Thanks for writing about this!  This entire issue has greatly affected the horse community and as you mentioned, “HSUS’s ideologically driven equine activism wasn’t terribly practical”.

Wow. Thank you for saying all of that. We are rurally located, on a farm, and horses are continually showing up abandoned on private land. Sometimes they are put in a pasture that has no water and they die before they are found. I would rather shoot a horse than have it die of thirst—a slow, painful, agonizing death depending on the time of year.

As a former horse owner and cattle owner now, I have done quite a bit of research on this.  There is no solution to the problem that will benefit money.  The horse-capable-slaughterhouses in the US have been fined over and over again for lack of adherence to the USDA’s policies.  The horses bought and sold at auction are quite often sick and injured, which, if you’re familiar with the US cattle operation, sick and injured cattle are NOT allowed to be sold at auction, let alone slaughtered for meat.

While I see both sides of the story, until the slaughter of horses can become a more regulated business practice (Safer for employees/animals alike), I fully support the shutdown.

Also, there are rescue groups that take in these “abandoned” horses.  It’s not JUST the HSUS.  The HSUS doesn’t handle many abandoned horses, vs. the private rescue groups.

The largest non-export market for horsemeat used to be dog food (after glue companies switched to chemical-based glues).
(Used to be a cheap source of protein).

There is an additional issue that always makes me wonder when horse meat is sold for human consumption, and is rarely considered.  A large number of common horse medications feature big labels stating, “NOT FOR USE ON LIVESTOCK RAISED FOR FOOD” (and you don’t see these medications used on lamb, swine or beef).  Since there is no screening for these substances at slaughter, I don’t see how the meat could be USDA/FDA approved for human consumption, which might explain why most of the meat was exported to countries that don’t have as stringent inspection standards?  (just open questions—maybe someone with more experience can answer this)...

“The group’s new solution is a sweeping ban on transporting horses out of the country for slaughter.”

Much of the legislation proposed by HSUS is in fact “a solution in search of a problem.”  The objective is to create the appearance of a “problem” so as to have a “reason” to adopt ever more laws restricting the ownership of animals.

That these laws tend to create an actual problem when the “solution” is applied is not an unintended consequence.  It is the objective.  When the consequences appear, there really IS a problem that can only (or most obviously) be addressed by - guess what? - further restricting the ownership and owner-determined management of animals. 

As HSUS staff and minions have openly stated in NY, NC, MN, and no doubt other states, the goal will be achieved in small steps, whittling away at animal ownership until it is no longer practical or reasonable or perhaps even legal to own an animal.

Elaine is exactlly right on this one, more paperwork, pens/floors, no stacking at all, nothing on top of stacked crates, and you are so busy doing that the animals don’t get the real direct, hands on, attention they should be and want! but that is exactly why they should never get the “camels nose under the tent” they do come back and incrementally remove more rights!

Although I agree with the points made in the article, and am a huge proponent of Humane Watch, I still have to call BS on this statement:

“Most horse owners, however (especially in the American West), consider the animals to be livestock. Until a few years ago, a horse would actually bring a price when it was time to “put it down,” because there was a commercial market for the animal’s meat.”

I’ve been a horse owner throughout my life and no way in HELL would I choose to profit from the death of an animal. Sorry, but I disagree that most horse owners see their animals as livestock. I think slaughter could be an option for disposal, but there ARE other ways to dispose of horses when they are no longer wanted or dying. There are still ‘knackers’ around as well, that will dispose of horses for dog food etc. Many people still euthanize horses themselves with guns, just as quick and effective as injection. I personally had mine euthanized and buried…while this may be expensive for those in bad economic situations, there are still other options besides making a profit.

Elaine is right but she left out another reason for lobbying for a solution to a non problem….a reason for people to send in money;  over $100 million per year AFTER paying a significant percentage to the fund collectors.

