A Sad Reality of Horse Ownership

We recently had a sad occurrence. My daughter lost her OTTB Knight Leader, known to us as "Sampler". He was kicking up his heels in his pasture when he suddenly came up lame. The vet was called immediately, and imaging showed he has shattered a pastern. Broken legs are no longer the death sentence they once were for a horse. But in Sampler's case, there was nothing that could be done. He was only nine years old, and a really kind and wonderful horse to have around.

The decision to euthanize a horse is never easy, whether the horse has an injury that is impossible to fix, or has reached the end of its life. It's something I've had to deal with a few times, and I don't think it's something you ever really get used to. In Euthanizing or Putting a Horse Down Making the Decision to End the Life of an Equine Friend I look at making the decision, how euthanasia is done, and what happens after. I hope it's information you won't have to use.

Read More About General Horse Care: 

• Alternative Therapies for Horses
• Treating Minor Horse Wounds