| The Conyers/Burton Equine Protection Act is designed | | | | need to be responsible for their foals, and make sure in |
| to finally end horse slaughter and the transportation of | | | | this depressed economy that the horses are going to |
| US horses for slaughter permanently. As to the | | | | responsible owners. It isn't just about how many new |
| unwanted horse problem, there are many practical | | | | quarterhorses are registered; it's about the quality of |
| solutions within our very reach. | | | | the foals and the knowledge each breeder has where |
| Just the other day, Idaho pumped out legislation aiming | | | | his foals, mares, stallions and geldings wind up. Each |
| to promote the slaughter of horses for human | | | | breed specific organization should be responsible for |
| consumption. Alleging complaints of rampant starving | | | | their own, and can help support responsible ownership |
| and abandoned horses, politicians and lobbyists are | | | | as well as donate to horse rescue organizations and |
| back promoting the construction of horse slaughter | | | | sanctuaries. |
| plants never researching the egregious, flagrant | | | | The thoroughbred industry has taken the lead on |
| violations, the pollution, the noxious odors as well as the | | | | responsibility. Many racetracks have already placed |
| inhumanity of the treatment of the horses at auctions, | | | | restrictions against anyone sending off track |
| their handling in both transportation and at the | | | | thoroughbreds to slaughter. In a recent HBO special, |
| processing plant. It is important to remember that the | | | | the public was shocked to watch perfectly healthy, |
| three remaining horse slaughter facilities were cited | | | | young horses secretly loaded onto trailers to be |
| and fined repeatedly for these violations, and as | | | | shipped off to slaughter without ever having a chance |
| recently as December, 2008, another slaughter plant in | | | | to transition to a new home and a new career. Some |
| Canada has been shut down for polluting local water | | | | tracks are charging small, additional entrant fees prior |
| sources and questionable humane animal welfare. | | | | to each race to help fund horse rescue organizations |
| Factor in that all US slaughterhouses had been owned | | | | who are then able to retrain these horses for new |
| by foreign companies who paid little or no taxes, nearly | | | | careers. |
| 80% of the population polled in the US are against | | | | Communities and law enforcement agencies and |
| horse slaughter, it doesn't seem to be a practical | | | | organizations need to make sure owners act |
| solution. | | | | responsibly when they have any animal. It is illegal to |
| Slaughterhouses do not offer humane euthanasia of | | | | starve any animal, whether it be a dog, cat, or horse. |
| horses. It is strictly a business, and they do not want | | | | Violators should be held accountable. And when a |
| the old, lame ( against the law shipping any lame horse | | | | horse is suffering due to illness, age or impossible to |
| to slaughter ) or starving horses. The facts reveal that | | | | place in a safe home, then humane euthanasia is an |
| the most slaughtered horse is the young, fat, | | | | acceptable option. There is no fear and no pain. |
| quarterhorse and for 90% of the horses sent on to | | | | Horses have carved themselves as symbols to the |
| slaughterhouses, all were well behaved. | | | | American heritage. They have carried our mail, carried |
| As for solutions for unwanted horses, here are some | | | | our soldiers both alive and in death. They have raced |
| suggestions. We need to start with the breeders. Just | | | | and won; they have given us their lives and we |
| because a mare has a uterus and a registration | | | | certainly owe each and every horse dignity in both life |
| number does not guarantee a perfect foal nor does it | | | | and death. |
| guarantee a responsible home or career. Breeders | | | | |