Everybody PLEASE think first!

ColtysHeart · 03-25-2004, 10:41 AM

Everyone planning on breeding their mare this spring, please think first. Why are you breeding? Is it because you think it might be fun? You want to experience the "miracle of birth". You have a real sweet great mare that you would like to duplicate. Please think about the future first. Today the horse industry is being bombarded by the unwanted offspring of backyard breeders. It's almost like the stray dog/cat problem in the US. To many people are breeding horses without taking a real hard look at their horse. Conformation faults, temperment, etc. Please only breed horses that are the best of the best both in temperment and conformation. The current glut of horses in the market are fueling the slaughter horse industry. Whether you like it or not, most grade horses and several papered horses end up there before they reach 5 years old. For gosh sakes, Ferdinand (Kentucky Derby winner) was sent to slaughter. That is my view and it comes from many years of dealing with abused and neglected horses (throw aways).

shell · 03-25-2004, 10:53 AM

here is his story. So sad.

Sometimes this game is criminal
Blood-Horse reports 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand died in Japan, but you won’t believe how
It doesn’t seem like 17 years since a big, beautiful 3-year-old chestnut did more for my career in this industry than any horse — or person, for that matter — ever has. The horse provided me with instant credibility in about two minutes — 2:024/5 to be exact.

I had gone on national radio — KMOX in St. Louis, American Sports Network out of Las Vegas, etc., the night before the 1986 Kentucky Derby. I have it all on tape: “In this race I love Ferdinand, and I love the price; for second I’m gonna go to Bold Arrangement.” I didn’t bet that near-$400 exacta, but I won much more than a few dollars that day; I earned a reputation.

Needless to say, Ferdinand always held a special place in my heart. So you can imagine my sadness when I read an article in Blood-Horse magazine reporting of his death.

Horses die. It’s a fact of life. Some too soon. But not one should ever meet the fate of Ferdinand. Not a Kentucky Derby winner; not a $5,000 claimer.
For those who missed it — and heed this warning: The faint hearted should turn the page right now — the Blood-Horse, in an exclusive report written by Barbara Bayer in the July 26 issue, revealed that Ferdinand had apparently been slaughtered in Japan sometime in 2002.

Bayer attempted to learn of Ferdinand’s whereabouts after a member of the family of Howard Keck, who owned and bred the horse, inquired about having him returned to the United States, where he began his stud career at Claiborne Farm in 1989 for $30,000 live foal.

Ferdinand’s first few crops did not particularly excel on the racetrack, and he was later sold to Japan’s JS Company in the fall of 1994. Ferdinand spent six breeding seasons at Arrow Stud on the northern island of Hokkaido from 1995-2000. But his book dwindled from 77 mares to 10.

After efforts to place Ferdinand with a riding club failed, he passed into the hands of a horse dealer and left the farm Feb. 3, 2001. Here’s where the story gets fuzzy. Bayer at first was told Ferdinand had been given to a friend. When she asked for more information, she was told Ferdinand was gelded and at a riding club “far away from here.” However, records showed Ferdinand was bred to six mares in 2001 and two in 2002.

But when Bayer told this horse dealer she wanted to see Ferdinand, the story changed yet again. “Actually, he isn’t around anymore,” she was told. “He was disposed of late last year.” Bayer learned Ferdinand’s registration in Japan was annulled Sept. 1, 2002. It seems in Japan, the term “disposed of” is used to mean slaughtered, Bayer wrote in The Blood-Horse.

Bayer notes that Ferdinand’s story is the story of nearly every imported stallion in Japan at that point in time when the figures no longer weigh in his favor. In this country Ferdinand’s fate is not the exception; it is the rule. Shortages of land and the high cost of maintaining a pensioned horse are reasons slaughter is considered an alternate.

We tell this story for one reason: to make people aware that this type of cruelty goes on all over the world. It’s why it is important to support efforts like the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation to stop the slaughter of thoroughbreds in this country. To have this happen to a Derby winner is criminal. To have this happen to a horse you once owned or trained is no more acceptable.

