Doomed Horses Have Feelings Too

I am responding to your article on “A Shifting of Horse Power” (April 17), and I am appalled to hear that many beautiful, show quality horses are stolen or sold to auctions that put these horses in unbearable living conditions, then are sold to the slaughterhouses. It is absolutely terrible to hear that these horses are severely abused and untreated while they are taken in a journey across country in an overcrowded trailer.

Just because these animals are about to be sold to a slaughterhouse is no reason for them to go through broken legs, cuts and welts and banged-up heads while standing in piles of manure. It’s hard for me to comprehend that people can actually work and see these poor creatures in that condition. Also, I cannot believe that animal cruelty is not a priority of law enforcement. Aren’t animals equal enough to feel and suffer through abuse?

Throughout my life, I have admired and ridden horses, and I also don’t believe that they were meant to be eaten. Yet, I do understand that many have acquired a taste for them. But it’s still disturbing to know that they are stolen and live in cruel, unsanitary conditions before being sold for as low as $200.

All I hope is that people will start to at least keep these horses in bearable living conditions and realize that they are living creatures with feelings too.

Sophia Kelly,

LAGUNA NIGUEL