Now 70 more horses have been rescued from a barren pasture on reservation land. The article stated that conditions were so bad that all they had to eat was their own manure. I've been reading the comments in the RC Journal that people have posted online regarding these two stories. A good number of those commenting feel that the reason this type of thing happens is because people no longer have the option of taking their unwanted horses to slaughter. A few people commented on the stallion being adopted to a family who plans to use him for breeding purposes. And a few people commented on the REAL problem, where it all begins. THE CONTINUOUS, IRRESPONSIBLE BREEDING OF HORSES. Two comments stand out in my mind. One from "Horsewoman in IL" and one from "gentlereins". Gentlereins makes the comparison to a manufacturing plant. If you are producing a product that no one is buying do you continue to produce that product?
Those in favor of the slaughter houses opening back up blame Congress, PETA, animal activists for the overabundance of horses. They don't seem to place any of the responsibility on those individuals breeding all of these horses that no one is buying. The truth is that years ago when slaughter houses were still in operation the problems of abuse and neglect were still present. There were still cases like these two most recent ones. But now that the slaughter houses have been closed it's easier to place the blame on the parties responsible for their closure rather than where it really belongs--THE IRRESPONSIBLE BREEDERS.
We have humane societies and animal shelters available to absorb the overflow of puppies, kittens, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, rats, etc. Some are equipped to care for horses as well. Many of these animals are the result of people not spaying or neutering their pets and then allowing them to reproduce. Again IRRESPONSIBLE BREEDING. Many of them are the result of puppy and kitten mills. Again IRRESPONSIBLE BREEDING AND HUMAN GREED. The solution to these problems? Do not allow your pets to reproduce. It's your responsibility. Why do people see it any differently for horse owners?
There is a wonderful quote by Gandhi:"THE GREATNESS OF A NATION AND ITS MORAL PROGRESS CAN BE JUDGED BY THE WAY ITS ANIMALS ARE TREATED."
I think it's great the way people came forward, let their compassionate spirits soar and made homes for the horses surrendered to the local humane society. But if you look at the big picture. If you think about all the puppy mills, kitten mills, backyard breeders, animals kept in barren enclosures trying to scrape a life out of the dry soil, animals that are literally bones with skin covering them, how do you honestly think our nation would be judged? Would our good deeds and acts of kindness outweigh the bad? Think about it.
