LOSING your beloved horse is something any animal lover dreads.

However, a unique scheme means that nobody will ever have to face the situation alone thanks to a new initiative launched by the British Horse Society (BHS).

More than 100 volunteer welfare officers have been trained to help support horse owners through the difficult process of saying goodbye.

In response to pleas from owners who felt isolated and unsupported at a critical time, the society launched Friends at the End, who can talk to owners about the options available if they can no longer keep their horse for any reason. It doesn’t have to end in euthanasia and if there are other choices available, the volunteers will help to find them.

Senior executive for BHS welfare, Lee Hackett, said: “All of our Friends at the End have lost horses themselves and received training from bereavement counsellors, so they really know the feeling of loss and grief when a horse dies.

“They aren’t there to take the place of a counsellor or vet but they can offer an extra source of support.”

Losing any animal is hard but with horses it is often doubly difficult as so few of them pass away naturally. Owners frequently have to make the decision about when the time has come to end their companion’s life. Even when this is unquestionably the right thing to do, it often leads to feelings of guilt.

The loss of a horse can have an enormous effect on someone’s life.

Going up to the yard twice a day fills a huge amount of time and can form the basis of the horse owner’s social life.

So it’s no wonder that so many people put off euthanasing their horse. However, that doesn’t mean it is best for the animal.

Making the decision is even harder if the horse is not old.

Sometimes, when a horse has a chronic injury or behavioural issues, then it may be necessary to consider euthanasia.

There are scores of other reasons that have been brought into sharp focus by the recession.

Many owners assume a charity will be able to take the horse on, but this is hardly ever the case.

Britain’s sanctuaries are struggling to cope with the number of welfare and neglect cases they need to take in and do not have room for any more horses. This is why the BHS has launched Friends at the End.

If a horse does need to be put to sleep (for whatever reason), BHS Friends will discuss the choices with owners, from the method of euthanasia to what to do afterwards.

Many are willing to be there on the day to offer support, and some will even hold the horse if the owner doesn’t feel able. All BHS Friends are welfare officers who love horses and know what the owner is going through.

“At the hardest time in a horse owner’s journey our Friends are available to make it as smooth and straightforward as possible,” said Mr Hackett.

Anyone who feels they might benefit from talking to someone through the scheme can call BHS Welfare and be put in touch with their nearest Friend.