Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2012 | Page 111

EQUESTRIAN
options for rehoming, then
euthanasia is often warranted.
This may, for example, be the
case with an older or unsound
horse that has little or no value
on the commercial market.
Most sanctuaries are not in
a position to take on such
animals which leaves very few
safe alternatives.
In the above instances, it may
be prudent to consult your
vet and insurance company
in order to establish whether
you are covered in these
circumstances. However, it
is never acceptable to allow
a horse to suffer or have its
welfare compromised for
financial or insurance reasons.
The widely held perception
that life should be preserved
at all costs needs to change.
Euthanasia is often the most

responsible course of action
and the most appropriate to a
horse’s welfare. It is far more
welfare friendly to give a horse
a dignified and timely end
to its life than to allow it to
suffer or be passed from home
to home facing an uncertain
future.
There is a lot of truth in
the old adage “better a week
too soon than a day too late”.
Euthanasia can often be viewed
as the ultimate way in which to
prevent suffering rather than
being a welfare issue in itself.
In the next article we will
look at some of the options
available to you as a horse
owner and what you need
to consider in order to best
cope with this often difficult
decision.

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