Craig Daily Press / Comments by thinkdarnit

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Comments made by thinkdarnit

19 April 2008
at 10:49 p.m.

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thinkdarnit (Anonymous) says…

I find Mickey's opinion to be logical and sensible. Unfortunately, some folks are excessively romantic and sentimental about this issue. The horseman's way of life is in jeapardy, due to several economic factors.

As I see it, regulated horse slaughter in the US would be a 'green' alternative, because of recycling the flesh of 1000-plus pound animals as food and other products.

Having removed regulated horse slaughter from the US sets a dangerous precedent for other parts of our animal angriculture industries. Beef, pork, sheep or poultry could be next.

Euthanasia by veterinary injection is not as practical and humane as one might assume. Horses may have nasty reactions to the enthanasia drugs. Some locales prohibit the burial and disposal of such large animals, especially when they have been contaminated with toxic pharmaceuticals.

Also, whether you approve of it or not, some folks do have to consider the financial realities of horse ownership and 'disposal.' It is easy for someone else to piously decare what other people ought to do, without having compassion for the people themselves.

I love horses very much. My monthly feed, veterinary and farrier bills would shock some of you because of how much I pay to support my cherished animals, but I do not think that horses are people in fur coats. You'll declare that I couldn't possibly be a 'true horseman' or that I don't really love horses. You'll be wrong about that.