Sandra-A1 · 03-25-2004, 11:02 AM

Ferdinand was sent to slaughter by his Japanese Owners because he failed in the breeding shed. They did try to find a place there that wanted him. Eventually was no place that wanted him. Japan is a small island country with limited space and resources.
Yes, they eat horsemeat there. That is part of their culture. Ferdinand was not abandoned and left somewhere to starve and suffer.
Horses are a livestock and a food animal, they always have been. Nothing we can do will change that fact. Some cultures feel that horses are still a meat staple, Japan happens to be one of those cultures.

[ March 25, 2004, 12:03 PM: Message edited by: Sandra-A1 ]

babs · 03-25-2004, 11:10 AM

Good point coltysheart!

shell · 03-25-2004, 11:11 AM

Still, I believe he "Earned" the right to live out his life as the great horse he was. He defiantly won and earned enough money to have had a long healthy life with someone who respected him for his accomplishments. I think his American owners should have kept him. He was a champion after all. How many of us can say we have a derby winner in our barn? What an honor. He did not die like the champion he was.

Sandra-A1 · 03-25-2004, 11:26 AM

Quote:

he "Earned" the right to live out his life as the great horse he was. He defiantly won and earned enough money to have had a long healthy life with someone who respected him for his accomplishments. I think his American owners should have kept him.

Exactly Shell...you will get no argument from me there!

Still I will not critize or judge the Japanese (or any other) people because their cultural beliefs are different than ours.

I wonder where are all of these people who cared so much for this horse when his owners sold him to people in another country? The TB Industry has known for a LONG time what happens to the TB horses in Japan.
Why was there no outrage BEFORE Ferdinand left this country?
Why was no one looking out for him and following what was going on with him BEFORE he was sold by the Japanese TB Farm that had him?
He was sold to Japan’s JS Company in the fall of 1994 yet no one started looking for him until sometime after the year 2002?
It doesn't make sense to me.

shell · 03-25-2004, 11:40 AM

The TB industry is all screwed up. To me it is almost like a puppy mill. I can't believe they throw away the good horses along with the "Bad". I think if I were super rich, I might try and change the horse and dog racing industries somehow.

littlecelticpony · 03-25-2004, 01:40 PM

i agree with all of you - however, i don't believe that horsemeat in Japan is considered a "staple". rather, it is a delicacy, from what I have heard/read.

however, i do have a link to pass along, for educational purposes.
http://www.horsekillers.com
PLEASE NOTE: the videos on this site are NOT for the light of heart.
but perhaps if more people realised what exactly happened in those slaughterhouses (such as the BelTex plant, down the road from my house), maybe more people would oppose them.

just my two cents. :-)

[ March 25, 2004, 02:41 PM: Message edited by: littlecelticpony ]

Sandra-A1 · 03-25-2004, 01:57 PM

Yes, it is considered a delicacy in Japan.
My point was that Japan is limited in size, area and resources so there really is not a lot of room for retirment homes for horses. Also eating of any livestock....horses included is perfectly acceptable there because a part of their culture.

If people in this country were so concerned about Ferdinand why did they wait so long to look him up?

As for the website and video it has been posted and discussed on this website before and several of us have already posted our opinions about horse slaughter on these other threads.:
Horse Slaughter? Do you agree?

Horse Slaughter -Necessary Evil I think NOT

[ March 25, 2004, 03:01 PM: Message edited by: Sandra-A1 ]

OwnerofWillow · 03-25-2004, 02:32 PM

Is this any differant than how Cattle are slaughterd? I honestly dont know how it is done. What about chickens, fish, Lamb, pigs, turkeys, ducks, etc. I think it is awful that they have not found a better way to slaughter them but the horse meat is eaten. I wouldnt eat it but that is my preference. Just as I wouldnt eat dog or cat though some do. If you dont want this to happen to your horse then when you buy a horse make sure you are commited to keeping that animal for its life. Just like a dog or cat. Yes horses are more expensive to up keep but you need to think about that when you buy a horse.

