|
| |
America's horse-processing industry
was effectively outlawed in 2007. Actions taken within the states of
Texas and Illinois closed three facilities where unneeded, unwanted, and
infirmed horses were processed for human consumption, pet food, and for zoo
carnivores.
The year before the plant closures,
102,260(1) horses were processed in America.
Since the closings, there has been an up-tick in the reports of neglected,
starved, abandoned,
and abused horses.
|
 |
This mare, photographed March 11, 2008, in
Keno,
Oregon,
was found
frozen to
the ground. She was still alive when this picture was taken. A vet
euthanized
her where she lay. The rescuers posthumously named her Spirit. |
|
It costs approximately
$1,825 annually(2) to provide basic care for a horse,
not including veterinary medical or farrier (hoof) care.
The average lifespan of a horse is
30 years (30 yrs x
$1,825/yr = $54,750).
Current economic conditions are
compounding the problem for cash-strapped owners who find it nearly
impossible to sell their animals, regardless of age and condition. Few people are buying. It is not
unusual for a horse to sell for as little as $5, if they sell at
all. Commission fees charged owners are frequently more than the selling price.
Some sale barns no longer handle horses because of the slim profit
margin and because owners sometimes leave unsold horses behind.
|
 |
Found along
the road in Clackamas County, Oregon, in August 2008, this
young animal
was one of 11 horses that were
malnourished, neglected and close
to death.
They were sold at auction by the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
Most sold for $5 to $10. The top bid was $42. |
|
It is equally difficult to give a horse away. Some desperate owners opt
to have their animals put down. The
average fee(4)
for a
veterinarian to chemically euthanize a
horse by intravenous
injection is $66, which does
not include carcass disposal. Chemically euthanized carcasses must be
carefully disposed of through deep burial or incineration. If eaten by
an unsuspecting dog, coyote, cougar, or eagle, the
poisoned meat will kill the
scavenger. Likewise, whole or
composted carcasses can contaminate
runoff, poisoning drinking or recreational water sources.
|
 |
This mare, photographed June 25, 2009, in
Fallon, Nevada,
was found roaming
north of Tonopah. An identifying brand had been cut from her hide to
obscure ownership before she was abandoned in the desert to fend for
herself. |
|
Lacking a market for horses that otherwise would have been utilized through
processing (102,260 head in 2006), in 10 years time, America could
be faced with
caring for
a million horses.
Additionally, there are environmental concerns associated with disposing
of thousands of chemically euthanized carcasses.
|
| |
|
