4/2/10 These are some of the MOST horrifying and disturbing undercover videos that I have seen to date. (video's has been removed by youtube's policy on violation of shocking and disgusting content)

In February 2010 The Canadian Horse Defence Coalition received this hidden camera footage that had been taken in the Canadian slaughter houses, Quebec's Viandes Richelieu and Alberta's Bouvry Exports. I don't care who you are, even if you claim to be pro-slaughter- nobody, and I mean nobody, with an ounce of compassion inside of them, can watch these videos and not be disturbed.

Most of the Fallon feedlot and auction horses that we have saved would have ended up here. Imagine some of the Shiloh Horses that you have grown to love, support and appreciate. Now imagine them in these videos. This should NOT be happening. Period.

Our wonderful country was built on the back of horses. They bore us into battles, helped to build fortunes, delivered good news, brought warnings of attack, traveled with us into the west, and carried us home. They have become a symbol of American spirit and independence.

Unknown to many horse owners, each year more than 100,000 American horses are sent to slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico. These horses are slaughtered for human consumption overseas, in countries like France, Belgium, Italy, and Holland. Slaughter is the "dirty secret" of the horse world. Many horse owners do not know, or would rather not know, about it?s existence. But, we owe it to our horses to learn about it and face it head on.

Slaughter bound horses must endure incredible cruelty which begins before they even get to the slaughter facility. Most of the horses are bought by "killer-buyers" at auctions held weekly all around the country. These horses end up with the killers, sometimes called "horse brokers", because of ignorance and greed. Most stolen horses also end up going to slaughter. The killers travel to these auctions until they have a large enough load to transport to the slaughter facility. Usually beginning at the auctions the horses are denied food and water. They are then herded into double-decker cattle trucks. These trucks are not designed for horses, they are much to low, and many times the horses cannot lift their heads to help them balance during the ride. This causes many of them to fall down. The conditions in the trucks can be horrifying, stallions, mares, and foals crammed together, fighting, kicking, freezing cold or boiling hot temperatures, and travel times of up to 28 hours with-out stopping. Horses arrive at the facility missing eyes, with broken legs, trampled, and even dead. Upon their arrival, they are herded into the slaughterhouse. Here the true terror begins for these horses. They are prodded into the "kill box" where they are bludgeoned on the head with a captive bolt gun which shoots a spike into their forehead, or a poorly aimed gunshot to the head, or as in Mexico, stabbing with a small sharp knife which severs the spinal cord. Many times the workers miss and have to repeat the procedure over and over. Supposedly stunned horses are then strung up by one foot to be bleed out. Some are not stunned at this point and will actually drown in their own blood. From here the slaughter process proceeds.

Slaughter is not, and should never be considered, a humane way to end a horses life. It is cruel, vicious, and terrifying for the horses.

A person who sends a horse to slaughter is thinking only of themselves, not the horse. Slaughter is the "easy way out" for uncaring, greedy, and callous horse owners.

We at Shiloh Horse Rescue encourage horse owners to NEVER sell their horse at a livestock auction, chances are that they will go to slaughter! Please take the time to find a good home for your horse. If your horse is past their usefulness and you cannot find someone to give it a comfortable home, please consider euthanasia. Euthanasia gives your horse a humane and painless ending in comfortable surroundings.

Slaughter is not, and never should be considered, an alternative for responsible horse owners.

Slaughter alternatives include Euthanasia or the Donation of the horse to a Horse Rescue or a new and loving home.