Can you bury your horse at home?

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Bridie&theMinis

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Thankfully, my older horse hasn't popped her clogs, but my husband was just wondering if you can still bury your horse on your own land as he seemed to recall hearing that the law was changed more recently (or perhaps in the case of livestock) and they have to be taken away?
Tried googling and the info I found is older so I don't know if still current. Thought someone here would know the answer.

Morbid discussion I know, but we were sat watching Watchdog about dog owners facing thier animals being put down due to cancelled policies, so he asked about horse insurance and so the conversation went on...
 
Think you can if you can prove your horse is your pet . You may have to apply to council to make sure it wont cause a problem with water course. I think you can also apply to be buried on your own land when you die
 
carthorse said:
I think you can also apply to be buried on your own land when you die
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You could certainly do that until a few years ago. I worked at a funeral director's and we sometimes did this. I haven't heard of that changing so I guess you still can. There's a few rules to follow, involving neighbours' objections, water courses etc, but it was quite possible.


We didn't do horse funerals though, so I can't say about that. :D
 
carthorse said:
I think you can also apply to be buried on your own land when you die
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I'm sorry, can't resist...how do you apply when you die?! :D

OP - OH has said that it is a matter to do with health; it wouldn't be able to interfere with the health of the public I.e. leeching into water courses. He's recommended that you go to your council website which will have guidance as to th disposal of bodies of animals and burial etc. Some may require you to have a licence etc.
 
Some people manage to, it has to be a Pet and not near a water course! Depends on your local Council I think. For some, it would be a complete "No", for others maybe a bit more flexible.

Also needs a large hole and something to drag it into the hole - just being clear with the practicalities here!
 
Thanks for your replies. Husband also wants to be buried on our land so maybe I could apply for a double plot for my lovely horse and darling husband!
Seriously, he likes the idea of a crypt but I'm worried that if in the future our family decided to sell the land, that could be a bit weird. We've got a 14 acre ex MOD site in Buckinghamshire which is predominately woodland with a house paddock and barns.

He was also quite put out that I didn't fancy sharing his planned crypt, but personally I've always liked the idea of being frozen and shattered.. (called Promessa and great for the enviroment - and for those brandishing their pinata sticks).
Sorry, haven't even had half a glass of wine yet..talk about going off on a tangent!
 
Over the years I have lost 4 aged horses. I managed to have 2 buried in my field. I used the farmer next door and his jcb. Unfortunatley when I lost the other 2 it just didn't seem right as it was mid winter, very muddy cold and a high water table. I then used Cambridge pet crem who are brilliant. TBH I still don't know if its legal but I chose the site carefully away from the watercourses.
 
Orangehorse said:
Some people manage to, it has to be a Pet and not near a water course! Depends on your local Council I think. For some, it would be a complete "No", for others maybe a bit more flexible.

Also needs a large hole and something to drag it into the hole - just being clear with the practicalities here!
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Not a problem, we have tractors and diggers galore! I think there's about 30 tractors on site although not all of them work :)
 
As others have said, it HAS to be a pet, (but not sure how you can prove it either way?), and can not interfere with any water courses (and I was told public rights of way - although I understood that to be during the deed ie sheltering the scene from view?).
I got my old pony Miri buried at home back in 2001. Not our land but land owners permission. I got some local contractors to dig the hole, which has to be a certain depth at least (not sure exact dimensions but looked mega deep).
Obviously it was a while ago, some rules and regulations may have changed now. I didn't pursue my other old pony last year to be done the same, somehow the hunt was right for her.
 
We have four of our old horses buried in our field and I intend to do the same with the others when that time comes. We have 12 acres so have a fair bit of room. I believe we got permission from Defra for the first one but didn't ask after that and the first horse died 15 years ago.
 
no 1 can stop you if you just do it
as long as your not near a main reservoir or water course.


I know lots of people who bury them at home.
 
No idea about applying for permission or legalities, but you can bury them at home. Farm where we keep ours has at least 5 around the place, not near water courses & farmer owner used to just decide where they'd go. Not like its something the council check up on.
 
Does it have to be burial? You can get horses (and people) cremated and made into "diamonds" these days. Or even just scatter the horse's ashes in it's old paddock.
 
We had our mare buried at her last home (the YO very kindly did it for us) and she didn't have an issue, told the council and they were fine with it. She put a tree up in her memory and evrything it was really lovely.
 
My I had to have my mare pts we called our friend who's a farmer, he come over with his JCB and we had her buried in our paddock! I wouldn't have allowed her to go any where else!
 
My old Ted is buried at the farm, YO had permission for so many over 2 different areas. Ted's final resting place is exactly where he used to stand in his paddock. There's room at the farm for one more, after that I think they have to get permission again.
 
I have, if I didn't tell anyone they'd never know anyway.
20 acres of forest and a JCB.

We actually have a horse buried near the barn, the grave has sunk a bit now and I think it could do with some more rocks piled up on it actually. I didn't know until the Vet told me, and he said it was 25 years ago when he shot it.
 
If you just do it quietly, nobody can object. I believe you're not meant to bury the horse if its been put to sleep by injection in case it leaks into water supplies. Personally, we dont have that issue where my horses field is so I fully intend that when the time comes for mine to be buried, I'll get my local farmer down to dig a hole in their field.
 
Bridie&theMinis said:
I've always liked the idea of being frozen and shattered.. (called Promessa and great for the enviroment - and for those brandishing their pinata sticks).
Sorry, haven't even had half a glass of wine yet..talk about going off on a tangent!
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Wow! Never heard of that. I like the sound of it. What happens to the bits when you are shattered?




Update . I have just found www.promessa.org and read up about it. i really like this process for when my time comes!
 
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