How to Arrange a Horse Cremation

For many people, the loss of a horse is the same as the loss of any other loyal pet or friend. Unfortunately, laws and expense may make burial of your friend difficult, leaving you the choice of cremation. Horse cremation is an expensive and timely endeavor, worthwhile to all those horse lovers, but something that should be planned in advance and well researched. Below are a few pointers to get you started on this difficult process.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Insure your horse. This step should be undertaken long before your horse dies. Insurance can help offset vet bills, euthanasia costs and disposal expenses and will make life a lot easier on you at the time of death. Be careful to check your insurance policy and know exactly what it will cover and understand any stipulations or requirements for approval or notification.
2. Allocate euthanasia and disposal expenses. If insurance is not an option, putting aside a few dollars each month for the life of your horse will provide you with most of the money you will need for cremation and other services.
3. Contact your local pet cemetery to see if they have the facilities necessary to cremate a horse. Often the equipment and machinery necessary to cremate a horse is too expensive for small pet cemeteries to accommodate. Check with local research facilities and veterinaries to see if they have facilities.
4. Ensure that the body will reach the cremation facilities in a timely manner. Check with the crematory to see how much time they allow between death and cremation.
5. Arrange for transportation of the horse. If the cremation facility does not offer transportation services, you will have to make other arrangements. This could include a truck and horse trailer or flatbed trailer. You should call around to get cost estimates.
6. If you would like to receive your horse's ashes, make sure the crematorium will do that. Some places do not automatically return animal ashes. Be sure to state that you want the ashes returned. Be aware that this may involve extra costs.
7. Write down the contact information and phone numbers of everyone who will be involved in the cremation and keep in a safe place. When your beloved friend dies, being able to simple pull out a checklist with contact information already researched will make this difficult time so much easier.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do own your own pasture, check with local authorities before burying a horse as many places simply do not allow it.
• Plan ahead. There is nothing more distressing that being full of grief and having to spend time and energy researching ways to dispose, bury, or cremate your horse. Take the time now to make arrangements.
• Always check local laws for disposal of large animals. They vary from state to state and county to county.
• Attempting to cremate a horse on our own property may be cheaper but much less effective. Very hot flames are necessary for the process to be complete. It also takes a very long time and may not be allowed where you live.
• Your horses' shoes may make a nice addition to an urn or memory box. Be sure to ask for their return from the crematory.