In horses the brain is situated high in the head. The shot should be aimed in the middle of the forehead, but slightly higher than the position for cattle. Take two imaginary lines drawn from the middle of each eye to the base of the opposite ear; shoot the animal approximately 2cm above the point where they cross (Figure 9). The muzzle of the firearm should be slightly tilted so that the shot is directed through the cerebral cortex towards the brain stem (Figure 10). If a horse has been sedated prior to shooting and is holding its head in a lower than normal position, care must be taken to adjust the angle of the shot accordingly. Show
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Standard Operating Procedure – HOR001DOWNLOAD AS PRINTABLE PDF BackgroundFeral horses (Equus caballus) can cause significant environmental damage and losses to rural industries. Although considered pests, feral horses are also a resource, providing products such as pet meat for the domestic market and meat for human consumption for the export market. Control methods include capture (by trapping, mustering or roping), exclusion fencing, ground shooting and shooting from helicopters. Ground shooting is best suited to accessible and relatively flat areas where there are low numbers of problem horses. It is also used for euthanasia of sick or injured horses. It involves the shooter approaching a group of horses on foot with the intention of culling all the animals in the group. Shooting from a helicopter is considered a more humane control method, as mobile wounded animals can be promptly located and killed. It is also a more effective method of quickly reducing feral horse populations. Refer to HOR002 Aerial shooting of feral horses. Shooting can be a humane method of destroying feral horses when it is carried out by experienced, skilled shooters, the animal can be clearly seen and is within range, and the correct firearm, ammunition and shot placement is used. This standard operating procedure (SOP) is a guide only. It does not replace or override the legislation that applies in the relevant state or territory jurisdiction. The SOP should only be used subject to the applicable legal requirements (including OH&S) operating in the relevant jurisdiction. Application
Animal welfare considerationsImpact on target animals
Impact on non-target animals
Health and safety considerations
Equipment requiredFirearms and ammunition
Other equipment
Procedures
Recommended shot placements for feral horses
Head shotsFrontal position (front view)
Temporal position (side view)The horse is shot from the side so that the bullet enters the skull midway between the eye and the base of the ear. The bullet should be directed horizontally. Chest shotSide view
References
The Centre for Invasive Species Solutions manages these documents on behalf of the Environment and Invasives Committee (EIC). The authors of these documents have taken care to validate the accuracy of the information at the time of writing. This information has been prepared with care but it is provided “as is”, without warranty of any kind, to the extent permitted by law. Connect with GovernmentIt is important to connect with the relevant government authorities to ensure you have the right permits in place being undertaking feral horse management. Connect Management FrameworkHow do you put a horse down?The horse is given an intravenous (jugular vein in the neck) injection of an anesthetic or similar drug or combination of drugs that result in its death. The horse becomes anesthetized (and therefore unconscious) to such a degree that its heart stops beating and death follows.
Why do people shoot horses?Horses were commonly shot after breaking their legs because they had a small chance of successful recovery. Even today, horses are often euthanized after a leg break. Here's why: It's difficult for a horse's leg to heal due to a combination of factors.
What happens when a horse is shot?Lethal Injection
A large overdose of anaesthetic drugs is used which very rapidly induce unconsciousness and stop the horse's heart. A sedative is given prior to the injection and sometimes an intravenous catheter is placed. The horse will lose consciousness and collapse.
Where is a horses brain located?In horses the brain is situated high in the head. The shot should be aimed in the middle of the forehead, but slightly higher than the position for cattle.
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