The estimated numbers of horses in North America falls close to 10 million.
While no one knows for sure the number of 'unwanted horses', we all know they exist- tens of thousands of unwanted horses, each year, are slaughtered for their gourmet meat. The premarin industry has put quite a strain on these numbers, and many of the foals born via this industry have nowhere to go but the kill plant. The dramatic reductions in pmu production in 2003 meant that 40,000 horses were sent to auctions- most, ultimately, meeting their final fate.
But what of the mustangs? In a story documented by Cinch Magazine, the BLM had plans to destroy nearly 30,000 wild horses.
While they have done a fabulous job adopting out well over 200,000 of these horses, the BLM has also let thousands slip through the crack- enroute to slaughter plants thank to BLM board members themselves!
While no one knows for sure the number of 'unwanted horses', we all know they exist- tens of thousands of unwanted horses, each year, are slaughtered for their gourmet meat. The premarin industry has put quite a strain on these numbers, and many of the foals born via this industry have nowhere to go but the kill plant. The dramatic reductions in pmu production in 2003 meant that 40,000 horses were sent to auctions- most, ultimately, meeting their final fate.
But what of the mustangs? In a story documented by Cinch Magazine, the BLM had plans to destroy nearly 30,000 wild horses.
While they have done a fabulous job adopting out well over 200,000 of these horses, the BLM has also let thousands slip through the crack- enroute to slaughter plants thank to BLM board members themselves!
Then there is the horse racing industry. Not just Thoroughbreds, but Arabians, Standardbreds, Quarter Horses, Paints and Appaloosas. Thousands are 'retired' due to injury, age or poor performance. While some are retired to breeding duties or adopted out to reach a new home and a second career, there are many more who just 'disappear'.
The horses in this industry generally would not be able to pass the meat inspection plants, because of the extreme overloading of drugs in their systems- so where are they going?
The issue is controversial, but most agree these horses still find their ways to auction houses. As many as 30% of the horses slaughtered are Thoroughbred racehorses, held at feedlots to let the drugs pass through their systems.
What can we do about this? We can reduce the numbers of unwanted horses us well-meaning equestrians produce, ourselves. How often do you here people commenting "wow! that horse has such cute spots, you should breed her!"? I know I hear comments like this all the time. While many of these horses might be 'pretty', they are often conformationally weak, and only serve to pass down their bad traits and take away from a potential home that an OTTB, standardbred, mustang or similar horse might have found.
What about those ponies? Once loved and cherished by their young owners, now hoarded in holding pens, awaiting the final blow. Do their owners know what has become of them? These horses who have served us faithfully for years, only because they are outgrown or their owners have gone to school, suffer.
Why not, instead of breeding aimlessly, make a difference and adopt, rescue or donate to a cause catering to these horses?
While I am not against breeding horses, I believe horses should be bred with a purpose. Only horses who are conformationally correct, with fairly stable temperaments should be bred- and preferably have ability to excel in a particular discipline. Just keeping these factors in mind before you breed, would mean we would have more usable horses, and less unwanted.
In the end, I know the world won't change. There will still be ignorant people, who breed for their own selfish reasons. Those who call themselves animal lovers will only further the problems. Fortunately, there will always be a few caring and compassionate individuals who work diligently to clean up the mess, the excess 'numbers'- after all that's all these horses become...
The horses in this industry generally would not be able to pass the meat inspection plants, because of the extreme overloading of drugs in their systems- so where are they going?
The issue is controversial, but most agree these horses still find their ways to auction houses. As many as 30% of the horses slaughtered are Thoroughbred racehorses, held at feedlots to let the drugs pass through their systems.
What can we do about this? We can reduce the numbers of unwanted horses us well-meaning equestrians produce, ourselves. How often do you here people commenting "wow! that horse has such cute spots, you should breed her!"? I know I hear comments like this all the time. While many of these horses might be 'pretty', they are often conformationally weak, and only serve to pass down their bad traits and take away from a potential home that an OTTB, standardbred, mustang or similar horse might have found.
What about those ponies? Once loved and cherished by their young owners, now hoarded in holding pens, awaiting the final blow. Do their owners know what has become of them? These horses who have served us faithfully for years, only because they are outgrown or their owners have gone to school, suffer.
Why not, instead of breeding aimlessly, make a difference and adopt, rescue or donate to a cause catering to these horses?
While I am not against breeding horses, I believe horses should be bred with a purpose. Only horses who are conformationally correct, with fairly stable temperaments should be bred- and preferably have ability to excel in a particular discipline. Just keeping these factors in mind before you breed, would mean we would have more usable horses, and less unwanted.
In the end, I know the world won't change. There will still be ignorant people, who breed for their own selfish reasons. Those who call themselves animal lovers will only further the problems. Fortunately, there will always be a few caring and compassionate individuals who work diligently to clean up the mess, the excess 'numbers'- after all that's all these horses become...
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The article about the Wild Mustangs posted on Cinch Magazine was not ment to purposefully denounce the BLM. The future of these 30,000 horses has been discussed by the BLM and possible options have been brought forth. At the moment, euthanasia, and the selling without limitation, have been considered but received less "yes" votes in the BLM's November meeting than the other proposed options. Controlling herd reproduction is a likely direction in which the BLM will take. As well, a Mrs. Madeleine Pickens has proposed to take in at least 10,000 wild horses for a wild horse sanctuary. The BLM is seriously considering this option but must consider Mrs. Pickens' proposal further, and approve her ranch as a suitable wild horse refuge, before coming to a final decision. The BLM is also accepting bids from other organizations willing to open wild horse sanctuaries. This topic will be discussed further in Cinch Magazine's April 2009 issue.
ReplyDeleteTo read more about the proposals brought forth at the November meeting, please go to www.blm.gov.