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How can we help the horses
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Shanti
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Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
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How can we help the horses
DH & I watched the "Real Sports" yesterday about what happens to race horses when they "retire." Believe it or not, many - if not most - are sent to slaughter. The way they are slaughtered is inhumane. I cried more than I have in a long time. I will spare you the details but suffice to say that I did not sleep well last night. Is there anything we can do to stop this horrific practice?
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Posted 5/17/08 8:29 AM  |
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Diana712
RIP my beloved Brother Richard
Member since 5/07 6710 total posts
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Diana
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Re: How can we help the horses
Dh & I watched it also... I had to leave the room after they were beating the horse to get into the trailer.. I was so upset as well..There was nothing wrong with these horses.. Did you see the ones that were left to just die?? I couldn't watch the slaughter. This was devastating!! Sickning!! Sad.. Heartbreaking.. Gut wrentching! If you find out something we can do please let me know.  
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| Posted 5/17/08 9:39 AM |
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lucyloo
nope
Member since 1/06 9758 total posts
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Re: How can we help the horses
It's very sad. I've never been a fan of horse racing, it just doesn't seem right to me especially after Barbaro last year and Big Brown this year.
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| Posted 5/17/08 5:39 PM |
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CallaLily
Thank you, Saint Gerard!
Member since 10/07 4937 total posts
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Re: How can we help the horses
We need to get involved...write letters, make phone calls, sign petitions. So many people just ignore the horrific ways that animals are treated. We need stronger anti cruelty laws.
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| Posted 5/17/08 8:17 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
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:)
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Re: How can we help the horses
OMG, I did not know that. How terrible!!!!! I really thought the owners LOVED their horses, shame shame.
How horrific. I am sick. What can we do?
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| Posted 5/18/08 1:26 AM |
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Shanti
True love
Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
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Re: How can we help the horses
Posted by Renee615
We need to get involved...write letters, make phone calls, sign petitions. So many people just ignore the horrific ways that animals are treated. We need stronger anti cruelty laws.
ITA - do you have any suggestions for whom we can contact or anyone supporting bills? I did a few things online via the Humane Society but really feel the need to do more... this is just horrible
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| Posted 5/18/08 2:15 PM |
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Jackie24
~We Did it~
Member since 7/06 6718 total posts
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Jackie
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Re: How can we help the horses
I know it is sooo sad, i would love to adopt one of these horses
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| Posted 5/18/08 5:20 PM |
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Kara
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Re: How can we help the horses
Well... I have to chime in on this b/c I have rescued more than 30 TBs off the track, retrained them, and rehomed them. I've been involved in horse rescue for more than a decade and own two rescues of my own.
While it's nice that the media is paying attention to this issue, the media is NOT giving the full story.
This has come up time and time again for me in the past week, as at work and in my family, I'm one of the only horse people -- and I've been working on stuff like this for years. Everyone wonders why I'm not shocked and outraged by it. Well, I am, but I have been well aware of it and working on it for more than a decade. This isn't new - it's just making the news now in light of the tragedies suffered in horse sports like racing and eventing in the past few months.
The first thing we need to remember is that it is NOT just race horses being sent to slaughter. Also, most race trainers / owners aren't sending their horses directly to the kill buyers. They are sending them to auction where they (along with many other horses of other breeds) sell for meat prices. How do I know this? I've been to dozens of sales, knowing what the meat price was, trying to buy these animals for a few dollars more than they are worth to the kill buyers.
The media is also a bit late to this story -- Slaughter of horses for human consumption was banned in the USA and currently there is not one active slaughter plant that slaughters horses. ONE plant had a certain number of days after the ban to get up to code and prove they weren't slaughtering for human consumption and never did. Horses ARE being shipped to Mexico and Canada for slaughter, but with the rising cost of fuel, the numbers of horses being sent there for slaughter are lower and lower.
Now, you'd think this would be a triumph for horses, but it isn't. Just as the shelters are overrun with unwanted, abandoned, abused, neglected, and forgotten dogs and cats, there are thousands of neglected, abused horses at rescue organizations and still in the hands of people who are not taking proper care of them. Unlike dogs and cats, however, horses are extremely expensive to take of AND require special knowledge and training. Not just anyone can go adopt a horse -- No rescue in their right mind would give an inexperienced person a rescue horse, nor should they. Additionally, most horse rescues are small operations, struggling financially. There aren't "shelters" for horses as there are for dogs and cats. Dealing with horses is far more expensive, specialized, and demanding.
