Welfare Cowboys ride for honesty, good health and fair treatment for all!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

WELFARE COWBOY

History
The Free-Roaming Wild Horse & Burro Act 1971 (WHBA) calls for the preservation of wild horses. Welfare Cowboy challenges the breed authenticity of BLM’s claim “Wild.”
Here are some reasons why: Welfare Cowboy has knowledge of BLM agents planting paint horse stud(s) in feral horse herds, “to breed for color;” Feral Horses are ranch horses released over more than a hundred years, thereby contaminating any remnants of what may have been “pure” herds of perhaps Spanish decent; BLM “handles” (vaccinates, tags etc.) feral horses.
We believe these knowns give scientific justification enough to more accurately refer to said horses and burros as “Feral.”
If 25,000 is the number that is sustainable on the range - that meets the requirements.
Anything over and above “excess,” government should dispose of so as not to incur any unnecessary costs to taxpayer.
(f) "excess animals" means wild free-roaming horses or burros (1) which have been removed from an area by the Secretary pursuant to application law or, (2) which must be removed from an area in order to preserve and maintain a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship in that area. WHBA
Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar chooses not to exercise his authority to remove feral horses and honor said “ecological balance and multiple-use” requirement.
(C) The Secretary shall cause additional excess wild free roaming horses and burros for which an adoption demand by qualified individuals does not exist to be destroyed in the most humane and cost efficient manner possible. WHBA
Yet Secretary Salazar chooses not to “destroy in most humane…”
It’s become evident Federal government does not intend to implement the requirements of the WHBA. Here’s what BLM Director Bob Abbey has to say about it: “We recommended the establishment of new wild horse preserves across the nation, particularly on the productive grasslands of the Midwest and East that could be a home for thousands of horses that the BLM currently holds in short-term corrals and long-term pastures.”
Bob Abbey’s way to establish “new wild horse preserves across the nation,” is revealing itself by destroying agreements between BLM and grazing allotment Permittees.
With the excess - some 50,000 horses - at about $400.00 per head annual - for board/room/medical/handling - then consider cost of "bureaucracy" at an additional $200.00 a head, that's 30 million a year that taxpayers are being duped out of so that those in love with feral horses can express their feelings.
Furthermore, those in love with feral horses should be identified and held wholly accountable for feral horse’s board. It’s illegal for anyone to force a fiduciary responsibility of their pet ownership on another.
Welfare Cowboy – General Concept
Having firsthand experience with being forced to forgo 45% of his AUM’s in order to accommodate excessive feral horses; Charles W. Sylvester initiated "Welfare Cowboy" on December 15, 2010.
Mr. Sylvester took a bigger view of the matter, thinking there should be a better way to help the horses, help the people, and spread the base of benefits. So in continuing his passion of helping those in need, Chuck thought this would be a beautiful way for feral horses to serve more than the handful of people who just “looked at them;” his idea would provide essential protein and feed starving families worldwide.
He also figured this would save a huge part of the economic base of the many states that now house feral horses.
1) Welfare Cowboy would help BLM gather, then harvest and process (into hamburger or canned) the excess feral horses.
2) The canned hamburger could then be shipped to hungry children in need of protein, and starving people in areas of crisis such as Haiti, Japan and more.


3) Welfare Cowboy would also take donations of domestic horses and wild game.
Side Notes
Feeding the hungry children of the world does draw lots of attention, donations, etc...
Regardless political or religious beliefs, Welfare Cowboy believes this holds great promise of uniting our naturally benevolent society in common cause.
Unwanted feral horses and aged domestic horses are a source of protein that is going unutilized, except for dog food use. Common sense would dictate these factors could be combined to relieve human suffering.
Of interest: Horses and pigs, according to Leviticus, are two meats not to be consumed by humans because they do not have cloven hoofs (horses) or chew their cud. One Rabbi said in an emergency it was permissible to eat non-kosher meat if one did not "suck on the bone" or in other words… enjoy it too much.
Questions
What country would the horses be harvested in and the meat processed for potential distribution? What method of processing; Canning of the meat, dehydration of the meat, flash frozen, and/or others? Will congressional delegation direct BLM to cooperate in this effort?

Contact: Chuck Sylvester (970) 284-6874 -or- John Maulsby D.V.M. (970) 215-3273

59 comments:

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
lynn said...

I've eaten horse. Tastes like Beef, only sweeter. Nothing wrong with eating horse.

