New Year’s Resolutions: Curtail Breeding or Build More Slaughterhouses

In view of the I-40 accident (Fairview, TN)  involving the 38 horses being carted to slaughter in the dark of night this past week, I decided to put this back on the front page.  While no one can be for slaughter, if it is going to be done, maybe some common sense  regulations can be put into place to make the horses as comfortable and safe as is possible. WSMV TV (Nashville) carried fairly balanced coverage of this unfortunate occurrence.

There are two New Year’s Resolutions I’d like to see others in the horse world make for this year: 

Stop breeding so many horses. Breed only every two or three years.  Not every horse, every year.  This resolution includes all those “quality breeders” who only breed “suitable” stock.  Even these folks have bred too many horses that they cannot sell.  Not only are grade horses going to slaughter, starved to death, or abandoned on public lands, but these quality horses from show horses to race horses are suffering the same fate when their owners tire of them, can’t afford to take care of them, or they are no longer stars or winners in the owner’s discipline of choice.

No horses should have to suffer these fates–neither grade horses nor fancy horses. They all feel the pain of hunger, neglect, and abuse. 

I hate to think of what fate Sonny (Sonny’s Progress)  would have endured had he not been rescued. He may not have won any of his races, but he is shaping up to be a fine pleasure mount with a very kind disposition. 

If the horse world will not adhere to the 1^st resolution, then we need to build more slaughterhouses in the United States. They could be built so that no horses would be hauled more than 3 hours to reach the slaughterhouse.  Any lame, injured horse, or recumbent horse would be euthanized humanely on the spot and not be transported at all.  The slaughter itself would be whatever is quickest so there is no suffering for the horse.  The Humane Association could have folks observe processes at all times.  This fate would be more humane for the horses than starvation, abuse, and abandonment.  

Sometimes true love is tough.  MS

http://tuesdayshorse.wordpress.com/2009/12/29/racehorse-with-champion-bloodlines-sold-to-slaughter-for-50-us/

http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/01/06/horses-abandoned-due-to-the-economy/

Tennessee Area Horse Shows January 2012

Remember to “Call before you Haul”!

Branham Farms’ Winter Barrel Racing Series’ 2011-2012 next show will be held on Sat.,  January 7, 2012  at the Branham Farms Arena. http://www.branhamfarmsarena.com/16001/index.html

The Southern Kentucky Ranch Horse Association will hold its next show January 21-22 in Bowling Green, Ky. Call 606-425-1198 for more information or visit the ARHA website.

The National Barrel Horse Association will hold its next regional show at the Roane State Ag Center in Harriman, TN on January 21-22. Call Mary Cunningham at 865-617-8126 for more information.

Beth and Peppy’s Equine Consignment Sale Nov. 4 and 5, 2011

Visit the website below for information about Beth and Peppy’s consignment sale featuring all things equine.  Drop off  items for the sale on October 30 and 31st, 2011.  Consignors can register on  Beth and Peppy’s website. The sale is open to the public and will occur on November 4 and 5, 2011 at the Jaeckle Centre in Thompsons Station, TN.  English, Western, Trail, and Endurance items will all be accepted. 

http://www.bethandpeppysale.com/