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Expert
Posts: 1549
  
Location: Southwest Louisiana | So one of my old guys, the 30ish year old gelding that I've had for the last 24 years of my life, is going to be put down soon. He has no teeth left to chew anything(the "dentists" said that the last time I had them out), he is on senior feed, soaked alfalfa pellets, beet pulp that he hates, etc. He is in good health as far as there is nothing wrong with him. He just isn't living anymore. He looks depressed and sad. He's been going down the last year, and it's at the point now where I don't want him going any further or suffering. I have a feeling this winter is going to be really hard, or worse, on him. I've cried, I've shared with my sisters (who were raised learning to ride on him), we've all talked about how great of a life he's had, but all agree it's his time.
My question is, what do I do with the body? We live in a very rural area and there are no regulations that I've seen. We do have a lot of coyotes and wildlife. I don't have access to a backhoe, and I was told renting one for a day is $1500+. What do y'all do in this situation? |
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  Fact Checker
Posts: 16575
Location: Displaced Iowegian | Rocket'sMagicGirl - 2017-08-15 9:41 AM So one of my old guys, the 30ish year old gelding that I've had for the last 24 years of my life, is going to be put down soon. He has no teeth left to chew anything(the "dentists" said that the last time I had them out), he is on senior feed, soaked alfalfa pellets, beet pulp that he hates, etc. He is in good health as far as there is nothing wrong with him. He just isn't living anymore. He looks depressed and sad. He's been going down the last year, and it's at the point now where I don't want him going any further or suffering. I have a feeling this winter is going to be really hard, or worse, on him. I've cried, I've shared with my sisters (who were raised learning to ride on him), we've all talked about how great of a life he's had, but all agree it's his time.
My question is, what do I do with the body? We live in a very rural area and there are no regulations that I've seen. We do have a lot of coyotes and wildlife. I don't have access to a backhoe, and I was told renting one for a day is $1500+. What do y'all do in this situation?
We just had to do this to my horse a couple of weeks ago. We hired a guy with a backhoe and he charged us $300 to dig the hole. Later, our Vet told us that we could have gotten one to do it cheaper and gave us a name for future use. Call your vet and ask if they have someone to do it. He did not have to fill ours in since my husband has a tractor and could push the dirt in.....Just a note...... it cost us $180 for the Vet to give him the shot. I thought THAT was a little excessive! |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Look around more or google there are companys that will do livestock disposal if you cant find a backhoe.. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I would call a local vet and see what they do. My vet bought a couple of acres that they use to dispose of the bodies. I am not too sentimental about having them buried on my place, they have a place in my heart that will be with me no matter where their body is. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Agree with NJJ and Rodeomom ask your vet. they should know who to call.  |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | Backhoe cost me 100 bucks and we had to put her down our selves as vets out here wont travel and they are over an hour away even if they would.... i buried my old mare overlooking the arena...m |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| rodeomom3 - 2017-08-15 9:57 AM
I would call a local vet and see what they do. My vet bought a couple of acres that they use to dispose of the bodies. I am not too sentimental about having them buried on my place, they have a place in my heart that will be with me no matter where their body is.
This what I do too. In fact, that is the only reason why I use this vet, so I have him do the routine stuff, but use someone else for more complicated things. |
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Veteran
Posts: 286
| At my vet, if you take a horse to them to be put down, they will also "dispose" of the horse for you...for a fee of course. |
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Expert
Posts: 4766
Location: Bandera, TX | I don't want anyone flaming me! So shut up if you can't take nature. If I have to put one down I do it myself with a very humane bullet and I let them lie. The other animals/birds take over from there. I try to get to the bones so I can use them to teach my 4H kids.
I watched as my neighbor's horses went down last winter. It was very tough to see. I know they were dragging their bones for at least a mile to get to water and back to the better side of the pasture on a daily or every other day basis. I was so relieved when I drove by and saw the buzzards and eagles on the one during our third cold front. The other lasted into Jan. then crossed over the rainbow bridge.
I'm a former vet tech; when my close friend had a horse that needed to end it's suffering I had no issue helping the vet I used to work for to put him down. It had been a few years since I've helped in ending a horses life in the traditional veterinary method, I believe my way is faster and less dramatic on the animal. I hope God in Heaven above can keep me at peace with my decisions and dominion over His valued animals. |
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Expert
Posts: 1549
Location: Southwest Louisiana | No flaming here. I just can't go that route because I've got dogs that routinely bring various bones to my front porch. Don't want them bringing anything from my horse...
I'm going to talk to my vet for his ideas on it.
Another question - what's the best way to put them down? I'm thinking vet, but I've heard it doesn't always go peacefully that way. My husband swears with the right gun/bullet it'd be faster, but I don't know.
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 Veteran
Posts: 194
Location: Texas | sometimes your county commissioner will bury them, call your Pct |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | I've had to put down a few horses the last couple of years. We have the vet come out, put them down, and then my grandpa will dig a hole with a tractor, pick the horse up in the bucket and lower in the hole. We then cover and stick a handmade stone on the top |
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Veteran
Posts: 233
| If a bullet is well placed, it is absolutely the kindest, fastest way for the horse. Got to have a steady hand, though. Sometimes a livestock disposal company will offer a put -down service for a reasonable fee (here it's $25) if you use them for disposal. The last two dead horses we've dealt with have died before it became an issue.
