Will we lose Bute?

A

ajn1610

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Just my musings but...

I predict the final outcome of the 'horse meat scandal' will not be anything positive in terms of banning live transport, stricter animal welfare or better labelling and traceability.

I think 'Bute' and similar substances will be banned and as a result a lot more horses will be in discomfort. My old eventer at 21 has some arthritic changes but a sachet a day keeps him comfortable and sound enough for light work, this will prolong his life by maintaining his fitness and slowing the inevitable decline due to his age.

I've discussed this with my vet and she thinks the same. It makes me very very angry that because of unscrupulous people manipulating the system we are likely to have such an effective and essential medication taken away from us.
 
I'm afraid I'm in agreement.

This recent scandal is not going to do anything to help horse welfare, I fear the opposite.

Too many social commentators/newspaper articles rushing to say and tell us that there is no reason why we shouldn't eat horse meat. That somehow it's our culture that is wrong and they have the right attitude on the continent.

Also picking up the same vibe that was around during the hunting ban, more to do with class warfare than any animal cruelty concerns.
 
I think so too. However, all is not lost. Metacam, I believe is okay to use for horses going to diner's plates.

Only snag is the cost. Metacam is 3-4 times more expensive than Bute.

First of all we had the expense of passports and vet identification. Now we will further subsidise people who want to eat Horsemeat by paying for over priced but essential drugs to relive pain in horses.
 
I fear more horses/ponies will be put down as expenses spiral out of control before really necessary.
 
I'm also cross about the fact that on none of the HOURS of news footage I've seen has been any sight or sound of WHW and the 'Make a noise' campaign. Seems to me they've missed a fantastic opportunity to publicise the live transport issue and make joe bloggs aware why horse meat in particular has so many associated welfare issues. Who ever does their PR needs a kick up the pants!
I'm not against people eating horse meat out of priniciple as long as the animals are humanely treated and processed, as should be the case for all meat.
 
This is wht the vet said when they came out to do vaccinations just after the scandal broke. She sad they'd been warned that bute might not be available for much longer.
 
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