An important question is how horse owners and professionals can best care for these animals.  Here is where the research being conducted at Penn State, as well as other institutions like the University of Pennsylvania is so important.  In the Department of Dairy & Animal Science at Penn State we have faculty that are experts in the areas of nutrition and reproduction.  Much of my own research focuses on how we can feed the broodmare and young growing foal for optimal development and health.  Supporting this research is important not only for the new information it generates, but also because there are many students helping conduct the research.  They are learning the skills that will enable them to be the future equine professionals leading Pennsylvania’s equine industry forward.

The Penn State Equine Research Team is a great example of just such a student organization that conducts research studying current issues in the industry.  As an example, some of our students are interested in studying methods that might be used to detect heat or estrus in broodmares…more on that later!

Over the coming months I (Burt Staniar), as a contributor to our equine blog, plan to provide some of my own thoughts and comments related to recent equine research conducted here at Penn State and at other equine science programs.  My goal is to provide information on how faculty and students at Penn State are working together to answer the questions that horse owners and professionals pose each day.  It is an important part of my teaching philosophy to help students learn to both ask and answer the important questions, better preparing them for equine careers in Pennsylvania and beyond.  I hope that the information and thoughts provided in this blog will be both a resource and seed for thought.

I have certainly gotten to like this horse in a big way.  So much so that it really hit me hard the other day when I thought about the auction following the competition.  It dawned on me that I don’t actually own Jazz.  Despite the fact that I feel he is mine because we have developed a bond and a relationship over the past several weeks, he is actually still the property of the government via the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).  And, as I was thinking about the upcoming events including the auction that is to take place even if I bid on him, which I intend to do, someone in the audience may actually outbid me and I will be left with the reality that he will never belong to me.  It was a very awkward moment in my mind but a reality I must face nonetheless.

Some of you may have seen the recent article in the CDT about the Midwest Mustang Challenge and my participation in this event with our mustang Jazz.  I thought it might be nice to followup with some details of his progress.  For those of you who are not familiar with the article let me just brief you on this upcoming event.  The Challenge is designed to showcase the trainability of the wild mustang and consequently facilitate their adoption.  It is sponsored by the Mustang Heritage Foundation in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management.  In a nutshell approximately 50 trainers were selected from across the US to participate in the training and showcasing of these wild animals.  After taking posession of their mustangs, trainers have 100 days to train and prepare their horses for a competition to be held in Madison WI April 18-20.  The competition consists of a conditioning portion (20%), an in-hand or halter obstacle course (30%) and a riding obstacle course (50%).  The top ten from this competition will then be asked to perform in a freestyle competition from which the winners will be picked.  Boy, I’m a bit nervous just thinking about all of this!  The training part I can handle, it’s the competition that makes me nervous….

So far Jazz has been doing extremely well in his training progress.  We have been doing many things with Jazz to desensitize him to many kinds of objects and situations.  And, he has come a long way in just 2 weeks.  When he first arrived I was unable to approach or touch him.  Now I can jump on him bareback and rub him all over with my hands and other objects. We have also had a saddle on him and recently took him for his first trail ride (riderless) by letting him tag along with other horses we were riding.  This will get him used to things in his environment without having to worry about a rider on his back.  We’re doing all sorts of ground work exercises with him as well and slowly but very surely he is building his confidence about all he is being asked to do.  I’m very proud of him!  Soon we’ll be going for our first ride….stay tuned.

Dear Folks,

There are risks associated with publishing the leading magazine in the carriage driving field and this is one of them. It’s not a popular subject but the truth is that it could radically change the business of horse ownership in America. For that reason, we believe the proper course is to address the subject as forthrightly as possible in light of the emotionalism surrounding the topic of horse slaughter in the United States.

A United States District Court judge, Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, has ruled that the slaughter of horses in America violates Federal Law. Further, Judge Kollar-Kotelly ruled the United States Department of Agriculture violated the National Environmental Policy Act by failing to conduct an environmental impact review of its decision to allow the continuation of horse slaughter.

Everyone seems to have an opinion on this issue and most of them are based on a paucity of information.

For instance, most people believe horse meat is the predominant ingredient in canned canine food. For decades now the dog food guys, as an industry, have issued statement after statement telling Americans that dog food does not contain horse meat. Simply, it’s too expensive to use horse meat when lesser cuts of other animals provide the meaty protein at lower costs.

And, they point out, the industry doesn’t need the problems of aggravating pet owners who object to consumption of horse meat by animals or humans.

Currently, there are three horse slaughter houses in the United States processing horse meat for human consumption in other countries. All the processed meat is exported to other countries because it is illegal to sell horse meat for human consumption in the United States.

