis doesn't meet the BEVA guidelines. After an emergency, contact them as soon as you can; euthanasia should never be delayed for insurance reasons.

Grief and support

Losing a horse is hard, and grief is natural. World Horse Welfare encourages owners to ask for help, and suggests that talking it through with someone who isn't emotionally attached to the horse can help you feel sure you're doing the right thing. If children are involved, its field officer's experience is that being gently truthful gives them a chance to say goodbye.

Organisations that can help include:

• The British Horse Society: Friends at the End support scheme
• World Horse Welfare: advice line, and Just in Case planning materials
• Bransby Horses: welfare team advice and support
• The Equine End of Life Service, and the Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service