Posted on 06/01/2008 6:22:29 PM PDT by Lorianne
The global food and fuel crisis is resulting in more than just people going hungry. Rising grain and gas prices, as well as the closure of American slaughterhouses, have contributed to a virtual stampede of horses being abandoned — some starving — and turned loose into the deserts and plains of the West to die cruel and lonesome deaths. Horse rescue projects, which are mostly small, volunteer operations with limited land and resources, are feeling the consequences of this convergence of events. In the meantime, many now unaffordable horses are being sold to abbatoirs south of the border where inhumane methods of slaughter are practiced.
The global food and fuel crisis is resulting in more than just people going hungry. Rising grain and gas prices, as well as the closure of American slaughterhouses, have contributed to a virtual stampede of horses being abandoned — some starving — and turned loose into the deserts and plains of the West to die cruel and lonesome deaths. Horse rescue projects, which are mostly small, volunteer operations with limited land and resources, are feeling the consequences of this convergence of events. In the meantime, many now unaffordable horses are being sold to abbatoirs south of the border where inhumane methods of slaughter are practiced.
(Excerpt) Read more at time.com ...
Yes, much easier with a dog. Of course, mine (dogs) have all been cremated, and are in my closet. It bugs my husband, but I hate to scatter them here (which isn’t home).
susie
I don’t know, that’s what we did and they took care of everything, which was a blessing. Of course, this was way back in the early 70s, in the middle of nowhere, New Mexico (Alamogordo). I suspect real zoos these days have some sort of contract with someone to supply meat for their critters, so it might be a moot point. It would be something I would check into tho, if I had a horse carcass to dispose of. I wonder if the law would allow you to butcher and eat your own horse?
susie
Hey, they meant to eat all of those bison, but they got full!
susie
True, but the cost of maintaining a horse in urban areas is also extremely high. People who can afford an extra acre of land or boarding fees at a commercial stable in an urban area, are in the luxury market. I have plenty of sympathy for their horses, but no sympathy for the people who have been living beyond their means, financing things like horses (and pools and tennis courts and expensive cars and new Italian marble floors for their latest decorating scheme) with ever higher borrowings against home equity. Plenty of these folks will let their horse suffer and starve before they trade in their 2007 BMW for a 2000 Buick. I have no problem with humane euthanasia and responsible disposal laws that get them in legal trouble for making choices like that.
You are so right. This has been going on for quite a while. When they came through the auction, they went for little or nothing. Feed prices have gone through the roof and a lot of people couldn’t afford them to begin with, it is sad.
Too bad they can’t use them for dog food, at least someone would benefit.
My husband’s dad was a rancher (registered Brangus cattle and race horses). He did most of his own vet work, especially since there was not a regular vet close by at that time. I think it’s a common practice among ranchers. In fact, as a dog breeder I’ve given my dogs their shots and wormed them, etc. Most of it’s not rocket science. I did learn how to do most of it working for a vet, but I also gave my sons and their dad their allergy shots.
susie
When I was a kid I went to one of the auctions, hoping to be able to get one of the *mustangs*. They sold for more than I could afford, but it was interesting to be there and see them.
susie
Really, that is all it takes for one to effectively and efficiently care for a horse. The clinic I have can trace its veterinary heritage back to 1911 and there is a good lineage of knowledge of what works, what is practical, and what is obsolete.
During our Civil War armies hadf beef heards that followed them to feed the army. There were two types of heards Cow beefies and horse beefies. In other words they ate horses on a regilar basis. For some reasom (I believe it was the advent of the Western movies) tastes changed. I’ve never had any horse meat but would try some just to see what it tastes like. I have had dog meat when I was in Peru in the 60’s.
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