The Horse Slaughter Issue
I was in our bank a few weeks back, when one of the tellers was trying to give away a horse. A registered 7yr old quarter horse stud. Now I am soooo not in the market for another horse. And if I were, it certainly wouldn’t be for a stallion. Still … the words “free horse” made me pause. Truth is, several people in the area would gladly give away a horse or two. Their value at auction has plummeted. While at the same time hay prices are way up and winter is here. I have heard rumors that some people are just turning their horses out. Dropping them off like some people do with unwanted cats and dogs.
The reason horse prices are so low you ask? Well, you probably guessed it from the blog title. Horses are no longer being purchased for human consumption. (Yeah, thats right) Over a 100,000 horses a year are slaughtered in the U.S. for the food market. Mostly as a delicacy in Asia and France. (A true french fry in fried in horse lard.) The closing of U.S. slaughter houses only affects slaughter in the U.S. Horses can and are still being transported into Canada and Mexico for slaughter.
Livestock is a business.
Just so you know, I am a big time carnivore. I grew up in the rural agricultural Midwest, where steak and taters were the daily fare. That being said, the idea of eating a horse steak is completely revolting to me. It would be the same revulsion if someone was serving up dog roast or kitten stew. My animals are family to me. Still, I have been in the animal industry long enough to understand that animals are a business. My logical side says what puts horses, dogs and cats off the menu, while cattle, pigs and chickens are all fair game. These food type of livestock are intelligent animals, who can be just as loving as your dog, cat or horse. How easy, it is to compartmentalize things. To disassociate that roast in the freezer from a once living breathing creature.
Weighing In
This is not a black and white issue. I don’t know that there is a “right side.” I personally, am pleased that horses are no longer going to slaughter for the food market. I like to think that people aren’t going to be as inclined to puppy mill out horses as they have in the past. Hopefully, breeding will be more selective. Only quality animals will be bred to quality animals. I am not sure if this is fanciful thinking on my part on not. However, I was watching a quarter horse auction the other day and their quality horses were still commanding great prices. Most of the yearlings were going between $15,000 and $75,000. Of course, this is worlds away from the type of horses we are talking about here. But it goes to show, not all value in horses has been diminished.
I also think that there is going to be a dark time ahead for horses because of this action. The rumors of turning out horses to fend for themselves or worse yet … leaving them to starve, are a worry. Still, I don’t think that we should alter laws because of the law breakers. Anyone who would do such things should never have had a horse in the first place. If providing slaughter allows this type of person to have horses, I don’t see that as being good.
The biggest problem as I see it, is figuring out what to do with all of these unwanted horses. There are a great many equine rescues as well as people who would love a good horse. Still, 100,000 plus horses every year is a lot to handle.
I don’t really have an upbeat note to end on here. So I will supply you with a couple of places to go to for more information about how all of this came to be in the first place. And who to go to for current information. The current issue (as well as several past issues) of Apples ‘N Oats magazine has extensive coverage from both sides of this topic. Also you can check out the following:
www.applesnoats.com
www.humanesociety.org
www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org
www.avma.org
Tags: horses
How interesting that you equate all the woes to the domestic kill houses being closed since slaughter is not gone. It’s very much alive so how do you equate what is happening to slaughter not being available? One of the sites you listed has headlines that the exports to Mexico have increased 300%. According to the agencies that report this type of data, there are no more incidents now than when the kill houses were open, how do you explain that? I suspect you have fallen prey to the articles that are circulating with the stories of increased neglect and abandonment. Had you done a bit more research, you would have discovered that the majority of the articles were investigated and proven false.
People that hoard, abuse, neglect and abandon were not taking their horses to slaughter when the domestic kill houses were open. They aren’t now and they didn’t then. Those are criminal acts and to suggest that responsible owners are going to start committing crimes, is an insult to all horse owners.
