Observer
04-03-2001, 06:11 PM
I know many of you have already seen my prior posts regarding retirement organizations across the country. But after reading an articale in Friday's Wall Street Journal, I felt obligated to pass along this new (long) message.
Because of outbreaks overseas of mad cow disease and foot-and-mouth disease, the horsemeat industry is showing strong growth after years of decline. In turn, horses are selling to the killers at bids 50% higher than they were just six months ago, with top bids going to about $900. Horse traders are hustling horses from all corners, including racetracks.
Great strides have been made in finding good homes for horses that are no longer competitive on the racetrack in this country. But the recent outbreaks have made the cheaper alternative horsemeat even more attractive than beef in supermarkets throughout countries such as Belgium, France, Italy and Spain, to which the meat is overnighted from our country and Canada.
Caval is one of the slaughterhouses discussed in the Wall Street Journal article and is located in DeKalb, Ill. According to the article, horses are being slaughtered at a rate of 700 per week as opposed to 125 per week last year.
A little boy featured in the article was outbid by the killers on a pony he had his heart set on. Instead, he was able to come away with a pony in which the killers had little interest.
Several major Thoroughbred sales companies have announced intentions to offer upset bids of $1000 at all broodmare and paddock sales to discourage the killers. The companies involved are Barretts Equine Ltd., California Thoroughbred Breeders Sales Association, Canadian Breeders Sales, Fasig-Tipton, Keeneland and Ocala Breeders' Sales. Killers are bidding on an estimated dollar for pound basis, and would need an excessively big, bulky horse to justify a bid of over $1000 for a horse.
The efforts of organizations such as the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and the New York Horse Rescue are being undermine by the recent outbreaks overseas. Racehorses can go on and be retrained successfully into new disciplines of the equine world. Any many have. Those who have sustained injuries too severe to be ridden can find homes as companion animals on farms, including those run by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Retirement does not have to result in death.
In combined efforts, the TRF and NYHR have saved horses from slaughter pens, including Gossips, Saving Bond, Chouette and Helen's C Boy. These organizations could certainly use additional support in and funding for their efforts.
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
PMB 351
450 Shrewsbury Plaza
Shrewsbury NJ 07702-4332
www.trfinc.org
New York Horse Rescue Corporation
PO Box 435
Manorville NY 11949
www.nyhr.org
Both are registered 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organizations, and gifts are tax deductible.
Because of outbreaks overseas of mad cow disease and foot-and-mouth disease, the horsemeat industry is showing strong growth after years of decline. In turn, horses are selling to the killers at bids 50% higher than they were just six months ago, with top bids going to about $900. Horse traders are hustling horses from all corners, including racetracks.
Great strides have been made in finding good homes for horses that are no longer competitive on the racetrack in this country. But the recent outbreaks have made the cheaper alternative horsemeat even more attractive than beef in supermarkets throughout countries such as Belgium, France, Italy and Spain, to which the meat is overnighted from our country and Canada.
Caval is one of the slaughterhouses discussed in the Wall Street Journal article and is located in DeKalb, Ill. According to the article, horses are being slaughtered at a rate of 700 per week as opposed to 125 per week last year.
A little boy featured in the article was outbid by the killers on a pony he had his heart set on. Instead, he was able to come away with a pony in which the killers had little interest.
Several major Thoroughbred sales companies have announced intentions to offer upset bids of $1000 at all broodmare and paddock sales to discourage the killers. The companies involved are Barretts Equine Ltd., California Thoroughbred Breeders Sales Association, Canadian Breeders Sales, Fasig-Tipton, Keeneland and Ocala Breeders' Sales. Killers are bidding on an estimated dollar for pound basis, and would need an excessively big, bulky horse to justify a bid of over $1000 for a horse.
The efforts of organizations such as the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and the New York Horse Rescue are being undermine by the recent outbreaks overseas. Racehorses can go on and be retrained successfully into new disciplines of the equine world. Any many have. Those who have sustained injuries too severe to be ridden can find homes as companion animals on farms, including those run by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Retirement does not have to result in death.
In combined efforts, the TRF and NYHR have saved horses from slaughter pens, including Gossips, Saving Bond, Chouette and Helen's C Boy. These organizations could certainly use additional support in and funding for their efforts.
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
PMB 351
450 Shrewsbury Plaza
Shrewsbury NJ 07702-4332
www.trfinc.org
New York Horse Rescue Corporation
PO Box 435
Manorville NY 11949
www.nyhr.org
Both are registered 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organizations, and gifts are tax deductible.