someone posted this on facebook the other day and i thought i would share it with you.
So many people are quick to blame Obama for the passing of a bill to allow horse slaughterhouses in the US again. However, aren't those who breed irresponsibly, buy spontaneously, and do not adequately provide for their horses the real 'enablers' of the bill? If there was less of a supply and horses were properly taken care of during their old age, horse prices wouldn't be so low as to make slaughtering profitable. I'm pretty certain if we want to end horse slaughter, the industry as a whole must accept responsibility, find a reasonable solution, and not blame the president.
However, as the fact that a great number of horse owners are complete idiots, this is not going to change overnight. So, imagine yourself as an unwanted/old/abandoned horse that has, perhaps through no fault of his own, fallen through the cracks. Rescue agencies can only save a very limited number, so it's reasonable to assume that won't be an option for you. You're destined therefore to starve, become ill, or any number of other miserable fates. Or you could be thrown on an overcrowded cattle trailer and shipped to Mexico or Canada to be slaughtered. (Note this fact those who believe this is a bill to 'enable' horse slaughter of US horses.... THAT is nothing new, it's already going on every day) Either way, it's going to suck. You can die a long, slow, miserable death clinging to the hope that someday, someone might rescue you (but probably won't), or a terrifying journey with a sudden end. Personally? Throw me on the cattle car and get it over with.
Or now, perhaps your owner can arrange to have you shipped to be slaughtered. Still sucks, but that's the fault of the industry- you don't get much say in this regardless, after all you're just a 'useless old nag.' Maybe the trailer ride won't be so crowded and scary. Maybe now, you won't be starving and sick before you get shipped because you're owner was more willing to be somewhat more merciful when there is money involved for them. And maybe, if US slaughterhouses really do get properly inspected and regulated (as the bill requires), it will be as humane of a way to go as euthanasia. After all, once you're gone to go play in pastures in the sky, you really don't care what happens to your body.
If I were a horse in a bad situation with no hope to escape, I would prefer slaughter to misery every single time. Hopefully, it will be more humane than it was in the past. And hopefully, our industry will realize WE created this problem- not Obama- and there will be no easy fix. One day, it would be awesome if even the most 'worthless' horse was valued at a price too high to make slaughter profitable- which is what it would take to eradicate slaughter.
By refusing to have slaughterhouses in America, you are simply condemning more horses to a fate of suffering or foreign slaughter.
Do not think I am not completely in favor of rescue and adoption agencies, or for proper retirement of a beloved pet- I am. But I am realistic enough to realize there are simply not enough of these resources available to save all of the horses in need. As a horse lover, I realize the necessity of a cheap, easy way for people to get rid of their unwanted horses in a humane way- even if it is a way I would prefer that did not exist. However, it's better than the alternatives.
I feel that it is necessary, and I own horses and have rescued horses from slaughter. Its better for it to be legal and humane here than having these horses shipped to Mexico or somewhere else where it may not be so humane.
I'm an animal person.)