This country does not view horses as food animals. Buying or selling horse meat for human consumption was banned years ago – years before the kill houses shut down. Did you read about the attempt to open a US owned kill house in South Dakota? The bill was shot down before the ink was dry. I think that speaks volumes of how Americans view horses.
So I ask, why do we need slaughter for an animal that is not raised, bred or viewed as food? Oh, I know. We need it for all those horses that people keep breeding and breeding and breeding. Let’s torture the horses so we can give the owner some compensation for his mistakes and help him breed more horses and keep sending the rejects to slaughter until he finally breeds the next Barbaro. Let’s keep slaughter for the owner that falls on hard times and thinks he is selling his horse to a new, caring owner. Let’s not give that horse a chance at a good life with a new owner – let the meat man outbid him and perform the service of ridding the US of all the unwanted horses. The amount of horses slaughtered has nothing to do with the supply available. It is driven by the demand, not the supply. If there are all these abandoned horses, why aren’t the kill buyers just rounding them up? Why do they have to keep paying for them and paying for them by outbidding other people that want to buy the horse?
Here are three sites with excellent information.
http://vetsforequinewelfare.org/
http://www.kaufmanzoning.net/horsemeat/
http://www.manesandtailsorganization.org/
Vicki, I understand that this is a very emotional issue for a lot of people. First of all, I want to state that this post was my opinion. That “I” am unsure whether there is a “right side” to this issue. Clearly, you are of a different opinion.
SO I guess I will take this in the order you wrote it. I do not equate all woes with kill house closures. I worked many years in a clinic where we handled the large animal abuse cases for our county. Animal cruelty is not new. That being said, I have also talked with a couple of equine rescues in the past 8 months or so and they are feeling a heavier burden. Also, I have talked with a few local people who have taken their horses to auction and got as low as $40 and $16. Not worth the gas to haul them there. Truely, I could get a “free” horse tomorrow if I want one. This is first hand information, not some sensational headline I read somewhere.
We agree that cruelty cases are “not” a reason to resume slaughter. (reread paragraph five) I clearly stated that horses were still being shipped out for slaughter into Canada and Mexico. (reread paragraph two) I never said that the US consumed horses. I said most were going to France and Asia (again paragraph two) We also agree that puppy milling of horses is “bad.”
I get the feeling you didn’t look over my blog so you don’t have a well rounded idea of who I am. I have always lived and worked in the company of animals. My entire life, including my college education and most of my jobs, have been devoted to animals. I love my horse and all my animals. They are my family. On the other hand, having worked with animals in several professions, I try to be objective.
I really don’t want to debate this issue (and despite your angry tone, I think we actually are in agreement.) I posted “my” thoughts on horse slaughter. I am not pro slaughter. But “I” personally struggle with the hypocrosy of finding it wrong to slaughter horses for food but not other livestock. I eat meat, My saddle is made from leather. I wear leather shoes. Why should horses be elevated above the food chain, when cattle and other domestic livestock, which have rich emotional lives as well, are not?
Once again I posted “my” opinion. But I also posted links to sites that were pro, con and nuetral. Where people can go, do the research for themselves and make up “their” own minds.
Thanks, Mona. Your blog appeared in public google alerts so you should expect to hear and be challenged from the public. While you did present info from both sides, the fact that you are still questioning why horses should be elevated above the food chain, is curious. In other countries, they are part of the food chain. In the US, they are not. The livestock you mention are an accepted US food and can be legally bought and sold in this country. It is illegal to buy or sell horse meat for human consumption in the US so that makes horses different than livestock. That ban was passed long before the kill houses shut down. US pet food no longer contains horse meat and very few zoos use horse meat so those of us against slaughter question why we are allowing our horses to be butchered for products that are not acceptable or legal in our country.
With three domestic plants shuttered and the failure in South Dakota this week, it’s quite evident how Americans feel about our horses. If Europeans want to eat horse meat, they are free to do so. We are not trying to change their culture. They are free to butcher their own horses for food. Imagine how welcome we would be if we set up shop in India to butcher their cows.