03-25-2004, 10:41 AM	#1
ColtysHeart Full Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 38	Everybody PLEASE think first! Everyone planning on breeding their mare this spring, please think first. Why are you breeding? Is it because you think it might be fun? You want to experience the "miracle of birth". You have a real sweet great mare that you would like to duplicate. Please think about the future first. Today the horse industry is being bombarded by the unwanted offspring of backyard breeders. It's almost like the stray dog/cat problem in the US. To many people are breeding horses without taking a real hard look at their horse. Conformation faults, temperment, etc. Please only breed horses that are the best of the best both in temperment and conformation. The current glut of horses in the market are fueling the slaughter horse industry. Whether you like it or not, most grade horses and several papered horses end up there before they reach 5 years old. For gosh sakes, Ferdinand (Kentucky Derby winner) was sent to slaughter. That is my view and it comes from many years of dealing with abused and neglected horses (throw aways).

03-25-2004, 10:53 AM	#2
shell Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The Great North West Posts: 8,841 Images: 306	here is his story. So sad. Sometimes this game is criminal Blood-Horse reports 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand died in Japan, but you won’t believe how It doesn’t seem like 17 years since a big, beautiful 3-year-old chestnut did more for my career in this industry than any horse — or person, for that matter — ever has. The horse provided me with instant credibility in about two minutes — 2:024/5 to be exact. I had gone on national radio — KMOX in St. Louis, American Sports Network out of Las Vegas, etc., the night before the 1986 Kentucky Derby. I have it all on tape: “In this race I love Ferdinand, and I love the price; for second I’m gonna go to Bold Arrangement.” I didn’t bet that near-$400 exacta, but I won much more than a few dollars that day; I earned a reputation. Needless to say, Ferdinand always held a special place in my heart. So you can imagine my sadness when I read an article in Blood-Horse magazine reporting of his death. Horses die. It’s a fact of life. Some too soon. But not one should ever meet the fate of Ferdinand. Not a Kentucky Derby winner; not a $5,000 claimer. For those who missed it — and heed this warning: The faint hearted should turn the page right now — the Blood-Horse, in an exclusive report written by Barbara Bayer in the July 26 issue, revealed that Ferdinand had apparently been slaughtered in Japan sometime in 2002. Bayer attempted to learn of Ferdinand’s whereabouts after a member of the family of Howard Keck, who owned and bred the horse, inquired about having him returned to the United States, where he began his stud career at Claiborne Farm in 1989 for $30,000 live foal. Ferdinand’s first few crops did not particularly excel on the racetrack, and he was later sold to Japan’s JS Company in the fall of 1994. Ferdinand spent six breeding seasons at Arrow Stud on the northern island of Hokkaido from 1995-2000. But his book dwindled from 77 mares to 10. After efforts to place Ferdinand with a riding club failed, he passed into the hands of a horse dealer and left the farm Feb. 3, 2001. Here’s where the story gets fuzzy. Bayer at first was told Ferdinand had been given to a friend. When she asked for more information, she was told Ferdinand was gelded and at a riding club “far away from here.” However, records showed Ferdinand was bred to six mares in 2001 and two in 2002. But when Bayer told this horse dealer she wanted to see Ferdinand, the story changed yet again. “Actually, he isn’t around anymore,” she was told. “He was disposed of late last year.” Bayer learned Ferdinand’s registration in Japan was annulled Sept. 1, 2002. It seems in Japan, the term “disposed of” is used to mean slaughtered, Bayer wrote in The Blood-Horse. Bayer notes that Ferdinand’s story is the story of nearly every imported stallion in Japan at that point in time when the figures no longer weigh in his favor. In this country Ferdinand’s fate is not the exception; it is the rule. Shortages of land and the high cost of maintaining a pensioned horse are reasons slaughter is considered an alternate. We tell this story for one reason: to make people aware that this type of cruelty goes on all over the world. It’s why it is important to support efforts like the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation to stop the slaughter of thoroughbreds in this country. To have this happen to a Derby winner is criminal. To have this happen to a horse you once owned or trained is no more acceptable. __________________ “Look, what a horse should have he did not lack, save a proud rider on so proud back.” -Shakespear Marshalltown, Iowa, it is against the law for a horse to eat a fire hydrant.

