Keeping horses
Death and disease
If a horse dies or has to be put down on your property, you will have to arrange its disposal as ‘fallen stock’ under animal by-products (ABPs) controls.
This includes:
- entire animal bodies
- parts of animals
- products of animal origin
- other products obtained from animals that are not for human consumption
You must deal with ABPs promptly to protect people, animals and the environment. In most cases, this will mean arranging for them to be taken away to approved premises, like:
- rendering plants
- incinerators
- collection centres
- storage plants
Your local council can provide a list of approved premises for the disposal of ABPs.
The National Fallen Stock Scheme is a not-for-profit scheme which helps farmers and animal owners to follow the law on disposing of fallen stock.
National Fallen Stock Scheme helpline
0845 054 8888
Find out about call charges
Pet horses
If your horse was a pet, you may be able to bury your animal. You should contact your local animal health office or national agricultural department for advice.
If you think that a horse has a notifiable disease
A ‘notifiable disease’ is a type of animal illness which you must report, even if you only suspect an animal might have it.
If you think that a horse has a notifiable disease, immediately contact your local animal health office or national agricultural department.
Contact your local Animal Health Office or national agricultural department
If you live in England
Call the Defra Rural Services Helpline and choose the relevant option for the Animal Plant Health Authority (APHA).
Defra Rural Services Helpline
03000 200 301
Find out about call charges
If you live in Wales
Contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
Animal and Plant Health Agency
0300 303 8268
[email protected]
Find out about call charges
You can choose to hear the telephone message in English or Welsh.
If you live in Scotland
Contact your local Field Services office.
If you live in Northern Ireland
Contact your local Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) regional office.