As the owner of a soon-to-be 31-year old horse (of whom I've cared for the past 26 years), I wanted to say how much I appreciate and agree with this.

:tro:

Freddymo, read Larhage's well said post to understand where I'm coming from.

Anyone who enjoys horse racing and is not concerned for the well being and humane treatment of race horses after they can no longer race, in my opinion needs to stop and think why not. Without the horse there's no racing at all for those of us that enjoy this sport or make a living in this industry. When you get down to it, our sport is really all about the horse. Who has the fastest horse on that day, in that race. Everything these race horses do is for human entertainment and hopefully financial gain.

Pigs are a lot smarter then horses - so what? What about the cows? These statements have nothing to do with this topic. Nothing at all.

As the ad states, "we have to take care of our own". After all, they've done enough at that point.

I has no use for killing horses for food nor do I wish to eat them but seriously whats the difference killing a horse for its meat to sustain human life then killing a pig etc.. Of course I hope any animal is slaughtered as humanely as possible but as long as the animal is eaten and not wasted and humanely slaughter who am I to judge what others elect to eat?

Go ahead and judge. Not everything in this world is acceptable.

That's the key. Slaughter, as it presently exists, for most livestock is inhumane. Only 50% of the beef slaughterhouses use the Temple Grandin method of leading cattle to slaughter.

Pigs are rasied in horrendous conditions - from the moment of birth. Watch HBO's "Death on a Factory Farm". If you can eat a morsel of pork after watching that, you've got a really strong stomach.

Same applies to veal. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever for baby calves to go through such horrendous upbringing before they are sent to slaughter.

Horses? They were not bred to supply meat. And, I pity the person who eats the flesh of these animals with all the toxins contained in that flesh. And, using the same method of slaughter for horses as they do cattle is the worst inhumanity. The anatomy of a horse's skull is way different than a cow. That bolt misses it's mark more times than not.

It's sheer greed that promotes the horse slaughter business. No one starving can afford to eat horse flesh. It's sent overseas and sold for upwards of $50/lb. It hasn't been used in pet foods since the 60's.

Too many horses are bred and will continue to be bred so long as there's a way to offload the unwanted to the meat men for $300 - $700/head.

How many horses are stolen right out of their pastures only to meet their end in a slaughter house?

Closing down American slaughter houses was the right thing to do, but it was like throwing a 50' rope to someone who is drowning 100' away.

Stop transport across American borders. It won't stop all horse slaughter, but it will stop the bulk of it.

Follow the money trail. Take away the money made on horse slaughter, and indiscriminate/overbreeding will eventually lessen. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen.

But, first, Washington has to get off their collective lead asses and close the borders to horse slaughter traffic.

:tro:

When I donate I do in the name of Hendrix or Drilling for Oil ***** or another I was a fan of...


I know what you mean and that your heart is in the right place but I've come to accept that there are just too many and this is a sad truth.

Hopefully one day it won't be and hopefully all those people will burn in hell.This is a brilliant line. I applaud your post.

Great post.

My friend... honestly there are some real hard asses here. There are some who are so tough and who seem like their straight out of ****ing Goodfellas or something (oh shut up it's true).

I'll tell you something though...

These guys... every single one of them, if you talk to them privately?

They're teddy bears.

You'd be amazed if I told you who I know for a fact gives contributions, etc.

I never will. I respect people who do it and want to keep it private but I'm telling you for the record every single person here that I've ever talked to privately... they might seem a certain way but they all have great hearts and deep love or admiration or at the very least respect of all for the horses.


***** This is for anyone who doesn't know the story.

Shocking and horrifying but I can't disrespect him and post his name without mentioning it.

If anyone wants to make a small contribution his is a nice name to use.

On Drilling for Oil...

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...d-dead-in-peru