Horse slaughtering

Washington Times ^ | Thursday, October 16, 2003 | By Christopher J. Heyde

[JohnHuang2]

Born on the lush bluegrass covered pastures of one of Kentucky's most famous Thoroughbred farms, Ferdinand would go on to become an American legend following his win at the 1986 Kentucky Derby and selection as the 1987 Horse of the Year. Yet, despite the lavish lifestyle and accolades afforded such a great champion, his life ended in a Japanese slaughterhouse to the horror of the American Thoroughbred industry.

[r9etb]

They work willingly for us...

They're also affectionate, and have personalities....

The other thing is how beautiful they are. One time we were having a picnic in a horse pasture. The horses had been out all winter, apparently, and they were pretty wild -- lots of horse-herd dynamics. I'll never forget the sight and sound of them galloping over the hill toward us. (We had little kids and moved them away, and the horses ate part of our lunch before we chased them off -- LOL!)

Nope -- horses just aren't the same as cows.

[upcountryhorseman]

You probably never owned a horse. When you own a horse
and ride him, you develop a relationship with him that
is unlike any other. He is much more than a pet, you
work together in achieving a balanced movement. Also,
there are many situations where a horse has saved his
rider's life.

[HairOfTheDog]

A friend of mine just found a book about Gen Lee and Traveller... he is reading it now and was gonna loan it to me when he is done.

Thanks - I'm in it for the long haul.

Me too... even with my bad pony. I let a couple go.... my first horse, a gangly mustang who taught me to ride. I wanted to start showing horses and had an eye for pretty Arabs. I sold him to a good home with kids 20 years ago and lost track. I worry for where he ended up.

I bought my Bay back at age 19 (he was never really mine before, but belonged to a friend, I watched where he went, from home to home) When he came up for sale at 19, I knew whoever bought him now would be responsible for his end.... and he deserves the best. He has the best heart I know.

[HairOfTheDog]

but folks, these animals are here for a reason.

They bust their butts for us, figuratively and literally. They give us their life energy performing for our amusement and doing our work.

To throw them away in a slaughterhouse while they obediently cooperate because doing our bidding is their nature, simply because they no longer suit us, is our shame.

[HairOfTheDog]

~smile~

We haltered the young foal and said "trust me"
We asked them to get into horse trailers and said "trust me"
We asked them to let us ride them where we wanted, walk over scary bridges and narrow trails and through dark arena gates into bright lights and said "trust me"

Trust me.... work with me, and I will not hurt you.

I think that is the contract.

[najida]

Similarly, I just read an article about bird owners who tire of their pets. It's a big problem - horses live 20-30yrs, some birds live 70+ years and people just don't want the "burden" of care.

And because people see them as just 'animals' they mistreat them in ways that cause them to self mutilate or show other signs of disturbed behavior. It breaks my heart and enrages me all at once. I REALLY discourage folks from getting birds as pets unless I have seen that they raised other animals long term. These birds are NOT animals to be taken lightly as pets.

I love my FIDS and when I got them, I understood that they wouuld be with me until I die. One being a wild caught Moluccan who spent 15 years in a windowless room, with no toys and no interaction after his breeding mate's death. When I got him, I couldn't touch him, now he is my best cuddle buddy and a wonderful, funny bird.

Caring for an animal is a commitment; to yourself, to the animal and (if you so believe) to God...to care for them and treat them in a decent manner, so befitting proper stewardship.

Like others have said, while some animals have been raised, bred and deemed as 'food' animals, I can't see that being done to animals like the parrots, cats, dogs or horses....

[John O]

Are you saying that, because a horse is property, then it would be just fine if I decided to mistreat the animal according to my whims?

It's either yours or it isn't. If it's yours, what right do I have to interefere with your property.

Of course God may have a different opinion, since He's commanded us to be good stewards, but He'll make His pleasure or displeasure known in His way at His time.

[John O]

I agree with everything you said.

My point is that while all that is true they are still property that the property owner can deal with as he wills. See my answer to post 14 also.

[FeliciaCat]

Congratulations! I was raised with horses and have lots of wonderful childhood memories.

[HairOfTheDog]

Did you take a stand on whether it was right or wrong there? Does the betrayal of horse slaughter shock your conscience or not?

You think you can put the answer into a box and call it property and you have solved something. Beyond the right to dispose of property is the moral fight of affecting hearts and minds... Encouraging all you know, for example, to not buy pet food with unidentified "animal products" in them, for example. If it says "chicken", Beef" etc on the label then that is what it is... If it says "animal byproducts" or "Animal bone meal" it is horses. (even check your horse food folks, you'll be surprised). There are a lot of foods out there containing no unidentified meat products, just have to shop at stores and buy good foods other than the cheapest brands.

[John O]

Did you take a stand on whether it was right or wrong there? Does the betrayal of horse slaughter shock your conscience or not?

It is perfectly right for a person who owns property to dispose of it however he sees fit. It may be heartless, unwise, unloyal and poor stewardship but those issues are between the property owner and God. If it's his property what right do I have to interfere?

Rest assured that I would never mistreat my animals (we used to have cats but had to find them new homes when the baby came (allergies don't you know). We treated them like kings and queens and found them very good homes). I try to practice proper stewardship of the goods entrusted to me and that stewardship demands that my property is treated well.

That being said I find nothing in the Bible or the Constitution that lets me dictate to my fellow man how he should treat his property.

[HairOfTheDog]

We have the right to do an awful lot of things FReepers here fight against. That is a pretty lazy answer. An answer that means this website would have nothing to talk about if we only argued things we had a rightful say in.

People have the right to be gay, make horrid statements about their country, have children with no father, have abortions and unplug their wives from life support.

[lysie]

My daughter made combined two photos of the two of our horses.

our new addition is on the left...PB on the right.

[lysie]

My daughter made combined two photos of the two of our horses.

our new addition is on the left...PB on the right.

[lysie]

Sorry about the hiccup

[HairOfTheDog]

Cool.... and here is my ole Bay's eye!

[lysie]

Wow!!! That is neat. I will show that to my daughter.

[fly_so_free]

"What gets me about Premarin is there is a synthetic Premarin that would eliminate the slaughtering of foals for that purpose"

Yes, there is information about it on the link I posted in my post #2. No-one seems to know that Premarin comes from pregnant mare urine, Or all the cruelty that is involved in getting it. BUMP

[fly_so_free]

The story of Ferdinand going to slaughter shocked alot of people in the horse racing industry. They are working on having contracts , that when a race horse is sold for stud to another country, the new owners will have to notify the previous owners in the US, if the horse cannot produce anymore .

The story was in the Racing Form. Basically it said that the person in charge of Ferdinand, did not bother to call anyone here in the US, to ask if they might want to take him back. But they also gave accounts of some of his Japanese handlers ,who were just as disgusted as people here ,that he was sent to slaughter.

The problem in Japan is that they don't have any room. The barns at the track are stacked on top of one another. The horses go down to the track in an elevator. Still, the article said there are some Japanese horse people trying to start a retirement place for their horses, out in the country. FYI

[NebraskaTrailrider]

Hi, I'm a 'horsewoman' Saw your horses, so sweet. I'm buying a new one this weekend. My daughter's horse is a shire/paint filly who just got back from being 'trailbroke'. I am buying a smaller, yet by any means bigger lol belgian gelding broke to ride/drive. I'd post a pic but I don't know how. (Know anyone who wants a shetland? LOL)