[shell]

Mmmmmm. horse meat...

[Serendipity Zip]

In our culture our pet and companion animals are 'favored'...not raised for food or fiber. We do not slaughter the animals we have domesticated, trained or given a name, and therefore we would oppose their slaughter for export as well. Otherwise we would be slaughtering and selling our dogs and cats out of the backs of the shelters (They are overpopulated so why do they not have a slaughter house?) to countries where their meat is also eaten. I agree it is a matter of choice, but in America it is democratic choice, the decision of the majority of the 'reasonable community, i.e., voters'. And all polls to date indicate that the overwhelming majority of people want horses protected against slaughter for the foreign markets. It is individual to the extent of how many individuals want horses slaughtered and how many individuals want horses protected against being slaughtered. It is a matter of social policy, therefore we (Americans) as a democratic society cannot allow it to be the random choice of individuals any more than child abuse, spousal abuse, pornography, drugs or racism, sexism, etc. It is not enough that I protect 'my' horse....all horses must be protected. No, as far as the pot bellied pig argument, heard it many times. A pig may indeed be someone's pet, but pigs in our culture are not raised as pet or companion animals. Swine are commonly raised for food and fiber and there is no doubt as to their fate when sold. In our country horses are never raised for food or fiber and are always raised for recreation and sport, therefore the scenario is the reverse. In my opinion, it is much more important to honor heritage, promote compassion and legislate the humane treatment of our pet and companion animals than embrace multi-cultural eating habits. Such a consideration would be unethical, amoral, apolitical and a giant step backwards. And again, this sentiment is shared by approximately 83-93% of voters polled to date. The slaughter and export of horses to France is highly protested in England, so Im sure it will be taboo soon.

When that happens the animals will have an even further distance to have to travel! The demand and price for horses that are able to withstand this longer journey across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans will increase.

Shipping American horses across the Atlantic and Pacific isn't cheap, from my understanding. I don't see how anyone with any sense of logic would ship American horses that far to be slaughterd. First off they would probably be dead, second if they are stolen it wont be an easy task. Plus, don't be have check points of things coming in and out of the U.S.? If slaughter is illegal, then good luck getting them out of the country.

[Sandra-A1]

Who will PAY for all those US check points and the people to be in them 24/7?
Who will be doing all the checking to verify who is selling and who is buying and for what purpose?
Live horses have and are being shipped across the oceans for the meat market. Many of the companies have their own ships.
Making horsemeat harder to come by will simply drive the price up and make it even more profitable for those who are in the business of providing it to the consumers who want it.

[Serendipity Zip]

I didn't know that, thanks for clearing that up. Honestly, Im not sure how but I would like to think it would be harder if its illegal in the US. I mean... yeah drugs are illegal but people still do them. but horses are alittle more noticeable.

My brain is tired from all this good debating, I gonna back out now. Especially because I don't want to be invovled in another ugly slaughter thread.

[pocahontas]

I feel for any living creature, species, etc that feels pain.
Have since my brain can remember.

And it really tears up my insides when there is pain that is had that could not be had because of people selfishness and cruelty.

When I drive by those semi trucks(I call them holocaust trucks) carrying cows and pigs to bring them to the slaughter house, I get so sad.
The other day I drove by one and looked into one of the holes and saw one of the cows eyes and she had white foam coming out of her mouth. OH how sad. I could only think of what she had to face once she got to the slaughter house
If this country did not throw away so much dog gon food. We wouldn't have to raise these animals in such horrible conditions and stuff our slaughter houses to the brim.

My dream and goal is to one day have a place where any hurt and or abused animal is welcome. Along with any hurt and or abused child, teen, or adult is welcome to come and bond with each other. Thus a new and wonderful world for all these poor soles.

[pocahontas]

I'm sorry if this offends anyone.
I believe that the more immigrants that come to live her in the US, horse slaughter for comsuption will get more popular. Because if where they live it is what they eat they will want to eat it once they live here.

[Super Step]

Slaughter is not controlled by popular opinion.
It is about money, and filling a need that most horse owners are not willing to deal with.

Polls can say almost anything the pollster want them to say. I doubt many Americans know why horses are slaughtered.
A caller rings 90% of the homes in the US and asks if the person who answers believes horses should be slaughtered for human consumption, and they will answer, NO.

Ask them if they are willing to adopt one or pay $100 per month to keep one alive, and that answer will also be, NO.

I am willing to bet the majority of Americans would not vote for a tax increase to support thousands of unwanted horses each year that are presently processed.
I believe Sandra was right about horses being exported live, if even just across the border, or a slaughter ship anchored just off International waters.

Think of how much profit is made in the slaughter business.
I read on this thread that horse meat was more expensive in restaurants than beef.
Yet horses costs less than 1/2 the price of beef on the hoof.
This is about money, jobs, revenue and taxes paid, and demand for the product.
Want to stop slaughter?
Out bid the competition.

[lovemyshy]

EXCELLENT excellent post Tim!!! Couldn't have said it better myself, nor could I agree more!!

[Equine_Harmony]

Originally Posted by shell

Mmmmmm. horse meat...

Hi, was wondering do you eat horse meat, going by your post...Just curious is all.

[shell]

Originally Posted by Equine_Harmony

Hi, was wondering do you eat horse meat, going by your post...Just curious is all.

No, I was just lightning the mood. I threaten to start eating it when my horses are bad though.