Due to their sensitive nature and flight response, there is no humane way to slaughter horses for food. People are often horrified to learn that all kinds of horses meet this fate: unsuccessful racehorses, lame or ill horses, pets, and foals who are "byproducts" of production of the hormone replacement therapy drug Premarin.

Horse owners are often unaware of the pain, fear, and suffering their animals endure before being slaughtered, starting with transport, often over long distances without food, water or rest, in trucks where they are easily injured.

Slaughterhouse conditions are very frightening for horses. In some countries, horses are stabbed in the neck to paralyze them prior to slaughter. The majority of horse flesh produced in both North and Latin America is shipped to Europe and Asia for human consumption. Each year, many tens of thousands of horses are routinely slaughtered in Europe for food, too.

Instead of being shipped to slaughter, horses should be re-homed, sent to sanctuary or humanely euthanized by a veterinarian. Join our campaign to end the cruelty.