An Alternative To Abuse

Looking through the eyes of a horse and then telling his story was never done as well as in the story of Black Beauty. Through the words of the author our hearts were touched and tears ran down our eyes. Afterward you sat and asked yourself how could this happen? More so how can you prevent that from happening again?  Can you believe that that is still happening around the world, and more tragic it is happening right here in the United States. You would think we, the American people would have some guilt, but no we are more cold hearted then most when it comes to our goals, our money and our dreams.

Every week at horse sales all around the United States and around the world, the story of Black Beauty is played out. Only for several million horses, including Excellor and Ferdinand, there was no Joe Greene to bring them home. Instead they were forced with electric cattle prods and bullwhips into overcrowded double deck cattle trailers for their last ride to a horse slaughterhouse to be slaughtered for human consumption.

Money won, championships earned, numbers of stakes winners and/or champions produced or sired, or years of faithful service entertaining children did not earn those horses a peaceful end.

Only a horse's owner can insure that their horse is well treated and does not fall into bad hands or end up at a horse slaughterhouse. Accomplishments mean nothing when a horse is no longer useful to the current owner.

Until a horse's owner is at the end of the lead shank when the horse hits the ground for the last time, horse owners are not going to face the reality of what we, as an industry, are doing that is creating horses that are fodder for the slaughter industry at the average age of 7- 11 years old.

So what are the options for owners who can or no longer wish to keep their horse, but who want to insure the horse has a good home? There are a number of alternatives to offer. It might take a little time, but the outcome would be so much more humane that the quick fix of a slaughter house.

OPTIONS

Sell -  Lease  - Donate - Retirement Farms - Give Away - Euthanise

Selling or leasing your horse is the first option to consider. Of course selling would be number one because there is a monitorial value to get from your horse. A few ads and maybe the right buyer will come alone and offer him a place where he will be loved and perhaps treated with some respect that he so earned during his time here.

Leasing is the second option - because it is a good way to help your horse find a facility or home to live in and you can still monitor him/her from time to time. The first step is trying to find a place that would be interested in leasing a horse. Pony Clubs, YMCA's,  Riding Schools are all good prospects for an experienced sound horse. Getting a nice rider friendly horse offers promises the perspective lease holder a safe adventure while learning good horse skills. 

What you need to do is evaluate the facility where the horse is going to be stabled. Take a look at the level of care the others horses are being given.

• Vet
  
• Farrier
  
• Dentist
  
• Deworming
  
• Set amount each month
  
• Board cost
  

There is the option to donate your horse to a good facility. In this case you should also be aware of any of the above making sure that when you walk away he will be well taken care of.  There are a number of places that would take in a donated horse including a small number of rescues. Make sure you make a list and check them all out to insure your horse will get the proper care.

If you pick the option to donate your  horse can be put on a sanctuary's or a retirement farm's waiting list and leased until an opening becomes available. The owner does not have the financial responsibility for the horse while arranging a permanent retirement home. In most cases a permanent retirement horse and some sanctuaries charge a small monthly fee for your horses guaranteed security. This fee would eliminate your responsibilities yet you would still be doing what you could to see that your horse is maintained properly. Doesn't it at least deserve this option if none other is available.

You can run an add in a local paper, a equine newsletter, put up flyers at a local tack store and offer to give your equine friend away for FREE. This is an easy option although not always a smart one. If you give them away for free, how can you be sure he will end up in the right home? You can't so its life could depend on the luck of the draw, but for you the option is there.

Then a final one, is the option to put it down in a humane way. If your horse is older, or perhaps no in great health, maybe this option would be a better choice rather than take a chance in him getting abused or neglected or hurt in some other circumstance. It is just an option one that we would look at as a final choice, but at least he would not suffer or be exposed to danger, pain and other forms of cruelty.

Now that we have covered so many options wont you sit down to really think this all over. Write your own Black Beauty story about your wonderful equine friend. When writing the end really think about it and come up with an end that will not be labeled a sad story. Make your story one that we would all love to read.