I must be a heartless cow....

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Slightlyconfused

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A certain animal rescuer has come up on my newsfeed asking for donations as they have rescued 50 out of a load of unclaimed horses that were going to be shot.....they said they need the help,from the donations to help feed them and provide for them.

If they were that hard up we the hell did they take them? And there are worse things in life than the horses being shot. At least then they wouldn't be suffering the neglect and what happens when the rescue doesn't have enough money to feed them.

So many comments about how great a job they are and how they are heros just hit my back up this morning.

Why is it so hard to help in the humane euthanasia of these animals as charities and rescues are too full/over flowing?

Rant over
 
Oh yeah, it's Hillside. Apparently they have now rehomed some horse to homes in Norfolk. I'd be fascinated to hear from anyone who has had a horse rehomed to them from Hillside. The people talking about "adopting" horses are those who pay a tenner for a photo.
 
Until the horse population reduces drastically, then we're just going to see more and more suffering and abandoned horses. 'Rescuing' them like this is just adding to the burden. Very hard when you see an individual horse that needs help, but there needs to be a line drawn and the euthanasia of horses should not be seen as the worse thing that can happen to them. :(
 
Visited Hillside this week, and was rather taken aback by the rescued sheep, chickens, turkeys etc, from slaughter. Unfortunately that's what is their lot. I think their hearts are in the right place but I suppose we could say why rescue horses when they could go for meat.
 
jemima*askin said:
It's scary to think that all those people have the right to vote :(
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Very scary....what's even more scary is the fact I have one of those types of people on my friends list :/
touchstone said:
Until the horse population reduces drastically, then we're just going to see more and more suffering and abandoned horses. 'Rescuing' them like this is just adding to the burden. Very hard when you see an individual horse that needs help, but there needs to be a line drawn and the euthanasia of horses should not be seen as the worse thing that can happen to them. :(
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Yep agree 100%

Maybe someone should suggest HHO do an article on it and have quotes from people on the forum? All people see is the 'must rescue horses and give money' side of things they don't actually see the full scale of what these charities/rescues end up with, too many horses to care for, not enough land, money to feed them or people,want into rehome them.
 
Couldn't agree more OP. People do need to wake up and smell the roses, not everything is saveable and in some cases you wouldn't even want to especially those with problems, illness, lameness and so on. Why subject them to a longer miserable existence than they need or even merit and especially if you haven't the money to sustain them but rely on begging from others?

I've just had Poppy, the coloured filly put down due to exploding sarcoids and a joint that is going to crumble at any time; shame, she was only two but why would I want to prolong her life until it HAD to be done as an emergency, I don't see the humanity in that?
 
Maesfen said:
Couldn't agree more OP. People do need to wake up and smell the roses, not everything is saveable and in some cases you wouldn't even want to especially those with problems, illness, lameness and so on. Why subject them to a longer miserable existence than they need or even merit and especially if you haven't the money to sustain them but rely on begging from others?

I've just had Poppy, the coloured filly put down due to exploding sarcoids and a joint that is going to crumble at any time; shame, she was only two but why would I want to prolong her life until it HAD to be done as an emergency, I don't see the humanity in that?
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What an awful decision to have to make but I completely agree, I have a couple of friends who think leaving them until it has to be done is the right thing to do but they are doing it for themdelves not the horse who doesn't understand time in the same way that we do.
I have a Blue Cross horse & the last time the field officer came out to check her we talked about the horse problem & she said they are talking about culling as there are more horses than good homes. She said that at the moment they are still able to find homes but they won't be able to for ever, they are being inundated by coloured cob yougsters. Lovely ponies but there are far too many of them.
 
Were Hillside just one group that helped raise awareness of some of the atrocities and abuse going on in abbatoirs? Besides the rescuing, they do a lot for the welfare of animals bred for consumption, I always thought?

Not taking away from the fact that there are worse things than humanely PTS for various reasons (including overbreeding), just I always held them in high regard in terms of the other work they also do?
 
Thing is a lot of them will be poor conformation and only be usable as companion. Which is fine if thats all you want in a horse, but frankly there are too many bad quality horses. Esp mares, who are so easy to just "accidentally" breed. They need to come up with either a permanent method of controlling breeding or mares on birth control. A cull will just make way for fresh meat.
 
Bit of an off the wall question, and by all accounts not likely to be relevant to the charity mentioned....
I would be interested to know the percentage of horses that are microchipped, even more so if it could be broken down to emergency cruelty case seizures, hand ins, rescues due to non emergency (say meat truck ponies).
Just to see if the current scheme is at all touching this issue.
 
equi said:
Thing is a lot of them will be poor conformation and only be usable as companion. Which is fine if thats all you want in a horse, but frankly there are too many bad quality horses. Esp mares, who are so easy to just "accidentally" breed. They need to come up with either a permanent method of controlling breeding or mares on birth control. A cull will just make way for fresh meat.
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Couldn't agree more. I see alot of these mass-bred coloureds about and have never seen a halfway decent one yet. The will never be of any use to anyone apart from dog-meat. Sad but true.
 
