07/02/2026
Ok, I'm going to speak up about the recent Don Gatz's horse "euthanasia by gunshot" case. As an experienced aged horse owner, I can tell you that there is no easy way to humanely euthanize a horse. At all. I cannot condone nor support how that went down, and I'll warn you, do not watch that video. But what I CAN tell you, is that I am not ok with those of you that start your sale ads with, "Oh how it hurts to post my precious 25 year old baby that has won me a wall of ribbons, trophies, blah blah blah..." or that "Champion bloodline broodmare that we bred every single year for 20 years so we can make money..."
Where do you REALLY think that poor worn out, used up animal is going to go?? Do you have ANY idea how expensive it is to provide care for a senior horse? Of coarse you do, that's why you try to pass the hard part and all the expenses off on someone else. YOU OWE IT TO THAT HORSE to allow it the peace and dignity to live out its days at a home where it knows love, and comfort, and safety. STOP dumping them off when they're all used up. I've done my share of buyback contracts, and first right of refusal agreements for my leased or sold horses to come back home for their final resting days. I've missed work to hold their heads as they take their last breath. I've dug a grave by hand in the dead of winter through frozen dirt and not regretted a single minute of it, because my old horses earned that right. So before I delete this rant, let that soak in. And for you breeders out there pumping out dozens of foals each year so you can make a buck at the animal's expense, maybe do a little research on how much land it takes to sustain one horse, and then tell me how many potential homes are out there, that can afford to sustain that horse for the rest of it's life. I can tell you. They're not out there. There are not enough people in the world that can afford an acreage anymore to sustain as many horses that are being produced every year by breeders. It is no different from the dog and cat over-population crisis. While you're looking up the Don Gatz's case, look up the recent Miranda's dog rescue case. Let's open our eyes, and do better. I'm doing my part.