All three facilities have recently been closed by court action. Two plants in Texas have closed when an appellate court upheld a Texas law, making it illegal to sell, possess and transport horse meat for sale for human consumption. The third, a plant in Illinois was forced to close by Judge Kollar-Kotelly’s decision.

At the point of closing, the Illinois plant was processing 1,000 horses a week. We can only presume the Texas facilities were handling a similar number. It is this number which causes us the problem.
Assuming that about 2,500 horses a week went to slaughter in the three plants means that about 130,000 horses a year—for whatever reason (illness, age, injury, etc.)—moved through the nation’s equine pipeline.
We can reasonably assume that nearly all of these animals will fall into the category of “unwanted horses” whose owners sell them because they no longer can use them as they have in the past. Some, although not a large number, are the product of an equine feedlot system (mostly in Canada where horse meat is sold legally to the public) which fattens horses specifically designed for the horse meat market. A few others arrive from specialty farms like those who keep mares in foal for urine lines.

Largely, however, the horses headed for the processors are purchased at horse sales throughout the country where owners are simply shedding themselves of horses they no longer want. Hence, the “unwanted horse”.
Now, with this avenue of disposal closed, we can expect about 130,000 “unwanted” horses annually to be left in the equine population. And they will have to be dealt with by equine owners many of whom are unwilling to come up with the money required to either feed and care for or humanely dispose of their “unwanted horses”.

We think it will be a problem of overwhelming proportion especially when the non-horse owning public sees horses being abused rather than humanely put down. We’re all going to be tarred by that same brush. It is a problem we’re going to have to pay to deal with and it will no doubt require government intervention in some fashion.

In our heart, we don’t approve of horse slaughter, but rationally we believe we need some method of handling the issue of “unwanted horses” in a humane manner especially when the equine pipeline begins to plug up at the disposal end as the horse population ages beyond useable or maintainable years.

We may find that the system in place may have been the practical solution, whether we liked it or not.

As we said earlier, this is not a popular view and we are well aware of that fact. But in order to maintain the horse population in both a humane and sustainable manner, we will have to deal with the forthcoming overpopulation issue sooner than we think.

y’r obt. ser.

Thom Mezick
Editor

The Unwanted Horse Coalition has progressed since it was folded into the American Horse Council in June.

The coalition hired Katy Carter as its coordinator. She has served in legislative and press capacities in the House of Representatives and most recently for former Representative Jack Quinn of New York.

In October, the coalition met officially for the first time under the auspices of the AHC. The coalition established a number of committees during the meeting.

The Communications and Education Committee will work to develop a Web site, informational brochures, and a guide to responsible horse ownership and will continue to develop public outreach strategies. The Research Committee will focus on compiling up-to-date information on issues such as horsemanship, alternative careers, retirement, retraining, and euthanasia and disposal options. The Funding Committee will continue to recruit new UHC members, in addition to individual donors and corporate sponsorships. The Steering Committee will oversee the overall direction of the coalition.

The mission of the UHC is to reduce the number of unwanted horses and to improve their welfare through education and the efforts of organizations committed to the health, safety, and responsible care of horses.

The meeting in October was attended by representatives from the American Association of Equine Practitioners, AVMA, American Paint Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association, The Jockey Club, National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Professional Rodeo Stock Contractors, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, U.S. Equestrian Federation, and U.S. Trotting Association.

In November, the (SHCAC) States Horse Council’s Executive Board approved a membership in the coalition and creation of a liaison relationship. Dr. Ann Swinker, Associate Professor at Penn State University will serve as the SHCAC’s liaison representative. Dr Swinker was assigned to the fund raising sub-committee of the UH Coalition.

On March 9, 2007, the Unwanted Horse Coalition has been busy getting many initiatives rolling. The Communications, Research and Steering Committees all met to discuss plans for the Coalition. The Research Committee is drafting an Educational Handbook, which will include chapters on
•the responsibilities of horse ownership
•options for owners on what to do with horses that are potentially “unwanted”
•programs already in place by breed associations or other organizations that extend the useful lives of horses
•euthanasia and carcass disposal considerations
•the tax ramifications of charitable contributions

A new web site for the coalition is well underway. Coalition members have approved the initial web content and The Jockey Club Information Technologies is designing the site. Additionally, the first Informational Brochure on the Coalition was printed. Visit the web site.

http://www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org/?id=1

The website will be updated regularly with news releases and publications describing the progress of the UHC and the plight of the unwanted horse. Both the website and the brochure provide information on how to become a member of the UHC and how to contribute to the UHC.

Regardless of your perspective on this issue, all horse owners and industry professionals should be aware of the facts associated with unwanted horses. An understanding of the facts is vital to make informed decisions and responsible choices that promote humane care and welfare of horses in the United States.