Amazing. An absolutely stupendous accomplishment that animals have survived all these millennia WITHOUT human interference.
The ebb and flow of nature’s life cycles is not enough and cannot happen unless at the hands of a human(snark).
Not everyone is Willie Nelson that has money/acres to bury his spent horses, as he so pompously spoke one time.
Megan, just where are all these horse sanctuaries that can take the thousands of horses a year that are no longer deemed fit for use?
Society has once again fallen for the emotional whine (again Willie Nelson being one of many) of “the majestic horse that helped found and settle America” cannot be treated in such a fashion as going to a slaughter house for a quick death vs. the slow painful death of starvation/thirst as pointed out by Don.
Honey, those particular horses are loooong gone.
Win, win, win situation - owner of spent horse has a chance to recoup a small portion of investment, horse does not suffer slow agonizing natural death, provides jobs and food for people and animals.
Ah, the death of common sense is so obvious and prevalent.
Life will come full circle at some point in time, when the lost common sense if found and will become an eureka moment for some future generation.
Such a sad, sad state of affairs we are being forced to live in by those that have not a whit of an idea what animal husbandry really is.

There is a cultural confusion in our society regarding what classifies an animal as a pet vs. livestock. And,  I can’t think of an animal more central to this issue than the equine. The majority of animal-owning Americans, I assume, identify with pets if you consider this daunting statistic: The pet industry is 60% larger than the toy industry and 33% larger than the candy industry. Overall, it’s the 7th largest market in the U.S. With the invention of the automobile, this creature of utility slowly became the hobby horse its perceived today. As such, the population at large seems to have stereo-typed the animal in a ‘pet-only’ category. The average by-stander would probably believe I have a similar mentality….I pamper and pet them. I give them baths and groom them silly. There is always a treat in my pocket and I enjoy showing them off!  When they’ve reached the end of their life span, I have specific ideas about how that will be handled. However, as a child of agriculture, I also have a very eagle-eye view on what it takes to maintain this specific species. Their annual budget for dietary and veterinary care is ten times that of Fido’s. They don’t get table scraps or anything from the local Walmart’s pet food isle. They require several wagon loads from the second or third cutting that will require a team of farm hands to unload and pack as well as a monthly trip to the local feed mill. They don’t get to lay in front of the fireplace. They require about the same square footage as the farmer’s Old Bess.  Their handling requires ten times the attention with 20 times the risk for injury than most average household pets. Sum it all up and they have much more in common with Farmer Joe raising a herd of cattle than taking Rufus for a walk in Central Park. Although I have a sincere passion for horses, there needs to be some practicality with how they are managed. Although I probably would not use horse slaughter as an end means for my animals, I respect that there are those that find slaughter valuable or perceive horses far more as the creature of utility it used to be. On an end note: My good friend, who also happens to be a veterinarian, once said there is something to be said for quality of death (as is quality of life). If the slaughter industry used acceptable euthanasia methods, in my mind, this will always trump leaving a domesticated animal to fend in the wild without rehabilitation or letting it starve because an owner with little resources has lost an avenue to relinquish the animal. These consequences have NOT served animal welfare at all.

Thank you for this article. Many of you bring up the point about the drugs in horses and the fines of the slaughter plants. So how about fixing those problems instead of just shutting down a whole industry? Regulate it for horse and human health. Skinny horses do not slaughter well, so if a horse does end up in a feedlot at least it gets an opportunity to eat and get healthy.

Also, for more info one what is really happening with horses check out this site: http://amillionhorses.com/in the news.htm. They scour the interenet and link to related articles about abuse and dumping of horses.

What always frustrated me about the slaughter issue was how people became passionate about stopping it rather than putting energy into improving it - just look at what Temple Grandin has done for the beef and pork industry in regards to animal behavior and handling methods, and imagine what she could have done if we put the same effort into slaughter-bound horses.

