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Across the Fence:  horse slaughter  |
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 07:05:47 AM
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Ew...
I remember when I was a kid back in the 70's, there was a problem with horse meat being used at a "famous, extremely popular steak house" (begins with a P ends with an A) restaurant in lieu of beef... As I recall, they could call it "steak" or a "hamburger," but by law they were not required to divulge what KIND of steak or what KIND of meat was in the hamburger. Ew... Ew.... EW!!! My grand uncle had an encounter with a waitress at one of those restaurants in Florida where the waitress was forced to divulge this "secret" only if asked. I don't think one family member ever ate there again.
I'm wondering what kind of impact this will have on the meat we "think" we're eating now - both in restaurants and from the grocer. Yuck!
Thanks for sharing this, Kristina. Sending the link to family and friends right now!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
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StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
1044 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 07:39:42 AM
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Does anyone not understand the health implications involved with eating horse meat sourced from horses that were not originally raised for human consumption? Every package of de-wormer, every bottle of fly spray, vaccinations, wound treatments, supplements, all contain warnings that state: "Not meant for animals intended for human consumption." How many horses do you think that were purchased at auctions and went to slaughter houses were never given any of these products?
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
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FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 10:48:04 AM
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I read the article yesterday and told DH we would not be buying any meat with any kind of questionable meat source. So no more fast food burgers. No more store bought chicken nuggets, etc.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
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City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 11:45:20 AM
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I don't eat meat, but so long as an animal is raised properly for human consumption, I don't see the problem. We have food phobias in the US that are really sad, imho. Horse meat is prolific in Europe...and the animals are raised for it.
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Farmgirl Sister #88
Blogs:
http://omgsitstasharose.wordpress.com
[url=http://lilypie.com] [/url]
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caitlinsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
86 Posts
Kim
St.A
Idaho
USA
86 Posts |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 11:56:29 AM
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You would all do well to read the comments to the article too...it's a sensationalized Obama-bashing story and nothing more.
An animal raised ethically and organically, no matter the animal, if not gross or unfit for human consumption, should you choose to eat meat.
For you Christians, do you recall in Acts 10:13 when Peter was told to get up and go kill and eat. God got angry at Peter when Peter said he had never eaten an unclean thing. God told him how dare he call anything impure that God has made clean.
If you believe in God, or Nature like I do, you can't call something in the natural world disgusting when it is given to provide nourishment to your body so that you can work, live, breathe, and do good things to glorify that which you believe/who you believe in.
I wish people would think about that a little more...If you only had your horse and needed to eat, you would not let yourself or your family starve, would you?
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Farmgirl Sister #88
Blogs:
http://omgsitstasharose.wordpress.com
[url=http://lilypie.com][/url]
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Dusky Beauty
True Blue Farmgirl
1108 Posts
Jen
Tonopah
AZ
USA
1108 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 2:19:44 PM
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After reading the article here are the points I raised with hubby:
~Paula is right, horse meat has always been a disposal method for unwanted horses. Not a crop of food animals to be raised. Horse meat treated with "not for human consumption" medicines in life will be provided by the same people that process meats with "safe amounts of contamination" by soaking it in ammonia.
"Fit for consumption" or not, you won't be wanting it unless horses become farm raised for food production.
~Many people see a moral confliction with eating horses. Horses by nature are intelligent and often form strong bonds with people. I'm not saying that pigs and cows are too stupid to be pets at all, but I personally feel that it is morally wrong to subject a beloved horse that faithfully served humans for a lifetime with a gentle heart to a slaughter truck. For my part in that belief I don't ever sell a horse in it's twilight years, but when a good horse has a "free to good home" add, or goes to auction, there is that risk.
I guess at it's core, I will always choose to abstain from purchasing commercial horse meat for the same reason many people abstain from supporting veal. It just doesn't sit right with me from what I know about the horse markets.
Would I kill and eat a horse if it meant the difference between my children being fed or not? you betcha. But for now, there are much better alternatives.
"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." ~Gandhi
http://silvermoonfarm.blogspot.com/
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 2:47:46 PM
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I am speaking to ethically raised horse meat, for the record. I am sure it can be done just like any other ethically raised and culled animal...
