CAN YOU HELP !! :)

[rhino]

How do they know they have no bits? Are they checked weekly for any changes?

I think you made some very valid points in your post

I can have a go at answering the above question after reading through the fb page. No they are not checked, in fact the majority of the 'advertised' horses are sex unknown. One owner on the fb page was under the impression she had a colt when in fact it was a filly. Makes you wonder how the passporting is working, as all the horses are apparently sold with passports...

For me, a good rescue would:
Carry out stringent checks on potential homes, including home checks. Stick to their rehoming criteria.
Under no circumstances sell/loan entire males.
Make sure all horses are healthy (not suffering the huge worm burdens as many of the hope pony owners report on fb)
Provide advice and ongoing support in respect of continuing the worming programme and other important issues such as vaccination.
Not sign over the horses but use a loan agreement where they had the power to take back horses who are not being looked after adequately.
Take back loan horses in the event of the loaner being unable to continue with caring for their horse.
Preferably carry out basic training to ensure horses are at the very least handleable, or ensure they go to very experienced homes who have the facilities/skill and experience to deal with challenging youngsters.

And preferably also hold registered charity status to allow for transparency of 'trade'

Obviously this is all very expensive but would be a far better guarantee of a successful outcome.

 

[youngfarmer]

I must say, if she thought she had a colt but it was a filly BEFORE the horse arrived then that's fair enough. But if she had the horse at her yard-how did she not notice? Quite a large difference between a colt and a filly! As you said, with the passporting how do these people not know? And how does the charity not have the information to provide them if it's a colt or a filly? I thought HOPE would at least see these horses before they advertised them...?

Having looked at quite a few pictures on their page, seems a lot have serious deformities. I realise some of these can be corrected and managed and a horse can still lead a good quality of life, but some are very bad, have had nothing corrected (I assume as they are running wild on the moors) and this could lead to even further complications in the future. Would it not be a better idea to have the majority who have serious deformities PTS, and then the farmers can 1) get rid of some of the issue of being over stocked 2) grass may not be as over grazed as someone already said on here 3) farmers could even ask for a bit more money for the healthy and sound horses, which people will be much happier and quicker to take on? I know in this current market I wouldn't consider a horse with such a major limb deformity, as you can get something with no issues for roughly the same price!

Thanks for taking the time to answer too Rhino. I haven't read all of their page yet so hadn't seen the answer.

In response to their comments about us too- I'm not a horse owner, yes I do prefer my strapping, talented warmbloods to most other breeds and no, I will probably never own one of these bog standard ponies-simply because I have no desire to. Being a breeding student and seeing the mess the industry as a whole (not just breeding) is in, I'm very practical about how to deal with over breeding and even some warmblood stallions I would have never kept entire

 

[Fii]

Interesting. So is the over grazing not quite an accurate description? Or do the ponies and cattle graze in a different way? Sounds like the national park agenda may differ from those of the farmers...is that true to say? I shall do some more research.....

Cow poo police - how awful! A walk's not a walk without a good stomp through mess....

Ponies and cattle do graze in a different way, ponies will crop short grass but cattle wont.
We have a simular set up here on common land where it has to be mixed grazed by cattle and ponies and the cattle have to come off the land by december, it was october but the farmer convinced the land owners to extend it.

 

[Ravenwood]

Interesting. So is the over grazing not quite an accurate description? Or do the ponies and cattle graze in a different way? Sounds like the national park agenda may differ from those of the farmers...is that true to say? I shall do some more research.....

Cow poo police - how awful! A walk's not a walk without a good stomp through mess....

Oh Pippamoo - please stop! You are just showing up your ignorance more and more! (sorry to keep picking on you but I can't bite my tongue!)

The National Park are interested in keeping the ecology of the moor - they are not interested in the livelihood of the residents! Cows come off the moor not because they poo but because they poach the ground. When a herd of cows go down to the stream/bog whatever to drink (and cows drink a lot) they churn the area up and infact can cause a change in the waterways. A change in watercourse routes due to poaching is possibly not beneficial to frog spawn, newts and any other bugs, rare plants such as sundew etc.

And of course we have to protect the very grass routes of the ecological system but just think on this - if leaving cattle out all year is so detrimental to the wildlife - how come they are still in existence now? Seems to me they managed perfectly well before the National Parks stepped in!

 

[Kobie]

Can you tell me their facebook page name please? just so I can be nosey.

