Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

christy tate — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 04:21:18 GMT

every horses life has value. promoting responsible ownership is a great idea, making humane euthanization more affordable, would be another step to alliviating the unwanted horse problem, also, i am highly in favor of gelding stallions to produce more managable riding horses, and to perhaps prevent overbreeding, but i think that there should be a way to do the same thing for a mare. this should be encouraged by the entire horse community. imean hey they spay and nuter dogs and cats, so why not horses.

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

Fran Loszynski — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 12:04:12 GMT

A quote from "Seabiscuit" the trainer:

"Every horse has a purpose, he can be a lead pony, or just something pretty to look at." Alot of people think racehorses are only good for racing, well I could lean against a rail fence in Kentucky and just look at them all day. When I was in Kentucky, I saw some elderly people on a tour and they just stood as though they were in stone and later remarked, "Now we've seen it all!" A heartfelt thank you to anyone that tries to save a racehorse or any horse. Every yearling has a purpose in life.

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

diastu — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 20:23:27 GMT

Thank you for your article. You note that the "Turning for Home" Program presents a "strong argument" for alternatives to slaughter. Here's mine: The strongest arguement for alternatives to slaughter is the inhumane conditions and methods of slaughter. We would not treat our other companion animals that way. Horses are companion animals, not livestock. My reasoning? We pet, talk to, groom, ride, play with, sleep with, and interact with daily our horses and they with us. We often make them part of our family and they are as tuned in to us as our dogs and cats. We don't do that with our cattle herds, pig herds, chicken flocks, etc. If you cannot afford the $200 - $500 to humanely put down your horse at the end of its life, you should not be a horse owner in the first place!

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

Texas Girl — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 15:49:54 GMT

As a Quarter horse owner and breeder, I don't agree with slaughter. I only breed for myself and have 4 retired racers that are just pasture ornaments. I keep track of every horse I have ever owned and if they ever need a home they can come back to me and I will take care of them or find them another suitable home. It is expensive and I am not a rich person but bottom line is if you breed you should be responsible. The Quarter Horse Association now has a program that lets the breeder or previous owner note on the papers that they will take them back or help re-home them. It is a start and other associations should look into this type of program. But bottom line is people have to take responsibility and care about them more than they care about the money. We cannot change the eating habits of people in other countries and how they view horses, but we can and should make sure that the fate that awaits them is humane, but then again I don't agree with the way most slaughter houses work for any animal (cow, pig, chickens, etc.)

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

anne russek — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:32:47 GMT

I urge anyone who supports OTTB's to join the facebook page Thoroughbred Celebration. This is a page that promotes OTTB's by presenting three OTTB hunter /jumper shows at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia. This is the only hunter/jumper show series in the United States that exclusively features former race horses or those thoroughbreds that were in training to race but did not start. Next show is November 20 &21, come and join us!

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

CRIMINAL TYPE — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 15:33:34 GMT

I just wanted to share that I did go look at some thoroughbred's at Laurel Park this weekend and have found one that I am going to bring home. She is a lovely 5 yr old bay mare who just is not fast enough to continue as a race horse. She is sound and will make a wonderful riding horse after some time to just be a horse. She is very sweet and really nice to be around. I am picking her up next weekend YAY !

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

Barbara — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:19:51 GMT

Many thanks to Blood Horse for publishing the articles.

Overbreeding and the economy have caused the problem of "unwanted" horses. Horse slaughter is cruelty and only rewards uncaring owners .

The USDA recognizes horses as companion animals --not livestock rainsed for food. PLease ask D.C. senators and representatives to pass The Equine Cruelty Prevention Act, H.R. 503/S.727.

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

Terre — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 14:46:36 GMT

I have two OTTBs at my small place in Southern Ohio. And while at this time, due to my work schedule - they're nothing more than "expensive yard ornaments" I wouldn't trade them for the world. This economy is tough on everyone - especially those robbing Peter to pay Paul (as I am) - however I wouldn't even entertain the thought of my life without them. They are truly a joy to own and when life gets ya down - there's no better therapy than taking care of your horses. Just my two cents.