Maesfen said:
I've just had Poppy, the coloured filly put down due to exploding sarcoids and a joint that is going to crumble at any time; shame, she was only two but why would I want to prolong her life until it HAD to be done as an emergency, I don't see the humanity in that?
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So sorry to hear this, I remember you getting her, but absolutely the right thing to do.

Culling is the only way to go until we have a sustainable number of equines. Tis the inevitable result of years of overproduction.
 
misskk88 said:
Were Hillside just one group that helped raise awareness of some of the atrocities and abuse going on in abbatoirs? Besides the rescuing, they do a lot for the welfare of animals bred for consumption, I always thought?

Not taking away from the fact that there are worse things than humanely PTS for various reasons (including overbreeding), just I always held them in high regard in terms of the other work they also do?
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yes thats them. They do highlight animal abuse and its no wonder they rescue animals from slaughter if you see their undercover videos. There was a horse slaughter one and it just shows what horrors the horses go through before they die.
 
Culling is not the answer.
Why open the market up and push the horse prices up for people who want to make a profit ? They will breed even more.
The problem of unregulated breeding needs to be tackled, not getting rid of their waste products for them.

In the meantime, well done to the people who try and humanely sort out the suffering caused by irresponsible breeders.
 
Kaylum said:
yes thats them. They do highlight animal abuse and its no wonder they rescue animals from slaughter if you see their undercover videos. There was a horse slaughter one and it just shows what horrors the horses go through before they die.
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And therein lies the problem . . if, as a sanctuary, they take it upon themselves to highlight cruelty and abuse and rescue animals from slaughter, they need public money in the form of donations . . . not sure how many people would donate to keep the sanctuary going if Hillside started culling some of those they rescue.

Hillside are betwixt and between . . . as are many places just like them . . . of course culling is the right thing to do, but unless and until people (horsey and non) actually wake up to the realities, it ain't going to happen.

I don't donate to Hillside, or others of their ilk . . . although I can see that they are trying to do good, I think they are onto a losing proposition, and I'd rather see properly regulated and humane facilities for slaughtering horses for meat in this country (for export to the continent) and some real thought given to preventing indiscriminate breeding from unsuitable mares and stallions.

It's time to kick the fluffy bunnies out of this debate once and for all - for the welfare of the horses involved.

P
 
I'd like to see some very unfluffy debate on this, but also a real challenge to the 'smart, flashy show and competition is all that matters' thinking. To me, a good breeding programme does involve some excess production and culling (otherwise you lose good genes by not breeding enough), and there's nothing wrong with a meat market as part of that. Importantly too, some of these 'badly bred' hairy cobs have an important role as decent, quiet mounts for the vast numbers of happy hackers and pony clubbers, who all too easily find themselves overhorsed by sports horses, fiery welsh ponies and OTTB's. Horses for courses, and all that...

Most riders would be well advised to choose temperament over performance, and I'd like to see controls on breeders of 'well bred' youngsters from barely handled stallions and lunatic mares. They're a liability.
 
pennyturner said:
I'd like to see some very unfluffy debate on this, but also a real challenge to the 'smart, flashy show and competition is all that matters' thinking. To me, a good breeding programme does involve some excess production and culling (otherwise you lose good genes by not breeding enough), and there's nothing wrong with a meat market as part of that. Importantly too, some of these 'badly bred' hairy cobs have an important role as decent, quiet mounts for the vast numbers of happy hackers and pony clubbers, who all too easily find themselves overhorsed by sports horses, fiery welsh ponies and OTTB's. Horses for courses, and all that...

Most riders would be well advised to choose temperament over performance, and I'd like to see controls on breeders of 'well bred' youngsters from barely handled stallions and lunatic mares. They're a liability.
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I agree with your general sentiment - however, badly bred hairies who are unsuitable because of conformation and temperament issues exist alongside their sporthorse counterparts - and "badly bred" doesn't mean "won't win Badminton or the Derby" . . . it does mean "has conformation faults with which will result in early lameness or is mad as a box of frogs and shouldn't be broken to ride much less bred from." My point about over/indiscriminate breeding above was aimed at ALL breeders . . . I'd like to see tighter regulation and more ruthless "weeding out" across the board. I have no idea how one would enforce that . . . but it's something that needs to be addressed.

P
 
PolarSkye said:
And therein lies the problem . . if, as a sanctuary, they take it upon themselves to highlight cruelty and abuse and rescue animals from slaughter, they need public money in the form of donations . . . not sure how many people would donate to keep the sanctuary going if Hillside started culling some of those they rescue.

Hillside are betwixt and between . . . as are many places just like them . . . of course culling is the right thing to do, but unless and until people (horsey and non) actually wake up to the realities, it ain't going to happen.

I don't donate to Hillside, or others of their ilk . . . although I can see that they are trying to do good, I think they are onto a losing proposition, and I'd rather see properly regulated and humane facilities for slaughtering horses for meat in this country (for export to the continent) and some real thought given to preventing indiscriminate breeding from unsuitable mares and stallions.

It's time to kick the fluffy bunnies out of this debate once and for all - for the welfare of the horses involved.