Something important: Before the body goes into rigor, fold the horse up into the fetal position. Back legs up, front legs tucked, head tied round to the back feet, or tucked between the front legs. It makes it much easier to move and bury the body. A standard lead rope and halter gets the job done. Within 10-15 minutes the body will start to stiffen up. |
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Expert
Posts: 4766
Location: Bandera, TX | Rocket'sMagicGirl - 2017-08-15 12:28 PM No flaming here. I just can't go that route because I've got dogs that routinely bring various bones to my front porch. Don't want them bringing anything from my horse...
I'm going to talk to my vet for his ideas on it.
Another question - what's the best way to put them down? I'm thinking vet, but I've heard it doesn't always go peacefully that way. My husband swears with the right gun/bullet it'd be faster, but I don't know.
Go with your husbands idea. However, you can't be queezy when you pull the trigger. You must be close to the animal and on target. Know the landmarks. The other thing you can do is burn the body if you have plenty of brush.
On another note the other day I was at a scene of multiple horses injured-with my vet tech friend and our vet was on the phone with us. I wanted to simply have the trooper shoot the animals he said he couldn't do it. ugh |
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Expert
Posts: 1549
Location: Southwest Louisiana | I thought about burning, but I'm in south Louisiana. We've been getting showers here every afternoon. I'd hate to get a fire going and have to keep re-lighting it for days. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 418
| Well, it depends on if you can be comfortable with the fact that his soul has gone and all that remains are his physical remains. We have utilized the "viking" funeral before, (burning) (no idea why we call it that) or we do have the land capacity to leave a carcass. It is the natural progression of things, gives back to the earth etc. We have also buried as well. It is a tough choice to make. A backhoe should not be that expensive. Hoping for peace for you all no matter what you do. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| I've seen both ways be pretty ugly. The last time I had a horse put down the vet sedated him so that he eased to his knees and then we gave the fatal dose. Not sure how many do this, but she said this way was safer for all involved- which I totally agree with.
I'm sure this is not an option in many people's areas nor would some want to contribute to this, but there is a large predator and wolf sanctuary here that some people donate the horses to. They shoot them and then put them out for the animals. Kind of gross to me, but if you're into the "circle of life" thing it works. |
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 Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | I've done both and via injection it shouldn't be any uglier than it has to be-just death. My vet always knocks them sleepy first and gently lets they lay down. Then administers the stuff that stops their heart. No struggle, no death thros. Just a peaceful end to suffering.
I have also used a 38 or 357. Personally wouldn't dare try anything smaller. They hit the ground hard and generally never kick or move. Sometimes some blood comes out the nose. Just so you know and hopefully not too much info, it does not leave a gaping hole. Where it enters it is usually just a small indention and I never look to see if it exits. A well placed shot will send the bullet down the neck area. I just hate to be looking them in the eye when I do it. Makes it hard on animal you love. But I despise seeing one suffer among all else and will end it just to end it.
See if you have any ranchers/farmers/ not sure what the oilfield is like in LA, but we have ranchy neighbors that will use their back hoe and dig us a hole. Travel for them is 34 miles both ways and we have been charged anywhere from $150-$300. If you euthenize, a vet should require you to bury as anything that comes along and eats it, can die. Bald Eagles etc. Our vet won't euthenize unless you already have a hole dug and ready to bury. |
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 Go Your Own Way
Posts: 4947
Location: SE KS | the vet comes out - and we have a neighbor with a backhoe and he buried two of my boys last fall for $100.
IF you have farmer friends or a local construction friend with a backhoe - I bet they would do it cheap for you.
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Expert
Posts: 3147
| uno-dos-tres! - 2017-08-15 1:02 PM
Rocket'sMagicGirl - 2017-08-15 12:28 PM No flaming here. I just can't go that route because I've got dogs that routinely bring various bones to my front porch. Don't want them bringing anything from my horse...
I'm going to talk to my vet for his ideas on it.
Another question - what's the best way to put them down? I'm thinking vet, but I've heard it doesn't always go peacefully that way. My husband swears with the right gun/bullet it'd be faster, but I don't know.
Go with your husbands idea. However, you can't be queezy when you pull the trigger. You must be close to the animal and on target. Know the landmarks. The other thing you can do is burn the body if you have plenty of brush.
On another note the other day I was at a scene of multiple horses injured-with my vet tech friend and our vet was on the phone with us. I wanted to simply have the trooper shoot the animals he said he couldn't do it. ugh
Unfortunately many state troopers, game wardens, etc don't know where to place the bullet. I watched a game warden shoot a deer behind the ear and it took the deer a few minutes to die. A bullet, placed in the proper place, is instantaneous. My husband was called out to put down an ancient, emaciated cow, frozen to the ground. Owner insisted the cow not be shot. After giving the cow over twice what should have euthanized it and waiting for drugs to work-he shot it-cow dead instantly. When they are in such a state as this one, her circulation was bad and organs were already shutting down, the injection was useless. |
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