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Auctions and Slaughter
Many chronically lame, poorly trained, unsuccessful or simply unwanted horses, among them ex-racehorses, adopted wild horses, and horses from riding schools, camps, dude ranches and backyards, do not live out their final days in peace and comfort. When they become a financial burden or an inconvenience, they are sold at auction or directly to a “killer buyer” and end up at the slaughterhouse, destined for foreign meat markets.
Some buyers for the slaughter market do not tell the owner where the horse is actually going, and some horses are stolen and sold to slaughter. After horse slaughter was outlawed in the state of California, a significant decrease in horse theft was reported.
Unfortunately, some equine industries and sports have come to depend on the economic crutch of always having a “buyer of last resort,” and feel threatened by national legislation to outlaw horse slaughter. When one can get a few hundred dollars for an unwanted horse, rather than pay for euthanasia and disposal of the remains, there is little incentive to curb irresponsible overbreeding or consider what will happen to the horses in their “retirement.”
There are alternatives to livestock auctions and slaughter for a horse you are unable to care for. A lot depends on the age, condition, training, and temperament of the horse.
- Look for a home locally through friends and other contacts. Tell your veterinarian and farrier that you need to find your horse a new home.
- Check the phone directory or search the internet for local SPCAs, humane societies, animal control agencies, horse clubs, councils or rescues which may be able to provide advice or contacts.
- Be very careful about who takes your horse and why. Some good advice and ideas can be found at:
- http://www.equineprotectionnetwork.com/rescue/donate.htm
- http://www.equusite.com/ - There are some retirement farms for horses. Payment is usually required and there may be a long waiting list. Search the internet for the terms "horse" and “retirement.” Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines ( http://www.ryerss.com/ ) in Pennsylvania is the oldest and most established.
- Do not “donate” your horse to a horse rescue unless that is truly your only option. They are there for the neediest horses. Keeping an accurate list is hard because many equine rescues do not last long. Lists of rescue groups by state can be found at
-http://horsewelfare.8k.com/rescues.html -http://www.ahdf.org/rescuelist.htm
-Contact local colleges with riding programs to ask about donating your horse. IHSA directory of programs: http://www.ihsainc.com/CustomForms/CurrentTeams.aspx
- Some therapeutic riding centers may be willing to take a sound horse with the appropriate temperament. A directory of programs can be found at: http://www.narha.org/Centers/FindCenter2.asp- Some mounted police units accept donated horses. A list of programs is here: http://www.mountedpolice.com/- Some breeds have their own rescues and placement networks. Check the internet, breed publications, and local sources.
- The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has a Racehorse Adoption Referral Program. For information, call 877-576-6872. The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and ReRun have farms in several states.
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