[Bluntpoint]

Every year there are fewer and fewer farms to house these old animals.

What is there to do?

While I personally would never end my horses life this way, I have donated already dead carcasses to my local animal sanctuary for food.

While I love my horses, the thought of renting a backhoe and having a tear laden service for them seems a little Walt Disneyish!

[Judith Anne]

Yes, I know what you mean. There are several breeders around my area who have culls every year, some are sold for personal use, but what to do with the rest? They can't be bred, and no one wants them.

Plus, there is always the horse who is not fit for human use--a biter, or likes to buck or kick, the horse that no training will fix. There are plenty of knowledgeable horse people who are kept plenty busy working with good horses, never mind the "strawberry roans."