Horse Lovers Must Read

Leigh Anne O'Kelley

[rooster1]

An Education in the Unthinkable

Driving up in the afternoon I watch the horses graze carefree in the pasture. Once a naive horse owner I am now all too aware of the horrors of the slaughter industry in the US. There are two horse slaughter plants operating in the US currently, both in Texas and named Bel-Tex and Dallas Crown.

With both plants so far from South Carolina, it seems unlikely to most horse owners and lovers that we would have a problem with our beloved horses ending up at a plant, but it is not far fetched. How many of us, I included, have stopped by an auction house and looked through the horses awaiting their turn at sale? Never staying to buy, but just seeing what was there. On any given night there are "kill buyers", those who go to buy the cheap, the old, the underweight for very little money. Like cattle they will stay in feedlots and be fattened up and then make the trip to Texas.

Horror stories about the trucking companies have led to some minor changes but still no victories for the horses. Sometimes hauled for several days, they are denied water, are crowded with mixed sexes. Mares, foals and stallions all fight for room. Some horses never make the trip and are trampled to death on the trip or suffer injuries for which they will receive no care.

Breed, size, color, or tempermant mean nothing to the slaughter house buyer. Once faithful friends of someone, wild horses who slipped through the cracks, unwanted, or stolen horses all await the same fate. Undercover footage has shown the brutal process of butchering for meat. Horses struggle in the chute where a captive bolt gun is applied to their head. It is supposed to insert a bolt to split the animals skull rendering it unconscious before it is strung up and it's throat split. Imagine the horror in the horse's mind as he hears the others, and scrambles on blood soaked floors trying to escape the inevitable. Undercover investigations have caught on tape horses being strung up fully alert, and being cut open before being dead.

Horses in the US played such a valuable part of our country's birth. We built roads, cleared forests, carried mail, battled for freedom, created towns and plowed fields for food all with the horse. As Americans we do not dine on our equine friends. Most people are appalled at the idea. Yet, we kill our horses to feed the Japanese, French, and other European and Asian nations.

Even famous horses are not spared. A Blood Horse reporter uncovered that beloved Ferdinand, a Derby Winner, was "disposed" of in a Japanese slaughterplant after he failed to be a productive stud. Racehorses are so full of heart and determination. They are used and abused, they make men rich, they offer the chance for the socially elite to show off their best, and yet the reward they receive is put out or be rid of.

The demise of the 1986 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner and 1987 Horse of the Year signaled an end to whatever innocence may have remained in the Thoroughbred business. While it is easy to point fingers at the Japanese culture that holds monetary issues above emotional ones, the story of Ferdinand also ends the era when North American interests can sell bloodstock without taking responsibility for the ultimate disposition of the animals they've brought into this world. While it numbs the brain that Ferdinand was passed from farm to farm and agent to agent throughout Japan with nobody thinking to contact people in the United States who'd bring him back home, it is also mind-boggling that nobody here inquired into what happens to stallions who have outlived their breeding usefulness overseas.

Ferdinand's story became a big news story thanks to the extensive and meticulous reporting by Barbara Bayer, who spent several months tracking the path of shame that marked Ferdinand's last days. After The Blood-Horse broke the story in late July, other industry publications attempted to discredit Bayer, The Blood-Horse's Japan correspondent, as a "freelancer." They said she lacked proof, that the timing was wrong for this type of story (as if there's ever a right time), and that the horse's fate was uncertain. They were wrong on all counts.

Bayer, through her intimate knowledge of Japanese culture, got it exactly right. She knew just what it meant when she was told Ferdinand had been "disposed of." In fact, he had been killed late in 2002, the victim of two societies all too willing to rid themselves of what is no longer money-producing.

After failing to make the desired impact as a stallion at Claiborne Farm (also his birthplace) near Paris, Ky., Ferdinand was sold and arrived at Arrow Stud in Japan in 1995 with high expectations. His covers, which peaked at 77 in his initial year, plummeted in subsequent seasons. By 2000, his final season at Arrow, he covered 10 mares. He moved to a smaller operation, Goshima Farm, where he covered six mares in 2001 and two in 2002. Then he passed into the hands of a dealer, whose job it is to get whatever he can for unwanted bloodstock.

That dealer initially lied to Bayer several times when she inquired as to Ferdinand's whereabouts. The story evolved from "he'd been given to a friend" to "he's at a riding club far away from here" to, finally, "he isn't around anymore. He was disposed of."