We are about to see the Canadian slaughter market close to us in the US because of new laws regarding documentation of medications and illnesses 60 days prior to harvest.  I can’t say I blame them given how horse owners and buyers are oblivious to medication withdrawal guidelines by which cattle feeders live and die.  Yes, carcasses and organs are tested for drug residues, but we don’t have the safeguards in the horse industry to guarantee all meat has been tested free of residues.  The only way to get around this issue (when veterinary documentation is unavailable) is for meat buyers to put the horses in a feedlot type situation for 60 days where they can monitor the animals. 

Feed lots for horses were also a good way to help sick and injured horses recover enough to pass the pre-slaughter inspection.  Many meat buyers would simply buy the skinny horses and fatten them up to turn a profit at the time of harvest - at least those animals lived a good life prior to harvest because the feedlot managers understood that anything else would lead to a lesser quality (and lesser valued) product. 

I say reopen the markets to make that option of disposal available for horses that are classified as unwanted.  I just finished the second of two national meetings where this very topic came up, and I firmly believe that the American public is easily swayed by the HSUS types because they don’t understand the true face of the unwanted horse (that which does not meet owners expectations) and the inferior horse (that which has no value due to age, illness, behavior problem, loss of use, etc.).

the only answer to this problem and a lot more is to have the gov. abolish the HSUSand their AR vegan friends once this is done our country can be normal again with common sense people doing common sense things

Every living creature - plant, bug, bird, reptile, animal, and man - are part of the food chain.  Each one of those creatures has to eat something everyday ... and for a predator it may be a horse - no different than chomping on a cow, mule, deer, antelope, buffalo, or zebra. 

If those who are opposed to slaughter doesn’t have or provides the HUGE amount of $$$ (for years) to purchase & pay for the acres of land / feed / facilities / care-givers that will be required to manage and “save these pets” including all their offspring throughout this country—then it’s going to require more logic, less sentiment, and an open-mind in order to come up options to solve this tremendous problem.  Yes, slaughter ought to be implemented again, remember there are animals to fee at Zoos / Circus / Show animals which are large predators. They gotta’ eat too. If you still fail to see how the horse helps in the food chain, then file your complaint (about horse slaughter) w/the Tigers, Bears, or take it up w/the Lions. 

It really boils down to “who’s gonna do the work and who’s gonna pay for saving the horses?”.  H$U$ created the mess—H$U$ should!  H$U$ has $Milllions to do so, but refuses to fix this nightmare they’ve stirred up for horses everywhere AND their owners.  H$U$ always tells people what to do & and how to do it, but they do NOT fix things.  Nope, their aim is to ruin the AG industry concerning poultry/dairy/livestock.  H$U$ tactic: create situations that become horribly worse which “puts them out of business”. I don’t recall ranchers, horse breeders, owners, etc… asking for H$U$ to get involved to fix a problem within the horse industry.

Remember, ALL the suffering these horses are experiencing right NOW, has been caused at the hands of H$U$ and their political actions. Where are ALL these animal lovers now?  Why aren’t they paying for the saving of / feeding / caring for 1,000’s of the suffering horses?  Whelp, it’s because the H$U$ is a Leftist Political Vegan Organization with their main goal of destroying our Ranching / Farming / Livestock production and the Pet industries.
OK, back to the horse, when humans apply ‘romantic ideology’ to a particular species and believe ‘it’ should never be allowed (again) to be part of the food chain or be considered a food source….has forgotten the food chain facts and possibly out of touch w/how nature really operates.  Sorry to say, but horses are not exempt from being a link in the food chain—or any another animal for that fact. It’s the harsh reality of nature.  Which began long before man crawled onto the back of a horse and made him one of his companions ... and before out-of-control radical vegan organizations even existed.

The closing of all slaughter houses here in the U.S. has been a shameful act.  As we know the horses are now taken to a point of departure, hauled to where ever in Canada and Mexico.  These poor animals travel for days without feed or water.  It has come to that kind of treatment here in my part of the states because rescues are full and begging for financial support.  Some animals are disposed out in the woods, and those who can haul their horses east in the hopes of the horse being accepted by a wild band. 

