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Across the Fence:  horse slaughter  |
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MEWolf
True Blue Farmgirl
358 Posts
Margaret
Byers
Colorado
USA
358 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 01 2011 : 08:01:33 AM
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This is such a tough issue. I have either been involved with, or owned horses for 20 years. Back in the day, when most folks who had horses could afford to take care of them, slaughter was not as big an issue. But now, there are so many people who have these beautiful creatures, who can ill afford to do so, slaughter is back on the table. As it should be.
The rescues are full, the racing industry keeps crankin'em out trying to breed the next triple crown winner; not to mention the culling of the wild horse population. There is such a glut of horses that are either run through sales, let go to fend for themselves, etc. that it is an unfortunate necessity. I have been involved with rescue and rehab of baby horses for a few years now. We had to euthanize one of our babies, due to a catastrophic hoof break, it was a horrible thing, but it was the right choice to make for the honor of the animal.
Quality of life is as important for our animal friends as it is for humans. We as humans bear a responsibility to each and every animal we take into our care. And if we are not willing to accept the hard and bad stuff along with the good, we should not own animals.
Margaret
“Kind hearts are the gardens, kind thoughts are the roots, kind words are the flowers, kind deeds are the fruits. Take care of your garden and keep out the weeds, fill it with sunshine, kind words and kind deeds.” ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1808-1882)
Farmgirl #3020
www.grey-wolf-farm.com |
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queenmushroom
True Blue Farmgirl
985 Posts
Lorena
Centerville
Me
USA
985 Posts |
Posted - Dec 01 2011 : 08:30:31 AM
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I am not an expert on foriegn cusine, but I have been told by a fairly reliable source that has been to Japan, that if you order steak at a restaurant, you have to specify beef or horse and if you don't, you WILL get horse. Frankly, with all this hubub about horse slaughter, I am not in favor with horse meat for human consuption if the horse has not been reared in an environment for that purpose. You figure, our ancestors probably ate horse meat right along with deer, cow, pig and chicken. It didn't hurt them any taking into consideration the unsanitary conditions at the time. Regarding the slaughter house itself, I would rather have an animal layed away, then let it suffer in "well meaning" but abusive conditions. Like all species of pets, there are too many unwanted ones and sadly, as much as our animal loving instincts want to, we can't save them all. Sorry if you disagree with me.
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Dec 01 2011 : 08:48:45 AM
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While I don't want to eat horse meat, I will say that it is humane to kill them, rather than letting them starve. There are way too many unwanted horses and horses that people cannot afford to keep. I don't want them to starve, that is such a horrible way to die. I would, however, like to know how they are slaughtered and that it is done as humanely as possible.
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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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 : 11:22:42 AM
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My major beef (sorry no pun intended) is regulatory commissions supervising the slaughter of horses or in any slaughterhouse. Lord, I can't even watch that stuff on TV, but from the horror films I have viewed on the subject that is where we need to concentrate our energy on. Who is going to pay for inspections, etc.? What happens when a slaughterhouse is not in compliance-Fines? What?
I agree wholeheartedly about it being your choice whether to consume horse, beef, pig or chicken. And, that it is better to put an animal down instead of letting it suffer or be abused. But, getting that product to your table should have very, very specific guidelines that should be adhered to in the extreme and that should be priority #1.
Sorry for the rant...I'll climb down off my soap-box now!
Melody
Farmgirl #525 |
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Lieberkim
True Blue Farmgirl
839 Posts
Kimberly
Sunnyside
WASHINGTON
USA
839 Posts |
Posted - Dec 01 2011 : 1:55:28 PM
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Meat is meat. If it bothers someone to eat horse, dog, guinea pig, chicken, duck, turkey, guinea fowl, rabbit, pig, cow, yak, buffalo, moose, deer, elk, caribou........ then don't eat it, but that shouldn't stop someone else from eating it.
Excuse the mess & the noise, my children are making happy memories |
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Dec 02 2011 : 11:10:26 AM
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Kristina, the problem is, the rescues are full, out of business (and some should be), no money or donations for feed (and its expensive)or vet care, so where do they go...euthanize (and alot of people can't afford a vets cost or disposil costs), starve to death in out of sight, out of mind ways, turn them loose to cause traffic wrecks where human life is lost, etc, etc , etc...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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Megan
True Blue Farmgirl
155 Posts
Megan
Hudson
South Dakota
USA
155 Posts |
Posted - Dec 02 2011 : 7:34:02 PM
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Horses are really not that differnt than elk or deer they eat grass drink water what is differnt from cows some horses are bred by people that have no right to own stallions
www.rockriverexoticsandkennel.net |
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smiley
True Blue Farmgirl
650 Posts
lea
pea ridge
arkansas
USA
650 Posts |
Posted - Dec 02 2011 : 8:55:40 PM
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| Great thread ladies! My 16 yr old daughter wants to be a vet specializing in equine care and her and I had a heated debate on this subject 2 weeks ago. I called her in to read this thread to me. She said I like that Jen lady! I will admit it is still troubling to me emotion wise but practically speaking I see what Tina and others have said as true. Perhaps it is a sad needed reality of our world. I agree the government should not be able to have such a say in our "kitchens"also. But isnt it great we live in a country where we can still go online and voice our opinions even when they disagree with our leaders? I guess thats the topic for another thead huh? |
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Dusky Beauty
True Blue Farmgirl
1108 Posts
Jen
Tonopah
AZ
USA
1108 Posts |
Posted - Dec 02 2011 : 11:59:42 PM
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Brutal honesty from me here, horses are such an intense expense, that as much as I love them-- I've decided I will probably never have the time to ride enough again to ever be able to justify owning another saddle horse for myself.
I'm actually breathing a little sigh of relief that the old horses that have been in the family for decades have a finite time left. I'm pleased we've been able to see them through from their productive years, to retirement and their last days, but I will feel better when I won't have to worry about those feed bills for a while. Money has been tight for a long time and I'll be content to not take on another one until we're stable enough to not have to rely on homeopathy for veterinary care. >_<
I'm positive it's true for countless strapped horse lovers. There's nothing to do but feed them well and focus on diligent preventative care.
"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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StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
1044 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - Dec 03 2011 : 08:07:19 AM
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I agree, a lot of people fall into the "horses are like potato chips" trap. They can't have just one...then they find themselves trying to feed a herd. I would still put mine down with a shotgun, if I couldn't afford to take care of it anymore, or couldn't afford to have a vet put it down rather than send it off to a slaughterhouse. No one will benefit from the meat, because it has been tainted with substances we shouldn't ingest. Now if people really wanted to go to the expense of raising horses just for meat, keeping all of the unsafe substances out of their bloodstream, trimming their hooves on a regular basis and floating their teeth like they should, then go for it. If they didn't do all of those things even for horses who were meant for human consumption, then they would be neglecting the health of the animal while it was in their care.
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
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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 03 2011 : 2:36:49 PM
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I agree Paula-
Mel
Farmgirl #525 |
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Across the Fence: horse slaughter |
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horse slaughter
