Drs. Harriet Clough, Mandy Roshier, Gary England, John Burford and Sarah Freeman found that feelings of guilt and the burden of responsibility can take an “extraordinary” toll on horse owners. The research team created an online survey that targeted horse owners who had experience with both purchasing and euthanizing horses. It delved into their experiences and relationships with their horses. 

The survey received 938 responses; 870 of those respondents owned the horse, and nearly 94 percent of these considered the horse part of their family. These findings highlighted what the team called “responsibility grief.” These are the feelings of guilt and betrayal some horse owners have over making the decision to euthanize their horse. The scientists found this grief had both short- and long-term impacts on owners. 

The short-term impacts include being unable to make the decision to euthanize the horse at the correct time to limit suffering. The long-term impacts included feelings of guilt and responsibility months or years after euthanizing their horse. These feelings may affect future decision making for other horses.  

The team suggests further study to learn more about how this unique grief impacts equine welfare, and what resources owner need to cope.

Read more at HorseTalk. 

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“Grief, with its isolating and debilitating consequences, was the subject I discussed following the death of my mother earlier this year,” said Hislop. “However, it’s a feeling we all experience at some point in our lives and this conversation is perhaps more urgent than ever in the year of the COVID-19 pandemic. I urge you to tune in weekly for this timely and courageous initiative. You never know when what’s said will be of help to you or to someone whom you love.”

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