Betraying Our Equine Ally

Throughout history horses have served humans, whether it be carrying us on their back, tilling our fields, drawing wagons and carriages, or enriching our lives as friends and companions.

In the United States, horses have never been raised for human consumption, so why is it that American horses are being killed to satisfy the palates of oversea diners in countries such as Italy, France, Belgium and Japan?

This issue is going unheard and this is a very serious issue. It seems like no one is willing to speak up about it because they are afraid of the consequences. Warren Smith, operations manager of a Canadian horse slaughterhouse, was quoted in the Edmonton Journal (3/10/01): “Talking about horses is kind of a scary thing, especially in the West, where people think it’s more of a pet than protein. When anybody starts writing about horses, everybody gets up in arms. Every time we say anything about a horse in the paper, there’s always an uproar, so I don’t want to talk about it.” He is willing to do these things to horses but doesn't have the guts to speak to people about it. Sounds to me like he has no argument for his actions.

Horses all over are being sent to auctions and slaughterhouses because they are just an object to some people. Well they need a wake up call because horses are living and breathing animals just like us! In fact if it were not for them, people wouldn't have half of the things we have today. We probably wouldn't even exist.Thousands of horses are being slaughter each year. Tis is not humane euthanasia!

Horses that go to slaughter are not generally old, sick, crippled, or dangerous. By the slaughter houses' own records (Dallas Crown and Beltex in Texas) only 10% of horses killed are old, sick, injured, or otherwise "unusable". There are many organiztions such as AC4H and Last Chance Corral that go to these auctions and rescue and rehabilitate horses. I myself own a horse who was sent to slaughter and rescued by AC4H. She was only 3 years of age when sent to slaughter and wass a race horse. At racetracks there are pools for the horses to exercise in. My horse was swimming in one of these pools and it had to many chemicals and burned her. The owners at that time did not want to take the time for her to heal and she was sent to an auction. She was a good race horse she raced only a few times and had already won over $10,000. Her burns are now all healed and she is a fantastic horse! So many horses sent to slaughter can be great horses, but people just don't want to take the time.

It's time for some change. If People in Belgium and France want to satisfy their palates with horses then they can breed, raise, and slaughter their own. In general I think horses should never be slaughtered, but people in other countries think pigs or cows should not be slaughtered and we do that. So if we do not make them slaughter their pigs for our needs we should not slaughter our horses for countries like France and China. It's that simple people! Horses are an American icon, they should be respected. You don't see people going around slaughtering Eagles. Eagles never did anything for this country, I think an animal that has done so much for our country should be protected!

Horses are Amazing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6gzY6SZm3s