Did anyone watch "Inside Edition" tonight?

[nccountrygirl]

Tonight on Inside Edition there was a segment on horses that have quit winning races so they are being slaughtered for human consumption in other countries, it just broke my heart. The US is trying to pass a bill that would prohibit export of horse meat. Just wondering if other saw it and thought is was disgusting.

 

[silkiechicken]

I didn't see it but sure seems like another thing the US exports to other countries to "get rid" of our problems. Unlike electronics sent over there for young people to dismantle in unsafe conditions, at least they were able to eat.

 

[herechickchick]

It is sad to hear of any animal dieing but keep in mind that it is not only race horses but many others that were never involved in racing that end up at these processing plants. I believe there was a post not to long ago about Arabians for sale. A breeders rejects. I believe they are headed to a processing plant if they are unsold.

I guess as long as there is animal breeding by humans then there will always be euthanasia. Dog breeders that have less than desirable puppies or ones that are never sold. Unfortunately they have to be put down. At least this way the horses can be of use to someone in the world. I know it sounds heartless of me but it is really no different then cattle slaughter or chicken slaughter for human consumption. I guess it is disturbing to many because it is a horse, and to most of us a horse is a beautiful animal with pet potential not food possibilities. But in some parts of the world the cow is an animal of high respect and is not eaten, but dog and cat is.

Any way if this does bother you then look into Retired Race Horse Adoption. It is a wonderful way to make a new friend and family member. I have several friends who have done this and been extremely happy with their horses. If you can not adopt then get the word out that it is an option to people looking for a horse. I think this is a constructive way to help these animals.

Here is a website for one of many Retired Race Horse Adoption programs.

 

[nccatnip]

It was horrible. I have no problem with humane slaughter for meat but this sgement was far from it. Very disturbing. It actually motivates me to rethink rescue of aging horses. I have the room, time and heart, just a lack of farriers and vet care in my area.
Adam I will check out your link and see if I can help.

 

[NS2A]

Look at it this way. A horse lives quite a few years. To keep an aging horse going, you are planting a lot of extra hay, oats etc. Keeping land in production that really doesn't need to be. Besides, they are providing a cheap source of meat for less well to do countries.

I guess I see no difference in this vs. cattle.

And remember, its ratings time. The story was "shocking" to get people to watch. I don't think this is how it really is. There's a place not far from me that ships horses to Mexico for consumption. I don't know them personally, but in a way, they're just another agricultural producer.

 

[patandchickens]

Well, racehorses that go to slaughter at least go relatively QUICKLY, as opposed to being neglected in some weedy barbwire pasture to starve over months or years. Yes that does happen.

And most of the racehorses that go to slaughter (not all, but *most*) are there because the racing industry (not all owners and trainers, but *most*) is set up to get whatever it can from a young horse as quickly as it can, and when the horse's body breaks down then you discard it and start with a new one. Very very few horses retire from racing without at least some physical problems, and a huge number (the racing industry is 'oddly' reticent about producing actual numbers, but it is probably upwards of 50-70%) wind up with major lameness or other problems that will make them permanently somewhat uncomfortable or limited in what they can do.

You can't compare this to middle-aged former human athletes with aches and pains... there is no possiblity of 'informed consent' for horses

A number of the 'somewhat impaired' horses make terrific riding horses, as long as you're experienced with training horses (or buy 'em from someone who's done it for you already) and are willing to stay within the limitations of the horse's past injuries. However a distressingly large number of ex-racehorses CANNOT be useful as riding horses, either because their brains are too fried for any but a few really talented people to handle, or (much more commonly) because their leg injuries will never heal well enough to permit even light recreational riding. And there aren't that many people who can/will keep unrideable horses.

I don't think it's at all realistic to expect there EVER to be enough good homes to absorb all the racing industry's castoffs. There aren't close to being enough homes for all the OTHER unwanted horses in north america either! The problem is basically that the racing industry produces such a huge number of mostly-untrained often-partially-and-sometimes-totally disabled horses every year.

So, think about it next time you're tempted to spend the day at the races as "entertainment"

Sorry to sound so militant about it, but this REALLY bothers me,


Pat, a horse person long before I ever discovered chickens, with two ex-racehorses (a 20 yr old retiree, and a 7 yr old with an old very badly bowed tendon who is learning to be a dressage horse, just for fun not for showing).

 

[NS2A]

I agree with Pat. But here's the "problem":
Quote:
So we'll ban exporting meat, then what do we do with all the horses? Typical government "solution" to everything.

Again, I see this as little difference to a cow who can no longer milk gets processed into hamburger. That said, cows are taken care up much better than some of these horses.

 

[chickbea]

I missed that show, but I hear you. The fate of the mighty Ferdinand alone should make all horse lovers ashamed of our own species.
There are many rescue organizations devoted to many different breeds. However, if you are specifically interested in horses coming off the track , the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is a fabulous organization that has made great progress in a tough area. A good thing about it is that it places responsibility for the long-term care of the horses back on the racing industry and the fans, where it should be. We are the ones enjoying and profiting from them, after all!
You can visit their website at www.trfinc.org. It has some rescue stories (get your tissues!!!!!). They also have many satellite programs with prisons and schools for juvenile offenders that have done great things. Although the adoption process is probably strict, there are also horses available for adoption, from companion right through competition quality (but all are done racing).

 

[KrisRose]

The inhumane treatment before slaughter is a big issue for the horse lover (as also for chicken lovers). Based on that alone it is worth ending slaughter.
However, over 85,000 will go to slaughter and more next year. There are not homes for these horses and foolish breeding, poor econmony, and rejects from breeding farms add to the problem every year. There are alot of young horses not just old broken down "nags" that even their former owners ,apparently, don't want.
Meat may not be shipped out but live horses to Mexico and Canada will probably not be effected, just increased. There are always loopholes.
Even the horse industry has no solution. As a horse lover it breaks my heart to see these animals that have given so much to humans be treated so poorly.

 

[texaschickmama]

I thought that had been outlawed. I also thought that the only 3 horse slaughtering houses (2 of them being close to Ft. Worth) had been shut down for the time being. This is such a sad story. You know their was a man in this area that went to a horse sale every night to buy them and then turn around to sale them to the slaughter houses, he is called a kill bidder. Anyway, one of the rescues in the area got his name and phone number and posted on their website. I just thought that was hilarious. What a sick way to make a living. It's sad that someone has to do that to make money. I personally could not live with myself, but I guess people have to eat too. With the price of everything going up and up and up, groceries, gas that is outrageous, people are going to do desperate things to make ends meet. Just sorry that the horses get caught up in it at all.