When traveling in developing countries on Equitarian Initiative trips, Turner said he typically doesn’t have access to powerful drugs or firearms for euthanizing horses. He said his goal then becomes devising an alternative method of euthanasia that is quick, reliable, and irreversible; induces loss of consciousness with minimal pain; and is safe for personnel to handle and possible predators to consume. | Photo: Stephanie L. Church/The Horse

Tracy Turner, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, ACVSMR, of Turner Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery, in Stillwater, Minnesota, described alternative methods at the 2018 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in San Francisco, California.

He said the current AVMA-recommended options each pose have associated risks.

Barbiturates are toxic to animals and the environment and don’t break down easily, even after a horse’s carcass has decomposed. “This stuff doesn’t seem to go away,” said