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Congressmen Introduce Bill To Ban Horse Slaughter

On Wednesday, U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL) introduced the Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act of 2021. This bipartisan legislation would permanently ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption in the United States as well as prohibit the export of live horses to Mexican and Canadian slaughterhouses to be sold overseas. The SAFE Act has been endorsed by the ASPCA, Animal Welfare Institute, The Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society Legislative Fund, Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation.

“For centuries, horses have embodied the spirit of American freedom and pride. They are our companions, work partners, entertainers, and athletes. With such a special place in our nation's history it's beyond time that we end the brutal practice of slaughtering these majestic creatures as food for humans. I am proud to reintroduce the SAFE Act with Congressman Buchanan and offer legislation that will finally close a loophole to end the slaughter of American horses for human consumption, both domestically and abroad,” said Congresswoman Schakowsky.

“The slaughter of horses for human consumption is a barbaric practice that has no place in America,” Congressman Buchanan said. “I look forward to continuing to lead the effort with Congresswoman Schakowsky to ban domestic horse slaughter and end the export of horses abroad for the same purpose.”

“The ASPCA is working resolutely to solve equine welfare issues on the ground, but we cannot fully succeed while the slaughter pipeline remains open,” said Nancy Perry, senior vice president of Government Relations for the ASPCA. “An overwhelming majority of Americans oppose horse slaughter for human consumption and with May being Adopt a Horse Month, there is no better time than now to support at-risk horses by prohibiting this unnecessary and cruel practice. We are grateful to Representatives Schakowsky and Buchanan for their steadfast commitment to protecting our horses and we urge Congress to pass the SAFE Act to finally end this abhorrent practice.”

“Only nine years ago, 160,000 American horses were exported abroad for slaughter. Due to awareness of this inhumane and predatory industry, that number has dropped dramatically with only 37,249 shipped to slaughter in 2020. But one horse is still too many,” stated Sara Amundson, President of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “ Fortunately, Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL) have committed to passing this crucial animal and consumer protection bill which will end this grisly industry and protect these American icons from those who profit off their deaths.”

“Each year, a huge number of American horses are shipped to foreign slaughterhouses to be butchered under shockingly inhumane conditions,” said Cathy Liss, president of the Animal Welfare Institute. “Some are former racehorses who have been recently dosed with drugs considered unsafe for human consumption. The SAFE Act would ensure that both horses and people are protected. We are grateful to Congresswoman Schakowsky and Congressman Buchanan for their dedication to ending the slaughter of horses for human consumption,” said Cathy Liss, President, Animal Welfare Institute.

“We're grateful that Reps. Schakowsky and Buchanan have heard the overwhelming opposition of the American people to horse slaughter,” said Neda DeMayo, founder of Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation. “Wild horses that once roamed freely on our public lands, pets, race horses, work horses — no American horse deserves to be shipped to an inhumane death in a foreign slaughterhouse. The national effort to end this practice began in Congress 20 years ago so we call on everyone to join in ending this once and for all.”

Although slaughter of horses for human consumption is currently illegal in the United States, the ban is temporary and subject to annual congressional review. No federal law exists to prohibit the transport of horses across American borders for slaughter in Canada or Mexico. More than 100,000 American horses are exported to Canadian and Mexican slaughterhouses each year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Those horses are butchered and then transported overseas for consumption in Japan, Italy and other countries. More than 90 percent of these horses were healthy and in good condition.

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Diet And Exercise Key To Managing Tying Up From PSSM

Polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) is a glycogen storage disorder in horses that causes muscles to cramp. It occurs primarily in horses with Quarter Horse bloodlines, like Paints and Appaloosas, but it can also occur in draft horses, draft crosses and Warmbloods.

In normal horses, insulin goes from the blood and is stored as glycogen in the muscle and liver cells. In horses affected by PSSM, a large amount of sugar (glycogen) is stored in the muscle and up to four times the typical amount of polysaccharide (an abnormal form of sugar) accumulates in the muscles.

Horses with PSSM are generally in good weight and have a quiet temperament. They often experience a PSSM episode when they begin training or go back into training after a layup, when their movement is restricted. The episode normally comes on after the horse has been walking and trotting for about 20 minutes.

When a horse has a PSSM episode, their muscles get very stiff and hard, especially over their hindquarters; they will sweat profusely, refuse to move, and their flanks may tremble. When they stop moving, the horse may stretch out as if urinating. Foals with PSSM often show signs of muscle pain and weakness when they have diarrhea or an infection like pneumonia.

Horses that have PSSM should not be fed sweet feed, wheat, oats, barley, molasses or feeds high in starch. They should also be exercised daily. Exercise encourages the body to use glucose properly and improves energy metabolism in skeletal muscle.

