Even if captive-bolt (or bullet in the back of the head) is more humane for horses, it’s off the table for humans, at least in the US. But that’s a debate we’re not having, anyway.
“I don’t want to get in a debate over whether lethal injection for humans is inhumane, but there is debate in horse circles about lethal injection versus captive-bolt (or simply a bullet). Some States mandate lethal injection despite evidence that the latter is more humane. “
I know most vets favor the bullet, but as nearly all are part of the Equine Practitioners, it would be business suicide to go against EP position.
Most vets will tell you that if the animal has some serious intestinal problem, the body’s release of adrenaline can over ride the pain killers used with the lethal injection. The animal will fight the injection after administration. It is very, very violent and very ugly.
Broken legs can have similar effects. WE have always shot and they all go down quickly.
I did shoot a very old cow last year. The 30 30 bounced off her forehead. She was a nasty animal. Fortunately it stunned her and as she spun I got a heart lung.
Another interesting one, I put a goat down with a 38 special fired from a 357. I fired into a towel as there were people nearby and I wanted it to be quiet. Again, the animal was stunned, but wouldn’t die. I then realized that the 38, point blank, did not penetrate the towel, but knowcked the animal out. I never would have guessed.
Because it’s all about how “offensive” or how it makes the (human)sensitive wimps “feel”, not what is more humane for the horse.