Anonymous said...

This is a very well thought out article done after a lot of research. The idea of humanely processing feral horses, and unwanted domestic horses, to feed hungry people is no different than the fact we now process cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, bison, emu, etc. to feed ourselves. Why should all this high protein equine meat be wasted because of the well fed animal activist's self-rightness? The human brain is like an umbrella, it only works when its open:)

Lynne M.

Anonymous said...

It is a difference in eating Horse meat because horses are not for human consumption!! Sick!!

Anonymous said...

To think our government rep's are pushing for this to become legal is beyond any morales.

Anonymous said...

What utter garbage. Well thought out Lynn? You want to feed horses that are not raised as food animals to kids who almost universally love horses? You are delusional!

Anonymous said...

DECADES of effort to simply get USDA to enforce it's already well written rules. ZERO RESPONSE! Get a clue.. There is NO incentive or interest in investing the money to create facilities for humane horse slaughter.. IF there is such a thing. HUMANE HORSE SLAUGHTER is an OXYMORON... do you people read????

You realize you'd be encouraging 'purpose bred' horses for those interested in making money?.. with ZERO interest in this being humane. MONEY is the driving force here. Nothing more or less. You would be ENCOURAGING MORE BREEDING FOR SLAUGHTER... Helloooooo!

Horses being slaughtered represent 1% of the total U.S. horse population. ONE PER CENT! This is not doing a 'service' or in ANY way saving horses from a 'worse fate'... what a pile of crap!

SHAME ON YOU!!! SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!

Heather said...

There is nothing "benevolent" about what the BLM is doing to the wild horses. Some people will eat absolutely anything in order to obtain every last ounce of "protein." Surprising in a country where most people are eating out of a box and are far more overweight than any other country in the world. And this is because they aren't getting enough "protein?" Yeah, sure, ::headdesk::

Anonymous said...

HARVEST??? They're not picked like apples, they are brutalized throughout this process. BRUTALIZED!!! If you're going to talk about it, at least be honest in your use of language describing what happens to them. Harvest?... give me a break. That's insulting.

This entire rationale is so full of holes, there is ZERO substance to your position. I can only hope people reading this bogus self-promotion will think for themselves. I can't believe there is a DVM involved in this travesty. So much for your oath to protect.

Anonymous said...

All I can say is get educated!!!! Do you know that the US is IMPORTING zoo meat when we have a supply right here? How does that make sence at all? I have been in the horse industry all my life and I belive tht there are just some horses that are here for this reason only, in the wild it would be no different......Those of us born before the late 60's have all eaten horse meat, may not of know it at the time but it was fed to us for sure under the guise of beef...something to think about...

Editor said...

Things to consider:
Federal government mandates a starving child pay for feral horse board and room. Starving child doesn’t have the energy or where-to-all to view feral horse. So starving child is burdened with the cost of something he or she never even sees.
Contrast this to, one feral horse contributing towards saving the life of starving child for near a year, and at zero cost to child.
BLM has been instructed not to remove horses and allow the range to improve.
Why? Federal and its federally subsidized partners can then continue their claims, “cattle destroy range. This actualizes their end game to seize control of American soil (and water), whether deeded or with usage agreements with Federal.
Questions for “Gag!! Anonymous":
How many feral horses do you own?
How much did you say you contribute towards their board and room?
Thank you all (Especially Sue Wallis.), for engaging in these healthy exchanges.
Your efforts will ultimately result in saving lives!
Roni

Heather said...

"Federal government mandates a starving child pay for feral horse board and room. Starving child doesn’t have the energy or where-to-all to view feral horse. So starving child is burdened with the cost of something he or she never even sees. "

What, children are now paying taxes? Or do you have child labour in the US? Please provide me with direct evidence that horsemeat has been directly channeled to starving children.

Editor said...

It's a "ripple affect" analogy. Federal chooses to burden taxpayers with the cost of maintaining feral horses…when instead they could humanely process the excess feral horses to feed starving children.

Anonymous said...

Gosh, it sounds like you might actually have a copy of that there Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971. Why is it you Welfare Cowboys keep forgetting the part that says that the lands the horses roamed in 1971 are to be devoted principally (but not exclusively in keeping with the multiple-use concept) to the welfare of the wild horses and burros? It is right in the definitions:

(c)
"range" means the amount of land necessary to sustain an existing herd or herds of wild free-roaming horses and burros, which does not exceed their known territorial limits, and which is devoted principally but not necessarily exclusively to their welfare in keeping with the multiple-use management concept for the public lands

Heather said...

