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Owner and Veterinarian Perceptions of Equine Euthanasia and Mortality Composting.
Abstract: Challenges associated with burial, rendering, and cremation have forced horse owners to seek alternative mortality disposal methods. While equine mortality composting has been successfully demonstrated, industry-wide adoption has been limited. Therefore, evaluation of horse owners' and veterinarians' perceptions and experience with mortality composting is needed. Two surveys were developed to evaluate industry practices and decisive factors regarding equine euthanasia and mortality disposal methods. Each survey was designed for a separate audience: horse owners or veterinarians serving equines. The surveys were advertised as weblinks on relevant Facebook pages, e-newsletters, and email listservs. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate models for associations and factors influencing decisions surrounding composting. The surveys yielded 1,225 and 244 usable responses from horse owners and veterinarians, respectively. Respondent demographics were consistent with previous survey reports for horse owners and veterinarians in the United States with a majority being female between 41 and 60 years of age with long-term industry involvement. Horse owners (86%) and veterinarians (84%) that preferred chemical euthanasia tended to prefer burial (58% and 42%, respectively) over other mortality disposal methods. Only 12% of horse owner respondents had ever tried composting and only 25% of veterinarian respondents had ever recommended composting. Horse owner (47%) and veterinarian (67%) respondents indicated they would be more open to trying and recommending mortality composting if more scientific research were available. Equine mortality composting shows potential as a primary disposal method for the equine industry. Research and educational programs are key to industry-wide acceptance of equine mortality composting.
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2021-02-03 PubMed ID: 33781423DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103402Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article discusses the perceptions and experiences of horse owners and veterinarians on equine euthanasia and alternative methods for disposing of equine mortalities, with a focus on composting. The study reveals that while equine composting has been successfully demonstrated, its adoption across the industry is limited due to lack of research and education on the topic.
Research Methodology
- The research study used two surveys to evaluate perceptions and practices related to equine euthanasia and mortality disposal methods.
- Each survey was designed for a separate target audience – horse owners and the veterinarians who treat horses.
- The surveys were shared online through Facebook pages, newsletters, and emails to relevant groups and individuals.
- Using both bivariate and multivariate models, the data gathered from the surveys were analyzed for associations and factors influencing decisions about composting as a method of mortality disposal.
Key Findings
- The study obtained 1,225 usable responses from horse owners and 244 from veterinarians. The demographics of these respondents were in line with previous surveys, with most respondents being women aged 41-60 with long-term involvement in the industry.
- The majority of horse owners (86%) and veterinarians (84%) who prefer chemical euthanasia, also prefer burial (58% and 42% respectively) over other methods of mortality disposal.
- Only a small portion of horse owners (12%) had ever tried composting, and only a quarter of veterinarian respondents had ever recommended composting as a mortality disposal method.
- A significant number of horse owners (47%) and veterinarians (67%) respondents indicated they would be more open to trying and recommending mortality composting if more information and scientific research were available.
Conclusions and Recommendations
- The study concludes that there is potential for equine mortality composting to be a primary disposal method within the equine industry.
- A widespread acceptance of equine mortality composting can be achieved through more research and education programs, according to the study.
Cite This Article
APA
Lochner HL, Martinson KL, Bianco AW, Hutchinson ML, Wilson ML, Johnston LJ, Dentzman KE.
(2021).
Owner and Veterinarian Perceptions of Equine Euthanasia and Mortality Composting.
J Equine Vet Sci, 99, 103402.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103402 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN.
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN. Electronic address: krishona@umn.edu.
- University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, St. Paul, MN.
- Cooperative Extension, University of Maine, Waldoboro, ME.
- Department of Soil, Water and Climate, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN.
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Composting
- Euthanasia, Animal
- Female
- Horses
- Humans
- Perception
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- United States
- Veterinarians
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Share ER, Mastellar SL, Rumble JN, Eastridge ML. Ohio horse industry survey: feeding and housing management practices. Transl Anim Sci 2025;9:txaf072.
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