United States-100,000 horses slaughtered for meat.

There oughta be a law. If you own a horse, you're responsible for it's care, shelter, vetting, and, ultimately, it's humane euthanasia and disposal.
That's the answer, plain and simple. If you don't comply, pay BIG TIME, no slaps on the wrists. Then all of those who slobber for horse flesh can come and pick over the remains...for free...no additional cost for bute,steroids or euthanasia solutions.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the UK have to have Horse Passports to keep illegal dangerous drug residues out of the horsemeat for the protection of EU consumers?

We don't have Horse Passports in the US, there is absolutely no regulation of any medications given to US horses, no US horses are held for 6 months withdrawal periods - as per EU regulations again for the safety of consumers.

We and our vets give our horses bute like you take aspirin. According to EU law any horse that's ever had Bute in it's lifetime, ever, is not eligible for human consumption. I would say that covers the vast amount of US horses.

US horsemeat is NOT tested for illegal drug residues, unlike meat from slaughtered "food" animals.

Argue that.

If someone owns a horse, they need to be responsible to the very end. If the horse is sick or lame, then get a vet to euthanize it. To claim that at that point it's too expensive is ludicrous! They shouldn't own the horse in the first place. It is an ignorance of the law for horses to be classified as "livestock", but that is just the way it is. But the bottom line is, they are highly intelligent and gentle creatures who do NOT deserve to meet this horrible, terrifying and cruel fate. I'd love to meet the "experts" these gruesome places have that can wield a puntilla knife and render that animal UNCONSCIOUS. It doesn't happen. It would be as if you were paralyzed from the neck down, and then had to watch helplessly as you were strung up by a leg, had your throat cut, felt your body aching in the agony of bleeding out, and be powerless to stop it. There is absolutely NO humane way to slaughter a horse. Euthanasia by injection is the only answer. And don't give me a bunch of hoo ha about owners who will abandon them blah blah. Those people will need to be prosecuted for animal cruelty. I will say this over and over to my own dying breath...if you can't afford to see your horses to a peaceful and kind end, then DO NOT OWN THEM. Take a look at the FOIA documents obtained by Animals Angels and see for yourself. Those were the atrocities committed while slaughter was legal here in the USA. That was WITH the supposed USDA oversight. Imagine the horrors that are going on now in Mexico and Canada. This just has to stop!

whoa there. ratchet down the emotion meter and tell me sensibly what else you will do with these ioo,ooo unwanted horses, along with all the sick, lame and injured, if you cannot slaughter them. who will care for them, feed them, pay the vet bills, the farrier, and pick up the tab for all this. surely it is better to ban the export of live animals and rigorously police the domestic plants that will slaughter them

So, if everyone here is against slaughter, can you please explain a couple of things to me - and let's try to keep it civil PLEASE

1) If horses are considered companion animals, why is it that I have to have 'farm' insurance on my property for liability and that the horses just can't be considered under my homeowner's insurance like my dog and cat are?

2) If there is no slaughter availability, what do you propose is the answer for the 'correct' disposal of horses?

Again, I'm just trying to understand your point of view - thanks.

Nothing about slaughtering a horse is humane! For you to say it is nuts. You obviously have not witnessed it first hand. See the terror and torture and suffering these animals go through. They are noble creatures that have developed this world to what it is today. They deserve no less than to be treated with decenstcy and respect. Not being murdered by stabbing with a knife repeadidily with a knife while trashing around or shot in the head with a captive bolt that most of the time misses causing great pain and suffering. Some are hung and troats slit while they are alive and kicking. NO EXCUSE FOR THIS. AMERICANS DO NOT WANT THERE HORSES KILLED FOR SOME FOREIGNER TO HAVE A DINNER. Remember horses especially those in America are loaded with medications. That is medications that are not meant for animals meant for food. So if you ever get cancer or anything else it is possible that it could be from the horse. KARMA REMEMBER THAT.

