God Bless you Ingrid & PETA.
Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to the Animal Kingdom.
xo MA

Posted by: MA Moore | June 5, 2009 05:32 PM

Although it still breaks my heart to watch these videos, I force myself to become aware of what is going on for the sake of working toward a solution. I honestly believe that most people are not aware of the horrors involved with the slaughter of many animals simply because they turn away from this information.

Know the problem. Know the solution. Focus your full attention toward the solution.

How long will we continue to turn away?

Posted by: Michael Essi | June 5, 2009 05:39 PM

I have no words for this...

Posted by: NT | June 5, 2009 05:57 PM

The U.S.A.is very guilty of being "money hungry" as to how we treat horses and dogs.

Posted by: Ronald L. Keller Jr. | June 5, 2009 06:31 PM

One way to stem overbreeding may be for breeders, buyers, etc. to fund retirement homes through higher fees at the time of registration and owner transfers. Those funds could go into a trust fund for finding homes for thoroughbred retirement and to fund more retirement and rescue farms. Another thought is for the owners to geld the stallions at the end of their careers and offer them to horse men & women who would would keep them for the pride of having a piece of horse history in their back yard. I know quite a few who would love to have War Emblem, Charismatic, Silver Charm and others and would give them a great home!

Posted by: Dawn O'Connor | June 5, 2009 07:45 PM

Horse Racing is another form of animal exploitation that must be banned. Thousands of horses are great companion animals and we are eternally indebted to equines because for centuries they were our sole means of transport and emigration before the advent of cars.

Posted by: Brien Comerford | June 5, 2009 08:52 PM

ABOUT TIME - I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ! THIS IS THE ONE THING THAT IS VERY CLOSE TO MY HEART , HORSES - I HAVE BEEN A VOICE FOR THEM FOR 35 YEARS ! NOW YOU ARE HERE TO HELP - THANK YOU !

Posted by: PATTI PRICE | June 5, 2009 09:58 PM

I am confused by this video, why do the Japanese only slaughter 1 horse at a time? Seems pretty time inefficient? Also, why do they bathe the horse first? Is this a ritual? Is it because it is for 'human' consumption? I would love if PETA could provide more detail about current slaughter practices for equines in Japan. Not the detail that makes us all sick, but why it so vastly differs than the horror horses experience in Mexico. Do Japanese plants use a stun gun? How is the horse rendered 'out'? I wished this video would have shown it, I know it is bad enough that the sweet horse lost his life (I wished I were there and could have saved him) but I guess I need to know more...I am guessing they will come back at this tactic with, "we slaughter horses 'humanely' and they don't feel pain" crap...

I am sorry to the investigator, I am sure this was a tough mission. My heart goes out to them as well as the horses. Thanks PETA for all you do!!!

Posted by: Holly | June 6, 2009 12:52 AM

I am totally against slaughter, however I don't know how you can stop it. Where there is money involved there are no emotions. Even in England horses are slaughtered to countries which eat horse meat because there is a surplus supply or horses that no longer excel on the race track. It is only organisations like PETA and other organisations who show what goes on informs others. Surely this footage and other information gathered should be sent to The American Government and help to try and stop the exportation of horses abroad. If horses have to be put down then it should be done sympathetically in their own country of origin and their bodies exported out. The video recording explaining how many mares are bred in Japan is absolutley horrific. But how can you stop this? There should be a controlled breeding programme, American horses not sent abroad and designated places if a horse has to be put down in a quiet enviroment so that it doesn't know what is going on but only as a last resort. As a whole I still am totally against horse slaughter.

Posted by: Carol Bryce | June 6, 2009 05:14 AM

This is not human, and not ecological at all. Using hormones and force is biological and psychological torture. Animals do have a character. Recycled into humane food and pet food. What will be the consequences after 20 years?

Posted by: Elizabeta Zust | June 6, 2009 06:29 AM

My late mother has rescued thoroughbreds off of the race track for years prior to her death. During those many years, there were many horses that came to our farm to recouperate who have had very serious leg injuries that rendered them permanently unsound/crippled. What the public doesn't understand is the after affects of these animals who are grotesquely exploited. They see the beautiful & graceful strength of these animals and see nothing further. The greed of trainers and owners is reprehensible. There needs to be more awareness and there needs to be more options for these animals to go to when their "career" ends at 4-5 years old at times.