 

[FallenAngel666]

I must say, if she thought she had a colt but it was a filly BEFORE the horse arrived then that's fair enough. But if she had the horse at her yard-how did she not notice? Quite a large difference between a colt and a filly! As you said, with the passporting how do these people not know? And how does the charity not have the information to provide them if it's a colt or a filly? I thought HOPE would at least see these horses before they advertised them...?

Having looked at quite a few pictures on their page, seems a lot have serious deformities. I realise some of these can be corrected and managed and a horse can still lead a good quality of life, but some are very bad, have had nothing corrected (I assume as they are running wild on the moors) and this could lead to even further complications in the future. Would it not be a better idea to have the majority who have serious deformities PTS, and then the farmers can 1) get rid of some of the issue of being over stocked 2) grass may not be as over grazed as someone already said on here 3) farmers could even ask for a bit more money for the healthy and sound horses, which people will be much happier and quicker to take on? I know in this current market I wouldn't consider a horse with such a major limb deformity, as you can get something with no issues for roughly the same price!

Firstly all the pictures on the fb page are of the babies the day they were rounded up and fetched of the moor hence why it says sex unknown these pictures are put straight up to help generate interest and so people can see what they have a choice from [ alot of people arnt bothered what sex they got]

Secondly the vet is coming on friday to microchip and fill in passports applications for all the ponies that have been fetched in ,they will then know the sex of each pony and this will be updated on to thier picture with a brief discription of each one the passports are filled out by the vet who also gelded the farmers stallions if a pony has been paid for his new owners name is then put on the passport application and sent off from hope , the passport is then returned straight to the new owner from the passport organisation


Thirdly can you point out on the fb site which ponies have servere deformaties , apart from a heavy worm burden they are relatively healthy babies


i was also shocked to hear from the lady that runs hope , that she has had some very nasty messages , and only 1 person out off the hundreds that have read this on H&H have actually asked what HOPE do , i keep reading that the breeding of the ponies needs to be reduced yet your slating HOPE when this is what they do !!!

there is a very heartwarming letter from this years farmer on the fb appeal page , maybe you should have a read before you say there all out to do it for the money

 

[Potato!]

I must say, if she thought she had a colt but it was a filly BEFORE the horse arrived then that's fair enough. But if she had the horse at her yard-how did she not notice? Quite a large difference between a colt and a filly! As you said, with the passporting how do these people not know? And how does the charity not have the information to provide them if it's a colt or a filly? I thought HOPE would at least see these horses before they advertised them...?

Having looked at quite a few pictures on their page, seems a lot have serious deformities. I realise some of these can be corrected and managed and a horse can still lead a good quality of life, but some are very bad, have had nothing corrected (I assume as they are running wild on the moors) and this could lead to even further complications in the future. Would it not be a better idea to have the majority who have serious deformities PTS, and then the farmers can 1) get rid of some of the issue of being over stocked 2) grass may not be as over grazed as someone already said on here 3) farmers could even ask for a bit more money for the healthy and sound horses, which people will be much happier and quicker to take on? I know in this current market I wouldn't consider a horse with such a major limb deformity, as you can get something with no issues for roughly the same price!

Firstly all the pictures on the fb page are of the babies the day they were rounded up and fetched of the moor hence why it says sex unknown these pictures are put straight up to help generate interest and so people can see what they have a choice from [ alot of people arnt bothered what sex they got]

Secondly the vet is coming on friday to microchip and fill in passports applications for all the ponies that have been fetched in ,they will then know the sex of each pony and this will be updated on to thier picture with a brief discription of each one the passports are filled out by the vet who also gelded the farmers stallions if a pony has been paid for his new owners name is then put on the passport application and sent off from hope , the passport is then returned straight to the new owner from the passport organisation


Thirdly can you point out on the fb site which ponies have servere deformaties , apart from a heavy worm burden they are relatively healthy babies


i was also shocked to hear from the lady that runs hope , that she has had some very nasty messages , and only 1 person out off the hundreds that have read this on H&H have actually asked what HOPE do , i keep reading that the breeding of the ponies needs to be reduced yet your slating HOPE when this is what they do !!!

there is a very heartwarming letter from this years farmer on the fb appeal page , maybe you should have a read before you say there all out to do it for the money

Im sorry but Hope is not reducing the breeding of dartmoor ponies that were bred for and are still being bred for meat. So one Stallion was gelded. Where you there and did you wintess this happening my guess is that gelding is with the meatman now.

Also where is this letter from the farmer as id be interested in kn owing which farmer it is.