While slaughter is awful and needs serious, SERIOUS regulations and changes to make it and transport to and from it humane, I don't necessarily think that banning it completely was the best thing ever. There is always another side to every story -- and honestly, the issue of horse slaughter in US isn't black and white. There are serious consequences to the ban on horse slaughter here, namely MORE horses being neglected and abandoned.
I'm not saying that we need to bring slaughter back (though if we do, we need to change it big time -- BIG TIME) -- but we need to realize that is a very complex issue. Just a quick ban on slaughter isn't going to solve any problems. We have the same number of unwanted horses - only now, where do they go?
People like me and others who run horse rescues have been trying to come up with a solution for years...
When you try to learn more about this issue (if you are interested), please understand that what the media is giving you in less than 5% of the entire story. I've been working on this for many years and I'm glad that people are starting to think about this -- but people don't have nearly as much information as they should.
What we truly need is what someone on this thread suggested -- stricter animal cruelty laws. The worst part about horse slaughter isn't the fact that they are killing horses, it's the inhumane treatment leading up to the slaughter and the often inhumane way in which the horses are slaughtered.
Message edited 5/19/2008 4:31:03 PM.
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| Posted 5/19/08 4:29 PM |
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Shanti
True love
Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
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Re: How can we help the horses
Posted by Kara
Well... I have to chime in on this b/c I have rescued more than 30 TBs off the track, retrained them, and rehomed them. I've been involved in horse rescue for more than a decade and own two rescues of my own.
While it's nice that the media is paying attention to this issue, the media is NOT giving the full story.
This has come up time and time again for me in the past week, as at work and in my family, I'm one of the only horse people -- and I've been working on stuff like this for years. Everyone wonders why I'm not shocked and outraged by it. Well, I am, but I have been well aware of it and working on it for more than a decade. This isn't new - it's just making the news now in light of the tragedies suffered in horse sports like racing and eventing in the past few months.
The first thing we need to remember is that it is NOT just race horses being sent to slaughter. Also, most race trainers / owners aren't sending their horses directly to the kill buyers. They are sending them to auction where they (along with many other horses of other breeds) sell for meat prices. How do I know this? I've been to dozens of sales, knowing what the meat price was, trying to buy these animals for a few dollars more than they are worth to the kill buyers.
The media is also a bit late to this story -- Slaughter of horses for human consumption was banned in the USA and currently there is not one active slaughter plant that slaughters horses. ONE plant had a certain number of days after the ban to get up to code and prove they weren't slaughtering for human consumption and never did. Horses ARE being shipped to Mexico and Canada for slaughter, but with the rising cost of fuel, the numbers of horses being sent there for slaughter are lower and lower.
Now, you'd think this would be a triumph for horses, but it isn't. Just as the shelters are overrun with unwanted, abandoned, abused, neglected, and forgotten dogs and cats, there are thousands of neglected, abused horses at rescue organizations and still in the hands of people who are not taking proper care of them. Unlike dogs and cats, however, horses are extremely expensive to take of AND require special knowledge and training. Not just anyone can go adopt a horse -- No rescue in their right mind would give an inexperienced person a rescue horse, nor should they. Additionally, most horse rescues are small operations, struggling financially. There aren't "shelters" for horses as there are for dogs and cats. Dealing with horses is far more expensive, specialized, and demanding.
While slaughter is awful and needs serious, SERIOUS regulations and changes to make it and transport to and from it humane, I don't necessarily think that banning it completely was the best thing ever. There is always another side to every story -- and honestly, the issue of horse slaughter in US isn't black and white. There are serious consequences to the ban on horse slaughter here, namely MORE horses being neglected and abandoned.
I'm not saying that we need to bring slaughter back (though if we do, we need to change it big time -- BIG TIME) -- but we need to realize that is a very complex issue. Just a quick ban on slaughter isn't going to solve any problems. We have the same number of unwanted horses - only now, where do they go?
People like me and others who run horse rescues have been trying to come up with a solution for years...
When you try to learn more about this issue (if you are interested), please understand that what the media is giving you in less than 5% of the entire story. I've been working on this for many years and I'm glad that people are starting to think about this -- but people don't have nearly as much information as they should.
What we truly need is what someone on this thread suggested -- stricter animal cruelty laws. The worst part about horse slaughter isn't the fact that they are killing horses, it's the inhumane treatment leading up to the slaughter and the often inhumane way in which the horses are slaughtered.
You make a lot of good points. I feel the same way about many issues involving dogs. However, I think the fact that people are talking - both about puppy mills and the horses - is a positive start. I remember when I was in Nevada last year, there was a huge issue about wild mustangs being caught and sold overseas - I believe that there was positive movements there? I just wonder how we can bring animal cruelty to the forefront of some politicians' minds... I don't want to believe that it is hopeless.
