Social Community
One of the most interesting things I’ve found creating games is the sense of community that evolves out of them over the years.
For instance, on my largest game White Oak Stables I’ve setup a newspaper that’s run and controlled by the members. Every few months I elect a new newspaper manager and they are in charge of hiring staff and then posting articles in the three-column newspaper. Each of these articles has a comments section, so the members are encouraged to read the articles and reflect back on them.
White Oak Stables has had a newspaper for five years now, with four of those years available in an online archive. Going back over those older articles its amazing to see how the game has evoloved and how the member’s values and attitudes towards the game evolve with it.
Here is an article about horse slaughter posted in October 2003, and all the comments:
Posted on October 6, 2003 by Jade
I got a copy of Equus in the mail yesterday and I was looking through it today when I saw this article on horse slaughter. Basically the woman was arguing that if we didn’t have horse slaughter then we’d have even more horses that we couldn’t take care of in the world, and she was encouraging people to slaughter more unwanted horses. What is your take on this??
Posted by Hazel
i think both ways kinda but we should have a limit
Posted by Sail On
Stupid horse slaughter!!!! You should see my room, covered with stop horse slaughter posters. This one syas “End the Pain, Stop the Abuse, Halt the Slaughter!” then it has a pic of a starved horse on it. Horse slaughter is just plain evil. I get quesy just thinking about it!
Posted by Windstar Farm
I wouldn’t slaughter any horses no matter what. OK…. its like saying this. Alright, theres to many people in the world so how about we kill all unwanted childern, all eldlery and homeless. Not fair right? So don’t so it to horses. They don’t have a say in anything the least we could do is try and find them good homes. It doesn’t cost much to keep a horse in a paddock,vaccinate it and keep its hooves trimed
Posted by Black Forest
i dont like horse slaughter
Posted by Raven – Account For Sale!
I DO NOT think horse slaughter is right and personally think that it’s much more humane to uthenize them. I know, I know. It’s expensive. But it’s so much more decent. `Raven`
Posted by gfs
I have come in for a lot of stick in the past on this very topic. I would rather a horse be slaughtered than not have the best of care. Providing slaughter is done humanley and professionally there is no pain or worry to the horse. I have visited abbatoirs and witnessed horses being slaughtered and I have been very suprised at the level of care the horses recieve. A slaughterman believe it or not is usually an animal lover and takes great pride in doing his job so the horse doesn’t know whats happening. I would rather a horse be put down than see it go to a bad owner. I don’t just mean poor care but I mean poor riding as well. How awful must it be for a horse day in day out to be abused whilst being ridden and have no way of escape. I think if you truly love horses you’d rather they be put to sleep rather than allow them to be subjected to less than thorough care. Sorry I could write a essay on this topic lol.
Posted by .juny.
Perosnally, I think slaughter is a good thing, in a way. However, I believe it should be done HUMANELY. Instead of cramped conditions, no food, and cut throats it should be nice pastures, sufficient grain, and put them down. Shipping their meat to be used as food, I think, is resourceful – we need more of that in this day and age. But, if slaughterers can’t shape up, then ban it, even though unwanted horses will starve in their paddocks. I just wish that it would be humane – give them the shot, not the butcher knife!
Posted by .:Libis:.Sale!
if there are too many horses in the world dont slaughter them, instead breed only purposefully, when u know the foal will have a good future
Posted by Dan Bar Farms
I dont agree with horse slaughter at all. I dont care if Europeans or whoever eat them starve to death or can stink something on with glue. I hate TB Owners who send their horses to slaughter just because of a leg problem. I dont agree with the woman at all. I think people shouldnt breed their horses if they cant take care or them. My comment is kind of rude but I really dont like people that do this to horses!
Posted by Golden Vision Sport Horses
In a way is needed. There ARE alot of horses who will never be used again. Who can’t walk or even stand because of their condition. So just keep them alive? THAT is inhumain. If it is done in humainly, go ahead. And a starved horse is likely soemthing GOING to a slaughter house. Most of the places who do it for meat like FAT horses. And there are alot of irresponsible people out there, like a puppy mill. They breed and breed and breed and dont feed or care for their horses. My mom’s horse has a digestive problem because he was starved as a baby. I know that he has brothers and a sister who were put down because of their terrible conditions. Don’t people see the other side of this? Where a lot of the horses come from?
Posted by Jackiesaurus ily
I never really thought about horse slaughter as keeping the horse population down it does kind of help but isn’t there a LESS painful way of slaughtering them?
Posted by Oak Ridge
See, this is why humans are not the smartes things libing on this planet. We breed animals because we feel like it. Because we want to ‘experieince the miracle of life’, to see those cute baby animals. Well guess what? If we werent so STUPID, then we wouldnt be breeding animals like rabits! Putting a horse down is much better than if you were to abuse and/or neglect it.