Um, what children are getting the horsemeat? Please support your assertions with documented evidence that horsemeat is being channeled to starving children. Since most people in the US won't eat horsemeat, how do you think this is going to happen?

Anonymous said...

I bet the people who think this is a bad idea all have plenty to eat and most have fat bellies or living off the people who work. If they had to watch their own children or family starve to death they would not be so pathetically selfish. letting children starve to death so you can look at unwanted, useless, worthless, abundant horses is what’s really sick.

Heather said...

^^ The fact that you have starving children has nothing to do with the absence of horsemeat on their dinner tables. The US has at least 40,000,000 PEOPLE living below the poverty line. Eating horses is not going to solve your problems. 1 in 5 children lives below the poverty line and has even when the US was slaughtering their own horses. How do you account for that?

Anonymous said...

We can argue about the humane/inhumane way animals are killed for food; however, the fact is that horse meat was regularly consumed in the United States until about 1950. In addition, horse meat is still eaten in many European countries, and, in some countries, even considered a delicacy. Personally, I would be more worried about millions of starving and protein-deficient kids in our country and abroad than I would be castaway horses.... Just sayin'

Anonymous said...

And btw Heather, if thre are 40mm people living below the poverty line in the US, maybe we need to adjust our poverty line. I don't know if youve traveled abroad, but the so-called starving in the US live like kings compared to some of the developing countries I've visited.

Heather said...

About 100,000 horses are killed every year. Hasn't made a dent in your poverty level has it? And if it's a delicacy, I can't imagine that it's being served up in soup kitchens for poor people now, is it?

Just sayin'

Anonymous said...

Heather as far as I know, none of those 100,000 horses are slaughtered for meat due to federal regulations. Not positive, but perhaps someone with more info can chime in. And, you're absolutely right, we don't serve horse in soup kitchens - see previous sentence. Books and movies, including, "My Friend Flicka," "Misty of Chincoteague" and "National Velvet" have exalted horses to pet status. My point is that maybe we should reconsider the stance? Seems to be a win-win for the people in this country?

Heather said...

They are slaughtered for meat. All of them. They go to Japan, France, and Belgium, all 1st world countries. Not for poverty relief or for poor or impoverished children or families.

Anonymous said...

"Welfare Cowboys ride for honesty, good health and fair treatment for all!"

Except for horses....

Jill Carslin Moya said...

"Welfare Cowboy" argues that the horse are not A true wild line and are only "Ferel". Well I argue that anybody who is a "True Cowboy" would never promote the Brutilization and elimination of an animal that symbolizes everything this country is about "FREEDOM" !!!!!

Editor said...

Whose pets are the feral horses anyway?
Do pet’s owners pay their board and room?
If not, who does?
Not only is it remarkably rude for one to force fiduciary responsibility of their pet on another, it’s illegal.
Better question: Who do we ask permission to humanely dispose of these excess horses? DOI Secretary Salazar has the authority, but he keeps getting blocked and sued. By who? The equine pet’s owners?
This long overdue discussion shows promise of exposing feral horse pet’s owners, opportunity to collect accrued board and room from them and use it to actualize the gathering, processing and shipping excess feral horses to thousands in need of the life sustaining protein said horses will provide.

Heather said...

"Who do we ask permission to humanely dispose of these excess horses?"

Nobody, because there is no "humane disposal" of horses happening in a slaughterhouse. Horses suffer immensely in long journeys to slaughterhouses in Canada or Mexico without food or water, in trucks that are not tall enough for them. Stallions eyes are often gouged out to "manage" their behaviour around mares, who are often sold for slaughter while their foals are left behind as some sort of "byproduct." One of the nice things about civilization is it allows us to make ethical choices. Unfortunately some people are always a day late and a dollar short when it comes to recognizing the ethical from the unethical.

Editor said...

You make a good point about having to ship the horses to Mexico and Canada to be slaughtered. Reason enough all the slaughter plants should be reopened in the U.S.

Heather said...

^^Yes, because you've already forgotten about the pollution produced in those plants, which is what contributed to them shut down in the first place.

It was community administrators and local residents who actively petitioned to have horse slaughter plants shut, citing the extreme disregard for the welfare of the people and locales where they existed as well as the merciless suffering of the horses sent to them.