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| Posted 5/19/08 5:04 PM |
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Kara
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Re: How can we help the horses
Posted by Shanti
You make a lot of good points. I feel the same way about many issues involving dogs. However, I think the fact that people are talking - both about puppy mills and the horses - is a positive start. I remember when I was in Nevada last year, there was a huge issue about wild mustangs being caught and sold overseas - I believe that there was positive movements there? I just wonder how we can bring animal cruelty to the forefront of some politicians' minds... I don't want to believe that it is hopeless.
I DEFINITELY don't believe it's hopeless.  If I thought it was hopeless, I wouldn't dedicate so much of my time, money, energy, blood, sweat, and tears into the cause. It's something I'm extremely passionate about.
As I said, I'm glad it is starting to come to the eyes of the public, but I fear that there is a lot of misinformation out there. I'm merely encouraging people to do a lot of research and to realize that what has been in the news and what was in the HBO documentary that aired earlier this week is only a small part of the issue, only a small part of the history of what has been done privately and politically, and just not enough information to fully understand the complexity of the situation. It's a start to get people interested in learning more and talking about it. I just don't want people to think it's all the information there is... There's so much more to it. Some of it is worse than what has been shown. I just want people to realize that none of this happened overnight and getting informed and THEN getting involved is the best course of action. (And with horses, to be honest, this involves learning about horses - who are way different and have very different needs than housepets - and learning about the abuse, neglect, and slaughter problems particular to horses...)
I'm GLAD that it's something the public is thinking about. I just want people to really think through their opinions and what they want to ask the politicians to do. The consequences of legislation on this issue will have serious implications - not all of them black or white.
I didn't mean to be a downer on this thread - I just want to make sure people are formulating their opinions (and their actions) based on as much information as possible. I don't want to force MY opinions on this issue on anyone -- I want people to be as informed as possible when they make their opinions. It's been 10+ years of involvement in this issue for me, and I'm still learning more everyday.
It's easy to get fired up after reading what's in the news and seeing that documentary -- but it's important to get as much information about the issue as possible.
That's all I meant to say.
There's ALWAYS hope. Look at my avatar. He is part of my hope. He's one of my rescues. He raced (harness racing, not TB racing) and earned more than $150,000 on the track in 3 years. He was someone's throw away. Now he's one of my best friends and has been for 4 years. My other hope was my Arabian. He never raced, but he was a product of bad back yard breeding, severe neglect, and serious abuse. He was someone's throw away and he's the love of my life - and has been for 6 years. For more than a year after I got him, I was one of two people who could touch him. Now he's the flirt of the barn, checking all the new people for carrots and horse treats. 
There's always hope. I live and breathe horse rescue every day. They are my hope and inspiration. I want a better world for horses like mine -- for all the throwaways. We just have to be smart about it.
I'm very, very glad so many of you care.
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| Posted 5/19/08 10:34 PM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
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D
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Re: How can we help the horses
so sad that they do that. Im glad I didnt see it, because I would be scarred for life. I cried this morning because I saw a dead deer on the side of the road.
I dont get how people can do this
I iwsh I could take them all.
Makes me NOT want to go to Bellmont anymore to watch a horserace again
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| Posted 5/20/08 7:24 AM |
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Acerone
I hate ants and ugly people.
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Chris
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Re: How can we help the horses
I heard a long time ago the meat from the horses are sold to places like Italy. What's that the story the other night?
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| Posted 5/20/08 7:48 AM |
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Kara
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Re: How can we help the horses
Posted by Acerone
I heard a long time ago the meat from the horses are sold to places like Italy. What's that the story the other night?
Meat for horses is used all of the world, in many, many (often civilized) countries. It's used for both human and animal consumption (like dog food). On a theoretical level, that doesn't bother me personally so much (as I eat meat, though certainly never horse) -- however, the inhumane conditions before and during slaughter are dispicable and SHOULD be the real focus. I will say that I don't expect everyone to agree with me on that point (as I believe that two intelligent, well-informed people can disagree), I just want people to be informed as they formulate their opinions.
