Neigh to Slaughter

Horse Slaughter

Majestic Animals

Cross-County Cruelty

Unethical Acquisition

Wild Horse Slaughter

Take Action

Majestic Animals                                                                     Back to Top

America has always enjoyed a love affair with horses. These majestic animals have a solid, honorable role in our country’s history and have helped humans in many ways. For decades horses provided transportation prior to the automobile, worked the grain and vegetable fields, hauled heavy loads and worked mines, gave physical strength in dire rescue situations, and served with our nation’s military and police forces. Of course, many horses still occupy some of these roles today; and without a doubt, through the many years, they have always provided endearing companionship. And for all of their good deeds, how do we thank horses?

Cross-Country Cruelty                                                                   Back to Top

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), in 2006, some 70,000 horses were slaughtered in the United States and about 32,000 more were shipped to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. Some of these horses were killed for the pet food industry, but most were slaughtered for meat to be shipped overseas to European and Asian markets. State and federal actions have since all but eliminated horse slaughter in the United States. However, transporting horses to foreign slaughterhouses for the purpose of killing the animals for meat is still occurring.

With changes in horse slaughter laws in the United States, exports to Canadian and Mexican horse slaughter plants have greatly increased. The USDA estimates that total horse shipments increased from 32,000 in 2006 to 80,000 in 2007. More than half the horses are shipped to Mexico where regulations are especially weak. U.S. horses are supplying the “delicacy” meat market demands of European and Asian countries.

Unethical Acquisition                                                                      Back to Top

Horses, both domestic and wild, who wind up in slaughterhouses, come from many sources: race tracks, breeding operations, farms, riding camps, and companion animals, to name a few. Some horses are outright stolen for sale and slaughter, while many more are acquired through equally dishonest means, such as kill buyers misrepresenting themselves to sellers.

Horses are typically sold at auctions in the United States and then transported to the foreign slaughterhouses. During transport, horses are crammed into trailers without food, water, or protection from temperature extremes. Many horses endure these conditions for several days before arriving at their grim destination. Of course, some of these poor creatures die en route, while still others suffer horrendous injuries. In the end, they all face the same fate: a cruel death by slaughter.

Wild Horse Slaughter                                                                   Back to Top

Although wild, free-roaming horses are not sold or adopted out by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for the purpose of slaughter for human consumption, a small number of horses acquired by individuals through the BLM have been resold or traded to slaughterhouses.

Take Action to Horses                                                               Back to Top

What can you do to change what is happening to horses? First, if you own a horse and must give him or her up, screen anyone who is interested in purchasing your horse. Be selective of whom you give your horse to, so he or she does not wind up headed for a slaughterhouse. Other humane actions include:

• Adopt or foster a horse rather than purchase one from a breeder. Visit www.horserescue.com for a listing of horse rescues, foster programs, and sanctuaries.
• Visit a horse sanctuary and meet survivors of horse auctions first hand.
• Urge your congressional legislators to support bills to ban horse slaughter or the transport of horses for slaughter.

December 2009