Posted by Sedonatari Acres
Okay, Horse slaughter. How would you feel, if behind your back, your horse was slaughtered by your mother or father? I mean, if they are useless, it might be best, but do it in a humane way. Say, in a pretty green pasture, where the horse is fed and groomed, and is happy, then is put down that way!No more slaughter, and I read an add, and it sayed, by a foal”Where is my mother?I’ve never seen her, I’ll be raised without her, where is she?She was taken to a slaughter house soon after my birth!!”It would be cruel to do that to a foal, and the pic was of a horse, with no mother, and just laying in a stall, and in pastures. That is cruel!*Sapphire Stables*
Posted by oops
grrrr. slaughter is SO diferent from putting down, remember that, people! it’s less expensive to give the horse to people (like me….when i get older…..) than to pay somebody to slaughter them every day. it’s not called “controlling their population,” it’s called slaughter– which is killing them in an inhumane way (cutting their throats and hoping they bleed to death so you don’t have to do it again). pbbt.
Posted by oops
grrrr. slaughter is SO diferent from putting down, remember that, people! it’s less expensive to give the horse to people (like me….when i get older…..) than to pay somebody to slaughter them every day. it’s not called “controlling their population,” it’s called slaughter– which is killing them in an inhumane way (cutting their throats and hoping they bleed to death so you don’t have to do it again). pbbt.
Posted by oops
oh yah. i’m on my friend’s account. it’s me, darrah (silver lining stables)
Posted by Black Rose-The Original
i’m against horse slaughter, did you know that sometimes, they slit the horses throat while it is still conscious? They are requiered to knock the horse out first, but some people feel it is to much effort for a “unfeeling” animal. I’ve studied up on slaughter, and it is not a good thing.
Posted by Bid
Well the way I look at it is this way I would much rather see the horses down the road be “put down”, but slaughter thats wrong. I wouldnt like my head cut off or however they do it. I wouldnt like to be starved. Thats just wrong. Now putting down I think is ok. It is more humane than letting a horse starve to death. There is some horses down the road that are being starved to death. The owner never goes to see them. I love one of them, but there is nothing I can do. We have called the humane society, they said that they are not in bad enough health, yet they are at the brink of death. They will not take one until it is practically dead. They just tell the owner to feed them and she says ok. They have been called several times. It is a sad situation. I used to ride the horse, yet at that moment he was in good health and reall fat and happy. He was the sweetest thing I think I had ever seen. He is a grey arabian named blue. I loved him and he loved me. That is when I first started riding. But the lady will no do anything about it and I think that is totally cruel. Well… sry u guys I can go on and on. Hali
Posted by
well, if horse slaughter was done humanely, ya i might agree with it. but its NOT done nicely
Posted by Edge.Of.Seventeen
i hate it! if you were a horse would you like it? no way!
Posted by horselover277
I hate horse slaughter!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by horselover277
I hate horse slaughter!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Angel Toots Founded Irish Draughts
My amre was saved from slaughter so I have always hated slaughter and been against it. Maybe some horses do have chances, those who dont should be put down in a humane way! We all know how horse slaughter works anbd that is cruelty to animals. I am surprised they allow horse slaughter. Like I said for those [horses] who dont have a future, form being old or sickly, they should be put down humanely
Posted by Ice
Horse slaughter? no way! i understand the wopmans point but if there are too many horses then control breeding, notkill horses with lives. every living thing deserves a chance. I Get that if the horse is sick, very old and/or dying i understand that the horse should be put down but not if it is perectly healthy.
Posted by Deep Woods Stables
I read that article and totally flipped, if we really need to slaughter horses, then we need to make it more humane and get rid of the name SLAUGHTER!!! That word should be under the list of swear words. As for the person who wrote the EQUUS article, they need to choose one side or the other, you can’t breed horses and then say that horses are bred for no reason and should be slaughtered. They really need to get their opinions together and choose a side and stay there.
Posted by Veronica
Well I lean both ways. I don’t like slaughter, but we could end up with more horses we could take care of and their would be even more unwanted horses.
Posted by horsehugs123
i SO agree with sk8ter horse horse slaughter is horrible! some people r so dang stupid its amazing! i cant stand horse slaughter its so EVIL!
Posted by ÎÏćd3000
I totally agree with windstar Farm.. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Posted by sunflower
ok, what we need is well kept stables and stalls and grain and paddocks for the horses, humane deaths and it will reduce the abuse
Posted by CanterPir0uette
There is no reason to slaughter innocent animals. People are really ignorant, i swear. I couldn’t understand how someone could even say that slaughter is good in keeping the horse population down. What a moron!! I saved my horse from slaughter and he is my best friend in the entire world. There isn’t any reason to make a horse go through so much abuse and to be sent of to their death. Slaughter houses are HORRIBLE! I could never imagine someone willing to send their old companion there or even a horse they don’t know. Every year, my cousin and I save as many horses as we can in order to rehabilitate them and sell them to good people we know will take care of them. Please, do something for these horses. Try to donate a little money to rescue organizations, be apart of this. Only a suggestion.
