Say NO to Horse Consumption Law

Recently, as some may know, President Obama signed the legalization of horse consumption in the United States. And not to long ago, he legalized horse slaughter here in the states as well. Horse meat is not safe to consume, for many horses are treated with drugs to enhance performance and ease pain and inflammation, such as bute, throughout their lives. Regardless of how many years the horse goes without drugs, they still remain in the system. If bute is consumed by a feline, it will kill them. None know if bute will kill a human if consumed, but since horse meat often contains bute and other drugs, it could very well be poisonous to humans. Anti-worming medications used for horses are not meant to be consumed by humans, but since horses are wormed as often as once a month, the worming medication will continue to circulate in the bloodstream, and thus, will still be present in the horse. Also, 70% to 77% of American citizens are against the slaughtering and consumption of horses as reported in 2011. The horse is meant to be a performance animal, not a livestock being, as cattle, pigs, and chicken are. This act is putting all racehorses, captured Mustangs, and horses no longer able to perform in danger. Racehorses, if they are not winning their races or aren't performing to their owner's standards, can be sent to slaughter. This has happened to No Day Off, a filly who lost her life after a seventh-place finish in her final race. Mountaineer Racecourse allowed her to be shipped to the slaughterhouse, though they made many efforts to hide this. What should be done instead is to put a limit on the number of racehorses that can be bred per year. Of the thousands of colts and fillies born each year, only 20 will make it to the Kentucky Derby. Of the thousands born and trained, only 14 are eligible to compete in the Breeder's Cup World Championships for each race. Though the number of registered Thoroughbred foals has decreased, the numbers are still staggeringly high at over 60, 000. If the numbers were limited to less than 30,000, the rate of unwanted horses would decrease, and thus, this is one solution to the horse slaughter issue. The BLM allows the captured Mustangs to be adopted out, and though their populations are dwindling rapidly, the roundups continue. A herd of genetically-pure Mustangs were planned on being sent to an auction, where kill-buyers are known to purchase animals and then slaughter them for their meat. As for the fate of these Mustangs, I don't believe anyone knows. The solution for this is simple: Keep them free and closely regulate the horses who are sent to auctions if they aren't immediately adopted. The BLM needs to make the adoption requirements much more strict, because then only those who truly want a Mustang would perform the necessities. The current regulations are paying $125 and then keeping the animal for a year, while giving it some basic training. After that, the BLM no longer checks in on the progress of the animal. Aging horses who can no longer work or are near the end of their lives could be taken by slaughterhouses. If a horse is put down, the owner could call a slaughterhouse facility and ask for the horse to be taken, but if more then 24 hours pass, then the horse's meat cannot be used. This solution was just mentioned: Wait before calling the "pick-up" truck. Or if one has enough land, the horse could be buried. As for the old or injured horse who cannot longer be ridden, a solution is to give the horse to a retirement home if he is eligible. Old Friends takes in Thoroughbreds who are no longer wanted at the end of their carriers, as does CANTER and other organizations. Also, the horse could be donated to various organizations that would use them to teach children and adults how to properly care for and manage horses. And sadly, many who go to the slaughterhouse aren't known. Their tattoos aren't run, yet this could change. If we request that every horse must be checked for identification and reported it a tattoo or chip is found,  many could possibly be saved. Before the passing of this bill, the consumption of horse meat was illegal in the United States, which would often lead to horses being sent out of the country to be killed. Horse slaughter was once illegal here as well, but various plants are opening up across the country after the legalization of slaughter horses. The conditions, regardless of where the horse is taken to be killed, are inhumane and traumatizing for the animals. But now, with the slaughter and consumption of horses legal, who is to say that any horse is safe? In 2006, the slaughtering of horses was made illegal in the United States under the Bush administration after being passed by the House of Representative, the Senate, and then signed by Mr. President Bush. This bill was passed  However, 2011, it became legal once again under the Obama administration. Please sign this petition if you care for the safety and humane treatment of our horses. Thank you. 
Sadly, 2012 is off to a poor start, for 120 horses have lost their lives to a Canadian Slaughter House. The one who sent them to death was Kelsey Lefeven. As she quoted, "Every one of them is dead." Justice must be done for the horses, for they have suffered terrible deaths. Many of them, their names aren't known. To end this pain, we must end slaughter. 
SUPPORT THE  HR 2966/ SB 1176, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.