Posted by: Lynelle | June 6, 2009 07:20 AM

I am almost embarassed that I watched horse racing. Once I began looking into the behind the scenes videos and listening to the comments, I became horrified. I have witnessed first hand what happenes to racehorses once they are not longer "useful," and it truly does boggle the mind.

Perhaps there is something we could do? We could write to their old owners and trainers, talk to Old Friends (a thoroughbred retirement farm), the Kentucky Horse Park (after all, they were both champions). SOMEBODY must want to protect these horses from slaughter. Despite the fact that I will NEVER darken the door of a racetrack again, I do still care about those horses that are forced into that life. I will most definitely be checking into this. If they're at that stage of breeding (and they have been for a few years already) they are most definitely in danger of slaughter.

Posted by: Irene | June 6, 2009 07:59 AM

I am speechless...This is so disturbing. I can't even move at the moment.Just barbaric and sick and oh so so sad...I am disgusted. This is so evil! These creatures are so beautiful....How can anyone do this to them. SICK!

Posted by: Tammy | June 6, 2009 08:35 AM

After working at an animal shelter in rural Alabama I thought I had seen it all. The vido of the japan horses made my cry, I am and will be crying inside and on the outside for a long time. We must do what ever it takes to end this. I deal with starving horses all the time.There are too many as the dog and cat population is. life is cheap in the animal world not watching horse racing is but a bandaid on the industry. as is spaying and neutering, it helps that animal however how many sill breed, how many people breed for money, dogs cats, horses, cows chickens and on and on. Pray God helps the helpless and lets STOP THIS INSANITY NOW.

Posted by: Anne Speakman | June 6, 2009 10:40 AM

I'm so horrified ..I cried so much after watching the video of the horse being slaughter.All because of greed,I hope the U.S goverment would do something about this and prohibit horse racing.

Posted by: maricela | June 6, 2009 01:07 PM

Hello again. I found Dawn O'Conners comment very interesting. Not only could breeders, buyers etc put money aside to fund retirement centres but so could trainers, owners, jockey fees, punters on the racecourse and betting agents take a percentage of what they acquire into welfare. This should be put into a funding pot. This would also help with jobs, tourism,a positive image of animal welfare for the country and horse used for the community as therapy, used in a postive way with criminal activity, leisure and training purposes, leading on to further education. However it is not just the racehorse which has suffered there are also other equines who need our support who have also worked hard,been a friend and a companion.

Posted by: Carol Bryce | June 7, 2009 07:16 AM

Give our faithful companions a dignified end - stop the slaughter of horses anywhere in the world!

Posted by: Sonia Rowland | June 7, 2009 07:34 AM

Greed has surpassed humanity

Posted by: Julie van Niekerk | June 7, 2009 09:54 AM

Selling horseshoes of grade 1 winners after re-shoeing and using the money to finance retirement farms is my idea; There is a group considering it.
Please email NTRA, Thorofan, H.A.N.A., and TRA (Thoroughbred Racing Association) and urge them to promote the idea.
As this year's Triple Crown races prove, horses who grand or great-grand parents have good stamina and are less problematic healthwise than TBreds bred to only run a short distance. Breeding less is also a good idea since many tracks are cutiing race days due to horse shortages (Hurray!!).

Posted by: Ken Woodall | June 7, 2009 10:08 AM

1)Industry figures show that only 50% of the 50,000 Thourobreds foaled each year ever race. I would like to see PETA investigate what happens to the other 50%. Also, in Thouroghbred breeding in 2008, there are 50,000+ females and under 2,900 males. male racers and especially geldings are in especially great danger of going to slaughter.
2) Racing Quarterhorses and Thoroughbreds running at Quarterhorse tracks are other horses at great risk for injury and slaughter.
3) FYI- Wild horses and Burros under the BLM and all equine under the USDA= both agencies allow selling for, or transport for, slaughter determined by age of the horse; HOWEVER, BLM says you can tell age by teeth, USDA says you cannot. Please email both your Congressperson to stop slaughter and transport for slaughter because of conflicting Federal rules etc.

Posted by: Ken Woodall | June 7, 2009 10:25 AM

War Emblem is actually beginning to do quite well as a stallion. He was a finicky breeder but they worked to find conditions that would make him happy. From his very limited numbers of foals, he is siring multiple stakes winners. I'm sure he will be useful as a stallion for quite some time. There is a wonderful retirement farm in Kentucky called Old Friends that specializes in bringing home ex-racehorses from overseas. Old Friends is in close contact with the stud farm in Japan that owns War Emblem, and will be bringing him home when his breeding days are over.

