ISSUES
HORSE SLAUGHTER IMAGES
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
All photographic images on this page © Humane Farming Association
Note: There are currently no horse slaughter plants operating in the United States. We continue to make this information available as there are many movements currently afoot to bring horse slaughter back in various states.
 Captive Bolt. Fact: The captive bolt was designed to protect slaughter workers from flailing limbs of terrified horses and speed production. It was and never has been intended to make the "process" more humane.  Kill Chute. Once a horse has been immobilized by stunning with the captive bolt (if properly done), they are dropped through a chute like this onto the kill floor.  Bleeding Out. Once on the kill floor, horses are hoisted by a chain attached to a hind leg, their throats slit and bled out.  Dismemberment. Once a horse is bled out, they are decapitated and dismembered, skinned and butchered. ANIMAL ANGELS INVESTIGATIONS
| ABOUT THESE IMAGES Penetrating Captive Bolt The penetrating captive bolt is the most commonly used "stunner" for horse slaughter in North America. The penetrating captive bolt uses a pointed bolt which is propelled by pressurized air or a blank cartridge. The bolt itself is a heavy rod made of non-rusting alloys, such as stainless steel. The bolt penetrates the skull, enters the cranium, and catastrophically damages the cerebrum and part of the cerebellum. Due to concussion, destruction of vital centers of the brain, and an increase of intracranial pressure, the horses loses consciousness. This method physically destroys brain matter (increasing probability of a successful stun), while also leaving the brain stem intact (thus ensuring the heart continues to beat, facilitating a successful bleed out). The captive bolt was designed for cattle and other food animals and not intended for use on horses. Terrified horses have longer necks than cattle, and throw their heads around wildly, trying to avoid being struck by the captive bolt. Because production lines must continue to move in order to meet quotas, workers regularly do not have time to strike the horse and stun them. Severed heads recovered from slaughter plants have shown as many as 8 to 10 blows. Kill Chute Once horses have been rendered unconscious by the captive bolt (f done properly), they are dropped or lowered onto the kill floor through a chute. Improperly stunned horses will regain consciousness, and go through the bleeding out process fully aware and experiencing excruciating pain. Kill Floor Horses arriving on the kill floor are hoisted by a chain attached to a hind leg, their throats are slit and they are bled out. Dismemberment and Butchering Once a horse is bled out, they are decapitated, skinned, dismembered, and butchered. MEXICO The captive bolt is not used in Mexico. A
2007 investigation by The San Antonio News-Express revealed that the
use of the puntilla knife on horses prior to slaughter is common
practice in Mexican slaughter plants. Footage obtained by the paper shows horses being stabbed repeatedly in the neck with these knives prior to slaughter. Such a barbaric practice simply paralyzes the animal. The horse is still fully conscious at the start of the slaughter process. This gross betrayal of
these noble animals, is protracted and excruciating. |
