tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post5255049956904691426..comments2024-03-13T07:08:24.695-04:00Comments on Cob Jockey: VCBH: UnpopularJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04292565760924146966noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-84559722406638240432014-07-20T08:06:40.769-04:002014-07-20T08:06:40.769-04:00Great topic. While I'm not thrilled with the i...Great topic. While I'm not thrilled with the idea of horse slaughter, or the slaughter industry as a whole for any species, it can be done in a humane way. There is a reason they are called processing plants, as it is a process to turn an animal into steaks, ground meat, roasts and the various products we find in the common grocery store. <br /><br />Everybody seems to hate the KB, but he's the one cleaning up the mess, much like a janitor. He probably didn't ask for the job, but there's definitely money to be made or they wouldn't be there. Cut-N-Jumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10355349642284506192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-79366036851725572872014-07-19T21:52:59.395-04:002014-07-19T21:52:59.395-04:00Oh, np, and don't worry, I'm not worried, ...Oh, np, and don't worry, I'm not worried, hahaha, I replied late anyway and my brain got carried away. I am way too old to take much personally anymore and one of the reasons I'm in my science-y field is that we are always asking questions, we are always searching for more information, and (good) science is never afraid to adapt or change its mind if the data are strong enough.<br /><br />And opinions are just that, opinions (but I'm a woman, RAWR, so my opinions may change but the fact remains that I am always right, hahahaha!). Just wanted to share some alternative perspectives that hadn't appeared in the comments.<br /><br />I think too often, people equate "I oppose centralized horse slaughter" to "I am afraid of death and no one should ever kill pretty ponies." So I try to always emphasize that it's not an argument about death, it's really an argument about ethics and responsibility. Hell, I have to sometimes kill animals as part of my job. I hate it, but in the bigger picture, it is for an important reason and I ALWAYS ALWAYS do my best, even though it's "just a minnow" or "just a mussel," to make sure it's fast and humane.eventer79https://www.blogger.com/profile/03160817772061132147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-16662488961132121622014-07-17T08:30:32.047-04:002014-07-17T08:30:32.047-04:00I love dissenting opinions, and I love this! I do...I love dissenting opinions, and I love this! I don't want you to think I'm ignoring it. I'm going to think about my response and it for a future post next week, if that's okay with you.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292565760924146966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-4207685190369190352014-07-16T11:16:47.606-04:002014-07-16T11:16:47.606-04:00Well said! I hadn't thought about the monetary...Well said! I hadn't thought about the monetary reward. I heartily agree though - it may be painful to watch Dobbin die, but responsible euthanization (and safe and peaceful last moments) is the least we can do for these companions. We euthanized our horses (when it was their time) on our property and had them buried there. SarahWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16182449850066338574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-90248544794982303172014-07-15T17:31:43.878-04:002014-07-15T17:31:43.878-04:00Always a good discussion if it can be civil and lo...Always a good discussion if it can be civil and logical. So I'll be the one to say I 100% disagree. BWHAHAHA!<br /><br />But in all seriousness, I do not think anyone should ever be financially rewarded for dumping a horse. And no, I do not accept the "I can't afford to euthanize it" argument.<br /><br />(1) How are you paying for care then?<br /><br />or <br /><br />(2) A bullet is very cheap. People don't like to see it, but the horse doesn't know the difference and it is actually THE most humane way to euthanize an animal if done correctly. Yep, you may have to pay for disposal -- guess what, part of the responsibility of horse ownership (a choice and a privilege) is paying even for the stuff you don't like.<br /><br />Where commercial slaughter occurs doesn't matter. Regulations are not enforced, horses are still hauled long distances in poor conditions, it just doesn't work. We had it in place for years -- I work for federal and state gov't and there is no funding for inspections and there will never be an appearance made by the magical "we will make the plants all safe and happy" fairy. And there's a lot of data out there -- presence or absence of US plants has ZERO effect on breeding choices, neglect, number of horses sent to auction, etc.<br /><br />I am a biologist and a very practical person (life is 100% fatal after all) -- I have no problem at all with humanely killing your horse if you cannot care for it or it has lost quality of life. Heck, you can process it in your own backyard and eat it, fine with me. I have come to the point in my life that I'd rather a horse be humanely euthanized, no matter what age or condition, than resigned to neglect or sent off to the kill lots. If old style local processing was available where a truck would come to your horse, Dobbin is fed some carrots and shot in his favourite field and his body is hauled away, fine. But it's not going to happen.<br /><br />So there you go. Not everyone can keep a horse forever (Solo is damn lucky!) and life circumstances can change beyond your wildest imaginations. But you still have a responsibility to be a conscientious human being and make the ethical choice, rather than pass it on so the part people don't want to think about is "out of sight, out of mind."<br /><br />You're welcome, hee.eventer79https://www.blogger.com/profile/03160817772061132147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-9330572147142972422014-07-15T13:39:48.647-04:002014-07-15T13:39:48.647-04:00That is a really good point, there is a lot of tha...That is a really good point, there is a lot of that too. I absolutely believe in giving horses a good retirement if you've kept them for so long. That makes me sick, and is really outside the scope of my slaughter argument, although it technically isn't.