There are two other Derby winners in JApan: Silver Charm (97) and Charismatic (99). The farms that owned these horses in Kentucky (Three Chimneys and Lanes End) negotiated return clauses as part of their sale to Japan. When their breeding days are done, these farms in Kentucky will take them back to life out their retirement.

If you want to provide for the safety of racehorses in Japan, I would suggest making a donation to an organization such as Old Friends. The more money they have, the more horses they are able to bring home. It's really a nice facility; just fields and barns everywhere. The horses are spoiled rotten, don't do any work, and just get to be horses after their careers are done.

Posted by: Nicole | June 7, 2009 11:41 AM

how is this any less humane than cattle slaughter, to me it just seems like slaughter is slaughter and it doesn't make sense to get more or less upset about horse slaughter than cattle or any other animal used for food in the United States.

Posted by: max | June 7, 2009 12:06 PM

I am an American.. and I am ashamed! WTF? Our Government needs to wake the f... up and stop profiting on this. !!!

Posted by: carla | June 7, 2009 12:25 PM

If you can afford to race a horse you can afford to use humane methods of euthanasia (not slaughter)at the end of the horses racing career. Those that own horses have a responsibility to care for the animal...this is the difference between "horseperson" and "horseusers". Enough of this nonsense...pass the laws that ban slaughter in the USA and prohibit transport to slaughter outside this country. Putting a horse down humanely costs much less that a months training board.

Posted by: Sarah Gill | June 7, 2009 05:59 PM

How about an added loonie or toonie at the racetrack to go towards rehab and sanctuaries for retired racehorses? Surely the public wouldn't object to that!!!

Posted by: sylvia | June 7, 2009 09:17 PM

I'm so traumitized by this that I can't process anything. It's beyond my comprehension that people could allow these beautiful animals to be treated so inhumanely. I am completely against horse racing and basically using animals for greed. STOP THIS!!!

Posted by: Cynthia | June 7, 2009 10:30 PM

Very disturbing. I am from Japan. I feel deeply sad and ashamed. Horse races are very popular in Japan. Altough I assume demand has been decreased, many Japanese would still fond of horse meat, called "sakura". It is a known fact that the horses are sent and killed for eat at the end of their career. It must have a long history and deep roots of the dark business. Although it is a common knowledge, this business never comes up to a front news to get people's attention. I don't know if there is ever possibility to end the business in Japan, but wish to stop sending out the horses from the US to Japan.

Posted by: Yuriko | June 8, 2009 01:15 AM

I am extremely saddened by this as all these beautiful creatures have done is work hard to please their owners, making them loads of money, to end up being flown all the way to the Far East only to be killed is utterly disgusting. They don't diserve that, instead they should either retire or be rehabilitated and given a second chance in life. My heart is filled with sadness and I cried my eyes out. STOP THIS NOW IT'S WRONG!

Posted by: Lady Moger | June 8, 2009 05:06 AM

Greed has surpassed humanity

Posted by: Julie van Niekerk | June 8, 2009 06:47 AM

Max- no one said this was any worse than any other slaughter but at the moment everyone is watching the slaughter of a beautiful horse. All slaughter is disgusting. I will never understand why humans think its their place or right to take any animal of the 4 legged kind and make them into property. They have just as much right to be here on the earth and be free and happy as we do. People and their egos and greed, one of the most disgusting things ever. This video is gross and heartbreaking.

Posted by: Denise | June 8, 2009 08:13 AM

My heart is breaking. These wonderful animals that are an integral part of our history. That give us pleasure to ride. That are so beautiful to watch run. They are magnificent creatures and deserve our respect and consideration.
Human being are despicable. There is nothing human or humane about us.
Why can't we learn to help instead of harm. What a tragedy. What an absolute tragedy!!

Why can't we create legislation to ban the horse racing industry from selling these wonderful creatures to Japanese slaughterhouses or any slaughter house. We have to press legislators and stop this abhorrent practice forever!

Posted by: Judith Ziet | June 8, 2009 12:00 PM

I find the human race to be pathetic when it comes to greed. Once again it is all about the mighty dollar...It sickens me to watch these horrific acts of violence.These poor souls

Posted by: Lori | June 8, 2009 12:57 PM

Some humans really suck.

