Could Mr. Ed really be slaughtered for eating?

I'm a horse lover.  When I was five years old I wanted a horse; I begged and pleaded for one.  Although my father was a farm boy, he didn't really have a love for horses.  He grew up during times when horses were only needed for the purpose of farming. As tractors became more common place, the horse was not a necessity.  Horses cost money to feed and care for; if they didn't pay their way by working, you didn't need one.  I was persistent.  At 7 years of age, I got my first horse (Sonny-a mean little Shetland pony).  I've been on horseback ever since.  I cannot tell you why I love them; it's not because of some grandiose ideal of saving the Old West or that the horse is an iconic figure of those times, I suppose, it is because I love their beauty, the feel of their muscles under me when I ride and the companionship I have received from them over the years.  I still get goosebumps every time I watch any horse at work, whether it be cutting cattle or racing on the track.

In 2006, the federal government cut off funding for horse meat inspections, after years of lobbying from animal rightists and animal humane society activists had worked to outright ban the slaughter of horses for meat consumption.  The horse industry saw immediate effects to this governmental legislation, as the last horse slaughterhouse closed in 2007.

For the horse producers/breeders, the market on horses for sale saw a gradual decline in the value of their horses for sale, as the prices to maintain them began to increase.  The decline in value became more obvious as the numbers of U.S. horses increased due to the inability to sale these horses through the meat/slaughter industry.  Simple economics of supply and demand.  The demand decreased (no more meat outlet) but the numbers of the horses available did not.

In addition to the decrease in demand, the economic structure of our nation began to suffer and horse owners found themselves unable to keep and feed these large animals, it became necessary to sale these horses out of necessity.  Bottom line for many was 'do I want to eat, pay my rent/mortgage, utilities, clothes on my family's back, or pay for food and pasture/stable expenses for an animal that can live for 20-30 years.  A realistic decision has to be made, and taking care of one's self will also be a priority over that of the animal.  The horse industry hasn't been the only animal to suffer during these harsher economic times.  I have seen the similar effects in the small animal pet world.  Many pet owners forego vaccinations, heart worm medications, emergency care for their pets in order to feed their family and put a roof over their head.    Many animals, large and small, are literally being turned out in the streets, shelters and rescue centers because of people's inability to maintain them and keep them healthy.

Anti-slaughter activists claim it would cost taxpayers $3-5 million dollars a year for federal inspections for slaughter facilities, a hard thing for many to accept with our current economical state of affairs.  However, what they fail to share with the public is that local animal welfare organizations and State Animal Health inspectors have had an increase over 60% reports and investigations into horse neglect and abandonment since 2007.  The cost to investigate, confiscate and possibly destroy these horses also costs the government and you the taxpayer money.

Anti-slaughter activists make claims that slaughtering practices are inhumane.  These organizations only cite examples of inhumanity against the horses when there are exceptions to the rule.  If one slaughter house would not follow governmental requirements for slaughter, it gets spread all over the news and the public makes assumptions that all slaughter houses practice in the same manner.  Federal inspectors of these facilities are veterinarians, with specific guidelines that must be met.  Meat slaughter and packing facilities must follow these rules for the protection of the humans that consume these products, be it chicken, beef, pork or equine.  To think that all slaughter houses are evil, takes on the same mentality as all human doctors are bad, just because one is (i.e. Dr. Conrad Murry).  If one member of your family is a their, then surely the whole family are thieves.

When the slaughter houses closed in the U.S. These horses were then taken to Mexico and Canada for slaughter, where in some cases they were treated inhumanely.  Government officials determined that approximately 138,000 horses were slaughtered in these countries during 2010, approximately the same as were killed in the U.S. before the ban took effect in 2007.  The meat from these horses is exported to Europe where they eat horse meat.  This market not only provides jobs for U.S. citizens but monies are generated for our country in the form of taxes received from European markets.

For me and many of my sane horsemen friends, re-opening U.S. slaughter houses will be a blessing.  It can not only relieves suffering of the unwanted, unfit and neglected, but also gives our country an opportunity to regain lost jobs and revenues to our country.  Horses can be an agriculture crop, just like raising cattle, pigs and chicken for human consumption.  While I don't have an interest in eating horses, I cannot condemn those who wish too.

A few years ago I lost one of my best friends, Levi.  He had cancer and I had to put him down.  It was an emotional time.  He is buried on my farm.  The Levi's and Mr. Ed's will not end up in slaughter houses.  But there are many that will never become Levi's or Mr. Ed's and there must be a venue available that will give these horses better lives than being starved, abandoned and neglected.