Equine Processing
June 1, 2010
AQHA’s committee reaffirms its policy statement on equine processing.
AQHA advocates members' concerns in Washington, D.C.
During the 2010 AQHA Convention in March in Florida, the AQHA Public Policy Committee reaffirmed the Association’s position statement on H.R. 503 and S. 727, equine processing legislation.
The position statement first proclaims that the Association supports the humane treatment of horses and vigorous enforcement of state and federal laws that ensure that treatment is upheld.
AQHA’s fervent dedication to the welfare of horses drives us to address difficult issues concerning humane care, transport and the sale and disposition of all breeds of horses.
AQHA has partnered with the Unwanted Horse Coalition with the mission to reduce the number of unwanted horses and improve their welfare through educational efforts and work with other organizations committed to the health, safety and responsible disposition of unwanted horses.
AQHA maintains that end-of-life issues for horses are personal and should remain the right of individual horse owners.
It is for these and many more reasons that the American Quarter Horse Association opposes the abolishing of the option of horse processing until there are clear provisions, laid forth in the pending legislation, addressing and funding the caring of 80,000 to 100,000 unwanted horses each year.
AQHA is consistent with other organizations such as American Association of Equine Practitioners and American Veterinary Medical Association that support the humane, USDA-supervised end-of-life process. This and the other two forms of acceptable euthanasia provide a much better and humane option than the starvation, neglect or inhumane treatment suffered by unwanted horses, whether inside or outside of the United States.
While two bills rest with the judiciary committees of both houses, neither bill proposes or even addresses the funding to care for unwanted horses, long-term placement for those horses or even establishes guidelines for standards of care at retirement or rescue facilities.
Failing to address these core issues continues to adversely affect the welfare of horses. The Web site amillionhorses.com cites numerous cases of abandoned, neglected and starving horses turned loose in 2010 alone. Rescue and retirement operations are full, so the question needs to be asked: What will happen to all these horses?
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September 5th, 2010 at 9:19 am
Perhaps you could explain to all members how exactly the AQHA decided to adopt its pro-slaughter position. I certainly don’t recall having been asked!
As an AQHA member, I whole-heartedly agree with Ms. Anderson’s anti-slaughter comments in America’s Horse. I live relatively close to DeKalb, Illinois and until that plant closed, I had to constantly worry about having our horses stolen for slaughter. Given that California experienced a huge decrease in horse theft upon enacting legislation to prevent transport for slaughter, I would think that protecting AQHA members against theft should be a priority.
As to the “unwanted horses” issue, humane euthanasia remains a viable alternative. Please don’t pretend that there is no solution other than slaughter. Why not take a poll of your members – one vote per AQHA member – and find out whether you really are representing your member’s interests.