Posted by b.rusk ღ windy is my hero
I’m so glad to see there are some here who see both sides of the story. I am NOT agaist horse slaughter. I AM agaisnt the inhumane treatment of horses on the way to, and at slaughter. I think there need to be people hired at the slaughter house who thoroughly check the horses for tattoo’s/brands/markings and search though a database of missing and/or stolen horses. This way, the sad horror stories of childrens missing ponies or someones star show horse being stolen and sent to slaughter for a few quick bucks for the thief, will be no longer. I also believe that if the horse is truely un-wanted, then why not slaughter it for consumption, either by animal or human. But the slaughter transport and the killing method MUST be modernized for the most humane and comfortable treatment of the animal being sent to slaughter. I don’t know how many people will read this, but i hope at least a few do, and see the light as i do. This is NOT De by the way. I have no idea how she’s feel’s about horse slaughter, so please…any rude messages that you want to send, send to ME, Ditzichic. thanks
Posted by CanterPir0uette
There is no reason to slaughter innocent animals. People are really ignorant, i swear. I couldn’t understand how someone could even say that slaughter is good in keeping the horse population down. What a moron!! I saved my horse from slaughter and he is my best friend in the entire world. There isn’t any reason to make a horse go through so much abuse and to be sent of to their death. Slaughter houses are HORRIBLE! I could never imagine someone willing to send their old companion there or even a horse they don’t know. Every year, my cousin and I save as many horses as we can in order to rehabilitate them and sell them to good people we know will take care of them. Please, do something for these horses. Try to donate a little money to rescue organizations, be apart of this. Only a suggestion.
Posted by ©**Nilando**©
I agree with Ditzichic. Ever heard of something called ‘Assisted suicide’? Yeah, it’s when people with a really bad medical condition who will be stuck on LS machines just want to die. They get an injection to die because their life is just so hard. It’s like a horse at my yard was put down because he broke his leg. BUT, when innocent, healthy animals are taken and abused, starved, parylysed then finally killed, that’s just wrong. Really wrong. So I feel, that yes, it should be modernized. Horses should be checked. I know some people who just look at the topic and their mind goes ‘animal + kill = very bad’. They should find out REAL information before they develop opinion. And yes, I do go fox unting. No, it is not a ‘sport’. Yes, it does have a purpose, and if you send me hate messages, prepare for an essay in return.
Posted by b.rusk ღ windy is my hero
This is Junior De this time heh… I agree with ditz and the rest who are just against the inhumanity in it…. If we didnt have humain horse slaughter there WOULD be an increase in horses that would not be cared for properly…. its kinda like deer… if there was no deer hunting we would have an enourmous population of them… more than the environment can handle…. so horses if we had a huge population all wouldnt be given homes, or taken cared for and it would also help in depleting certain suplies that horses require. which is not good either. now obviously i dont want to see a horse killed but if it is a horse who can no longer do things and it meant giving a younger horse a decent home then if its done humainly i have no problem with it.
Posted by . [t]he . [f]orgotten .
I am not against slaughter. Because the firsts horses that were wild and such, were hunted and ate. And its the same today as it was back then. They can’t humanely kill a horse for slaughter. There can NOT be any drugs issued to kill the horse because it would be in the meat and then passed on to humans. I don’t agree with the means in which they slaughter. And for the most part, Slaughter houses get their horses from Auctions because there they can buy cheap cheap horses and still make the qoute for the the year and make profit. Horse slaughter houses are the same as Cattle slaughter houses.. a slaughter house produces ALLLLLLL the MEAT… YOU EAT!! Yeah thats right… The cow you just ate… Yeah was killed in the same house as a horse was. You see.. The intent of slaughter isn’t just to kill the horse and to be inhumane but to provide food. Thats just setting how it is on that side. BUT on the other hand, If everyone is against HORSE slaughter.. Why do you eat meat? Cows are slaughtered in the same fashion, Pigs are slaughtered in the same fashion, Chickens, Ducks, Lamb… and so on. The only differences is that You can ride a horse and train it to the will of its master. All meat animals have personalities. Yet we don’t complain about how a cow is murdered so that we can eat. We don’t complain when guys go shot a deer for sport or to eat it. We don’t complain about how they abuse Calves for veal. You know for their short life they are actually tied down to the ground, so they can’t move, and then pumped with feed? Then slaughtered. I am vegan. I eat no animal products. Perhaps before you complain about how horses are killed, maybe you should change how you eat. Because you aren’t thinking about all the other animals that die daily. That have personalities and charactertistics and so on to. Horses are my favorite animal. I don’t agree with how ANY animal is slaughtered. SO instead of complaining… I took action… I stopped eatting meat. Because I would be a hypocite for hating it, and yet still support its need by eating it. I don’t agree with any animal slaughter. BUT humans come for most… and humans have to eat. Animals are actually resourceful when left alone with out cages, fences, yards and so on. They were here a lot longer then we have. Its in bedded in their genes to survive on their own. Its only when we take on what we cant deal with that really breaks the cycle. Its when we tamper with genes and breeds and so on that there becomes a problem. Because now.. You have breeds that have no instinct or what have you. Its humans that cause the problems… and its humans that try to solve them in more bad ways. Slaughter is just another example of a mistake that will continue for as long as we humans, Think we need to go out for a steak… or we need some ribs, or that we need roast. Everything we eat… Just causes the need for more animals to be slaughtered. You want to stop the slaughter.. Then stop eating meat. Protesting and so on, just gets it more in the public eye… and just makes more trouble. Just like with the parental advisories on CDs, just like with napster and on and on… The more it comes in to the media… the more they sell. Its a curel world… and we, as humans, only feed the demand. Its sad.. yet so true.
