30-06 to kill a horse

Allterrain5.3
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30-06 to kill a horse

Postby Allterrain5.3 » Sat May 29, 2021 5:24 am

I have been tasked with euthanizing a horse at a relatives homestead in a very remote area. To fly vet in would cost a small fortune. All I have is a 22 or a 30-06. I’m afraid the 30-06 would be way to aggressive to shoot it in the skull with and I’m concerned the 22 is inadequate. I have researched the X method to find where to aim. Any help would be appreciated

PaulaO
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Re: 30-06 to kill a horse

Postby PaulaO » Sat May 29, 2021 2:17 pm

Your first post here is asking what gun. I smell a troll.

heddylamar
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Re: 30-06 to kill a horse

Postby heddylamar » Sat May 29, 2021 2:41 pm

On the off chance this isn't trolling ... after a very bad back-country accident, my uncle started carrying a 0.38. What I know about about guns won't fill a thimble, so I have no clue if that's comparable to a 30-06.

ETA: He's a very experienced marksman and elk hunter, and I do know that he ruled out his smaller sidearms in favor of that gun to prevent another horse from suffering.
Last edited by heddylamar on Mon May 31, 2021 3:32 pm, edited 4 times in total.

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StraightForward
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Re: 30-06 to kill a horse

Postby StraightForward » Sat May 29, 2021 2:50 pm

Google and there are plenty of articles on the topic: https://thehorse.com/196998/firearms-ca ... ng-horses/
Keep calm and canter on.

Koolkat
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Re: 30-06 to kill a horse

Postby Koolkat » Sat May 29, 2021 5:38 pm

What does "way too aggressive to shoot in the skull" mean? If the choice is to kill the horse in a nanosecond vs. an inadequate method, IMO, the choice is straightforward. Thank you for taking the time to do what is right by the horse.
Last edited by Koolkat on Sun May 30, 2021 4:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

KathyK
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Re: 30-06 to kill a horse

Postby KathyK » Sat May 29, 2021 7:46 pm

PaulaO wrote:Your first post here is asking what gun. I smell a troll.

Judging from the name, I think it's an alter, not a troll.

Chancellor
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Re: 30-06 to kill a horse

Postby Chancellor » Mon May 31, 2021 3:26 pm

Guys,I think this is a legitimate post. Please treat it as such.

Quelah
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Re: 30-06 to kill a horse

Postby Quelah » Mon May 31, 2021 9:43 pm

I don't know where your home base is but maybe ask local animal services or your veterinarian. I've watched animal services dispatch an injured deer with a .22 My rancher friend uses a 45 when he has to shoot something in a bad way, but the ranch butcher uses a 22. Placement is key.

acheyarcher
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Re: 30-06 to kill a horse

Postby acheyarcher » Mon May 31, 2021 10:19 pm

fish and wildlife officers in my state know how to humane kill. I am not sure they could be called, but if one is known to the owner they might try a private consult.

Srhorselady
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Re: 30-06 to kill a horse

Postby Srhorselady » Mon May 31, 2021 11:45 pm

When I took a Horse Health class at a local community college the equine vet who taught it spent quite a bit of time discussing how to put a horse down humanely if you were stuck trail riding out in the middle of nowhere and it was necessary. He didn’t get into the caliber of weapon at all but what he stressed was how to find the right location on the skull. Most people choose the wrong spot and a horse skull is VERY thick. This can result in an in humane attempt. I don’t remember exactly how to find the spot but it is much lower on the skull than most people choose. Please research carefully.

LindaJ
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Re: 30-06 to kill a horse

Postby LindaJ » Wed Jun 16, 2021 9:12 pm



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