Drop Off Pen Injuries

Research studies conducted on the transportation of horses to slaughter concluded that horses shipped directly to slaughter suffered less external injuries and less carcass bruises than the horses that were transported to several auctions while the "killer buyer" collected a full load.

Dealers stated to researchers that they have to attend several auctions to collect a full load, and that the horses have to be loaded and unloaded several times for food and water.

Horses with severe injuries that would attract attention are left hidden from public view on trailers.

From a USDA research study conducted in 1998 by Temple Grandin:

"The number one problem that needs to be corrected in transport and marketing is injuries caused by horse fights. At the New Holland sale three horses were injured in a fight that occurred in a "dealer drop off pen". One horse received a severe eye injury"

Horse owners complained about the conditions in drop off pens at horse auctions for years. The fights between aggrsssive horses or stallions. Stallions breeding mares. No food available. No water available, even though there was access to water troughs and running water.

Injuries that the horses sustained, left untreated.

Auction workers and owners referred to experienced horse people as, "animal rights activists."

Yet when a USDA researcher comes to the same conclusions as the horse people, it is heralded as scientific. Is that because our tax dollars paid for it? This is not rocket science, anybody who has experience with horses and some common sense can figure this out.

The reason for the handling of the horses destined for slaughter in the drop off pens can be traced to one reason. Money.

The meat men have so often said, "Why feed a dead horse?"