I want to quickly say that I am completely against horse slaughter. I will give you a couple of quick facts and then I will post some anti slaughter links you can read through.
Even if you have absolutely no feelings at all, there are a few economical, environmental and health concerns involved.
Firstly, there have been recent studies in Europe that prove that the bute in horse meat, given to most horses in the US and everywhere else, causes fatal bone marrow depletion in people, infertility and many other ailments when ingested. Furthermore, there is not a "detox period" for it, despite what some think.
Secondly, when the american slaughter houses were open there was significant pollution of the ground water near Dallas Crown and employees/witnesses/residents claim that the plants dumped the waste, like blood and body parts, into rivers and streams. This includes heads. There have been reports, I think in Illinois (not sure), that chunks of waste were found in water sources. Horses have much more blood in their bodies than cows which so it is much more waste involved. The plant owned by Cavel international in Illinois was a "state of the art" facility which could handle 8Xs the waste than previous facilities and was still not in compliance. The city had levied a total of $80,500 for violations from 2006.
Thirdly, the "American" plants were foreign owned and when Dallas Crown's records were exposed, It was revealed that they got an estimated $5 million in Federal funding annually, and paid only FIVE DOLLARS in taxes and made over $12 MILLION per year. Your tax dollars at work! That is only one house.
Fourthly, there have also been studied done that prove that, because the neck is much longer than that of a cow and has a greater range of movement, the bolt gun cannot be use efficiently and humanely and most times doesn't "stun" them at all. They are hung up and their throats are slit while they are still conscious. It is obviously concluded that there is presently NO way to humanely slaughter a horse.
Fifthly, Horse slaughter advocates want you to believe that this is a ‘service,’ that horses being slaughtered are lame, old or ill-tempered. Yet the USDA funded Temple Grandin study of horses arriving at slaughter found that well over 90% (92.3%) met none of these criteria. In fact, the slaughter of healthy horses means greater profitability for the slaughter plant owners. If they have to pump food (which costs money) into the horses its less profit. It's the same mentality of their former owners, and the reason they end up going through auction. The following is a picture taken of starved horses
at a KILLER BUYERS facility. (killer buyer Terry Saulters in Waco, Tx) Further evidence that old, sick, or emaciated horses are not relieved of suffering one they are one there way to slaughter.
Sixthly, there have been studies conducted that prove crime rates are increased by in slaughterhouse towns because of the violent nature of the job. I will find a link and post it later.
Sevently, there have been studies conducted that prove there has been no decrease (and possibly and increase) in horse abuse/neglect cases during the last few years before the horse slaughterhouses in USA closed. I may be mistaken but I believe there has also been a decrease since the plants were closed. I will find a link and post it later.
The reasons above were not made up in my anti-slaughter head. They have been PROVEN in studies. Pro-slaughter people are either heartless or have been sadly misguided and are holding onto false reasons. The only way to stop the overpopulation of horses is to STOP BREEDING for the time being.
People want slaughter so they aren't held responsible for their mistakes.
If they have an oops, kill it; If they have an injury, kill it; If they are too old for
ME TO USE, kill it; My horse is to manly to get him gelded I can just kill the babies; People should be held responsible.
There are countless reasons to slop slaughter, but sadly money outweighs everything. It destroys our health, environment, economy, society and morals, and almost nothing good comes from it. It kills those who eat it, corrupts those who do it, wastes precious lives and negatively affects the environment and people in the environment.
Here is a good link to read I'll be posting more
Former Mayor: Horse Slaughterhouses a Drain on Taypayers — Never Mind the Ditches of Blood | Pith in the Wind | Nashville Scene