Santa Anita Horse Racing Track 23rd Horse Dead in 3 Months

Santa Anita Horse Racing Track 23rd Horse Dead in 3 Months

With special thanks to KTLA 5.

A 23rd horse fatality has occurred at Santa Anita since Dec. 26 when Arms Runner fell on the dirt crossover portion of the hillside turf course Sunday and was later euthanized. La Sardane, who was behind Arms Runner, couldn’t avoid the fallen horse, tripped and went to the ground, but got right back up.

The death was confirmed by Dr. Rick Arthur, equine medical director of the California Horse Racing Board.

The jockeys Martin Pedroza, aboard Arms Runner, and Ruben Fuentes were believed to have sustained no more than bumps and bruises although they were taken off their remaining mounts.

The accident occurred in the feature race of the day, the Grade 3 $100,000 San Simeon Stakes, a 6 1/2 furlong turf race that starts at the top of a hillside and has a crossover point on dirt. The spill happened just as the horses were about to re-enter the turf portion of the course. It appeared that Arms Runner injured his right front leg.

Scott Martelle of the Los Angeles Times writes: 

I’m a horse racing fan, but I won’t be at Santa Anita on Saturday

A few months ago, I marked Saturday down on my calendar as Santa Anita Derby day to ensure I wouldn’t miss one of the top annual races at the famed horse track in Arcadia. It’s a big deal in horse racing — the winner of the $1-million purse also gets a near-automatic entry in next month’s Kentucky Derby.

I was in the stands last spring when Justify won to qualify for the Kentucky Derby, which he also won en route to becoming only the 13th horse to win the Triple Crown, horse racing’s holy grail. (The first horse to win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes was Sir Barton in 1919).

 

So the Santa Anita Derby is a big deal. But I’m not going to the track Saturday after all. There have been too many dead horses, and not enough answers.

 

How many dead horses? Over the last three months 23 horses have died in races or training at the park. By contrast, 37 horses died over seven months in 2017-18.

The current rate is a troubling spike in a sport that already contributes to the deaths of some 500 horses a yearnationwide, out of tens of thousands of horses that compete in nearly 40,000 races a year.

 

The tough question is deciding what the threshold should be for acceptable levels of hurt horses, whose physiology means that a broken leg can be a fatal injury.

 

I’m not sure what that answer is, and in some ways it’s a personal call. And while I won’t be at the track this weekend, thousands of my fellow horse racing enthusiasts will be.

There have been too many dead horses, and not enough answers.

The most troubling aspect is that Santa Anita track officials have decided to continue racing despite not knowing why so many horses are suffering such debilitating injuries.

 

To their credit, track officials have paused racing three times to conduct tests and studies in hopes of determining whether a winter of heavy rains has affected the track or whether there are other identifiable causes. Yet they have found no definitive answers, and each time racing resumed more horses died, the most recent on Sunday as the horse fell mid-race where a dirt track crosses the downhill turf course.

 

It’s a tough call. Horse racing is entertainment for those of us who like to sit in the stands, bet and cheer on the horses and jockeys, soak in the singular beauty of the San Gabriel Mountains rising north of the track, and enjoy a day that at once feels disconnected from daily life in Los Angeles, yet is also quintessentially Los Angeles. The current track has been there since 1934, and to step onto the grounds is to step back in time.

 

Yet Santa Anita is also a business. Hundreds of jobs intersect with the track, including grounds employees, betting tellers, the stable hands and trainers. Shutting down causes significant economic pain for those who depend on the track for a living.

 

 

But the dead horses

As a culture, we tend to like our sports with an edge of toughness. Football, hockey, basketball, even baseball are games that involve sometimes violent collisions, often leading to painful career-derailing injuries and, on rare occasions, death. We’re still trying to grapple with the issue of head traumas suffered by young athletes that develop into progressive brain disease later in life.

In hockey, fights are part of the game, and acts that would lead to jail time if committed on a sidewalk get players a two-minute timeout. Not to mention boxing and mixed martial arts, whose bouts would be felonies were it not for sanctioning agencies.

 

 

But those who engage in such sports do so willingly. Thoroughbred horses, on the other hand, have no choice in the matter (much like the animals that we make our pets). They are bred for one main purpose — to race. And when they can’t, or when they are too slow to be competitive, tens of thousands of them are packed off to slaughterhouses.