Posted by YuMaLiCiOuS
i think horse slaughter should be allowed but done humanely. its better if your horse dies instead of being unfed and not taken care of.
Posted by Fox Creek Farm
Too many unwanted horses? Yeah, ok, whatever. There are a lot of homeless people out there but we arent slaughtering them to get rid of them. So why does she think its right to do it to horses?
Posted by Jumpy Mare
THATS TERRIBLE!!! horses have the same right to live as we do! I dont get how there can be NO ONE (outta the millions of ppl on this planet) that doesnt want a horse! It ppl and dogs, ppl breed their dogs just so they can say that they have! y bother!!!!????
Posted by ptchkaa.
I personally think there’s too much involved with this issue to address it on a message board; at the least, I won’t try to do that here, since that wouldn’t be fair to you guys to make you read all of that. ;D
All I will say, though, is something that a Biology teacher said a few years ago, on a similar topic: We, humans, have drifted much too far from our roots. There’s no longer a real “survival of the fittest,” as these days almost everyone (at least, in “civilized” or “modernized” nations) can simply go to various stores and buy what they need to survive — the majority of people don’t have to hunt or harvest their food, and they have modern conveniences to cover any needs or wants they might have.
Another thing — and I’m aware of how this sounds — there’s a bumper sticker that says “If you can’t feed ’em, don’t breed ’em.” It refers to humans, but it should apply to pets as well. As some people have said, there are far too many humans in some parts of the world — it’s simply the truth that the regions can’t support the number of people living there. The same applies for horses as well as other animals. But domestic animals generally don’t have an option where breeding is concerned; they don’t even have the option of birth control devices, or that A-word that I’ll leave unnamed in respect for the younger crowd (no more “Mommy, what is ‘___’?” episodes ;x) and for those that so abhor it.
I could go on for hours about this — believe me, I have — but I’ll just leave it at that, and say again, it’s not really a topic for a message board that can’t do much more than discuss it.
Posted by CanterPir0uette
I personally don’t like the word ‘slaughter’ anyway. I don’t eat meat unless I know exactly where it came from. I don’t eat meat unless it is chicken or venison, unless I know where the animal came from. Horses shouldn’t be compared to deer because its a totally different thing. We can’t control the deer’s breeding unless we kill most of the bucks. Horses we can control because they are domesticated and don’t breed like wild fire. Any animal should not be slaughtered in any way shape and form. It’s terrible. Have you ever been to a slaughter house? I have. It’s disgusting and horrible. You can protest all the hell you want, thats your opinion on what will help. Don’t say we should totally stop eating meat, just stop killing innocent animals for sport or for the hell of it.
Posted by Golden Vision Sport Horses
I can’t agree more with abyss. I’m not a veggies only eater, but she does state the most truth (and alot of maturity as well) in that post. Not saying there aren’t others who have it, but there are an aweful lot of people on this game who have a great deal of immaturity. Now I shouldn’t talk to much, becaues I’m only 13 and make some pretty childish decisions at times, but there is a lot of immaturity floating around. I would suggest to alot of the younger players, go look up horse slaughter. Someone write a report on it! (I’m all for that and If nobody else does, I will!) Find out the truths and myths of it. Even if you DON’T write something for the newspaper on it, it would be good for a lot of you to know the truth behind it, get some facts to back your answers.
Posted by Saddle QUITTING HORSES 4 SALE
I hate horse slaughter. My old pony was headed to slaughter, it was basically a matter of who put him in the trailer first, me or the meat people. He turned out to be the biggest sweetie in the world, but we couldnt keep him because he wasn’t gelded, but he hadnt dropped either so you couldnt tell until the mares went into heat. I got him in the winter, so he had a few months of training with me before we had to sell him and he went on to be a little girl’s pasture pet on a farm with no mares. People also told me that my show horse wasnt worth anything but dogfood when i got him. Sure he was completely off the ground more than he was on the ground, but if he hadnt been abused we wouldnt have had that problem. Now he’s out-preforming their fancy well trained show horses and he’s still green and skittish. His first big show he came out with an 8th in model hunter and good scores in dressage. (a 57 and a 58 or a 59 i think). He also did his first real jump course at a show, and he cleared every fence without hesitation (wont mention the pale audience as we left the ring…) and afterwards everyone was saying how honest he was and i got offered a good amount of money for him, but i turned it down because i’d never sell him. Me and my horse have a really strong bond and nobody else can get him to preform even half as well as he will for me, he just wont try for them.
