Compassionate end-of-life care for your horse
Equine Euthanasia Services at Cleary Lake Veterinary Hospital are provided with compassion, dignity, and respect for both the horse and their owners. Our veterinarians work with you to ensure the process is as peaceful and comfortable as possible, whether euthanasia is planned due to age, illness, injury, or quality-of-life concerns. We also help guide owners through aftercare and body care options available for their horse.
A resource that may help: the UC Davis Center for Equine Health guide Caring for Horses Through Life and Death.
What to expect when it’s time to say goodbye
Before anything happens, we will talk with you about each step and about your wishes for your horse’s aftercare, so you can focus on your horse in those final moments. Euthanasia is given by injection, and a sedative is often given first so your horse is calm and relaxed.
Whether you stay with your horse or say goodbye beforehand is entirely your choice, and either is okay. After your horse has passed, you may see a deep breath or small muscle movements. These are reflexes, not signs of pain. There is no need to rush your goodbye.
Knowing when the time is right
Deciding when to say goodbye is one of the hardest choices a horse owner faces. You may be weighing your horse’s age, a chronic condition such as painful arthritis, a serious injury, or a slow decline in comfort and quality of life. Some owners find it helps to keep a simple daily note of good days and hard days.
You do not have to make this decision alone. Our veterinarians can examine your horse, talk honestly with you about what to expect, and help you think through your options, including aftercare, ahead of time if you would like.
We’re here when you need us
If you would like to talk about your horse’s quality of life or plan ahead, please call us at (952) 435-8387. For urgent situations, our equine team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Euthanasia - FAQ
How will I know when it’s time?
There is rarely one clear moment, and it is completely normal to feel unsure. The American Association of Equine Practitioners encourages owners and veterinarians to review its euthanasia guidelines together and look honestly at whether a horse still has a good quality of life. We are glad to have that conversation with you, as many times as you need. Source: American Association of Equine Practitioners
How is euthanasia performed for a horse?
The AAEP lists an intravenous overdose of a barbiturate anesthetic, given by a properly trained veterinarian, among the accepted methods. Its guidelines also note that the choice of method should take into account local regulations and plans for the horse’s body afterward, which is one reason we gently talk through aftercare with you ahead of time. Source: American Association of Equine Practitioners
What are the options for my horse’s body afterward?
Common options include burial where local rules allow it (sites usually must be well away from wells and water), cremation, rendering, composting and, in some areas, a landfill that accepts horses. Some options are not available after chemical euthanasia, and rules vary by location. We can help you understand which choices fit your situation. Source: Extension Horses (Cooperative Extension)
Should I contact my insurance company first?
If your horse is insured, yes, whenever possible. The AAEP advises that a horse’s insurance status be clearly determined before euthanasia, because the policy is a contract between you and your insurance carrier. Reaching out to your insurer early can help avoid difficulties with coverage at an already painful time. Source: American Association of Equine Practitioners
Where can I find support after losing my horse?
Grief after losing a horse is real, and it helps to talk about it. Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine runs a Pet Loss Support Hotline staffed by veterinary students trained by professional grief counselors, and its page also lists reading and resources about losing a horse. You are always welcome to call us, too. Source: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