Our problem is economics, not lack of care for the animal but which comes first, the horse or the kids.  If you want the horse put down a vet will not do it unless it is sick.  I applaud those vets.  The last horse I had to have put down was very old and I loved her so.  The vet bill came to $150 and the animal pick up cost $100.  That is why horses are turned loose and left to survive on their own.

We just bought local hay to get us through the summer.  $8.00 a bale.  Why am I bringing up all these costs?  Because it is just as expensive to keep a horse as it is to get rid of it.  But the getting rid of is a one time thing not ongoing.  Willy Nelson?  Well what can I say, it is illegal to bury any animal around here. 

What we need to do is turn our back on HSUS and start writing to our Congressperson and let them know they screwed up big time.  We do not have the money HSUS has but we can write letters and e-mails and let the gov. know we need their help. 

HUSU has millions of dollars to spend on whatever, they certainly don’t spend it on animal welfare, they spend it on their own agenda.  Lobbying the gov. costs lots of money.  Is HSUS hurt, heck no, they get more millions the next year.  Who is hurt?  We animal lovers are the ones that are hurt and it will continue until somebody has the guts to stand up and say…...enough is enough.

Our problem is reaching the media that COULD reach much of the public.  Last night Glenn Beck danced around Cass Sunstein and then the “Mother Earth” folks…..he just missed (once again) the ANIMAL PEOPLE as he covered who would be considered part of the “oppressed.” It’s so frustrating not to be able to get them to draw the parallel from Sunstein being an animal rights activist! 

I’ve about had it with people who don’t catch on. I’m so glad I’m old.

Colleen,

Those extremists will never accept responsibility for any of the suffering they have caused man or beast. They don’t even want to accept that eating lettuce means it has to die.  (It dies if they don’t eat it as well…wonder if they accept that?)

I’d just like to point out that only slaughter for human consumption has been outlawed, not all slaughter of horses period. Horses can still be slaughtered for all other uses than human consumption. I’m still a little on the fence on this issue, and still have trouble justifying slaughter for human consumption. Also, at the time it was made illegal, there were only two states in the country that allowed it. Being in Michigan, I also saw the bad side of it. We had ‘scavenger’ buyers up here that bought horses to sell at slaugter, and there were also cases of horses being stolen.

I did some pro bono work for an off the track thoroughbred rescue that had a real problem with people posing as adoptive homes and these horses that had been rescued and rehabilitated ending up in slaughter houses because the scammers could profit from it.

The argument about horses being hauled long distance now for human slaughter….they were before. Once the Illinois plants were shut down and TX was the only option, horses were being hauled across the country. Sugarcreek Ohio has a notorious auction where meat buyers would come and load up and haul horses to TX. Some of the rescue thoroughbreds were lost there, as the regulations were pathetic and all records of horses pretty much disappeared with the meat buyers.

I’m not necessarily opposed to slaughtering horses for human consumption, but I feel like facts are being skewed on both sides. Were these few slaughter plants that were left before they were outlawed that big that they contributed that much to the problem of unwanted horses? Or is this more an economic thing that there are so many unwanted horses now? I feel the same way about dumping horses as I do dumping dogs; if you take on owning that animal, you take responsibility for it and if you can’t keep it anymore, that is your job to re-home or, distasteful as it is to me personally, euthanize it, even if it costs you money. You don’t get to profit off of disposing of a dog, why should you get to profit from disposing of your horse?

I’m sorry, I just don’t see the problem with eating ANY animal that has to be euthanized anyhow.  What’s with all the sentiment?  If it’s been killed humanely, what you are left with is a pile of meat.  Why would you bury it in the ground and waste it?  That is such a disrespectful practice.

If I ever own a horse, and it has to be euthanized, it’s going to be done with a bullet, and then I will dispose of the body—in the freezer and smokehouse.  I understand horse meat is actually delicious.

As for drugs not meant to be used on livestock that’s going to be consumed…well, use the ones that are safe, instead, if you plan to eat your horse eventually.

