Stolen Horse Owner becomes Anti Horse Slaughter Advocate

Stolen Horse Owner becomes Anti Horse Slaughter Advocate

In late Septemer 2018, the horse world in Canada was captivated and hearts went out to Cindy Thomas, the owner of a stolen Clydesdale mare named Molly.

The story spread like wildfire and was instrumental in educating more Canadians than ever to the fact that horses are routinely slaughtered in Canada for human consumption.

Yes, really.

Horse meat is consumed in Canada, and much of what is “processed” in Canada is shipped to other markets including, but not limited to the Eurpoean Union, Japan, China and South Korea.

This barbaric practice is currently not allowed in the United States but American horses are routinely shipped to Canada and Mexico to be slaughtered for human conumption.

Molly’s owner Cindy Thomas was shocked to learn that when horses are sold to, and dropped off, at slaughter plants in Canada, that unless a horse has a visible brand, that same horse or horses can be slaughtered the same day they are delivered.  The only proof of ownership required is for the person, or persons, dropping off the horse or horses to claim that they are the rightful owners.

 

 City TV Edmonton was the first to pick up the story, and Cindy who was just starting to understand the horrors of horse slaughter did an amazing job of making sure those watching knew there was a chance that her stolen horse (or any other horse in Canada) could be slaughtered for human consumption.  You can watch the news clip by clicking here.

City TV Edmonton also did a follow up story and once again Cindy Thomas managed to make sure that those watching realized that horse slaughter for human consumption is something that is allowed in Canada.  You can watch the 2 minute follow up story by clicking here.

The CTV Edmonton News Report (VIDEO ABOVE) about Molly the missing Clydesdale references a story from 2017, where two pet horses were slaughtered for human consumption.  Details on that story may be found by clicking here.

Global TV Edmonton ran the video above and an article here.

Thankfully Molly was found wandering near Cindy’s home on December 24th, 2018.

She was in decent shape, her mane and tail recently brushed, and free of debris.

She was obviously being hidden some where, and because the press and the public did not let up on pressure to find her, she was set loose by those who had stolen her months before.

Since Molly’s return Cindy Thomas has become an even more outspoken advocate for horses who might other wise be slaughtered for human consumption.

Cindy has networked and put together a team of like minded individuals, who in the first 3 months of  2019 have saved over 80 horses, who would otherwise have been slaughtered.

Cindy and her team have worked countless hours, to foster, feed, and where necessary secure veterinary care for these horses, and they’ve carefully screened potential homes and placed many.

Unfortunately the paper trail when selling horses for slaughter is extremely weak.

Horses can be dropped off at a slaughter plant, and the person dropping off simply fills out a form stating that they are the rightful owner of the horse and that it has not been treated with drugs that are not meant to enter the human food chain.

The document when selling horses to a slaughter facility is based on the honour system.

(This is why eating horse meat “produced in Canada is NOT safe”.)

There is NOT a mandatory hold time before slaughtering a horse that has been sold directly to the slaughter plant 

There is NOT any verification of ownership required by the slaughter house (unless the horse is branded  (What if the horse has a winter coat, or the brand is barely legible even in the summer?) and again horses may be slaughtered the same day they are sold to the slaughter facility.

AS A HORSE OWNER….

Really think about that for a moment.

Depending on where you live, especially if you are in British Columbia, Alberta or Saskatchewan, you could be at work, Someone could pull in, load your horse, drive to a slaughter plant in Alberta (OR QUEBEC) and YOUR horse could be sold and slaughtered before you even know that he or she is, or they, are missing.

Ready to help lobby for change in Canadian laws?

T-SHIRTS IN SUPPORT OF HORSE RESCUE FUND 

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CANADA SLAUGHTERS HORSES FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

It may be hard for some to believe that tens of thousands of horses, including pets, are routinely slaughtered in Canada, for human consumption.

Some of the meat is consumed in Canada and much of it is shipped to the European Union and other markets, including  Japan.

The barbaric slaughter of horses is currently not legal in the United States, BUT  horses, including pets and ex-racehorses, from the United States are shipped to Canada and to Mexico to be slaughtered.

In addition Canada allows for the transportation of live horses to Japan,  to be slaughtered for human consumption, and unfortunately the transportation of horses destined for slaughter within Canada, and by air, is far from humane. 

War Horse Reckless

War Horse Reckless

SERGEANT RECKLESS THE WAR HORSE HEROVery special thanks to horse/animal and environment advocate, vegan, retired educator, mother and grandmother, Vivian Bell for reminding me about this wonderful story. And thank you Vivian for taking the time to write and share the...

