Special Report:
The Grim Predictions by Experts on Equine Welfare Realized
In 2007, animal activists utilized the state legisla- 3. Experts predicted then that the closure of the
tive and legal systems in Illinois and Texas to close plants in the United States would devastate the
the three USDA-regulated horse processing plants market for horses. It did. Livestock market
in the United States. A year prior, veterinarians, owners now put the value of all horses at 40 per-
scientists, and economists - all equine specialists cent of their 2005 price.
- highlighted the likely consequences of the plant
closures in the Animal Welfare Council’s (AWC) What is the answer to the unwanted horse issue?
“The Unintended Consequences of a Ban on Hu- It is clear that there will always be unwanted hors-
mane Processing of Horses in the United States.” es due to the fact that some horses simply won’t
Currently, as animal activist groups continue to- meet their owner’s expectations or will become ill
ward their goal of banning the transport of horses or infirm. The horse industry has responded to the
to Mexico and Canada for processing it seems the unwanted horse problem and is developing and
messages in the AWC’s original document were implementing programs to reduce the number of
ignored. An objective look at the current state of unwanted horses.
horses in America proves the expert forecast made
in 2006 remains relevant today. Experts agree that the passing of the pending
legislation to ban the transport and commerce
Horse Industry and Veterinary Experts related to horse processing would exacerbate all
predicted that with the elimination of of these issues. H.R.503/S.727 has no financial
horse processing facilities in the United provisions for the care of unwanted horses. The
States, the welfare of horses would be question remains: Who will tend to the additional
jeopardized. 100,000 unwanted horses currently being shipped
to Canada and Mexico for processing if this bill is
Here are the Facts: passed? In a survey conducted by the Animal Wel-
1. Experts said the closure of American plants fare Council in 2009 of 94 government supported
would lead to an increase in abandoned and animal control centers 53% of respondents ac-
unwanted horses, putting a severe strain on knowledged there are no horse rescue facilities in
the budgets of rescue facilities, sheriffs depart- their area and 83% of respondents cannot house
ments, and local governments. It did. In a recent or care for any horses. Animal activist proponents
national study conducted by the Unwanted Horse of the legislation do not have a viable plan for car-
Coalition, over 90% of those polled indicated the ing for the nation’s unwanted horses.
number of neglected and abused horses is increas-
ing. It requires about $2,340 to maintain a horse Horses are an invaluable part of the livestock
for one year. With no provisions for the care of industry and the horse industry is actively com-
unwanted horses, the financial burden has fallen mitted to the humane treatment of the horse.
to local taxpayers. H.R.503/S.727 is an unfunded mandate
2. Experts said the closure of the USDA-regulated that fails to address the issues surround-
plants would lead to increased equine neglect, ing unwanted horses in the United States.
abuse, and malnourishment. It did. There
are many reports documenting the rise in neglect, For More information:
abuse and abandonment including the from the Cindy Schonholtz
Colorado Department of Agriculture stating that Animal Welfare Council, President
the number of equine cruelty investigations in awc@animalwelfarecouncil.org
Colorado rose 60 percent from 2005 to 2009. www.animalwelfarecouncil.org
There are many reports documenting the rise in neglect, abuse and abandonment...
38 Equine•Connections - the magazine for global equine stewardship - www.equineconnection.org
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