One of the most traumatic times for an owner is during the time that a horse is sick or passes away. Because over half of our population at Hidden View is older and “retired,” we understand clearly how this trauma affects an owner. Over the past three years, we have developed what we feel to be an important component of the care we provide-the end of life focus.

During this time of stress, we try very hard to keep the horse at Hidden View or have the horse returned from a clinic situation to live out the remaining days, weeks or even months in a tranquil setting where horses can be horses. As the end of life draws near, Eileen is with the owner and horse constantly. Issues of comfort, care, timing, veterinary services and choices after death are discussed. Often Eileen will simply sit quietly with the owner and horse holding a hand or stroking a muzzle. The barn is usually closed to allow an owner to grieve.

If an owner requests, arrangements are made with Midwest Cremation Services www.mcsofwi.com for a private transport of the horse from the farm to the facility. The horse is handled throughout the process of dying with the utmost of respect. While this is a very difficult time for all of us at the farm, it is a vital and necessary component of the quality of care we provide. It is a time when it is our job to take care of an animal that has spent its life taking care of us. Ethically we feel this is our responsibility to help bring a horse to peace as comfortably as possible and help an owner through the grieving process as successfully as possible.