[dacowgirl]

Originally Posted by Stormyheart6160

How RUDE!!! I can promise you that those of us who are "dead set against slaughter", are doing more than someone like you who would rather kill them than help them.

Please, tell me this, would you rather see horses starving, in pain, and unhappy or put out of their miserey?

Those who are against slaughter, are more selfish than those who are in support. Those against it think they're changing the world by thinking it's wrong and rescuing those horses.

In fact many of those rescue centers are the ones who can't afford the horses as it is, and end up leaving them worse off.

Get Real. No one in their right mind would think that slaughter is at all a positive thing NO MATTER WHAT, but it in my opinion is much better than the alternative.

I 100% support rescue cennters, and donate my money along with my time, but think that if you can't afford to do it, wait until you're at the point that you can support it.

Sorry if this sounds harsh, but for the horses' sake people need to get realalistic.

[SaddleTrail]

How many threads will turn it's ugly head towards the slaughter issue?

As many times as it takes to get folks to understand. You can rescue horses all you want, put tons of money into them and let them go out to pasture and just be what they are, horses and to those that do, thats admirable in its own way.

To me and I have said this a hundred times over, slaughter is a viable, legal and cost effective way of dealing with homeless horses. I hate to use the word 'unwanted' horses because again to me, all horses are wanted by someone. Not perhaps by the owner who lets them starve or by those that are cruel to them but by folks like me, harp, horsesare, stormyheart, and many many others. I would take every single horse I could if it was feasible, it isn't and I can't.

I am one of those Pro slaughter people who feel the best way to deal with the problem we have now is to use the slaughter plants. I would rather see them put down with a captive bolt gun then starving, abused and neglected.

[mftx4]

What are the viable options to no slaughter? Rescues are over burdened, abandonment, where this whole thing started from, seems the wrong answer. I've suggested some idea's, that perhaps could help some honest, hard working, folks may be able to use. Is it pro or anti slaughter, cut and dried?

[SaddleTrail]

Originally Posted by mftx4

What are the viable options to no slaughter? Rescues are over burdened, abandonment, where this whole thing started from, seems the wrong answer. I've suggested some idea's, that perhaps could help some honest, hard working, folks may be able to use. Is it pro or anti slaughter, cut and dried?

No, it's not, or not to me anyway. There has got to be a way to stop the over abundance of homeless horses. What is the viable solution that will make us all happy, protect our horses? No one seems to be able to come up with that specific answer.

Taxes, licenses, fees, rescues, better transportation? IT all might help, but it won't stop the problem.

I am for slaughter, always will be.

[Stormyheart6160]

Originally Posted by dacowgirl

Please, tell me this, would you rather see horses starving, in pain, and unhappy or put out of their miserey? Of course, IF an animal is suffering and there's no chance for a recovery that will allow it to at least live a painfree, comfortable life being just what it is, ( a horse), then by all means, put the poor thing out of it's misery. IMMEDIATELY! NOT.....make it suffer several more days or weeks, being transported, crammed in a trailor with many other horses, JUST so someone can make that last dollar from them! While the general horse owner population thinks it's cruel to starve a horse for months in a pasture, it's just as cruel to starve that same horse for several more days, transporting it to slaughter for several more days or weeks! WHY would anyone WANT to cause that animal even more suffering IF suffering is really the issue?

Those who are against slaughter, are more selfish than those who are in support. Those against it think they're changing the world by thinking it's wrong and rescuing those horses. Those of us that are anti, are no more selfish than the pro's are!!!!!!!!!! I guess it depends on your perspective of things. We spend our money to help animals who are suffering. The pro's get paid for what they consider helping animals who are suffering. The thing is, MOST horses who get sent to slaughter are NOT suffering from ANYTHING! They are perfectly young and healthy animals. The average age of a horse being slaughtered is 7 years old.....fat, sound, and healthy! What "ailment" do you suppose they are being "put out of their misery" from?

In fact many of those rescue centers are the ones who can't afford the horses as it is, and end up leaving them worse off. Better do some research! MANY slaughter houses, both here in the states AND in Canada have been hammered with violations for abuse of animals. In fact, another one in Canada just got closed down for it, and the fact that they didn't even have a license to operate!

Get Real. No one in their right mind would think that slaughter is at all a positive thing NO MATTER WHAT, but it in my opinion is much better than the alternative. I definitely agree!! IF,......that was the ONLY alternative. Fact is, it's NOT!

I 100% support rescue cennters, and donate my money along with my time, but think that if you can't afford to do it, wait until you're at the point that you can support it. What a contradiction. Just above, you're slamming rescues for rescuing, then you turn around and say you support rescue centers 100%???????????

Sorry if this sounds harsh, but for the horses' sake people need to get realalistic.

Absolutely!!! This is a "people" problem, not a horse problem!!! Go to the "root" of the problem, where it starts, and the problem can be resolved. Go to the "end" of the problem, and the problem will continue. You have to ask "WHY" do we have too many horses to begin with. There within, lies the answer.

[mftx4]

So what are you personally doing in your area to help?

[theloneappy]

Personally I am pro slaughter. There is no feasible way to feed and house all of the horses that are out there right now. And that is the problem. The horses that are here (or will be shortly) NOW. Not down the road. Get the population under control, and then look down the road on how to change things. This is NOT a problem that can EVER be fixed overnight. It will be a long slow road no matter which direction you are taking it.

IMO I think the best thing that we can do is reopen (or build new) slaughter houses. At least if the slaughter houses are IN the USA we can set regulations and ENFORCE them. As of right now, the horses that are going to slaughter are having to suffer even longer on transport trucks, just to get to the slaughter house.

We went through a similar thing with Buffalo... The cattle captive bolt gun wasn't putting them down quickly and many had to be shot multiple times... They DID research and DID create a way to put buffalo down humanely in the slaughter houses. I don't see why why can't with the horses. Do a little research, come up with a way to do it humanely and still be able to use the meat, and then regulate it.

*shrugs* Not much else we can do. You chemically put down so many horses and bury them, you are only creating a problem on a whole different level.

I have more I can say on this subject but I am going to shut my trap now. BTW ND is in the process of deciding on a slaughter house here, I know that both Montana and Minnesota are too... Don't know about the other states...

[mftx4]

I've read some articles on the project in Montana and heard about the one in ND. Won't the regulations be stiffened and better methods used?

[Stormyheart6160]

Originally Posted by mftx4

So what are you personally doing in your area to help?

Ummmm....let's see....I have been rescuing horses for nearly 20 years.....I currently have 20 head here now, that I take care of all by myself, and support, all by myself. Since I have NO significant other to help me. BTW, all 20 are fat, and healthy!!!

I have done 3 televised news interviews concerning the plight of horses to date. I was suppose to do one this spring, but that's been postponed until fall. I'm a FIRM believer in educating and keeping the public informed.

I have "held" confiscated animals that law enforcement officials took possession of for pending abuse/neglect court cases. I have testified on behalf of the condition of said animals.

I've probably "gave away" as much of my money to help others with their animals, as I spend on myself each month.

I have travelled fair distances to pick up animals in need. All at MY expense!

That's only a drop in the bucket. How am I doing so far?

[theloneappy]

Originally Posted by mftx4

I've read some articles on the project in Montana and heard about the one in ND. Won't the regulations be stiffened and better methods used?

I would hope so...