The American Quarter Horse Association* & Fine Foreign Dining

Hats off to the American Quarter Horse Association and its members, who
should be proud of their contribution toward amending foreign policy, in
these unsettling times of crisis, fueled by greed. The AQHA has become the
leader in supplying foreign countries with an appetite for horse meat, their
most cherished and valued possession: their horse.

The AQHA has made a firm stand on the horse slaughter issue, and are backed
up with approval from the American Veterinarian Medical Association* and the
American Association of Equine Practitioners*. The AVMA and the AAEP
understand that horse owners need to have a solution for the quick disposal
of their unwanted horses, and quarter horse owners are the leaders in using
this method of disposal.

 The Quarter Horse is the most slaughtered horse in America. Even though
quarter horses are not bred to become a food animal, the AQHA encourages its
members to supply the slaughter industry with their "unwanted horses". The
AQHA feels this will ensure that quarter horses will not become abused,
neglected, or abandoned, by their members who will undoubtedly resort to
these practices, if slaughter were not available to them as an option. As
well, it will ensure that their members who are unable to properly care for
their horses, do not become criminal, but instead benefit by selling their
horse for a few dollars a pound.

Even though there are disputes over whether or not horse slaughter is
barbaric, extremely cruel, and inhumane, the AVMA and the AAEP assure us it
is not. For those who have seen the videos of the horse being "stunned" by
the use of a 4 inch steel rod being shot into the head which is supposed to
render the horse unconscious, being hoisted by the hind leg and hung upside
down, having his throat slit so that the still beating heart may pump the
blood from the meat, and while the horse is thrashing and seems terrified as
they rip the hide from his body, AVMA and AAEP says it only looks inhumane,
but it simply is not. Since these associations are concerned with the health
and welfare of horses, you should not believe what you have seen on the
videos, and be comforted to believe their conclusion that this is, indeed,
humane.

Of course there is still controversy that medications prescribed to horses
does not follow the rules for medications prescribed to food animals. Horses
are given medications, wormers, etc., that are listed "not to be used for
animals intended for food". Until the AVMA and the AAEP can remedy this,
horse owners who know their horse will someday be on a dinner plate
overseas, can simply refuse to allow their horses to receive these
medications so that their meat will remain safe for human consumption.

Although the thoroughbred horse racing industry along with many other horse
member associations, strongly oppose the slaughter of horses, the door is
now opened for another breed of horses to compete with the AQHA and enter
the foreign food chain: America's mustang. A new law signed by President
Bush allows BLM to round up these horses from public lands. And BLM has been
working at this at a surprisingly fast rate, to accommodate the demands of
cattle ranchers. Just recently BLM was able to satisfy ranchers by throwing
out statistics gathered by scientists who found that the continued cattle
grazing would have a long term adverse impact on endangered species and
wildlife, as well as biodiversity in general, and rewriting those findings
to say that cattle grazing is beneficial to wildlife. They have also written
new rules, that protect the cattlemen from public outcry, so that public
opinion on the effects of cattle grazing is no longer a required option.

One may wonder why the White House currently has on display the History of
the Horse, since the Bush administration has not seemed to look favorably on
America's horses. But to the contrary, legislation has been passed which now
declares Dec 13 as the National Day of the Horse, in which we are to honor
and pay tribute to the valuable contributions the horse has made in our
great country. In future White House displays on the History of the Horse,
this valuable contribution by the Bush administration should look quite
favorable.

In the state of Texas where 2 of the foreign owned horse slaughter
facilities operate, it has been illegal to slaughter horses since 1949. When
the state of Texas decided to enforce the law and planned to prosecute, both
facilities filed an injunction which protects them from prosecution, and
they have been operating illegally ever since, while the court case is
impending. Since we can't seem to get rid of this industry, we may as well
take advantage of the money they will pay to slaughter America's horses and
help keep America's neglectful horse owners out of jail, which the AQHA says
is necessary for their members.

And of course, there are still those who would be appalled at eating their
own pets. They still hold onto honor, and don't believe in betraying an
animal that has strived to serve them, and often become a part of their
families. These people should take comfort in knowing that their horse will
still continue to serve mankind even in death, by serving him with a meal.
Honor doesn't have a place in these changing times, and has been thrown out
long ago. These are times of prosperity, and Americans need to get on the
bandwagon and realize that it's okay to trade in honor, to betray your best
friend, to betray your own morals, as long as you do it for the almighty
dollar, and make a buck or two.

So go ahead, send your horse to slaughter and be counted along with the
AQHA, and coming soon, the American mustang, and feel proud that the death
of your horse will serve to be an expensive meal overseas, and you got to
make a few dollars too.

But ... for those with higher moral standards, who will never accept that as
their standard for American values, and would rather fight and preserve our
American culture, dignity and respect, who have still somehow managed to
hold on to their love for horses, their honor and their pride, I urge you to
stand up with your beliefs and ask your Representatives and Senators to
support HR503 (The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act), and HR297, with
its Senate version S576, which will give America's mustangs back the
protection which was taken from them in Dec. 2004.

Otherwise, take your place along side the AQHA, the AVMA, and the AAEP, and
contribute to foreign dining. At least they  won't condemn you for betraying
your horse, but from a viewpoint for our American culture, you might be
condemned for betraying moral values, and your country. That's what it comes
down to.

Valerie James-Patton

*This letter is not aimed at the members of the AQHA, AVMA, or AAEP, who are
not in agreement with their association's position to condone and support
horse slaughter.~VJP