It’s a horse—it has hooves, it eats hay.  Eating one is not cannibalism, lol.  (I got to try llama sausage once.  Similar situation—the llama got old, and had to be put down, so they processed him into food.  It was really tasty sausage).

I’m really, really getting tired of HSUS.

I think that people need to start dumping their horses on HSUS’s property instead of into the wild. Let them deal with the repercussions of this legislation.

My husband, being of Dutch descent, grew up eating horse. It’s a cultural issue, not a moral one.

My view is practical. If you have to kill it, why not utilize it…

A horse that was euthanized with chemicals becomes toxic waste. How do you dispose of that toxic waste? Bury it?

A horse that dies naturally, in the wild, becomes part of the food chain. It doesn’t decompose under ground. Horses don’t bury their dead.

Think Eco System, not humanism.

“while horse meat can be found in most European and Canadian grocery stores”

As a Canadian I want to make this very clear.  Horsemeat is NOT, read that, NOT, found on MOST grocery store shelves.

This article is full of inaccuracies. The claims of abandoned unwanted horses lack substantiation. In many cases the claims have been proven to be no more than rural legends. That is not to say it does not happen but I would argue if it does it is because of the economy. I along with many horse owners and if polls are correct 60% of the American public do not support horse slaughter. It is inherently cruel as well as the cruelty of betrayal of the horses who have served their owners well only to be abandoned to a long haul to a cruel death. For those who argue it is not a moral issue read the deontological ethics of Kant (first to argue for the intrinsic value of all humanity). Cruelty to animlas leads to cruelty to humans. Remember the true test of our humanity is the ability to intervene for just a moment in the suffering of our fellow creatures. We cannot control what happens in the wild but we can control our own actions. Actually just as many horses were slaughtered after US slaughter houses closed as before 95,000 and for those of you who think that a significant number were not sent across the border when the slaughter houses were open check your information. You just might be surprised. Euthanasia and slaughter are not synonymous. Euthanasia is from the Greek euthanos and means a good death within a medical context. The horses being slaughtered are not old and sick. Doubt that claim look at USDA study. Horse ownership is a long term commitment. I own 11 and 13 donkeys they will never be slaughtered. For those of you who keep talking about dog food. In the 1970"s dog owners boycotted Alpo because it contained horsemeat. Alpo no longer contains horsemeat and neither does any of the better pet foods. Why because Americans are opposed to horse slaughter. Perhaps it is a cultural thing but it is our culture and the majority of us do not eat horse meat nor feed it to our pets.  Just because something is acceptable in another culture does not make it acceptable here. Think of some of the other cultural practices we do not accept.

I have a better suggestion, why don’t the organizations like AQHA stop encouraging the breeding of Quarter horses so they can collect the registration fees?  If the over-breeding of horses in the US was stopped or brought into line with what the economy can afford there would not be any horses in the slaughter pipeline. The slaughter trucks are full of quarter horses and thoroughbreds.  Healthy animals that are killed just because they could not run fast enough or the owner just got tired of them or yearlings that were sent to slaughter because they were born the wrong color.  A horse breeder in Canada is going out of business because she can’t get the price she expected for her horses and she said that horse breeders could not stay in business with out the slaughter plants. Well I say that if they over- breed to the extent they need a place to dump their excess animals then they need to go out of business.

To all of you that think it is ok to eat horses!!  Don’t you realize your thinking will only further a black market for horse meat. More animals will be stolen and murdered. If you think it’s ok to eat any animal that dies I feel extremely sorry for any dogs or cats you may have.  Going to turn them into a nice burger are you?
And as for people of European culture that have eaten horse meat.  If you want that type of food go back to Europe and eat it.  We don’t do that in America.  Or better yet go to France and have a nice bowl full of slimey snails.

I think the issue here is complicated.  Horses are more expensive to maintain in life and death, than other companion animals.  I believe that if you take responsibility for ANY animal that you ought to strive to do right by that animal.  If a horse is no longer “useful” because it is sick or injured,  I believe humane euthanasia is the best option.  I have a real issue with anyone who considers slaughter of a horse a humane practice.  Unfortunately there will always be those who choose to make a buck rather than do the right thing. And for those of you that would sell you pony down the rode for meat after he has served you, shame on you.  There is no justification for sentencing a pet to the fear and horror of the slaughterhouse.

