I am a retired horse breeder and trainer who was successful in raising and selling horses for over 30 years.
I had a personal policy not to rebreed a mare until her previous foal was sold, thus not becoming overstocked. Some breeders think they have to breed a mare every year to make money. It is cheaper to feed an open mare than feeding several offspring from that same mare….
Regarding the comments of Mr. Pandolfo (WP,Sept. 23) on the quality and health benefits of horse meat, that would not last long once horses were fattened in feedlots like cattle. As for the families in this country who are struggling to feed their families, I’ve been there, and I don’t see how it would have made any difference if horse meat had been available.
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He also mentions cultures of other countries (that) do eat horse meat and the emotional misconception our society has with horses.
That is the difference. North American culture does not accept the eating of horse meat because of our emotional attachments to horses, first derived from our appreciation of how horses were the major contributor in helping develop our continent, and as a companion and partner.
Our culture also does not accept the eating of dogs and cats, as some other cultures do, even though dogs and cats did little physically to help in developing this continent.
It is not an emotional misconception when we do recognize the value of the emotional relationship we have with these animals, even if it is not in dollars.
On this continent, where there is overabundance of food, it is not waste to put horses down humanely. … My stallion, who is 34 years old, will not be sent to the packers even though he has not earned me money for several years. The emotional fondness we have shared has no dollar value attached to it.
When the time is necessary, he deserves the respect and dignity to be put down humanely, by a vet, as do all non-food value companion animals.
Lynn Link,
Spruce Grove, Alta.
