Horses and the Slaughter Industry

There was a time when I believed the argument that it was better for the horse to be put down at slaughter then suffer neglect or abuse. Many still believe this.
But then facts struck me in the face. It’s evidence, not emotion, that rules on these issues, contrary to what the pro horse slaughter lobby claims. This is not just a bunch of bleeding heart horse lovers.

The reasons why American’s should ban horse slaughter are not just about caring about horses, it’s also in our own, best interest as well as the best interest of our neighbors.

Three prime reasons why American horse slaughter is dangerous to our welfare:

Our health: – between the hormones and the medicines equine athletes are given, American horse meat is unsafe for human consumption.

Our environment: – reports of communities near these plants include such horrible affects range from blood backing up the sewers to the smells of the plant cast offs contaminating the entire area.

Our ethics: – ‘humanemeans compassionate. And the word comes from human.
By denying the horse – or any other animal – a compassionate means to an end comes back and bites back by adding stress hormones to the meat, as well as possible virus and bacterial infections due to a stress weakened immune system.
By allowing the slaughter plant into the neighborhood, we are risking the safety of that neighborhood. Far from creating jobs, it will send quality jobs away because no-one wants their business in sight or smell of a slaughter plant.

Our economy: – In order to prevent cruel stress causing treatment during shipment and slaughter, we would have to fund inspections. We would have to enforce and prosecute those who use cruel transport and slaughter techniques to save a quick buck. We would have to be willing to pay for the clean up and enforce the environmental protection as well.

It may seem complicated or contradictory, but it does begin with ethics.  Ethics about both our own food safety and our neighbors. Ethics about the right way to treat any living thing, even one destined for slaughter.

Why are horses NOT food animals: Due to their anatomy and high spirited nature, horses are not killed as easily as cows.Here is the process:

The Sale: Maybe it’s a retired racehorse or outgrown pony. But it’s not always in poor health to begin with. The buyers want meat, not skin and bones. Also it has to be in good health, at the very least not obviously sick. Slaughter plants don’t want obviously sick animals. However, they can’t tell at auction if the animal has been given medication.

The Feed Lot:  The owner cares little for the animals health and the reports of treatment in these places is appalling.

The Transport: The horse is crammed into a truck with multiple other horses, if it resists it may be forcibly subdued and injured. Reports include mention of intentional maiming and use of electric cattle prods. They then face a horrible, pain filled journey to the plant.

Here is a big red flag. Due to European union guidelines, the slaughter plant isn’t going to just take obviously sick animals or those with no meat value. Some are actually TURNED BACK or TURNED LOOSE. To die on their own at the slaughter plant. This means the whole ‘overabundance of neglected, sick horses’ is moot. These are exactly the horses they don’t want.

At the slaughter plant:  The stun bolt used on cows doesn’t work, often neither does the gun. In Mexico, sometimes they use a knife which only paralyzes, but does not render the horse unconscious.Meanwhile all the horses in line behind hear and smell the panic of the horses before them.  This means that when killed you get the meat of a panicked, stressed out animal.

WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEOS

Horses and Stress: Obviously all these facts add up to one load of meat filled with stress hormones. Stress also weakens the immune system, and makes it more susceptible to disease and infection.

Important Facts about Stress Hormones
Think Antibiotics in your Meat is Bad?
Hormone Released by Stressed Chickens Could Be the Reason for Invasive Bacteria

Horses and Drugs
Horses are not considered food animals. Look in the medicine cabinet or trunk of you average horse barn and you’ll find proof. They are treated as athletes or companion animals.
The labels of bute and other medicines do warn against use in food animals. Bute is proven to cause liver failure and other issues when combined with standard house hold drugs in humans. This is only one medicine but I focus on this because it’s as common as aspirin.

In order to be assured the horse doesn’t have drugs in it’s system, you’d have to have a complete record of the horse’s life. You’d have to have drug testing done.

The Economy and Environment: Locally speaking, horse slaughter plants have been disastrous for the local economies. They leave a swath of environmental contamination behind them. No-one wants their town associated with a slaughter plant. It ruins the local tourist industry. Far from giving jobs to locals, they usually hire illegal immigrants and criminals. There are reports of the blood leaking into the sewage! Would you want this in your neighborhood? Let alone house?

