Brochure FRER Solutions to Horse Slaughter
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for a horse that clearly needs a vet to provide U.S. horse slaughter plants closed in 2007, yet more vide a fund for low-cost gelding and humane humane euthanasia. than 100,000 American horses are still butchered euthanasia programs, as well as to fund inspect- annually in Canadian and Mexican slaughterhouses. ors to ensure that horse owners comply with Summary: For years, federal legislation to ban shipping our having a brand inspection for each horse they Every year approximately one-percent of Ameri- horses across the borders and to outlaw slaughter in own. ca’s horses are sent to slaughter. Even in the the U.S. has been stalled by special interest groups. Currently, breed registries and associations oft- best of economic times, the law of supply and Polls have shown that over 70-percent, and as high en charge less to register a foal, and then increase demand is a driving force determining the mar- as 90-percent of Americans oppose horse slaughter. the fee when the horse is older. Registries should ket value of horses. For every horse sent to U.S. horses are not bred to be food animals and offer reduced registration fees for geldings. slaughter, the horse industry loses tens of thou- their meat contains products and medications which Colts could be registered on the assumption sands of dollars which would otherwise be spent are toxic to humans. they would later be gelded, but if they are bred, during the lifetime of that horse. The horse The solutions to horse slaughter are numerous and their offspring could not be registered. Colts industry needs horses to expand its programs and are the responsibility of the entire horse industry, older than one year would have to be gelded in services. Innovative and practical programs that not just rescues and sanctuaries. Studies have shown order to meet the criteria. curtail excessive breeding, assist with end-of- that more than 92-percent of horses going to slaughter Breed registries and associations should raise their life decisions, and provide for retraining and are in good condition. For every horse sent to re-homing options are key to helping the horses fees, even by just $25 per horse, so that funding slaughter, the horse industry loses tens of thousands could be set aside for use with gelding and euthan- once destined for slaughter. of dollars, when you consider the amount spent on asia assistance and/or re-homing programs. direct and indirect expenses during the course of the To D o n a t e Broodmares and foals should receive handling average horse’s lifetime. Your contribution is greatly appreciated. and basic training. This would make them more Breeding: marketable, because unhandled and untrained Yes, I want to support programs The primary means of controlling the horse pop- horses dumped at auctions are mostly bought to help stop horse abuse. ulation begins with breeding. Putting a stop to by kill buyers. A horse that has undergone basic over-breeding and irresponsible breeding alone handling and training is far easier to place in an My tax-deductible contribution To stand by and do nothing .... appropriate home. An incentive program, is enclosed. would cut the number of horses in the slaughter makes us sharers in the guilt. pipeline by tens of thousands. The highest percent- through breed registries and associations, could be implemented to reward those who comply. Please make your check or money-order age of slaughter-bound horses is in the 3- to 9-year- old range. Veterinary clinics and associations can - and payable to: The following are a few areas where changes can be many already do - offer opportunities for horse Front Range Equine Rescue owners to receive discounts on gelding services A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working made. These solutions are provided in general terms but can easily be explained with more detail: to help control the horse population and educate PO Box 307 · Larkspur, CO 80118 to prevent the abuse and neglect of horses owners on responsible breeding practices. Implement a license fee for each horse owned, with through rescue and education. the stallion fee being highest; lower for a mare; and Veterinary schools, where possible, should offer Name: discounted gelding services to their communities. P.O. Box Larkspur, CO 307 · 80118 the least for a gelding. Use part of these fees to Since 2002, Front Range Equine Rescue’s Address: provide assistance for gelding and humane euthan- asia programs. Funding can also be used for quali- ‘Stop the Backyard Breeder’ program has pro- fied retirement, sanctuary programs or safe re-homing vided partial reimbursement to responsible horse [email protected] initiatives. owners around the country for gelding stud colts Phone: www.frontrangeequinerescue.org The states that impose brand inspection fees should and stallions. More programs like this should raise the fee per horse, even by $15 to $20, to pro- be developed and