Some of the issues that need to be resolved include:

— If the 50,000 to 70,000 horses currently slaughtered every year are allowed to live out their full life span, how can they be maintained in a humane manner, receiving the food, medical care, and husbandry that are necessary for their humane existence?

— Who will bear the cost?

— Who is going to monitor or regulate all the rescue/retirement/sanctuary facilities to be sure the horses there are receiving appropriate care?

— When death occurs, how can we properly dispose of the bodies and protect the environment?

— What resources are available for people to educate themselves about making informed decisions regarding the care of their (and other) horses and how they feel about the possible legislation?

The following references and resources provide further information about the proposed legislation and associated issues and perspectives.

American Horse Council and the Unwanted Horse Coalition

http://horsecouncil.org/legislation.html

http://www.horsecouncil.org/Unwanted%20Horse%20Coalition%20Folded%20into%20AHC.htm

American Veterinary Medical Association

Legal remedy for unwanted horses an AVMA priority http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/jan06/060115b.asp

Unwanted Horse Coalition makes headway

http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/jan07/070101j.asp

http://www.avma.org/press/releases/060908_horse_slaughter.asp

Unintended Consequences of Ban on the Humane Slaughter (Processing) of Horses in the United States

http://www.animalwelfarecouncil.com/

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American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)

http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/AAEP_Position_HR503.pdf

http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/FAQ-Unwanted_Horses.pdf

http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/Unwanted_Horse_Summit_Report.pdf

http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/pressroom/the_current_status_of_rescue.pdf

http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/pressroom/perspective_on_slaughter_from_field.pdf

http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/AAEP_Position_Transportation.pdf

http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/pre

ssroom/the_plight_of_the_unwanted_horse.pdf

Animal Welfare Council

http://www.animalwelfarecouncil.com/

American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA)

http://www.aqha.com/

806-376-4811

Pamplet: Understanding Your Options For The Unwanted or Unusable Horse.

AQHA has a Public Policy Committee and resources on the website to address industry issues

Byars, T.D., DVM et. al. 2004. Retirement and Adoption Farms: A Step in the Right Direction. AAEP Proceedings Vol.50, p.171.

Lenz, T.R., DVM. 2004. An Overview of Acceptable Euthanasia Procedures, Carcass Disposal Options, and Equine Slaughter Legislation. AAEP Proceedings Vol.50, p.191.

From publisher of EQUUS, Dressage Today, Horse & Rider, Practical Horseman, Arabian Horse World

http://equisearch.com/horses_care/health/rescue/slaughteropinion_122006/

Copeland, Sue. November 2006. “Save the Horses.” Horse & Rider magazine.

Equine Protection Network

http://www.equineprotectionnetwork.com/saveamericashorses/cremations.htm

Humane Society of the United State

http://www.hsus.org

http://www.hsus.org/pets/…/get_the_facts_on_horse_slaughter.html

Animal Welfare Institute

http://www.awionline.org/othercampaigns/horse_slaughter_faqs.htm

Find your Breed Organization

http://www.horsenetwork.com/organizations/organizationsframe.html

Pennsylvania Equine Council

www.pennsylvaniaequinecouncil.com

Penn State Cooperative Extension offices

Directory of all county extension offices and contacts in each county is available at:

http://www.cas.psu.edu/directory/

List of some horse retirement or rescue organizations

http://www.horseworlddata.com/rescue.html

What is going to happen to the tens of thousands of horses slaughtered now, who will care for them and provide funding for their care?

Regardless of your perspective on this issue, all horse owners and industry professionals should be aware of the facts associated with unwanted horses. Will horse owners understanding the facts and be able make informed decisions and responsible choices that will promote humane care and welfare of horses in the United States. Or will “unwanted horses suddenly start showing up on county roads dropped off ——-and who take care of them.”

By: Dr. Ann Swinker, PSU Extension Horse Specialist

My husband and I have five horses on our cattle ranch in Pennsylvania: and we only own one of the horses. The other four horses belong to my father, older and younger sisters. One of the geldings belongs to my sister that asked us to take care of the horse during her pregnancy and now her son is 13 years of age. That horse will be living out his years on our place.

We all have them—“unwanted horses.” So what is an “Unwanted” Horse?

The American Horse Councils’ Unwanted Horse Coalition (2005) definitions them as —horses which are no longer wanted by their current owner because they are old, injured, sick, unmanageable, or fail to meet their owner’s expectations.

Generally speaking some of the unwanted horses are:

–Horses with a non-life threatening disability

–Horses with behavioral problems

–Horses that are dangerous

–Un-adoptable ferial horses

–Geriatric horses

–Or horses that fail to meet owner’s expectations

Unfortunately the horses that fail to meet their owner’s expectations are one or more of the following: unattractive, are not athletic, unmarketable or as little as the wrong color or no color. Many of these horses are normal healthy hoses of varying ages and breeds.

