Pam Roylance: The dinner plate should be no be part of a horse's future

READER'S VIEW HORSE SLAUGHTER
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BY PAM ROYLANCE - Idaho Statesman
Published: 05/08/09

As one of its few accomplishments in the 2009 session, our Legislature has cranked out a "feel good" resolution, a profoundly disgusting gesture, ultimately aimed at promoting the slaughter of horses for human consumption.

Let's hope that Congress ignores this misguided message and passes the Conyers/Burton Equine Protection Act, ending horse slaughter and the transportation of horses for slaughter once and for all.

Yes, we have a problem now with unwanted horses. However, as with most problems, we will never have a fix until we are required to fix it. Just like our energy problems, once an immediate crisis is past, it's business as usual.

I say, pass the federal legislation, and then there will be incentives to address the unwanted horse population.

Certainly, the current economic crisis has contributed to the countless horror stories of starving and abandoned horses. These are no more horrific than the countless slaughterhouse atrocities. Why are we, a country of supposed horse-lovers, where the growth of our nation was enhanced by the horse, now promoting horsemeat consumption in other countries? Let them grow their own. You can bet influential racehorse and show horse breeders in France - both of thoroughbreds and Arabians - will start protesting.

I don't think any responsible horse breeders who truly love and respect horses go through all the physical, emotional and financial toil to create a registered foal for a particular endeavor only to have it end up on somebody's dinner plate. If any think otherwise, they should switch to raising beef, chicken or pork.

So what's the answer to the unwanted horse? First of all, we as breeders need to become more responsible. We need to curtail our numbers, producing only as many as the market will absorb, just as other industries pull in their horns and tighten their belts during hard times.

We need to be more conservative with our marketing efforts. Instead of promoting a colt for sale to somebody so that "now you can be a breeder, just like me," we must geld. We should screen our buyers and not sell horses to inappropriate people - people who obviously lack the ability, the financial means or the character to responsibly commit to that horse - and be prepared to take the horse back under certain circumstances.

And to all horse owners, current and prospective: the purchase of a horse - a living, breathing, feeling animal - is a long-term commitment of responsibility.

The breed registries, likewise, must get on board and face up to the crisis. They need to stop crying the blues about registrations being down and, for the time being until the economy improves, be thankful that some of their members are being responsible.

We need to work on alternatives for these unwanted horses, and the breed registries and related horse industries must take a stronger role. As usual, thoroughbred racing is leading the way with the establishment of many rescue/adoption programs, at least on the East Coast. We can do the same here in the West. Horse shows and other events seeking to sponsor a charity could make horse rescue operations the recipients of their donations or fundraising.

Finally, there is nothing wrong with humane destruction, euthanasia or a well-placed bullet by a competent person. Not all unwanted horses are adoptable or recyclable. This also includes responsibility for carcass disposal by approved means.

Horsemeat is no longer used for pet food, and zoos shy away because of West Nile virus, so why are we promoting it for human consumption? The American cowboy did not eat his horse, nor should we.

Pam Roylance has been involved in breeding, selling, showing and racing purebred horses for more than 35 years. She lives in Owyhee County.