Thanks for your blog and the opportunity to discuss this issue.
Vicki, I want to be sure that I am understanding your point of view. You are saying that consuming a horse for food is wrong because it is illegal (in the US) and therefore it is a non-issue? I am not discussing the legality of eating horse meat, but the morality of eating horse meat “on a personal level.” I am not even remotely suggesting that we should dictate or mandate how other countries view equines. The morality of an issue is different from the legality of it. Laws change and morality issues affect laws.
I am unclear why you find it “curious” that I question why horses should be elevated above the food chain. I discuss it because that is the issue that got people emotionally involved. Lets face it, anybody in the horse industry (and the majority of the general public) knew that horses were purchased for kill houses. But it is the fact that they are being eaten “somewhere” that is disturbing enough to make people give the slaughter issue more thought. It is the “eaten” part that drives much of the fervor on this issue. It is only relatively recently that horses are no longer slaughtered in the US for the food market abroad. So I guess discussing the aspect of slaughtering horses for food, seems to me to be a huge part of the issue. I don’t think I could provide a balanced commentary on the subject without addressing the food aspect.
I too want to thank you, for your comments. I seriously thought long and hard before posting this issue. I know people have strong opinions on it. I fully expect I may hear from others. But I think it is the objective discussion that is important. Whatever light gets shed on this issue can only benefit everyone concerned.
Mona, it’s clear that the current state of the American horse industry is causing thoughtful people to weigh both “sides” of the situation. As such, it is critical that facts, not emotion, guide decision-making because it is an important issue for many people and certainly to the horses themselves.
Horse prices are not low due to lack of slaughter options. The prices are low due to over production by certain segments of the horse industry and the breeding of inferior quality and/or poorly trained horses that nobody wants. Quality horses still command quality prices as you note in your blog.
I too worry about the abundance of horses whose owners fail to provide respectful treatment for them at the end of their lives. However, again, it is not the lack of slaughter options that is the cause of this situation. It is irresponsible owners seeking an easy way out of their responsibility. It is not the responsibility of rescues although they are doing more than their share to salvage the horses from a mess created by the owners. (You might be interested in a column in the February issue of John Lyons’ Perfect Horse magazine on this topic, page 8.)
Until American horse owners stop treating horses as disposable objects to be cast aside when they become inconvenient, our horses will continue to be mistreated even in the absence of slaughter.
Above all, America must stop producing so many horses - the real cause of the problem, and humane euthanasia must become the way to end the life of a horse that is too old, lame, sick, or dangerous. (Anyone who uses the “It’s too expensive.” argument simply shouts, “I’m too irresponsible…or immature or selfish or lazy or cheap, etc….. to do the right thing.”)
Your blog expresses the confusion that so many people feel, but sending young, healthy horses to slaughter for convenience is not the way to clean up a mess that people created.
Carole, thank you for your thoughtful message.
I agree with you about the over population of horses being the root cause of low prices. However, it is the closure of the kill houses that has dropped prices non-existant. The 7 year old registered quarter horse stud (that I mentioned in my original post) she was trying to “give” away, would have been worth minimally $600-$700 (probably quite a bit more as he is broke to ride) a couple of years ago. That doesn’t mean I think that slaughter houses should re-open just to address the overpopulation. In fact, as I have stated repeatedly, I am pleased that they are closed. But it is what it is. And to doubt that there will be troubling times ahead for horses seems nieve. That doesn’t mean the current course of action that we are on should be altered. But to not address the very real issues of neglect and abuse seems short sighted. To be clear, I am not saying that I think you are being shortsighted. It is just that in the past I have worked with abused and neglected horses and I can’t help but to think of the ramifications that the kill house closings are going to have.
I will definatly check out the John Lyons article you suggested. Is it online? I used to get his mag but let it drop a few years back.