Tell me this horse wasn’t dumped: http://foodstampsforhorses.com/component/content/article/42-rokstories/132-horse-found-with-brand-cut-out

Also, for one dollar I guess you could have bought 237 “rural legends/myths” :
http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/wyoming-governor-enacts-legislation-initiate-horse-slaughter

You don’t see facts because you don’t want to. If you want to SEE what is happening go to a local auction and watch the skinny horses go through the sale. Take a trip through your country side about February or March after winter weather has done it’s magic on these animals.

I think it is so very sad to see people that are ok with a horse starving because you want to be ignorant of a problem versus making hard decisions, that may not be popular, but are in the best interest of the animals. I never dreamed that there would come a day when people choose starvation and abuse over a fat and healthy animal slaughtered in a matter of minutes. Sometimes there is something to be said for “quality of life of life” over the “length of life”.

Plus, animals of this size are cared for better overall if they have value. I’ve never seen a homeless fat steer.

Here’s a fact:  Horse slaughter is still available.  So it looks like horses are abandoned, abused and starved even though slaughter is an option.  If people starting breeding more cattle than there was a demand for, then you would very well see starving, abandoned and valueless cattle.  Hopefully the cattle ranchers aren’t stupid enough to breed more than there is a demand for.

Are some of the posters on here actually trying to blame vegan’s and extremists as you call them for the shut down of US horse slaughter plants?  Horses were found starving long before the US plants were shut down.  Why didn’t the owners take them to the plants or a auction?  And also US horses were sent to Canada/Mexico for years when the plants still operated in the US. Explain that!

The slaughter plants were shut down because of environmental complaints that had went on for years that the plant management ignored. And the one in Texas was shut down because there was a law on the books for years that did not allow horse slaughter in that state that was not inforced.  Now it is.  I would suggest posters on here do some research before they fill up the blog with their unfounded nonsense.

I do travel the country roads everyday and to the best of my knowledge no one in Pennsylvania has ever found an abandoned horse. Skinny horses are the result of owners who do not feed them I do not know where you are from but we have laws against animal abuse and neglect. Whenever, there is an irresponsible horse owner our law enforcement seizes the horses and the horse community rallies to foster and care for the seized horses. Horse people, at least here, quickly respond with food, housing and monetary donations.The problem is with people who do not provide proper care whether it be for a dog, cat, horse or a human. The correlation between human and animal abuse and neglect is well documented. I am surely not okay with any sentient creature starving. If you own another living creature than you need to step up to the plate and provide it with adequate care. I have been to the auction. You really need to view the film put out by the USDA on horse slaughter. If you can no longer care for your horse or it becomes terminally ill than you have an obligation to have it humanely killed. Slaughter is not humane. Horses have intrinsic value and the anthropocentirc view you espouse is not tenable. I do not ignore the facts as you claim but rather acknowledge that there will always be cruel people who neglect and abuse their animals. These people need to be prosecuted. There will always be people who view horses as a mere commodity to make a buck off. When that commodity wears out like an old car, they have no problem junking it. Fortunately, there are many more people who realize that all sentient beings have intrinsic value. Four of my horses are rescued.  I also help to fundraise for our local equine rescues. We have plans to start a hay bank to provide free hay to people who cannot afford it. The problem of horse overpopulation is the result of over breeding and lack of responsibility. The cure is less breeding and taking responsibility for those animals you fence in and make dependent on you for food. “IF you cannot feed it do not breed it.”

First, allow me to state that I’m no fan of the HSUS. They certainly have done very little for those of us on the front lines in the anti-slaughter wars - which I’ve been fighting for the last 30 years.

