[mftx4]

Way to go folks. This has turned into an informational thread, for many who are uninformed on these issues. I just wanted to let Stormy know that I now have 2 vets in our area, that may be willing to do 'wellness' clinics, twice a year. General exam, necessary shots, worming and teeth checks. It won't be free and we'll limit the number of horses each person can bring. We have an arena and plenty of parking for trailers. So far we have a few volenteers to haul horses for people that can't haul their own. We have 2 trimmers lined up for the same dates at the same place. The horses they do will be on a 'needing a serious trim' basis, not just someone thinking to get a trim on the cheap. It will be left up to the trimmers to decide who needs the work. It will be strictly trims, no shoes. It's still in the discussion stage but we're hoping to set something up by Fall.

[Stormyheart6160]

Originally Posted by Beeks

Or perhaps because you could afford to take in more. At the very most, I've had 32 horse at once. At the very least, 6. Both botton and high numbers were while the plants were open. The 6 was much easier on me tho. LOL

I will not sit here and say the closure of the slaughter plants, is directly responsible for the horse over population epidemic. But let the closure of the plants coincide with the economy taking an epic dump, and Tah-Dah, we are suddenly a nation with an equine problem. Absolutely!!! The closing of the plants at the same time the economy took a nose dive, sure didn't help the situation any. I absolutely agree with you. I just get riled when someone wants to blame it all soley on the closing of the plants.

Had hay not jumped to the moon last fall, would you have taken more in? Because if you are telling me, the reason you do not have as many now as you did before is because there just aren't any out there, well Stormy, I will have to call a bit of BS on that.

Last fall, my hay prices went way down. But, it isn't the price of hay the dictates who comes here and who doesn't. It's what's within my reach to rescue, and how many I already have here.

I don't think I've ever suggested there isn't as many out there??? What I have said is, people didn't realise how many there actually were, because a LOT of the neglect/abuse/abandonment cases were hidden behind a slaughter house curtain. That's not happening now, so people are really seeing how many actual horses are being mistreated now, because the owners have nowhere to hide their mistreatment.

[mftx4]

When prices on horses were higher and the cost of care was less, do you think more people took in horses that needed care, more willingly?

[Stormyheart6160]

Originally Posted by mftx4

When prices on horses were higher and the cost of care was less, do you think more people took in horses that needed care, more willingly?

Yea...I do. I have 2 different friends who took in one horse at a time, rehabbed it, and then found it a good home. They haven't been able to do that since the economy took a nose dive. They just can't afford it now. I'm sure that's the case for a lot of people.

[doubledutch]

I agree. grade horses are really hard to find homes for in our area. My farrier has a list of free horses that he packs around with him and it seems to get longer every day. I am at my limit now with 6 of my own and boarding 2 for a family member so i dont dare look at his list or i would end up with another one and be seriously pushing my feed budget .

[lbhugg]

I know in our are the only ones we can find homes for are healthy, sound and rideable the others are either being put down for health and soundness and the untrained are sitting at the rescue.

[Beeks]

Originally Posted by Stormyheart6160

I know there are horses dying from those things, but I'm telling you the flat out truth here.....I took in MORE starved horses while the plants were still open here, than I have since they closed. Maybe it has something to do with the more depreciated areas or something....IDK?

Maybe you didn't outright say there were less, but the bolded part of this statement would indicate that there were more horses in need of rescue available when the plants were fully operational than there are now, with them closed. I find that part, difficult to believe.

The economy alone has forced people to do things with their horses they would not have normally done. But eating them, was not one of those things. (going back to the scare-tactic statement) Those types of battle cries discredit your crusade. At least it does for people with an IQ higher than their shoe size.

[lbhugg]

At least it does for people with an IQ higher than their shoe size.


There are a lot of people out there that this statement fits lol!!

[Stormyheart6160]

Originally Posted by Beeks

Maybe you didn't outright say there were less, but the bolded part of this statement would indicate that there were more horses in need of rescue available when the plants were fully operational than there are now, with them closed. I find that part, difficult to believe. I didn't mean anything one way or the other, as to whether their were more or less while the plants were open. I was only stating how it was in my area at the time.

The economy alone has forced people to do things with their horses they would not have normally done. But eating them, was not one of those things. (going back to the scare-tactic statement) Those types of battle cries discredit your crusade. At least it does for people with an IQ higher than their shoe size.

Don't be so sure about that. It took someone with a higher IQ than their shoe size to come up with any "attention getting" slogan. It appears to be working too.

ETA: Look at all the ads the pro side has put out, about how much more healthy horsemeat is.....recipes for it.....promoting the consumption of horsemeat. Looks to me like "someone" IS trying to make horsemeat the next red meat.

[Beeks]

Originally Posted by Stormyheart6160

Don't be so sure about that. It took someone with a higher IQ than their shoe size to come up with any "attention getting" slogan. It appears to be working too.

ETA: Look at all the ads the pro side has put out, about how much more healthy horsemeat is.....recipes for it.....promoting the consumption of horsemeat. Looks to me like "someone" IS trying to make horsemeat the next red meat.

I have never read on this or any other forum, anyone who was pro slaughter because they loved horse meat. If they love it, they are still free to butcher it privately and put it in their freezer. Even when commercial slaughter was legal in the U.S. there was no horse in the meat department of Grocery Stores. I don't think I would ever go out of my way to eat horse meat. Because of my horse passions, the thought does not appeal to me and it is my personal belief (I can feel another poll coming) that the vast majority of pro slaughter people are more interested in the base value of horses than seeing horse burger in the butcher shop.

Only a complete nutter would believe pro slaughter people are trying to phase out the beef industry. That is just crazy talk.