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HORSE MEAT VERSUS BEEF

HORSE MEAT VERSUS BEEF

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EATING HORSE MEAT VERSUS CHICKEN, PORK, LAMB OR BEEF?That is a fair question and one that those of us dedicated to ending the slaughter of horses in Canada and beyond, for human consumption, are frequently asked. Let's start by saying...

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Cuteness Overload

Cuteness Overload

Just because in this day and age we need a little something extra sweet... BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER IS PROUD TO SUPPORT...Horse Rescue Fund is dedicated to raising funds and distributing those funds to equine rescues and sanctuaries in Canada and the United States that are...

read more

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES
France Bans the Trimming of Horse Whiskers

France Bans the Trimming of Horse Whiskers

With special thanks to Patti Lippert for sharing and to the author at Vet Practice Magazine.

The French Equestrian Federation (FFE) has banned the removal of a horse’s whiskers on welfare grounds. It joins Germany and Switzerland in bringing into effect a rule that would disqualify any horse from competition if the whiskers have been removed.

On their website they state that vibrissae, the correct term for whiskers— which are the long tactile hairs around the eye, nose and mouth of the horse—are sensory organs. And just like cat’s whiskers, they allow the horse to gather information about the environment. Around the eyes they serve as protection and, around the blind spot of the nose, they take over from the eyes. 

The FFE has just incorporated a rule on this subject in their General Competition Regulations and, from early 2019, competing on a horse that has been deprived of his/her vibrissae is no longer permitted.

The new rule aligns with their official acknowledgement that horses do not perceive their environment in the same way humans do and we need to learn more about horse ethology and behaviour, which they promote as the key to better management and training.

“The role of the FFE is to communicate good practices,” FFE ethologist and animal welfare mission manager Déborah Bardou said. 

“It is important that riders behave appropriately with the horse. They are the advocates for animal welfare, and they underwrite the image of equestrian sports.”

Equine behaviourist Justine Harrison hopes other countries will follow with similar rules. “Many countries, including the UK and Australia, are very backward in many aspects of horse welfare and it’s time for us to catch up with France, Switzerland and Germany and ban the trimming of whiskers.

For information about why horses need their whiskers click here.

T-SHIRTS IN SUPPORT OF HORSE RESCUE FUND 

LIMITED TIME OFFER FREE SHIPPING CANADA & USA 

CANADA SLAUGHTERS HORSES FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

It may be hard for some to believe that tens of thousands of horses, including pets, are routinely slaughtered in Canada, for human consumption.

Some of the meat is consumed in Canada and much of it is shipped to the European Union and other markets, including  Japan.

The barbaric slaughter of horses is currently not legal in the United States, BUT  horses, including pets and ex-racehorses, from the United States are shipped to Canada and to Mexico to be slaughtered.

In addition Canada allows for the transportation of live horses to Japan,  to be slaughtered for human consumption, and unfortunately the transportation of horses destined for slaughter within Canada, and by air, is far from humane. 

War Horse Reckless

War Horse Reckless

SERGEANT RECKLESS THE WAR HORSE HEROVery special thanks to horse/animal and environment advocate, vegan, retired educator, mother and grandmother, Vivian Bell for reminding me about this wonderful story. And thank you Vivian for taking the time to write and share the...

read more
HORSE MEAT VERSUS BEEF

HORSE MEAT VERSUS BEEF

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EATING HORSE MEAT VERSUS CHICKEN, PORK, LAMB OR BEEF?That is a fair question and one that those of us dedicated to ending the slaughter of horses in Canada and beyond, for human consumption, are frequently asked. Let's start by saying...

read more
Cuteness Overload

Cuteness Overload

Just because in this day and age we need a little something extra sweet... BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER IS PROUD TO SUPPORT...Horse Rescue Fund is dedicated to raising funds and distributing those funds to equine rescues and sanctuaries in Canada and the United States that are...

read more

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES

WE LOVE KEYBOARD WARRIORS

WE LOVE KEYBOARD WARRIORS

KEYBOARD WARRIORS ARE INCREDIBLY VALUABLE

I often have people tell me they wish they could do more, that they don’t own horses, that they “only” advocate via networking, and their key board.

So as I was reading the following post by Wendy Thomson, I was thinking about so many of you who are tireless with your networking efforts, who do make a HUGE difference in the world.

THANK YOU for being YOU!

Thank you for sharing via your social media accounts and for educating others as to what is going on with horse slaughter in Canada and beyond.

On average each Facebook user has 300 friends, so if you are among the camp who are sharing and spreading the word about causes you care about, keep in mind that each time you post, there is the possibility of, on average 300 people seeing your post, and being educated about “your” cause.

