Solutions To The Excess Horse Dilemma Without Slaughter
By -Linda Horn-
Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 8:42am
I believe USDA Secretary Vilsack's "Third Way" can remedy the excess horse dilemma better than slaughter. These are some existing programs. There are many, many more. The vast majority of horses who end up at the borders come from somewhere else. To be successful, the situation must be addressed at the source. We're beginning to overcome our issues in New Mexico. If we only had to deal with those within our state and other states would deal with theirs, we could make real progress nationwide.
AVAILABLE SOLUTIONS TO THE EXCESS HORSE DILEMMA
STATE PROGRAMS – A GOOD EXAMPLE
New Mexico Equine Protection Fund.
I live in New Mexico, and I'm really proud of what our New Mexico Equine Protection Fund (NMEPF) is doing. If every state set up something like this - with each handling its own excess population - it would go a long way toward solving the dilemma. Promoting the programs and raising awareness about the funds needed (especially through grants) is vital. To be effective, horse lovers must commit to help organize, participate, and stay engaged.
I wager if I went to a local equine event, 99% of the people wouldn't even know the NMEPF exists, much less what they offer. That must change by educating horse owners. Their voucher system is a key component. A gelding clinic three months in the future, half way across the state, at a cost of $50 and with a 12 horse limit will only benefit a few local people. Last year a state (Michigan?) held a Gelding Day. I think they had 8 clinics around the state with an average of 15 spots -120 geldings in a single day, but only 120 unless another day is scheduled.
NM offers gelding vouchers, which I feel are superior to clinics. Their vouchers are based on a sliding scale that tops out at $200. The voucher goes to the owner's vet, so it's convenient, more likely to be done, and can be tracked. They offer humane Euthanasia and Disposal vouchers as well ($200 max for each service, and also through a vet). A horse with little chance of survival needs to be put down ASAP and a terminal injury as soon as the vet can get there.
I also feel every owner should know the proper way shoot a horse and own a suitable firearm. What would you do about a compound fracture in a remote location - let your companion suffer, or bless it and send it on to a place beyond pain? Some people choose to put their terminally compromised horses down at home. The same knowledge and equipment applies. If they can't bear to do it, they should establish a relationship with someone close by who'll help.
The NMEPF also offers a voucher for up to two months feed for two horses. The intent is to give owners some breathing room to get on their feet or re-home their animals through online networks, rather than using free online advertising services such as Craigslist that are often trolled by deceptive slaughterhouse Killer Buyers. Emergency feed assistance takes pressure off rescues, as does rehab in place at home. Fostering helps rescues as well, and I believe people can get a tax break for doing it. Sadly, triage and euthanasia at rescues will need to be encouraged.
There's talk about developing a national Equine Protection Fund to help coordinate state programs. Several national organizations already offer various programs, but the majority aren't as comprehensive as the NMEPF. The NMEPF chart at the end of this document shows a 100% increase in assistance to owners from July 2012 to July 2013. 400 a year x 50 states is 20,000 equines that won't be neglected, seized at considerable cost to taxpayers, surrendered to rescues, or sent to slaughter. That's obviously not enough to solve the problem, but it's a start. It's essential to combine all available resources to bring the situation under control and eventually solve it completely.
Information about other state programs is available online.
These are example of existing resources. I'm working to expand the list and hope to publish it soon.
CRISIS INTERVENTION
American Humane Association – Red Star Program – Disaster Relief
Help for the Leachman Horses. They helped with several other rescues involving horses
American Humane Association Second Chance Fund
HAY BANKS
Grants and other support
UHC Partners with ACTHA to Help Unwanted Horses-TheHorse.Com
Stamp Out Starvation of Horses – Georgia
Equine Safety Net – Kentucky Horse Council
Sound Equine Options – NW Oregon & SW Washington State
BITS - Back In The Saddle Project - California - Butte, Glen & Yuba Counties
HAY PRODUCTION
The USDA could provide subsidies to grow hay and establish a National Hay Registry that publishes horse hay available in each state.
GRANTS
The ASPCA Provided $1.8 Million in Grants to Equine Groups in 2012
TRAINING & SHOWCASING RESCUED AND SECOND CAREER HORSES
The Penn National Racetrack Model
UHC Member Addresses Rescue and Adoption: Rags to Riches Rescue Competition
‘Thoroughbreds for All’ Event to be Held April 26
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR RESCUES
State legislatures have the ability to create tax checkoffs to help rescues at no cost to taxpayers. It won't solve the problem, but every little bit helps.
