Beautiful story about horses saved from BURGERS

Beausmate said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=435JtOKH2Qo

How an abattoir based dispatch should be done.

Don't watch if you're of a sensitive disposition, and/or really don't want to see horses being shot. It's humane, but it's not nice.
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Sad to watch, glad they took each horse on their own, one bullet and done without horse getting too panicked, have seen much worse, place looked peaceful in big barn to chill them out, I even liked the look of both horses that were shot and could of been so tempted to buy,(then i would have no pennies to look after them as have my own to take care of ) have to ask why are they there? sick, unwanted, problems with the horse behaviour.
Did lady who took horses on get any info on the horses she rescued? I very much do hope this picture was for publicity as we can all spot the dangers to horse in the picture. I hope they do get a forever home.
 
Sometimes I read stuff and I literally can't even be bothered to reply to these daft people....

I think I may have questioned CHL elsewhere and it's like bashing your head against a brick wall trying to get a reasoned answer that doesn't self contradict at some point.
I fail to see how anyone properly informed, looking at the whole industry could still insist that that there is no case for abattoirs taking horses.

I just pray that the general public has a prevailing common sense greater than that displayed in the Daily Mail comments and from a few sectors.

If they must be seen to be such crusaders for a cause then why can't they can find something useful to fuel their campaign time like live exports or conditions on the continent.

Most of us that do charity work don't feel the need to exhaustively self proclaim and pose for stupid photos that will just promote more ignorance.
As said before if real good was to come of the issue she would have used the national press time to educate on overbreeding and how more forethought is needed before people buy without being aware of the costs and needs of a horse.

I'm sorry it's a free world and people may do as they please but I really do not agree with the lady.
 
To put a more positive spin on things maybe the compo fans will divert their gravy train away from him & to this latest fruitcake. The refrain from CHL is reminiscent of their attitude (assuming that CHL isn't the lady who only pretends, for cash generating reasons, to keep a pony in her house)
 
The winston-jones organised the protest to shut down the abattoir. I pointed out that if the uk abattoirs got shut down then the horses would go onto the continent. I got told all horses should retire in grassy fields and be put down at home ( head hits desk repeatedly!) she wouldn't listen to any sense ad then I got a torrent of abuse. Interestingly the sister breeds kittens and sells them so maybe not so well meaning £££££££. Seems every crank is jumping on the rescue wagon at the moment.
 
Those that think slaughter at the Red Lion or Turners enterprises are immediate and humane are living in cloud cuckoo land.

No, they don't hop off the lorry and go immediately to be slaughtered with a soothing pat and oblivious to what's happening.

I despair of the ignorance of those who think our abbatoirs are doing horses a service.
They maybe doing the racehorse industry a service by getting rid of their desposible breeding programme.

Getting abbatoirs properly monitored with humane guidelines adhered to, and stop employing sadistic slaughtermen might be a step in the right direction.

Please don't believe this lady really keeps a pony in the living room, its staged for the newspaper.The clue is in the fresh bedding and ironing being done. If she has support of horse people with knowledge and contacts, and has rehomed the ponies, then alls well and good.

Yes, it is a crazy story, but that's the spin the newspapers want. However, I did once hear of an eccentric lord who gave his Shetland ponies free run of his stately home.
 
I think the lady has good intentions but without the land to put the horses on her plan of action is a bit flawed. She must have known that pictures of a horse in a living room might not paint her in the best light.
It is incredibly sad that a riding school pony of only twelve years ends up at the slaughter house.......and im sure there will be many more horses with sad stories too.
The meat man would nt be interested in that...he would simply fill his quota with other horses and ponies.
Stories like this one were inevitable and the sad fact is anyone at all who sells a horse leaves it open to this end. Not one of us who sells a horse can gaurantee they don t end up at the slaughterhouse.
 
Surely 'rescuing' these ponies is tackling things from the wrong end of rhe spectrum?

In an ideal world every horse and pony would have a good home, be well handled and schooled, vet treatment when needed, and never have to face the sales ring and be pts at home when the time comes.

Sadly we are in far from a perfect world, there are unwanted horses that can't find homes, idiots putting mares in foal simply because it's a mare, poor quality stallions running with mares, the recession and increasing costs making horses less affordable to keep and cheaper to buy.

For every horse rescued I'd imagine there are at least another dozen to replace it. Instead of fruitlessly picking up the end product wouldn't it be better for these rescuers to tackle the issue head on and capaign for stricter regulations on those breeding in huge numbers year after year?

