Saying goodbye to a beloved horse is one of the hardest decisions an owner can face. At Colorado Horse Rescue (CHR), we believe every horse deserves compassion, not just throughout their life, but also in their final moments.

To ensure that kindness, not financial hardship, guides end-of-life decisions, CHR is proud to introduce Compassionate Endings, a program designed to provide at-home, peaceful euthanasia.

Why Compassionate Endings Matters

Horses are deeply sensitive creatures. Transporting them or placing them in unfamiliar environments during their final days can cause unnecessary stress. Compassionate Endings prioritizes at-home euthanasia, widely recognized as the kindest option, allowing horses to pass peacefully in the comfort of their familiar surroundings.

When finances make this difficult, Compassionate Endings can help by:

• Covering the cost of humane euthanasia performed by a licensed veterinarian
• Paying for body retrieval through professional transportation services
• Providing referrals to trusted veterinary partners, when needed

Choosing a gentle goodbye is not just an option, it’s a responsibility that comes with loving them,” says Rachel Corbman, Equine Care Director at CHR. “Compassionate Endings was created to ensure that compassion, not financial hardship, guides end-of life decisions.”

Who Can Access This Support?

Compassionate Endings is not limited to horses adopted through CHR. The program is available to any horse in need, regardless of age, breed, background, or adoption history.

How to Know When It’s Time

Deciding when to say goodbye can feel overwhelming. Owners are encouraged to objectively assess their horse’s quality of life using frameworks such as The Five Domains, which consider:

• Nutrition: Has your horse’s appetite changed? Can they chew and swallow comfortably?
• Environment: Can your horse comfortably navigate and interact with their surroundings?
• Health: Is your horse requiring daily pain medication with minimal improvement? Are they struggling to gain or maintain weight despite good care?
• Behavior: Are there signs of pain-driven behaviors like biting, kicking, reluctance to move, or constant shifting?
• Mental State: Does your horse appear distressed, restless, or withdrawn?

Horse owners are always encouraged to consult a trusted veterinarian when making end-of-life decisions.

How to Request Support

If you need assistance, you can confidentially reach out to CHR by emailing info@chr.org. A member of our team will connect with you to discuss your horse’s situation and determine how we can help.

Saying goodbye is never easy – but it can be kind.