Layla Rose Ranch’s policy on euthanasia is that no healthy or otherwise treatable horse will be euthanized when alternatives exist to save it. Euthanasia is reserved solely for ending the suffering of a horse that has experienced serious and irreversible reduction in the quality of his or her life. Layla Rose Ranch is a rescue that serves as an advocate for the animals under its care. While this is a difficult choice, we approach this decision from the perspective of what is in the best interest of the horse.

Layla Rose Ranch considers euthanasia as an act of mercy and reserved for situations when a horse is irremediably suffering and a licensed veterinarian has determined that the horse is not a candidate for rehabilitation and has no chance of recovering an acceptable quality of life. We also believe that: 

  • A horse should not have to endure continuous or unmanageable pain from a condition that is chronic and incurable.
  • A horse should not have to endure a medical or surgical condition that has a hopeless chance of survival.
  • A horse should not have to remain alive if it has an unmanageable medical condition that renders it a hazard to itself or its handlers.
  • A horse should not have to receive continuous analgesic medication for the relief of pain for the rest of its life.
  • A horse should not have to endure a lifetime of continuous individual box stall confinement for prevention or relief of unmanageable pain or suffering.

There are several circumstances in which Layla Rose Ranch may consider euthanasia as a humane and responsible choice. Among the most common of these are:

  • Incurable or progressive disease
  • Incurable or transmissible disease
  • Chronic or severe lameness
  • Inoperable colic
  • Foals born with serious defects
  • Severe debilitation in old age
  • Severe traumatic injury
  • Undue suffering for any reason

Layla Rose Ranch does not practice population control through euthanasia. All horses in our care are considered treatable unless determined otherwise by our team of expert veterinarians and professional farriers.The decision to euthanize a horse is a joint effort between the Executive Director and the veterinarian assigned to the equine’s care.  

The only method of euthanasia that Layla Rose Ranch finds acceptable is that recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA), specifically the use of veterinarian prescribed sedatives and FDA-approved euthanasia solutions administered in as comforting and loving a situation as possible. We do not use bolt guns or gunshots. Only veterinarian administered medicines after sedation. 

We also follow all of the guidelines of the American Association of Equine Practitioners regarding euthanasia.