Banning slaughter for human consumption in the US (which effectively closed all horse slaughter plants in the US) didn't honestly do a whole lot of good. Horses are still shipped to Mexico and Canada (though in lower numbers than before due to rising gas prices) and the conditions in transit and when they arrive in foreign plants are disgusting. Honestly, while it SOUNDS like it was a great idea, it wasn't a victory for horses really at all. The animal cruelty issues were swept under the rug and slaughter was banned to appease people complaining about it. People should have been more focused on the inhumane conditions than they were on just a flat out ban. A victory for more humane treatment of horses sent to slaughter could have led to victories making more humane conditions for other animals like cows and chickens that are raised for human consuption in the US. (And let's face it, we're not going to see a ban on slaughtering animals like cows and chickens in the US, so we need to fight for more humane conditions there.) The ban, to the politicians, just basically makes them say "well, we already banned it, so what else do you want us to do?" Also, while the rising cost of fuel has led to fewer horses being shipped to Canada and Mexico for slaughter, it has also raised the prices the kill buyers will pay for meat horses -- this has made rescues less able to save these horses at auction (as now instead of say for example $450 being the meat price, it's more like $800 to save a horse from the kill buyers).
I'm not trying to play devil's advocate here at all - I just want to make people really think about this issue beyond what is getting published in the news and aired on TV. I love the people care, but people need to care enough to get better informed on all the issues and think through the consequences of what they want to ask the government to do. Many people felt the ban on slaughter of horses in the US was a huge victory - Unfortunately, at this point in time, I have to disagree. The ban was premature in that it made no provision for the thousands of starving, neglected, unwanted, and unmarketable horses in the US, many of whom continue to suffer. The long-term consequences weren't thoroughly considered. It left me with very mixed feelings -- On one hand, fewer horses would suffer at the hands of the killers... but on the other hand, many horses would suffer even longer in the hands of people who don't want them, can't afford them, and can't re-home them. There are more healthy, sound horses than there are homes - and it's therefore incredibly difficult to find homes for horses with unique medical needs or who are unsound for riding. THIS is why I purchased horses, TRAINED THEM, and then re-homed them. The training and giving them a "job" made them more marketable and more likely to end up in life-long homes with sporthorse people. No, there are no guarantees, but at least these horses were given a fighting chance and are thriving.
People often ask why people don't just euthanize these unwanted horses, rather than send them to slaughter. There are a few reasons - It is worth noting that there is a LOT of debate in the veterinary community regarding euthanizing healthy, but unwanted horses. Some vets will do it at the owner's request, but many will not. I understand why many will not - and that IS their prerogative. However, I will always stand by my believe that sometimes a humane death is the kindest option... I wish more people would take responsibility to end their animal's useful life with dignity rather than send it to auction for the meat buyers to pick up. However, that costs money and unfortunately, that motivates too many people. Euthanizing a horse, at a minimum, is a couple hundred dollars. Unless you have a farm in an area that allows you to bury horses, you have to pay someone to render the body. In this area, that cost is over $500.
This is yet another reason why I can't support people having horses who are not very financially stable and secure. My horses cost me over $2,000 a month for care, feed, and veterinary needs. This year, I had a medical emergency for one that cost me an amount more than 2.5 of my mortgage payments. I would never take on this responsibility without being able to afford to give them what they need.
I hope that people are motivated to get informed and try to do some good working to get politicians and the government to pay attention to the inhuman and cruel treatment of all animals sent to slaughter. I just want people to be informed and realistic in what they do and what they ask for... It may sound a bit cynical to some, but after more than a decade working on these issues, I know it's the only way we'll ever effectuate change.
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| Posted 5/20/08 8:40 AM |
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Diana712
RIP my beloved Brother Richard
Member since 5/07 6710 total posts
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Diana
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Re: How can we help the horses
you have fm kara
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| Posted 5/20/08 9:31 AM |
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Kara
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Re: How can we help the horses
I also want to add -- I DO think that it's possible to disagree whether, fundamentally, we should slaughter horses in the US (humanely or otherwise). I just ask that those who want to work for banning slaughter and/or banning transport out of the country for slaughter ALSO think about how to make that plan workable -- how we can do that *and* deal with the thousands of unwanted, neglected horses that are still here.
If you don't support a full-on ban on slaughter, then we need to come up with appropriate guidelines for the humane treatment, transport, and death of these animals.
Either way, we need to find a workable solution that is realistic AND keeps the horses' best interests in mind.
The Unwanted Horse Coalition is a great group working on these complex issues. There are representatives from all areas of the horse world - breed registries, breeders, trainers, riders, race trainers / owners, and just horse and animal lovers. Quite frankly, the fact that breeders and all of these other people are involved in this organization (instead of being attacked) actually makes me think that they are the ones who can actually effectuate some change... since they are working with the exact groups we need to reach out to. (www.unwantedhorsecoalition.com)
This isn't just a slaughter issue - it's an animal cruelty issue, it's an irresponsible breeding issue, it's an owner responsibility issue -- it's very complex.
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| Posted 5/20/08 10:32 AM |
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