 

[Ravenwood]

Well actually I did say that I applaud anyone who dedicates their life to redressing a problem if you read one of my earlier posts, but pointed out that it will take years too see if the results are beneficial to the current situation

I haven't looked at the Facebook page so no comment there from me but I really do hope that this non profit organisation are not rushing into rehoming every youngster they get their hands on to just about anyone who shows interest, particularly now as they have got heightened media attention. I hope they have a long term plan that they can adhere to without looking for immediate gratification which could backfire.

 

[Fii]

I also think that some people go into rescueing these ponies with the all best intentions, but then it back fires on them, because they neither have the knowledge or the facilities to cope.
Some years ago a chap that had previosly worked for a sanctuary (but with dogs) started "rescueing" ponies i am sure he had good intentions to help and rehome, but it all got out of control, he had far to many animals on to few acres, no money for food and nobody came forward to home the ponies. Local horse owners helped out with hay and other stuff, but in the end i think they were taken away, and he also lost his reputation.
These ponies suffered twice (if not more) so for those who think HHO's are hard and cruel in what has been said on here, you tell me what would have been better for these poor animals, a swift end.. or.. more months even years of suffering in the wrong hands?

 

[FallenAngel666]

I must say, if she thought she had a colt but it was a filly BEFORE the horse arrived then that's fair enough. But if she had the horse at her yard-how did she not notice? Quite a large difference between a colt and a filly! As you said, with the passporting how do these people not know? And how does the charity not have the information to provide them if it's a colt or a filly? I thought HOPE would at least see these horses before they advertised them...?

Having looked at quite a few pictures on their page, seems a lot have serious deformities. I realise some of these can be corrected and managed and a horse can still lead a good quality of life, but some are very bad, have had nothing corrected (I assume as they are running wild on the moors) and this could lead to even further complications in the future. Would it not be a better idea to have the majority who have serious deformities PTS, and then the farmers can 1) get rid of some of the issue of being over stocked 2) grass may not be as over grazed as someone already said on here 3) farmers could even ask for a bit more money for the healthy and sound horses, which people will be much happier and quicker to take on? I know in this current market I wouldn't consider a horse with such a major limb deformity, as you can get something with no issues for roughly the same price!

Firstly all the pictures on the fb page are of the babies the day they were rounded up and fetched of the moor hence why it says sex unknown these pictures are put straight up to help generate interest and so people can see what they have a choice from [ alot of people arnt bothered what sex they got]

Secondly the vet is coming on friday to microchip and fill in passports applications for all the ponies that have been fetched in ,they will then know the sex of each pony and this will be updated on to thier picture with a brief discription of each one the passports are filled out by the vet who also gelded the farmers stallions if a pony has been paid for his new owners name is then put on the passport application and sent off from hope , the passport is then returned straight to the new owner from the passport organisation


Thirdly can you point out on the fb site which ponies have servere deformaties , apart from a heavy worm burden they are relatively healthy babies


i was also shocked to hear from the lady that runs hope , that she has had some very nasty messages , and only 1 person out off the hundreds that have read this on H&H have actually asked what HOPE do , i keep reading that the breeding of the ponies needs to be reduced yet your slating HOPE when this is what they do !!!

there is a very heartwarming letter from this years farmer on the fb appeal page , maybe you should have a read before you say there all out to do it for the money

 

[Potato!]

Im sorry but how do we know that is the farmer. It could have just been written by the person who made the page.

Also its great for them they have someone to find homes for their ponies for them without the effort on their part or having to have them shot. But as i say it will not stop the mares getting in foal again as they cannot afford to keep barren mares.

 

[AmyMay]

Oh Pippamoo - please stop! You are just showing up your ignorance more and more! (sorry to keep picking on you but I can't bite my tongue!)

Sorry, but I think that's really unfair.

Pippamoo has engaged in really polite discussion on here and asked questions to which some people clearly know the answers too, as they have experience of the issues.

I expect she's a lot more informed now than she was when she first posted. Questions do not show ignorance, they show a willingness to learn and be informed.

 

[sonjafoers]

I have lived on or close to Dartmoor for 40 years and I keep my horses on land owned by a dartmoor farmer, however I am not from a farming family so will not be as knowledgable about the moor/grazing as some on here BUT I do have common sense and I do see the moor and ponies daily.

There does seem to be a lot of ignorance on here and that's not being rude, that's just my description of people having an opinion that may not be based on fact/personal experience. There's a lot of fluffy bunny posts on here from people who don't have much experience of the moor and farming the hill ponies.

