Penn State Equine Blog

All horse owners should be aware of the facts associated with unwanted horses

April 26, 2007 at 3:33 pm · Filed under Equine Issues

This Fact Sheet was developed by the Pennsylvania Equine Council (PEC)-Horse Health and Care Committee (PEC)

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