Horse slaughter prevention act

By Arden Wohlers DVM
Extension Veterinarian
University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Education Center

As Americans we view the horse as an animal that was instrumental in winning the West. We often have romanticized ideals of the horse as an athlete, as a companion or a member of the family. Some of us view the horse as a working partner, an occupational necessity, or a business investment. Whatever the perception of a horse’s function, people must realize that a horse’s career will eventually end due to infirmities of age, injury or health. A decision must be made as to how a horse’s life should end when he is unable to perform work or have a companionship role. Some people support legislation that would ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption. Others believe that the proposed legislation does not answer the problems nor provide the funds to cover the costs that it will create. There are very passionate individuals on both sides of the issue. Congress is under intense pressure from both sides as they consider whether to pass the “American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act”. The United States House of Representatives has already passed the bill H.R. 503 and it will next go to the Senate probably in 2007.

Three questions need to be answered:

1. Should it be mandatory that a horse be cared for after his productive days until he is obviously suffering before being euthanized and buried or is it allowable to end his life immediately?

2. What are acceptable humane methods of ending a horse’s life?

3. Should the meat from horses be inspected and allowed to be marketed for human consumption?

Let us analyze these questions. Giving a horse the care he needs in his declining years and then painlessly destroying and burying him in an appropriate setting should be an option. However, we should look at the costs of continuing to keep a horse. It would require an average of $5 per day or $1,825 per year in feed plus veterinary and farrier services. At the end of this time euthanasia and burial costs would be $200 to $1500. It is estimated that the 80,000 unwanted horses per year could eventually accumulate into half a million or more.

Another alternative could be immediate euthanasia at the end of the useful life with only the euthanasia and burial costs. There is a third alternative which would utilize the animal’s meat, the horse owner stops his costs of maintaining the animal and can receive $300 or more for sending his horse to slaughter.

The next question pertains to humane euthanasia. Some believe the only humane method is IV chemicals that induces sleep before death (this would render the meat unfit for consumption). Others including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) have concluded that the captive bolt method that causes instantaneous death is as humane.

Other humane concerns deal with how horses are handled in transportation and at the slaughter house. However there are regulations in place that were drafted by the AVMA, other horse related groups and humane organizations including the Humane Society of the United States to oversee this aspect.

The third question is should horse meat be on the market for human consumption or even for pet food? This is a matter of custom, horse meat does not appeal to most Americans. Horses are not specifically raised for food in the United States. However in other countries it is considered a delicacy. Should we try to control the palates of diners in France, Italy, Belgium and Japan? These countries are the principal consumers of horse meat.

The opponents of HR 503 are concerned that the bill, although well intentioned, has been formulated based on misinformation on the horse slaughter industry. They are concerned that as the bill is currently written it does not adequately address issues that are important to ensuring the welfare of horses. The legislation does not address the financial support required to care for horses given up by their owners. It does not address the disposal of over 80,000 horse carcasses per year if slaughter is not an option. There are not enough horse retirement and rescue facilities, and these facilities are not regulated to ensure that horses get adequate care. Cattlemen have a working relationship with their horses and are as concerned about horse welfare as any other group in our country. But many cattlemen are concerned that passage of this bill could be that first step that might curtail the beef industry in the future.

If you have opinions about The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act contact your United States Senator before it is debated. To read more articles go to livestock health under www.panhandle.unl.edu

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