What to do when your horse passes away

First hours: what do you do immediately?

As soon as your horse has passed away — or been euthanised by the vet — a short window of time begins in which you need to take action. A horse's body weighs an average of 500 to 600 kg and in most cases must be collected within 24 hours. Call your vet immediately if they were not present, as they will in many cases need to issue a declaration of death. Also inform the stable owner if your horse is not kept at home — they need to know what will happen with the body and when the collection service will arrive.

Removal of the body: your options

In the Netherlands, there are three common ways to have a horse removed.

• Destruction facility (mandatory route for infectious diseases): Rendac is the designated service in the Netherlands. Call 0900-1877. Costs are around €300–€500 excluding transport.
• Cremation: a number of specialist companies offer horse cremation, sometimes including the return of ashes. Costs range from €500 to €1,200.
• Burial on your own land: this is subject to strict rules in the Netherlands. You need at least 3,000 m² of land and must comply with municipal and provincial regulations. Check with your local municipality in advance.
• Carcass processing via the vet: some practices arrange collection themselves — ask your regular vet about this.

Administration and deregistration: don't forget this

After the death, there are a number of registrations you need to update or close.

• Report the death within 7 days to the UBN holder via I&R Paard (mijnrvo.nl). The passport must then be crossed out or submitted.
• Notify your horse insurance provider — for a death/mortality insurance policy, you will often need a post-mortem report.
• Cancel any ongoing livery agreement or stable rental contract.
• Deregister the horse with competition organisations such as the KNHS if it is enrolled.
• Keep the horse passport itself — even after death it is an official document that you are not permitted to simply discard.

Insurance: what can you claim?

Do you have mortality or surgical insurance for your horse? If so, you usually need to contact the insurer within 24 to 48 hours of death. Almost all insurers require an official statement from the vet stating the cause of death. If a non-natural death is suspected or the horse has a high insured value, the insurer may require an independent post-mortem (autopsy). The cost of this, typically €200 to €400, is sometimes partially reimbursable. Check your policy carefully for deadlines — reporting too late can result in your claim being rejected.

Archiving the horse profile in EquiSight

In EquiSight, you can archive the horse profile so that all data is retained without the horse remaining active in your overview. Think of medication history, treatment records and notes that may still be relevant later — for insurance queries, a potential post-mortem, or simply for your own memories. Go to your horse's profile, select 'Archive profile' and confirm the date of death. All calendar items will be closed automatically. This keeps everything neatly recorded without you having to keep coming across the profile.

After the loss: moving forward practically and emotionally

Losing a horse leaves a significant void — in the stable, in your schedule, and emotionally. Give yourself the space to grieve; it is normal and necessary. Practically speaking, it can help to wait a few weeks before making decisions about a potential new horse or a different use of your stable space. Talk it through with your stable companions or your instructor. EquiCoach can help you put together a new plan when you are ready — or simply by answering questions about the next steps in your riding life.