Rescue or Rip-Off?
There have been many discussions on various equine forums about rescuing French horses from the abattoirs. There have, in the past, been heated personal debates between the “Rescuers” (those members of French Rescue Sites) and the “Antis” (those against rescuing from the meat market). Listed below are the reasons why the “Antis” are against French rescue:-
Charity begins at home
We are not against rescuing horses in need, far from it, but we would rather sort out the dozens of horses that need rescuing on our own doorstep than rescuing horses from other European countries.Every week there are markets in the UK where horses are sold for a pittance, to abattoirs, or dealers out to make a quick buck. For the price of a 'rescued' French horse, several UK horses could given future. Much has been written about the “second hand” market for racehorses, why not rehabilitate one of these before looking to the rest of Europe to rescue?
Bred for meat
Many horses are bred for meat. This is a concept which is hard to imagine in the UK where the horse has different status. We do not eat horse meat but for many Europeans it’s part of their daily diet as our UK diet includes beef, pork or lamb. Why do the “rescuers” only, therefore, ''rescue'' horses? Why not cattle, pigs or sheep?
There is no Bad Lorry
One of the clever marketing ploys some of these French Rescue websites publish is that all the French horses destined for slaughter have to endure illegal and brutal trips to Italy. It makes no economic sense whatsoever for the farmers to travel horses long distances all the way to Italy for slaughter when the local abattoir offers a similar return without the expense of long haul transportation. Some will travel to Italy,but those that do will be well within the current welfare guidelines.
They are there for a reason
Horses end up at low-grade dealing farms for a reason. Sound, correct horses will cost more than the meat value. You have to ask yourself why and how the horse did end up there at such a low price. Usually it will be because of a permanent injury, conformation defects, illnesses or a difficult temperament, none of which are conducive to a comfortable and safe future.
Not in any danger
Many of the horses advertised for “rescuing” on some of the French Rescue websites have not been and would never be in any danger. In some instances, it is just a clever marketing ploy to make a quick buck for the owners/participants of some of these websites.
Goods do not fit the description
A lot of the time, because the horses have not actually been viewed by the French Rescue Sites, the information on the original advertisements may not be accurate. What you think you are “rescuing” and what walks off the lorry when your horse arrives could quite literally be two different horses.
No Vet Checks
When purchasing one of these horses, the “rescuers” think it unnecessary to have a vet check. Often these horses, bought from pictures only, have serious illnesses or injuries hidden by careful photography. If these horses were vet checked prior to purchase, the “rescuers” may think again about rescuing that particular animal. Equines seriously unfit to travel have been forced to endure the long haul journey into the UK.
No Home Checks
Approach a legitimate horse charity and ask if you can re-home a horse. Yes, you will be asked for a re-homing fee, but you will also be put through stringent home checks. These home-checks will entail someone coming out to visit where you will be keeping the horse and written references from someone who knows you personally. These French Rescue sites do not require these type of home checks, their philosophy seems to be as long as the horses are rescued, it doesn’t matter where they end up. Sadly, in many cases, the horses end up worse off here in the UK then they would have if remaining in France.
To sum up, whichever side of the fence you sit on the one common ground we all have is our love for horses and we all should work together to stop lining these low grade dealers pockets who will continue to sell horses under the guise of 'rescue'. The French farmers will continue to offer horses for sale at inflated prices because the “rescuers” keep buying them. The more bought, the more the French farmers will offer for sale. This supports the stance of all the major UK equine charities who are against buying horses out of the meat chain.
INAG for Equine support WHW Make A Noise and On the Hook Campaign to try and halt the appalling journeys suffered by horses and donkeys across other parts of Europe to slaughter.
Charity begins at home
We are not against rescuing horses in need, far from it, but we would rather sort out the dozens of horses that need rescuing on our own doorstep than rescuing horses from other European countries.Every week there are markets in the UK where horses are sold for a pittance, to abattoirs, or dealers out to make a quick buck. For the price of a 'rescued' French horse, several UK horses could given future. Much has been written about the “second hand” market for racehorses, why not rehabilitate one of these before looking to the rest of Europe to rescue?
