Stop Horse Slaughter: Is There Another Solution?
January 11, 2008
The biggest problem with the campaign to stop horse slaughter in the U.S. is the lack of a better solution for dealing with an over-population of horses and a declining economy.
One of the headline articles in the New York Times online this morning was a general overview of the horse slaughter debate, “Death Across the Border Awaits Horses Spared It in the U.S.” The author did a great job of outlining the various issues and doing it objectively.
There is no pretense about what happens to the horses sold in this area of the auction, known as the kill pen. Just a few months ago, many of them would have met their end at a slaughterhouse in neighboring Illinois. Now almost all will be shipped to Canada and killed there.
Amid pressure from animal rights groups, horse slaughter virtually ended in the United States last year, as courts upheld state laws banning it in Texas and Illinois, home to the nation’s last three horse slaughterhouses.
But there have been unintended consequences, including more grueling travel for tens of thousands of horses now being sent to slaughter in Canada and Mexico, where, animal advocates say, they sometimes face more gruesome deaths …
… The slaughterhouse closings themselves may have added to the population of the unwanted. In some parts of the country, auctioneers say, the closings have contributed to a drop in the price of horses at the low end of the market, and the added distance in the shipping of horses bound for slaughter, combined with higher fuel costs, means that some small or thin horses are no longer worth the fuel it takes to transport them …
… But opponents of horse slaughter say its domestic demise is a victory, if an incomplete one, in their fight to protect animals they see as devoted companions.
“It’s a step closer to the long-term goal of banning slaughter in North America,” said Wayne Pacelle, chief executive of the Humane Society of the United States. “There are fewer horses slaughtered.”
One major hole in successfully shutting down horse slaughter in America is that horses are still being sent to slaughter over the border. The double-decker trailer crash in Wadsworth, IL that killed 17 Belgian horses is proof that closing down the slaughter houses in the U.S. has led to deteriorating conditions for horses that are still being shipped to Canada and Mexico. Travel is more dangerous and harder on these horses, and their deaths are reportedly more gruesome and painful. However, legislation is currently in Congress that would ban the sale of horses for or their transport to slaughter.
A second major problem in making horse slaughter illegal is that there is an over-population of horses whose owners can no longer care for them properly as hay prices rise and the economy declines. This has been making national news this week, as well.
So, if we don’t send all these extra horses to slaughter (we shouldn’t!!!!!), what do we do with them?
Maybe we should be required to obtain a license for breeding horses. Maybe we should put limits on how many horses may be bred a year. Maybe we should have to be licensed to own a horse just like we have to be licensed to drive a car or to go hunting. With horse ownership, and even breeding ability, open to just anyone, there are too many people who can’t or don’t know how to care for their animals and too many horses who aren’t useful. We, not the slaughter houses, are our horses’ worst enemy.
One of the stories making headline news in the Wall Street Journal is about horse neglect cases rising along with the cost of hay. A woman in Florida had nearly 20 horses taken away who were gaunt and skinny; she couldn’t afford to take care of the them and nobody wanted to buy them.
If you can’t provide for your horse yourself and nobody is buying, find someone who can and give the horse away. Riding stables always need good school horses, therapeutic programs need therapy horses, and many people are willing to take horses and retire them in their pastures just because they love the animals. Your horse’s well-being is more important than padding your pocketbook. Call local (reputable) riding stables, horse rescues, or horse organizations and see if they can direct you to someone who is willing to take your horse.
Posted in Horse Care, Horse News, Horse Slaughter, Jackie's Thoughts
January 15th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
One of the problems is clearly that people take on too many horses. What was the woman in Florida doing with 20 of them?!? Once slaughter is no longer an option, fewer horses will be purchased (on the assumption that if they are not sold to owners, the price can be recouped to some extent by the meat buyer) and eventually fewer horses will be bred. It will take some time to level out, but it will. That is how a free-market economy works.
January 16th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Karin,
I was just reading an article about how workers lives are being changed by lay-offs and more people in my home state are living below the poverty line. The economy is down. I think a few short years ago, pre-recessed economony and higher costs of living for people and horses, they could afford more horses. But they are still responsible to find some way to take care of all those horses when finances are down.
