What do you do with a horse when it passes away?
What you may do with a horse after death depends on which UK nation you are in, and burial is not permitted everywhere.
What you may do with a horse after death depends on which UK nation you’re in. Defra's fallen stock guidance is explicit that the rules differ: “In England, you’re allowed to bury horses whether they are pets or not.” In Scotland and Wales the guidance is narrower — “only pet horses can be buried” — so a horse that worked, competed or was ridden commercially may not qualify. One caution before you dig: gov.uk’s own keeping horses page puts it more narrowly again, saying only that “if your horse was a pet, you may be able to bury your animal” and telling you to contact your local animal health office for advice. Two government pages, two emphases, so make that call and get the answer for your own land before you commit to anything (both read 9 September 2026).
Where burial is not used or not allowed, the approved routes are collection by the National Fallen Stock Company, or a knacker, hunt kennel, incinerator or renderer. Your vet or yard will usually have a standing arrangement with one, and it’s worth knowing which before you need it rather than on the day.
The paperwork is separate and has its own deadline: see what happens to the passport. If the horse leaves a field-mate behind, a horse kept alone has its own welfare considerations.
Once the practical side is dealt with, some owners mark the horse with something kept: our horse memorial gifts are made to order.