Posted by PaleHorse
I believe slaughter is wrong they don’t care about the horses. Its all about how fast they can get them in and out in pieces. But here is my point of view untill the shipping of horses in double decker trailers and in poor condition is outlawed, and they no longer allow horses to be shipped out of the country for slaughter then I think they should reopen all the ones they have closed. Because right now horses are shipped pack into double deckers meant for cow and pigs thousand of miles to plants in texas and canada and mexico. In the two slaughter auctions around my area in Mn and Sd all the horses go to texas that is 20 hours in pain and suffering half crused. I would rather untill they shut it down compleaty that they open the ones that are on 3 hours away at least then the horses wouldn’t suffer so much. And never let anyone tell you that the only horses slaughted are dangerouse, lame or old horses. Their not I was at an auction last sateday. And an absolutly beautiful warmblood horse that jumped 3ft and did 3rd level dressage compleatly sound went through for $500. He is on his way to texas to die. His only sin was that he was put up for auction in an area where people think horses that are english trained are usless. I wish I could have saved him. I would have provided him a good home good feed pasture time and lots of love. But thats life. ANd he is just another face of slaughter.
Posted by Water Dancer
but if we can eat cows and not care about themor even deer sheep all this meat we eat but you are agenst horse slughter but not all the other kind of slughter why is that i think you can only be agenst horse slughter if you are agenst all slughter
Posted by Queen oÆ’ Hearts
we should never slaughter innocent animals. they did not choose to come into this world and then be unwanted and abused. it is pretty close to abortion. the things we are killing never had a say in the matter. they did not choose their own fate. it is unfair and unjust. maybe if their were not so many unwanted horses then they would not get abused. dont let animals breed if what comes of it is just going to be thrown in away if we think it is usless. defend these creatures. they have done nothing to use except depend on us for foor and shelter. we made them domestic, we should not make the food. cows and sheep and pigs have no other purpose in life except for food. that is what they are bred for. horses are bred to keep you company. comfort you with a happy nicker and nudge when you are down. they are highly intellegent animals who only want to serve use. if they could, they would probably wag their tails just like dog when we came into the barn. now who could ever kill something like that.
Posted by . [t]he . [f]orgotten .
The fact of the matter is, People DON’T send their horses to slaughter. You can’t say, well blah blah blah people who get animals they can’t take care of send them to slaughter houses. What you are forgetting is the step inbetween. You are forgetting that people DON’T send their horses to slaughter houses. They send them to auction. To sell their horse. Slaughter houses go to the auctions. You can’t blame people who send their horses to auction. Because its a 50-50 chance they will get a good home or go to a slaughter house. You all are saying don’t breed if you can’t afford it and all this trash. But what you are forgetting is… That they tried to give their animals up. They tried to find better homes for them and send them to a place where everyone goes to by a horse… including slaughter houses.
Posted by Dan Bar Farms
This site is of depressing photos. This is the one thing that makes me want to hurt the people that slaughter the horses… www.savethehorses.com That is the worst I’ve ever seen.
Posted by CPir0uette + Six Crown
OK lets layit down here: I AM COMPLEATLY APPOSED TO HORSE SLAUGHTER! And abyss I’m aboulutly discusted by your comments! My stomach is litterally IN A KNOT OF RAGE! Honestly I’m sickend by any slaughter! I think people who eat meat are grosly mis-informed and should stop! I mean not to offend anyone, but I really am sickend by the way people go around eating cows when they know it died by a long steak driven through its skull and its throat slit when it was upside down in a body lock! Or that people can eat chicken when that chicken was shiped in horrifieing conditions then put in scalding hot water to make teh feathers fall out(tihs is after their necks are broken but many are still living at this point.) Its sick, sick ahhh! Im shaking! IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO BECOME VEGITARIAN!!!!! Dont support the un-justified conditions that animals are put through! If i can do it you can!(i used to eat meat every day and LOVED it! Im pure veggie person now!) Kat P.S. Sorry to sorta change the subject but the fact that Abyss brought up the subject of slaughter in gen i had to address it!
Posted by CPir0uette + Six Crown
http://www.kfccruelty.com/animals.html
Posted by Arabian Lover
THAT IS HORRIBLE! theres way too many people in the world and we dont slaughter us! horses were here before us and were taking all there land away and making all the wild horses tame and that ladys saying we should slaughter this beutiful animals! JUust to tell that lady those unwanted horse can make get company i rescued one by self and he is the PRETTIEST animal ive ever seen
Posted by .azale.
