Study of Equine Abuse and Neglect Patterns Produces Surprising Findings - Press Release - Digital Journal
Study of Equine Abuse and Neglect Patterns Produces Surprising Findings
PR Newswire
CHICAGO, June 24, 2013
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- (EWA) - The Equine Welfare Alliance today
released a statistical study on the rates of equine abuse and neglect
across the US since 2000. The research examined equine abuse statistics
from Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maine and Oregon.
Historical records of the number of cases of equine abuse and neglect
from these states was correlated with three potential causes; the rate
of equine slaughter (or lack of it), unemployment and the cost of hay.
Surprisingly, the researchers found that the rate of abuse has been
in decline in four of the six states since 2008. Five of the six states
had shown a spike in abuse and neglect around 2008 and two have shown a
significant increase in the past two years.
The dominant factor the analysis produced in every state was the
price of hay. "My assumption was always that unemployment was the
dominant factor," admitted EWA president John Holland.
"In fact, the analysis showed that the rate of unemployment in the
state was the least important predictor of the level of abuse and
neglect."
The analysis showed the second most important correlation was the
rate of slaughter, but the analysis found more slaughter consistently
correlated with more abuse and neglect.
"Correlation is not proof of causation," explained Holland, "but it
certainly contradicts the theory that slaughter decreases neglect by
culling "unwanted horses."
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) have long urged Congress not to ban horse slaughter on the basis that to do so would increase abandonment, abuse and neglect.
This study follows on the heels of a peer reviewed paper in the
Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agricultural, and Natural Resources Law by
Holland (EWA) and Laura Allen (Animal Law
Coalition). That paper documented enormous increases in the cost of
horse ownership between 2000 and 2011. The paper demonstrates, among
other pressures, that a shift of land use from hay to corn for ethanol
has reduced the hay available to horse owners, cattlemen and dairy
farmers.
Severe drought in some states has made an already insufficient supply
of hay all but collapse. In 2011, Congress ended the long standing
subsidy for ethanol in gasoline and removed tariffs on sugar cane. EWA
hopes this will put a downward pressure on hay prices in coming years.
Contact:
John Holland 540.268.5693
john@equinewelfarealliance.org
SOURCE Equine Welfare Alliance