But is that any crueler than raising cows and chickens for meat? Again, how distressing that is a personal view, so long as the animals are cared for humanely while they are alive.

 

And my personal view is that too much is unanswered about the horse deaths at Santa Anita for me to sit in the stands Saturday, place my bets and hope to see in person another top contender for the Kentucky Derby and, as a long shot, the Triple Crown.

 

Horse racing may be the sport of kings, but it survives on the patronage of everyday fans. I hit the track four or five times a year, and at the moment, my patronage is wavering.

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. 

ITALY OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZES HORSES AS ATHLETES

ITALY OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZES HORSES AS ATHLETES

ITALIAN EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION (FISE)FROM HORSE & HOUND: The Italian government has become the first to officially recognise the horse as an athlete by law, in a move welcomed as an “interesting development”. The decision was made at the end of January by the...

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VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOODOne of the "good guys".  We loved all that MP Ben Carr had to say during the first session of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food meeting on Bill C-355.BACKGROUND...You may not be aware but  in addition to...

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HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

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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. 

ITALY OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZES HORSES AS ATHLETES

ITALY OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZES HORSES AS ATHLETES

ITALIAN EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION (FISE)FROM HORSE & HOUND: The Italian government has become the first to officially recognise the horse as an athlete by law, in a move welcomed as an “interesting development”. The decision was made at the end of January by the...

read more
VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOODOne of the "good guys".  We loved all that MP Ben Carr had to say during the first session of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food meeting on Bill C-355.BACKGROUND...You may not be aware but  in addition to...

read more
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HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

HUMANE CANADA SPEAKS OUT AGAINST LIVE EXPORTThank you Humane Canada for submitting a brief on Bill C-355 for the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food.  Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.BRIEF TO THEHOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE...

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. 

ITALY OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZES HORSES AS ATHLETES

ITALY OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZES HORSES AS ATHLETES

ITALIAN EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION (FISE)FROM HORSE & HOUND: The Italian government has become the first to officially recognise the horse as an athlete by law, in a move welcomed as an “interesting development”. The decision was made at the end of January by the...

read more
VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOODOne of the "good guys".  We loved all that MP Ben Carr had to say during the first session of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food meeting on Bill C-355.BACKGROUND...You may not be aware but  in addition to...

read more
HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

HUMANE CANADA SPEAKS OUT AGAINST LIVE EXPORTThank you Humane Canada for submitting a brief on Bill C-355 for the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food.  Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.BRIEF TO THEHOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE...

read more

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES
Former CFIA Veterinarian Speaks Out

Former CFIA Veterinarian Speaks Out

TORONTO SUN:  The mystery meat behind your sausage.  Worried about the MANE ingredient?

 

“If this is happening farther up the supply chain, where some of their suppliers aren’t declaring what’s in there, could it be because some of this meat is unfit for human consumption?”

 

Read the full story on the Toronto Sun website.

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. 

ITALY OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZES HORSES AS ATHLETES

ITALY OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZES HORSES AS ATHLETES

ITALIAN EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION (FISE)FROM HORSE & HOUND: The Italian government has become the first to officially recognise the horse as an athlete by law, in a move welcomed as an “interesting development”. The decision was made at the end of January by the...

read more
VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOODOne of the "good guys".  We loved all that MP Ben Carr had to say during the first session of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food meeting on Bill C-355.BACKGROUND...You may not be aware but  in addition to...

read more
HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

HUMANE CANADA SPEAKS OUT AGAINST LIVE EXPORTThank you Humane Canada for submitting a brief on Bill C-355 for the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food.  Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.BRIEF TO THEHOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE...

read more

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES

2 Pet horses stolen and slaughtered for human consumption

2 Pet horses stolen and slaughtered for human consumption

“They were family”.  Woman horrified to learn 2 horses were stolen and sold to be slaughtered for human consumption.

Read the full story at CTV

Kathy O’Reilly says she still feels numb after learning from RCMP Monday that her two beloved horses — reported missing over the weekend — were stolen, shipped to a nearby slaughterhouse and slaughtered for human consumption.

