Oct. 31, 2022
The case study is based on data published by the U.S. government and the Jockey Club. According to the study, an amount equal to 70% of the annual Thoroughbred foal crop, on average, die at slaughter each year.
“The polls have shown that the vast majority of those in racing want an end to the transport of their horses to any slaughterhouse,” said Jo Anne Normile, founder of Saving Baby Equine Charity and CANTER, the first organization to take Thoroughbreds right from the track to safe havens. “But for every Secretariat, for every Seabiscuit, there are tens of thousands of racehorses whose experiences on the back lots of the country’s tracks tell a different story.”
“As more race tracks scramble to implement programs to protect thoroughbreds at the end of their careers, it is important to remember that this same horrible fate is imposed on many that never have a racing career.” — Shelley Abrams, Racehorse Owner, Co Founder Americans Against Horse Slaughter.
“Without federal protection, aftercare programs cannot safeguard our horses from the harm of horse slaughter,” adds Katia Louise, President Wild for Life Foundation. “It’s evident that much more must be done by the industry, including a united stance supporting a federal ban on slaughter of horses for human consumption.”
Wild for Life Foundation extends an open invitation to the members of the Thoroughbred industry to join the Saving America’s Horses Initiative for the protection of all horses from slaughter. Members of the Thoroughbred industry can help champion the way by supporting an anti-slaughter position in their communities and by supporting the legislative bills that protect all America’s horses from slaughter.
As part of the initiative, “Saving America’s Horses” is spotlighting the issue through the world's most powerful visual resource, cinema. SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES A NATION BETRAYED, is a brilliant landmark feature film that sends a life-changing message to the public about the need to protect our horses.
"SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES A NATION BETRAYED is a sobering wake up call to the need for all horsemen and horsewomen to do more to ensure that our beloved horses are protected. I urge the leaders in the Thoroughbred industry to set an example for the rest of the industry to actively get behind this film and support the legislation that will put an end to horse slaughter" — Bing Bush Jr., equine attorney
"SAVING AMERICA’S HORSES is so important to shed light on the reality of what is happening to our horses everyday in this country. My hope is that every horse lover will come away with a whole new understanding of why we have to protect these magnificent animals after seeing the film" says Nick Zito, Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racehorse trainer.
Founded in 2009, the SAVING AMERICA’S HORSES Coalition is an international alliance of equestrian professionals, veterinarians, equine welfare experts, humane education researchers, horse advocates, scientists, film and television artists, and concerned citizens working in concert to promote humane and sustainable wild horse and burros preservation with a focus on the prevention of equine cruelty and ending the slaughter of America's horses.
The Wild for Life Foundation and the Saving America’s Horses Coalition commends the progress that's been made over the years toward an auditable aftercare program for rehabilitation, retraining and adoption for horses whose racing careers have ended. However, more must be done in all racing jurisdictions and the industry must help generate more funds to assist in the transition of horses from racing into second careers. Together we further recommend that the leaders in the equine industry resolve to a vigorous showing of support for anti-slaughter legislation; to help put an end to the travesty and tragedy of horse slaughter for human consumption. Without Federal protection, racehorse aftercare programs cannot safeguard our horses from the cruelty and devastating harm of horse slaughter.
Link to PDF of Case Study:
https://www.wildforlifefoundation.org/Case_Study_U.S._Thoroughbreds_Slaughtered_2002-2010-WFLF.pdf
Follow Saving America's Horses on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/savingamericashorses
Link to PDF of the original press release:
https://www.wildforlifefoundation.org/Press_release_WFLF_Case_Study030112.pdf
About Wild for Life Foundation
Wild for Life Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity dedicated to protecting, saving and preserving wild and domestic equines.
www.WildforlifeFoundation.org
www.SavingAmericasHorses.org