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292565760924146966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-66461094668683462682014-07-15T10:23:19.788-04:002014-07-15T10:23:19.788-04:00Such a tricky topic! I agree about stopping backy...Such a tricky topic! I agree about stopping backyard breeding and I don't think horses should starve to death. But I recently have attended a few auctions (after being traumatized as a child) and seeing 20-30 year old that have worked for a family for 15 years being dumped at an auction and sold at meat price is disgusting. The little QH that packed all your kids through 4H/pony club deserves a retirement. I think there needs to be an attitude adjustment within some parts of the horse community towards horses not being so disposable and people not "breeding them if they can't feed them". I do agree with you, I just wish I didn't live in a world where horse slaughter existed.KateRosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12870548960430847612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-5714335983126587142014-07-15T08:24:44.132-04:002014-07-15T08:24:44.132-04:00Thsnks.Thsnks.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292565760924146966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-72604599231989468902014-07-15T08:24:35.888-04:002014-07-15T08:24:35.888-04:00So surprising!So surprising!Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292565760924146966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-69447081287665892122014-07-15T08:24:24.805-04:002014-07-15T08:24:24.805-04:00Yeah. You can't study the market that thoroug...Yeah. You can't study the market that thoroughly without seeing it for what it really does and what it really is.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292565760924146966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-61525178176857284092014-07-15T08:23:40.505-04:002014-07-15T08:23:40.505-04:00I totally agree with you. It's going to happe...I totally agree with you. It's going to happen to horses that WE (as a country) bred, one way or another, may as well step up to the plate and admit it.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292565760924146966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-15409861860701028752014-07-15T08:22:03.695-04:002014-07-15T08:22:03.695-04:00I am so surprised by the support I got on this! C...I am so surprised by the support I got on this! Cool topic!Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292565760924146966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-12808973138425253292014-07-15T08:21:38.284-04:002014-07-15T08:21:38.284-04:00Word!Word!Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292565760924146966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-82077010381426327792014-07-15T08:21:26.925-04:002014-07-15T08:21:26.925-04:00Yeah - I don't think anyone can happily be for...Yeah - I don't think anyone can happily be for it. We have to be realistically for it.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292565760924146966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-70104867664684148862014-07-15T08:20:42.212-04:002014-07-15T08:20:42.212-04:00Yeah, totally!Yeah, totally!Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292565760924146966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-16984260932234771982014-07-15T08:20:04.164-04:002014-07-15T08:20:04.164-04:00Yeah. I feel like we at least owe that to the unw...Yeah. I feel like we at least owe that to the unwanted horses, as an industry.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292565760924146966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-5454822954338499832014-07-15T08:19:19.422-04:002014-07-15T08:19:19.422-04:00I'm surprised by how many people agree with me...I'm surprised by how many people agree with me.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292565760924146966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-68590785614950675862014-07-15T08:18:51.129-04:002014-07-15T08:18:51.129-04:00It is a sad one. Sad that it's so preventable...It is a sad one. Sad that it's so preventable too.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292565760924146966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-29526001476849457182014-07-14T19:11:36.437-04:002014-07-14T19:11:36.437-04:00Yup. This. Kudos for tackling it.Yup. This. Kudos for tackling it.SprinklerBandithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02948487857418394022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-21163253170542591352014-07-14T17:29:06.904-04:002014-07-14T17:29:06.904-04:00I am with you 100% on this one! I am with you 100% on this one! Alli + Dinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06928482808436392040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-58018455921321909402014-07-14T14:39:54.159-04:002014-07-14T14:39:54.159-04:00I think it's funny that it seems like the more...I think it's funny that it seems like the more involved people are with horses, the more they seem to be pro-slaughter. Carlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17308477892024999793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-34803156256369661052014-07-14T10:31:50.413-04:002014-07-14T10:31:50.413-04:00I completely agree on the regulation of slaughter ...I completely agree on the regulation of slaughter - banning it just makes it worse! How horrific that we can't be burdened with our own responsibilities but pawn them off on other countries who have no regulations and are far removed from any motivation to treat our unwanted responsibilities WITH responsibility. It makes me sick. It's like sweeping dirt under the rug - the appearance of doing good, "Oh no, we do not allow slaughter in the US!" but really we're just sweeping our responsibilities under the rug and these horses are suffering horrifically for it. Better we take responsibility for what we do. SarahWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16182449850066338574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-91797105544523012092014-07-12T20:37:52.457-04:002014-07-12T20:37:52.457-04:00I am on the same side of the coin with you.I am on the same side of the coin with you.L.Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05052638724440787772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-73894121964151261552014-07-12T20:31:18.427-04:002014-07-12T20:31:18.427-04:00Exactly why my trainer is against back yard breedi...Exactly why my trainer is against back yard breeding.Paolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17010335773772355225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846330497859393721.post-91375264443489579122014-07-12T19:34:17.278-04:002014-07-12T19:34:17.278-04:00I don't want death for any horse (or creature ...I don't want death for any horse (or creature for that matter--including spiders!!). But the thought of them starving to death (known rescues that were on that path) or worse, I sadly have to be for it. Laur @FMHHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04978311855305167845noreply@blogger.com