SLAUGHTER
2010- 138,000 US horses slaughtered
in Canada, Mexico and Japan
One of the hardest aspects of what we do, is coming to terms with the fate of the horses we cannot help. This page explains the slaughter process "from stable to table". It is a brutal, gut wrenching subject. Please understand that we have created this page for those that would like to learn about the slaughter process. Each of the photos have links, either to articles or to websites that provide more info about this cruel practice. Also below are News videos that have been made to document the slaughter practice in Mexico and Canada.
Why is there a market for horse meat?
There has long been a market for gourmet cuts of horse meat. It has spiked since the European Mad cow disease scare in 2001. It has been an alternative to beef, and commands a top price. It can be found is grocery stores in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Japan and Canada. In some countries in is recommended for pregnant women, and those who are suffering the side effects of chemotherapy. In some countries it is touted as an exceptional lean cut of meat and is sought after by chefs to serve in their restaurants. It is no longer a low cost beef alternative used in pet foods.
Slaughter doesn't happen in the US, right?
In 2007, the US government stopped the USDA from inspecting horse meat for export. This shut down the last remaining plants in Texas and Illinois. This did not stop slaughter, it stopped US plants from slaughtering horses. The same corporations that ran the US plants have plants in Canada and Mexico. Horses are purchased in the US, and shipped hours, or days to these foreign plants. In fact, from 2006 to 2010, slaughter has increased 148% in Canada, and 660% in Mexico (according to June 2011 GAO report).
PLEASE NOTE.
GRAPHIC CONTENT ON THIS PAGE
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
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In 2009, 106,542 US horses were shipped over our borders for slaughter in Canada, Mexico and Japan. Many assume that because slaughter was banned in the US in 2007 that slaughter no longer happens. Sadly, this is not the case. US horses endure hours, or days in an overcrowded trailer to arrive at foreign slaughter plants. Every week killbuyers fill their quotas by purchasing horses at auction, from private buyers and by finding them through CraigsList. Many sellers have no idea their horses are being brought to slaughter facilities.
Please be aware the images below may be found disturbing. Along with the pictures is text describing what happens once a horse starts along the slaughter pipeline.
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-NOTE-
Below are photos of the slaughter process
***EXTREMELY GRAPHIC***
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| FOIA Image |
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| TRANSPORT
The image on the right was obtained thanks to the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), and was taken while the US Slaughter plants were still open. Clicking on the picture will take you to a place where you can download the 900 page document containing hundreds of images like this one. Horses horribly injured during the transport process. Injuries and death are all to common with over crowding and low ceiling height. Because horses have a tendency to panic, they sustain severe injuries and fractures in their attempts to get away.
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PROCESSING
Each horse is individually herded into a "kill box" or "knock box". There they are stunned by gun shot or captive bolt to the head. This is supposed to be accurately aimed to render to horse senseless to pain. Once the horse is down one side of the box opens to the bleeding area. A chain is attached to one hind leg and it is hoisted up. At that point its throat is slit and the bleeding process begins. A butcher cuts the horse open from chest to anus and all internal organs are removed. Once finished the legs are cut off mid cannon bone and discarded along with the head.The hide is removed. This completes the coarse butchering and it is then moved along to be hung before the final butchering, to obtain each cut of "meat", is completed.
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Photos used with permission from Humane Farming Association
Click on any image to go to their website.
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