Great Depression of 2016

[Rosa moschata]

Horse meat in and of itself isn't bad. The concern is that animals which were not raised with the intention of becoming human food may enter our food supply. There are regulations against food animals being given various drugs, or at least within a certain time frame before slaughter. Horses which were kept for other reasons -- especially former race horses, which often end up at slaughter -- are typically given all sorts of things during their lifetimes that you'd probably not want ending up on your dinner plate.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Actually, I believe the prohibition of processing horse meat in the States was rescinded a number of years back. Just no market for it here so, it is processed and shipped overseas.

I think they can be processed but only to be exported. Local market is still banned.

 

[hemet dennis]

Quote:
There are no horse slaughtering plants in the U.S. due to state and local laws where the plant used to be.
Now Mexico is the worlds 2nd largest producer of horse meat, but they export all they produce.
Another example of passing laws that export jobs. Does anyone believe these laws have saved one horse. Or have the laws made it so the horses have to travel on haulers for hundreds of miles.

 

[rufus]

I believe the process was that the do gooders got congress to not fund USDA inspections for horse slaughter.

As a result, when the economy hit the skids, those drug store cowboys dumped their horses on public land and Indian reservations. Horses were getting killed in traffic,and people were also getting killed.

God save us from well intentioned know it alls.

 

[KhakiKristi]

I believe the process was that the do gooders got congress to not fund USDA inspections for horse slaughter.

As a result, when the economy hit the skids, those drug store cowboys dumped their horses on public land and Indian reservations. Horses were getting killed in traffic,and people were also getting killed.

God save us from well intentioned know it alls.

Then the real problem is people not properly caring for their horses--not the "do gooders and know it alls" trying to help animals in need. Overbreeding practices being the root of the problem, why don't you attack the race horse industry who cranks out thousands (20,000+) of babies every year trying to get a few good ones?? Or how about all the backyard breeders who just want to raise a foal and then don't have the time, knowledge or funds to keep them around when they grow up and get hard to manage. If people would stop the reckless horse breeding then there would be no need for so many unwanted ones to get shipped hundreds of miles to a slaughterhouse in some other country.

 

[KhakiKristi]

There are no horse slaughtering plants in the U.S. due to state and local laws where the plant used to be.
Now Mexico is the worlds 2nd largest producer of horse meat, but they export all they produce.
Another example of passing laws that export jobs. Does anyone believe these laws have saved one horse. Or have the laws made it so the horses have to travel on haulers for hundreds of miles.

The slaughterhouse should never just be considered a dumping ground for unwanted horses. People need to take responsibility for their horses and really think things through before buying or breeding such a large, expensive animal. Or any animal for that matter. It will take time for that kind of mentality to sink in but it has to start somewhere.

 

[hemet dennis]

Quote:
I don't think I ever said that they should be a dumping ground. The point I was making is that it is an industry that we have seen fit to run out of the country.

 

[rufus]

Yeah, lets eat the darn things.

 

[MrsBrooke]

Yeah, lets eat the darn things.

Now you're treading on emotional toes! People think of horses more as pets and companions, for better or worse, than livestock.

I can't say I disagree with you, but you'll have a whole bunch of people who Google images of Gypsy Vanner horses every day climbing all over you if you start talking about horses as anything less than wild, kindred spirits... much less as a Big Mac.

MrsB

 

[rufus]

Okay, have it your way.