Jamaica's Story: An Unlikely Happy Ending to a Horse Slaughter Case

Hi Bonnie,

I am a Canadian writer (5 books to date in a True Horse Stories series + various magazine article) and came across this post while researching for new story ideas. I LOVE the sound of this one... it's a near perfect fit for the type of story I'm needing. I'm wondering if there is any way that I could find out more information from you about this horse - where you heard about him , etc.

Thanks very much in advance for leads you might be able to offer.

Sincerely,

J Andrekson

Judy Andrekson 9:59PM June 22, 2009

As the owner of one PMU and the rest slaughter bound horses, I am a total advocate for ending slaughter and can attest to the fact that it's all lies that the only horses that go to slaughter are aged, crippled or crazy (the oldest one I have is 8 yrs. and the baby is about 6 months, all healthy, none crazy). Thanks Bonnie for making the story available for people to read. The big breeding barns (at least in Indiana) are responsible for sending loads of horses to the kill auction at Shipshewanna, IN) knowing exactly where they will end up. Irresponsible owners are the other culprits. It's a good feeling when people are made aware of rags to riches stories for these animals. They are the poster kids in this issue. I've seen some horses at the kill auction who should have been on the cover of breed magazines (such as the two paints) and horses that looked like they just came from the show ring (the pretty young palomino) or the matched set of grays, the black horse with the star... all young, healthy and could have had a great life if they had been lucky enough to get a good owner rather than a death sentence in a slaughter house. Let's hope that the select few who blocked the bills to end horse slaughter will be blocked themselves and let's hope that horse slaughter comes to an end this year. Thanks again for posting this article.

Terri of IN 10:30PM January 10, 2009

Bonnie,

Thank you so much for identifying a horse that almost went to slaughter. Claims by pro-slaughter advocates that horse slaughter is necessary because these horses are dangerous, old or are irreversibly lame are clearly proven false in this case. By the USDA own statistics, 92.2% of the horses going to slaughter are sound and young.

Pro-slaughter would like for Americans to believe their false claims about horses going to slaughter but your story and others, like the story about Lights on Broadway who was literally taken off the slaughter truck when the driver showed the trainer his papers, are showing the American people that slaughter is all about greed, irresponsibility and not being held accountable.

Thank you very much for keeping Americans informed of the truth about horse slaughter.

Ann M. Marini, Ph.D., M.D. of MD 1:18PM December 18, 2008

The plight of horses in our country is one of great concern to me as a horse lover. And sadly, I feel it will probably get worse over the next five years before it gets better. As an animal advocate and current owner, it is important that all horse loving factions work together for the best possible outcomes for our equine friends which prevents suffering or a long trip on a semi-trailer to Canada or Mexico.

Unfortunately, the resolution of our horse dilemma revolves around proper funding. It is imperative that horse lovers, breed organizations, welfare groups, and legislature work together to pursue all avenues and options to raise the appropriate funding to care for and provide proper housing for our injured or geriatric thousand pound friends. The cost for maintaining these horses is staggering compared to the work of our dog and cat rescue groups.

A larger call to action is definitely in order and I feel a very good solution is possible if egos are put aside and the horse is put first. I feel appropriate dollars and homes can be found (or developed) if individuals start finding out the true final destination of their equine friends.

Mary O'Connor-Shaver of OH 4:14AM December 18, 2008