Horse Slaughter

With the title of this post, you know it has the chance to be loaded but thankfully there shouldn't be any bickering on the actual post... but the comments could be a different story if people actually feel the need to voice their opinions.

Earlier this week, slaughter was re-legalized (for the most part) in the United States. I am really happy about this although horse slaughter really isn't on my happy list. But since I have been called a non-horse lover among other things for my stance on this, I feel I should probably just write down why I support horse slaughter so I can just link people to this every time they try to argue with me.

First point: Horses are livestock. We treat them like pets and they are companion animals more than most other animals classified as livestock in the US but the point stands that they are still livestock. Yes, Americans don't eat them (at least not publicly) but other countries do and it's not really my business if people want to eat them as long as its not affecting me or causing major world issues (both of which aren't happening at this time).

Second point: It keeps horses from being shipped to places where we can't regulate them. Slaughter isn't pleasant in the best of circumstances unless it's done in a pasture where an animal doesn't know its coming but at least if it happens in the United States, we can regulate how these animals die. Plus, if we have plants in the U.S., the horses won't have to be shipped to Mexico or Canada or even international waters. Sure, plants aren't super close to all the U.S. states, but it does cut down travel for at least some of them.

Third point: The horse market has a chance to go back up now. Unless you are in a top tier industry (like high level thoroughbreds), you've felt the effects of this ban. Horses that should sell for $10,000 are selling for $1,000 because there's more supply than demand. With domestic slaughter, the supply should go down upping the demand. This helps breeders, trainers, and even just regular riders. With healthier prices, we have a healthier industry.

Fourth point: Less starving. Right now, we hear about a ton more horses starving or being turned loose to fend for themselves because people can't/don't want to afford them. With this, instead of a horse starving to death for weeks, they just have a few seconds or minutes of pain. No suffering is good but if we can cut down the time they suffer, then I'm all for it. And for those that make the argument that every horse should be humanely put down by people that love them, its just not possible. Some people can't afford the shot to put them down or the cost to haul them away after it is done or they just don't want to pay it. While responsible horse owners do whatever they can, not everyone is responsible.

Fifth point: At least they will be used. This point probably sounds horrible but at least their body won't go to "waste" at a slaughter house. If they have to die, then I feel better knowing that they aren't just wasting away somewhere, instead providing someone/something with a food source. This also kind of goes back to the livestock part where its more the circle of life (I'm having a Lion King moment here). This may not be the best point of my argument but it is there.

Sixth point: It provides jobs in the US. We need jobs and having the slaughter plants open here provides that. It may not be the most preferred job on the planet but in a time where our economy can use any help it can get, horse slaughter houses help with that. Towns that used to have slaughter plants are now struggling and this could be the reversal they need to turn everything around.

I have way more reasons for feeling the way I do about this and I would love to have a solution that fits what everyone wants but overall, these are my main points for supporting slaughter. Yes, these animals do whatever they can for us but when they can't meet a peaceful end, I'd much rather have them end up at a place where it all ends quickly instead of suffering for a long time. Sure, responsible horsemanship and no overbreeding would be the best solution but that's never going to happen and until other solutions are found, slaughter is a very viable option that can help both horse and human.