Read the full story in the Calgary Herald.

PLEASE NOTE:  Slaughtering horses for human consumption is no longer legal within the United States but horses from the United States are routinely shipped to Canada and to Mexico to be slaughtered for that purpose.

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

Unless your horse has an easily visible brand there is NO requirement on the part of the slaughter houses in Canada to double check that a horse that is being sold to them, does indeed legally belong to the person selling them the horse.

In addition there is NOT a mandatory hold time after a horse has been sold to a slaughter plant so horses are often slaughtered the same day they arrive at the plant.

In other words, there are those whose horses have been slaughtered before they even realize that their horses have been stolen.

Many Canadians live within an easy drive of a slaughter plant in Alberta or Quebec, and could easily wake up to realize that their horse, or horses are missing, or come home from a long day at work, and by the time they realize that their horse has been stolen, their horse or horses could already be slaughtered.

As you peruse other Blog posts on this site, you’ll learn this is NOT an isolated case.

So what can you do to help stop this barbaric practice?

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. 

ITALY OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZES HORSES AS ATHLETES

ITALY OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZES HORSES AS ATHLETES

ITALIAN EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION (FISE)FROM HORSE & HOUND: The Italian government has become the first to officially recognise the horse as an athlete by law, in a move welcomed as an “interesting development”. The decision was made at the end of January by the...

read more
VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOODOne of the "good guys".  We loved all that MP Ben Carr had to say during the first session of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food meeting on Bill C-355.BACKGROUND...You may not be aware but  in addition to...

read more
HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

HUMANE CANADA SPEAKS OUT AGAINST LIVE EXPORTThank you Humane Canada for submitting a brief on Bill C-355 for the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food.  Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.BRIEF TO THEHOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE...

read more

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES
Horses are Slaughtered in Canada for Human Consumption?

Horses are Slaughtered in Canada for Human Consumption?

I hate to admit this but until 2010 I had no idea that horses were regularly slaughtered for human consumption.

Seriously, I thought I must be hearing things.

People eat horse meat?

People send their horses to auction, their pets, their companions,  without setting a minimum bid?

Meat buyers bid, win and haul them off to slaughter?  

How is it possible that horse slaughter exists?

Fit, young, completely sound horses, including pregnant mares, are regularly slaughtered in Canada to be eaten by humans, and in addition, some are shipped to Japan and South Korea from Canada, crammed in crates,  to be slaughtered there?

If you are like me, you are appalled to find this out.

Horses of all shapes and sizes, including well bred, well trained, “registered”, expensive horses are routinely slaughtered to be eaten by humans.

Healthy horses, young horses, and yes, again, even pregnant mares.

Horses like Jack, a handsome, dark, 16.2 HH percheron, likely crossed with a thoroughbred, who is light and responsive under saddle and who was on the door step of a slaughter plant in Alberta, but who was mercifully brought back to British Columbia to live out his days as a beloved riding horse.  A horse you can jump on bareback, ride with or without a bridle, who will go any where, through anything, and all day long.

 

Horses like 16.2 HH thoroughbred DJ who raced in British Columbia and in California, who was then re-trained to successfully 3 day event. A horse who made any one who rode him look not just good, but great.  A horse who would bring a big silly grin to the face of my favorite riding instructor, while she would repeat again and again, “He’s so lovely”.

Horses like 17.2 HH Puff, registered as a North American Spotted Draft (above) who began his life in Alberta where he was trained to drive, double and single before he was 3 and who was sold at 3 for $10,000.  

A horse it turns out who later also had professional training by a well known driving instructor, and as a result was featured in a magazine article.

A horse who loads like a dream, travels like a dream, who loves to be bathed, and to swim. A horse who has impeccable ground manners and loves to work.

A horse who through no fault of  his own ended up passed between a few hands and who on two separate occasions almost went to slaughter.

He came to me at about 8 years of age, for a song. 8 is young for a horse, not even considered middle aged.  I did not at first know his background, but it didn’t take me long to figure out that someone had trained him well,  and it seemed to me that he knew how to drive — a few tests and yes, it turned out that he did — and then he took to the saddle, he looked to pick up contact, and he loves to go, but if you say “WHOA” at any gait, you best be ready to stop, which is of course a very good thing!