All three horse slaughter plants amassed numerous environmental violations and overwhelmed the waste water infrastructures due to dumping of blood, entrails, urine, feces, heads and hooves.

Dallas Crown had, from the beginning had caused problems both economically and environmentally. The slaughterhouse constantly flooded the town’s drinking water with blood and tissue – literally coming out of the taps – and had never complied with city water standards, or paid fines.

Beltex had committed 29 violations of which 28 were deemed serious. In 2000 they "accidentally pumped blood into the creek" and in 2001, they were notified that waste water was flowing into adjacent properties and into the creek.

Editor said...

Have you shared your humane way to dispose of excess feral horses, and granted permission to whomever to implement?

Heather said...

^^How do you decide they are excess? By what means have you determined what is a stable population of wild horses? Because they compete with cattle for resources? Weren't the wild horses there first?

"granted permission to whomever to implement?"

What does that even mean? Perhaps you can communicate your message in a clearer fashion.

Editor said...

"Excess" varies reflective of the "water/land" load in each area, and in order to adhere to the "eco-logical balance" (and more) as defined in WH&BA. The collective load nationwide, I think is 25, 000. Presently, there are about 75,000.
Answer to your question, “Weren’t the wild horses there first?"
No.
First off, the horses are not "wild" they're "feral." They're nothing but ranch horse’s et al, let loose over the past 100 or more years. Another reason they don't qualify for the definition "wild," is because BLM handles said horses (through breeding programs such as drops paint studs in herds to breed for color), and – they can be collected and trained…unlike the buffalo or wolf, who can never be domesticated. Ever!
Questions for you: How many feral horses do you claim ownership of? How many are you held accountable for their board/room/medical?
If not you, who does finance said care?
How do you deal with their mortality?

Heather said...

^^"How many are you held accountable for their board/room/medical?" - I am accountable for every last horse I own.

"How do you deal with their mortality?"

Euthanized and buried/cremated. 'Nuff said.

Editor said...

How many feral horses did you say you support again?
Will you pitch in on the expense of gathering and executing your choice - "Euthanized and buried/cremated" - the some 50,000 excess horses?
Will you pitch in on the expense of maintaining herds at levels determined to honor the approved management levels?
Did you know that before horses are slaughtered, they too are "euthanized?"
Because you appear to oppose the many benevolent, beneficial ways a horse could be utilized after euthanization, do you also oppose human organ donors?
Did you know approximately 18 people will die each day waiting for an organ?
Did you know 1 organ donor can save up to 8 lives?
Did you know that one horse could sustain 4 humans for about one year?

Heather said...

I live in Canada. We don't have a problem with "feral" horses. You want me, a Canadian to pay for your problem? Horses are not euthanized before they are slaughtered, please get your facts straight. If they were euthanized, nobody would be able to eat them due to the contamination of barbiturates.

I fail to see the connection between organ donation and horse slaughter. Did you know that if more Americans went on a diet and lost weight (they are the most overweight people in the world) they could save their own lives?

Editor said...

Thank you for correcting me on that technicality.
I was thinking in terms of euphemisms – which encompass many ways to lay down, destroy and put to death painlessly (includes bolt shots etc.), an animal. The U.S. Wild Horse and Burro Act of 1971, instructs the Secretary of Interior: A) The Secretary shall order old, sick, or lame animals to be destroyed in the most humane manner possible;
Slaughter is the process done after the animal has been “put to death.”
I agree the word slaughter shouldn’t be used, for it conjures inaccurate…albeit graphic visuals of violent carnage. Therefore, I would recommend the powers that be use a more accurate phrase, such as “process for beneficial consumptive use.”
You have horse processing plants in Canada. Unfortunately individuals disconnected from reality, agriculture and animal husbandry managed to convince bureaucrats (likewise disconnected from reality) to ban horse processing in the states. Because both the bureaucrats and said individuals are so disconnected, they additionally failed to have plans B, C, and D in place in respect to identifying those who’d commit to taking on the fiduciary responsibility and individuals with room and willingness enough to provide holding areas for these horses.
Their lack of foresight and honest planning now leaves horses that now have to endure long painful horrific deaths of starvation, disease and more, or, endure being crammed into trucks and hauled long distances to either Canada or Mexico for processing.
Now knowing you reside in Canada, how many U.S. feral horses do you support?
If none, why the interest?
There’s a direct parallel between human organ donors and the equine suggestion in that both go towards beneficial use.
Do you support or oppose embryonic stem cell research?

