Horse Rescue

[JarBax]

This video shows around 200 horses being rescued from flooding in the Netherlands. Incredible.

Rescue two hundred horses, the Netherlands 2006 - Google Video

[Tulip]

Wow! That was awesome!!!

[jackrussellgirl]

Not to sound rude but I didn't think it was that impressive. The horses are just walking through the water. This method of moving horses through water has been used for many many years.

[JarBax]

I am aware that this was not a unique occurence in the equine world - but I was impressed that nearly 200 horses were saved from the unpleasant experience - to put it mildly - of being trapped by flood water - where 19 of their company had already died.

It may well be a simple method, but I found the video to be uplifting, and inspiring - and hoped others may appreciate watching it too. Sometimes it's worth hearing a piece of good news!

[gpigluver14]

That was amazing! How can you not think that was impressive?! Wow, there was so many horses. So sad though, that 18 died...

I don't really like horses though....

[gpigluver14]

I don't really like horses, though.

[Druid]

You guys do realise those horses were bred for slaughter? That's why there's so many of them - it's a meat farm.

[JarBax]

I hadn't considered this to be a meat farm - but now it seems obvious...cynically, this is probably why they were so keen to rescue the horses. I like to think they cared enough about the animals' welfare to save them from such a horrific ordeal (though maddens me more that they will be put through more horrors in their life). This does put an entirely different light on the film. Reinforcing my 'anti-farming' beliefs further, just feeling a bit stupid that it hadn't dawned on me first!

[Druid]

It was reported widely here that they were meat animals...quite common on the continent

[JarBax]

Yeah - it's not something I had been aware of - hadn't seen/heard reports other than this. (Must keep ear closer to the ground!)

[gpigluver14]

oh my goodness...I didn't even realize this. That's so sad, they weren't really being rescued then. A much greater fate will soon await them. That explains why there was so many.

It seems strange, and sad how some countries still breed horses for their meat, but then again, over there it probably seems strange how we eat cows or pigs.

[janetangel]

It is sad for them to be meat market horses. I for one LOVE horses and have one.
The awesome thing was how unified the herd went off the island. I am around horses every day and if one horse in the herd spooks it can cause many problems for many others.

[gpigluver14]

I love horses too! So it's really sad to know that people would eat them. But that's life I guess...

[janetangel]

Yeah that is life, just like eating any animal. For so many of us the thought of eating certain animals is revolting, but for so many others it is a way of life.

[Druid]

I have several horses too - that's how I originally came across the video, on a horsey forum before it was "news" over here. However, I don't believe breeding horses for meat is any different to breeding cattle or sheep for meat - as long as they are slaughtered in a humane manner and not subject to long live transport journeys.

[smartorl]

Well, this is one of the biggest causes that I stand behind, the fact is that the horses are often not treated humanely. They are crammed into too small of accomodations where many are injured. They are not fed or watered once transport to the facility is complete. Many times as with the butchering of cattle and other livestock, they are stunned and are being evicerated while still alive.

Here is a graphic video of what really happens in the slaughter houses:

HorseKillers.com

It is also a great starting point to see that from the purchses, through transport, housing in the interim, lack of medical care, failure to seperate or allow adequate space, and sanitation, these animals are mistreated.

[citronsoul]

Horse meat is readily available over here in stores. Most of the people I know have eaten it/ eat it. I've been told that it's one of the better type of meats. I've never tried it though & never will, much to the regret of certain family members telling me I'd like it.

The idea of eating horse meat repulses me, as does other meat. I can't look at a piece of meat without thinking about how it got to my plate & that's enough to make me lose my appetite. Most of the animals bred to be slaughtered live a miserable existence, regardless of being a horse, chicken, cow, etc.

[gpigluver14]

Where do you live?

Yeah, that's why I'm a vegetarian, so I don't have to think about what it was before it was steak, or chicken wings, or veal: A poor, healthy, innocent animal.