These rescue places ring either ring alarm bells in farmers or have them laughing themselves silly - ask any of the farmers about SWEP and see what reaction you get, and it won't be positive.

 

[AmyMay]

ask any of the farmers about SWEP and see what reaction you get, and it won't be positive.

Why?

 

[FallenAngel666]

Well actually I did say that I applaud anyone who dedicates their life to redressing a problem if you read one of my earlier posts, but pointed out that it will take years too see if the results are beneficial to the current situation

I haven't looked at the Facebook page so no comment there from me but I really do hope that this non profit organisation are not rushing into rehoming every youngster they get their hands on to just about anyone who shows interest, particularly now as they have got heightened media attention. I hope they have a long term plan that they can adhere to without looking for immediate gratification which could backfire.

I can say that they dont rehome to just anyone , a friend of a friend was turned down even when she offered to rehome a few , they do offer after care support and mary always puts these ponies first , HOPE do have a long term plan in place to reduce the number of unwanted foals on dartmoor

please feel free to pop over to our fb and speak to mary or jenny your self [ they can tell you alot better than i can] they love people to ask about HOPE rather than assume you can also see the updates page which shows some of last years appeal and how stunning they have turned out

 

[youngfarmer]

I must say, if she thought she had a colt but it was a filly BEFORE the horse arrived then that's fair enough. But if she had the horse at her yard-how did she not notice? Quite a large difference between a colt and a filly! As you said, with the passporting how do these people not know? And how does the charity not have the information to provide them if it's a colt or a filly? I thought HOPE would at least see these horses before they advertised them...?

Having looked at quite a few pictures on their page, seems a lot have serious deformities. I realise some of these can be corrected and managed and a horse can still lead a good quality of life, but some are very bad, have had nothing corrected (I assume as they are running wild on the moors) and this could lead to even further complications in the future. Would it not be a better idea to have the majority who have serious deformities PTS, and then the farmers can 1) get rid of some of the issue of being over stocked 2) grass may not be as over grazed as someone already said on here 3) farmers could even ask for a bit more money for the healthy and sound horses, which people will be much happier and quicker to take on? I know in this current market I wouldn't consider a horse with such a major limb deformity, as you can get something with no issues for roughly the same price!

Firstly all the pictures on the fb page are of the babies the day they were rounded up and fetched of the moor hence why it says sex unknown these pictures are put straight up to help generate interest and so people can see what they have a choice from [ alot of people arnt bothered what sex they got]

Secondly the vet is coming on friday to microchip and fill in passports applications for all the ponies that have been fetched in ,they will then know the sex of each pony and this will be updated on to thier picture with a brief discription of each one the passports are filled out by the vet who also gelded the farmers stallions if a pony has been paid for his new owners name is then put on the passport application and sent off from hope , the passport is then returned straight to the new owner from the passport organisation


Thirdly can you point out on the fb site which ponies have servere deformaties , apart from a heavy worm burden they are relatively healthy babies


i was also shocked to hear from the lady that runs hope , that she has had some very nasty messages , and only 1 person out off the hundreds that have read this on H&H have actually asked what HOPE do , i keep reading that the breeding of the ponies needs to be reduced yet your slating HOPE when this is what they do !!!

there is a very heartwarming letter from this years farmer on the fb appeal page , maybe you should have a read before you say there all out to do it for the money

Thanks for your response, although I don't really feel it answered my questions. Is it possible for you to reply to my first comment as well of castrations etc? I would definitely appreciate it! I'll go to the facebook page and comment on the pictures where they have deformities (or defects, as they are more commonly called) that do need addressing-whether through correctional trimming or even in some cases extensions etc. Very few birth defects can just be left and not managed-and some take years to correct so should be done asap.

Also-there is a woman on there who commented with a horse called Hagrid(ette now). I just don't understand how someone can have a horse in their care (which she did before she found out the sex, as I've read back quite far to when she first got her 2 horses, and she mentions she has done work with this horse) and put something along the lines of "Hagrid(ette) is definitely a girl. Got the passport today and it says it in there". Even if these people aren't experience in owning horses, it's pretty obvious if a horse is a colt or a filly-even from the second it is born. How could this mistake have been made? Are the people who rehome these horses not experienced?

I also agree with another poster that more than likely, the farmers gelding will have gone to the meat man. He has no use for him any more (if he has been gelded?), probably doesn't have the required space to turn him out AWAY from all the other horses until he is no longer to reproduce (just because the bits have come off, doesn't mean it isn't still possible for a while) and lets be quite frank-who in their right mind would buy a completely wild gelding who is only recently gelded and has been used for breeding purposes? Rehoming a wild horse, IMO, takes a lot of experience and understanding, never mind rehoming an recently castrated, ex-breeding gelding.