Colorado Unwanted Horse Alliance Tax Checkoff Information
In 2013, the New Mexico legislature passed a check off bill as well.
"THANK YOU to the New Mexico House for passing SB274 on a 62-0 vote! Sen George Munoz's bill will create a tax check off to help fund licensed horse shelters to help more abused, abandoned, and neglected equines in New Mexico without raising taxes! Having passed the Senate, the bill awaits a signature from Governor Martinez to become law. SO MANY people came forward to support this bill."
This is the Fact Sheet. The Text of the Bill is available online.
GELDING CLINICS & GELDING VOUCHERS
National Equine Resource Network (NERN)
NERN's goal is to help set up clinics nation-wide based on their model.
New Mexico Equine Protection Fund - Voucher
Horse Plus Humane Society – California – Monthly Clinics Low-cost clinics
BITS - Back In The Saddle Project SNIP - California
FERTILITY CONTROL FOR MARES
PZP - Information from The Science and Conservation Center, ZooMontana
EMERGENCY VETERINARY CARE
Sound Equine Options – NW Oregon & SW Washington State
NETWORKING TO RESCUE HORSES
A Home for Every Horse - Participating Rescues
HSUS Safe Stalls Horse Rescue Network
I belong to at least 15 Facebook groups that successfully network to re-home horses in need and help owners in difficulty. There are many, many more.
TRANSPORT FOR RESCUED HORSES
Reasonable transport is one of the biggest challenges to those rescuing horses.
The following Facebook groups and others are helping meet that challenge:
Horse Rescue Transport Network
uShip Highways to Help. Rescue horse information is at the bottom.
EQUINE-ASSISTED THERAPY
Articles About the Value of Programs to Individuals and the Community
Grants Fund Research on Equine-Assisted Therapy and Veterans
Equine-assisted psychotherapy: a mental health promotion/intervention
modality for children who have experienced intra-family violence
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy: Healing Therapy or Just Hype?
Horse therapy helps youth deal with life issues
A few of many Equine-assisted Therapy Programs
Many of the horses are donated by those who can no longer care for them.
Equine-assisted therapy for military veterans and families - General information and links to programs
http://www.examiner.com/article/equine-assisted-therapy-for-military-veterans-and-families
Mini Horses as Therapists for Children
Equine Psychotherapy Associations
Equine Assisted Therapy – St. Louis
Equine Partners Unlimited – Ohio
Horse Plus Humane Society – California
Medicine Horse Program – Colorado
RESPONSIBLE BREEDING
HSUS Responsible Horse Breeders Council - 800 breeders had signed on as of January 2013.
TRULY HUMANE CHEMICAL EUTHANASIA
New Mexico Equine Protection Fund – Voucher System
Horse Plus Humane Society – California
BITS - Back In The Saddle Project - California
DISPOSAL SERVICES
HSUS Humane Horse Remains Disposal - by State
Veterinarians for Equine Welfare List
New Mexico Equine Protection Fund – Voucher System
DISPOSAL - RENDERING
National Renderers Association Members
DISPOSAL - BIODIGESTION - THE WAY OF THE FUTURE
Biodigestion holds promise for equine disposal. This option should satisfy those who argue the primary way equines can be beneficial to humans after death is as food. The technology is already being used for disposal of diseased livestock, chemically euthanized dogs and cats, and animals killed on roadways. Biodigesters can handle many types of biologic materials, including manure. In addition to a number of other useful by-products, units can be set up to generate electricity from the produced methane. The USDA has issued a number of Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grants for both research and building plants. Much more information is available online.
USDA Secretary Vilsack's Column: Energy Efficiency and the Food, Farm and Jobs Bill
USDA-Funded Digester Reduces Pollution, Powers 1,500 Michigan Homes
Five good reasons to implement a biogas plant on your farm (needs new link)
As you can see, there are many alternatives to horse slaughter in the U.S. Sadly, I doubt many will be explored or implemented if irresponsible horse owners continue to have the option of discarding their animals at will.
Please contact your legislators and urge them to co-sponsor
S541/HR1094 ~ The Safeguard American Food Exports Act