What a horse cremation costs

Horse Cremation Prices at a Glance

Losing a horse or pony is one of the hardest things an owner can face, and worrying about cost on top of grief feels unfair. We try to make the pricing as clear and honest as we can, so here is where it starts.

These are starting prices. The right figure for your horse depends on their size and on the choices you make around how their ashes are returned and remembered. We will always confirm the exact cost with you before anything goes ahead, with no obligation and no pressure. You can also see the same figures set out on our horse cremation prices page.

• Individual cremation: from £650, your horse cremated on their own, only their ashes returned to you.
• Communal cremation: from £330, your horse cremated respectfully alongside other animals, ashes not returned.
• Collection from your home, stable or vet is included as standard with both options.
• Memorials and keepsakes such as oak caskets, urns, scatter tubes, engraved nameplates and polished horseshoes are available, price on request.

What an Individual Horse Cremation Includes (from £650)

An individual horse cremation means your horse is cremated entirely on their own, so the ashes you receive back are theirs and theirs alone. This is the option most owners choose when they want to keep their horse close, scatter them in a special place, or have a lasting memorial.

We track your horse carefully throughout the whole process, so you can have complete peace of mind that the ashes returned to you belong to that horse only. Ashes are usually returned within around a week.

• Your horse cremated individually, with only their ashes returned.
• Collection from your home, stable or vet using our dedicated vehicle.
• Ashes returned in a traditional oak casket, with an optional engraved nameplate, or in scatter tubes if you prefer.
• Hand-delivery of the ashes back to you.
• Optional keepsakes such as polished horseshoes or a cutting of mane or tail.
• Careful tracking throughout, so the ashes are your horse's alone.

What a Communal Horse Cremation Includes (from £330)

A communal horse cremation means your horse is cremated respectfully alongside other animals. With this option the ashes are not returned, which is why it costs less than an individual cremation.

Many owners choose communal cremation when they would rather not keep ashes but still want their horse treated with the same care, dignity and gentleness. Whichever option you choose, your horse is always handled with respect.

• Your horse cremated respectfully alongside other animals.
• Collection from your home, stable or vet included as standard.
• Ashes are not returned with this option.

What Is Included in the Price as Standard?

Collection is included as standard with every cremation, individual or communal. There is no extra charge to bring your horse into our care from where they are.

We come to you in a dedicated, 4x4 capable vehicle that can reach yards, fields and stables and work in poor weather. We can usually collect the same day or the next day, so your horse does not have to wait, and we will always handle them gently and discreetly. You can read our four-step cremation process in full.

• Collection from your home, stable or veterinary practice.
• A dedicated vehicle that can reach difficult ground in most weather.
• Collection often the same or next day.
• Calm, respectful handling at every step.

What Affects the Final Price of a Horse Cremation?

A few things influence the final figure, which is why we give a starting price and then confirm the exact cost for your horse. None of these will ever come as a surprise, as we will go through everything with you first.

The main factor is usually the size of your horse, as larger horses need more capacity. After that, it comes down to the memorial or keepsake choices you make and, in some cases, the distance involved.

• The size of your horse or pony.
• Whether you choose an individual or communal cremation.
• Memorial and keepsake choices, such as the type of casket, urn or nameplate.
• The distance for collection, depending on where you are.
• Any additional keepsakes, such as polished horseshoes or mane and tail cuttings.

Does a Pony Cost Less to Cremate Than a Horse?

Price is based mainly on size, so a smaller pony sits at the lower end of the range and a larger horse at the upper end. The starting prices are the same either way: from £650 for an individual cremation with ashes returned, and from £330 for a communal cremation where ashes are not returned.

When you call, tell us roughly how big your horse or pony is and where they are, and we will give you the exact figure there and then. Nothing has to be decided on that call.

• Ponies and smaller horses sit at the lower end of the range.
• Starting prices are the same for horses and ponies: from £650 individual, from £330 communal.
• The exact figure is confirmed on the phone before anything goes ahead.

Memorials and Keepsakes (Price on Request)

Many owners find comfort in a lasting way to remember their horse, and there are several gentle memorial and keepsake options to choose from. These are priced on request, so please ask and we will talk you through what feels right for you, with no pressure to decide anything quickly.

Whether you want something to display at home, something to hold, or simply a small piece of your horse to keep, we will help you find it.

• Traditional oak caskets for ashes.
• Urns and scatter tubes.
• Engraved nameplates.
• Polished horseshoes.
• Mane and tail keepsakes.

How Do I Pay for a Horse Cremation?

We accept cash, card and bank transfer. Our office team will talk the arrangements through with you when you call, and the exact cost is always confirmed before the cremation goes ahead.

W. Martin & Son Limited is a family business caring for horses since 1890, registered in England and Wales as company number 07525681, VAT number GB103101063, and based at Bakers Lane, Black Notley, Braintree, Essex CM77 8QS.

• Payment by cash, card or bank transfer.
• The exact cost is confirmed with you before anything goes ahead.
• Questions about payment: call 01376 331136, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm or Saturday 8am to 12pm.

How to Get an Exact, No-Obligation Quote

The kindest way to get an exact price for your horse is simply to call us on 01376 331136. We will ask a few gentle questions, such as the size of your horse and where they are, and give you a clear, honest quote with no obligation at all.

We are based at Bakers Lane, Black Notley, Braintree, Essex, CM77 8QS, and we cover Essex and much of the South East and East of England, including Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Greater London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, and you can check the counties we cover for your area. Our office is open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 8am to 12pm, and we offer compassionate phone support outside those hours if you need to talk.

If you are struggling with the loss of your horse, please know that national pet-bereavement support services, such as the Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service, are there to help. You do not have to go through it alone.

• Call 01376 331136 for an exact, no-obligation quote.
• Email info@wmartinandson.co.uk if you would prefer to write.
• Office hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, Saturday 8am to 12pm, with compassionate phone support outside hours.