More on euthanasia/slaughterhouses

["guest@endurance.net" <guest@endurance.net>]

Ray O. rno2m@virginia.edu
   Must disagree.The need for decent euthanasia and or decent euthanasia/slaughter will be with us no matter how few horses/animals are "responsibly" bred. The slaughter option as currently available is not viable for most of us for a variety of reasons,but the fact is that all horses must die eventually-quickly or slowly,humanely or inhumanely.I had an unwanted and suffering old mare left on my hands recently,and I looked into slaughtering her,but as it turned out,didn't.There are worse ways for a horse to go.Western Horseman had a good article on this very subject in last two issues.I would shoot and pay to bury my beloved Chico before I would (as currently practiced)slaughter him.BUT-if when the time came,I could take him to a nearby place where they would do him in immediately,with no delay/stabling,etc,the difference in cost if one is paid for the carcass would be nearly a thousand dollars.The body must be dealt with,etc,etc.How many of us have land to bury a horse on,if that can even legally be done in your area?Back hoe expenses?Cremation?How do you load your beloved old horse into the trailer when he dies in the pasture or barn of "old age"(think he didn't suffer?).This is one of those areas where you can't win.Being humane and being weak/squeamish are two different things.I have personally shot a beloved dog in recent years,to spare him the knowledge of what was coming,the bummer trip to the vet,etc.It was easier on him than me,but I've never regretted it.He never saw it coming.