Interesting. I think that horse slaughter is very unhuman. But if we ban it completely then we would have many horses dying where they are unwanted. I think that we should have them humanly destroyed, because the way they do it now is disgusting. I think it’s very gross, and rather a horse get destroyed then starved. But still I think they should have more respect then getting chopped up and sold as food. It all depends. I’m iffy on both sides, but most on stop it completely.
Posted by CanterPir0uette
Ok. Slaughter in general is malicious, repulsive, and down right wrong. No animal should go through that. NONE!! Yea people might not send their horses straight to slaughter but everyone knows that slaughter house owners usually hang about there and there is a GREAT chance that the horse you sent, might end up in slaughter. Youre better off finding your horse a good home yourself if you love him that much instead of taking a “50-50 chance”. When a cow or horse or any large animal is sent off to slaughter they are crammed onto cattle trucks and stuck hours opon hours opon hours in a non heated/cooled/spaced moving metal box. When the animals are ready to be killed, they are sent through a shute being cattle prodded along the way towards what they call “the kill box”. Thats where they are ‘repeatedly bludgeoned in the skull by a dead-bolt gun with a four-inch nail. Alive, and often conscious, the horse is then shackled by a rear leg, hoisted into the air, its throat slit and body dismembered.’ You call that a good way to keep the population down? And Abyss, that is SO steriotypical of you to say about every person on this planet. How do you know every person or even a few people want to buy ribs by the dozen and steak by the cart loads. You don’t know. You really don’t.
Posted by CanterPir0uette
Some people on this post act as though there is a story behind slaughter. That it really isn’t as bad as you might think. That people are hiding the truth about slaughter. Sure. The more you read about slaughter, the more you will want to ban it. I guarantee you, unless you have no heart what so ever.
Posted by . [t]he . [f]orgotten .
Westfield Acres perhaps you should have read my first post.. and then you would have gotten the fact that i said I am against slaughter of any kind.. and I vegan.. meaning I don’t eat ANY meat. I was only pointing out the fact that people are saying that they are gonna die from abuse and such anyway, that no, They are trying to find them other homes. Private sales are hard to come by and when you are in need for the money because of whatever reason… auction is the only option.
Posted by . [t]he . [f]orgotten .
CanterPir0uette when did I say that people or even some people want to buy ” ribs by the dozen and steak by the cart loads.” I don’t believe I ever said that.
Posted by The Stable ‘O Mustangs
I disagree with alot of people on this topic. Mainly the vegitarians. Meat is an important part of your diet. Without it, you won’t get alot of need vitamins, minerals and protein. Did you know that if you don’t milk a cow your acually hurting it? As for the person who said that when you break chicken’s necks, they are often still alive. Not always. When they jerk and twitch it’s often nerves fireing off and the animal is acually dead. I know this because I live on a farm and we’ve killed quite a few unwanted roosters. Now, don’t be messaging me and saying that we’re cruel and such. The trust is, it would have been cruel to the hens to leave the roosters in. Several of our hens have been seriously hurt by the roosters. Anyways, I’m a bit off subject here. The point of the matter is, I’m for horse slaughter. There are alot of unwanted horses in the world. For the person who said that it’s not expensive to paddock a horse and vaccinate and trim it’s hooves. You must be rich then. It’s very expensive. To stable a horse, it’s probably upwards to $200, for vaccinations, eh, for then all rabies, west nile, ect. Is probably around $200 (The cheapest vet gives the West Nile shot at $50 per horse), trimming the hooves, probably $25 per hoof. It’s not cheap. Now, don’t be sending me any nasty messages, though, I’m sure I’ll get any anyways. †RG.â€
Posted by CanterPir0uette
“Slaughter is just another example of a mistake that will continue for as long as we humans, Think we need to go out for a steak… or we need some ribs, or that we need roast”…..since when do people always think about meat.
Posted by CanterPir0uette
Just because there are unwanted horses in the world doesn’t mean they should be killed in such a way. If they are extremely decreppid and can’t go on with living then they should be euthanized. But why do they have to go through such pain and suffering before being hung by a rear leg and slit at the throat. I highly doubt you’d like being treated like that. It’s sad that some horses are unwanted but why the hell should you send them to slaughter just because they don’t have a home.
Posted by DaPhantom: No New Breed
Ok.. I’m for Horse Slaughter and I really don’t care what you all say.. Send me your nasty messages if you want.. There all just gunno be sent to jade for harressing another player for only stating my view.. Some of you are forgetting.. These horses are now domisticated.. Which means we are to care for them. And I don’t take this statment to just horses.. I take it to any animal. like DOGS Whe do absoutly just about the same thing with all of the unwanted dogs out there in the shelters.. yes they don’t cut them up and use them for meat.. But they are being KILLED for absoutly the same reason. Being UNWANTED. Which are why these horses at being killed in the first place. The person simply can not care for them no longer there for takes them to auction. They have no say in who gets the horse. Its just the highest bidder gets the horse. Just like in this game. We have no say in who gets our horses once there up for sell or up for auction once someone clicks that buy buttons its out of our hands of what they do with the horse.. Same as the auction once the highest bid is accepted. This is the basic reason why we have a lot of starving horses out there, people just can’t take care of them. They way that we kill horses is the same way that we kill everything else.. even Deer.. Elk, the Reindeer and all other prehistic meat givers that have provided us with meat since we’ve became aware of ourselfs and clamied that we were the supreme being on this planet.
