6 November 2006 - Vol. # 7
HORSE SLAUGHTER
How this affects the carriage horse
One of the questions we sometimes get is "What will happen
to the carriage horses if you are successful in getting this
industry outlawed -- won't they all be slaughtered? " We do not
think this is a valid question because it suggests that this is not
a possibility now. It most definitely is.
The law states that horses
must be disposed of in a humane manner but does not offer any
specifics. When a horse is no longer needed, he can be retired to a
farm if he is lucky - or he can go to auction. At the auction, he is
exposed to kill buyers looking for horse flesh. Anything is
possible. If we are successful in getting a ban, we would like to be
instrumental in finding good placement for the horses. With all the
attention that will come to this issue, we are hopeful that it will
be unlikely any will go to slaughter. New York City has the largest
carriage horse trade in the US - certainly some of these horses have
been slaughtered although it is hard to prove. See Temple Grandin's
"Survey of Trucking Practices and Injury to Slaughter Horses." in
which she mentions carriage horses.
This beautiful white Percheron pictured above is Moose, a former NYC
carriage horse who was transported from auction to auction and
finally rescued in Colorado where he was corralled and ready to be
shipped to the slaughter house. He lived for one year at the rescue
before his death and was much loved. A necropsy later revealed that
Moose had extensive hip injuries that may have come from being hit
by a car. He responded very well to acupuncture treatments as shown
in the photo. Moose is no longer with us, but you can read more
about him
here.
WE HAVE A LOT TO LEARN FROM HORSES
Willie Nelson - special to CNN - 11/2/06
In a
special article to CNN, Willie Nelson, a strong advocate for
horses, encourages people to contact their senators to vote for
S.1915 - the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. This bill may
soon come up for a vote. Mr. Nelson says "Horses are all the things
a truly evolved human should be. .......The most superhuman thing
about horses is the contrast between their unearthly strength and
inherent gentleness. Humans abuse their power while horses use
theirs only for good. I'd rather be a horse."
WILLIE NELSON ADOPTS 11 HORSES
headed for slaughter
Kinky
Friedman, who is running for governor of Texas, joined Willie Nelson
at his
Luck Ranch to push for congressional passage of the American
Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. The horses seen grazing contentedly
were among 11 recently adopted by Nelson and saved from slaughter
with their meat intended for overseas consumption. Texas is home to
two foreign owned horse slaughter plants. Freeman has promised to
shut them down if elected.
NEXT CALL-IN DAY IS NOVEMBER 13TH
for American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act
The next "official" call-in day to the Senate is November
13th - Next Monday. But why wait? Go to the
Senate web site for contact
information for your senator. Ask them to add their name if they are
not yet a sponsor of S 1915 the American Horse Slaughter Prevention
Act.
North East - In Massachusetts - both Senators Kerry and Kennedy are
sponsors; New Jersey - both Senators Menendez and Lautenberg are
sponsors; Connecticut - both Senators Lieberman and Dodd are
sponsors; New York - only Senator Schumer is a sponsor. Senator
Clinton is not! Call Clinton at (202) 224- 4451. Ask her to
sponsor this bill. If you would like a list of Senators who are
sponsors of this bill and other names to contact, please e-mail me
at
