Has anyone attempted to compost a horse? I have an old timer who will be crossing Rainbow Bridge in the near future. His owner has begged me not to put him on the deadstock truck. Burying him is not an option as I am on solid rock.

ugh! there must be a cremation service somewhere....or perhaps a friend who would let you bury the old guy on their property?

NOT A PG ANSWER!!

Dealing with the death of an animal can be horrible and I sympathise with your horsey owner (and owners out there). As far as I know it is illegal to bury livestock on personal property. You'd have to find out the logistics of it too as I know it takes years for the animal to actually decompose (with just the bone remaining of course). Also an animal so large decomposing on your property could have negative effects we actual don't think of when burring a dog or cat (like water contamination). I think having the animal dug up by scavengers would be just as HORRIBLE, as would finding the half decomposed remains years later while digging a ditch or something.

Honestly as horrible as it sounds having the dead stock truck come pick up the remains is the safest and most responsible act we can do (I'm sure I will upset many of you for saying that and I'm sorry.) I would suggest the owners themselves (and anyone close to the horse) NOT be around within a few hours of the horse dying and not even be on the property when the animal is actually removed.

Cutting a piece of the tail or mane and burying it (or keeping it in a keepsake box) could be a good alternative to having the actual animal buried.

I have made really beautiful braids for people before. I can use either most of the tail hair or just a chunk. If your horsey owner would like I would be happy to make one for them. It takes about a week once I get the hair and will last for ever. Let me know and again I'm so sorry for the impending loss.

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/en...eer/facts/09-025.htm

Here's a factsheet from OMAFRA that explains the process and other (gross) details... Good luck, if you can find an appropriate location, it seems a reasonable option but it does seem a bit "intensive"...

quote:

Originally posted by ponybreeder:
NOT A PG ANSWER!!

Dealing with the death of an animal can be horrible and I sympathise with your horsey owner (and owners out there). As far as I know it is illegal to bury livestock on personal property. You'd have to find out the logistics of it too as I know it takes years for the animal to actually decompose (with just the bone remaining of course). Also an animal so large decomposing on your property could have negative effects we actual don't think of when burring a dog or cat (like water contamination). I think having the animal dug up by scavengers would be just as HORRIBLE, as would finding the half decomposed remains years later while digging a ditch or something.

.

Composting is very different from burying. The heat and bacteria from the manure will decompose the body within 6-12 months. Not worried about any scavengers digging him up, as the manure pile is very, very large.
Several members on COTH have composted horses, but many are in the southern states, so I was hoping for feed-back from someone in our climate.
Composting is legal in Ontario. http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/en...r/facts/09-025.htm#3

Owner won't be there. He's been in Florida for the past 3 months. :P

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TheBandit,

quote:

Originally posted by adell-Jen:
ugh! there must be a cremation service somewhere....or perhaps a friend who would let you bury the old guy on their property?

Most cremation services will only cremate certain bits of the horse. Many do not have ovens big enough to handle a whole horse. The horse still ends up on a truck and still gets chopped to bits. Not what the owner wants.

oh i see, i didn't realize you wanted to compost him in the manure pile. I have heard of people doing that with still born foals, but never with an adult horse. I read that the manure pile won't continue to compost properly with biologicals in it when i was researching how to make my pile compost faster. something to consider.

There was a topic on EMG a while back talking about cremation services. From what I remember, there is one down in Toronto that will do the whole horse, did cost a pretty penny though, but then again what doesn't with horses. Try doing a search on EMG. Either way I think composting is vulgar just my opinion.

I understand this is not an option for everyone one.

Jumper_Bump, What exactly is vuglar about it?

A very unusual thread. I just want to say that it is very kind of you to consider your friend's request and this option.

Best of luck. Hope it works out for everyone.

quote:

Originally posted by TheBandit:
Jumper_Bump, What exactly is vulgar about it?

Its vulgar because you will have a rotting horse carcass in your manure pile, and no matter the smell of that pile there are going to be vermin smelling that and going after it. And if this was supposed to be about honoring your clients beloved pet, in my opinion chucking them in the manure pile doesn't exactly do that. Not to mention not sure of the legalities of it.

Its vulgar because you will have a rotting horse carcass in your manure pile, and no matter the smell of that pile there are going to be vermin smelling that and going after it. And if this was supposed to be about honoring your clients beloved pet, in my opinion chucking them in the manure pile doesn't exactly do that. Not to mention not sure of the legalities of it.[/QUOTE]

I'm inclined to agree with you...I'm not sure this is the best way of removing the body of a friend and companion...

quote:

Originally posted by ponybreeder:
Its vulgar because you will have a rotting horse carcass in your manure pile, and no matter the smell of that pile there are going to be vermin smelling that and going after it. And if this was supposed to be about honoring your clients beloved pet, in my opinion chucking them in the manure pile doesn't exactly do that. Not to mention not sure of the legalities of it.

I'm inclined to agree with you...I'm not sure this is the best way of removing the body of a friend and companion...[/QUOTE]

Whether this dear old man's remains get thrown in a manure pile, tossed in a hole and covered in worm poo, or dragged by his heels into a truck to be rendered and dismembered at some unknown facility, the ultimate decision is his owners. I am giving him all of his legal options. (Yes, Jumper_Bump, composting is legal. The government documentation has been post 2x in this thread already.)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...275CC37A8CA&index=31

Sorry for the tone, I'm not attacking what you are doing. It's just not what I would do.

I hope you guys find a solution for your aging friend.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ponybreeder,

I think that we would need to understand what is in the owner's thinking before labelling the act as vulgar. The owner may believe that returning the horse's remains to the earth is the most honourable way. People just have different belief systems.

Some other cultures have even less savoury ways of disposing of their human dead. The thought is that once the spirit has left the body, the body is of no consequence, should be returned directly to the earth. The places that they choose are well...you get the drift.

It is a difficult situation, but again full kudos to Bandit for taking this on. I feel that I have learned something as well (...not something that really wanted to know though...but anyways... : ) )

Bandit - loved the youtube clip, thanks for posting it!

Great clip Bandit!

Sorry - I don't have any experience with composting, but I did have a boarder of an old-timer that passed send his body for cremation. The horse was euthanized here, and the company she used sent a truck from the other side of TO to come pick up the body, and take him back there to be cremated.

Very expensive, but that was her wish.

I have personally always used a dead-stock pick up, myself. I hope you find a good solution - it's such a sad time for an owner.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Debt,