[QUOTE=JP60;6004009]
Perhaps part of the problem is establishing the relationship we have with horses in today’s world and in the future. Over century ago a horse was livestock, an object that had a specific purpose (plowing, hauling a cart, working for a living) and it was also viewed as a food and by-product source. Over time that role has changed. We don’t regularly use horses for work, but instead they are now mainly sport horses; racing, eventing, jumping, dressage, reining, show carriage…the list goes on. Just because I can get on my horse’s back does not make it less of a pet, less of a loved member of my family.
As such it should be treated that way. People were offended by a comment that used cat slaughter in comparison. Why? Are horses less deserving of humane care, and humane death. Pet shelters may have there share of abuses, but in general, when I can take my terminally ill dog or cat to the vet, or to the shelter to be put down, I know it will be done in a humane manner. I am mainly disgusted that horse lovers would advocate slaughter as a first option knowing that there is neither people or money to assure acceptable conditions for the death of a horse. We take on the responsibility for their living when they enter our lives, we should then be responsible for their dying as well. While we (as a society) continue to see a horse as a commodity we will continue to allow the easy way out for owners to negate their responsibility.
I understand there is a problem with over breeding, there is a problem with neglectful owners (which is how I got my first horse), and there is a problem when an economy tanks and people are left having to make choices of what to do with a horse. Accepting the option of allowing horses to be put into crowded carriages, to be taken to crowded holding areas that reek of fear, to run the risk of being killed in an inhumane way is not a first or second option. This is an easy, hid the problem under the rug type solution. I agree with another poster’s premise that a fee should be paid by breeders for every horse they produce. I would accept a license fee for owning a horse (heck we may even get better documentation) all used to assist vets in proper euthanizing of horses and proper methods for disposal or burial. What blows me away is that I will read about people who will pay $$$ to help heal a horse, but complain how much it costs to end its life.
I simply dread, dread the day I have to potentially put my first horse down. I honestly pray she passes over in her sleep. However, I am grateful that when the day comes I can call on my vet for being there to make it a loving act. I want to believe every animal in our care is given that respect.[/QUOTE]
JP,
I promise you, you do not want your mare to “pass in her sleep”.
I do agree with you regarding the fear-free, comfortable, dignified death our companions so deserve. I am NOT advocating slaughter for slaughter’s sake. There must be improvements made for it to be acceptable. As I said in my first post, I have put down 5 members of my equine family in the past 5 years. (Plus 1 cat and 2 dogs but that isn’t our topic) Each one has gone down with carrots, grass or peppermints in his mouth, with me at his side, in his own yard, by the hand of his own vet. Such is the stuff that responsible horse owners charge themselves to accomplish. I reached the hideously painful decision to end their lives because it was MY responsibility. Each euth cost ME well over $300. The back hoe for each cost $250 or more. I have to say, for my next one, which I hope and pray won’t happen for a long time-I’m tired of acting as the Angel of Death around here-IF there were a clean, well-run, neighborhood slaughter house within a short drive, I would consider taking my boy there.
Picture this: I can imagine small local outfits…perhaps even a place such as my own. I have a 12 stall barn and rolling fields. I could set up the death chamber with effective, state of the art killing machines. I could house the horses for the allotted time to be sure they were drug free. I could feed them carrots and brush their faces and I could do the deed. I would sob my face off over each and every one. I’d be set up with the local shelters, I’d have a local guy who would do the rendering and we’d pack up Ol’ Bluey to go feed the shelter dogs. I’d charge a hundred bucks per horse. I certainly wouldn’t make any money-that isn’t my intention and perhaps it wouldn’t be as efficient as the huge rendering plants we have now but it would serve the local people who found themselves under a rock. The cost would perhaps slow the breed-for-bucks reprehensible types and it would give a better end to those miserable souls no one cares for any more.
xo