Stop breeding or keep horse slaughter active?

Question

Either stop breeding or keep horse slaughter active. It’s a foolish thought to believe all horses can be saved. Watching animals starve to death is as painful as going through it yourself. More horses are suffering now than ever before. Its not inhumane to slaughter horses it is not inhumane to help them die a quicker death than a slow painful one. Make breeders pay the price go after the states that offer tax incentives for breeding, milk babies, thoroubred breeders, pmu surpluss, etc...Shutting down the slaughterhouses is not the answer. Who cares if people eat horsemeat, not my choice of food; however, what right does anyone else have to say it's not okay. People eat meat of all kinds, its not anyone’s call. If you really want to help go after the breeders, stop saving and let them take care of the mess. Its an unfortunate reality but shutting down American slaughter houses is a not the answer. Why are we shutting down export, when we are importing horses into the country?

Answer 1

I couldn't agree more!

It is not a side to the industry that people like to talk about, but it is a fact that 70% of all thoroughbreds horses bred will either not make it to the racecourse or will prove to be useless.  A large majority of these horses will be able to be rehabilitated as ordinary riding horses and some even go on to become excellent competition horses.  However some of these horses will not be of use for anything, and much as some people like to think that a horse can just live in a field doing nothing for the rest of his days, that is fantasy land.

The main problem is overproduction and breeding from substandard horses.  I beleive all countries should adopt the German philosophy behind breeding - before a stallion can rtire to stud in Germany he must fulfill the following criteria:

1. He must have raced for at least two seasons

2. He must not have any condition that can be passed on to his offspring

3. He must not have raced on ANY drugs (including salix, etc)

If all racing countries were to adopt this criteria, the breed would be in a much better position.

I would much rather see a horse humanely destroyed, than starve to death abandoned in a field somewhere - I'm afraid this is what will happen if slaughterhouses are closed down.

Answer 2

I echo much of this person's statement, and would like to apply these sympathies to casual pet breeders of all kinds.  There is no reason for amateurs to breed dogs and kittens when there are, literally, thousands of dogs and cats put to death, every day in this country.

Owning a pet, and NOT neutering it is tantamount to the murder of animals, equal in number to the potential litters these unneutered pets may produce in their lifetimes.  I understand professional, registered breeders of purebred stock.  They are in the business of producing the equivilant of livestock. (although I do not approve of wholesale puppy or kitten farms.)

If someone needs to present a cute little kitten or puppy to their child, there are plenty of healty ones available in local animal shelters.