 

[FallenAngel666]

Im sorry but how do we know that is the farmer. It could have just been written by the person who made the page.

Also its great for them they have someone to find homes for their ponies for them without the effort on their part or having to have them shot. But as i say it will not stop the mares getting in foal again as they cannot afford to keep barren mares.

the stallions which this farmer owns and that run with his mares HAVE been gelded , one was done earlier in the appeal the other 2 just recently , I honestly cannot see mary having the time or wanting to write a fake letter , HOPE are a genuine NFPO and mary would still try and change things without the media and support that she is currently getting

come over to our fb page and speak to mary for yourself before you judge , you may well be suprised , you will also be able to read the letter from the farmer

 

[youngfarmer]

Well actually I did say that I applaud anyone who dedicates their life to redressing a problem if you read one of my earlier posts, but pointed out that it will take years too see if the results are beneficial to the current situation

I haven't looked at the Facebook page so no comment there from me but I really do hope that this non profit organisation are not rushing into rehoming every youngster they get their hands on to just about anyone who shows interest, particularly now as they have got heightened media attention. I hope they have a long term plan that they can adhere to without looking for immediate gratification which could backfire.

I agree with this. But we do have far too many unwanted animals in this country and unfortunately, for quite a lot the best thing is slaughter. Sounds unfair but we (not even just the horse industry, every animal industry) breed a lot of rubbish and then keep breeding more rubbish. If something big doesn't happen, we will find ourselves even more over run with animals.

I must say that after reading the facebook page and just from seeing 1 woman comment that she didn't even know the sex of her horse until her passport came rolleyes it does strike me as if they rehome to just about anyone. I also know a woman who has rehomed some of their horses, and unfortunately she isn't someone who should be taking on any young horse, never mind wild and more than 1 of them! She simply doesn't have the experience or have experienced people readily available to help her

 

[Potato!]

the stallions which this farmer owns and that run with his mares HAVE been gelded , one was done earlier in the appeal the other 2 just recently , I honestly cannot see mary having the time or wanting to write a fake letter , HOPE are a genuine NFPO and mary would still try and change things without the media and support that she is currently getting

come over to our fb page and speak to mary for yourself before you judge , you may well be suprised , you will also be able to read the letter from the farmer

I did read the letter thank you but i also know many Dartmoor hill farmers who do not have the time or money available to messing around with The whole rescue thing.

my OH is a dartmoor hill farmer and i mix with many of these farmers i will say that most of them do not have the paitence with these so called rescue centres and resent being accused of neglect and cruelty.

 

[AmyMay]

i will say that most of them do not have the paitence with these so called rescue centres and resent being accused of neglect and cruelty.

No one lies to be accused of neglect or cruelty.........

 

[youngfarmer]

the stallions which this farmer owns and that run with his mares HAVE been gelded , one was done earlier in the appeal the other 2 just recently , I honestly cannot see mary having the time or wanting to write a fake letter , HOPE are a genuine NFPO and mary would still try and change things without the media and support that she is currently getting

come over to our fb page and speak to mary for yourself before you judge , you may well be suprised , you will also be able to read the letter from the farmer

Can you point me in the direction of the pictures of these horses when they've first been brought into the barns? Makes it easier for me to see them rather than having to go through hundreds of pictures people have taken of their horses face or where you can't even see the whole body properly. Have found about 10 pictures so far where there are limb deformities/defects which need correction and some of which should of already started corrections

 

[rhino]

Can you point me in the direction of the pictures of these horses when they've first been brought into the barns? Makes it easier for me to see them rather than having to go through hundreds of pictures people have taken of their horses face or where you can't even see the whole body properly. Have found about 10 pictures so far where there are limb deformities/defects which need correction and some of which should of already started corrections

They are on this page, the other one is for updates from owners
http://www.facebook.com/dartmoorrescuehope

 

[youngfarmer]

They are on this page, the other one is for updates from owners
http://www.facebook.com/dartmoorrescuehope

Thanks Rhino. Didn't even know there was another page

 

[Happy Horse]

I have a funny feeling of Deja Vu reading through this post!

 

[YasandCrystal]

Ok so shoot me down but if we stop sending these ponies to slaughter then what are we going to feed the animals in the zoo.

Im sorry but there are far far worse fates than going to slaughter.