I grew up on horses. If I were a meat eater, starvation would be the only reason I'd eat my horse (if I had one,) but it's not for me to say that it's ew if someone else eats horse meat. I just ask that horses-and all animals raised for meat-are raised in an ethical manner and treated with respect in life and in dying to provide food.
The article is ridiculous at best, however, and is quite slanted.
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Farmgirl Sister #88
Blogs:
http://omgsitstasharose.wordpress.com
[url=http://lilypie.com][/url]
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FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 2:50:49 PM
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If it was a life or death situation, sure. But it isn't. There are plenty of other choices. It is a cultural difference. I didn't grow up eating snails. Though, I hear they are good. I can respectfully decline to eat Mr. Ed if I choose.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
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Dusky Beauty
True Blue Farmgirl
1108 Posts
Jen
Tonopah
AZ
USA
1108 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 2:53:43 PM
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Yeah, to put my cards on the table, I don't care for Obama's presidential service, but it's pretty clear this was the legislative branch at work... not like Air Force 1 is going on a mustang safari. >_<
"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." ~Gandhi
http://silvermoonfarm.blogspot.com/
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 3:14:52 PM
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Well, I don't trust any meat that I don't know where it came from these days. I'm mostly a non meat consumer but my sweetums is a carnivore =P. While I love horses, I love pigs, bison, cows and chickens too, so to me eating horse meat isn't any worse. Buy local, know where your food comes from.
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 3:23:17 PM
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I'm in agreement with you, Jen. And, if my family were starving, of COURSE I would eat whatever was put before me. As far as the "ew" factor, I'm sure people in India feel the same way about eating cows. I don't condemn them for their feelings at all - that's how they feel.
I get what you're saying Tasha-Rose, I really do. And I do not mean at all any disrespect, but your scripture reference has been taken out of context. That vision of Peter's was Christ's way of telling Peter we are all of one body, and not to exclude anyone if they want to partake of Christ. You have to read ALL of Acts 10:9 - 10:28... If you take it out of context, the entire meaning is lost. That's not to say that God hasn't permitted all food for men. I think you may have been thinking of Romans 14:19 - 14:22: "19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. 22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves." In other words, go ahead and eat of the food that is put before you so that you do not insult anyone, because God made us clean through Christ, and no food can change the work God has done in us. If we're legalistic about stuff, then we're under the Law rather than under Grace. So, that's what "we Christians," as you put it, need to keep mindful of... I know you meant no disrespect, either, I do. And I hope that you will also please understand my "ew" was not because other people eat it, but rather because I couldn't bring myself to eat a horse - unless starving - anymore than I could bring myself to eat my dog or my neighbor's cat. I am sorry if my remark offended you or anyone else in any way, truly! :) I have the utmost respect for all of our farmgirl sisters!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 3:37:36 PM
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there are rescues/sanctuarys starving horses all over this country, people are letting their horses starve with the "outa sight, outa mind" way of thinking, others are letting them almost starve, and then turning them loose to die in traffic collisions, where humans get hurt also, then you've got those who say, "If you can not afford them , why do you have them", well I could afford them before the economy tanked and I lost my job/home, then couldn't give them away cause no one can afford them, soooo.. now what, put them down, Vet charges a few hundred, plus disposal costs, its that or feeding my kids, now what...donate them to a zoo or big cat sanctuary as food, great, whats the differance??? I could go on and on, and I have and always have had horses, so its not like I don't know how it feels, but , I will not let any animal suffer, and if push comes to shove, I will do what I have to do....
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
1044 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 4:27:43 PM
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I'm not sure if the physical suffering or the emotional suffering a horse experiences by being removed from his/her familiar, once loving surroundings and then hauled in a noisy, smelly trailer far away, with a bunch of other scared horses is worse. After all of that adrenaline shock, the meat can't be good anyway. It seems to me that raising horses for meat would be an awfully pricey practice. They aren't quite as tough or easy to raise as cattle, require a lot of space and tend to hurt themselves a lot more than cattle.
Personally, if I was in a situation where I could no longer care for my horses and could not find a home for them, I would find someone with a rifle and lay him to rest in his own pasture. But that's because I'm a softie when it comes to horses.
