H  O  R  S  E    C  A  R  E

INSURING YOUR HORSE FOR A HUMANE END

"I know my horse is sick and hurting.  I just wanted to find a way to get her put down.  I was going to have the vet do it.  I've got the money for that.  But what were we going to do with her body?  Nobody seemed to know and my husband said this would be easier for everybody."

Horse Owner after her selling her 6 yo Thoroughbred to a Kill Buyer, 
Sugar Creek Auction, Ohio

LIFE comes to an end for us all. Life will one day come to an end for your horse.

This may be difficult to imagine or think about while your horse is healthy and happy. However, think about this you must, and plan for it you should, if you have a horse in your care.

When you are faced with making an end of life decision for your horse, euthanasia conducted by a licensed veterinarian is the safest and kindest option.

So, think about it.  Who are you going to call on when the moment arrives for your horse? 

What will it cost and how will you pay for it?

There are a few more questions you must ask yourself now no matter how life ends for your horse.

How are you going to dispose of your horse’s remains? This will require research and planning, not only how but also where.  What will it cost and how am I going to pay for it?

Here are good, workable solutions for you to think about.

PROFESSIONAL HORSE MORTALITY INSURANCE

•  Take Out a Professional Insurance Policy

AgriRisk Services, Inc. describes their horse mortality insurance policy as:

“The foundation of a complete coverage package. Insures the animal against death due to accident, injury, illness, or disease. This includes humane destruction to relieve incurable and excessive suffering if caused by covered peril. Theft coverage is included.”

If your horse is professionally insured, you will most likely need to have a complete necropsy (an animal autopsy) performed in order to place your claim. Even when a horse is not insured, many owners request a necropsy to understand more about why their horse died.

While the fees for necropsy vary depending on what tests are needed, a complete workup generally costs at least $300. After the necropsy is completed, most facilities dispose of the body by rendering or by incineration. Some are willing to arrange a private cremation.

Policies require you to pay a monthly premium and costs vary widely according to the type of coverage you choose.

PRIVATE HORSE MORTALITY INSURANCE

•  Set Up Your Own Insurance Plan

Set up your own insurance plan for euthanasia and disposal of your horse's remains.

Research the costs and set up a savings account specifically for this purpose, either with a lump sum amount or monthly deposit until you reach the required amount.

Having a plan with the right funds in place will help you take take the right action at a highly emotionally time.

Euthanasia. Talk to your veterinarian and get an estimate for administering euthanasia. Mention the reason for requesting the estimate and ask your veterinarian to include the usual costs.

Disposal. Your horse may die without the need for euthanasia. You should still plan and insure yourself against the expense of disposal.

When choosing a way to dispose of your horse's remains, make sure that in addition to considering the financial requirements, you carefully research your local regulatory requirements.

By weighing all aspects of the available options in advance, you will be able to reach a decision that is both responsible and reflective of your personal ethics and beliefs at a time your are not the middle of an emotionally challenging time.

Add It Up. Add up the cost of euthanasia and disposal then add 10% to the total costs to factor in potential price increases and unforeseen expenses.

Open a Special Account. Set up a savings account and name it Horse Mortality Account and keep details of it among your important papers.

Put It in Your Will. Add these costs to funds you have already set aside in your Will for your horse's care should you predecease him.

Preparing ahead for euthanasia and remains disposal is a very important and often overlooked part of horse care.

Insure for a humane end to your horse's life now. It will give you peace of mind, and be a last, loving gift to your horse.

 By Vivian Grant Farrell
Founding President

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Detailed Disposal Information

See also "Learn where to have your horse humanely euthanized, buried, cremated or rendered". —HSUS

Beware of the Slaughterhouse Buyer

People who promote the death of your horse by slaughter suggest it is a humane end. 

These people may appear nice and caring, offering you assistance to you in a dire situation.  Beware. These people are predators, and they come in the male and female variety.  Some may even pose as rescuers.

However they are what the industry calls "kill buyers", "killer buyers" or slaughterhouse "middlemen".  They are meat men, killers for hire, contracted by slaughterhouses to provide them with horses to turn into meat for human consumption. Killer buyers are looking to make a profit from the death of your horse.

Don’t be fooled. Slaughter by definition is a violent and terrifying end to a horse’s life.  It is not the same as euthanasia no matter how they try to sell it to you to get your horse away from you.

From beginning to end, once a horse enters the slaughter pipeline, there is absolutely nothing humane about it.  The pain and suffering surrounding the horse slaughter process from beginning to end is one of most terrible acts of cruelty a human can commit against a horse.

Learn more »