Owner and Veterinarian Perceptions of Equine Euthanasia and Mortality Composting.
Authors: Lochner Hannah L, Martinson Krishona L, Bianco Alex W, Hutchinson Mark L, Wilson Melissa L, Johnston Lee J, Dentzman Katherine E
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Owner and Veterinarian Perceptions of Equine Euthanasia and Mortality Composting Despite proven efficacy as a disposal method, equine mortality composting remains underutilised across the industry, prompting Lochner and colleagues to investigate the barriers to adoption through parallel surveys of horse owners (n=1,225) and veterinarians (n=244) recruited via social media and professional networks. The research revealed a striking disconnect between current practice and potential acceptance: whilst only 12% of owners had attempted composting and merely 25% of veterinarians had recommended it, nearly half of owners (47%) and two-thirds of veterinarians (67%) expressed willingness to adopt the method if robust scientific evidence were available. The strongest predictor of disposal method choice was the euthanasia agent used; owners and veterinarians who opted for chemical euthanasia overwhelmingly favoured burial (58% and 42% respectively), suggesting entrenched beliefs about compatibility between euthanasia method and subsequent disposal. These findings indicate that knowledge gaps and concerns around composting efficacy—rather than fundamental opposition—are the primary obstacles to industry uptake. For equine professionals considering composting adoption or client education, this research underscores the value of evidence-based protocols and demonstrates that investment in robust research infrastructure and professional guidance could substantially shift practice patterns across the sector.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Mortality composting is a viable alternative disposal method, but veterinarians and owners need access to peer-reviewed research and educational resources to consider adoption
- •When discussing end-of-life options with clients, veterinarians should be aware that most practitioners and owners still default to burial despite regulatory and environmental challenges with traditional methods
- •Building trust in composting as a disposal method requires demonstrating scientific evidence and safety data, not just anecdotal success stories
Key Findings
- •Only 12% of horse owners and 25% of veterinarians had experience with equine mortality composting despite successful demonstrations
- •86% of horse owners and 84% of veterinarians who preferred chemical euthanasia also preferred burial as the disposal method
- •47% of horse owners and 67% of veterinarians indicated willingness to adopt composting with more scientific research available
- •Current adoption barriers include lack of research, education, and industry knowledge rather than technical feasibility