I own a sorrel Quarter Horse gelding named Dodger. And I used to own a dappled pony mare named Hope, who was a rescue and can be read about on her dedication page (link is on the main page).
I guess I have always been an 'equine-advocate' for lack of a better term. Even when I was young I would get outraged at the sight of a buggy or cart horse being whipped or forced to carry it's head so high it could hardly breathe. I'm sure I drove my family crazy, ranting about it. But age brought on knowledge of a larger problem. I can't remember the exact time and place where I first learned of horse slaughter, maybe it was gradual learning. I'm not sure. But when I bought my own computer the internet unlocked much more of the vivid bloody truth and I threw myself into the fight against it.
People ask why I care so much. "It's just a horse you know. What's the big deal?" as if we were talking cattle or poultry (no offense to the vegetarians out there).
To me, the horse is not a food animal (as I was told in a form letter recieved in reply to a protest letter sent to the government). The horse is a companion animal and a co-worker in the fields. My horse is one of my best friends. How could I even dream of betraying his trust and send him to slaughter for a few extra bucks?
For me, the idea of people eating horse meat is as horrific as it would be for most americans to learn of people eating dog meat.
As for my future plans, I want to open my own rescue ranch. Mainly for horses, but I am concidering taking in a few dogs at a time and adopting them out too. The only thing standing in my way right now is money (of course). I need a place with land enough to pasture the horses on. I'm living in a mobile home as of now, but somehow, with God's help, I will get my rescue.
-Cassie