Thank God their are agencies in place trying every day to save horses from this fate. From lobbying to letter writing. Those in the "trenches" daily buying horses from kill buyers, establishing retirement options and racehorse retirement. And there is more.... there is you reading this article. Please call, fax or write your US Congressman and urge them to cosponsor the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (HR 857). Let them know how recent efforts to legalize horse slaughter in Texas met with overwhelming opposition from the public. Tell them about the survey conducted last month that showed that 72% of Texans oppose horse slaughter.

HR 857 prohibits the transport of horses across state lines and international borders for the purpose of slaughter and also prohibits the sale or transport of horsemeat for human consumption. If passed, HR 857 will put an end once and for all to the slaughter of American horses both in the U.S. and in foreign countries.

Next time you drive by a field of horses, think if that one will be there tomorrow. WIll he be there ten years from now, or will he be in the stomach of a man far, far away. Our horses deserve better, we do not slaughter our dogs and cats in this way to feed other countries. We value their lives and care for them and at the right time humanely euthanize them. We have shelters in place to care for those who need help and who can over see a humane end if need be. Blood money is what prevents the horse from having the same basic rights. The strong and beautiful horse who America owes so much too, dies today to line the pockets of a few greedy individuals who see them only as a money making business for countries overseas. Don't you think it is time to put an end to this horror? How many more will have to die? I will go kiss my horses tonight and whisper a prayer for the others who won't be getting the love and care I shower upon mine. It is time now for us to take a stand and speak for those who cannot.

Leigh Anne O'Kelley

www.rescuewishes.com

www.rescuewishes.com/allanimals

[najida]

Yep,
And from the research (and discussions I have had with Dr.s) because it is an equine based product, it does cause some reactions that the synthetics don't.

Personally, I see the synthetics gaining ground, and I think knowledge of the consequences of Premarin's manufacture will only help.

[livius]

Actually, riding is one of the fastest-growing recreational sports in the US today. Equestrian clothing, accessories, etc. are a huge industry.

I live in Florida and have friends who run boarding barns, give lessons, etc. It's not just the rich who are taking lessons, believe me, nor is it just children anymore.

However, one of the problems is that a horse is not really something we NEED in today's society, and when people tire of their horse, get thrown once too often, etc., there is little incentive for them to keep it. Then the horse becomes just an expense, and it's easy for them to rationalize selling it for a few hundred dollars to a "good home," even though deep down inside, they know it's going to a slaughterhouse.

Horses once led a horrible, beast-of-burden life, but now they are, essentially, large pets. They're optional to our lives now. Just as we no longer keep cats just to keep the rodent population down, or dogs because they can hunt and protect, we no longer keep horses for transportation.

But, as a horse owner, I can say that keeping a horse adds an enormous amount to one's life. The expense is moderate (well, assuming your horse stays healthy - and horses are famous for their ability to get injured!), but being out with your horse on a trail in the woods is wonderful, and reminds you of our horsey past here in the US. And it is nice to come out to feed him on a cold day and have that warm, hay-scented horse breath on your hands - or simply to groom him and forget about all of the other cares of your day.

My point is that it's not really possible to go back. Unless the Islamic nutbags succeed in dropping us back to the 7th century, we're not going to need horses as transportation again. In the US, they have entered the world of pets, and even though they may be a 1000 pound pet with a bad attitude, we're not going to be able to shrug off the fact that many of them meet really horrible deaths. Horses are much more individual than cattle, and it is hard for human beings - the most individual creatures of God's creation - to shrug off individuality and not reflect on the terrible last moments of another creature that has been born with a measure of individuality and learned even more individuality from its human owners (because horses, almost as much as dogs, really do conform to and reflect their owner's personality).

I think the wild horse situation is being dealt with by selective herd management (rotating the stallions, gelding a certain number of horses, etc.). What needs to be dealt with is the problem of cast-off "pet" horses. Horses live from 20+ to 30+ years, and many of them will also outlive their owners, but will not be desirable for another person to buy.

Personally, I have no objection to a horse being humanely put down and buried in the backyard, if the owner feels he can no longer deal with the animal, or if the owner has died. There simply aren't enough "horse retirement farms," and I'm not sure there could ever be enough. I used to think that American slaughter houses were better, because they at least (in theory) check for brands and tattoos that might indicate a stolen horse. But their practices sound little better than those of slaughterhouses in Mexico. . I hate the thought of the terrified last days and moments of an animal which, in many cases, is probably more loyal and obedient to people than even a dog, and is, in my opinion, the most beautiful creature ever to come from God's hand.