I checked the Lyons web site and did not see the columnists posted. The author’s name is Betsy Lynch. The title is Own and Breed Responsibly. John Lyons’ editorial is also relevent, that even a free horse could be worth a million.
Regarding abused and neglected horses, statistics really do document that there has not been a nationwide increase in such cases following the close of the slaughter houses. Perhaps there have been in specific areas, but not nationwide, not documented cases. So there is not a cause and effect relationship between the number of documented abuse and abandonment cases and the closing of slaughter houses. That widespread belief is simply not factual.
I work with off the track Greyhounds and with a donkey and burro rescue and financially support several equine rescues, so I am actively involved in trying to make a difference in the lives of neglected animals. However, slaughter availability has no direct relationship with the number of abused horses out there. There were as many abused and neglected animals before the plant closings. It is warped owner issue, something psychologically amiss. Slaughter just provided a way to secret away the unfortunate victims of abuse. It solved nothing.
So what to do? It would help tremendously if our law enforcement personnel would enforce laws that are on the books now or if such laws were strengthened so that abuse is not allowed to continue in some cases for many months before action is taken. It would help if the consequences were tougher. Education of present and potential horse owners is a must if everyone is to appreciate the cost of horse ownership in time and resources. It would help if more people would donate to rescues and shelters. An idea I favor is establishing subsidized humane euthanasia centers. But having slaughter available never prevented abuse, and there isn’t any reason to think it would solve any of the abuse problems. Like I said earlier, it just covers it up.
This whole pro- and anti- slaughter battle is not about whether or not people should eat horses. It’s about convenience and profit for limited segments of the horse industry. And it’s about the the character of a country that sanctions, either by lack of action or by design, the brutal deaths of animals in an unnecessary process that is inherently and inescapably cruel.
Carole, My first instinct upon reading your most recent post was to ask you to state your source. If such information is true, it really should be shouted from the rooftops. But the “truth” is hard to find. I’ve read articles from both the avma and hsus (and Lord knows how many other organizations) two reputable organizations in my opinion. Both say opposite things with documentation to back it up. I’m beginning to think in this instance the truth is a bit like religion. You get all the info, make up your own mind and then begin to follow the line of information that makes the most sense to you. In our small area as far as”I know” animal neglect has not increased. In Iowa as a whole I believe it has. (I need to double check this) But with people so willing, and in some cases desperate to give away horses. It seems like a possible logical progression that as time goes on, more and more will fall into the hands of people who have no idea how to take care of a horse properly.
Perhaps things will develop, like your suggestion. Much like there are still many animals shelters who deal with the over population of dogs and cats with euthanasia. Perhaps the same will have to come to pass for horses.
Mona, just as an FYI, the type of shelters you mention are already a reality. Kentucky Equine Humane Center opened last year and functions as a shelter. I read about two others but can’t recall their names.
This is indeed a complex issue but making the horses suffer until us “humans” get our act together, is not the answer. If slaughter was the answer, we surely would have slaughtered our way out of it by now. After all, it hasn’t fixed anything in well over 20 years. The same problems exist now as they did over 20 years ago. You need to remove the incentive for slaughter to effect change. As long as slaughter is available, it will be status quo.
Mona, one thing that the pro-slaughter people don’t do is provide documentation. Their statements are anecdotal. I never make a statement that cannot be documented. (One set of statistics that is true is the number of horses going to Mexico being up.) Doing so would destroy the credibility of what I am saying. Let me give you one of the best documented sources. You will notice that the paper has footnotes which direct you to the sources.
We are trying as hard as we can to get the truth out. We are shouting, but it is very hard to counter the deep pockets and the strong lobbies of groups that do not hesitate to lie to win their cause. That’s a big part of the problem. It is hard to fight against a group that has lost its ethical base. We aren’t promoting our causes with the same value systems.
Did you know the horse population in the US has doubled in the past decade, from some 4 million to over 9 million? That the American Quarter Horse Association has recently celebrated the registration of its 5 millionth foal? That the overwhelming majority of horses that go to slaughter are healthy Quarter Horses? Would you like to venture a guess about what the AQHA stance is on horse slaughter?