Posted by: roxanne | June 8, 2009 01:02 PM

I have worked against horse slaughter for many years. I have worked to put the word out in as many ways as possible.
There are many groups and individuals that work tirelessly for the anti- slaughter movement.
Some people disagree with PETA's tactics, but I have to say that in showing their undercover videos they bring the horror out in the open as no other method can do.
We probably will not be able to change the way things are done in Japan, but we must ensure that contracts are written to keep U.S. stallions from going to slaughter after they are no longer useful for stud and don't forget the mares who are sold for breeding. The former owners must continue to monitor the horses so that they can intervene at the proper time.They cannot depend on the new owners to care.
Personally, I would never sell a horse to go overseas.
The horse-protective sales contracts should also be used in the U.S. since there are many people who sell to killer buyers here when the horse is of no use to them.
Keep fighting against horse slaughter!

Posted by: Kathryn Baker | June 8, 2009 02:34 PM

As a horse owner, I can't begin to fathom how any human being could slaughter a horse. Did you notice in the video how the slaughtered horse trusted his killers until the very end? These animals have done so much for mankind in the history of the world, we owe them much more.

PETA is smart, savy, and creates fear in the hearts of any group they expose. Keep an eye on the US states who are looking to reestablish horse slaughter facilities again in the US.

Keep fighting for horses (slaughter, Tennessee Walking horses, race horses, rodeo horses, and carriage horses) and PETA can tap into a huge group of animal lovers that typically do not visit this web site. Keep up the fine work PETA; I'm sending you a donation for releasing this undercover video.

Posted by: valerie | June 8, 2009 04:08 PM

Everyone is led to believe once a racehorse is done racing they live out their lives on a farm with endless pastures. I also think there needs to be breeding limits. We need Oprah to do a show on horseracing's dirty secrets.

Posted by: Sheri Weikel | June 8, 2009 10:52 PM

After watching the Chinese skinned the dogs alive. I am no longer can watch any of these sick video. I hope God will take over this world so none of these animal will get hurt.

Posted by: Helen | June 8, 2009 11:33 PM

What a disgrace! How can people do that to a innoccent animal! Its disgusting!

Posted by: Angelica | June 9, 2009 05:32 AM

it is a travesty that everything revolves around the almightly dollar...these magnificnet animals deserve to live out their lives in a green pasture, running free....only when people demand this type of thing be stopped, will it. I detest people who turn away and refuse to watch the videos, read the artilces, that expose what goes on in this world at the expense of animals....thay are just to lazy and weak to do anything about it..I will never stop trying to help...be it by being at a protest, givng needed funds, or writing letters...

Posted by: Michelle | June 9, 2009 11:14 AM

This makes me sick. I own an ex racehorse who broke down at the track. She's wonderful & couldn't imagine her going through this. Silver Charm was the first horse I ever watched run (the Kentucky Derby in '97) and was so sad when he was sold to Japan. Thankfully he has a Ferdinand fee in his contract (buy back when he's finnished breeding) We should all demand that horses sold to foreign countries for breeding all have that clause in their contracts.

Posted by: Ruffian | June 9, 2009 01:30 PM

never again will I dress up and participate in the melbourne cup frenzy count me out australia

Posted by: LOUISE TURNER | June 10, 2009 12:58 AM

The horse race industry must not be doing well in California because radio stations are promoting rock concerts on the track immediately after the last race to bring people in. Apparently giving out free junk to attract crowds was no longer working. The way I am protesting is this: When I see a commercial for a race track that features an after race concert being promoted by a radio station, I call the station, state my views, and tell the operator that until they stop promoting this horror show my radio will be tuned in to their competition. 95.5 KLOS is the biggest horse race/rock show promoter right now, and I let all of my animal activist friends know this. Mark and Brien, I will miss you, but what your station is doing needs to stop!!

Posted by: Rev. Meg Schramm | June 10, 2009 11:43 AM

The ones to blame for the "carnage" isn't the American horse racing industry, It's cultures (both Asian and European) that condones horse meat for human consumption. Horses are much too noble of an animal to end up on someone's plate

Posted by: Tom | June 10, 2009 02:44 PM

i worked on the racetrack for 20 years and saw alot of abuse going on. as a groom the love for the horse was my priority and tried to make my time with each animal special. their personalities are similar to those of dogs and i had the great pleasure to have had intimate relationships with most of the animals i took care of. seeing the video broke my heart but i knew for quite some time that this was going on. my only question is this, the amount of money owners and trainers make off these magnificent creatures is enormous why is there not an automatic deduction taken from them for the retirement fund

Posted by: rich | June 11, 2009 12:37 PM

This is just heartbreaking.