I'm honestly not sure what to do about this, although I think it might be something that could be dealt with at a county or local level. A small tax on horse-owners to pay for the proper and humane treatment of older or unwanted animals, for example, and to subsidize retirement farms might be a possibility.

[HairOfTheDog]

I don't know the answer about the legalities in Texas. Yours was a good question.

Here in Washington state horses are slaughtered for pet food and for export to Japan for human consumption. It appears to be legal because it is done, but it breaks my heart. My goal is to convince my friends to do the right thing by their animals. I don't presume to be able to stop it, I work on the supply side in the very small environment I live in.

One other small token activism I live is that I do not buy pet food that does not identify the animals included in the food. If it says "Beef bone meal" it is beef. If it says "Animal bone meal" or "Animal byproducts" anywhere in the label it is everything from horses to dogs to whatever else ends up at the rendering plant. Not knowing if live slaughter of horses went into it, I don't buy it, but I have to be very careful reading labels to find food.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[HairOfTheDog]

Sorrel is only the description of the color. Could be any breed.

[GovernmentShrinker]

There's nothing wrong with selective breeding. But selective breeding for profit and/or for competitive advantage is an entirely different matter. It's the latter that results in overbreeding.

[HairOfTheDog]

Yours is a wonderful post, livius!

it is hard for human beings - the most individual creatures of God's creation - to shrug off individuality and not reflect on the terrible last moments of another creature that has been born with a measure of individuality and learned even more individuality from its human owners

A friend of mine, 330winmag, once said something like.... the best thing to ever happen to the horse is the invention of the car... because it meant that the horse could now be luxury and a pet instead of just a beast of burden and tool to an end. True, I think.

[HairOfTheDog]

Is it though? - Are there really too many highly bred horses out there? - Or so many backyard grade horses that are bred that the market is flooded with those?

Horses are now luxuries and pets only. Their highest purpose is now being a hobby for people to enjoy, whether that is through participation in sport or from watching. Selective breeding won't exist unless they are being bred ~for~ something that has a profit motive. With horse competition, they are creating their own market of fanciers and fans of a breed, that I believe creates more homes for horses and improved care of them.

If the highly bred but not quite winning castoffs from breeding farms were the stock we had to shop from when looking for our pets, we would not have too many. It is my neighbor kicking out very average and unremarkable foals every year that is adding to the glut.

[deport]

and for export to Japan for human consumption.

---

I thought the only two slaugher houses slaughtering for human consumption were in Texas? Or that's what I've read.

Texas is legal...... just curious about the statements made by the writer of the article.

Texas had a problem to which I can't remember the details and the then AG Cronyn issued an opinion that would have shut them down. The state legislature cured the problem with legislation passed this session. So now it's legal.

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, on this I wish I was more educated, but I haven't wanted to put myself through the emotional meatgrinder of researching it because it is bigger than I am. Wimpy I know.

But what I understand happens here is that horses are bought here in Washington and shipped to Japan live. For that purpose, they choose younger and healthier stock that can survive such a trip and be good eating.

So.... it may not be cut and packaged here... but....

[ShakeNJake]

It is illegal according to Texas law and a recent opinion from the State's Attorney General. However, Beltex and Dallas Crown have obtained a temporary injunction against the Tarrant County District Attorney's office (who was prosecuting the case to enforce the law on the books) until the courts can review the laws. The temporary injunction allows the slaughterhouses to continue to operate in the meantime.

[carton253]

Thank you very much... I've been wondering.

[deport]

Okay... so the revised statue of 2003 is being contested in relation to the order to shut them down which was based upon the AG opinion? I can't remember the details of the legislation but seems it only updated or expanded some definitions that appeared to be lacking in the existing legislation to allow for horse slaughter...

There were articles on it back during the legislative session....

[ShakeNJake]

No legislation was passed. The bill to change Texas law (and sponsored by Betty Brown) was defeated.

The only slaughterhouses approved for live slaughter of horses in the US are Dallas Crown and Beltex, both in Texas. Cavel International is attempting to reopen an equine slaughterhouse in Illinois. The previous one burned down in a suspicious fire a few years ago. Cavel withdrew their application for a license when the efforts of anti-slaughter workers exposed the illegal way in which the license was granted. The plant was due to open early in 2004.

There is a bill before the Illinois legislature to make the live slaughter of horses for human consumption illegal in the state of Illinois.

[cars for sale]

you are awesome...and simply, thanks.

