Horses on the menu in the USA

@ Alcaponee

'Its funny how we "worship" these animals in some posts and in this, we talk about acceptable ways to kill a horse'

Why shouldn't we talk about acceptable ways to kill a horse ? Much like the SPCA slogan that 'a puppy isn't just for Christmas' a horse isn't just about those few minutes in the winners' box. It is a cradle to grave exercise and unfortunately ownership implies responsibility for the whole trip, not just the good bits.

It's all too easy in the racing industry to get caught up in all the fun of the game, but when the horse becomes unsound, loses form or generally is no longer viable to the owners, the responsibility about what comes next simply gets palmed off (usually onto the trainer) and the owner conveniently forgets about it. People like to imagine that the horse has gone to some pretty little blond girl who will pet and fuss and feed it carrots and the two of them will spent their lives at idyllic Pony Club shows and live happily ever after.

Unfortunately that is often far from the truth.

But even in the event that the horse does find a home, at some point it will become old or unsound or the little girl will grow up and discover boys or need to go off to university and once again that horse becomes unwanted. Then what ?

No-one likes to acknowledge the bit that comes next, but just because it is uncomfortable to our sensibilities doesn't make it any less real for the horse.

Horses die, get put to sleep, or destroyed in a number of different ways on a daily basis. Yes it's unpleasant, but it is simply the other side of the coin of the cute, cuddly fun bits of the foal being born. Different aspect, but same coin and anyone who tries to deny that is kidding themselves. Why should we go to so much time and effort and expense to make sure that the beginning of the process goes well and then simply shirk our responsibilities at the end because it isn't 'nice' ?

A responsible owner realizes that they are in it for the long run. In sickness and in health. Beautiful, sleek, gleaming athlete as well as snotty, smelly, unsound, uncomfortable, bad-tempered geriatric. And unfortunately part of responsible ownership is making that horrible, final decision when the time comes. Of course it's crap, but this isn't My Little Pony FFS.

There are heaps and heaps and heaps of horses that don't find nice homes or are unmanageable or unsound, generally unsuitable or simply unlucky for any number of reasons.

Obviously no-one wants to kill a horse, but if and when it has to be done (and it has to happen at some point), why is it so wrong to want to make sure that the horse receives as much 'worship' and care at the end as it does in the beginning?

That line should be read in the context of the entire post.

Sorry JD - our posts crossed.

I don't eat horse meat, but that's my choice. To me a horse is a pet and a recreational animal, not a meat product. But my views are a product of my education, environment, economic situation and life choices.

Lots of people do eat horse meat and that's their choice too. In fact, in Spain they breed 'meat horses' specifically for consumption. Interestingly, these horses actually have a really nice life. They get chucked out up in the mountains, live a natural life with good grazing and a family unit and then one day they get collected and slaughtered. But those animals are bred and raised specifically for that purpose, much like our sheep or cattle.

We consider dogs and cats to be pets and wouldn't dream of eating them. Other cultures see them differently.

I like meat, but I grew up on a farm and understand where that tasty steak or plate of bobotie came from. However, I am hypocritical in that some animals are more equal than others and if I've become attached to a 'hans lam' or hand-reared chicken, chances are I will not want to eat it because I've attached an emotional value to it.

However, those special ones aside, I don't have an issue with animals being used for food, as long as they've had a reasonable life and are killed humanely.

I don't think your butcher's view hold water though I'm afraid. If he's going to argue that, then surely he must have a go at the morgue for burying people - aren't they made of meat too ??

My horses are my family, but they are also my property and therefore I choose to do with them as I please. As I feed and exercise and medicate, it pleases me to euthanise and bury as I feel it's the least I can do after everything they do for me. I am not in the business of providing food and feel no responsibility whatsoever to hand my horse over to anyone else for consumption. If anyone doesn't like that, I'm afraid they can go take a hike !!

Sorry A - I was cherry-picking from your post, but the subject is a bit of a bugbear for me.

Will you shoot a kudu in the wild and make biltong from him?

