End of Life Decision Making

Horse Care
Written By Jacqui Avis

  • FREEDOM FROM HUNGER AND THIRST.

  • FREEDOM FROM DISCOMFORT.

  • FREEDOM FROM PAIN, INJURY OR DISEASE.

  • FREEDOM TO EXPRESS NORMAL BEHAVIOR.

  • FREEDOM FROM FEAR AND DISTRESS.

These are the 5 Freedoms, a universal “list”,  used in the animal welfare world to help determine and prevent animal suffering. 

At some point, all horse owners will be faced with making the difficult and heartbreaking decision to humanely euthanize their beloved horse. It sucks, it’s hard, it’s heartbreaking and it doesn’t get any easier no matter how many times you are faced with that decision. However, we must realize that humane euthanasia is also a gift. They call it the final act of kindness….and although you are taking a life, you are also ending suffering. 

Thinking about these 5 freedoms when you are faced with making this choice might help you come to that decision. Ask yourself questions like “Is my horse still able to eat, drink and maintain a healthy weight?” Keep in mind that older horses commonly require a soaked diet to maintain weight.  “Is my horse able to move around without pain and keep up with his herd mates?” “Is my horse able to lay down to rest?” Horses with severe arthritis in their knees or hocks will often stop laying down to rest as they know they will struggle to get up. In this situation, keep in mind that horses are flight animals and knowing their inability to flee a predator instills a certain amount of stress. “Does my horse have an incurable condition that he can’t recover from or be managed?”  “WHAT IS MY HORSE’S QUALITY OF LIFE LIKE?” Talk to your vet… they can absolutely help you make the right decision for your horse.

When your horse is having more bad days than good, it is most definitely time. Trust me when I say that euthanasia is harder on us humans than it is on the horse. For the horse, which lives in the present moment, what matters is that they are free from pain. It is us humans that struggle…. with the decision itself and then afterwards as we mourn their loss and learn to live without our equine friend.  Yet, it is our duty as responsible horse owners to put our horse’s welfare and happiness in front of our own needs. Period. I truly believe it is better to let them go a day, a week or even a month too early rather than one minute too late.  This way, we have the ability to make their last day a really good day.

For me, personally, I like to believe in horse heaven and that one day I will see my horses again… it helps me cope with having to say that final goodbye.

Jacqui Avis