Researchers have found that if horses have only their diet adjusted, about 50 percent will improve. If both diet and exercise are adjusted, more than 75 percent of horses with PSSM will have few or no tying-up episodes. Though it may seem counter-intuitive, horses should be turned out and encouraged to move as soon as a PSSM episode has dissipated.

Transferable Toxin? Study Finds Atypical Myopathy Can Pass In Mare’s Milk

Atypical myopathy is a disorder that affects a horse's muscles and is caused by ingestion of seeds, seedlings, or leaves of some plants in the Acer family. Not all trees in the Acer family contain the toxin, but horse owners and caretakers should be cognizant that the disease is fatal to nearly three quarters of horses that become affected. Some horses are more susceptible to the toxin than others.

If a mare becomes affected by atypical myopathy she may transfer the toxin to her foal. This also places humans who drink mare's milk at risk of contracting the disease. Some Central Asian cultures prefer mare's milk to cow's milk.

In a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Dr. Johannes Sander investigated a case of atypical myopathy that affected both a mare and newborn foal in Germany. The mare had been grazing in a field next to Acer pseudoplatanus trees (known in the United Kingdom and Europe as a “sycamore” or “sycamore maple” in the States). Upon testing, Sander found that the mare's milk contained hypoglycin A, the toxin implicated in atypical myopathy, as well as significant metabolites.

The research team also examined samples of six different brands of frozen mare's milk available for human consumption across Germany. One of the samples contained metabolites of the toxin. The authors concluded that the toxins can pass through mare's milk to foals or to humans who ingest it. They caution that the same toxins can be found in seeds and unripe fruit from the ackee or lychee, which could potentially harm breast-fed children, and suggest more investigation into the human health implications.

Read the study here.

Free, Online Equine Facility Management Certificate Available

Nothing compares to being greeted with nickers every morning, watching the herd peacefully graze, and sharing the strong horse/human bond with your customers. Equine industry pros are a passionate and hard-working bunch, who consider themselves lucky to earn a living doing what they love. Sadly, passion can quickly turn into despair for entrepreneurs attempting to start up their stable if business acumen is lacking. Equine Guelph is pleased to announce the Equine Facility Management Certificate, comprised of three short online courses on TheHorsePortal.ca including the new Equine Business 101 course which will be offered FREE for three months (June 21 through Sept 20, 2021)!

Equine Business 101 offers a starting point for those looking into the possibility of running their own facility or taking your business to the next level. It provides tips on developing business and marketing plans and explains how to avoid some of the common pitfalls horse business operators face. Inspirational and cautionary tales will be shared by pathfinders relaying their true-life stories of the trials and tribulations of starting their equine businesses. They will describe choices that were key to their success and decisions they would reconsider with the benefit of hindsight.

Students will be part of a community, sharing ideas and helpful tips with peers through discussion boards. Continued access to discussion boards will be available even after students complete the course!

“This new on-demand offering arose out of an abundance of interest to better understand the business of managing and/or starting an equine facility,” says Equine Guelph director, Gayle Ecker. “The objective is to provide some guidance for those that are interested in getting into the business or are looking to improve their existing businesses. Equine Guelph has been providing online educational pathways for horse industry professionals since 2003.”

Statistically, a high number of equine businesses do not succeed beyond their first few years. The goal of the Equine Business 101 course is to put you on a path to beat those odds. Throughout the course, you will be provided with some basic information to guide you in the creation of your plan to run a successful equine facility.

Those who are contemplating opening a horse business for lessons, boarding or training will benefit greatly from the information provided in the Equine Business 101 course including: risk management, value propositions and creating that all important business plan! Current facility owners and managers looking to rebrand and grow the business will also pick up some great marketing and event planning tips.

Students completing the following three courses short courses will be eligible for the new Equine Facility Management Certificate:

Horse Care & Welfare (2 wks.)
Sickness Prevention in Horses (2 wks.)
Equine Business 101 (self-paced, 20- 30 hours)

Future stable workers applying for jobs in the equine industry will stand out amongst other candidates if they have acquired the Equine Facility Management Certificate. They will enter the industry armed with evidenced-based knowledge on biosecurity and stable management practices that support optimal horse health and welfare.

This program is funded in part through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Program (the Partnership), a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The Ontario Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Rural Affairs assists in the delivery of the Partnership in Ontario.

Collaborating partners include Grand River Agricultural Society, The Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario, Ontario Racing, Ontario Equestrian and Standardbred Canada. Other industry partners include: AgCareers, Central Ontario Standardbred Association, Ontario Harness Horse Association and Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Inc.