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

Bet Twice — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 16:47:33 GMT

Helen, I agree that we need to avoid squeamishness when evaluating the realistic future prospects of a race horse and embrace euthanasia when there is no better option. Where I disagree, is with the idea that slaughter is equivalent to euthanasia. You don't slaughter dogs or cats when they get old or infirm, you euthanize them, a decidedly different process.

been there, you're incorrect in your assertion that horses are raised for "market." They aren't and never have been in America. They are raised as pets or performance animals with close ties to human beings. If you want to introduce the idea of raising horses for meat, feel free. Slaughtering them as a by product of irresponsible ownership and over breeding is not the same thing as raising them (like cows, pigs, chickens) to be food.

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

Rachel — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 14:03:15 GMT

Been there...abandoning an animal is against the law. Why didn't they call the vet and euthanize their horse?

Slaughter for food in the USA requires a mandatory withdrawal time, like 30-60 days, for drugs and meds...you want to eat a race horse that's been on all those meds and antibiotics?

Slaughter houses kill horses with a head set and stun bolt designed for a cow's head...horses panic...the bolt misses...the horse is hung up alive or regains conciousness (sp?)...what horse deserves that?

The Thoroughbred has to get out of the mindset it's a breed that needs rescuing...it needs to be promoted as an athelete suitable for many disciplines.

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

Carly — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 23:59:54 GMT

Helen, I must disagree. There is no law against humanely euthanizing a horse. Yes when the time comes that is the right thing to do. However, there is no justification for killing a horse that could have a long, happy and productive life ahead of it just because it is easier than trying to find it a good home! Shame on you.

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

Maggie — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 20:48:14 GMT

Thank you Bloodhorse for printing this article.

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

Maggie — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 20:47:26 GMT

Jean - Kill buyers and sellers are just signing the EU drug papers without telling the truth. No matter what drugs the horse has been given, it is still going to slaughter. Everyone involved with the selling, buying and killing of horses is lying on the paperwork. Get real!

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

My one and only — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 17:13:07 GMT

My first horse was an OTTB. I bought him in 1971 as a 4 yr. old. He had fractured a sesamoid and had been laid up for a year. I had him for 24 years and he never took a lame step. He started out as an amateur hunter and also did low level eventing, hunter pacing, low level dressage and trail riding. He survived colic surgery at the age of 22 and came out of that sound. I finally was forced to put him down at age 28 due to the infirmaties of old age. He was buried in a pet cemetary in NJ. in 1995. He was the love of my life and I miss him to this day.

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

ThomasMc — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 16:55:43 GMT

Many thoroughbred's go on to other jobs after racing.They are excellent at whatever they do.More and more people in and out of the industry should help find as many homes as possible. This being said we should also be realistic about what to do with all the horses of all types that we have.Animals of all kinds are prosessed for food all around the world.Being a good owner of a horse means we should be careful of what end awaits them.We owe them an end of life experience that is not cruel.This does not mean that being prosessed for food is out of the question. The plants need to be humaine and clean.No one has the right to tell other people what they can do with their horses and who has the right to say that too many horses are being bread.It is better for the horse to exist for whatever time it is having a good life then to never exist at all.

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

goodwin — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:52:07 GMT

How about a national racing authority who issues only so many Jockey club breeding permits per year? Gasp! You mean, "regulation"? Yes. And a criteria for determining which conformations would improve the breed, not just breeding based on the stud fee, bloodline, etc.in an effort to turn some foals into big bucks when some foreigners get into an emotional bid frenzy at the auction. 16.2 million! geez.

How about funding special classes at the established horse shows just for OTTBs? ECOURAGE the second, after racing owner and sporthorse owner to get one!!

Just some thoughts...

