Although Dr. Corey said that
he has not toured Canadian equine
slaughter facilities, he has spoken
with Canadian officials who report
that there are seven slaughter plants
in Canada, and that Canada’s surplus
horses are caused by 80,000–100,000
U.S. horses going to Canada.
[Please note that RMR ran an article in
the June 2008 issue about the Canadian
system. This article is available online at
www.rockymountainrider.com.]
Euthanasia and Carcass
Disposal
Dr. Corey discussed the current op-
tions for unwanted horses, including
changing occupations; going to rescue
facilities and hopefully being adopted;
donated to veterinary teaching hospi-
tals and therapeutic riding programs;
processed for meat; abandonment or
neglect; and euthanasia.
A horse would be euthanized if its
prognosis is hopeless; if it is undergoing
unnecessary pain and suffering; or if it is
a danger to itself or others. If euthanasia
is opted for, Dr. Corey believes veteri-
narians need to help their clients decide
to make this difficult decision, and that
they should make sure the horse’s life
ends with as little stress as possible.
Dr. Corey explained that the
AVMA accepted methods of euthana-
sia are bartituate overdose, gunshot,
and penetrative captive bolt.
Horse owners and their veterinar-
ians should first discuss the method of
euthanasia as well as carcass disposal.
There was a case in California where
both a rancher and his veterinarian
were legally responsible when horses
that were put down with barbituates
were left on the rancher’s property, and
the carcasses became environmental
hazards when eagles were poisoned by
the horse meat.
Some options and costs for car-
cass disposal are: Burial on private
property ($250–$500); Landfills ($80–
$150; some do not accept chemicals);
Rendering ($75–$250); Cremation
($600–$2,000); Composting on private
property (the cost of sawdust or wood-
chips); and Biodigestion ($220–$1,000,
at a facility that has a biodigester).
continued...
RMR
www.rockymountainrider.com APRIL 2009 • ROCKY MOUNTAIN RIDER 31
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