The-Last-ride

Home
Before and After
About Us
Fund Raisers
Recent Rescues
Horses for Adoption
Adoption Process
Sponsorship
Getting Involved
Our Wish List
Events
Mercantile
The Last Ride
In Memory of the Horse
Newsletter
Corporate Supporters
Links
Contact Us

God forbid that I should go to any heaven where there are no horses.

- R.B. Cunningham Graham

Safe Haven Equine Rescue established 2000

Slaughter Statistics

Since the 1980's millions of American horses have gone to slaughter for their meat then exported to Europe and Asia for human consumption. Today the number of American horses slaughtered is approximately 100,000 per year in U.S. and Canadian slaughter plants.

Approximately 25 to 30% of all slaughtered horses in the United States were bred for the racing industry.

Tens of thousands of foals are slaughtered each year, by-products of the Premarin drug industry. Barren mares used up brood mares and unwanted pregnant mares from the PMU industry are also sent to slaughter.

Many summer camps, dude ranches and rental stables send their horses to slaughter each year. Foreign owned slaughter companies are taking advantage of the fact America is a disposable society with an overpopulation of horses.

Polls have shown the over-whelming majority of Americans are against the slaughter of horses.

1995- Nationwide TV poll had 93% of callers strongly opposing horse slaughter

1997-California statewide poll showed 88% were opposed to horse slaughter. In

1998-California voters affirmed the poll by voting to prohibit the sale of horses for human consumption.

1999-New York state poll showed 81% opposed horse slaughter with 91% of the opinion that horses are companion, sporting or recreational animals. Not food and fiber animals.

Sanctuary - A sanctuary is a permanent place of refuge and protection. While adoption helps a particular horse, going after issues helps all horses. We therefore require strict standards for all animals that come to us, address issues, teach partnership techniques, are open to the public and provide proactive programs to educate about responsible horse guardianship to our foster and adoptive homes.

Cultural Issues - As a throwaway/disposable society, many believe that if a horse cannot be ridden, cannot have babies, cannot be used in some way, that horse has no value. Of course, this also happens to people in our society. Therefore as we address issues regarding horses we are also addressing larger issues within our culture.

Riding - The inability to be ridden is the number one reason horses are homeless.

Lifetime Commitment - Part of valuing a horse, or any animal we make part of our family, is a lifetime commitment. We believe no one should bring a horse into their lives unless they plan on providing for that animal for the rest of their lives. This includes making sure the horse is provided for in case of emergencies or death of the guardian. We do not believe a commitment includes finding a horse another career, a euphemism for a disposable relationship.

Aged Horse - Many horses, after spending years serving people faithfully, are not humanely retired but disposed off. They are sold to rental stables, research groups, and slaughter buyers or just euthanized to make room for younger horses. This is a violation of trust and we believe the aged horse deserves retirement time. We also believe there should be a maximum age beyond which animals should not be required to work.

Premarin - The menopausal drug Premarin is made from the urine of pregnant mares. Once the mares give birth, the foals are not needed and are sent to slaughter. Each September tens of thousands of babies are taken away from their mothers (as young as 4 months) and sent to the slaughter sales. We ask that women inform their doctor about how Premarin is made and then ask to be switched to a cruelty free replacement.

Over-breeding - The hard facts regarding horses today is that there are more horses than there are homes. This could be easily fixed, as unlike dogs and cats that can and do breed indiscriminately if left to wander the neighborhood, horses are purposely over-bred for profit. A breed of horse becomes popular (a good example are Paints) and prices rise with demand. Breeders produce more horses for the high market and there ends up being a glut of horses. The result of too many horses than the market can handle can be seen at any slaughter auction.