P
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It was actually a very good undercover video and people lost their slaughter licences. It certainly wasnt a fluffy bunny video, more like a video nasty.
 
PolarSkye said:
And therein lies the problem . . if, as a sanctuary, they take it upon themselves to highlight cruelty and abuse and rescue animals from slaughter, they need public money in the form of donations . . . not sure how many people would donate to keep the sanctuary going if Hillside started culling some of those they rescue.

Hillside are betwixt and between . . . as are many places just like them . . . of course culling is the right thing to do, but unless and until people (horsey and non) actually wake up to the realities, it ain't going to happen.

I don't donate to Hillside, or others of their ilk . . . although I can see that they are trying to do good, I think they are onto a losing proposition, and I'd rather see properly regulated and humane facilities for slaughtering horses for meat in this country (for export to the continent) and some real thought given to preventing indiscriminate breeding from unsuitable mares and stallions.

It's time to kick the fluffy bunnies out of this debate once and for all - for the welfare of the horses involved.

P
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I agree.

I would rather see slaughter houses and 'freedom food' (another of Hillsides exposures) etc monitored properly too, but when the authorities and agencies involved turn a blind eye (yet are already meant to be the 'regulators') you can see why Hillside try to expose them. They cannot expose without rescuing, otherwise there would be uproar from the many who donate and do not understand the consequences of over breeding, and in turn they would then lose the donations that help to continue investigating and exposing these horrid places. It is a catch 22, but until there is tougher legislation in abbatoirs, animal welfare, breeding (and ownership!), then I don't see the situation improving :(
 
Kaylum said:
It was actually a very good undercover video and people lost their slaughter licences. It certainly wasnt a fluffy bunny video, more like a video nasty.
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Where did I say that the Hillside video wasn't hard hitting? When I reference fluffy bunnies, I am referring to all the well-meaning general public who donate without understanding the harsh realities of the equine industry in this country.

P
 
pennyturner said:
I'd like to see some very unfluffy debate on this, but also a real challenge to the 'smart, flashy show and competition is all that matters' thinking. To me, a good breeding programme does involve some excess production and culling (otherwise you lose good genes by not breeding enough), and there's nothing wrong with a meat market as part of that. Importantly too, some of these 'badly bred' hairy cobs have an important role as decent, quiet mounts for the vast numbers of happy hackers and pony clubbers, who all too easily find themselves overhorsed by sports horses, fiery welsh ponies and OTTB's. Horses for courses, and all that...

Most riders would be well advised to choose temperament over performance, and I'd like to see controls on breeders of 'well bred' youngsters from barely handled stallions and lunatic mares. They're a liability.
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completely agree with you....I have never, and never will, brought on blood lines. I need good solid personalities for my disabled brother and mum. that's what I buy on.

of course I wouldn't get a three and a half legged horse with a purple eye :D but a little bit of off conformation wouldn't worry me.
one of mine I brought last year hind legs action was so weak and close behind if I had shown you guys you would have told me to run a mile but he looked after my brother fine so with a bit of schooling and a year later its improved no end.

if they just have the blood lines bred well then us happy hackers will be able to afford them but at the same time breeders need to be regulated so its a vicious circle.


I tried to have a rescue from a charity and most all of them up for rehome were companions which I don't need.
 
pennyturner said:
I'd like to see some very unfluffy debate on this, but also a real challenge to the 'smart, flashy show and competition is all that matters' thinking. To me, a good breeding programme does involve some excess production and culling (otherwise you lose good genes by not breeding enough), and there's nothing wrong with a meat market as part of that. Importantly too, some of these 'badly bred' hairy cobs have an important role as decent, quiet mounts for the vast numbers of happy hackers and pony clubbers, who all too easily find themselves overhorsed by sports horses, fiery welsh ponies and OTTB's. Horses for courses, and all that...

Most riders would be well advised to choose temperament over performance, and I'd like to see controls on breeders of 'well bred' youngsters from barely handled stallions and lunatic mares. They're a liability.
Click to expand...

completely agree with you....I have never, and never will, brought on blood lines. I need good solid personalities for my disabled brother and mum. that's what I buy on.

of course I wouldn't get a three and a half legged horse with a purple eye :D but a little bit of off conformation wouldn't worry me.
one of mine I brought last year hind legs action was so weak and close behind if I had shown you guys you would have told me to run a mile but he looked after my brother fine so with a bit of schooling and a year later its improved no end.

if they just have the blood lines bred well then us happy hackers will be able to afford them but at the same time breeders need to be regulated so its a vicious circle.


I tried to have a rescue from a charity and most all of them up for rehome were companions which I don't need.
 
No your not heartless you just using common sense.

I believe there needs to be a cull too many horses not enough homes it is not rocket science.

My instructor was telling me she took some students to a well known Horse Charity and the farrier was telling them how much it was costing to shoe some horses (mainly abandoned coloureds were very likely inbred) who confirmation was awful, they could never be ridden and will always need remedial shoeing. My instructor said to me she could not understand why they did not PTS as it was no life for the horse and also with so many unwanted but decent stock around.
 
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