No Mac but I once asked a waiter if he had frogs legs? He said yes and I said well hop over and get me a JWB

Is this HUMANE ?
Horses
The Slaughter BeginsHere is a thoroughbred race horse dumped at a slaughterhouse...s, a site that will now become commonplace across America. They will be executed and cut up to be sold as meat for consumption in America thank to this Congress and this President. Shame on them all. What happened to your promise to ban this forever Mr President?Please sign the petition www.change.org/petitions/overturn-obamas...or-human-consumption ... ThanxSee more

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Superstar - I'm afraid you will see that sort of thing at any slaughterhouse you visit, albeit other animals for the most part.

Obviously in an idea world, all horses go to a lovely home where they are loved to bits, live happy lives and are kindly and gently put down when the time comes.

However, we do not live in an ideal world. There are literally thousands of unwanted horses which currently get disposed of any old how (or even worse, are often simply abandoned).

In the USA, this currently means that these horses are simply transported across the border where they meet this fate anyway. Only difference is a traumatic and horrible journey before they get there and with the slaughterhouses being where and what they are, the actual slaughtering is not done particularly thoughtfully.

But the fact is there are too many unwanted horses and not enough people taking responsibility for them and until that is changed, horses being slaughtered is going to remain a fact of life.

Obviously no-one likes to see an animal slaughtered. It's ugly and brutal. But if it has to be done, then the best one can hope is that it is done as quickly and painlessly as possible by someone who is qualified and skilled at their job. And the only way to ensure that is to make sure there are checks and balances in place to regulate the people who are doing it.

The US meat industry is high profile and as a result is pretty well regulated on the whole. A lot is done to ensure that slaughterhouses are designed to minimise the stress caused to the animals (read up on Temple Grandin's work for example).

It is still a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea, but if there's a choice between transporting and then slaughtering or slaughtering locally in an inspected and approved plant, the latter seems the lesser of the two evils IMHO.

However, we're still treating the symptom (unwanted horses), rather than the disease (overproduction / irresponsible ownership).

I don't have the answers. Even with all the good people out there running rescues and trying to save horses, there are simply too many.

I just try and do the best I can by what I have and try to encourage other people to do the same. Oh and I make sure I hug a THB every day

These pictures and articles make me sick to the bottom of my gut.I`m a punter and racehorse enthusiast and i probably don`t understand breeding and racehorse ownership but im sure regulations can be put in place to help racehorses in retirement and death...

Portion a section of a racehorses "IN TRAINING fees " and " prize money" to secure their future.

Hibs,

A half brother to Secretariat was narrowly rescued from a similar fate:-

www.secretariat.com/spotlight/secretariats-brother/

He wasn't a particularly good racehorse or sire, but fortunately he was well connected via his famous half brother and someone cared enough to save him.

There are good people out there doing their best to help, but unfortunately they can't save all of them.

Have you ever heard of a horse called Ferdinand ??

If not, read:-

www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles...dinand#ixzz1E7cchc1Q

The fact that a horse with a Kentucky Derby and Horse of the Year title can end up in a can pretty much says it all I'm afraid.

I agree with u Hibernia its about time that everyone involved in racing paid into a fund that supports Race Horses so that they can either be rehabilitated and used in the other horse sports, or that they are Euthanized in a humane manner and then sold on to lion parks etc with that money being ploughed back into this project .

I have such a contradictory relationship with racing on the one hand I love it but on the other hand i am embarrassed to be part of a game where people pay millions for horses but dont give a shit about them afterwards .(with the exception of a few).

As for human consumption of horses I just cannot come to terms with that , there are so many other choices of meat available and I know that they are not slaughtered humanely either. Is eating horse meat not in conflict with the christian religion thought the bible said we could only eat animals with split hooves .

Does anybody out there actually realise how intelligent these magnificent creatures actually are?
We send them out to work every morning and then we race them for our pleasure and then we eat them "NICE"

This is not only happening in the USA next time u eat a Vienna sausage or polony u might just be eating the horse u were betting on last week ,,,,,,,
Gandhi said u must be the change that u want to see in the world ......

Dont we still have the Retired Racehorse Fund? With the funds available to them I do understand that they can only manage to care for but a few.

A couple of decades ago they found North Island, winner of the Holiday Inns then the biggest racing prize in SA, abandoned and emaciated. They not only brought him back to good health but into pristine condition. He made a racecourse appearance galloping from the 400m mark and brought a lump to our throats.