03-25-2004, 11:02 AM	#3
Sandra-A1 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,335 Images: 225	Ferdinand was sent to slaughter by his Japanese Owners because he failed in the breeding shed. They did try to find a place there that wanted him. Eventually was no place that wanted him. Japan is a small island country with limited space and resources. Yes, they eat horsemeat there. That is part of their culture. Ferdinand was not abandoned and left somewhere to starve and suffer. Horses are a livestock and a food animal, they always have been. Nothing we can do will change that fact. Some cultures feel that horses are still a meat staple, Japan happens to be one of those cultures. <small>[ March 25, 2004, 12:03 PM: Message edited by: Sandra-A1 ]</small> __________________ "It is our choices Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." ~Dumbledore

03-25-2004, 11:11 AM	#5
shell Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The Great North West Posts: 8,841 Images: 306	Still, I believe he "Earned" the right to live out his life as the great horse he was. He defiantly won and earned enough money to have had a long healthy life with someone who respected him for his accomplishments. I think his American owners should have kept him. He was a champion after all. How many of us can say we have a derby winner in our barn? What an honor. He did not die like the champion he was. __________________ “Look, what a horse should have he did not lack, save a proud rider on so proud back.” -Shakespear Marshalltown, Iowa, it is against the law for a horse to eat a fire hydrant.

03-25-2004, 11:40 AM	#7
shell Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The Great North West Posts: 8,841 Images: 306	The TB industry is all screwed up. To me it is almost like a puppy mill. I can't believe they throw away the good horses along with the "Bad". I think if I were super rich, I might try and change the horse and dog racing industries somehow. __________________ “Look, what a horse should have he did not lack, save a proud rider on so proud back.” -Shakespear Marshalltown, Iowa, it is against the law for a horse to eat a fire hydrant.

03-25-2004, 11:10 AM	#4
babs Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 960	Good point coltysheart!

03-25-2004, 01:40 PM	#8
littlecelticpony Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Divide my time between NJ, NY, and CO. Posts: 3,984 Images: 72	i agree with all of you - however, i don't believe that horsemeat in Japan is considered a "staple". rather, it is a delicacy, from what I have heard/read. however, i do have a link to pass along, for educational purposes. http://www.horsekillers.com PLEASE NOTE: the videos on this site are NOT for the light of heart. but perhaps if more people realised what exactly happened in those slaughterhouses (such as the BelTex plant, down the road from my house), maybe more people would oppose them. just my two cents. :-) <small>[ March 25, 2004, 02:41 PM: Message edited by: littlecelticpony ]</small> __________________ The one and only LCP When all is lost...all is left to gain. Do not go gentle into that good night...

03-25-2004, 01:57 PM	#9
Sandra-A1 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,335 Images: 225	Yes, it is considered a delicacy in Japan. My point was that Japan is limited in size, area and resources so there really is not a lot of room for retirment homes for horses. Also eating of any livestock....horses included is perfectly acceptable there because a part of their culture. If people in this country were so concerned about Ferdinand why did they wait so long to look him up? As for the website and video it has been posted and discussed on this website before and several of us have already posted our opinions about horse slaughter on these other threads.: Horse Slaughter? Do you agree? Horse Slaughter -Necessary Evil I think NOT <small>[ March 25, 2004, 03:01 PM: Message edited by: Sandra-A1 ]</small> __________________ "It is our choices Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." ~Dumbledore

03-25-2004, 02:32 PM	#10
OwnerofWillow Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: AZ Posts: 908 Images: 11	Is this any differant than how Cattle are slaughterd? I honestly dont know how it is done. What about chickens, fish, Lamb, pigs, turkeys, ducks, etc. I think it is awful that they have not found a better way to slaughter them but the horse meat is eaten. I wouldnt eat it but that is my preference. Just as I wouldnt eat dog or cat though some do. If you dont want this to happen to your horse then when you buy a horse make sure you are commited to keeping that animal for its life. Just like a dog or cat. Yes horses are more expensive to up keep but you need to think about that when you buy a horse.