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Friends at the End

‘Friends at the End’ is a BHS initiative created to make sure that no horse owner or carer has to face the loss of their equine companion alone.

  • Last reviewed: 9th October 2024
Horse And Rider In Countryside Shutterstock 11585581 Horse And Rider In Countryside Shutterstock 11585581

We launched Friends at the End in January 2013 in order to support horse owners and carers when it is time to say goodbye to their beloved equine companion.

We offer free, confidential support to horse owners, carers, sharers, and loaners before, during and after the death or loss of a horse. You don’t need to be a BHS member to get support. The BHS Friends at the End team can be contacted by phone or email, and you’ll receive support from trained BHS staff or volunteers. 

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Watch

Gemma Zaremba MRCVS, explains the benefits of ‘Friends at the End’.

How can Friends at the End support?

All our Friends at the End team have received training from bereavement counsellors and  have a genuine understanding of the loss and grief that come when a horse passes. They aren’t there to take the place of a counsellor or vet, but they can offer an extra source of support. At the hardest time in a horse owner’s or carer’s journey, our Friends are available to make it as smooth and straightforward as possible.

Considering euthanasia

If you have worries or concerns about the what, where and how surrounding euthanasia, or are unsure whether it’s the right decision for your horse - we can help.

Studies have found that delayed euthanasia is one of the four most common negative impacts upon UK equine welfare (source: Horses in Our Hands, WHW 2016) and 7-8 UK horses are euthanised electively or due to an emergency (source: AESE, 2017).

Having an emergency care plan in place will give you peace of mind as it will:

  • Make your yard manager/friends aware of your wishes if you can’t be contacted.
  • Give a plan of care if a vet is needed.
  • Ensure decisions are in line with your requests and funds.
  • Include a euthanasia plan, just in case the worst should happen.

Download your emergency care plan today.

Quality of Life

More than 80 volunteer ‘BHS Friends’, are trained to support horse owners and carers through the difficult process of saying goodbye and are on hand to talk you through the options available. Depending on the circumstances, it doesn’t always have to end in euthanasia, and if there are other choices that will positively improve the horse’s quality of life, they will help to find them. 

Tracking the behaviour of your much-loved horse will help you to understand their mental and physical wellbeing and their overall quality of life. This can sometimes be difficult to assess, especially when you see your horse every day. You can use our  quality of life indicator with a checklist that will hopefully help.

We always encourage horse owners and carers to work closely with their vet to help with the decision-making process. If the best decision for your horse is for them to be put to sleep, BHS Friends will discuss the choices with you, from the method of euthanasia, to what to do afterwards.  

The code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons states: “The primary purpose of euthanasia is to relieve suffering.”

Many horse owners want to give their horse one last summer, but the BHS strongly advocates that “It’s better a week too soon than a day too late.”

A final farewell

Read Vin and Sonia’s story of making the decision to say goodbye to their beloved horses Artie and Tyson and how they were helped by our Friends at the End scheme.


Tyson and Artie

To help you make an informed decision

We can chat about

  • Your horse’s current health/behaviour concerns
  • Worries you may have
  • Euthanasia methods and arrangements for collection and how to organise these
  • How we can offer emotional support

The day of saying goodbye

  • Email and phone support on the day, depending on the owner or carer’s preference
  • To be with them physically on the day (location dependant) including holding their horse whilst they are euthanised
  • A cup of tea and a chat afterwards

After your horse has gone

  • Confidential emotional support
  • Signposting to other bereavement services as needed
  • We want you to feel able to contact us for support, no matter how much time has passed after the loss of your horse.
      

Not everyone may want to talk about their emotions, so we tailor this service to each person.

Joanne’s tribute to Ral

“Together for 30 years, and now we must say goodbye. You have stayed by my side almost daily for 30 years. And I write to remember now, to remember your beauty, your spirit, your perfect soul… Sometimes we got lost in the forest and it would get dark, sometimes we’d climb the mountain, a full day’s ride, but always, we were happy. We never fought; it was so easy with you. Some of my happiest times of my life were spent in Rainbow Trails, you and me, surrounded by trees and sky and clouds…. I give you your peace now, my beloved horse. Thank you, Raleigh, for coming into my life. Goodbye, my beloved horse, I will miss you.


In memory of: Walter Raleigh – June 1, 1988 – September 5, 2024


Joanne got in touch to see if Friends at the End would be the right source of support for her.

“BHS Friends at the End was an invaluable support on the day I had to euthanise my beloved 36-year-old horse. Even though the representative came from quite a distance, she arrived on time, and offered any support needed, including holding my horse. In my case, she held my phone as it played farewell music as I said my final goodbyes to my beloved friend. We had been together thirty years, and I did not know if I could go through with it. Friends at the End made it much easier, and I was able to be the best I could be when my horse peacefully passed as I held his head. Afterwards she and I had a hot drink together, and I was never left on my own till I felt it okay to do so. Her support was kind, intuitive, and non-judgemental: a perfect companion at a heartbreaking time when my emotions were everywhere.”

Further information

Equine End of Life Service

Equine End of Life Service (EEoLS) is a service specifically for horse owners, who want to find a collector offering reliable and respectful euthanasia and collection options. 

The site provides a postcode search, so you can see what service is provided in your area and how much it will cost. The costs are transparent, and all the collectors work alongside values of the EEoLS, including treating the body with dignity and providing a service that is respectful and compassionate until the end. 

Get in touch – we’re here to help

If you feel that you might benefit from talking to someone through the Friends at the End scheme, the BHS Horse Care and Welfare Team are available to offer you advice and support with any questions or concerns you may have.  

Don’t hesitate to call us on 02476 840517* or email fate@bhs.org.uk 

Opening times are 8:35am-5pm from Monday – Thursday and 8:35am-3pm on Friday.  

*Calls may be recorded for monitoring purposes.

More information

If you’d like to find out more about Friends at the End, please complete the enquiry form

Enquiry form
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Support enquiry

if you’re looking for support and need our help, please complete the support request form and a member of our team will be in touch

Support request form
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Become a BHS Friend

If you would like to volunteer to become a BHS Friend, further information about the role can be found here.

Friends at the End Volunteers
Thumbnail FATE Volunteer Debbie