Horses hit by Spain economic crisis: 5,000 a month send to slaughterhouse

Around 5,000 horses are being sent to slaughterhouse every month by their owners and they can no longer afford to keep them.

Spain has been hit by economic crisis and animals are also getting effected by it specially horses.

Manuel Gonzalez, secretary general of the Professional Association of Slaughterhouses and Meat-packing Companies, said, "some breeders are finding it difficult to feed their animals due to high cost. Even no there is no market for selling, renting or breaking-in horses".

The number of horses slaughtered increased by 31 percent in the first four months of 2012 compared with the same period in 2011, to a total of 19,793, according to official figures.

Pounds also have a waiting list of several months to be able to handle about 165 animals a day, the immense majority of which are horses.

Horse feeding costs around 300 euros ($369) each per month.

And since there is scarcely any demand for horsemeat it is either used for pet food or is exported to other countries like France, Italy, Belgium and Greece.

Javier Conde, president of National Association of Breeders of Spanish Thoroughbred Horses, says that prices intensive breeding farms are getting for their horses are very low which has led to elimination of their animals.

Owners are not getting more than 150 euros ($185) for a mare, which could sell in the range of 6,000-50,000 euros ($7,382-$61,521).

(With inputs from IANS/EFE)