Heather said...

^^Read my earlier comments (made on June 15th) for the reasons why you don't have slaughter in the US. There is no point repeating them here.

Do you really have to ask why I have an interest in slaughter? Why do people protest war, if they've never been in a war? Why do some people protest torture, if they've never personally been tortured? When you can answer those questions, you'll have your answer to this one as well.

There is no corrolation between stem cell research and horse slaughter. Your attempt to link slaughter to organ donation is also really, really weak. In fact, I'd say it's non-existent. If people or their governments wanted to make organ donation an even more positive outcome, they'd legislate it into law, but there are many clearly reasons why they can't do this. How many people die without a compatible organ? Why not compel people to donate them, if you're so concerned about "helping" others to the exclusion of all common sense.

Sue Wallis said...

Thank you Sylvesters and Dr. Maulsby for your visionary work to find a way to solve problems that are a win-win-win for horses, for people, and for the economy. This concept is brilliant! United Horsemen and our thousands of supporters and broad based coalition of the horse owners, horse industry, animal agriculture, veterinarians, animal scientists, animal welfare experts, wildlife specialists, livestock marketers, land and resource managers and more throw our full support behind your efforts, and will do everything we can to promote your efforts.

Editor said...

Heavens to Betsy Sue! So kind of you! Thank you. Greatly appreciated.
Whenever Chuck starts talking about helping the children in photo on this blog, that tough old Cowboy tears up.
We are so proud of each and every individual who's joining together in these very worthy missions.

Heather said...

Rep. Wallis, I wonder where is this broad-based support of which you write, since it surely is not to be found on your Facebook page.

broncrider said...

Ilove these gutless Anonymous post.....I am C.J. Oakwood and I am for processing these feral screws on Federal Lands for food......The bunny huggers need to get a life and quit supporting terrorist like Pacelle and HSUS. If you have a problem with myopinion...bring it on you gutless bastards!

broncrider said...

Sue Wallis has the right plan.....deal with it!

Editor said...

Government discriminates against a “few” by mandating they provide board and room for excess feral horses (That compound the situation by stealing forage from the “few.”).
This problem could be resolved overnight.
How? Let’s take the feral horse first: DOI Secretary Salazar could use his authority to execute a reverse mandating. In other words, who-so-ever wants feral horses and objects to Welfare Cowboy and United Horseman’s process would be identified as its owner; and thereon mandated to: 1) “Make whole” entity that accrued costs and losses from date horse exceeded “maximum number” 2) Assume role of “caretaker” in every way including: a) Finding, then moving feral horse to a new home where they’d pay feral horse’s expenses until its natural death. c) New caretaker will not receive financial aid from government.
For domestic horse owners: Who-so-ever as much as makes a peep as to how domestic horse owner chooses to dispose of their horse should be mandated to pay for the disposal method of their choice.
The “who-so-evers “will continue to glut our courts and legislative halls, until they are held accountable for the fiduciary and hands on care of a horse.

Heather said...

Bringin' it.

Anonymous said...

I think this is a great idea, I have thought for years we should be opening up meat markets for the homeless and people in need, by suppling the stores with wild game as well. People continue to hunt deer, moose, elk etc. for there own personal gain why not feed the homeless at the same time. Doing so, it would cut down on the road kill and all that wasted meat, as well cut down on human death on the highways. With this in mind we could also employee the needy to work and give them some personal self worth. Not much difference then feeding them horse meat. Just my own personal thoughts.

Editor said...

You offer excellent points.
Thank you!

Editor said...

You offer excellent points.
Thank you!

Denise said...

I would never knowingly eat horse. Just because. Having said that I do know that it is a delicacy in many countries--which is where 90% of what Canada and used to be US, processed horse meat went/goes. We are overrun with wild horses and also horses that have been indiscriminately bred and who can afford to feed them? They won't all survive out in the fields, meadows,grazing lands, etc. and who will feed them? Who has the money to do this on a regular basis? And it isn't a donation this month that will last for the next year, it is an ongoing requirement, every day, every month all year.

What I am understanding on this, is that Welfare Cowboy is proposing that instead of trying to feed and care for these eccess horses, is to use that money to humanely process these excess horses to be used primarly in places like Africa, etc that have thousands of starving kids and people.