If the UK thinks horse slaughter for elite foreign human consumption is so wonderful then why is it illegal in their country? Why not ask the Queen to view the video's and give her opinion on whether it's all humane.
Go to kaufmanzoning.net for the truth.
Go HR503, and bless Conyers, and Burton they've got some balls.

Horses are the American Icon and they have never been bred for human consumption.This barbaric practice of slaughtering will come to an end .

I agree, there is nothing about killing any (healthy) animals that is "humane". We do not need meat to live a very healthy, sustainable life. Millions thrive on a plant based diet - Being vegan or vegetarian is the ethical choice to make.

Have you ever watched it being done???
Humane??? Anyone who can make a comment like that has never seen what actually happens to these poor animals. It is torture.
As far as the USDA, thay have turned a blind eye, and ear in slaughter plants for years, and let these crimes go on, and on, when they have the power to stop it.
Any breeder who sends a heavily pregnant mare to slaughter should face charges. The mare is slaughtered and the foal cut out, and thrown in a gut pile??? Think about it.

Here, wait. If you think that those two methods of killing an animal is humane, lets put you in that position and see if its humane then. In no way shape or form is slaughter of animals acceptable or humane. They are innocent creatures, that so willingly serve and love the humans that are supposed to be taking care of them. They love unconditionally and without hesitation.

"The puntila knife is very quick and very humane as long as handled by an expert, which is the same as the gun of course."

Congratulations! In the course of the last year I have read thousands of absurd statements in support of horse slaughter, but this one wins hands down!

First, cutting the spinal chord at the base of the neck has the effect of yielding the horse a quadriplegic. It does not yield them dead or even unconscious. They are then hoisted by a hind leg and have their throats cut. You can clearly see them bending their necks and rolling their eyes in horror.

The method is preferred because it is thought that the terror of being helplessly butchered causes adrenaline that makes the meat sweeter.

The key is "very humane as long as the handled by expert"! Then why do the workers cheer when one horse is actually killed the first time? This can not be condoned by anyone who cares for other living beings! Shame on any Brit who feels this way!

Just go to YouTube and bring up Mexican horse slaughter for the real truth.

This is the second article I've seen out of the UK promoting slaughter and its wonders.

No doubt, the pro slaughter organizations in the US have reached out to the UK to help with their propaganda campaign.

Who is paying you to print this garbage?

Anonymous is very correct. There is nothing kind or humane about the slaughter of horses, Animal Angels documented the horrific cruelty that the horses are subjected to, and to say that the Mexican ways of slaughter is humane is not to have seen what actually does happen to the horses. Please read a Different Kind of Murder by Steven Long, it documents exactly how vicious and cruel it is. Horse Slaughter should be banned worldwide. It is cruel and barbaric.

For our Information the puntila isnt humane nor were the plants in the US. You also fail to mention that while the plant managers talked about they being the strictest inspections in the US. Now the facts are out photos,videos, and statements release from USDA thanks to the FOIA Freedom of Information Acts. Clearly show the abuse and neglect the animals indured in route to slaughter and in waiting pens from several hours to days then finally meeting a gruesome death. I personel was one to see this crimes committed. These plants ignore fines and violations. Texas Plants operated for years illegal.They also promoted illegal aliens for employment. We tax payers pay to keep them out. Not to mention the tax these plants didnt pay or even export tariff tax.Horse Auctions have promoted the sell or abuse and neglected animals for years they also ignored laws and had them hauled in bad conditions. They made money seling to the killers the killers made money selling to illegal horse plants and the sold with many drugs such as steriods,bute,Wormers etc to foreign restruants. No wonder foreign countries have problems with mad cow and so many other problems. They dont care about the products they consume nor care the horse is a pet a bibical animal. Society owes the horse more respect. The majority of americans oppose horse slaughter so get use to it.. We will stop horse slaughter in the US and will incourge others to ban it as well. to see more fact visit. www.SaveDaHorses.org