Slaughterhouse Stamp.

I have 5 rescue horses that we rescued from the Kill Pen (I say horses, but 3 of them are ponies, one of the ponies being a mini pony and the others being Shetlands)

It makes me sad to realize how oblivious people are to what happens to these poor, sweet creatures... the owner of the Kill Pen told us that the horses are sent to Mexico for slaughter, since it's illegal to do so for meat/glue in our state but it's legal to transport them where they will be killed. One of our ponies is blind, and while one is very stubborn and pushy, all of them are so sweet and nice. I can't imagine the long drive to Mexico, without food or water and crowded in each other's own urine and droppings, only to either die on the way there of famine and thirst, or to be mercilessly slaughtered for money. I especially can't imagine how many sweet, wonderful horses like the ones I have, or even better ones, go to the slaughterhouse just because their owner didn't want them anymore, and were completely oblivious to where they would be going. A lot of the horses there were either former racing horses, pets, well trained horses, or just horses who were born for slaughter in the first place. Some of them are terribly sick, but some of you reading this comment may have no idea how heartbreaking it is to have a horse follow you around and cuddle you, knowing that a lot of his companions and possibly him will be going to be stuffed into a crowded, hot trailer and sent to slaughter the next day. Horses with so much potential, so much kindness and compassion. Even the shy, angry or fearful horses are worth feeling sorry for, especially since they're the least likely to be saved.

And I know I may be making them out to be a little too anthropomorphic, but I feel that some horses, and animals in general, really do show their gratitude to you, when they learn to trust you. The first day we brought the first four horses home (we got the 5th one later on), they just ran out into the field and grazed, like they were a little confused but happy. After a few days they began to realize they were free from the Kill Pen, and the blind pony, who had been scared to death while getting in the trailer (The guy whacked him in the face with a flag and terrified him), started opening up and trusting us more. The two horses have turned out to be very sweet, and while one was suspicious to us and pushy with the other horses before, she's very nice now (She doesn't like me petting her too much, but she always lets me kiss her on the nose). Our mini pony seems slightly offended whenever I call her pretty, cute, or beautiful, and she's got a little bit of an attitude (she bucks around when she gets excited, gives us the devil stare, and isn't afraid of anything), but she's awesome and I love her.


I just wish more people could give their attention to these amazing creatures, instead of only seeing them for their racing or meat or use. Our grandfather actually tried to tell us that "only dogs and cats should be kept as pets" and that " If a horse has no use then it shouldn't be kept as a pet" when we told him that we weren't going to be riding the horses (Especially with what the bit does to their mouth), and I was so close to slapping somebody in the face.