And I say, why not? Because we have put horses on the human/pet level? I don't want to eat horse, but if I was starving and that was my option, I'm sure that my outlook would change. I think most of ours would under those circumstances. Most of us can't even begin to think of what that would be like--I really can't. I have lots of food and so do my horses.

Like anything new, I believe there will be things to work out with this idea--always is with anything, try building anything and you run into strings that you hadn't previously thought of, but I do believe it is a good idea and a very workable one. I have often thought that the road kills (especially the moose, deer, etc) should be useable for those in need of food, as well.

Good Idea!!

Editor said...

Excellent write Denise. Well thought out, realistic and very balanced.
Thank you!

Anonymous said...

If instead these were "feral" buffalo, bison, cows, or hogs, would the story be different?! Would everyone support the excess cattle be slaughtered and given to those starving, wether it be in our country or a 3rd world country?!
I think because the feral horse population is so high that it is a good idea to feed the starving, the real actual starving people and children. But at the same time horses are a huge part in my life and they deserve, as any other animal, to be slaughter in a very humane way, with all the same regulations and care other slaughter animals receive.
It's funny how people sure can come together to help starving horses, mistreated animals, etc. But when the help turns to our own kind even if there is a solution we turn our backs. If we have the means to meet those needs, then we should help in every way we can.
But I do stress that there has to be a humane way of slaughter/disposal and everything has to meet the regulations (or maybe some regulations need to be changed to better the animal during the slaughter).

Editor said...

What calm great thinking and solution offers.
Contraire to most public opinion, cattle and horses have been processed has been humane since the fifties.
With that part done, I believe the focus should now move on to insuring the excess feral horses are gathered, processed and shipped to families in need...regardless where they reside.

Anonymous said...

First I would like to say to the "editor" ... you need to go back to school. Where-to-all? Are you sure you didn't mean where-with-all?

Also, I would like to know where you came up with the stated "fact" that one horse can feed 4 people for a year? And who do you propose is going to pay for the "harvest", slaughter, and distribution of meat from those horses? Who is going to pay for the slaughterhouse operations? Who is going to make sure that any horse going to slaughter for human consumption, hasn't ever been treated with Phenylbutazone ... which is a KNOWN human carcinogen?

Editor said...

Where to all is how we speak in these here parts. I'm neither a wordsmith nor a poser. I am instead a lowly poet, volunteer, entertainer and comedian who’s grateful for a public that gifts me a wide open range to express myself.
Who's going to pay?
Most likely the same hard working honest folks who are already paying the board/room/medical for feral and domestic horses.
For sure, those subsidized by federal (taxpayer paychecks) government won’t pay. After all, they use their million dollar budgets to pay themselves hefty salaries, market their scam, and influence policies that mandate taxpayers shoulder the cost of their “wants.” And if that doesn’t work they sue. To learn more about the gross scams of eco and animal rights criminals – study EAJA.
Regards your claim about Phenylbutazone, market animals (animals for human consumption) are euthanized sans such.
The four people a year was offered as an approximate…not an exact. How many people do you think one horse could feed?
How many equine board/room and medical do you pay for?
Don’t you agree those who want the slaughter ban to stay, should identify themselves and thereon be held wholly responsible for euthanization and subsequent disposal of a domestic horse the minute of need, and feral horses from birth to death?
I love looking at monkeys. But I sure as hell wouldn’t be so arrogantly rude as to get the government to give me money to mandate you take care thousands in your backyard.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Editor ... just because you say that animals for human consumption are "sans" bute when slaughtered,
does not make it so. Horses are being slaughtered NOW that have been treated with bute. Just culling the feral (wild) herds of the U.S. ... is not going to be profitable enough to operate and sustain slaughterhouses ... and if re-opened ... can you guarantee that other horses, that MAY have been treated with bute won't find their way into the "food supply"? No.

Race horses, backyard pets, rodeo horses, PMU horses and foals, etc. ... would all be going there as well. You know it, and I know it.

To suggest that the American taxpayer pay to subsidize this "industry" is highly doubtful. Your cause will never get enough support ... because most people, once they realize the real issue, which is that horse slaughter is a "for profit enterprise" ... will protest LOUDLY.