Then as even one or two of your friends share your post… each of their on average 300 friends have the potential to see the post, and when a couple of their friends share the post —  and so forth and so on — you can do the math! 

Now add in your Twitter account, your Instagram account, your Pinterest account and well hopefully you get the idea.  

There is power in overlapping circles of influence and using your keyboard to advocate for the causes you care about.

I’ve pulled a few quotes from a powerful post by Wendy Thomson who I think hit the nail on the head.

Kudos too, to Meet Our Horse Meat in Australia who are  firm believers that “language matters” — and that those who advocate for others in any way — are heroes.  

 

 

Wendy Thomson writes:

Think twice before leveling accusations of ‘nothing but a keyboard warrior.’

You’d be amazed how much rescue advocates can accomplish on behalf of at-risk horses, without a barn full of their own horses to care for. All it takes is a love of animals and a passion to help rescue them. The more we expand our rescue army even beyond the horse world, the safer our horses will be.

….

Later in her post she writes:

Every educational conversation is worth its weight in gold that warns owners of the dangers when transitioning their horse – both at auction where too many are sold for their meat or even giving a horse away without a contract. The horses suffer the consequences of our misplaced trust every time.

….

A bit further down Wendy writes:

What we do not need is infighting. I’m often accused of having no value, because I own no horses. If it weren’t for a friend’s pull of six horses from a feedlot, I wouldn’t have joined rescue networking and horse advocacy. I had no awareness that American horses were still slaughtered. Once learned it had to be acted upon – we all have these stories, we all have value.

……..

Wendy ends her post with:

So many things can be done on behalf of our horses, especially by those of us not in a barn all day. Every front line team effort needs an entourage and helpers, so don’t dismiss keyboard warriors – horses need us all. 

Wendy thank you for sharing this, I couldn’t have said it better myself.  

AND to ANY ONE who feels they want to do more but who are worried that being a keyboard warrior is not enough, or to any one who is proud to be a keyboard warrior and wants to lock arms and work as a team to be even more effective, please… 

T-SHIRTS IN SUPPORT OF HORSE RESCUE FUND 

LIMITED TIME OFFER FREE SHIPPING CANADA & USA 

CANADA SLAUGHTERS HORSES FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

It may be hard for some to believe that tens of thousands of horses, including pets, are routinely slaughtered in Canada, for human consumption.

Some of the meat is consumed in Canada and much of it is shipped to the European Union and other markets, including  Japan.

The barbaric slaughter of horses is currently not legal in the United States, BUT  horses, including pets and ex-racehorses, from the United States are shipped to Canada and to Mexico to be slaughtered.

In addition Canada allows for the transportation of live horses to Japan,  to be slaughtered for human consumption, and unfortunately the transportation of horses destined for slaughter within Canada, and by air, is far from humane. 

War Horse Reckless

War Horse Reckless

SERGEANT RECKLESS THE WAR HORSE HEROVery special thanks to horse/animal and environment advocate, vegan, retired educator, mother and grandmother, Vivian Bell for reminding me about this wonderful story. And thank you Vivian for taking the time to write and share the...

read more
HORSE MEAT VERSUS BEEF

HORSE MEAT VERSUS BEEF

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EATING HORSE MEAT VERSUS CHICKEN, PORK, LAMB OR BEEF?That is a fair question and one that those of us dedicated to ending the slaughter of horses in Canada and beyond, for human consumption, are frequently asked. Let's start by saying...

read more
Cuteness Overload

Cuteness Overload

Just because in this day and age we need a little something extra sweet... BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER IS PROUD TO SUPPORT...Horse Rescue Fund is dedicated to raising funds and distributing those funds to equine rescues and sanctuaries in Canada and the United States that are...

read more

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES
Ground Breaking Lawsuit

Ground Breaking Lawsuit

Help the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition win a ground breaking lawsuit to stop the inhumane transport of horses by air to be slaughtered in Japan and South Korea, for human consumption.

Every year, Canada ships thousands of horses overseas by air cargo so that they can be slaughtered for human consumption.

In 2017 public records show that 4,846 horses were shipped to Japan for this purpose.

In 2018 just shy of 9,000 horses were shipped from Canada to Japan to be slaughtered for human consumption.

These horses are NOT shipped the way that show horses are shipped, instead they are crammed in wooden crates that are too small and shipped 3 and 4 to a crate, that is actually meant to hold just one horse.

Canadian and international shipping regulations are being broken.

Please help support this ground breaking lawsuit.

Read the full CTV story by clicking here.

T-SHIRTS IN SUPPORT OF HORSE RESCUE FUND 

LIMITED TIME OFFER FREE SHIPPING CANADA & USA 

CANADA SLAUGHTERS HORSES FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

It may be hard for some to believe that tens of thousands of horses, including pets, are routinely slaughtered in Canada, for human consumption.