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

been there — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:11:39 GMT

im going to offend alot of folks but here goes. WE need the slaughter houses back open. it is a place for unwanted horses. it takes $$$ to feed that alot of people just dont have anymore. here in texas people are turning them out in the national forest and on the road. to many unadoptible horses are out there an nobody to care for them because of lack of $$$. times are hard and people who otherwise would feed and care for them can no longer afford to do so. as far as slaughter goes why not?? horses can and should be treated like all other animals that are being raised for market. we serve beef..lamb..pork..chicken why not horse?? if you dont want to eat it dont buy it. regulate it like every other slaughter plant... again MY opinion

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

Criminal Type — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 12:18:53 GMT

tbpartnerperson43, I am very serious. THANK YOU, I am going to start checking right away. I have a young Arabian I am training for endurance who needs a companion. He has been alone for a year and is obviously lonely. Nothing would please me more then to give a an unwanted horse a home and give my Warrior a friend.

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

Aleine in VA — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 05:23:20 GMT

Let's not forget about the late Ferdinand. The 1986 winner of the Kentucky Derby.

If the Japanese (and French, et al.,),didn't SERVE HORSE in restaurants this would be one hell of a nicer world. God Bless Ferdinand and hopefully the Japanese involved with his path to the slaughter-house will burn forever you-know-where.

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

For The Love of Horses — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 21:59:13 GMT

If they would just stop breeding so many there would not be unwanted ones.

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

Kim Heath — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:08:38 GMT

The Horse Protection Assn. of Florida has re-homed over 150 TBs in the last 9 months, many of which have gone to sport disciplines, such as to eventing adopters Karen O'Connor and Darren Chiacchia. Many go back to their breeders or past owners. Very few are actually "unwanted".

Kim Heath

President

www.hpaf.org

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

Joey W. — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:04:05 GMT

Hey, y'all.. I have one HECK of an AMAZING idea..

How 'bout quit experimental breeding all together..

Like, 'Let's try this so his front legs are stronger'... Damn THAT didn't work, toss that foal down the slaughter pipeline..

Seriously, Breeders.. IF slaughter was NOT an option any longer you'd be in a world of hurt.

Hopefully that day is NOT far off and you might have to be extremely careful of what you 'try' when breeding in the near future.

They run too 'hot'? That's breeding.. amazing. How 'bout if they are too 'hot' for you... Don't get one! Therefore, they aren't bred anylonger..

Bunch'a cruel, experimentors with life..

Good thing your parents kept you around even though your knees may be too big.. etc. Get my drift?

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

Carmel — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:59:51 GMT

I have an OTTB I bought last year and I wouldn't consider anything else! She is the most awesome horse you can imagine, good mind, sensitive and wanting to please. When I was looking for a horse last year most of the TB's I looked at were not hot blooded nut cases. Yes, they do need some retraining but for the most part these horses turn out to be the best partners you can imagine. I do all I can to promote them!

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

MariaK23 — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:47:11 GMT

Most breed associations are interested in one thing only: dues paid to them. It's all about the cash for their pockets and not about doing what's right for the horse and the breed. Ask anyone who actively works to save and re-home equines. I do not care how many pretty pamphlets UHC puts out or how many free vaccines they distribute, if it walks like a duck and sounds like a duck...

If approx. 150,000 equines are going to slaughter every year, why is the solution so complicated to the "experts". The idea of breeding fewer horses seems like an effective solution. And for states who use tax money collected at horse races for breeding incentives (I believe it was around $30M last year) take 1% of those funds and support organizations that have to clean up the mess the breeders made.

Simple...you bet.

Can it be done: Absolutely.

Do these "concerned" organizations have the stones to make the necessary changes: Not if it takes one red cent out of their pockets.

re: Finding Homes for Them All - by Eric Mitchell

rand — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 13:39:47 GMT

The greedy breeders and irresponsible horse owners in this country are never going to pass laws to stop horse slaughter. It will be Canada, along with the EU who have both recognized the need to protect people from the poisons like bute in America's horses. Way to go USA...