One of my nieces is a large animal vet, primarily horses, and she just started her own practice. This involves traveling to the patients, sometimes in isolated places, and she has asked me to teach her to shoot so she will be comfortable carrying concealed. While I will certainly teach her revolvers and semi-autos, I am inclined to initially recommend she carry a small revolver, and I like the Ruger LCR in 327 Federal Magnum. This holds six rounds, and I think it is an effective cartridge for self defense.

This morning she texted me and asked again about training, but added the wrinkle of the necessity for euthanizing horses. She said she had a need, and the owner had a gun but wasn’t comfortable doing it. She of course didn’t do it because she hasn’t had any training with guns. So herein lies the question. If she carries a handgun for self defense, is this appropriate for euthanizing a horse (or other large animal, ie cow)? Or should I recommend a small crack barrel rifle dedicated for such purpose? If so, I’d imagine any small rifle caliber would do the job. Is a .22LR or .22 Mag adequate?

Does anyone here have experience with this unpleasant but necessary business? I’d appreciate any recommendations. Thanks.

I wouldn't trust anything less than a 9MM for that task.

I also think the revolver is a bad idea and would have her try out the micro 9s

I would expect a large animal vet to keep euthanasia medicines in syringes for her patients and not have to shoot animals.

Agreed. Seems hard to imagine she wasn’t taught how to safely euthanize animals.

I think those captive bolt systems are probably safer inside a barn etc if an injection won’t work for some reason.

I know someone that had to have a horse euthanized. They did NOT use a firearm.

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That said, drugs would be the way, in my opinion.

A buddy always used his Colt Diamondback in 22 LR for that task. Shot placement is the determining factor.

I am certain that she has all the formal education she needs, from vet school to a prestigious post grad program with horses. She even worked with a horse doc at Churchill Downs who treated horses in the Kentucky Derby. I am sure that those owners would use drugs for euthanasia.

But perhaps an owner of a small farm in the country would prefer a more economical method. I’m not going to judge that. I am sure that she wouldn’t do it if it couldn’t be done safely and humanely.

The US Army Calvary used .45 caliber pistols.

quote:

Originally posted by honestlou:
I am certain that she has all the formal education she needs, from vet school to a prestigious post grad program with horses. She even worked with a horse doc at Churchill Downs who treated horses in the Kentucky Derby. I am sure that those owners would use drugs for euthanasia.

But perhaps an owner of a small farm in the country would prefer a more economical method. I’m not going to judge that. I am sure that she wouldn’t do it if it couldn’t be done safely and humanely.

I understand this but if it were me, with a professional liability, there is no way I would euthanize animals with a firearm unless my life were being threatened by the animal or there was absolutely no alternative in an emergency. Especially if I didn't know anything about firearms.

If an owner can't afford it, they can shoot their animal themselves.

I realize I've taken your thread off-task so I apologize. As a non-professional I guess I'd use a S&W .357 mag for horses. Maybe a 30-30.

I honestly have more experience with this than I'd like to admit. I obviously prefer the pink juice injection but it's not always available. My primary 2nd is a Winchester 9422 in 22lr. However I have used my daily carry, sig 229 in 357sig many times. Both are equally effective.

The key is shot placement. Draw an imaginary x between the eyes and ears and most importantly the shot needs to be perpendicular to the skull.

I hate that we even have to discuss this, but it's a necessary evil as a veterinarian.

Tommy

quote:

Originally posted by YellowJacket:

quote:

Originally posted by honestlou:
I am certain that she has all the formal education she needs, from vet school to a prestigious post grad program with horses. She even worked with a horse doc at Churchill Downs who treated horses in the Kentucky Derby. I am sure that those owners would use drugs for euthanasia.

But perhaps an owner of a small farm in the country would prefer a more economical method. I’m not going to judge that. I am sure that she wouldn’t do it if it couldn’t be done safely and humanely.

I understand this but if it were me, with a professional liability, there is no way I would euthanize animals with a firearm unless my life were being threatened by the animal or there was absolutely no alternative in an emergency. Especially if I didn't know anything about firearms.

If an owner can't afford it, they can shoot their animal themselves.

I realize I've taken your thread off-task so I apologize. As a non-professional I guess I'd use a S&W .357 mag for horses. Maybe a 30-30.

As far as liability goes,when done appropriately shooting is still considered an acceptable form of euthanasia accepted by the AVMA.


Tommy

Found this article on firearm euthanasia of horses:

https://thehorse.com/196998/fi...-euthanizing-horses/

I think a single shot break open short barrel rifle or pistol in 38 Special or 9MM would be perfect. Possibly in 22 Mag. Check EABCO

The break barrel option is a bit expensive compared to semi auto pistols, but I like the safety factor of a single shot minimizing an accidental discharge. In a pistol, a 9mm Glock (you will buy one) would be good, maybe ideally in the 19L long barrel version. It might be good with a semi pistol to put a single round in two magazines. and change mags on the rare chance a second shot was needed.

quote:

Originally posted by horsedoc:
I honestly have more experience with this than I'd like to admit. I obviously prefer the pink juice injection but it's not always available. My primary 2nd is a Winchester 9422 in 22lr. However I have used my daily carry, sig 229 in 357sig many times. Both are equally effective.

The key is shot placement. Draw an imaginary x between the eyes and ears and most importantly the shot needs to be perpendicular to the skull.

I hate that we even have to discuss this, but it's a necessary evil as a veterinarian.

Tommy

Thank you for your response. And for validating that gunshot is an acceptable means of euthanasia.

I think the best thing to use would be a retained/captive bolt gun.

A relative had a friend that had a horse in bad shape. The horse was near the end of its life, asked my relative to dispatch the horse.

On the winter day the owner took it to the relatives property, tied it to a tree. My relative used his 30-06, one shot. He later told me that he wouldn’t be doing that again.

I think in modern times it’s usually best to pay the fee, use a needle.

quote:

Originally posted by horsedoc:
As far as liability goes, when done appropriately shooting is still considered an acceptable form of euthanasia accepted by the AVMA.

I suppose using a firearm for euthanasia will depend on the local laws concerning the discharge of firearms based on where you are?

In my teenage years out on the ranch, we used a 22 long rifle, with shot placement between the eyes to dispatch sick cattle. It seemed to be instantaneous. Not fun work, but sometimes necessary. A large horse would be no different.

My large animal vet uses revolver chambered in 38 special if he needs to use a firearm.

quote:

Originally posted by coloradohunter44:
In my teenage years out on the ranch, we used a 22 long rifle, with shot placement between the eyes to dispatch sick cattle. It seemed to be instantaneous. Not fun work, but sometimes necessary. A large horse would be no different.

This.