One horse will feed 4 people a year was presented as a statement ... not as an approximate. Which leads
to credibility issues. I realized that when I saw your comment that starving children were paying for the keep of the "feral" horses. An analogy? ... I find it pretty blatant to use the worlds starving children in such a nonsensical fashion. It would appear to be a ploy to tug at heartstrings (save the children) ... and win approval for your agenda.

Why aren't the Africans slaughtering their zebras to feed their starving people? Or their many antelope breeds? Their herds are alot bigger than any feral horse herd here in the U.S.

How many horses do I pay for? Two that are under my custodianship ... and any of my taxpayer monies that
the government wants to allot for the care of these "excess,unwanted" horses. I'd rather take care of American horses, than some drug-addicted welfare recipient. Those are the "monkeys" that I am currently supporting. And guess what ... I don't have a choice about supporting them, do I?

When, and if, my 28yr old mare needs to be euthanized ... I will call my vet ... rent a backhoe ... and bury her.

That my friend, is responsible horse ownership.

And I have certainly made myself known, to my state Senators ... I am a strong proponent of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011.

JR - Florida

Editor said...

Earlier I neglected to ask where you found the 4 children a year...I found something along the line of 1 child for near a year.
And you neglected to tell us how many feral horses you support. If none provide the address of your backyard, and we’ll make delivery of the approximate 50,000 excess feral horses on federal lands, then visit with the tribal sovereigns to see how many of their approximate 60,000 excess horses they’d like for you to accommodate.
Then, my friend, you'd have opportunity to do with them as you please. Problem solved.
This old volunteer editor's heading to bed now.

Tigressbythetail said...

Hey, I have an idea! How 'bout you people quit breeding so many horses! Then there won't BE an excess horse problem.

Okay, let me get this straight. You want to feed the poor horse meat? Horse meat goes for obscene prices overseas. And you think the POOR are going to get that meat? Either you are all fools or you're working for the horse slaughter industry. Once we open that door again, that meat will go to the highest bidder.

And how ARROGANT can one be to suggest feeding the poor such a culturally ABHORRENT meat? A much better idea would be to stop subsidizing corn to feed to cattle and subsidize vegetables and fruits, which would be a much better choice for everyone rather than cheap corn fed Big Macs.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Editor ... apparently, you changed your statement from "4 people a year" to "1 child for a year". Try to make me look stupid if you want ... but, you and I know the truth ... and that's all that matters.

And as far as the excess 50,000 feral horses ... I can rattle off a while list of sanctuaries that would be more than happy to take them. In fact, I donate ... so, that would mean that I am helping support those horses, and not just with the allocation of my tax monies.

JR-Florida

Joan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

JR here again ... just wanted to let the Editor know that I found his post referenced, when
he asked where I read that he had made the statement that one horse could sustain "4 people a year" ...

The following was posted by YOU, Mr. Editor, on June 17, 2011 6:45 AM. ...


"How many feral horses did you say you support again?
Will you pitch in on the expense of gathering and executing your choice -
"Euthanized and buried/cremated" - the some 50,000 excess horses?
Will you pitch in on the expense of maintaining herds at levels determined
to honor the approved management levels?
Did you know that before horses are slaughtered, they too are "euthanized?"
Because you appear to oppose the many benevolent, beneficial ways a horse could be utilized after euthanization,
do you also oppose human organ donors?
Did you know approximately 18 people will die each day waiting for an organ?
Did you know 1 organ donor can save up to 8 lives?
Did you know that one horse could sustain 4 humans for about one year?"

June 17, 2011 6:45 AM

Please note that the statement ... Did you know ... indicates a fact, not an approximate.

Editor said...

Actually, it's an original typo. You are correct. Heavens, that “1 child” would be bigger than Alaska! Thank you for catching that. Should read, "1 horse could feed 4 children for near a year." I’ll make that correction now.
I remembered around 2:30 a.m. how that guesstimate was arrived at: An average horse will dress out at about 400 lbs. and if 4 kiddos had a max of 1/4 lb. a day...or something like that… Anyway, you get the main jest. A horse has essentials that can extend human lives beyond its death. And that…is a good, benevolent thing.
BTW “Anonymous,” compared to canned robotic rant from tigergressbythetail, you thoughtfully present your arguments. I appreciate that. That’s why I take time from what I need to be doing, to give you the courtesy of a response.
Thank you.
Roni Bell Sylvester
Volunteer editor www.LandAndWaterUSA.com www.ToLoveAmerica.Blogspot.com www.AmericanConsumerTax.com