The Ugly Truth- Horse Slaughter

Despite the fact that horses have proven to be one of the most beneficial creatures throughout the world to man, there are far too many people that view them as something else: meat to be sold for money. Horse slaughter has become an overwhelmingly increasing conflict between people across the globe.
The issue is growing within the United States. Despite what slaughter supporters believe and portray, there is nothing ethical about the slaughter of horses for their meat. The horses that end up in slaughterhouses are typically bought though auctions or are stolen and are in perfect health. In fact, 92% of all horses sent to houses are healthy. Most of the United States believes that slaughter is 100% wrong, yet it is still occurring everyday. Polls say that in New York, 64% of people polled believed that slaughtering horses for meat was illegal, while in Indiana, 91% believe that horse slaughter should be banned. In Texas, 89% of voters are unaware that horse slaughter was then going on in their own state. While efforts are being made, the largest has been the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, which was designed to stop the slaughter of American horses for human consumption.
Like mentioned before, there is not one aspect of horse slaughter that is ethical. Several myths surround the matter but all have been proven false. Some of these myths include the statement that the way in which the horses are killed is humane. The most prominent way in killing the horse is by prodding a rod with electric pulses around the body and the head, causing a slow and painful death. Not a singe part of the process is humane. The horses are kept in tight, filthy quarters, often pressed into a small box stall or corral with 30-50 other horses. The fact of the matter is, those involved with any aspect of horse slaughter are heartless.
Everyday, more and more people are becoming aware of the disgusting issue and are putting forth all efforts to do something about it. What are some ways in which people are attempting to do so?



californiabarbaro. (Producer) (2007). Exposing the lies: The truth about horse slaughter [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXQVmE-yP10

Therapeutic Riding- Hippotherapy

The horse has evolved over time and become one of the most beneficial additions to modern lives. They not only provide loving members of families and an outlet for many entertainment purposes, but also one of the most effective forms of therapy for those in need.
As an individualized program of restorative and enjoyable activities, therapeutic riding provides where riders can learn skills that convert to improved balance, strength and flexibility for the rider. Research studies have shown that therapeutic riding can foster self-confidence and communication skills for both children and adults with emotional and psychological disabilities. It also serves as an alternative form of treatment for those with life-threatening illnesses, rather than medical treatment that can lead to pain and depression. Hippotherapy is best defined as physical, occupational and speech therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement. The main purpose of such therapy is to improve motor skills as well as cognitive abilities.
Many wounded soldiers also find beneficial experiences through therapeutic riding. Natasha McKinnon lost part of her left leg during battle in 2005 in Iraq. She has been a part of the therapeutic riding program for over a year and says that the muscle strength she has developed has helped her mobility greatly. Once she gets out of the army, Natasha wants to become a veterinarian so being around horses and other animals fosters her devotion.
Horses have definitely proven their worth to humans over time but unfortunately, not all see it that way.
Horse slaughter has become a growing problem in today's society and what horse-lovers worldwide want to know is, why?
Jane, A. (2008). Therapeutic riding: How horses help and inspire people. Retrieved from http://amyjane.hubpages.com/hub/Therapeutic-Riding-How-Horses-Help-and-Inspire-People

Horses and the Handicapped

We know that horses provide some of the greatest companionships animals can give to humans, but what alot of people don't realize is that horses also provide some of the best therapeutic help to those who are handicapped.
The Magic Horse Therapeutic Riding Program in Lakeside, California knows this very well. Founder Robin Pawl started the program for children with disabilities in 2004. The goal of her program is to provide life-altering experiences for disabled people and their families through the magic and power of the horse. Avery is a 10-year-old boy with cerebral palsy, brain damage and learning disabilities. When he first came to Magic Horse he was unable to sit on his Quarter Horse partner Iggy, but now he can sit forwards, backwards, and sideways on his own. Pawl says that the motions of the horse beneath him simulate pelvic movement, helping Avery to improve his coordination skills, strengthen his back muscles and improve his sense of balance. Like many disabled children, Avery missed key developmental stages. "If the brain doesn't develop, we try to develop new pathways," said Pawl, a therapeutic riding instructor certified through NAHRA, the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, which provides referrals to therapeutic riding programs worldwide. Her riding program has been so beneficial and important to the lives of these kids including 13-year-old Laurel and 9-year-old Lauren. "It's a positive experience," concluded Pawl, who takes pride in helping children at The Magic Horse. "They have fun, and a lot of times they surprise you. My job is to stay one step ahead of them."
Other than providing therapeutic assistance to children with disabilities, are there other ways in which the horse provides mental and physical help to those in need?
Raftery, M. (2008, September). People powers- magic horse miracles: Therapeutic riding program benefits disabled kids. East County Magazine, Retrieved from http://eastcountymagazine.org/magichorse

Horses and Humans- The Western Riding World

We've looked at the equestrian sports found under the English category, but there is a whole other side of riding that millions of people enjoy. Western riding has evolved from ranching and warfare traditions into over 15 different sports. These different sports all come together to create the Rodeo.
The first rodeo-style events took place in the 1820's and 1830's and became a form of public entertainment between 1890 and 1910. Rodeo events include roping, steer-wrestling, bull and Bronco riding, and barrel racing.
Roping is based on the same tasks that early working cowboys had to do everyday in the Old West. The three categories of roping include Calf Roping, Breakaway Roping, and Team Roping. Each event is timed and consists of the use of calves, and either an individual horse and rider pair or a team of two to three pairs.
In the event of Steer Wrestling, a steer is released at the same time as the cowboy and his horse. Once the pair gets close enough to the bull, the rider jumps from the saddle to the horns of the steer, pulling him to the ground where the hooves are then restrained as quickly as possible. This is considered one of the most dangerous rodeo sports because the rider could fall head first onto the ground and miss the steer completely, or land directly on one of the immense horns.
Perhaps the most well-known rodeo events is Bronco/Bull riding. In these events, cowboys ride on either a mustang or a full-size bull, holding only onto a small rope tied around the horse's breast. Each rider has to stay on the animal for at least 7 seconds to qualify.
Barrel Racing is one of the most popular western sports found in the United States. In a barrel racing event, the horse and rider will gallop around a set of three barrels in a clover-leaf pattern as fast as they can, without knocking over any barrels. It is an exclusively women's sport, although a few men and young boys do it for there own recreational purposes.
The extent to which the horse and human interact today is incredible. But, the horse also provides an extremely important role in physical and mental therapy for handicapped children and adults. But what are the ways in which the horse can do so?
Interactive Marketing Technologies. (2005). About the rodeo. Retrieved from http://www.friendsofrodeo.com/aboutrodeo.html