We begin to ask ourselves —What breeds are responsible for this problem?

What’s the average age? Are they registered or grade horses? What was the horses’ past occupation or use? What is their value? But most importantly, what happens to them?

How Many Unwanted Horses are there? And where do they go?

The largest number of horses processed in the United States occurred in the time around 1990-1991. Then the number of horses processed at the slaughter plants leveled off.

There was an 80% decrease in the number of unwanted horses sent to processing plants between 1990 & 2006. Some speculate the reasons for the decreased of processes horses to be:

–Changes in the IRS Tax codes – in the mid and late 1980’s caused owners to dump horses.

–Changing market demands – horse values were down.

–Surplus reduction – less horses were being bred and many were taken out of production.

–Alternative careers/ rescue/ retirement or these horses

According to the Unwanted Horse Coalition, today there are nearly 120,000 head of unwanted horses in this country.

And here is where today’s “Unwanted Horses” go:

About 30,000 horses are exported to Canada annually for processing.*

Nearly 65,000 horses are processed in U.S. annually.*

Around 4,000 horses are exported to Mexico for processing.*

*(2005 -USDA/FASIS Data)

2,000 un-adoptable feral horses are in BLM funded sanctuaries.

6,000 feral horses are in BLM adoption pipelines.

Others are abandoned/ neglected / abused.

It is estimated that there are 8,000 to 10,000 spaces available for unwanted horses at horse rescues and retirement farms across the United States. In the future these organizations could be overwhelmed.

So what is the estimated economic impact of disposing or caring for the

80,000-100,000* unwanted horses /yr. (*USDA & NAHMS 1998 Report)

Cost of Disposal @ $200/head — $14.-18. Million / year

Cost of Care @ $2000 /head /yr — $160-200 Million / year

So, the current options for “Unwanted Horses” have been to try and change their occupation from a race horse to a show horse or a 4H project.

Rescues and retirement facilities are becoming more popular. However, they take volunteers and funding to keep them going or the owner pays an endownment to keep their retirement horse at the facility. An owner can try and adopt their horse out.

Another option would be to donate the horse to a teaching hospital, Equine College or therapeutic riding program. However not all horses are adoptable —for what ever reason.

In many cases the only option for the horse is euthanasia/disposal or processed for meat. The worse case scenario is abandonment and or neglect.

Horse owners need to be responsible owners. What is “responsible” ownership?

When acquiring ownership, you assumed responsibility for the health and welfare of your horse. If something happens and your horse can no longer experience a quality life, is experiencing more pain than pleasure, or is terminally ill or critically injured, or if the financial or emotional cost of treatment is beyond your means, you must make some decisions. With the ownership of livestock, you will be faced with making a life-or-death decision about your animals. Whether you decide to continue treatment or elect euthanasia is a responsibility you assumed as part of taking on ownership.

After euthanasia you have to consider carcass disposal and this is not cheep and there are just a few options for a large carcass:

Burial – disposal of unwanted horses is not as simple as disposal of unwanted cats and dogs. It’s illegal in many states to bury horses and this varies by local and state regulations. It takes a deep hole and must be 150- 200 ft from wells or streams to prevent ground water contamination. And you need a backhoe that can cost $250-500. During extreme weather the frost line may be too deep and you will have to store the carcass until the weather thaws before being able to dig the hole.

Landfill – some will not accept chemically euthanized horses, the cost ranges from $80-150

Rendering- available only in some areas of the country, costs $100-$300

Cremation- Incineration, must follow EPA regulated, cost are expensive $2500 and up.

Some of the newer technologies carcass disposal options are:

Composting – with sawdust and moisture, requires time 6-12 months to compost them down. Several universities have been working in this area. Biodegester uses an alkaline hydrolysis in pressure cooker to solubilize carcass, can be costly.

Can the horse industry, breed registries, welfare groups, horse councils, veterinarians, and governmental agencies reach common ground in order to solve the unwanted horse problem? There are several pending legislations both on the national and state levels that will have a major impact on the horse industry and the unwanted horse. Legislation banning the processing of horsemeat for human consumption, effectively shutting down the nation’s three horse processing plants (located in TX and IL) would have consequences on our horse. The owners of the two horse slaughtering plants in Texas are considering whether to challenge a federal appeals court ruling that upheld a Texas law that banned horse slaughter for the purpose of selling the meat for food. An Illinois State Representative introduced a bill on Feb. 22 that would prohibit the transportation of horses in the state for the purpose of slaughter for human consumption.