unwanted horses and disposal

[OldDog/NewTricks]

This blog site discussed This blog site discussed unwanted horses and disposal options and costs.


http://blogs.das.psu.edu/horse/?p=4

The site was sent to me by a person who asked about the contamination of
soil and ground or surface waters from horses that are euthanized using
a drug, and the horse is then buried. The person was concerned the
chemical used to kill the horse would eventually be in the water as well
as any decomposition material or bacteria. The blog site did not appear
to discuss the method of euthanasia (chemical, captive bolt or bullet).

I indicated the state authorities should be consulted to determine the
requirements in that state. I have heard others discuss this concern
and so share this site with you.

They also wanted to know what happens if the horse euthanized with a
drug is taken to a landfill and not properly covered (or taken to a
field and left out in the open) so animals or birds can eat the carcass.
Then the animal or bird that ate the dead horse (or any other animal
killed with the chemical) would die. Therefore an endangered species
could die. The person had read about a man that was charged and was
going to court because he did not cover a horse that had been euthanized
with a drug, and an eagle had eaten part of the carcass and then died
from the drug.

Examples of disposal options provided in the blog:

Burial - disposal of unwanted horses is not as simple as
disposal of unwanted cats and dogs. It's illegal in many states to
bury horses and this varies by local and state regulations. It
takes a deep hole and must be 150- 200 ft from wells or streams to
prevent ground water contamination. And you need a backhoe that can
cost $250-500. During extreme weather the frost line may be too deep
and you will have to store the carcass until the weather thaws before
being able to dig the hole.

Landfill - some will not accept chemically euthanized horses,
the cost ranges from $80-150

[Brad S]

I talked to a Colorado State Trooper that had personally worked 2 horse/vehicle accidents and he had heard of others where the horse was unclaimed or unowned. A horse/vehicle collision is terrible because the horse can easily go through the windshield

[nenmrancher]

I was at a cattle growers meeting awhile back and one of the members had a great suggestion. We should round up a bunch of the unwanted horse and start leaving them in the yards of all the congress critters and senators and let them take care of them. Bet it wouldnt take long for them to get the message that way.