Horses like Moose, 17.2 HH, Clyde x Thoroughbred.  It turns out that he too came to me, direct from a meat buyer at 8 years of age.  At the time I didn’t know about his background, but it was obvious he’d been well handled.  Tested from the ground and then from the saddle,  and when the jumps came out, he not only knew exactly what to do, it turns out he loves to jump!

How could a horse, that I came to learn originally came from a breeding program where horses regularly sold for $60,000 or more, a horse who is the bravest horse you’ll find any where, a perfectly sound, young horse, who again loves to jump, end up almost slaughtered for human consumption?

It happens every single day in the United States, Canada and Mexico.  EVERY SINGLE DAY.  

The USA has banned the slaughter of horses within U.S. borders but horses are routinely shipped from The U.S. to Canada and Mexico…

Amazing horses, young horses, sound horses, of every color, size, breed and of both sexes end up, again through no fault of their own,  slaughtered for human consumption.  Horses that are blank slates and horses who are well trained. Take your pick.

Yes, unbelievably, in Canada, a country we all consider to be a first world country, this barbaric practice exists.  To make matters worse horses are transported in ways that are not humane, slaughtered in ways that are meant for other species, and not only that, there are NOT any enforceable, accountable guidelines in place to protect those eating horse meat.

One of my neighbors asked why eating horse meat is any different than eating beef or other commonly consumed meat, and that’s a great question.

I want to go on the record and state that I don’t eat any meat but if I did, I would be concerned for a couple reasons including the fact that horse meat has ended up being sold as beef.

Even if you are okay with eating horse, you should be concerned.  It is up to those who are delivering horses to slaughter to declare, on an honor system, as to whether the horses they are delivering have been treated with drugs that are not intended to enter the food chain.

Veterinary drugs like wormers and pain killers such as phenylbutazone AKA “bute”,  are regularly given to horses, drugs that are clearly marked as NOT being meant for ANY animal that is to enter the human food chain.

One would think, that surely in Canada there are fool proof protocols in place to prevent horses treated with drugs not meant for human consumption from ending up on dinner plates.

You would think that horses that have been pets or working animals, and regularly treated with drugs that are common place in horse care, would not be slaughtered for human consumption,  BUT as you watch documentaries including “The Kill Pen“, you’ll find that the so called protocols are worthless.

You’ll also find as you go through https://banhorseslaughter.com and as you “Google” information about horse slaughter, that horse meat is knowingly and unknowingly eaten by humans in the United States, Canada, Japan, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, Kazakhstan and Italy.

YES, you read that correctly, horse meat ends up in food products that are labeled as beef, so people are eating horse meat without realizing it.

If like me you are appalled at what is happening, I hope you’ll consider rescuing your next horse instead of buying.

I also hope that you’ll consider donating to organizations like Horse Rescue Fund so that work to prevent the unnecessary slaughter of horses can continue, and so that horses being rescued can be properly cared for, and so that fewer will end up being slaughtered.

Surely by working together we can, once and for all, ban the slaughter of horses in Canada, Mexico and beyond.

THANK YOU for not just reading, but for taking action.

If you are not in a position to adopt, or donate, and even if you are, please also consider a phone call to your provincial and national politicians to demand that the slaughter of horses in Canada be stopped, and please share this site far and wide, use YOUR social media accounts to do good!

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. 

ITALY OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZES HORSES AS ATHLETES

ITALY OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZES HORSES AS ATHLETES

ITALIAN EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION (FISE)FROM HORSE & HOUND: The Italian government has become the first to officially recognise the horse as an athlete by law, in a move welcomed as an “interesting development”. The decision was made at the end of January by the...

read more
VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

VIDEO: MP BEN CARR BILL C-355

STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOODOne of the "good guys".  We loved all that MP Ben Carr had to say during the first session of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food meeting on Bill C-355.BACKGROUND...You may not be aware but  in addition to...

read more
HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

HUMANE CANADA SUPPORTS BILL C-355

HUMANE CANADA SPEAKS OUT AGAINST LIVE EXPORTThank you Humane Canada for submitting a brief on Bill C-355 for the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food.  Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.BRIEF TO THEHOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE...

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BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES

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