Some of the meat is consumed in Canada and much of it is shipped to the European Union and other markets, including  Japan.

The barbaric slaughter of horses is currently not legal in the United States, BUT  horses, including pets and ex-racehorses, from the United States are shipped to Canada and to Mexico to be slaughtered.

In addition Canada allows for the transportation of live horses to Japan,  to be slaughtered for human consumption, and unfortunately the transportation of horses destined for slaughter within Canada, and by air, is far from humane. 

War Horse Reckless

War Horse Reckless

SERGEANT RECKLESS THE WAR HORSE HEROVery special thanks to horse/animal and environment advocate, vegan, retired educator, mother and grandmother, Vivian Bell for reminding me about this wonderful story. And thank you Vivian for taking the time to write and share the...

read more
HORSE MEAT VERSUS BEEF

HORSE MEAT VERSUS BEEF

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EATING HORSE MEAT VERSUS CHICKEN, PORK, LAMB OR BEEF?That is a fair question and one that those of us dedicated to ending the slaughter of horses in Canada and beyond, for human consumption, are frequently asked. Let's start by saying...

read more
Cuteness Overload

Cuteness Overload

Just because in this day and age we need a little something extra sweet... BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER IS PROUD TO SUPPORT...Horse Rescue Fund is dedicated to raising funds and distributing those funds to equine rescues and sanctuaries in Canada and the United States that are...

read more

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES

Stolen Horse Sold for Hamburger

Stolen Horse Sold for Hamburger

This story is definitely re-post worthy.

This story is a reminder to all of us in Canada who live within a days drive of where slaughter plants are in Alberta, or Quebec, about how easy it would be for any of our horses to be snatched and slaughtered before we even knew they were missing.

Think about how far you live from either Alberta or Quebec, a days drive, 2 days drive or less?

So this story is pertinent to those who live ANY where in Canada, but especially in the provinces of Alberta and Quebec and neighbouring provinces, like British Columbia and Ontario.

Every horse owner within Canada or the United States needs to be aware that any horse can be stolen and unless your horse is branded,  there are not protocols in place at Canadian slaughter plants, to double check that a horse is stolen.  

There are also not any mandatory hold times after a horse is sold to a slaughter plant so horses are often slaughtered the same day they arrive at a slaughter plant.  

In other words, many Canadians could come home from work, or wake up in the morning to find that a horse or horses are missing, and  our horses could be slaughtered for human consumption without us being notified first.

 

Slaughtering horses in Canada is legal.

The practice has been banned in the United States but horses from the United States are routinely shipped to Canada and Mexico to be slaughtered.

There have been other well documented cases of horses disappearing and being slaughtered. 

Listen to Kim and Sargon’s story on Blue Sky Radio.

So what can you do to help bring this barbaric practice to a halt?

T-SHIRTS IN SUPPORT OF HORSE RESCUE FUND 

LIMITED TIME OFFER FREE SHIPPING CANADA & USA 

CANADA SLAUGHTERS HORSES FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

It may be hard for some to believe that tens of thousands of horses, including pets, are routinely slaughtered in Canada, for human consumption.

Some of the meat is consumed in Canada and much of it is shipped to the European Union and other markets, including  Japan.

The barbaric slaughter of horses is currently not legal in the United States, BUT  horses, including pets and ex-racehorses, from the United States are shipped to Canada and to Mexico to be slaughtered.

In addition Canada allows for the transportation of live horses to Japan,  to be slaughtered for human consumption, and unfortunately the transportation of horses destined for slaughter within Canada, and by air, is far from humane. 

War Horse Reckless

War Horse Reckless

SERGEANT RECKLESS THE WAR HORSE HEROVery special thanks to horse/animal and environment advocate, vegan, retired educator, mother and grandmother, Vivian Bell for reminding me about this wonderful story. And thank you Vivian for taking the time to write and share the...

read more
HORSE MEAT VERSUS BEEF

HORSE MEAT VERSUS BEEF

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EATING HORSE MEAT VERSUS CHICKEN, PORK, LAMB OR BEEF?That is a fair question and one that those of us dedicated to ending the slaughter of horses in Canada and beyond, for human consumption, are frequently asked. Let's start by saying...

read more
Cuteness Overload

Cuteness Overload

Just because in this day and age we need a little something extra sweet... BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER IS PROUD TO SUPPORT...Horse Rescue Fund is dedicated to raising funds and distributing those funds to equine rescues and sanctuaries in Canada and the United States that are...

read more

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES

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