I sure hope you’re right about the population leveling out! If it can decrease over the next few years, there’s a better chance of banning slaughter and keeping it that way, and a better chance that less horses will live neglected or in abusive homes.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
You have to get to the HEART of the problem!That means stop wild horse gathers!Wild horse gathers imposed by the Bureau of Land Management as a method of herd management in the name of land preservation as been supplying horses for slaughter for over 50 years. Eighty five percent of horses sent to slaughter are wild horses. There are fifty four thousand wild horses in captivity and 73%of those get sent over the border for slaughter. Domestic horses comprise of 11%of horses sent to the bolt.We have to hit the bureaucracy right where it lives and breathes.If the horse slaughter industry had to rely souly on stolen or aged domestic horses it would collapse within a year. Rallying for congress to legislate laws that prevent horse slaughter is just the tip of iceberg.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Thanks for adding to this conversation on the issue of horse slaughter in this country. Horse slaughter is, as you say the tip of the iceberg, the symptom not the problem. That’s exactly what I was saying in this post. If we want to stop it, we need to address it at the root of the problem which is an over population and a declining economy. Like you said, it’s important to keep in mind that significant portion of horses being sent to slaughter are wild. My issue isn’t which horses are going, it’s that any are going at all. Period.
We’re talking about a solution here. So what do we do with that 73% of wild horses living in captivity that are slaughter bound? If they don’t go to a slaughter house, what do we do with them? Especially now with the economy in recession and hay scarce?
February 19th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
A response from TJ:
” I just had a post from someone on youtube and that person is in favor of wild horse gathers because they are so misinformed by the Bureau of Land Management. Wild horse gathers are a positive thing to most adopters because like the one on youtube believes wild horses are starving to death on the rangelands.That is a fallacy to protect cattle and sheep ranchers interests. Having said that,the solution for what is to be done with the surplus of wild horses in captivity is very complicated and basically futile to refute. As you know there is no solution other than establishing more sanctuaries and adopting and releasing as many horses as possible.That in and of itself is no easy task. However,the root of the problem is deep and politically corrupt.”
May 21st, 2008 at 4:54 pm
1 Question….
Why do you feal horse slaughter is SO wrong?
May 21st, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Jess,
That’s a good question. It’s a tough issue to grapple with certainly, and just gets more clouded the more I study.
First, I don’t see horses as livestock animals like cattle, pigs, or sheep. They are companion animals, athletes, hard workers. They aren’t bred for food. They are bred for riding and driving and even just as pets. We don’t have slaughter houses for dogs and cats do we? Second, I feel that most of the time horses are sent to slaughter because a human is shirking responsibility. It’s cheaper or easier to sell a horse to slaughter when we no longer want them or can’t quite afford to care for them, or they’re old or lame and we can’t ride them any more. We bred them to be our pets or our partners or our workers, and it’s not right that we send them to their death because they no longer live up to our expectations. I think slaughter is an easy way out.
Yes, there is a demand for horse meat in other countries. But horse steaks are not part of our culture here in the US, and something that rarely happens here. We aren’t raising horses for their meat. But when we don’t want them any more, that’s where we send them. It’s not responsible, and it’s not fair to the horses who’ve given their lives and bodies to racing or showing or whatever we originally wanted them for.
May 29th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
But they are. I know of a few people who have lost their homes because horse slaughter was stopped. It ruined their lives, mine included.
I also know of a few who do. It’s not that uncommon.
Though for some that could be the case, but now horses are being put down and thrown into a pit to rot for nothing. We took some calves we lost to a pit that they burry every two hours and saw over 50 to 60 horses in one and horse hooves sticking out of the ground every where. Stopping horse slaughter is just stopping the consumption of their meat not the killing.
This is just from what I have learned. I don’t want you to feel I have attacked you in any way. If I did I apologize now.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:49 am
I’ve only recently been made aware of the issue and have been studying everything I could over the past few days. To address Jess’ view that he lost his home and other people have lost their jobs, that is a regrettable consequence, but it happens when society’s shift their views on a subject. What about the people who lost their homes years ago because slave labour was stopped and they had to pay employees? Society moves on and correcting some wrongs to make a right, shifts jobs to other ways of making money. You will have to find another source of income and I’m not being callous, but we can’t continue to do something that is that is cruel so a person can make a living. I live in Canada and I think the seal hunt is also cruel. I’m sorry if people lose their livelyhoods if its banned, but find another way to make money. To address what is wrong with slaughtering, I don’t find the death of the animal wrong. We ALL die. It’s just the method of the killing. The transportation (no food/water/rest) is cruel. The KILLING is cruel… horse (and even cows, etc), poked, prodded, being around their own kind who are screaming in pain and fear. And my guess is these animals are not dead before they are being gutted and skinned. In China they skin dogs and cats alive for their fur. How barbaric you say? We are doing the same thing! Horses, seals, cows, chickens, etc. I am not vegetarian and don’t think I ever will be, but this whole issue has opened my eyes to the cruelty of how our meat is obtained. PETA (and I don’t agree wholeheartedly to their methods) have over 5 years worked with KFC and made sure that the chickens they now use are allowed to live and die humanely. I say good for them. Now I’m waiting for McDonalds, Wendys, etc to all agree to the same thing. I am going to try to buy organic meat, I will not buy prepared meals with meat in them until the manufactures agree to organic meat, and I am going to boycott ALL meat from any slaughter house in Canada who slaughters horses. As for letting their bodies rot, it is probably because they can’t afford to send them to a meat rendering plant or there are not enought meat rendering plants or they plan on composting the carcarsses for fertilizer, or as I did when I had to put my horse down, I loved it and would never allow it to be used as meat/glue/leather or anything else. I hear there are people who eat dogs? Does that mean I have to get my dog rendered when it dies? Absolutely not… let it’s body rot or burn… which is what I want done when I die. I think we all hope to die in our sleep… no pain, no suffering and frankly I don’t want to see it coming. Can’t we all do the same for the animals? Let’s make sure they don’t see it coming…
