Wild Mustangs In Arizona
Picture by John Harwood
Well the uplifting news days are now officially in limbo, as several stories came this morning that have put the fire back in my eyes.
Not everyone, I am sure, is passionate about Horses, some may fear them, others may have no opinion either way, but then there are those of us, who grew up loving them and would not take kindly to anyone harming them, for any reason.
It is being reported that Apaches in Arizona are asking to be allowed to slaughter 4,000 wild horses on their Reservations because their people cannot afford to feed them and they can make a great deal of money if they do so.
You may remember that New Mexico is about to become the first US State to allow Horse Slaughtering and have a Slaughter House?
The two key factors to consider in this gut-wrenching conflict are:
that many, many horses will be killed for lack of food and
they are living on land where the US Government should have no say.
Now, several thoughts come to mind:
Can some or all of these horses be adopted?
Can outsiders donate food for them?
Aside from the obvious ethical considerations in this issue, let us all think for a moment on this?
The proposed slaughter of these animals is to produce meat for humans to eat, an extremely disgusting thought.
What has not been made clear, or undisclosed deliberately, is that some of these Horses were previously used in Horse Racing, ( a blood sport/abomination that makes my blood boil ) and therefore were exposed regularly to various drugs making the human consumption of them not a terribly good idea.
My question is this, as an adamant horse lover, what gives anyone the right to murder all of these beautiful animals?
Yes, they are living and breeding on Native Reservations, which makes the whole issue somewhat cloudy and controversial because Native Reservations are supposed to be Sovereign Nations.
One explanation as to the reason that the Apaches or other Tribes would be so desperate to do this for purely economic reasons and that I have long complained about, is the nearly complete lack of interest by American humanitarians, philanthropists or just plain generous people, to donate or offer assistance to try to relieve some of the absolute poverty that exists on many, if not most, US Reservations.
I can speak with a bit of experience on this issue, having been to many of them personally.
Too many Americans with the means to make a difference, take their money to other Countries, why?
So, dear animal loving people, if we wish to prevent these 4,000 horses and many more that will surely follow them in these Western states from being slaughtered for our next burger, we had better get involved in this and make our move now, because this ugly issue will not be well resolved for either the animals or the Native people, unless things change dramatically and soon.
Here are some stories to read, but only if you are able, as they do hurt:
Thousands Of Horses Could Starve On Reservations
Horse Slaughter Banned In New Mexico
Chemically Tainted Horsemeat Unfit For Consumption
Walking with the Alligators 
Great post. My husband – coyotero – and I both just read this, and living in Costa Rica don’t hear much about events like this. When we took a train cross country we saw wild horses in Montana, and never having seen any before, I was in awe. I know ranchers in Washington and Oregon don’t like them because they provide a bad example for work horses…but I can’t imagine what the Apaches in Arizona and New Mexico are up to. Just another natural resource, I guess. Hope you can draw some attention to this in the states. All our best.
On my Way…
Hope you get the chance to read my recent posting about Jairo Mora Sandoval: No Time To Die.
He was just murdered down there by turtle poachers.
You both be careful~
Pingback: Potato group pumped up spud prices, again | sachemspeaks
Great artcle, as usual…
Thank you so much.
Gut wrenching. Every time I read or hear about animal abuse, emotions well from deep within my core. Despite trying to remain open to others opinions and actions, rarely can I rationalize why people choose to do harm or kill animals. I understand (but don’t condone) the greed factor, yet at what costs? It is beyond regrettable that we live in a Western society where barbaric behavior still exists. Like any other worthwhile cause, we who are more civilized and compassionate can continue to raise our voices – individually and collectively – and try to help others see where and why their actions are misguided. Activism is alive and well and can yield favorable outcomes. Not to be cliche-ish but I really do feel your pain. Thank you for calling this to our attention.
Eric, thank you for your brilliant commentary on such a bleak situation.
One thing that I will never be accused of, is underreacting to animal abuse of any type.
This Blog was created for only one purpose and that is to expose as many of these evil acts as possible and inspire or encourage others to get involved.
If even a single one of you who come here takes an action, this endeavor will have been a success.
God Bless each and every one of you for your concern and compassion, you continue to make me proud with every new post.
That’s incredible! Aren’t wild horses a treasure? It never crossed my mind that a horse could be worth more dead than alive? Is the case that these wild horses are depending on people to feed them? And that those people cannot afford that?
Yes Jan, all animals are a treasure.
And, yes, the Native people where these Horses are, have barely enough money to care/feed for themselves.
It is a terrible situation on all sides, which is why the question was brought up about accepting feed from the outside for the Horses.
Thank you for your kind thoughts, they are so appreciated.
I understand that the Native people must be in a desperate situation. I hope they can be helped in some way.It is not right that they should have to slaughter these lovely animals for food. I suppose it is a question of politics…
Many Native people who live on Reservations in this country are in desperate need, but few non Natives are aware.
They are the some of the poorest of the poor in America.
If every one had the chance to go to the Reservations and see for themselves, maybe things would change, but there are not too many who want to do this.
Thanks so much for sharing the plight of the wild horses… Our two girls were rescued at the killers’ auctions, and I have no words for what we as a people are now doing to them. I can’t even speak to their pain.
Agreed.
The fact that we still have to stand guard for all animals saddens me.
When will we learn that what we do to them, we do to ourselves, Gandhi said it best,
“The greatness of a nation and it’s moral progress can be judged by the way it’s animals are treated.”
Guess what- you’re getting nominated again! By me- for the Liebster Award! You probably know how it works already, but if you need a reminder of how to do the process, go to my post where I show I’ve been nominated.
Yours is one of my favorite blogs because of how much you dedicate yourself to animals. You are such a wonderful, kind person. And a fellow animal lover!
The rules for the award are a little confusing, so I don’t know if I got the rules right. But it’s probably not a big deal!
Thank you so much Tanya for your generosity and kindness.
You are such a dear sweet person.
After we are done celebrating Father’s Day with my Dad today, I will cheerfully accept and properly complete this Honor from you.
Please, please remember, my ambition is ONLY to be a messenger, it is on all of us to take these Issues when presented and do something to change the way animals are being treated.
Each of us must speak for them, as they have no voice but ours.
Let our voices be loud and clear, “animals were not put here to be harmed by us, but to be loved and respected.”
I cannot believe that these kind of things are happening.
Thank you for bringing awareness on a field where a lot more awareness is desperatly needed!
Thank you for your love and concern for the innocents of our world
and very nice to see you back here~
You’re welcome!
And thank you 🙂 (it’s been very busy with buying my own property, trying to start with my paper for my bio-ecological building and living class and many hobby’s I attempt to do)
Keep up the good “work” 🙂
Sounds like you are embarking on a dream journey, enjoy the ride~
I’m a vegan. I believe most of the world’s problems could be solved if people stopped killing and eating animals. Good article!
Agree completely.
Thank you and welcome~
Reblogged this on Ocean Shores Online.