I know of somebody who was offered two colt foals plus £20 to take them away, what sort of future do they have when they are so disposable? The person who took them of course spent the £20 on a bale of hay and then the cycle began again.

The thought of abbatoirs might be unpleasant, but until we can work on reducing the numbers of unwanted, cheap, readily available animals then they are much needed.
 
touchstone said:
Surely 'rescuing' these ponies is tackling things from the wrong end of rhe spectrum?

In an ideal world every horse and pony would have a good home, be well handled and schooled, vet treatment when needed, and never have to face the sales ring and be pts at home when the time comes.

Sadly we are in far from a perfect world, there are unwanted horses that can't find homes, idiots putting mares in foal simply because it's a mare, poor quality stallions running with mares, the recession and increasing costs making horses less affordable to keep and cheaper to buy.

For every horse rescued I'd imagine there are at least another dozen to replace it. Instead of fruitlessly picking up the end product wouldn't it be better for these rescuers to tackle the issue head on and capaign for stricter regulations on those breeding in huge numbers year after year?

I know of somebody who was offered two colt foals plus £20 to take them away, what sort of future do they have when they are so disposable? The person who took them of course spent the £20 on a bale of hay and then the cycle began again.

The thought of abbatoirs might be unpleasant, but until we can work on reducing the numbers of unwanted, cheap, readily available animals then they are much needed.
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Very well said touchstone.
 
I dont think anyone thinks the abbatoir is the ideal way to deal with horses- it is however in this day and age (of overbreeding, disposable horses, economic crisis) far more humane than the other options-
a)transported to continent for slaughter
b)passed from pillar to post and auction to market
c) neglected for years as someone couldnt afford them/look after them

its a nice idea this lady rescued these eight but then she was 'desperatly' rehoming them within a week which does not sound like detailed homechecks, vet references etc were undertaken. This really is a drop in the ocean compared to the number of horses going into abbatoirs. Lastly having her photo take nwith the horse in her living room was downright irresponsible. People will go to the low end markets and buy a cheap pony thinking they can keep it in living room/garden etc (see option c)

if you want to rescue go to whw and rehome a pony from there and then that frees up a space for the experts to rescue the next one.That have the necessary time, funds and resources.
 
Given that CHL tells us so much was made up for publicity it's unlikely that the 12yo ex-RS and prize winning gymkhana pony is that at all, especially given there's such a demand for saintly child's ponies that can perform.
 
Personally I just wish all horse owners would take responsibility for their own horses, especially when passing on elderly or unwell horses, knowing where they will end up - instead of putting having a nice shiny new horse uppermost in their priorities. Many do ensure their wellbeing, but there are far too many who do not. If they did, and had their horses put to sleep at home, there would be no need for this lady, who clearly has a heart of gold.

You cannot blame people for trying to save horses from the horror of that abattoir, or any of them until they improve their standards greatly. Most people have their horses for a few years, why not put some money aside so you can afford to put them to sleep kindly? It isn't too much to ask I don't think.
 
Dee O'Dorant said:
Given that CHL tells us so much was made up for publicity it's unlikely that the 12yo ex-RS and prize winning gymkhana pony is that at all, especially given there's such a demand for saintly child's ponies that can perform.
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But if the ponies were sent to an auction which may have been poorly attended, rather than advertised, perhaps the only person who knew about them was the meat man - or people like this lady. We need to face the fact that the previous owners of these ponies just didn't give a damn where they ended up as long as they were no longer with them.
 
At least it sounds like she's working with an established charity. So many well meaning people start rescuing meat ponies, and the poor animals end up in a worse state through ignorance, and lack of funds. There are far worse fates for ponies than slaughter. The meat man serves a useful purpose - there are far too many badly bred ponies in this country, and nowhere near enough good homes. She should work towards stopping indiscriminate breeding - that is at the root of the problem.
 
Actually I do blame people for rescuing from the meatman, if they can't then support & keep what they've rescued. I could happily pick up probably dozens of horses every week I would love to offer a home to. The reason I don't is because I have neither time nor funds to care for them. Going to an auction & outbidding the meatman, when you don't even have the money to pay for them, let alone keep them, is almost as irresponsible as whoever sent it to the auction in the first place.
 
