Slaughter as a Solution

Since 1980, well over 4 million American horses have been slaughtered in the U.S. and Canada and their meat exported to Europe and Japan for human consumption.

Today, an average of over 100,000 American horses are slaughtered annually at U.S. and Canadian plants. It is estimated that more than a third of all slaughter-bound horses in the U.S. are bred for racing (11-21-99 article from Lincoln Journal Newspaper). They are either no longer competitive or just don't make the grade. Others include: camp, show, "backyard", rental and Amish horses, urban carriage horses, PMU mares and foals, and unwanted pregnant mares and barren broodmares.

Most horses sold at auction are bought by "killer buyers" (middlemen for slaughter plants) and go straight to slaughter.
Very little horse meat is used in dog food; it's too expensive with some cuts selling for over US $20.00 per pound.

The majority of surviving foals born to the 80,000 PMU mares in North America to produce the estrogen replacement drug, Premarin, are considered by-products, and are sold for slaughter.

Slaugter Houses are on the Decline
An increasing number of Americans have become aware of the slaughter industry, and over the past ten years, the number of equine slaughter plants in this country has decreased from fourteen to four.

But there are still an average of over 100,000 American horses being slaughtered here and in Canada annually.

California takes action
In 1998, California became the first state to ban horse slaughter.
Californians voted overwhelmingly to pass "Proposition 6," a state initiative to prohibit horse slaughter for human consumption, punishable as a felony.Other states may soon follow Calfornia's historic lead.

American Opinion
State and nationwide polls have shown that the vast majority of Americans are strongly opposed to horse slaughter:

In 1995 - A national call-in TV poll resulted in 93% of callers agree that "the killing of horses for meat be banned".

In 1997 - A state-wide poll taken in California revealed that 88% of those questioned were opposed to horse slaughter.

In 1999 - A poll conducted in New York State yielded the following results:

• 91% considered horses companions, recreational or sporting animals -
• 72% would never eat horse meat -
• 73% believed that the manner that horses are slaughtered is cruel and inhumane -
• 81% personally opposed the practice of horse slaughter.

The Numbers by Year :

Due to many factors, there has been a steady decrease in the number of horses slaughtered over the past 10 years as shown in the statistics.

REMAINING EQUINE SLAUGHTER PLANTS IN THE U.S. & CANADA:

Do you think slaughter and the commercial use of horsemeat is a good solution to the wild horse dilemma? To take part in a discussion forum about wild horse slaughter, click here.