June 4th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I just wanted to add one more thing…. even if done humanely, I would never agree to the slaughter of horses. If other countries find horse meat a delicacy, then they can slaughter their own horses and let the chips fall where they may. Like Jackie, I (and a lot of other people) don’t look on horses as livestock. Have you ever heard a little girl begging to get a cow for their birthday? No, but they will ask for ponies. I think the slaughter of horses for ANY reason should be stopped. Old, lame, or sick and can’t find anyone to take it? Have a vet put it down. Can’t afford it anymore, the novelty has worn off? Sell it privately, give it to horse rescue, or have it put down by a vet if all other avenues have been exhausted. Can’t find a horse rescue to take it, but can’t afford to keep it or put it down? Maybe a vet, the SPCA or horse rescue would help pay for the euthanasia. NEVER, EVER should they be subjected the horror of the slaughter house… they deserve better. And please, don’t let them starve to death in your field or barn. There are people who will help.
June 17th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I can see your point of view. But why stop horse slaughter? Vegetarians are against all slaughter so what is stopping the US from stopping ALL slaughter? I find it is a very selfish stupid move to stop a slaughter of one type of animal because someone finds it wrong. This has only created one BIGGER problem. Now not only do the horses STILL suffer from inhuman slaughter they are now being sent across the border to Canada and Mexico. The US has NO say in what they do. I think that the problem should have been focused on the fact that they were slaughtering horse (as well as other animals) inhumanly and should have tried to change that. As for PETA I CAN NOT STAND THEM! They were caught “rescuing” animals from the pound to find them homes, when really they were killing them and throwing the animals like kittens in garbage’s behind fast food restaurants.
July 4th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
My freind has been wanting a cow for her birthday for years.
July 7th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
If that Belgian firm takes over the Anhauser-Bush plant, what will happen to the Clysdales horses? They won’t be taken to Europe and slaughtered? NO, please tell me that.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Horses are being raised for feedlots as part of production agriculture in Alberta, Sask. B.C. and Manitoba. There are also a large group of mares and foals in the states that are sent to Canada for processing. Some are grown specifically for the Japanese market. They are shipped live by plane from Calgary. Slaughtered within 3 days and the meat is eaten raw. End price is $20,00.00 per horse. This information is part of an Alberta goverment report.
http://afac.ab.ca/reports/08horsesreport.paf
Maybe a natural life for a few years is better than being broken down by training or racing and then being butchered.
July 18th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Thanks for your website! This is such a complicated issue. I don’t have a solution to all the unwanted horses but I feel some of the solution is in the breeding. It seems everyone who has a backyard horse just has to breed them. I pass by a broken down farm every day and every mare in the pasture has a foal by her side. Too many TBs broken down and thrown away.
I could not bare to think of my OTTB packed into a trailer and shipped off for slaughter. I would rather see horse euthanized humanely than sent for food. I am not completely sure about regulating breeders but I know without demand there will be no supply, Possibly take a two pronged approach one with breeders and discontinue allowing horses to be shipped to Mexico and Canada out for slaughter.
July 24th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Well becuase horse slaughter was stopped rescues are full and they are now debating to kill all mustangs
July 26th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
I live in Oklahoma. We own 200 acres and are blessed. 23 horses call our pasture home. 2 are “strays” that wandered in, starved to the point of death. Several others are race track rejects, elders, or just cheap, nice horses. Owners here are leaving their horses to starve, turning them out, or hauling them to sales and leaving them, even if they do not bring a bid. 20 yearling paints were hauled in and sold for $20 each. 15 horses were left after the sale was over, abandoned by their owners. Just because your stud is a great great great great grandson of Doc Bar, or a distant relative of Hollywood Dun It, does not mean it needs to be a stallion!! In Europe, the studs have to pass a rigorous test, with certain scores, or they are not awarded papers. The value of these horses is high, and if they do not meet certain criteria, they are gelded. Breeders here should not breed unless they have a good buyer for that baby. If they don’t, don’t breed!! I, in the past month, have had 3 people try and give me horses. Unbroke, untouched 3,4 year olds!! HELLO, if you own a horse, at least teach it how to lead!! The horse pays for irresponsible breeders and owners. I have saved several horses from the killer pen, one was a second-level dressage horse who was headed out unless I bought him. Ran at the track, loved by someone, donated to a Boys Ranch, and headed for the killers. If Ferdinand, THE KENTUCKY DERBY WINNER, can be sold for horsemeat, any horse can. I would have bought him just to say, Hey, look, a Kentucky Derby winner in my pasture. None of us can save the whole world, but we can all ease some suffering somewhere. Do what you can, and urge all breeders in your area to stop, there are enough already. If you want some nice horses cheap, come to Oklahoma.