Crazy horse lady said:
I am so shocked by such nasty comments and personal attacks on this lady. It's the people who breed and breed to find the perfect show horse or pony who you should critise! It's the people who buy and sell for what ever reason, who contribute to the over population of horses who you should attack. Its the irresponsible owners who do not geld their horses, who you should attack....if you see the fb page they know there is a need for abattoirs, they want them manned and have CCTV installed, they are promoting for horses to be put to sleep at home. Yes these animals she saved are not as posh as some, a few of them are actually "show" ponies. Did you know that?? Some of them did have horrible lives before she rescued them, at Lear now they will have a nice life, and with time, love and care the unruly ones (if there are any) will prosper:p
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You seem to be under the mistaken impression that the horses sent to sales all come from showing people trying to breed a 'posh' horse, you could not be more wrong. Although, doubtless there will be many of those, the majority are from backyard breeders, a lot like the person recently a subject of a now infamous Ch4 documentary. Then you have the hill ponies and the others specifically bred for meat. Your inverted snobbery is blinding you.

I agree that people should try to have their horses put down at home, but many simply cannot afford to do so, what do you suggest they do? Do you think it would be right for them to continue to keep horses alive whilst in pain or should they sell to the very markets you are talking about?

You need to get more facts behind you before you start to spout, I am for CCTV in slaughterhouses, but we need more rather than less, in case you did not realise, close the slaughterhouses and the horses will still die, many after having travelled to the continent. Some are already making that journey, do you really want to add to it, or do you think it's ok because it's not happening within eyeshot?

BTW, contrary to the bile spouted against HHO on your page, we are not all 'posh' breeders who just want to make money.
 
Aside from anything else if she values her hand/fingers, it is never a good idea to wrap a lead rope round your hand (pic1) or hold it so near the clip. Especially when pony could put a foot through a TV at any moment.
 
Not all people who rescue from meat man are idiots though!
I had 4 ponies NF ponies for £10 and brought them all home, gelded, wormed, vaccinated, handled, all saw farrier and by the time I rehomed them they had cost me about £4000 and I re homed them to good suitable homes for £100 each!
Not something I'd do again without a lot of savings/free cash but I do feel good to know 4 ponies are now not in burgers and are happy and will lead useful lifes
 
flump said:
Not all people who rescue from meat man are idiots though!
I had 4 ponies NF ponies for £10 and brought them all home, gelded, wormed, vaccinated, handled, all saw farrier and by the time I rehomed them they had cost me about £4000 and I re homed them to good suitable homes for £100 each!
Not something I'd do again without a lot of savings/free cash but I do feel good to know 4 ponies are now not in burgers and are happy and will lead useful lifes
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Very altruistic but why rehome for 100 pounds why not for either full market value or loan them so they wouldnt ever head down that same disastrous route Once sold you have no control over their future and at 100 pounds they are of insignificant value to their owners.
Probably just me and I do commend you for your kindness but personally I woould have had to either get a fair and reasonable sum to ensure as best I could that they were valued or loaned them out so I had control over their future
 
£100 was a token, as 2 year old geldings they were not worth a lot more but I'd rather of given them to someone good than try and make my money back. 1 went to my mum, 2 went to a friend of my father for his kids to play with untill they are ready to break in (which they have been now and are little crackers) and one went to a lady who produces NF ponies into nice riding types and then sells or keeps for her kids depending what they are like!
 
Amaranta said:
I agree that people should try to have their horses put down at home, but many simply cannot afford to do so, what do you suggest they do?
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How about every horse being required by law to have an insurance policy that was to cover euthanasia and disposal ? The policy would be transferred with the equine to each owner so that all horses could be PTS in their own home or a designed place of safety such as an equine hospital or charity unless it was an emergency.

Those owners who wished their horse, after death, to be used for the meat industry could not profit from the sale but instead the cash would go to funding a data base and policing the system.

It would raise the purchase price of horses and breeders would have the initial outlay but is that a bad thing ? You can't drive a car or motorbike without a big outlay in insurance and tax, renting a property requires a big deposit and many people invest in funeral plans for their own burial, so why not protect the future of horses and make breeders/horse owners take responsibility.
 
horserider said:
How about every horse being required by law to have an insurance policy that was to cover euthanasia and disposal ? The policy would be transferred with the equine to each owner so that all horses could be PTS in their own home or a designed place of safety such as an equine hospital or charity unless it was an emergency.

