Horse Slaughter: An Overbreeding Problem, Says Cave Creek Horse Rescuer

Horse slaughterhouses are making a controversial return to the United States. A federal judge has cleared the way for the first such business to open as early as this week. The last time a slaughterhouse in the U.S. processed horse meat was back in 2007. Since then, horses designated for slaughter have been shipped to Canada or Mexico.

Some horse enthusiasts argue that processing horses domestically means a more humane death, while others believe these majestic creatures should be spared from the assembly line.

The Debate Over Horse Slaughter

Jim Gath, Director of Tierra Madre Horse Sanctuary, considers the 29 horses at his ranch as family. "These are my kids and they all have personalities. I couldn't kill them for anything," Gath says. However, not all horse owners share his sentiment.

In 2007, 78,000 horses were shipped to Canada and Mexico for slaughter, and 30,000 were killed in the U.S. This number could rise after a U.S. district judge in Albuquerque dismissed a lawsuit attempting to block horse slaughter in the U.S., citing the inability of federal officials to assess the environmental impact.

The debate reignited when a New Mexico-based meat company sought to slaughter horses and export the meat to countries where it is consumed or used for animal feed.

Perspectives on the Issue

Some horse lovers believe the ruling is justified. "They get old and need to be put down or humanely euthanized at some point, and not every horse owner can afford to do that," says Ann Alden, a therapeutic riding instructor. She acknowledges the complexity of the issue but notes that the demand persists. "In our culture, we don't eat horses, but in other cultures, they do," Alden adds.

Overbreeding: The Underlying Problem

Gath points to overbreeding as the real root of the problem. "We breed 50,000 race horses a year, 60,000 Quarter horses, and 60,000 Arabians. Where are they going to go?" he questions.

The Humane Society, which filed the lawsuit, plans to appeal the ruling. Meanwhile, at least one slaughterhouse in Missouri is preparing to begin operations imminently.

Originally posted by ABC 15.