Broodmares
As you probably know (if you've read my past blogs), I love horses and am outraged at any poor or neglectful treatment of horses. Yet, I am a proponent of equine slaughter, and for this very reason. How wonderful it would be if every horse could have loving and caring owners to whom money is no object! Of course this is not the case, so is it best that horses endure the misery of neglect and abuse throughout their lives just for the sake of being kept alive? I say no, but of course there are those who disagree with me, and I respect that.
Actually, I'm not debating the issue in this post, as I've already done so previously. I'm evaluating the question personally, not the slaughter issue so much as euthanization. Few would argue that humane euthanization would benefit a suffering animal when the relief of a painful existence isn't otherwise possible.
But consider this: my mother-in-law approached me recently to discuss a couple of her broodmares, particularly Lottie. She was raced in Arizona, and due to some procedures on the track meant to keep her running past the time she was sound, she is now permanently unsound, even as a riding horse. However, she is 16 1/2 hands, bright chestnut with a blaze and socks - stunningly beautiful before repeated breeding made her condition dreadfully poor no matter what she is fed or how she is cared for. Her main problem is that her foals, if they are born alive, die almost immediately. Because of her pedigree, my father-in-law overlooked this flaw at first, but has now lost his patience and says she must be put down.
To me this seems terribly wasteful and shortsighted. I think it's sad that any horses are kept purely for reproduction and financial gain. The other mare in this predicament is Amanda, the horse my husband is riding in my drinking and riding post, Horses Make Good Drinking Buddies. She has been bred every year since 2000 and has never carried to term. She has one more year to reproduce or its curtains for her too.
Is this a fitting end to a racehorse or any horse in the prime of its life? And since Lottie can't be ridden, is it that much more suitable or appropriate for her? Should a mare be kept alive solely to make more horses? If you know the answer, please explain it to Lottie and Amanda.
This post has been made possible by my sponsors, so please take time to pay them a visit. And guess what? There's only few more weeks until Valentines Day, so you might want to think about Valentines Day flowers, gourmet gift baskets, or even diamond engagement rings; and make your sweetheart happy!
Actually, I'm not debating the issue in this post, as I've already done so previously. I'm evaluating the question personally, not the slaughter issue so much as euthanization. Few would argue that humane euthanization would benefit a suffering animal when the relief of a painful existence isn't otherwise possible.
But consider this: my mother-in-law approached me recently to discuss a couple of her broodmares, particularly Lottie. She was raced in Arizona, and due to some procedures on the track meant to keep her running past the time she was sound, she is now permanently unsound, even as a riding horse. However, she is 16 1/2 hands, bright chestnut with a blaze and socks - stunningly beautiful before repeated breeding made her condition dreadfully poor no matter what she is fed or how she is cared for. Her main problem is that her foals, if they are born alive, die almost immediately. Because of her pedigree, my father-in-law overlooked this flaw at first, but has now lost his patience and says she must be put down.
To me this seems terribly wasteful and shortsighted. I think it's sad that any horses are kept purely for reproduction and financial gain. The other mare in this predicament is Amanda, the horse my husband is riding in my drinking and riding post, Horses Make Good Drinking Buddies. She has been bred every year since 2000 and has never carried to term. She has one more year to reproduce or its curtains for her too.
Is this a fitting end to a racehorse or any horse in the prime of its life? And since Lottie can't be ridden, is it that much more suitable or appropriate for her? Should a mare be kept alive solely to make more horses? If you know the answer, please explain it to Lottie and Amanda.
This post has been made possible by my sponsors, so please take time to pay them a visit. And guess what? There's only few more weeks until Valentines Day, so you might want to think about Valentines Day flowers, gourmet gift baskets, or even diamond engagement rings; and make your sweetheart happy!
posted by Alicia T @ 10:26 PM
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