Those owners who wished their horse, after death, to be used for the meat industry could not profit from the sale but instead the cash would go to funding a data base and policing the system.

It would raise the purchase price of horses and breeders would have the initial outlay but is that a bad thing ? You can't drive a car or motorbike without a big outlay in insurance and tax, renting a property requires a big deposit and many people invest in funeral plans for their own burial, so why not protect the future of horses and make breeders/horse owners take responsibility.
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This may seem a great idea to you, but there is just about no chance of huge changes to the law like that happening. There isn't the political will, funds available or interest in bringing about any such changes.

Yes we have compulsory insurance for vehicles, but even so many, many people drive without insurance. And the emphasis is on 3rd party cover, you don't have to have cover against damage to your own car. No-one is going to argue for such draconian measures purely in the interest of horse welfare.

Or are you just fantasizing, rather than suggestion such an idea could ever happen? :confused:
 
Crazy horse lady said:
My god will you listen to your snooty self?? Sub standard or not, they should not end up in a slaughter house. No we don't have issues with cats and dogs, they get put to sleep in our arm. Have you seen the footage from red lion abattoir? As a horse lover that is not what I would put my lovely friend through. Put them to sleep at home.....!!!
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Wey hay, first time Ive been called snooty! Im the bargin basement of horse owners - Every equine I have owned has never been top standard.

As for the PTS in a horrific abattoir.......not all are horrific. Also remember.......not everyone can afford the luxury of having a horse PTS at home, and the subsequent transport costs to the crem etc - ok yes you should have a 'death fund' for that sort of thing, but sometimes it happens suddenly.

But, the point I was getting at is...........there ARE horses who are not sellable, rideable and to be honest would be on a life time of meds and treatments and nothing more than in the field. How is that any life for am animal? In the wild it would be cast out and left to die............thats pretty harsh as well in the scheme of things. These horses should be PTS, at home or otherwise - ideally BEFORE they get into the auction ring etc. But unfortunately, some do. And the people rescuing these horses need to realise that they should be doing the kind thing and PTS.
 
horserider said:
How about every horse being required by law to have an insurance policy that was to cover euthanasia and disposal ? The policy would be transferred with the equine to each owner so that all horses could be PTS in their own home or a designed place of safety such as an equine hospital or charity unless it was an emergency.

Those owners who wished their horse, after death, to be used for the meat industry could not profit from the sale but instead the cash would go to funding a data base and policing the system.

It would raise the purchase price of horses and breeders would have the initial outlay but is that a bad thing ? You can't drive a car or motorbike without a big outlay in insurance and tax, renting a property requires a big deposit and many people invest in funeral plans for their own burial, so why not protect the future of horses and make breeders/horse owners take responsibility.
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I agree with FionaM12's comments in relation to this post but lets just say this Law was introduced, it is almost certain that the responsible horse owners who would generally do the right thing about PTS would get the insurance but the 'horse hoarders' of this world won't bother...

but my main point would be what happens to the horse if the owner doesnt take out the insurance? also many owners would just not want to compile with the Law at its introduction, or couldnt afford to do so, this would result in 1000's of horses flooding the market, the slaughter houses would be over run, horses would be dumped and abondoned or end up on wagons heading to europe...it would be a horse massacre!
 
The ever increasing population (humans that is) is already putting a huge strain on our precious greenbelt land. They want to build houses on some of the fields up here, in an already choked village, choked because our road network wasn't designed for the amount of traffic it now sustains.
Every year we loose more hay fields, and the farmers who cultivate them. Our hay prices will continue to rise, and more people will bail out of horse ownership as they simply won't be able to afford them. We can not save every horse, but we can give them a dignified end, even if it happens to be in an abattoir.
 
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Why is having the euthanasia and disposal of every horse prepaid so difficult ?
Is it not law that all dogs need to be microchipped, licensed and wear a collar with the owners name and address on it or face a very hefty fine ?

Landlords have to protect a holding deposit paid by a new tenant, so why, would a scheme to guarantee the humane disposal of a horse be such a fantasy ?

As abandoned horses and strays become an increasingly expensive problem for councils and the irresponsible breeding continues, particularly in the racing industry- (who, incidentally could afford to plough a minute percentage of their profits back into funding racehorse retraining programmes-), the issue of what to do with unwanted horses is a social problem that should be paid for by the equestrian community, not tax payers.

Support the horse meat industry if you want, but allow the animal to have a humane and peaceful death first.
 
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