Posted by DaPhantom: No New Breed
Ok.. I’m for Horse Slaughter and I really don’t care what you all say.. Send me your nasty messages if you want.. There all just gunno be sent to jade for harressing another player for only stating my view.. Some of you are forgetting.. These horses are now domisticated.. Which means we are to care for them. And I don’t take this statment to just horses.. I take it to any animal. like DOGS Whe do absoutly just about the same thing with all of the unwanted dogs out there in the shelters.. yes they don’t cut them up and use them for meat.. But they are being KILLED for absoutly the same reason. Being UNWANTED. Which are why these horses at being killed in the first place. The person simply can not care for them no longer there for takes them to auction. They have no say in who gets the horse. Its just the highest bidder gets the horse. Just like in this game. We have no say in who gets our horses once there up for sell or up for auction once someone clicks that buy buttons its out of our hands of what they do with the horse.. Same as the auction once the highest bid is accepted. This is the basic reason why we have a lot of starving horses out there, people just can’t take care of them. They way that we kill horses is the same way that we kill everything else.. even Deer.. Elk, the Reindeer and all other prehistic meat givers that have provided us with meat since we’ve became aware of ourselfs and clamied that we were the supreme being on this planet.
Posted by Sour. Magic
Okay, I hate horse slaughter and hate the idea. I’ve seen pictures and how the sluaghters are. They do act like it is just a normal job. Some people may say it is, some not. But this world keeps going up and down, in circles. Its growing. Theres nothing one person can do unless several people hear and agree. Lots of people are saying stop horse sluaghter, but what action are they taking? Its just freedom of speech, and like there are organizations you can join and help out at. Volunteer at a rescue center. I don’t agree with sluaghter, mainly because I love horses more than guys. But what about all the cows being slaughtered? I’ve never heard anyone saying, stop cow slaughter!?! Have you? Maybe, maybe not. And the pictures are gross, the horses starve and die a painful death. That is mean, that is wrong, it is gross, and personally I hate it. If people out there are just going to give their horse to a sluaghter house, because it lost a race or show, hurt a muscle temporarliy (spelled wrong), why not give it to all the people who want a horse? I’m sure that there are a bunch of girls out there that love horses, but don’t have one, or never learned about them, but are willing. Its better than just tortuing horses! Those Europeans, I don’t hate, its their food, their religon, but they eat to much of horses. There is a sluaghter house in Canada that one year sluaghtered an estimated 35,000 horses one year. One reason is us. Some people have horses, but don’t take care of them, this world is so greedy! So guess what, they make the mares have foals just to get more cash in their pocket. And they do the same, keep the horse in a dump. But there are people who love horses, would rather hurt themselves than their horse, and would spend their spare $10,000 on vet bills than going on the cruise. Thats great, and just ride your horse as a cruise and swimm in the horse tank, 😉 So why? Should people think luaghter is the best way a horse should turn into meat? Have those people ever heard of shots? And horse lovers? When I grow up, I will never sale any of my horses to someone who is a greedy trader. I will however sale my horses to those who have the time, money, and enough care. And a clean pasture, not a dump. *(}-{) Save the horses! (}-{)*
Posted by
I don’t eat meat so I guess I hate horse slaughter -Ice Eyes
Posted by CanterPir0uette
Go Whisker! Well said. Wahoo.
Posted by barrel racing babe
Great job Whisker and .taie. !! Well said.
Posted by lw90
If we have too many people, do we slaughter them? Why should we do it to horses that could be champions!?
Posted by Rocky
Also… the majority of the sites are anti-slaughter sites. Why wouldn’t they show you anything else but the starved horses to get you to follow thier opinion? I don’t know how long horses are kept in slaughter houses off the top of my head, but I doubt it’s very long due to expenses. Don’t you think it’s a bit hard for a horse to loose hundreds of pounds in the few days it’s at the house? Meaning the horses had negligent owners… wich brings us back to the whole breeding issue.
Posted by thoroughbred_gal
i hate horse slaughter! it is just cruel to horses.Think about it,what have horses ever done to us humans? Horses have the right to live just like us humans and that right should never be taken away from them. They were not born for nothing! They were born to do a job, they were born to live and breath, not be killed for dogs meat!! No more slaughter, No more slaughter!!!
Posted by thoroughbred_gal
i hate horse slaughter! it is just cruel to horses.Think about it,what have horses ever done to us humans? Horses have the right to live just like us humans and that right should never be taken away from them. They were not born for nothing! They were born to do a job, they were born to live and breath, not be killed for dogs meat!! No more slaughter, No more slaughter!!!