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 5:03:19 PM
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The problem, as I see it, is that some horses are beloved companions, and there have been cases where horses have been stolen and sold for horsemeat. This happened to a young girl in my area. The slaughterhouses don't care where the horse comes from--they're just interested in making a profit. If I had a horse and someone stole it and sold it to the butchers, I'd be very upset. And the fact is, there are some things I just won't eat. Like frog legs. and horsemeat.
Cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead O'Connor
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3318 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3318 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 5:46:07 PM
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My daughter was just telling me about this tonight. GAG me with a spoon!
As if it is not bad enough to actually slaughter a horse for consumption it's a HORSE for goodness sake! It boggles the mind...
And the fact that this bill actually slipped through the cracks and was signed by our "esteemed" turkey pardoning President-YIKES! Wonder if horse meat will be served at the white house? I sincerely DOUBT that!
I thought he said during his campaign he would BAN the slaughter of horses for meat consumption?? Just another empty campaign promise. Accountability, Mr. President....I'm just sayin.
But, I'm confused...When a horse is "slaughtered" is it diseased, on death's door or are they raised to be slaughtered for consumption? If so do the restaurants that sell horse meat disclose to the customer that in fact you are eating horse meat?
My stomach does cart-wheels just imagining this. DD mentioned that this is considered a delicacy overseas. BCCCCCCHHHH!
Melody
Farmgirl #525 |
Edited by - melody on Nov 30 2011 5:53:58 PM |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 6:09:34 PM
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Unfortunatly this subject, no matter how you feel or what beliefs you have, will cause some hurt feelings and wars between people, I would never send one of mine to a slaughter house, but, some people will have no choice, unless all who think this is WRONG, will step up and take on every horse who loses his home for what ever reason, and we all know that won't happen...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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Dusky Beauty
True Blue Farmgirl
1108 Posts
Jen
Tonopah
AZ
USA
1108 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 6:23:26 PM
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This is what I know about the horse market and how it effects the horse meat market:
All horses come from either a breeder, or from BLM mustang stocks.
Breeders come from many different stripes: High end million dollar purebred breeding/show/race stock; average breeders of pedigreed animals for breeding, show or pleasure; backyard breeders that produce a single foal a year for personal use and sale; and PMU breeders that harvest the mares for pharmaceutical hormones and the foals are a byproduct of that "crop".
The destiny of a horse is one part his origin, one part training, and two parts luck.
The higher up on the ladder a horse begins life, the more cash value it has. The more training the more resale value it has.
When a horse is a valuable one, it is sold in a venue that corresponds to it's perceived cash value.
The horses of least value either have a physical defect like an injury that prevents them from being ridden, have no use due to lack of training, are too old to work, or are just "gotten rid of" because the owner doesn't have time to sell the animal any other way.
These animals end up in livestock auctions for open bid. If the bid for an animal is cheap enough to be less than the price per pound on the hoof, the "kill buyers" bid on the animal. If it is above the kill price because private buyers bid it up for whatever reason, they don't. When you hear about a rescue person or group "rescuing horses from auction" they are bidding only against kill buyers, and prioritize their resources on the animals that have the best chance at rehabilitation and placement so they will have a good turnover rate.
At the end of foal season, you see a lot of PMU foals in the kill auctions. when the weather gets chilly and feed gets expensive, you see a lot more older and well trained horses in the mix as people can't afford to feed them and don't think about riding at that time of year.
Ironically, more slaughter will reduce the burden on rescues and improve the horse market prices for breeders, on the down side... well lets just say that the slaughter issue in the horse community is one of those subject like religion, politics, and abortion. Everyone's got a very passionate opinion, and it's more likely a fight will break out than anyone's mind be changed.
I say continue to treat your animals ethically and responsibly. If you care where a horse in your care ends up, take care when you sell it that it goes to someone who feels as you do. If you don't want to support the horse meat market, don't buy it for your family or your dogs.
If you want to help good horses have good lives, support rescue groups you believe in. If you want to rescue a horse from an auction yourself, that's a whole 'nother thread entirely.