Life in a Horse Slaughter Town
Horse Slaughter Plant Proposed
When Horses Slaughter Comes to Town – – Economic Grown and Community Image
When Horse Slaughter Comes to Town (another one)
Applications for Horse Slaughter Mosey into  USDA

And where exactly does horse meat go?
Americans in general do not eat horse meat. In some European countries it may be a delicacy. But even they don’t want our hormone and drug tainted horse meat. In fact, they are already embroiled in scandal as horse meat has found to have been illegally sold in place of beef in multiple countries and leading to recalls in such big companies as Nestle and Burger King. Everything from school lunches to prepackaged TV dinners has been affected.

Traces of Horse Drug Found in British Beef
Horse Meat Found in Beef at Schools
Horse Meat Found in Nestle Products

Horse Meat Found in Burger King Burgers

Now considering the health risks, do we really want this in America? Why should we pay our tax money on USDA inspections for foreign investors and a few fat cats to slaughter horses and sell the drug laden meat to foreign criminals to pass off as beef?

It won’t stop animal neglect or cruelty. That involves the human heart. And it won’t get rid of the already sick or neglected. Even if it did, selling sick animals for meat is unconscionable.

We can’t afford it financially. We can’t afford it morally. You want less horses? Stop over breeding. But we are not going to find the solution in a slaughter plant.

Horses and Therapy

It’s no secret to horse lover’s that horses make excellent therapists.

They have some of the essential skills built right in. To name a few:

  • They are excellent listeners.
  • They speak only with body language, which encourages awareness.
  • The movement of the horse helps the rider, particularly those who have physical difficulties. It stimulates the movement of the rider’s muscles.

These natural traits make a horse an ideal creature for helping the disabled, or those wounded physically or emotionally wounded. Learning to guide and ride the horse gives confidence. The rider has muscles that may otherwise not be stimulated working, and helps overcome atrophy, and or improve balance. They influence posture, for heads up and heels down isn’t just an old proverb. A horse isn’t truly or primarily controlled by reins, but by body shifts and leg pressure. So the posture matters.

Then there are the psychological benefits. Autistic children, people with various social challenges, and the just abused find that the gentle communication of the horse may be just what they need. The horse is totally nonjudgmental. Those who find trouble talking and sharing difficulties with a councilor may find talking to a horse a lot easier. Even the autistic have been known to respond to horse therapy, perhaps because in a way, the horse and they speak a similar ‘body language’. That is, for instance, people with autism may be very shy and have trouble staring people in the eye and be wary of new people. This is similar to horses behavior as ‘prey’ animals.

In addition there is the just, plain fact that stroking or petting an animal eases stress. And therefore a horse has ‘plenty’ of fur to stroke.

Some horses – miniature horses – are even being trained as seeing eye horses. Yes, that’s right, seeing eye horses. The virtue of horses aside from dogs is that, for one thing, someone may be allergic to dogs.

Riding a horse requires ‘in the moment’ awareness. This is an automatic relief from those burdened with worries, cares or fears.  The ride of the horse itself requires there attention. And there is something in the brisk rhythm of the walk or the power of the canter that seems to clear the body and mind of stress and obstacles, leaving a clean tired feeling and giving room for the energy to face the challenges of life.

Not just any horse can be a therapy horse. It’s temperament that matters the most. They may be any shape and size, from that miniature ‘seeing eye’ horse to the big draft horse that carries that big rider with PTSD. They may be no special breed at all.  But they are special: they heal hearts and lives.

I Love Pony Power Kids T-shirt
I Love Pony Power Kids T-shirt
Aspergers Dare 2 Think Different Winged Horse Shirt
Aspergers Dare 2 Think Different Winged Horse Shirt
Aspergers is a mild form of autism.

Interesting Reference Links

http://blogs.psychcentral.com/equine-therapy/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therapeutic_horseback_riding

http://www.equine-therapy-programs.com/aspergers.html

http://www.wayofthehorse.org/Essays/equine-fac-learning.html

Hugging Day is Today

It’s National Hugging Day!

Hugs are proven to reduce stress.  Reducing stress has a positive impact on your health. But some people are not comfortable showing their emotions, especially in public. This holiday was made to encourage people to recognize the benefits of a friendly hug.  As a matter of fact, it has spread beyond the US and is ‘celebrated’ in other countries. It is officially recognized but is not a legal holiday. (Sorry, you probably won’t get off work on this one!)

Obviously we would highly recommend that you share your hugs with your furry companions as well.

If you sadly can’t find a human to accept your hug, grab your favorite stuffed animal and hug away. They love hugs too. And hug benefits, to some extent, work for teddy bears too.

Everyone needs a hug sometimes!

 

Smart Heart Living: Hugs and the Heart

Hug Therapy

Four Psychological Benefits of Teddy Bears