[ShakeNJake]

Here is the current situation (from the Habitat for Horses website):

"The Federal Court Battle. As most of you know, shortly after the Texas Attorney General ruled that the two Texas horse slaughter plants were in violation of Chapter 149 of the Texas Agriculture Code, which makes it a criminal offense to sell horsemeat for human consumption, the plants filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court in Ft. Worth, Texas to stop the Tarrant and Kaufman County District Attorneys from prosecuting them. The basis for their suit was that the Federal law, which protects interstate commerce, overrides the Texas law outlawing the sale of horsemeat for human consumption. That lawsuit is still pending in the Federal court and there is little or nothing we, as members of the general public, can do but await the Federal judge's decision. According to the Tarrant County District Attorney's office that decision should come sometime toward the end of the year. Until then the Tarrant and Kaufman County District Attorneys have been ordered by the Federal court to not prosecute the horse slaughter plants. Thus, we are simply in a waiting game. We have every reason to believe that we will be successful in the court battle but only time will tell."

The issue is dead at the state level in Texas and it remains illegal. However, the injunction remains in place until the Fed court rules on whether federal law supercedes state law in this instance. The lawsuit was brought by the foreign-owned slaughterhouses, Dallas Crown and Beltex.

HR 857 would make the live slaughter of horses intended for human consumption illegal at the federal level. It is currently in committee. If you want to know the sponsors or read about that bill, go to http://thomas.loc.gov/ and look up the bill.

[Criminal Number 18F]

what do they do with the product from horses?

Animal feed, fertilizer.

The problem is, people love horses, but what do you do with an animal that isn't suited as a pet or trail horse for people? Not many people are willing to take on the non-trivial expense and duty of equine care for a beast the kicks, bites, and can't be ridden...

And then, there is the question, of what do you do with an animal that is overage or infirm? People will pay -- grudgingly, and just barely -- for elder care for their parents. They won't do it for their horses. The horse winds up at auction, and as the young lady points out in the article, one or more of the buyers is assessing these animals, not from the viewpoint of a horse lover, but as livestock. There it is.

A horse requires a lot of space and a lot of care, even if it's, well, "healthy as a horse."

Of course, no one who wants to maximize his profit from a horse he intends to slaughter will fail to feed and water the beast. That some people are cruel or incompetent at treating their animals is a separate issue than the fact that some animals are sent to slaughter. (I think gratuitous mistreatment of animals is far, far, worse than simply killing them for food or products... you might well disagree).

Here are some of the products that come from slaughtered horses:

• feed for farm animals

• adhesives (you probably have furniture in your house that was put together with glue that used to be a horse).

• leather. While the hide of a horse on a healthy horse is a fine thing, it also makes a strong and durable leather, that has advantages over cattle leather for some uses.

• meat. Some cultures are not hostile to horse meat. In Europe, especially France, it is available to people who can't afford beef. It is nutritious, as far as that goes; taste-wise, it isn't going to replace beef anytime soon (if you're a horse lover you might not want to try it). During the 70s when the Army was really in bad shape (thank you Jimmah Carter), it was sold in military commissaries because enlisted men with large families weren't paid enough to buy beef.

  In the USA a lot of horse meat goes to soup kitchens and other programs for the poor.

So those are the trade-offs. Pretty creepy if you love horses, but if a horse is going to die, either because it's unwell and suffering, or because no one wants it, then what becomes of the carcass? We've barely space to bury our human dead, going forward. We can't practically speaking bury large domestic animals. The choices are slaughter and recover max value, or incinerate the animal. The slaughter option lets man's dependable companion, the horse, make one last gift to the human race, its own body.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[cars for sale]

my grandad who never ever smoked always has three cheap cigars in his heavy flannel work shirt pockets. When
he came across a biter, he would cut about a 4 inch piece of the cigar and shove it in the horses mouth....well that horse would eat and then spit and rear up some BUT that particular horse never bit grandad again.

[RottiBiz]

My daughter is a great lover of all animals and wrote this article to bring this issue to the attention of all concerned persons.

A well written and compassionate article. Thank you for posting.

You have every reason to be proud of your daughter.

Leigh Anne, keep on fighting the good fight.

[HairOfTheDog]

The slaughter option lets man's dependable companion, the horse, make one last gift to the human race, its own body.

If only it really happened like that you could put it in a Hallmark card. But it doesn't. My horse will be put down here at home with tears and a needle. Not shoved down a chute not comphrehending why his comfortable life has suddenly turned into a nightmare by people he will still try to trust.

I have no trouble with the rendered uses of his body if I have a truck pick him up. I may not want to watch... there is no dignified way to move a 1200 pound animal, but it is the mixing of live slaughtered horses and the disposed dead that keeps me from knowingly buying the products I can avoid, such as pet food.