Stupid Article. Take a look
The following is my response to such stupidity.
Dear Sydney Morning Herald,
In response to the above article I would like to share with you the reality of the horse world. Gelding is essential! The horse market in Australia, and the world, is pitiful at the moment, thousands of horses end up in a slaughter yard simply because a backyard breeder didn't take the chance to geld that conformational train wreak that they had for stud, over-populating an already struggling market.
Have any of you ever been to a horse auction? If so, I would assume you have seen the many kill-buyers hovering around the yards like vultures. So many horses, unsound, with awful conformation are sold through the yards for minimal price just because no one wants them, as well as some good, sound horses that should have been given a second chance. Do you know why no one wants them? They linage is nothing special, most are not trained, most have conformation faults that deem them unsound, some have legs that will see them broken down and shot within the next year. The horse industry CAN NOT win. All these people that are anti slaughter, trying to shut down the kill-houses just because it's morally wrong. Now you seem to think it appropriate to say gelding is wrong. Would you say de-sexing a male cat is wrong? How many feral and strays are out there, being ran over or put down every minute?
Before you go ahead and say that horses such as Light Fantastic, Kingston Town or Gunsynd should be left intact, stop for a moment and do your research. Owners make decisions based on their horses conformation, soundness and personality. If a stallion has a nasty hoof problem, and breed, there is a high possibility that the offspring will inherit this problem, this is the same with unsound legs. That would be another young horse no one would want and would end up in the kill yard. Take a look at Derby winner, Big Brown, although he is a successful race horse with correct conformation, he has a nasty hoof problem that will be passed onto and progeny.
I am a horse lover and owner. I have 3 geldings sitting out in that paddock that are fine as geldings, but it would have been a crime to leave them as stallions and pass on their conformation faults to offspring. Do a google search, look at all the conformational train wreaks that are left as stallions and up for stud. Or take a look at the neglected and unloved horses that have come into the world because of these 'studs'.
Not gelding horses would have a traumatic effect on the horse industry. I would advise you to get out of your offices and visit a equine rescue, or go to the next horse sale. Then you can see for yourself that those unwanted horses are sold to the killbuyers to $50. In my opinion it should be a crime to not geld, in my opinion, every colt should be looked over by a panel of experienced horse people and a vet and deemed 'correct' and sound before being left as a stallion to use for stud.
Another question I would like to ask. Have you ever visited a race stable where stallions are kept? Many are unsafe to their grooms, handlers and jockeys, many of them should be gelded, not only because of their personalities but again, also because of conformation faults. Only the best of the best should be left for re-producing. As a person who has handled stallions and colts of all ages, I can stand here and honestly say that 90% of the intact male horses I have handled, shouldn't have been stallions. Again, do a google search, check out all those horses out there that will reproduce offspring that will end up in the kill yard before their first birthday.
Then you appear to have the nerve to suggest we load these stallions with drugs and hormones. Now, I bet that is good for he's health in the long run. Brilliant idea on your behalf to sedate a running stallion. I wonder if he'll make it to the finish line or break down half way through the race. There are reasons theses substances are banned from the racing industry. Would you like your Olympic swimmer to climb in the pool sedated? It's just not safe!
It's not a pretty outlook for the horse industry. We are over populated and unsupported, people like your Jacqualin Magnay should keep such silly opinions to themselves, not use them to secure a page in the newspaper and rile up gelding supporters. It's a war you will never win. De-sexing any animal is essential, so why is it so wrong to geld horses?
Sincerely,
Madi
The following is my response to such stupidity.
Dear Sydney Morning Herald,
In response to the above article I would like to share with you the reality of the horse world. Gelding is essential! The horse market in Australia, and the world, is pitiful at the moment, thousands of horses end up in a slaughter yard simply because a backyard breeder didn't take the chance to geld that conformational train wreak that they had for stud, over-populating an already struggling market.
Have any of you ever been to a horse auction? If so, I would assume you have seen the many kill-buyers hovering around the yards like vultures. So many horses, unsound, with awful conformation are sold through the yards for minimal price just because no one wants them, as well as some good, sound horses that should have been given a second chance. Do you know why no one wants them? They linage is nothing special, most are not trained, most have conformation faults that deem them unsound, some have legs that will see them broken down and shot within the next year. The horse industry CAN NOT win. All these people that are anti slaughter, trying to shut down the kill-houses just because it's morally wrong. Now you seem to think it appropriate to say gelding is wrong. Would you say de-sexing a male cat is wrong? How many feral and strays are out there, being ran over or put down every minute?
Before you go ahead and say that horses such as Light Fantastic, Kingston Town or Gunsynd should be left intact, stop for a moment and do your research. Owners make decisions based on their horses conformation, soundness and personality. If a stallion has a nasty hoof problem, and breed, there is a high possibility that the offspring will inherit this problem, this is the same with unsound legs. That would be another young horse no one would want and would end up in the kill yard. Take a look at Derby winner, Big Brown, although he is a successful race horse with correct conformation, he has a nasty hoof problem that will be passed onto and progeny.
I am a horse lover and owner. I have 3 geldings sitting out in that paddock that are fine as geldings, but it would have been a crime to leave them as stallions and pass on their conformation faults to offspring. Do a google search, look at all the conformational train wreaks that are left as stallions and up for stud. Or take a look at the neglected and unloved horses that have come into the world because of these 'studs'.
Not gelding horses would have a traumatic effect on the horse industry. I would advise you to get out of your offices and visit a equine rescue, or go to the next horse sale. Then you can see for yourself that those unwanted horses are sold to the killbuyers to $50. In my opinion it should be a crime to not geld, in my opinion, every colt should be looked over by a panel of experienced horse people and a vet and deemed 'correct' and sound before being left as a stallion to use for stud.
Another question I would like to ask. Have you ever visited a race stable where stallions are kept? Many are unsafe to their grooms, handlers and jockeys, many of them should be gelded, not only because of their personalities but again, also because of conformation faults. Only the best of the best should be left for re-producing. As a person who has handled stallions and colts of all ages, I can stand here and honestly say that 90% of the intact male horses I have handled, shouldn't have been stallions. Again, do a google search, check out all those horses out there that will reproduce offspring that will end up in the kill yard before their first birthday.
Then you appear to have the nerve to suggest we load these stallions with drugs and hormones. Now, I bet that is good for he's health in the long run. Brilliant idea on your behalf to sedate a running stallion. I wonder if he'll make it to the finish line or break down half way through the race. There are reasons theses substances are banned from the racing industry. Would you like your Olympic swimmer to climb in the pool sedated? It's just not safe!
It's not a pretty outlook for the horse industry. We are over populated and unsupported, people like your Jacqualin Magnay should keep such silly opinions to themselves, not use them to secure a page in the newspaper and rile up gelding supporters. It's a war you will never win. De-sexing any animal is essential, so why is it so wrong to geld horses?
Sincerely,
Madi
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