Veterinarians for Equine Welfare
http://www.vetsforequinewelfare.org/white_paper.php
Mona, I believe you have my email address. If you have any specific questions, I will be more than happy to try to answer them. Slaughter of AMerican horses is unnecessary and cruel. It exists to make money for the European owners, the auctions, the killers and feed lots, and as a convenient dumping place for excess horses for owners whose moral values prompt them to prefer squeezing a last few hundred dollars out of the life of their horse rather than respectfully putting him down.
Regards, Carole
Thanks Vicki for the info on the equine shelter in Kentucky.
Carole, those are impressive numbers about the horse population. AQHA, I have no idea. I have to ask you a question. You have been using words like “we.” Are you affiliated with an organization? I also wanted to say kudos to you for working with greyhound rescue as well as donkey and burro rescue. The vet clinic I worked at for many years was located right next to a greyhound track. I won’t even mention the horrors of greyhound racing as it was then. At that time the only greyhound rescue I was familiar with was REGAP. So I am thrilled to see so many rescue organization out there now. Personally, I adopted 3 wonderful hounds who all lived well into their teens. Great dogs!
I am getting rather intrigued by this whole line of dialogue. But we are beginning to recycle the same points. And saying something over and over doesn’t make it any more correct. And frankly it’s tiring.
This is the last time (hopefully) I’ll say this…I think we all are in agreement that slaughter is NOT the best solution. That does not mean that there won’t be consequences because up until now, that has been the way of dealing with the unwanted horses. A new and better method needs to be created. Yes, cruelty has always existed. And no matter what happens with or without slaughter houses, cruelty will continue. I will say this again because it is important. No Matter What, cruelty will continue to happen just as long as the human animal is built the way it is. Tougher laws will help. But no laws will ever totally eradicate this problem. Just like no laws stops murder from occuring or people doing drugs.
The sheer numbers of horses that Carole presents just seems to make my point. That without a improved method of handling this glut of horses, there are going to be problems. Yes, eventually the numbers should go down but what happens until then. Again, and for the last time I am not pro slaughter. So I am not pushing that as the answer. But simply saying… well this is the law and tough cookies to those who break it… doesn’t seem all that responsible.
So here is a question to whoever wishes to respond to it. What do you see (or do you see any) as the downside (or possible downside) to the closure of equine slaughter houses?
The “we” I use means those of us who are actively involved in working for the passage of S. 311/ H.R 503, equine rescue, and ending abuse and neglect. Although there are many organizations working for the cause, I am not a member of any of them. There are a number of groups on the Internet that are not organizations as such but rather gathering points for people with like concerns and goals. These groups keep people informed of articles, laws, incidents, action alterts, etc. A person can be as active as he or she wishes to be.
The downside depends on one’s perspective. Undeniably, there has been an increase of horses going to Mexico and Canada. That’s a downside for the horses. Passage of S. 311 wil go a long way to stop that although some speculate that there will continue to be underground shipping.
Did you know that although S. 311 was to be up for a vote the Senate this sessions, Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) announced that he has placed a hold on S.311? (Senator Craig of the public restroom incident fame)
The closings are a downside to those who want to make a little money selling their horses to kill buyers, the rodeo industry that disposes of injured horses or worn out horses that way, and the Thoroughbred racing industry that does the same thing. Closing is a downside to the auctions -many are now closed, the kill buyers whose income has dropped, and the few farms that raised horses for slaughter. The real reason that these groups are fighting so hard for the defeat of S. 311 is financial.
Lastly, here is a press release from the Animal Welfare Institute regarding the AVMA.
http://www.awionline.org/news/2008/avma_hurting_horses.htm
Again, if you have questions, don’t hesitate to email.
