It is obvious that the writer has never been to a slaughter house. He sounds like he thinks killing a horse is the same as killing a human. Slaughter of animals (I like meat) is hard, messy work and not for the squimish. The problem here is the state feels obligated to protect us from real &/or imagined food safety issues. We are going to see more of this as the FDA horror Bill (HR2751) just passed in the Lame Duck Session is implemented. Passed by stealth, votes hidden, bills renamed as a vehicle in the last minutes of the Session. No new coverage despite 74 house members "Not Voting". In my opinion this could increase food cost in the U.S. by 50% (or more). Regulation paid for by the producers are always passed to the consumer. If you are hungy in 2011 don't blame a farmer, blame the lying POLs who passed this.