There is no other animal that inspires more romantic metaphors than the horse. We admire its power and grace with its rare combination of beauty, strength and freedom.

Nature smiled and opened a generous hand when she gave man the horse. For millenniums the horse has changed mankind -- the ways we travel, trade, play, work and fight wars have all been profoundly shaped by our relationship with horses.

For more than 3,000 years, a warrior on horseback or in a horsedrawn chariot was the ultimate weapon and the millions of horse ‘tank’ deaths changed the balance of power between civilizations. Horses continued to define military tactics well into the 1900s. Horses have cleared forests, plowed land, herded cattle, served as taxis and trucks and pulled trolley cars. By carrying people, goods and ideas between civilizations, horses changed history. Consider also the magnificent athlete of a well-trained horse as equestrian sports entertain throughout the world. And not the least, horses have provided companionship and friendship that only horse lovers have the joy of knowing.

Does not this noble animal deserve only the best from all that it has given and meant to us? Humans’ love and honor to horses is displayed throughout this country and its history. Unfortunately their unparalleled stature and legacy cannot save them from the ultimate disrespect and cruelty of the slaughter house. Each year approximately 1,500 horses are shipped from Maine to two slaughter houses in Quebec. The transport and slaughter are appalling practices that are often kept hidden from the public.

The entire process, including the slaughter auction, the method of transportation, the feedlots, the slaughter plants -- everything up to and including their death -- is inhumane. Approximately 30% of horses are injured from fighting and poor transportation. Panicked horses are often prodded and beaten off the truck and into the kill-chute. The horses stand in line smelling the blood, sensing and hearing the terror. While in the "kill box" they shake violently, falling, unable to stand from fear ...

The "Unwanted Horses in Maine" article below addresses the issues surrounding unwanted horses in Maine, what has been done, what is being done, and what still needs to be done. But one issue that has no justification is the inhumane slaughter of this magnificent, intelligent, feeling animal that has so faithfully served man for so long, so well and so nobly. Please join us in our effort to legislatively ban any association with horse slaughter and end Maine’s complicity in this practice.

MFOA has submitted legislation to ban the transport and all other related activities involving horse slaughter.

Please actively support this legislation: contact your State Representative and Senator, and ask them to support and vote for ending Maine’s involvement in the slaughter of horses.

Talking Points: 
An Act to Prevent Horse Slaughter for Human Consumption Fact Sheet

MFOA comprehensive report on Horse Slaughter:
Stop the Slaughter of Horses for Human Consumption