Why I Chose to Compost My Horses: A Legal and Environmentally Responsible Option in BC
- Elisse Miki
- Nov 29
- 4 min read
by Elisse Miki, EQ Therapeutics & Rainbow Bridge Transport
Losing a horse is one of the hardest decisions any of us will face. When I lost three of my own horses, I was confronted with an uncomfortable truth: in the Fraser Valley, our aftercare choices are shockingly limited.
Cremation was extremely expensive—and in some cases not even possible due to size restrictions.
“General disposal” meant sending my horses away and never seeing their remains again.
Neither option felt aligned with my values as a practitioner, a steward of the land, or a person who loved those horses deeply.
I wanted something else.
Something respectful. Something environmentally responsible. Something that allowed me to honour their legacy in a meaningful way.
That’s when I learned about above-ground composting—and everything changed.
How Composting Became the Clear Choice for Me
As someone who teaches anatomy, physiology, and osteopathic evaluation, I know that bones hold a lifetime of information. They show adaptations, strain patterns, old injuries, lived experiences—stories you cannot see on MRI or ultrasound.
Preserving the skeleton allows a horse to continue teaching for years after they’re gone. It turns grief into legacy. It turns loss into learning.
I also wanted an option that aligned with environmental values.
Traditional burial in my area takes 7–10 years to decompose due to limited oxygen, microbial stagnation, and lack of light. During that time, euthanasia drugs can leach into the soil and groundwater, especially in wet regions like the Fraser Valley.
Cremation comes with significant carbon emissions and energy demands. It also removes any possibility of studying or preserving the skeleton.
Above-ground composting, when done correctly, is different—profoundly different.
Why Composting Is More Environmentally Responsible
A properly built compost system functions like a natural, contained “oven.” When you prepare the site correctly, using research-backed specifications, decomposition is accelerated, controlled, and clean.
Composting is environmentally superior because it is:
Aerobic — oxygen speeds decomposition and prevents toxins from leaching
Thermophilic — internal heat kills pathogens and breaks down drug residues
Self-contained — the structure prevents runoff and groundwater contamination
Fast and efficient — far quicker than burial, with predictable outcomes
Low-carbon — significantly less environmental impact than cremation
I used guidelines from the University of Minnesota Extension and Equus-Soma (Aiken, SC) — alongside my own research to determine proper materials, depth, and site design.
Through my years of study, I discovered that composting is among the safest and most environmentally responsible options for managing mortality.
My Experience: “I Never Expected It to Be This Simple”
I have now completed the composting process multiple times, both for my own horses and for personal clients who have chosen this option as well. In every case, the process was more straightforward, respectful, and predictable than I ever imagined.
Each time, I followed certain specifications:
A level, well-drained site, with a compost base
On top an additional base with at least 1/2 ft sand
Next, a deep carbon layer (wood chips)
Proper encapsulation
Temperature monitoring
Moisture control
Protection from scavengers and runoff
I learned along the way to modify the compost pile as the environment dictated.
And each time, the outcome was the same: a clean, fully decomposed system and a beautifully preserved skeleton. And not once did I feel overwhelmed once the site was properly prepared.
Instead, I felt peace, gratitude, and clarity in knowing I chose the most respectful and aligned option for myself.
Additionally, a significant advantage is the reduced timeframe compared to traditional in-ground burial. On the west coast of BC, it takes only 1-2 years to compost instead of 7-10 years for in-ground burial. For those interested in retrieving their horse's bones, this timeline alone makes composting a compelling choice!
The Legal Reality in British Columbia (Canada)
This part is crucial.
On-farm composting is fully legal in BC
When provincial and municipal guidelines are followed (AEM Code, setbacks, land-size requirements, environmental protections).
But commercial equine composting facilities are NOT legal in BC as of 2025.
This has been confirmed by:
The Ministry of Agriculture (AgriService BC)
Multiple Fraser Valley municipalities
Government waste-management facilities themselves
Some municipal sites governed under OMRR (Organic Matter Recycling Regulation) can accept certain feedstocks, but they do not accept equine mortalities, and they are not commercial service providers.
This is why Rainbow Bridge Transport does not offer commercial composting. Instead, we focus on education, clarity, and hands-on guidance for owners who want to compost legally on their own property.
Introducing Our New Service — Launching Spring 2026
Because so many owners reached out asking for help with this process, Rainbow Bridge Transport is launching a comprehensive on-farm composting support program next spring 2026.
1. A Short Online Course
You’ll learn:
How to find the legal requirements for your area
Site selection
Carbon ratios
Pile construction
Environmental safeguards
Expected timelines
2. Two In-Person Appointments
Appointment 1: Compost Site Setup: We visit your farm, assess your site, and ensure your compost structure is built correctly and safely.
Appointment 2: Post-Passing Support: When the time comes, we guide you through placement, covering, temperature setup, and the initial composting phases.
3. Optional Add-On Services
On-farm body movement (if you don’t have a tractor or machinery)
Temperature monitoring support
Periodic check-ins during the compost cycle
Bone-harvesting guidance
Educational preservation options (cleaning, articulation, education prep)
You can choose a simple setup or full support depending on your needs.
If this service resonates with you, stay tuned for our official Spring 2026 launch. You can follow our pages to support us in the work and stay informed.
Why Composting Matters So Deeply
Composting allowed me to:
Honour my horses with dignity
Protect the environment
Reduce my carbon footprint
Preserve their skeletons for education
Transform their lives into ongoing teaching and legacy
For me, composting became the option I didn’t know I needed — respectful, ecological, legal, and incredibly meaningful.
If you have questions, want to learn more, or want to prepare ahead of time, I’m here.
— Elisse Miki, EQ Therapeutics & Rainbow Bridge Transport
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