This Belgian draft horse was consigned to the sale in New Holland, PA. He is obviously underweight with his ribs and hips protruding. No cruelty charges were ever filed regarding his condition, transport to the sale, or offering him for sale.

One killer buyer when stopped by the State Police told the Troopers that the draft horses on the double decker were,

"old, sick, or didn't want to work anymore."

How did the option of slaughter prevent the draft horses on this page from being neglected?

How much more weight does this draft horse have to lose before it becomes cruel to work him?

This very thin draft horse stands next to a horse that is dead. According to a horse welfare organization the horse was put down due to colic. How long was the colicing horse at the sale?

One would hope that the owner paid for the vet's services and not the horse welfare organization. Horse owners need to held accountable for their actions. Slaughter does not prevent horse neglect-personal responsibility does.

According to the PA Fit For Sale Brochure a horse should be a 3 or above on the Henneke Body Scoring Condition Chart.

Score Description

1 - Poor:

Emaciated. Prominent spinous processes, ribs, tailhead and hooks and pins. Noticeable bone structure on withers, shoulders and neck. No fatty tissues can be palpated.

2 - Very Thin:

Emaciated. Slight fat covering over base of spinous processes. Transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae feel rounded. Prominent spinous processes, ribs, tailhead and hooks and pins. Withers, shoulders and neck structures faintly discernible.

3 - Thin:

Fat built up about halfway on spinous processes, transverse processes cannot be felt. Slight fat cover over ribs. Spinous processes and ribs easily discernible. Tailhead prominent, but individual vertebrae cannot be visually identified. Hook bones appear rounded, but easily discernible. Pin bones not distinguishable. Withers, shoulders and neck accentuated