I hope we can be able to do something and help these amazing animals!

I'll keep Charismatic, War Emblem, Ferdinand, and all the other horses out there who have a chance of ending up like this in my thoughts and prayers :(

<3

Posted by: Jennifer | June 11, 2009 09:15 PM

I am sitting here crying my heart out and I did not watch the video. I tried but just looking into this beautiful horses eyes , I couldnt watch him die.
I am from Australia and we have something called Jump Racing. It is also inhumane. Making a horse race at break neck speeds and jump at the same time.
Many horses die horrific deaths. It was supposed to be stopped in Victoria but its been given the green light

WHAT IS WRONG WITH MANKING ? Why are we all so horrible Throughout time through one thing or another mankind has been gluttonous and self serving, nothing has changed except for how we do it. Ive got two children and I am ashamed of the world I have brought them into. I am terrified for the world that they will be in.

I grew up with horses, it used to be the word of horses being sent to the glue factory, Glue or Pet food (or worse human consumption) it makes no difference its WRONG.

I hope ONE DAY mankind will wake up and realise what it is doing to itself

Posted by: Caroline | June 12, 2009 06:40 AM

I want to join and i want to buy about two or three horses.

Posted by: Horace Moning | June 14, 2009 03:46 PM

All horses are not reated this way. However, it is a travesty to think that this could happen to any horse. I cannot condem the entire horseracing community, however, I do agree something needs to be done about the horses that are sold to Japan, to be slaughtered for food.

Posted by: Janice Field | June 15, 2009 04:36 PM

I bought an ex-racehorse austin w because I out bid the slaughter buyer by about $50. Hes an exceptional horse and was only 7 years old when I got him. He has gotten me interested in all of the ex-racehorse rescues and i plan on adopting another very soon. Every horse I have met that has come off the track has been a horse with a huge heart and wants nothing more than to please even if they are scared at first. I believe that every one of these horses deserve a second chance. What's the world come to when a horse thats young and gentle has no value just because he doesn't run as fast as he used to. Here's something to throw in their face Austin W has came along great and is running barrels, and to his previous owners- he has earned more in the arena then on the track. Just because a track isn't where the horse is meant to be, doesn't mean they are worthless, every horse has a place just like people. Im sure almost everyone will agree with that.

Posted by: Lorrie | June 15, 2009 08:04 PM

this is very sad and needs to be stoped

Posted by: April King | June 17, 2009 10:14 AM

I hope god blesses the people who are in volved in the slaughter of horses That means Kill buyers Ect... they know who they are. The same torture as they had giving to the horses !

Posted by: Kim | June 18, 2009 09:48 AM

You could have PETA buy the horses. Give them away in some sort of raffle to the person who can best take care of each horse. Or if someone here can afford to buy a horse...

Posted by: Daniel | June 18, 2009 11:26 PM

the reason the racing industry sells horses to japan is all about $$$. it isnt about giving them a lovely retirment or weather or not somebody would love to give a retired champion a great home. its about the owners of the champion making money off it's genes by selling it to a stud in japan or wherever. The home does not matter its the money.its disgusting and the governement should step in and regulate the industry just like they regulate everything else in the country. They can control import and export of goods why not animals.

Posted by: saf | June 20, 2009 07:38 AM

@ Laura: Thanks for your comment. We will be responding to it via e-mail shortly.

Posted by: Shawna Flavell | June 22, 2009 05:21 PM

Please! Ban exporting horses to Japan! It's horrible! Help stop this. I will try to help too this summer. I will post a link on my website too.
zucchiniprotects.webs.com

Posted by: Rachel | July 1, 2009 05:51 PM

if you think that is ok, youre rong maybey just maybey they want to servive! think peopole think!!!!!!

Posted by: stranger | July 8, 2009 02:34 PM

i have a book, and it told me and a hole buntch of others that theres bin 1,000,ooo,ooo,ooo,ooo horses that have been slauterd! trust me i know what its like! it not funny!i just wish it would stop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Sara | July 8, 2009 02:43 PM

stop horse slaughter i am against it soon their wont be any more horses

Posted by: janan | July 10, 2009 08:01 AM

This NEEDS 2 stop now.