July 27th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I recently did a speech about horse slaughter at my school, so I have been doing a lot of research and I know quite a bit about it now. Horses are legally required to be slaughtered humanely in Canada and Mexico. There have been no cases of inhumane horse slaughter in Canada, but Mexico is a whole other story. I live in Canada and I do not agree with horse slaughter, or the HORRENDOUS conditions horses are transported in across the border. Did you know they can be trailered in double-decker trailers, sized for cows for up to three days without food or water and at least one horse is found dead on arrival? (generally speaking). I agree with the idea of a license for breeding or stallions. Not just anyone is allowed to hunt or drive. So why should everyone be allowed to own and breed horses? For goodness’ sake, I have to have a dog license to own my golden retriever!
August 12th, 2008 at 8:23 am
The problem is not enough slaughterhouses. Each state should have a licensed and inspected horse slaughter house. I live in PA and the “saintly”Amish are the biggest culprits in horse abuse (as well as puppy mills) all their horses go to slaughter after they can no longer work and that culture will never change. If each state had facilities to slaughter it would at least avoid the horrific transport ordeals these horses face. I think it was a big mistake for the Humane society and others to fight to close down the US facilities because unfortunately slaughter is not going to stop no matter how much we would like it to so lets keep it under strict control (not just for horses but ALL animals). As for the wild horses, geld all but the best stallions and return them to the wild where they belong and stop subsidised welfare for the cattle and sheep ranchers
August 17th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
This is a very difficult issue no doubt about it. But I do think that people really need to think very hard about both sides of the story. The other day I was driving down the road here in Saskatchewan and saw a wonderful huge herd of horses. It was plain to see they were all brood mares with a foal by their sides. I couldnt help but stop for a bit. As I was standing there having a conversation with them the man who looks after them drove up. We chatted for a bit and I asked if he owned them, he said no, a fellow in Alberta did. I asked whether or not he ever sold any of the older mares. He said he wasnt sure about the mares but would check with the owner, but that he knew the foals were for sale. Long story short, by the time we had finished talking he had promised to cut me out two colts when they were weand. I was thrilled, but after I got home and told someone about this herd they informed me that these horses were being raised for food in China. At first I was horrified, but did sit down and really think about my part in all of this. When I was younger I had dinner at a ranch and loved the meal. When we were done I was asked did I like the meat. I said yes it was great. I was then informed that it was horse. I was in shock and didnt quite know what to do . I try to live my life honestly and so admitted to myself that it was good meat. I would not choose to purchase horse meat, but I can not be a hypocrite either. This being said, I believe that it is the method of slaughter that is our problem not the fact that slaughter is happening. As someone else has mentioned, slaughter will continue no matter what and if we can regulate it all the better and shipping methods must change. I have seem many horses go through the auction who are buted up and full of pain, this is not the way to go either in my opinion. There are some who say we do not raise horses for meat, but if you look back to where the horse came from, you will find that in fact they were looked at as a herd animal for food. We cant solve this problem by hiding from it and I know the horses I saw out in the field living as a horse is meant to live, without mans interferance, are much better off than many I have seen in peoples so called care. Should they be shipped for food, that is still hard for me to accept, but again I can not be a hypocrite and eat beef, venison or for that matter any meat or use any product that is made from an animal and say that slaughter must be stopped. I will say again it must be regulated and inspected daily if need be.
August 19th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I completly agree with you Susan
August 19th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I agree with you as well Cindy. I raise goats. Now before you laugh and say they are just goats i love them all equally as i do me horses. We have boers which are raised for meat. I try my hardest to find good homes for them but if they go to sluaghter the purcheser must a sure me they will sluaghter them humanly. Now I know that it is no garentee that they die peacfuly but I did all I could do.
Now with the horses they are being sent CLEAR to Mexico and Canada. Still they suffer a painful death, and there are no laws against it but also have to ride in a trailer even LONGER.
People truly need to think before they act. Sure there is no more slaughter in the us but now the horses still sufer, plush a hot cramped ride.