by as published on PETA
Relief for horses used for racing!
photo by Terry Fitch of Wild Horse Freedom Federation
The New York senate has just passed a bill prohibiting the slaughter of horses who have been forced to race or bred for racing “stock.” It will also require that those used for racing be microchipped and will allocate funding through tax returns for the care of retired Thoroughbreds. The bill is awaiting the governor’s signature.
Any individual who violates the law, once signed into law by the governor, will be fined up to $1,000 for each horse sold, while any company or corporation in violation faces a fine of up to $2,500 per horse. Violators could also face license revocation by the New York State Gaming Commission.
Did you know that the Thoroughbred racing industry sends an estimated 10,000 horses to slaughter annually?
This means that half of the nearly 20,000 new foals born each year are eventually killed for their flesh.
And unlike animals specifically used for food, the vast majority of horses destined for slaughter have been treated with a multitude of anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, hormones, and even illegal performance-enhancing drugs that are known to be dangerous to humans. There is no reliable system in place to ensure that horses killed for human consumption have not been treated with highly toxic or prohibited substances.
What You Can Do to Help Protect Horses Used for Racing
Urge your members of Congress to pass the bipartisan “Save America’s Forgotten Equines” (SAFE) Act of 2021, which was introduced by U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D.-Ill.) and Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.). This federal legislation would ban horse slaughter in the U.S. for human consumption and end the exportation of live horses to Mexican and Canadian slaughterhouses.
Act Now to Ban Horse Slaughter!
Categories: Equine Rescue, Horse News, Horse Slaughter, The Force of the Horse
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
Can someone pls post this Bill’s senate number & title… i’d like to read the language…
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Ditto that. There are multiple other breeds used for racing, not only Thorouhgbreds. I’m also curious about how they “will allocate funding through tax returns for the care of retired Thoroughbreds.” Whose tax returns?
Also curious why this doesn’t cover non-racing stock? And, if a broodmare for example isn’t actually raced but used as a foal factory, she won’t be microchipped and thus not protected.
Many grey areas here it seems, but perhaps a good start. I still insist we need to develop better end of life options for all horse owners, as retirement isn’t an option for many, and with a deadly drought stalking the West many domestics will be facing dire consequences (i.e. no hay).
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Well, yeah – what about all the other non-thoroughbreds! As if only actual racing horses should be protected. Far too many in the West AND the East for that matter are being treated as throw-aways. Square hay bales here are now $3.50 & I’m thinking most places, much much higher. I’m guessing there may be lots of hay sent out West this year. According to Black Hills Sanctuary, they are feeding hay NOW. Its going to make it even tougher for any horse rescue, not to mention regular horse owners. Seeing what horses are looking like at the auctions back here AND meat prices higher again? This is scary. Protecting only racehorses is not enough.
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Went back on my recorded tv & watched the May 16th CBS Sunday morning show. There was a segment on Old Friends Retirement Home for racehorse. It was a good piece – did mention the slaughter of Ferdinand few years ago – Winner of the Derby yet sent to slaughter. It apparently helped to push the creation of this place. But what about all those other horses who dont win or just arent “lucky”?
And regarding Black Hills (above) they have been feeding hay all year & likely will continue. Not much growing out there at this point. Which says things are going to get worse.
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In my opinion it is very sad that horses cannot be humanely put down within the USA but have to be shipped thousands of miles to their deaths. Shipping horses is absolutely the very worst cruelty. Separated from their friends , mixed with strange horses. Instead of a bullet in the head behind the stables somewhere. I am absolutely in favor of small, mobile abattoirs that can slaughter horses where they live and transport the carcasses instead. Racing thoroughbreds deserve to die graciously and instantly; not after hours, days or even weeks in a truck.
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Remember, Its not only racing thoroughbreds who are being trucked to slaughter – riding horses, show horses, trail horses, and Wild Horses are also on those trucks & in those feedlots. I think the question of personal responsibility also arises – especially right now when we all are supposedly so personally responsible (!) or supposed to be. I realize its so very hard in many places to afford to put your horse down AND to have a place to bury/dispose of him or her. BUT one of the very sad sights is seeing someone’s animal they have kept for years or maybe the horse’s whole life, being hauled to an auction. A horse auction is a terrifying experience for an animal that has been pulled from the only home they know to be pushed into a pen with strange horses – people shouting & chasing them – maybe using whips to move them around only to be chased onto a tractor trailer with 20-30 other horses – some injured but all scared to death. That multiplies if its a wild horse that may have never been handled – for instance, some of the horses the BLM is paying $1,000.00 to potential owners in order to get rid of them!
Youre right – having a place for horses that have no place anymore is very important. Many rescues do attend auctions & pull horses from there – even if all they need is that place to end their life. Many of the horses get rehabbed & go on to other homes. But these are a precious few!
So much more needs to be done.
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