Horse Remains Decisions & Disposal

It's always difficult to deal with the unpleasant task of making arrangements for the body of a beloved animal companion. When this pet is an equine, rather than a small house pet, these decisions can be even harder and more complicated. There are local laws to take into account, and every state has different resources and options available for the disposal of remains.

Alternatives to Slaughter

Well-meaning horse owners often don't realize that the horses they sell at auctions may be headed for the slaughterhouse. Slaughterhouse middlemen, sometimes called "killer buyers," are a constant presence at horse auctions. By selling a horse to someone you don't know, you could be dooming that horse to a barbaric end. We encourage you to ponder the alternatives to horse slaughter. The most desirable is to have the horse humanely euthanized at home by a licensed veterinarian. According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners' National Fee and Market Study, the average fee for euthanasia by a veterinarian is $66 (this does not include disposal).

Rendering

The bodies of euthanized horses can be disposed of at rendering plants. Most rendering plants provide pickup service for dead animals. Prices for pickup and disposal range from $25 to $300, depending on the state and distance traveled.

Burial

Horse owners can choose to have their animals euthanized and bury them on their own property (where permissible).