What to do when your horse dies

horse will be taken care of after the euthanasia has been performed. Depending on the landowner you may have the option to bury your horse in some situations. But in most cases your horse will need to be collected. Before your horse is euthanased it is important to walk them to an area that is easily accessible by machinery so that they can be moved easily after they have died. This includes taking into account narrow gateways and sharp corners. Once your horse has been euthanased there is the choice of either having them cremated so that the ashes can be returned to you or having them cremated with other animals communal cremation. If a firearm has been used there may also be the option of taking the horse to the hunt kennels for disposal.
Will my insurance cover the cost of euthanasia?
Before deciding to put your horse to sleep it is important to check your insurance policy to see what is covered. Not all policies will cover the cost of euthanasia and disposal so this may affect your decision when looking at the different options. Some insurance policies also request that the vet makes a statement on whether or not the horse was euthanased on humane grounds. Although it may seem necessary to you that the procedure is performed it is worth contacting your insurance company before making the decision as performing euthanasia for some conditions can invalidate your insurance policy.
Remembering your horse
Although you can choose to keep your horses ashes after they have gone the individual cremation that allows ashes to be returned can be very expensive. An alternative is to collect pieces of mane or tail hair or even their shoes after they have died. If you would like to keep something ask your vet and they can
help you. There are also a number of websites that can make jewellery from the hair or ashes that you have collected.
Bereavement Support
Losing a companion can be extremely difficult especially if they have been in your life for a long period of time. Many people suffer from grief following the loss of a horse. It is important to reach out to someone to help you come to terms with what has happened.