Never Ending Battle- A Compromise

Unfortunately in this world we live in today, there will always be those who are corrupt, greedy, etc. We honestly have to face the facts. If we stop slaughter in one place, they will find ways around to get to another. It's a sick world.

So here's my theory. I am a horse lover and have always been since I was little. I own my own horse who is a slaughter rescue and is wonderful. I hate slaughter, and though I'm against it, I believe it may be just that a plant be opened in the USA, but under strict and humane conditions. Now don't go crazy on me here. Let me explain.

Horse slaughter is a topic people get fired up about. But honestly we need to calm down and get our facts straight. People see the pictures and jump right in without understanding every aspect. I'm sure most of us done our homework on slaughter, we've seen the frightening photos and heard the horror stories, and slaughter is indeed inhumane. Then we look at the dramatic increase in US horses slaughtered in Canada and Mexico since the US plants were shut down, the thousands of unwanted horses that are abused and neglected, and the long enduring trips without food or water. Something needs to be done, but we'll never reach anything with people constantly butting heads.

We see the justice provided by rescues and those saved often go on to be wonderful horses, mine certainly is. But what of those who aren't saved and suffer slaughter? Sadly, we need to face the truth. Not every horse is able to be saved.

And this is where I think if a controlled horse slaughter plant were opened in the US, conditions would improve. Horses by regulation would need to be fat and healthy, and first given the oppurtunity of adoption before slaughter. Slaughter should be done perhaps with a quick gun shot to the back of their heads and away from other horses to not frighten them. Or perhaps some other humane way where the horses can be kept calm, so they won't even know what happened.

This would control the amount of horses leaving our country, where we can't control the cruelty of their slaughter. If this were a perfect world, horse slaughter would be out the question, and trust me, no horse should have to endure it. But this world never has and never will. People will find any way to get what they want no matter the cost. My reasoning is that we know people will always slaughter horses, so why don't we at least try and make the horse as comfortable as possible? There are ways to humanely kill a horse, it's just a matter that people don't care, or aren't properly trained or educated. So get rid of them, and find someone who cares and understands the feelings of a horse.

If a US slaughter plant means less horses are killed I believe that may be the best step towards preventing abuse.