Australia is known for its horse racing industry, which has been in existence since the late 19th century. Horse racing is an important part of the country’s culture and economy, with many people involved in the profession of breeding, training and racing horses. However, the fate of many of these animals after their racing career is over is often overlooked. Unfortunately, hundreds of racehorses each year are sent to slaughter in Australia, leading to an ethical and moral dilemma for those involved in the industry.
What is Slaughter?
Slaughter is the killing of a horse for the purpose of producing food or other products. In Australia, horses are sent to slaughterhouses in order to be processed and sold as animal protein, leather or glue. The practice of slaughtering horses for food is legal in Australia, but is highly controversial due to the ethical and moral implications of such a practice.
How Many Racehorses are Sent to Slaughter in Australia?
The exact number of racehorses sent to slaughter in Australia each year is not known, as many horses are sent to slaughter without being registered with the relevant authorities. However, it is estimated that hundreds of racehorses are sent to slaughter each year in Australia, with the majority being sent to the Northern Territory.
Who Sends Racehorses to Slaughter?
Racehorses can be sent to slaughter by their owners, trainers or breeders. Owners may decide to send their horse to slaughter for a variety of reasons, such as the horse being too old or not performing well on the track. Trainers and breeders may also choose to send horses to slaughter if they are unable to find a suitable home or if the horse is not performing as expected.
Why Do People Send Racehorses to Slaughter?
There are a number of reasons why people may choose to send racehorses to slaughter. These include a lack of suitable homes, financial reasons, or simply a lack of knowledge about other options.
What Happens to Racehorses After Slaughter?
The fate of racehorses after they are sent to slaughter is largely unknown. The majority of horses are likely to be processed for their meat and other products, although some may be used for leather or glue.
Are Racehorses Sent to Slaughter inhumanely?
Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to this question. The process of sending horses to slaughter is largely unregulated, and it is difficult to determine the level of humane treatment that horses receive.
What Are the Alternatives to Slaughter?
Fortunately, there are a number of alternatives to sending racehorses to slaughter. These include:
- Retraining: Many racehorses can be retrained for different disciplines after their racing career is over. This can help to provide them with a new purpose and a home.
- Adoption: There are a number of organisations that specialise in the adoption of retired racehorses. These organisations can help to provide the horse with a loving home.
- Sanctuaries: There are a number of sanctuaries in Australia that provide a safe and caring environment for retired racehorses. These sanctuaries can provide the horse with a home for the rest of its life.
- Rehoming: There are a number of organisations that specialise in the rehoming of retired racehorses. These organisations can help to provide the horse with a loving home.
What is Being Done to Prevent Racehorses From Being Sent to Slaughter?
There are a number of initiatives in place to help prevent racehorses from being sent to slaughter. These include:
- Rehoming Programs: Many racing organisations have established rehoming programs that ensure racehorses are adopted into loving homes after their racing career is over.
- Education: Racing organisations are increasingly providing education to owners and trainers about the importance of rehoming and adopting retired racehorses, rather than sending them to slaughter.
- Slaughter Bans: Some racing organisations have implemented bans on sending retired racehorses to slaughter. These bans help to ensure that horses are provided with a loving home after their racing career is over.
- Slaughterhouse Monitoring: Racing organisations are increasingly monitoring slaughterhouses to ensure that horses are not sent there without their knowledge or consent.
Conclusion
Hundreds of racehorses are sent to slaughter in Australia each year, leading to an ethical and moral dilemma for those involved in the industry. Fortunately, there are a number of initiatives in place to help prevent racehorses from being sent to slaughter, including rehoming programs, education and slaughter bans. However, more needs to be done to ensure that all racehorses are provided with a safe and loving home after their racing career is over.
References
- Australian Horse Racing (2020). How Many Racehorses are Sent to Slaughter in Australia? Retrieved from: https://aushorseracing.com.au/how-many-racehorses-are-sent-to-slaughter-in-australia/
- Greenpeace Australia Pacific (2020). Horse Slaughter in Australia. Retrieved from: https://www.greenpeace.org/australia/issue/animal-welfare/horse-slaughter-in-australia/
- The Horse (2020). The Plight of Racehorses Sent to Slaughter. Retrieved from: https://thehorse.com/150835/the-plight-of-racehorses-sent-to-slaughter/
- World Horse Welfare (2020). Rehoming Ex-Racehorses. Retrieved from: https://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/rehoming-ex-racehorses