Regards,
Carole
Carole, Brilliantly written, though not quite what I was asking. Perhaps I need to learn to get more specific with my questions. You have been a wealth of information, but at this time I am all questioned out.
I have waited a couple of days to see if Vicki wanted to answer my question, as to what if anything does she see as a downside to the equine slaughterhouse closings. She has not responded. Perhaps it was the finalty of my last comment that she didn’t feel the need (or welcome) to weigh in on it.
I have had someone comment to me “off blog” that they couldn’t believe I “just caved.” My initial response was “I didn’t cave, I just quit.” But in the end, it is pretty much the same difference. The truth is, I can’t see the point of continuing this line of conversation. And thats what this is folks, a blog conversation. I welcome all comments whether you agree with me or not. Just as long as they are resonable, non-antagonistic and most importantly…honest.
I think we got loads of valuable information (Thank you to both Vicki & Carole for that) for anybody wanting to pursue looking into this subject further. But in the end, I guess I felt we had reached the end of this line of dialogue and the conversation was beginning to repeat.
Carole, While I accept that Exporting horses for slaughter is truely a downside, (though I imagine we think so for different reasons) the rest of the statements (like kill buyers not making as much money) were clever, but lost my respect. I felt like this blog was being turned into a forum to push an agenda and I have no interest in particpating in that kind of endeavor.
Thanks again to both Vicki & Carole for sharing your time and thoughts.
If anybody wishes to comment, please feel free to do so. Eventually, this post will be closed to further comments.
Good morning Mona,
It was great to see you last night. Well since I have read most of the coments on horse slaughter I have to add my own feelings. For years I have agreed with the old adage that we needed the slaughter to keep a floor under the horse market. That is exactly what it did. It allowed all of the people out there to raise their little back yard lawn ornament and take them to town to sell when they were done with them.
I don’t have any exact numbers but I can give you a ball park time line. The AQHA was organized some time in the late 40’s. It was some time in the late 70’s when they had the big celebration for the millionth horse registered. The really mind bloging thing is that they hit two million in about five years.
Horses have enjoyed huge popularity in the last ten years or so. There has been a really prosperous economy in this time span and it has made it possible for many little girls to actually have their horse. When the gas prices went up it started putting a pinch on the ability to take the little girl to the shows. Big pick-ups and trailers cost a lot to take up and down the road. In the beginning this only hurt the people who were sacrificing so the kids could have the horses. As time progresses and the pinch got worse it ment fewer people were actually buying horses for the kids. Now that market is almost totally dried up. There is no market at all for horses that are not of show quality.
It really is the truth that people are going to have to stop breding horses of a lesser quality. There is no need for them. I was concerned about my Nephew who makes his living buying and selling, training and showing Quarter Horses. I said something to my brother about it and he said not to worry, the kind of horses he deals in will always bring good money.
There is one bright spot in this whole thing. For those of us who would like a good horse and could not afford them before YEE HAW we can have them now. My brother is giving me a horse because he got a ring bone. He had him treated and he is sound for riding with no pain but his gate is not smooth enough for the show ring. With the market the way it is now he decided he might as well give him to me.
It does all boil down to too many people breeding mares just because they were mares and what else do you do with them. I remember when it was always the best if your colt was a filly because that made it more valueable. Today it is better to get a stud colt that can be gelded and that will make it more valueable. “The Times They Are A Changing”
Barb
Barb, Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I think Carole mentioned in a couple of posts back that the AQHA has just celebrated it’s 5 millionth registered foal. Shocking really. But then at least in these parts Quarter Horses are everywhere. I feel that in the long run that unscrupelous breeding practices will no longer be an issue if the slaughter ban continues. Hopefully this will mean healthier, better bred horses.
Not to pick on the AQHA but I remember reading an article which spoke about how they have allowed breeding amongst horses that have certain hereditary genetic faults to still be registered. This behavior just fostered an enviroment for breeding that trait into the breed. Now if it is a buyers market, such faults will be passed over for purchase.
They are a changing indeed.