Can I bury my horse in the garden?

Saying goodbye to your best friend will always be hard. But some careful planning may make things a little easier when the time comes. Thinking about how you would like to have your horse put to sleep and how you would like them to be taken care of afterwards is important in case the decision needs to be made unexpectedly. The majority of horses will be taken away by a fellmonger or fallen stock collector who collects farm animals as well as horses. There is also the option for collection by a crematorium. If you have your own land, you may want to bury your horse. However, despite it being your property, there are a few things that must be taken into consideration before choosing this option.

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Unlike livestock, it is legal to bury horses underground Before deciding to bury your horse, you must contact your local councilWhen preparing the site, consider the work involved

Unlike livestock, it is legal to bury horses underground 

In Scotland and Wales, the rules specifically state that only a horse that is kept as a pet may be buried. However, all horses in England can be buried. 

Although horses are treated differently to farm animals, the horse should still only be buried if it is not carrying a disease that is harmful to humans, wildlife, or other animals that may graze the area. If there is any doubt, you should ask your vet for further information. They may advise against burial if there are any concerns.