maintained. Email: Copyright © 2011 by Front Range Equine Rescue -8- -2- -3- Anti-Cruelty Laws and Legislation: compromised need to be thoroughly conducted, lessons, leasing a horse, or spending vacations at both good and bad economic times. Many states and those horses restricted from being sold. guest ranches. now have hay and feed banks providing limited It is critical to ensure that abuse, neglect and abandonment of horses are against the law, but Improve tracking of stolen horses and prosecute Develop quality intern/apprenticeship programs assistance to responsible horse owners who are in these violations must also be fully prosecuted. offenders. Programs similar to those of netposse. that would work with domestic and wild horses. financial difficulty. Many horse rescues around Animal control officers should have training in com should be developed and networked around the Many trainers and other horse programs, including the country are providing owner-assistance pro- basic horse-handling and abide by the standards country, because stolen horses can be transported some rescues, offer internship opportunities. These grams as well. FRER offers a horse owner- for body condition scoring. Horses should be across state lines within a short period of time. programs are good outlets for once-slaughter-bound assistance program on a limited basis for hay, feed and basic vet care. reclassified as a special category of livestock be- horses, and allow for more growth in the horse in- Re-Homing and Retraining: cause they are not a food animal yet are often a dustry. Educate about the re-homing of horses (safe part of farm or ranch work. A classification of The equestrian competition industry is a primary Develop more prison and community service pro- advertising, networking, etc.). Most owners ‘companion livestock’ would allow for a shel- source for horses that end up at slaughter. Quarter grams designed to help with retraining of horses can safely place their horses if they advertise ter requirement, yet retain the land use and water Horses and Thoroughbreds make up the largest (i.e., off-the-track horses and mustang programs). through their vet, farrier, feed and tack shops, rights for owners of livestock, as well as not percentage of purebred horses being slaughtered. The existing programs that pair prisoners with boarding facilities, equine websites and even altering rules for boarding facilities and other The Thoroughbred racing industry has made some horses have proven highly successful. Gentled and through fliers posted at local pet stores. The horse-related businesses. progress in taking responsibility for its off-the- trained horses have a better chance for placement in more ‘horse people’ that know a horse needs a track horses - zero-tolerance policies at some race- Strengthen cruelty statutes and ensure enforce- good homes. good home, the better the chance of finding an tracks; retraining programs; and retirement faci- appropriate one. ment; close existing loopholes such as feed and lities - to name a few examples. More programs Education: water requirements. For example, if there is a Horse owners need to understand injury prevent- like these should be implemented around the country. stack of hay on the property, but the horses are Educating new, existing, and potential horse own- ion and available rehabilitation services, so they emaciated, there is no excuse to not prosecute Develop a plan whereby horse-related businesses ers about the responsibilities of horse ownership can improve a horse’s chance of returning to unless the owner can prove they recently received such as therapeutic riding centers, riding academies, cannot be emphasized enough. The horse industry work after being injured, even if the work is those horses in that condition. Also, if there guest ranches, trail riding organizations, equine- must work together to implement programs for modified. Just because a horse can no longer are five horses on a property, for instance, and assisted therapy programs, wounded warrior mili- successful human-horse partnerships. The non- compete in the show ring, for example, doesn’t one is emaciated, that is no excuse to not assist tary programs, youth camps, etc., can take in for- owning, but horse-loving public can be more act- mean that horse won’t become a great trail horse mer slaughter-bound horses. ive than most realize in keeping horses from being for a new owner. that one animal. The excuse, “it’s an old horse” is not valid, with all of the feed products avail- slaughtered. Enhance the quality and increase the numbers of Humane Euthanasia: able for older horses and the availability of pro- riding instructors and trainers who would take on Develop more equine studies programs that bring per dental care. the responsibilities of retraining former competi- more people into the horse industry and into pro- The smallest portion of horses bound for slaugh- ter are considered to be ‘old, sick crippled or Connect animal control officers with qualified tion horses.