Temple Grandin has indeed done much to make slaughter more humane - for cattle. Transporting horses in trailers designed for cattle and slaughtering them with equipment and techniques designed for cattle is beyond inhumane - it is utterly unconscionable cruelty.

Actually, there is NO way to slaughter horses humanely in the “assembly line” manner that is needed to turn a profit. Horses are far too sensitive. As prey animals, the are exquisitely aware of where they are and what is going on around them.

Personally, I’m with Sara - there is no way in HELL I would EVER under ANY circumstances send my beloved horses to the horror of the slaughter pipeline. There is NO excuse. It’s not that expensive to have your vet euthanize your horse, then bury him if it’s legal in your area, or call the knacker man it if isn’t. Some landfills will also take them.

This is all crazy. I have two horses that are being well taken care of but people keep calling ag on me. The yard they are in, is a little small, but has everything they need. I love my horses and don’t want to lose them but I guess people would rather see them on someones butcher block, instead of letting me do as I need, to take care of them.

As a current horse owner/trainer/lover, I can tell you that shutting down and fighting horse slaughter has done nothing but hurt horses! I keep my animals in top condition; Horses, dog, sheep, and pigs, all have a purpose and a job. My sheep for breeding to produce lambs to sell for meat, and pigs for meat as well. My horses and dog work for me, they work cows and check pastures. My breeding sheep are pets, but if they loose their use/value as breeding stock then yes they will be killed and used for the meat. Now say my horse for what ever reason looses their as usable animals, and their quality of like goes down. Why waist the meat of that animal when there are STARVING people in other countries!! I am sorry America, But get off your soap box!

eating a horse is sick! horses are not to be eaten. these animals have carried us through history. i am so sickened with this article. there is always a solution. no one needs to eat a horse. no one. god forbid a sick or injured one. why don’t we just kill our useless, unwanted children. they could feed some people in other countries as well. none of us would be here if it weren’t for horses. i used to train horses and they have purpose long after their career is over. they don’t have only one purpose. so shame on everyone who would say they should die when they can no longer make you money! have you ever heard of SATA or the many other therapeutic horse organizations. horses also save peoples lives who have lost their purpose in life. an injured horse and an injured human often times heal each other. i’m in tears because i’m so horrified by the apathy of our society. these are horses. they have gone to battle with us, worn armor, ran hundreds of miles to deliver our mail, been our friends, tilled our fields, been our transportation for centuries, worked beside us, and even saved our lives. they are more than just farm animals, or livestock. i’ve seen them bring a child who was lost come back to life. yes, an auction horse. an injured one. a horse who also came back to life because of a lost kid.

one more thin on this topic…the way horses are slaughtered is absolutely mortifying! a post by suzanne moore was a very good one which i agree with completely. i have had to shoot a horse. i had no choice. it took one shot. it was over. i didn’t string him up by one leg and hang him upside down before hand and let him hang there till i got around to it. so, slaughter houses are wrong. so, if you think i’m on a soap box. well, i don’t know about that but i won’t stand on a pile of slaughtered horses and say they have no purpose. no, they shouldn’t be turned out to pasture to fend for themselves but there is always a way.

I am sorry while I agree with most of you that a solution needs to be found.. slaughter is not the answer! Not until you can find a HUMANE and effective way to put these animals out of their misery as quickly as possible! The slaughter house is in the US rarely if ever follow the USDA recommendations nor do they follow the rules on downed cattle!  The reason Horse slaughterer is banned is it is cruel and inhumane.. at least shoot the poor things in the head with a rifle instead of attempting to use a stun gun that is often in affected on the animals it is even intended for: cattle! Often these animals are being skinned and dismember while alive and conscious! How is this human?  When we find a plausible and safe solution to the inhumane and cruel treatment of our animals raised for food I REFUSE to buy meat or meat product.. period! and until you have spent the time in a slaughter house or seen a factory farm you do not have the right to judge those whos opinions have been formed by seeing them first hand. Really see the issue before you speculate! Visit an auction visit a slaughter house where you think the death is quick and human visit a farm then decide.