Posted by: Ariel | July 13, 2009 07:35 PM

This needs to stop! I lost my best friend from him being slaughtered and I went to an auction and had no horses but a huge barn and there where 20 horses and i came back home with 14
STOP HORSE SLAUGHTER

Posted by: Madeline Wynn | July 15, 2009 12:10 AM

After Ferdinand was slaughtered Japan faced a severe backlash from the racing industry. American stallions sent to Japan are subject to "buy backs" if they are no longer useful to the Japanese. Japan has to toe the line if they want the use of any American stallion. Don't think for a minute that no one is monitoring these stallions, because they are. After Exceller and Ferdinand were slaughtered, the racing industry will not tolerate slaughter of their champions. Any Japanese owner of an American Stud knows that sending that horse to slaughter will not be tolerated and they don't want to lose the valuable bloodlines that these horses bring.

Posted by: Marty Reeh | July 17, 2009 11:43 AM

The horses that race in the Kentucky Derby, after they retire should not be slaughtered at all, even if they break something. They should live a happy normal life in their retired years.But, if the horse breaks a bone and if they can't fix it then they can be humanely euthanasied. But,if it can be fixed that is fine and they to can live a happy normal life in their retired years. People need to find a different way to make dog food,dog treats, and human food.I am so againist this it needs to be fixed now!!!!!!!!!How can people even stand looking at them when they are alive one second and then their not. People need to step up and do something about this!!!!!! This has gone to far!!!I would be so happy if someone went and burned down every horse slaughter house.I don't even know how the horses even trust the killers.I want the horse slaughtering to be illegal,to be banned, and prohibitted/forbitted.

Posted by: A.G.B. | July 20, 2009 05:34 PM

I hate slaughter horses!! I dont want kill the horses!! PLAESE!!! they don't want to lose the vauable bloodlines that these horses bring. if kill the horses then sometime they no many horses, some poeple will reaily mad,also i realiy mad. why japan want to eat the horses, i cant understand!! I do not eat the horses, NO WAY!! this horses are imoport good for tranning horses and joy ride the horses alone!!! this horses live all of the state never use the slaughter house.

Posted by: beverly nix | July 20, 2009 09:08 PM

You know this is really funny to me because all that you people have time for is grip about horse slaughter. Well if you people would actually pull your heads out of your butts you would actually relize that horse slaughter is really good for the U.S. Things to consider about this, would you rather see a horse straved to death, or to see them taken care of properly, and by the way have any of you ever thought why the horse market gets worse every year. Well I'll tell you why its cause all of you PETA people desided to ban horse slaughter. And by the way in many countries horse considered to be a delicuse to eat were I come from sure anit from the East end of the U.S. the way I look at it horses were put on this earth for two things to be worked and to put food on the dinner table, and if you dont like that I can tell you where to stick it.

Posted by: J.D. | July 21, 2009 12:24 PM

I will probably receive some back lash for this comment however... there are sides to this issue that are not being addressed. My state does not allow for slaughter. Here is what has happened. Horses are being abandoned because people cannot afford to care for them. I read a story the other day about an abandoned horse that was found with it's brand cut out of its hip. Where I live right now you cannot even give a horse away. Hay prices went sky high. Now what is the lesser of the two evils? Do you allow for a horse to be humanely slaughtered (euthanized) or do you put people in a situation where they abandon a horse in an area where they hope it can graze and live? When you have no one to take on these animals and you have no way to be humane and put them down to keep them from being abandoned or starved to death you create an even more cruel environment. I do not like the thought of a good useful animal being put down, but I can tell you I would rather see an animal put down humanely rather than dropped along side some meadow and starve or be eaten by the coyotes.

Posted by: Shan | July 27, 2009 12:48 AM

The Slaughterhouses are inhuman and cruel. There is always something that you can do to keep a horse from being slaughtered or starving. Anybody heard of the 4H program???? walk trot.....??? Doesn't a champion of the race field deserve to be a champion of life?? So why end their's just because they cant race or breed to the owner's wishes?? We have horses that aren't able to be ridden, they're pasture buddies to the other horses. I'll tell you this, those horses are just as good as any other. What happened to the connection between people and horses?? I have bad days and go visit my "LAME" horses. They don't shoe me away, but welcome me with love and rubs. They're playfull still and are beautiful to watch run the pastures. There is always something to do or somewhere to go if YOU were "no good". Just as that, there is ALWAYS somewhere for a "BROKE" horse to go besides the slaughterhouse. Slaughterhouses are inhumane, desgusting and they need to be shut down. Greed is no exception, the government can control exports of all kinds, but to what lengths are we willing to go to to make them control this export??????????

