Horses tagged for slaughter rescued

Bethan, Conn. (WTNH) - Due to a tough economy, a lot of horse owners have had to give up their sometimes expensive hobby.

However, those horses may not always wind up well taken care of. Some of them wind up on a plate.

Several horses in Bethany have just been rescued from a kill pen. Kathlene Schurman rescued them last minute before they were being sold overseas for slaughter. They had even been green tagged and ready to ship. " The United States Department of Agriculture approved sticker means that that animal has been approved by a vet and cleared to the slaughter house and shipped for human consumption," said Schurman of Lockets and Angels.

Instead of watching them go to slaughter, Schurman rips off the tag after the horse safely arrives at her farm in Bethany. They get a good meal and a chance at a new life. "Most of these horses everybody thinks are these half dead and old and feeble horses that are being sent off to be made into glue or dog food. The answer is no. The economy has ruined the whole world for horses. These horses go to slaughter because people can't afford them anymore," explained Schurman.

Schurman says about 120,000 horses are killed every year and shipped mostly to Europe and Asia for food. Schurman says now that they have been rescued they will be put up for adoption to good homes like the original owners intended. "They send them to auction and the person thinks maybe he will have a nice life with a small child or as a hunter or jumper," said Schurman. "But no, they are sold in big batches for slaughter there is actually a big premium for horse meat right now."

One particular horse was rescued for about $300. After they have been transported the price of adoption is about $600 to $900. If you would like to adopt a horse go to the Locket Meadow Farm website to find out how.