 |
Re: [RC] [RC] horse slaughter - RavenThe same people that love their horse so much will ride them forever just to say they reach a mileage milestone On this point...I think it really depends on the horse. There are horses that should be retired in their 20's and others that are still going fairly strong into their late 20's and early 30's. Horses are like humans...some of us...are broken down, achy and ready for the sofa and others are still enjoying life and adventures in their 70's & 80's. Putting on my flame suit. I had a TWH horse who was a gelding the last 20 years of his life. I rode that horse forever and in his mid 20's my hubby rode him. Banjo was a "can do it, easy for novice riders type of horse", but when I rode him...it was party time. He knew how to take care of novice riders, but also enjoyed eating up the trail with experienced riders. When Banjo was about 30, he started to slow down,so..he was semi-retired. We used him for easy short rides on the flat, maybe my hubby would ride him once or twice a month. I still took Banjo camping and he loved being in camp and watching all the excitement. At 34 ...Banjo started having problems with his hocks, and I was afraid to load him into the trailer...so he was retired. No more riding and worse of all...no more camping trips. This just broke his heart. When ever I loaded up my other walker into the trailer, Banjo would just stand by the gate, he could see that he still wanted to go. He spent the last 5 years of his life...being a beautiful pasture ornament. And I cherish those years that I had him. Sure, the last five years...were expensive vet years, as old horses tend to have certain health issues and diet needs. He could only eat mushes and chopped forage, due to his lack of teeth. But, it never occured to me to ship him for the blood money that I could get for him. After all those 39 years of partnership...he deserves a death with dignity. And is he buried in my back yard. If someone can afford to shoe a horse. Can afford to fuel a truck. Can afford camping fees to horse camp. And can afford new tack...then they sure as heck as afford to humanely euthanaize a horse, pay for a backhoe or call a rendering truck. I do not and will never support the slaughter of horses. They are companion animals, just like our dogs and cats. Raven (flame suit is on) Lucy & Molly, the Girl Doggies Huginn & Dixie Chick, the Back Behind the Barn Ponies Respect ALL Earthlings. We are all animals of this planet. We are all creatures. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|