Posted by: anesha Bayne | July 28, 2009 10:03 PM

It saddens me to hear that Charismatic and War Emblem may end up like Ferdinand. Why can't we horse lovers and supporters raise money or have the breeders who bred both these horses back home to the US. Thank God for PETA and their investigators. I know several other Thoroughbreds are over in Japan breeding. There has to be something us (horse loving citizens) can do to bring both them home where they belong. Both horses were great and fast racehorses here in the US. Just because they can't breed to a mare doesn't mean that they can't live out their lives back on US soil.

Posted by: Tonya | August 2, 2009 08:56 PM

HOW CAN U KILL SUCH BEATUFUL ANIMALS? WHAT DID THEY DO TO YOU? WHO CARRIED OUR SOLDIERS IN TO WAR? NO ONE EATS HORSE MEAT! NO ONE! SO WHY KILL 300 A DAY? HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF WE SHOT YOU AND HANGED YOU BY THE LEGS?!!! END THE SLAUGHTER! END THE PAIN! LET HORSES RUN FREE! BY KILLING A HORSE WHAT DO YOU GAIN? YOU GAIN MURDER

Posted by: katie | August 3, 2009 12:10 PM

I have watched the video and yes it is sad to watch. However horse slaughter is a must just like beef slaughter. People in other countries do eat the meat and it is usefull in oter products that we do use here in the US. Something that Im sure the author here has not thought of, but I would like to share is, since the killer plants here in the US have been closed the horse market is flooded and I cant eaven sell my well bread and trainned rope/barrel horse for a decent price. If the US was unnable to send unwanted horses overseas that is only that many more horses with no home.

Posted by: Mistysandtivioscowgirl | August 4, 2009 06:06 PM

i dont think they should show this stuff on here cause this is horrible. they should not do slaughtering that is cruel and mean everyone should find a nice home for them. plus if they are really in bad shape why send them to the killers. why dont they just put them down and cremate them. that way they could have them with them. i think that is just wrong of them doing that. and dont think they should show this on here cause if a little kid sees this how bad do you think they would feel. thats all i haft to say it really hurts seeing that.

Posted by: wendi | August 12, 2009 02:25 PM

YOU GUYS NEED TO GET A LIFE YOU JUST FOCUS ON THE BAD PART OF THINGS BUT NOT THE GOOD.

Posted by: JCO | September 7, 2009 10:18 PM

Why not geld this horses and give them away to places that could use them or people that will love them.
I know that I would love to own a Kentucky Winner even if he/she is broken down or old.
It's just the fact that I have them and gave them a good home that would make me happy.

Posted by: tracie | September 25, 2009 01:00 AM

Every horse feels pain and gets scared. It doesnt matter if you are a race horse champion or a regular horse.Maybe if the American people and goverment had not shut down our slaughter plants these horses would not suffer as much as they are now.With these plants being closed all horses are subjected to more abuse,longer time to be scared and no regulations to protect what life they have left. They are sent abroad to strange countries with no regulations or care. America throws them away with no regard. Shame on us Shame on you.

Posted by: t | October 28, 2009 09:51 PM

yea who wants to go protest at the next horse race? for one I am appalled by such selfish actions of the people who are supposed to be promoting horses welfare. The racing industry is clearly screwed up

Posted by: jess | November 7, 2009 08:32 PM

I have had many sleepless nights and have not viewed this video,it is a nightmare that has to end ,Thank You PETA for trying to stop this barbaric and inhumane ending to one of God most beautifull creatures,it is beyond me to think of killing and eating a horse.

Posted by: Sheila | November 11, 2009 09:16 PM

this is murder. i hope you can bring an end to this crime! i support you 100%

Posted by: lauren | November 14, 2009 10:58 PM

I really don't get how humans can slaughter horses for food. It's like killing your best friend because you are hungry?? This isn't inhumane-it's plain crazy! How do you look at a living being as an object-it's beyond me

Posted by: sadienpopsmomluci | November 18, 2009 08:38 PM