Bred for meat
Many horses are bred for meat. This is a concept which is hard to imagine in the UK where the horse has different status. We do not eat horse meat but for many Europeans it’s part of their daily diet as our UK diet includes beef, pork or lamb. Why do the “rescuers” only, therefore, ''rescue'' horses? Why not cattle, pigs or sheep?
There is no Bad Lorry
One of the clever marketing ploys some of these French Rescue websites publish is that all the French horses destined for slaughter have to endure illegal and brutal trips to Italy. It makes no economic sense whatsoever for the farmers to travel horses long distances all the way to Italy for slaughter when the local abattoir offers a similar return without the expense of long haul transportation. Some will travel to Italy,but those that do will be well within the current welfare guidelines.
They are there for a reason
Horses end up at low-grade dealing farms for a reason. Sound, correct horses will cost more than the meat value. You have to ask yourself why and how the horse did end up there at such a low price. Usually it will be because of a permanent injury, conformation defects, illnesses or a difficult temperament, none of which are conducive to a comfortable and safe future.
Not in any danger
Many of the horses advertised for “rescuing” on some of the French Rescue websites have not been and would never be in any danger. In some instances, it is just a clever marketing ploy to make a quick buck for the owners/participants of some of these websites.
Goods do not fit the description
A lot of the time, because the horses have not actually been viewed by the French Rescue Sites, the information on the original advertisements may not be accurate. What you think you are “rescuing” and what walks off the lorry when your horse arrives could quite literally be two different horses.
No Vet Checks
When purchasing one of these horses, the “rescuers” think it unnecessary to have a vet check. Often these horses, bought from pictures only, have serious illnesses or injuries hidden by careful photography. If these horses were vet checked prior to purchase, the “rescuers” may think again about rescuing that particular animal. Equines seriously unfit to travel have been forced to endure the long haul journey into the UK.
No Home Checks
Approach a legitimate horse charity and ask if you can re-home a horse. Yes, you will be asked for a re-homing fee, but you will also be put through stringent home checks. These home-checks will entail someone coming out to visit where you will be keeping the horse and written references from someone who knows you personally. These French Rescue sites do not require these type of home checks, their philosophy seems to be as long as the horses are rescued, it doesn’t matter where they end up. Sadly, in many cases, the horses end up worse off here in the UK then they would have if remaining in France.
To sum up, whichever side of the fence you sit on the one common ground we all have is our love for horses and we all should work together to stop lining these low grade dealers pockets who will continue to sell horses under the guise of 'rescue'. The French farmers will continue to offer horses for sale at inflated prices because the “rescuers” keep buying them. The more bought, the more the French farmers will offer for sale. This supports the stance of all the major UK equine charities who are against buying horses out of the meat chain.
INAG for Equine support WHW Make A Noise and On the Hook Campaign to try and halt the appalling journeys suffered by horses and donkeys across other parts of Europe to slaughter.
posted by Pricklyflower at
12:58
5 Comments:
on this piece, i think the people that rescue these horses are wonderful people, if i had room i would too, no living animal should have to go through the slaughter process in my eyes.
If people want to rescue animals, then that is their choice nobody elses opinions should matter.
This comment has been removed by the author.
It is not as simple as that, kerryT. When many of these horses are suffering once imported because of the rescuers, then opposing opinions are valid and necessary.
Other people's opinions SHOULD matter if the welfare of the horse concerned is at stake, and also if the welfare and safety of UK horses is compromised.
Horses should NOT be travelled on the long journey from France to the UK if they are lame, ill or in very poor condition - it is just not fair on them.
Rescued horses should NOT end up in homes where people do not have the required skills and finances to care for them properly.
Horses should NOT be imported without proper vet checks, thereby increasing the likelihood of horrific diseases like Equine Infectious Anaemia reaching the UK.
I think that the heart of many would be rescuers is in the right place. However, mis-information means that they are not fully aware of all the facts, and implications of importing some of these animals.
I would like people to have access to good, accurate and up to date information on all issues surrounding welfare, slaughter, and the legalities of importing from abroad. Along with very honest information on what many people are letting themselves in for in the case of importing 'meat' bred horses.
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