An AQHA Oxymoron = Humane Slaughter

Okay, here’s something for you.
Please pay particular attention to the following (my comments will be in brackets):

“The end for horses sent to one of the U.S. slaughter plants was anything but humane, according to the HSUS. The regulations meant to protect them were inadequate as the horses suffered from a lack of food and water on crowded trailers, and the euthanasia was often mishandled (Mishandled? You mean they often... missed? Ugh! But what better way to show old Blue—who trusted you with his life and had given you everything he could and then some—that you love and respect all he’s done for you than to fill his last moments (or hours?) with terror and screaming agony? How lovely.), the organization claims. Rather than being slaughtered, HSUS says, unwanted horses can be placed with a rescue (As long as they check out and are credible/responsible) or retirement facility (Again, check them out first) or, when no other options are available, humanely euthanized.” (Absolutely! That’s what I’ve been saying for ages, isn't it?)

Oh yes. And here's a little something else to chew on.

Gee, I use Invermectin, too. *tisk* Thank goodness!

I hope they make about as much profit as the Saskatchewan plant, I really do.

Yah gotta love it.


**Warning: Sensitive folks like me will want to skip this.**

(Thank you to coeurdefer for pointed out the following.)

To folks who still believe horse slaughter is “humane," might I direct you to this.

Now before you get your lead line in a twist, go to comments and scroll down to the three-in-a-row posts by Lin - March 30, 2009, 10:54am, “statement from a horse slaughter worker...Who's tne nut around here?” (Hope Lin doesn’t mind me using this).

This post makes my point about horse slaughter, public outcry, and members being guilty by association in the court of public opinion (when the public reads it... and they should). It also made me sick to my stomach.

Do you think this kind of thing won’t happen in new slaughterhouses? Think again. Inspectors and ASPCA won’t be standing there all day and don’t try to tell me they will. Criminal acts? Absolutely. An isolated incident? No way. Watch a video on horse slaughter. Or better yet, go to a horse slaughterhouse and watch what happens. See the way the animals react to the sounds and smells, and in what shape and in what way they meet their so-called “humane” demise. And while you’re there, remember that John Q Public’s perception of slaughterhouses is what’s going to matter—a perception that will forever be linked to the AQHA (the association that’s publicly pushing for it and its members).

Yep, slaughterhouses are a fine way to promote the breed, innit?














Still determined to get rid of your arthritic, unusable thirty-something horse, are you? Here’s an idea. Have him humanely euthanized and THEN call the truck.

And while we‘re on the subject...

Horse Slaughter Plants in Canada

1. BOUVRY EXPORT CALGARY LTD.
Head Office
#312 222-58th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta Canada T2H 2S3
403-253-0717
403-259-3568 (fax)
bouvryca@telusplanet.net

Owner: Claude Bouvry
Two Locations: Alberta and Quebec
Maintains feedlots in Shelby, MT and
Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada

2. VIANDE RICHELIEU, INC.
Richelieu Meat, Inc.
595, rue Royale C.P. 101
Massueville, Québec Canada JOG 1KO
450-788-2667
450-788-2622 (fax)
courrier@vianderichelieu.com

Shame on you, Canada. You can set an example and send a message to the world at the same time. Go for it. Stop horse slaughter. Make us proud.

Petition - End Horse Slaughter in Canada Now

Guilt By [American Quarter Horse] Association?

You know, it’s hard enough to think about horses getting slaughtered to make room for more, more, more (as in the AQHA making more money via more registration fees and more membership fees by getting rid of what's already here), much less realize an association as massive and well known as the AQHA—one who actually took steps to amend some of their rules to the benefit of horses... or was that only to quell public outcry?—have so little regard for their breed and all the regard for the almighty dollar that they advocate it. That begs the question: When they (the AQHA leadership) shot themselves in the foot because of it, did they also paint targets on their members, too?

Let’s think about this. In the court of public opinion, owners of Quarter Horses/members of AQHA, and the association itself, are one and the same. So, guilt by association. An example might be the anti-fur movement, where folks didn’t just target furriers but the individuals wearing it, to the point were people who owned it (even the homeless!) wouldn’t be caught dead in it. Now, instead of fur, it’s horse slaughter advocated by the Quarter Horse Association—the very association that’s suppose to tout and protect the breed, not push for the slaughter of it. What will the public think of its members now? They’ll never know who agreed or disagreed with it, and they won’t stop to ask, either. One and the same, remember? Members are AQHA. Members did this. Members are the heartless bastards who will ride it AND eat it, baby. Hi ho Silver... and don’t forget the ketchup.

Let’s take a moment to let this sink in.

Can you say “manipulated” (as in even the pro-slaughter members were manipulated into thinking this was a good thing when all the while it was a money making venture from the beginning, something where everyone (including the cattle ranchers who are all set up and eager to turn into horse meat ranchers) wins EXCEPT the horse), folks? I know you can.

I hate being manipulated. I hate being told one thing and find out it’s a whole other ballgame (or is that ‘market‘?). I hate being guilty by association, and I particularly hate that the Quarter Horse association painted its own members as targets.

By the way, how much do you think the AQHA cares about their breed when they’re advocating slaughtering them? Just curious.

Oh. And while we‘re here, let this sink in too.