I know a lot of farmers who keep Dartmoor ponies and as long as there is a market they will not stop breeding them. If there is no market then the same fate would be for the mares.

Farmers will Not keep barren mares. Yes it’s a shame but it’s a business and they are not pets.

My thoughts exactly! The big cats need copious amounts of meat to eat.

 

[FallenAngel666]

I must say, if she thought she had a colt but it was a filly BEFORE the horse arrived then that's fair enough. But if she had the horse at her yard-how did she not notice? Quite a large difference between a colt and a filly! As you said, with the passporting how do these people not know? And how does the charity not have the information to provide them if it's a colt or a filly? I thought HOPE would at least see these horses before they advertised them...?

Having looked at quite a few pictures on their page, seems a lot have serious deformities. I realise some of these can be corrected and managed and a horse can still lead a good quality of life, but some are very bad, have had nothing corrected (I assume as they are running wild on the moors) and this could lead to even further complications in the future. Would it not be a better idea to have the majority who have serious deformities PTS, and then the farmers can 1) get rid of some of the issue of being over stocked 2) grass may not be as over grazed as someone already said on here 3) farmers could even ask for a bit more money for the healthy and sound horses, which people will be much happier and quicker to take on? I know in this current market I wouldn't consider a horse with such a major limb deformity, as you can get something with no issues for roughly the same price!

Thanks for your response, although I don't really feel it answered my questions. Is it possible for you to reply to my first comment as well of castrations etc? I would definitely appreciate it! I'll go to the facebook page and comment on the pictures where they have deformities (or defects, as they are more commonly called) that do need addressing-whether through correctional trimming or even in some cases extensions etc. Very few birth defects can just be left and not managed-and some take years to correct so should be done asap.

Also-there is a woman on there who commented with a horse called Hagrid(ette now). I just don't understand how someone can have a horse in their care (which she did before she found out the sex, as I've read back quite far to when she first got her 2 horses, and she mentions she has done work with this horse) and put something along the lines of "Hagrid(ette) is definitely a girl. Got the passport today and it says it in there". Even if these people aren't experience in owning horses, it's pretty obvious if a horse is a colt or a filly-even from the second it is born. How could this mistake have been made? Are the people who rehome these horses not experienced?

I also agree with another poster that more than likely, the farmers gelding will have gone to the meat man. He has no use for him any more (if he has been gelded?), probably doesn't have the required space to turn him out AWAY from all the other horses until he is no longer to reproduce (just because the bits have come off, doesn't mean it isn't still possible for a while) and lets be quite frank-who in their right mind would buy a completely wild gelding who is only recently gelded and has been used for breeding purposes? Rehoming a wild horse, IMO, takes a lot of experience and understanding, never mind rehoming an recently castrated, ex-breeding gelding.

i think i missed your question about castration

i have only found one post about hagridette , im not sure of the circumstances behind that but i can certainly find out , or you could ask your yourself Everyone at HOPE would much rather people asked questions that just assume something , alot of us have also become really good friends so some posts on the update pages are refrences from other conversations lol


I cannot answers all your questions honest and truthfully as i havent rehomed a pony BUT i have been following HOPE for about a year and admire what there ultimate long term goal is , which is why they have my support

i agreed that a wild pony would be a challenge and need lots of understanding and patience but a competent novice who is willing to learn and ask advice is just as good IMO

 

[FallenAngel666]

My thoughts exactly! The big cats need copious amounts of meat to eat.

if they HAVE to feed horse then
why not use the horses that are old or not fit for human consumption

 

[AmyMay]

if they HAVE to feed horse then
why not use the horses that are old or not fit for human consumption

If they're not fit for human consumption, they won't be in any feed chain.

And old horses certainly do go to the meat man.

So, in your world - surpless stock goes where???

 

[Potato!]

if they HAVE to feed horse then
why not use the horses that are old or not fit for human consumption

ARGH!!! I really cant believe that you have to ask that question I feel like banging my head against a brick wall.

 

[rhino]

if they HAVE to feed horse then
why not use the horses that are old or not fit for human consumption

The horses who go for meat are the ones who are cheap. These may be old horses, 'problem' horses or ones who were bred (overbred) with no purpose or function...

There is a demand for meat animals.
There is a supply for meat animals.

I really don't understand how this is about 'rescue'

It's like when some tourists set up a campaign to 'save the baby goats' on a farm I worked on; we chose to raise the males on to 6 months (at considerable expense/time commitment) before taking them ourselves to a very good local abbatoir. The tourists thought they should be allowed to 'rescue' them and keep them in their back gardens!