Comments on: The Horse Slaughter Issue http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue Art, Animals, and the Creative Experience Tue, 22 May 2012 09:52:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: MonaMajorowicz http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-37 MonaMajorowicz Sat, 09 Feb 2008 02:18:52 +0000 http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-37 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. 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.

]]> By: Barb McGee http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-30 Barb McGee Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:00:52 +0000 http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-30 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 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

]]> By: MonaMajorowicz http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-29 MonaMajorowicz Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:20:29 +0000 http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-29 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. 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.

]]> By: MonaMajorowicz http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-27 MonaMajorowicz Mon, 04 Feb 2008 05:27:34 +0000 http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-27 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. 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.

]]> By: Carole http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-26 Carole Mon, 04 Feb 2008 01:59:37 +0000 http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-26 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 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

]]> By: MonaMajorowicz http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-25 MonaMajorowicz Sun, 03 Feb 2008 22:21:01 +0000 http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-25 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? 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?

]]> By: Carole http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-24 Carole Sun, 03 Feb 2008 21:20:11 +0000 http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-24 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 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

]]> By: vicki http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-23 vicki Sun, 03 Feb 2008 15:50:05 +0000 http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-23 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, 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.

]]> By: MonaMajorowicz http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-22 MonaMajorowicz Sun, 03 Feb 2008 13:54:35 +0000 http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-22 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. 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.

]]> By: Carole http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-21 Carole Sun, 03 Feb 2008 06:46:11 +0000 http://mona.myartbliss.com/post/the-horse-slaughter-issue#comment-21 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. 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.

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