And so it begins (note the blog’s name... and good on the blog owner for coming up with it and speaking out!). But that’s not what I’m talking about here. What I am, is pointing out that a really bad situation CAN get far worse. Yep, seems everyone’s jumping on the band wagon, including cattlemen who are being encouraged to see horse slaughter as yet another opportunity (others before being buffalo and elk, though with horses it’s a different ballgame, horses being an already established market—if they can’t sell it here, they’ll just ship it to Europe) to make a buck.

So what's the alternative to slaughter? Stop backyard indiscriminate breeding. Stop thinking of horses as disposable. You bought it so you look after it for life. If you can't, then sell it to someone reputable who can. And, God forbid, if something happens to the horse to necessitate its death, be strong enough to euthanize it instead of shipping it. At least that's my opinion.


***



Important Note regarding the following:
Well, I was going to do a post about “emotional women” (("The AQHA leadership has always been pro-slaughter, and when their own polls revealed their membership wasn't, their own president blamed the results on ‘emotional women.’”)

I read it, quoted it, was sure I'd cited the right link to it... but it seems I was mistaken. (Hmm.) Therefore, I cannot in all good conscience leave it up. To those who have quoted it and to those it might have hurt: My sincere apologies. If I do happen to find the link again (and if it's out there, I will), rest assured I will repost it.

For the love of old horses

We love and enjoy our old friends. They’ve seen us at our worst (sans makeup, our hair a mess, in our pajamas or bundled in so many layers we barely resemble a human being—those times when we wouldn’t allow people to see us) and best, and greet us with the same enthusiastic welcome, no matter which. They aren’t the fashion police. They don’t care what we look like or how much money we make (unless it effects their feed/care). They just want us, for us. Too bad people weren’t like that.

Like I said in yesterday's post, I have two older horses, both happily retired and neither EVER having to worry about seeing the inside of an auction or slaughterhouse. They are family. Happy to see me no matter what I look like or what I might offhandedly say. And like I also said yesterday, they are not disposable, nor will they be “removed” to make room for new and brighter and better. Only when there is room (God, I am so NOT looking forward to that day) will I consider getting another. Meantime, they’ll get the best care available and all the love and cookies I can give. Goodness knows they deserve it. After all, they’ve put up with me for... how long?

So that brings me to this question: Does anyone have a horse older than Bear, my thirty-two year old Quarter Horse mare?

Just curious.

The Shame of AQHA - It's all about the money, honey.

So I was browsing the internet today and happened across this little gem:
AQHA Official Celebrates Pending Slaughter of Quarter Horses

Are you f**king kidding me? Oh, this will do wonders for the breed. To hell with standards. Instead of focusing on actually improving the breed by trying to stop backyard breeders (discouraging indiscriminate breeding (and registering) and flooding the market with the crap, the poor and the damned), let’s instead concentrate on shoveling money into the AQHA coffers (via registration and new member fees) and “killing off existing Quarter Horses to make room for more.” In other words, improvements and standards? We don’t need no stinkin’ improvements or standards. We just need more!

Yeah, right.

And while we’re on the subject, “the next major AQHA effort will be to try to defeat the federal legislation that will end the slaughter of American horses; HR 503, The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2009.”

This is AQHA's idea of something good for the breed?

I think my head is going to explode.

The slogan “Let freedom ride” should add the words "[until we decide to] look at ways to introduce an equine economic stimulus package that will boost registration numbers." (The quoted are AQHA's then executive vice-president Bill Brewer's words, not mine.) To hell with the horse, the breed, the standards, and the promotion... unless by promotion and "other ways" the AQHA means Quarter Horses: Versatility now also includes making a darn good sandwich.

I own two Quarter Horses (or do they own me?)—a thirty-two year old mare and a twenty-seven year old gelding. Both did their time in the show ring (I prefer open shows, though we did a bit in breed), both won a truckload of ribbons and trophies (High Point and Super Horse, etc., etc.), both have given me more than I could ever repay, and both have earned their retirement ten fold. They will never see the inside of a slaughterhouse or auction; they’ll live and die right here with me. They are NOT “disposable.” They are family.

I'm also desperately seeking info about Faleh (Falah)

Okay, I’m going to spell this wrong so please don’t go by what you read. I’m looking for information about Shanayn’s (sp? Pronounced: Shaw-nayns) Faleh, a registered ¾ Arabian gelding purchased from me by a young woman named Nancy who lived in Manitoba, Canada. (I’d name the town, but as you can tell by the lack of Nancy’s last name, I can’t remember it). Faleh is (or was?) a flashy chestnut with a white blaze and socks. Nancy’s sister also bought a grey around the same time. Nancy sent me a winter picture of her and Faleh shortly after purchase, and I visited him once.

Nancy, if you’re reading this, or if anyone has any information about Nancy and Faleh, I’d dearly love to hear it. You can use the “Contact Me” link in the sidebar on the left, or email me directly at hawkewriter@hotmail.com

Thank you so much.

Looking for The Brady's from Dryden, Ontario, Canada (re: Dinah)

Okay, this is only going to sound a little weird to everyone but the folks this is meant for.

I’m looking for Mrs. Laurie Brady, Jill Brady or Brent Brady, (formerly?) of Arbour Jade Farm, Dryden, Ontario. These are, or were, horse people, and this is regarding a sweet little bay pony named Dinah.

If anyone knows them or knows of them, could you please either direct them to this post or give me a shout? If they are reading this themselves, could you please contact me? (See “Contact Me” under my profile for the link, or email me at hawkewriter@hotmail.com)

Thank you so much.