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What Happens if the Slaughterhouses Close?
One Man's Opinion
by Jerry Finch
The writing is on the wall. Recent closing and consolidations have reduced
the number of horse slaughterhouses in the US from fourteen down to two, both
located in Texas, and a new one in Illinois. Those Texas plants are now under
pressure from both Texas and Federal lawyers to shut down their operations.
How quickly it will happen is anyone's guess, but the future of legal horse
slaughter is definitely looking grim. The question from people on both sides
of the issue is, "What are we going to do with all these horses when the
slaughterhouses close?"
The number of horses slaughtered in the US has decreased every year since
1989, when it reached a peak of 342,877. In 2001, the total fell to 56,332,
less than one percent of the estimated US horse population of 7 million. In a 2001
Animal Sciences Research Report by the Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado
State University, titled, "Characterizations of Horses at Auctions and in
Slaughter Plants," stated that slightly over 79% of the horses slaughtered were
in good, fat to obese condition, while 88% had poor to excellent hoof
condition. Based on these figures, it is estimated that 85% of those horses
sent to slaughter are currently in usable condition, although they may require
some degree of physical rehabilitation. In other words, in 2001 only 8,450
horses were in such condition that humane euthanasia might have been the best
choice.
Far beyond the emotional reasons of the anti-slaughter forces, the closing of
the horse slaughterhouses brings a number of benefits to the equine industry.
Chief among these are the financial benefit of those directly and indirectly
involved with horses. Currently, horses have a total impact on the US Gross
Domestic product of $112.1 Billion, including $25.3 Billion directly and $86.8
Billion indirectly, according to the American Horse Council. This translates
into an average of nearly $19,000 per horse. Had the 47,882 usable
horses not gone to slaughter, the horse industry would have seen an increase
in related sales of over $900,000,000.
With the closing of the horse slaughterhouses owners will be faced with the
options, after euthanasia, of burial, cremation or rendering. The rendering of
euthanized horses has become almost obsolete, since the sale of sick and
injured horses to slaughterhouses provided a minimal dollar return. Without
doubt, rendering operations will see a large increase in the demand for their
services. The increases in this economic benefit alone will far outweigh the
estimated payroll and tax base income of the two counties in Texas that contain
the foreign-owned slaughterhouses.
John Hettinger, owner of Fasig Tipton (the second largest Thoroughbred
Auction House), Chairman of the Grayson, Jockey Club Foundation, member of the
Board of Directors of The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and NY Racing
Association Trustee, states that between 7,000 to 9,000 Thoroughbred Racehorses
are slaughtered every year. With the closing of the major outlet for the
overproduction of horses, it will make economic sense to both backyard and commercial breeders
to curtail the current mass production of foals and become more selective in
their breeding programs. The future decrease in foal production will eventually
lead to an increase in the selling price of all breeds of horses.
The short-term effect of the slaughterhouse closings will have a negative
impact only on those who profit from the disposal of unwanted horses. Many will
be forced to look closely at their own financial motivations that currently
contribute to the problem. Responsible breeding and horse ownership, when backed
by the enforcement of current animal abuse laws, will benefit the majority of those
in the horse industry. When the old adage of, "follow the money," points to an
increase in financial return in years to come, we will look back on the horse
slaughter days of yesteryear and seriously wonder why we let it continue for
as long as we did.
Let them be born without fear
Let them live a life of peace
and please God, when it is time.
Let them die as they have lived fearless, painless and peaceful.
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