"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." ~Gandhi
http://silvermoonfarm.blogspot.com/
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3318 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3318 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 6:58:37 PM
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Well said Jen! Thanks for the clarification.
Melody |
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YakLady
True Blue Farmgirl
652 Posts
Natalie
Montana
USA
652 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 7:08:21 PM
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For the record, this hasn't always been illegal. In December 2006, when there were no more horse slaughter facilities remaining open in the US, the law was passed that made it illegal to sell horses to foreign countries (Canada and Mexico usually) to slaughter for consumption (as opposed to rendering which is different). At this time, I was in the animal science program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The law caused a major uproar in all the Ag. professors. These are people who love horses, own horses, train and treat horses- but they were not at all happy with the law. The reason was what has already been addressed: People were able to get some minute amount of money in return for their old, no-longer-of-use horses by selling them to slaughter. This meant that they kept feeding them until they left the owner's control. After that law, we were all very concerned that unwanted horses would simply be turned out to fend for themselves. And boy, were they. Horse cruelty cases are horrid and many were caused, at least in part, by the 2006 law. The affect of the 2006 law has been magnified with the state of the economy.
Also, it's good to note that most of the meat produced from horses is EXPORTED to other countries where horse is a staple to their diet. Europe and Asia are where most of the meat goes. At this point in our economy, slaughter facilities opening in multiple states, making hundreds+ jobs each, and disposing of unwanted animals in a humane way that can increase our gross national product- Sounds like a good idea to me.
Now, I know that makes me sound like a psycho horse hater or something, but I assure you- I love horses. I've seen too many horses that were 1s or 2s on the BCS to think that every horse in this country has a quality of life worthy of such an animal. I know those of you ladies here with horses are NOT letting your horses starve, and that most, if not all, of you will be burying your horses on your property because they are family to you. Your horses are so fortunate to have you, but not all horses are so lucky. And yes, there are many horse rescues out there, many of which are hurting for funds and having a very rough time making ends meet. People with rescues have huge hearts, but rescuing horses is fund-intensive.
Many people are opposed to horse slaughter because they see horses as pets, not food. Same as a dog, cat, guinea pig, etc. In other parts of the world (some not far away), all of these are consumed by people. It's a matter of perspective. It doesn't make one right and the other wrong- just different. If those differences can help create American jobs, I think we should let them.
~Natalie~ Just a farmgirl in Western Montana. http://mtnme.blogspot.com
Starting a family and raising Tibetan Yaks, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Laying hens, Muscovy ducks, and a few dogs. |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 7:15:37 PM
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Natilie, very well stated from the other side, and I'm with you on your opionion, as well as your facts...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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Dusky Beauty
True Blue Farmgirl
1108 Posts
Jen
Tonopah
AZ
USA
1108 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 8:57:35 PM
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Agreed. horse slaughter is one issue that I am not convinced has a "right" or "wrong" answer. I feel that the "wrongness" of it falls down to choices individuals make that is disloyal in proportion to what a specific animal has given his human masters.
I don't feel it is the US governments role to tell people what they can or can't eat if it really comes down to it, and on that level it really resonates with something we all have in common: our desire to tell the government to get it's fat pork barrel nose out of our kitchens; force feeding us high fructose corn syrup while denying us raw milk.
I think the original point of the thread though, was to poke fun at a president that signed turkey "stay of executions" for a couple of birds, but silently passed a slaughter bill on horses, which many americans no doubt have stronger feelings for than turkies.
"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." ~Gandhi
http://silvermoonfarm.blogspot.com/
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3318 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3318 Posts |
Posted - Dec 01 2011 : 05:03:17 AM
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Exactly Jen!!
Melody
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StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
1044 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - Dec 01 2011 : 05:21:43 AM
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It looked like for awhile that Canada was on board with the idea of the unsafe meat handling sourced from horses. I haven't heard what their final vote was, but this article makes enough good points to make sure that you would never want to eat horse meat, and it would seem like if we shipped tainted meat to third world countries, we would be as guilty of poisoning other populations as some of our eastern countries have been of importing food to the U.S. with unsafe ingredients:
http://www.animallawcoalition.com/horse-slaughter/article/1370
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
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Across the Fence: horse slaughter |
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horse slaughter
