obama has lifted the ban on horse slaughter

I briefly worked for a farm with 50+ horses and only 3 fields. They hadn't sold a horse in over 6 years but HAD to have at least 6 foals every spring. None of them were trained to do ANYthing. The breeding manager was harped on because he only allowed 4 mares to come into foal instead of 6. I managed to sell 3 horses off that property before I left (about 2 months later) and by that time, 3 more horses were born and they bought a new mare for more breeding. The breeding manager was about to quit after I left because he simply ran out of room to put the mares and foals and the owner wanted more horses to be bred for next year.

I ended selling a couple and starting some 5-6 year olds under saddle before I left. When I first came, the owner was considering throwing a bunch onto the truck for slaughter just to get rid of them (yet still breed). It was a mess when I came and it was a mess when I left.

We are ALL against INHUMANE slaughter. The USA had regulations on how to properly slaughter an animal, and used those techniques. Using a knife to stab the horse over and over again? Inhumane. Bolt gun to the head and out like a light? Humane.

There are worse things in life than death. Keep that in mind. You've obviously never seen these "worse" things. Believe me. They are out there. I know of a couple people who have euthenized their horses via a gun, and I know a gentleman who owns a bolt gun for any unlucky situation.

I follow a rescue on facebook (in another country) where they can only do so much before giving the horse back to the owner. Multiple times, the horse had died when given back. And the rescue said "Oh, thank god its over". Worse things in life than death.

I would be anti-slaughter if it wasn't necessary. But there are too many irresponsible breeders out there who contribute, and there are too many owners who buy horses because "horses are pretty and I love them so much and I'll love him and feed him every day and he loves me and we can ride in a circle". When those horses act up and the owners can't find a solution, well. Off to the the slaughter house.

Yes, I understand how it seems horrible to send a majestic creature off to its death, but be realistic. Most of those animals are either useless or people can't afford to find a use for them. The slaughter houses filter and clean up unwanted, un-cared for horses. I'd rather see a hopeless abuse case go to slaughter than see him having to live through it for the rest of his life.

I use to be anti. I guess, at heart, I still am. Mainly because it breaks me to see so many animals killed. But what can I do about it? Not much. And if people were more responsible, slaughter houses wouldn't be nearly as controversial as they are now.

I'm only sixteen, and I'm a girl. Most sixteen year old girls choose, when presented with the decision of anti or pro, anti. It's because most sixteen year old girls don't own horses and don't even know how to lead one. They choose anti because they are emotionally swayed to believe that there are no good reasons for slaughter, that people only slaughter because they are cruel and evil and too lazy to find good, loving homes for those pretty little horseys. Gosh. Be realistic! Horses are expensive, and taking care of the flea-infested stock that usually ends up slaughtered is, more often than not, not worth the time or money invested.

Sure, there are some damn good horses that end up getting offed. And that's pretty sad, you know? Horses with real potential and money-making attributes getting killed next to horses with crossed eyes.