The
Issues with Horse Slaughter
The issue of horse slaughter in this country is a very complex one.
This website is dedicated to providing information about horse slaughter and links to other sites with more information in
an effort to educate people about the issues surrounding this controversial topic.
Recently, the last horse slaughter plant shut down
in the United States. There had been several and they were all foreign owned because we do not eat horse meat in the
U.S. The meat was sent overseas to feed European diners in high-end restaurants. Horses are no longer allowed
to be slaughtered in the U.S. for the purpose of human consumption. Sounds great, right? Well, it is...but
like many problems that are addressed with too much emotion and not enough forsight, in an effort to fix one problem, we have
created another...what to do with all the unwanted horses in the U.S? Many are now still going to slaughter, only they
are now being trucked all the way to Canada and Mexico to their horse slaughter plants, creating an even worse situation and
causing the horses to endure even more hardship.
Our
position is that we are vehemently opposed to the slaughter of horses for the purpose of HUMAN CONSUMPTION.
The reason for this is the manner in which a horse must be killed in order to meet guidelines for consumption by humans.
There is nothing humane about it, from the time they are sold at auction, loaded onto the slaughter trucks, and transported
to their brutal death. A horse bound for slaughter will spend his final moments hung upside down by one leg, still alive
and often still concious, with his throat slit so that he bleeds out until he dies. THIS IS WHY WE OPPOSE THIS PARTICULAR
PRACTICE as it is currently done in Mexico. So, again, what to do with a horse that is no longer useful due to
illness, soundness or injury? If the right thing to do is to end the animal's suffering, it should be done humanely
and expeditiously. Sending the horse to slaughter in a foreign country is not humane IN ANY WAY.
As a dedicated member of the equestrian community for nearly 30
years, I have come to the conclusion that there are far too many people who own horses without the requisite knowledge and/or
financial ability to do so, or they are irresponsible and simply view the animal as a throw-away when it is no longer useful
to them. The cost of maintaining a horse is hugely expensive, especially now with rising hay and grain costs over
recent years. And a horse does not come with his own special instruction manual like a car does. Although
we will never completely eliminate the problem so that no horse is left abandoned or abused and neglected, we must do our
best to help who we can. The equestrian community owes it to these animals that have provided us with so much joy, entertainment,
and in many cases protection and livelihood. That is why we bred them and that is why we owe it to them to take proper
care of them. That is why education is the key to solving the unwanted horse problem.
We must also allow for an open debate and come up with viable and reasonable ways to
handle horses that are no longer useful for various reasons. We must have an honest and open discussion and be willing
to recognize when a horse cannot be helped and must be humanely destroyed. This is a difficult and complex issue,
but it must be addressed. In addition, there will be many horse rescues that will be started by individuals who have
little to no knowledge about horsekeeping. Although many of these people are well-intended in trying to offer sanctuary
to unwanted animals, they often do more harm than good. Horse rescues must be operated by experienced horse
people who are interested in helping the horses with no other agenda, and assisting law enforcement when necessary to ensure
successful prosecutions of those charged. They must have the know-how and ability to really help these animals,
and also have the emotional ability to recognize when an animal simply cannot be helped and its suffering must end by humane
euthanization. PLEASE, research any rescue you are interested in supporting, whether it is by volunteering,
donating, adopting a horse or pony, or any other means.
For those of you interested in this cause, please help where you can!
- Colleen Shelly
To check out some anti-slaughter
information, click here. There are two sides to this argument....it is a very controversial
and hot issue in the equine world today.