ABSTRACT
Relationships among horses and humans date back thousands of years, with horses performing multifaceted roles in the lives of human beings. Beyond individual human–horse relationships, horses are the heart and soul of equestrian communities. Veterinarians typically perform euthanasia procedures at a horse’s stabling, or in a veterinary hospital. Acceptable methods for the humane euthanasia of horses include barbiturate overdose, gunshot, or use of a captive bolt device. People who own horses often develop a close working relationship with veterinarians, and equestrians who manage show or sport horses may interact with their veterinarian team on a weekly basis. Countless equestrians, from owners of famous racehorses, to young adults mourning the loss of their first show ponies, memorialize their equine companions during the bereavement process. Equestrians’ experiences of complicated or prolonged grief have yet to be fully explored in clinical practice or scientific literature.
