Awaiting Fate
By Holly Johnson
25 May 2010
Everyday, horses that were bred for racing or riding are thrown away because they did not suit us (for many different reasons). Many of these horses are perfectly loving creatures. If they are not rescued from the auction house, many are bought by people that sell them for the consumption of meat are they face a painful death. Because the slaughter houses in the US have been close, they are sent to Mexico or Canada. In Mexico, there are no laws enforced to ensure a humane death of these animals. Horses are also crammed illegally into double decker trailers where they will travel for days without stops for water or food before their last stop at the slaughter house. We had a horse that was an ex-race horse and she re-trained to use as a show horse. He did not enjoy his new job, but he loved trail riding. So, my we leased him to a woman that told her she would use him for trail riding. Two weeks later, we got a phone call from upstate New York (I am in northern Maryland) from a woman saying she had just bought our horse. When we said that he wasn't for sale, we were told what he had been through. He had been sold at an auction house and bought by the meat buyer. By the grace of God, he was then bought from him by a horse rescue. After we heard about his rescue, he was returned to us a year later. Essentially, he had been stolen, because he had been leased, not sold. He now has a home for life, whether we ride him or not. He will be happy here with us until the day he dies. We learned a lot from what happened to us. Stories like ours are happening all over the country. Shortly after we got the horse back, I decided to go to the auction house he was sold at and record it with my camera. I hid my camera in my purse because they do not allow cameras due to the unhappy PETA members that often protest there. What I captured was several animals were dubbed useless because they are too old, too slow on the track, too expensive to keep, or injured. I did this project after this problem hit so close to home. I want others to see this from my perspective. Imagine your most beloved pet ending up out of your hands and faced with such grim circumstances. You decide if humans really have the right to decide the fate of another living creature.
19 responses
-
Sarah Dudley gave props (25 May 2010):
Makes me angry. I wish there was something I could do.
-
Sarah Dudley gave props (25 May 2010):
Also, how did she know he was your horse? Was he microchipped?
-
peggy gardner gave props (26 May 2010):
it's embarassing to be a human sometimes.
-
lynx claw said (26 May 2010):
First off PETA is misspelled. Also this story is an old one that doesn't get better everytime its told. Its one sided and they left out that the 4 horse processing plants in the USA have been closed. Also they do not allow horses on double decker cattle trailers anymore and there are laws in place for more humane treatment of horses for slaughter. Lets not forget that horses are classified as livestock, not pets and of the horse meat distributed, most went to zoos - not for human consumption as usually told.
I just think it would be a better story with more information was given. As is, it just sounds like an animal rights activist rant. Sorry, but that's how I see it. -
Holly Johnson said (26 May 2010):
Look, I did this project for personal reasons. One of our horses was wrongfully stolen and ended up 24 hours away from Mexico. I met with the rescue that had saved him and did a LOT of research. There are laws to protect the animals, but they are not tightly enforced. I saw horses being loaded onto the double deckers with my own eyes. To put it simply, a small fine is worth it to these people. They do not care. Also, I did include the fact that the US slaughter houses are closed, and therefore the animals are sent mostly to Mexico where there are NO laws to enforce humane treatment. I agree that these animals are livestock, and we are grossly over breeding horses for racing and other disciplines. This is our own fault.
This is not a rant. I wanted to express my point of view after having this problem hit so close to home. The auctions and slaughter houses have their purpose, but too many animals end up there when they shouldn't. That is the point I am making.
Please do not bash other people's work before reading into the reason's behind it. -
Holly Johnson said (26 May 2010):
We knew it was our horse because we do not change our horse's names ever, so whatever their paperwork says, that name stays the same as long as we have them. That is what lead the woman back to us. She googled his name and found a picture of my sister riding him at a show in our local circuit. Then, she somehow found who took the picture and eventually got to us. She knew that he was too friendly and knew too much to just be a throw away, so she tried to find where he came from. We were very lucky.
-
Rebecca Culver said (26 May 2010):
Great essay, but very sad at the same time. I rescued my Tennessee Walking Horse from auction, he was "useless" to the previous owners, who had neglected him, because his back legs get stiff and he couldn't work all day. He was ridden in a haunted hay ride, as the headless horseman's mount. Which included galloping in the pitch dark. No wonder his legs aren't great.
I bought him for $400. He is the sweetest, most gentle horse I know. I can put a 3 year old on his back without worrying. He's retired, an occasional quiet trail ride is all the work he does. So, I got a wonderful "useless" horse. I wouldn't trade him for the world.
It's sickening to see so many horses slaughtered like this. I'm glad my horse, Chance, was one less. Thank you for bringing it into the light. -
Jana Miller gave props (26 May 2010):
i love the passion that went into this!
-
Holly Johnson said (26 May 2010):
Thank you for sharing your story about Chance!! This is exactly what I want to share. Every horse I have ever had has been dubbed "useless" and they were given away. I do hunters and eventing and every horse I've had off the track has been great. They are not useless, and we are the problem for bringing too many into this world. It's not worth it to breed hundreds of horses hoping that maybe one of them will be a the Triple Crown winner.
-
Holly Johnson said (26 May 2010):
Jana, thank you for your comment. I really put a lot of feeling into this. Thanks!
-
Leanne Silva gave props (26 May 2010):
Great essay! I do wish we could shut down all slaughterhouses, though.
-
tony golding said (26 May 2010):
Hi Holly
Firstly great photo essay !! & as always your images you captured will speak far louder than words & in the end it will be action that sorts out this kind of treatment to these animals.
In this day & age there is no reason for this kind of treatment to any animal.
Job well done keep it up !!!
take care. -
Emma Cottam said (27 May 2010):
It's an interesting story and sad to see people mistreat horses like that. However I think you need to rewrite parts as it is not very clear to read. I have voted for it though! : )
-
lynx claw said (27 May 2010):
Holly,
No need to take this personally. I just feel if you want it to be a better story you need to add additional information. The photos are nice, and you have a good start, but I feel to make it a great story you need to show all sides. Sorry that just the journalism studies coming out of me, and if I meant any ill will I wouldn't of just written insults without any information on what it was missing. So remember, criticism can be a good thing. Chin up. -
Miruna David said (28 May 2010):
this is soooo sad....good work, it should be published and you should tell someone, like PETA or ASPCA about it....
-
Dominic Kite gave props (3 Jun 2010):
Holly, great work, and a noble subject. Don't let people like Lynx claw put you off. If you need to tell a tale, tell it. And unwittingly they're adding to your popularity by pointing out their trouble with the story. Nice work.
-
je suis moi gave props (19 Apr 2011):
Lynx cares little about animals. Her interest is permoting herself. People say dog fighting and **** fighting is a thing of the past. WRONG. If it was me, I would take off her comments..and know you did a good thing here.
-
je suis moi gave props (19 Apr 2011):
No, we do not have the right to kill these animals.
-
je suis moi gave props (19 Apr 2011):
I also voted.
