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April 8, 2020  |  By Holly In All Posts, Animals, Land, Uncategorized

“What do you do with the body?”

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We’ve received the same theme of questions a few times this week, so I thought I’d write about it here. ‘What do you do with the body? Have you had any deaths? What if you need Vet or have to euthanize? ‘ Those are all great questions! Let’s break it down.

“What do you do if you find a body?”


We would leave it in place. Wild horses grieve the loss of family members just like we do, and they come back their graves even years after the fact. Carrion (the body of an animal after it has passed) is an important food source for many wild animals, and it’s a helpful soil builder too. As long as the death was natural, we’re happy to let Mother Nature take place.

“Have you had any deaths?”


We’ve had one confirmed death, a humane euthanasia, though it is possible that we have had some attrition in the background. It can be hard to keep track of everyone on so much land, and we have a healthy population of scavengers too. They keep the land remarkably clean, and they do so quickly, making the telltale signs of a death quickly disappear. More than a third of our herd is in their late 20’s, so we do expect our numbers to naturally decrease in the coming years.

Mo, the Matriarch of Engler Canyon. This ol’ gal is believed to be near 30 years old.

“What if you need a Vet?”


Well, this can be a tough one. We do work with Vet’s whenever possible, but the logistics of providing care to wild, unhandled horses (especially horses that are loose on thousands of acres) is daunting. We’re able to provide limited care (antibiotics, feeding programs, possible wound care, etc.) to horses in our Medical Pasture, but once they’ve been released to join the rest of the herd, our options are rather limited. If there was an injury or disease that was causing (or would lead to) true suffering, we would humanely euthanize. Otherwise, our herd lives as naturally as possible, which means healing naturally too. Remember, we’d have to catch them, corral them and handle them to provide assistance. The stress of that alone is likely to cause even greater injury than the original concern. We do try, but we are limited in options.

The Vet decided it wasn’t safe to try sedate and stitch Sinatra after he cut himself on the fence. Thankfully, he had rebuilt his trust in humans enough to finish a 10-day course of oral antibiotics. He healed beautifully!

“What about euthanasia?”


That can be a tricky one. The logistics for euthanizing a wild horse in a herd setting is one that few consider. In order for a Veterinarian to administer the IV injection, a horse needs to be handleable. Trying to catch and restrain an injured wild horse for medical treatment could be incredibly dangerous for the Vet and anyone trying to help, not to mention terrifying for the horse and potentially triggering to protective band members standing by. If it was safe and advised by the Vet to humanely euthanize by injection, we would follow through and perform whatever actions were needed. In that event, the body would need to be buried 6’+ deep to prevent the death of scavengers that would be eating contaminated meat. The reality, however, is that if euthanasia was required in a herd setting like this, it would likely be done in a less pretty fashion. That image may seem jarring, but when done properly with great care and attention, it can be a respectful, loving, and rather seamless event. I have witnessed dozens of euthanasias myself (not here), and can say that Jasmine’s passing was the quickest I’ve ever seen.

You can read more about that day and the reaction of her band members on the link below. It was hard to say goodbye that day, but it was time.

Jasmine, forever in our hearts. https://serengetifoundation.com/jasmine-forever-in-our-hearts/

Romeo and Sully saying goodbye to their dear friend, Jasmine.
Euthanize Sanctuary
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4 replies added

  1. Gary Norton April 8, 2020 Reply

    With so much apprehension over COVID-19, it’s a comfort to know that Nature is mostly just taking it’s course at Engler. Thank you for a well-timed, reassuring post.

    • SFH April 8, 2020 Reply

      Thank you, Gary. I hadn’t considered it like that. I suppose it is rather timely. Nature will always prevail, as long as we let it.

  2. Barbara Louisa Kramer-Annear April 8, 2020 Reply

    As Swiss I cannot very good comment in english, so let me say it in german:
    Ich bin sehr berührt und zu Tränen gerührt über die Geschichte der Jasmine. Sie hatte kein schönes Leben in Gefangenschaft,
    traumatisiert und schwer verletzt, bis sie von euch gerettet wurde. Ihr habt Jasmine noch eine wunderschöne Zeit mit ihren Freunden gegeben, in der sie frei und wild leben durfte. Ich bin dankbar für Jasmine. Meiner Meinung nach habt Ihr sie auf die schönste Art und Weise gehen lassen, inmitten ihrer Band, ohne Angst und Panik. Jasmines Freunde haben das in wunderbarer Zuneigung und Treue gezeigt. Jasmine wurde der Natur übergeben und in ihrer Freiheit belassen. Grossen Dank für Ihre grossartige respektvolle Entscheidung. Es muss sehr traurig für Sie alle gewesen sein.
    Run free and wild forever Jasmine ❣

    • SFH April 8, 2020 Reply

      Oh Barbara, this is heartwarming to read. I used Google translate to help me understand, and I am truly touched by your kind words. Thank you!

      To anyone looking to understand Barbara’s heartfelt words, here is what Google translate did for you <3

      "I am very touched and moved to tears about the history of Jasmine. She didn't have a nice life in captivity,
      traumatized and seriously injured until you saved her. You gave Jasmine another wonderful time with her friends, in which she was allowed to live freely and wildly. I am thankful for Jasmine. In my opinion, you let them go in the most beautiful way, in the middle of their band, without fear and panic. Jasmine's friends have shown this with wonderful affection and fidelity. Jasmine was given to nature and left in her freedom. Thank you for your great, respectful decision. It must have been very sad for all of you."

      Lovely.

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