Posted by (RR)*Lacette*
Here’s how it goes clearly we are all in agreement that horse slaughter is wrong!!!!!!! If a horse is gonna be abused by malnutrien or phyisical abuse or if that horse is dangerous then i belive that the horse may be better to be euthinized…. Clearly the horse does not have a say in who owns them therefor if they are sent to be killed they dont understand… The conditions of slaughter are cruel and as human beings makes us look pathetic… And someone already commented before me about killing off humans… well someone already did that and his name was Hitler. reality check why do we own horses if we cannot take care of them and then just send them to a slaughter house… this issue is something that needs to be brought up not only by us horse lovers but by the government
Nearly two years later the attitudes seem to run along the same lines:
Posted on Feburary 15, 2005 by Mountain Meadows Ranch
I have recently become very worried about horse slaughter. Ever since I visited www.sharkonline.org, I have really had my life changed. Maybe some of you have already been to this site and seen the horrible videos, but don’t get mad at me for adding this link: http://www.sharkonline.org/guestform.php This is just the link to a petition that will end horse slaughter in Illinois, USA. Please, if you care about horses, sign this petition. Don’t worry, it will not take you to the page where the videos are. However, I would encourage all of you to watch the video clips on the site. It will help you get involved with ending horse slaughter. Well, I hope this article is posted because I feel like it’s a really huge issue in the world, especially for all of us horse lovers.
Posted by Hidden Forests
i’ve seen some of those videos, it’s a sad thing really, but that’s just Illinios. I know there are more human ways to get rid of the horses you don’t want. Like selling them, or humanly putting down the ones with bad artheritus (no clue how to spell that) some people call it ‘riger mortus” which happens when u die, but some elderly people call it that ya know? Lol anyways, like i said before there could be more human ways to end a horses’ suffering, Although slaughter wouldn’t be a road i’d take. Nice Artical tho.
Posted by Hidden Forests
What i meant by it’s just Illinios, is that it wouldn’t help like, West Virginia and other places that it isn’t already banned.
Posted by River Legend
ye i have seen some of them, but some time the petitions dont work beasue they need a certian number of signitures . its kinda like we all care about it and somnetimes alot of them get saved i know 10 horses save/rescued for slaughted houses and animal testin it5s sad but alot of places have now banned all kinds of slaughter notmater if its horses sheep cows ect
Posted by JumpingJewel
I Cant stand horse slaughter..and now some bill was signed saying that mustangs could be sold at auction to anyone if they are over 8 years old or have failed adoption 3 times. Okay, Im going to shut up now, cause if I dont I will get very into the topic and end up getting myself in trouble lmao. I really hope that it will stop. Great article, it needs all the publicity it can get!
Posted by Nightwish Deluxe
I think most of us on this game already know horse slaughter is cruel and un-needed for…
Posted by Briar
Ugh, you guys, slaughter is evil, yes, but there’s nothing we can do about it. We HAVE to slaughter horses. It’s the right thing to do. Do you think all of YOU people can take care of those millions of starving, dying, sick, old horses? If so, I’ll be sure to drop them off on your doorstep.
Posted by Woodchuck
Briarwood, I disagree. Horse slaughter is only good after the horse has been soundly put down. Speaking of down . . . DOWN WITH SLAUGHTER!
Posted by Turtle
It is just horrible I think only if the animal is having extreem pain
Posted by Belfalas
Horse slaughter should be fought not only in the USA but in other counrys too! This needs to be stoped! And not only horse slaughter but cruelty against other animals must be stopped too (cows, pigs…). The conditions these animals are living in are horible and the live animal transports are also one of the cruelest things I have ever seen. One of the best things to do is to stop eating meat (if you’re up for it). I’m not saying that killing animals for food is wrong but the animals shouldn’t suffer. There are so manny animals that have infected eyes in these slaughter houses and in the end there is nothing left of the eyes but holes. Visit www.meatrix.com for mre info!
Posted by Appy*Fire
I live in IL. I did not know that it is still in IL. It is so sick. I can’t belive ppl. And bush signed that bill. Poor horses. Appyfire
Posted by Smudge
Woodchuck is right, slaughter happens AFTER the horse is put to sleep, in a humane way. The horses feel no pain. Anyways STOP THE SLAUGHTER END THE PAIN is an incorrect chant because the horses feel NO pain as i metioned before. But still I hate horse slaughter as my one of the horses at my stable was saved from that unfortunete fate. Plz stop slaughtering horses!
Posted by Smudge
Bush signed the forum to slaughter mustangs if they were not sold in auction for their meat. Not show horses that failed.
Posted by Silly
I think that horses shouldn’t be slaughtered, but if you think about it, some horses are in so much pain they DESERVED to be slaughtered. Not to mention, do any of you like lions and tigers that live in zoos? Guess what they eat.
Posted by sunflower
What?
you guys, c’mon. think about it. Horse slaughter wont be abolished by us. and I mean US, the population of WOS. Realistically, it just wont. yes, it is horrible. the horses are in such deplorable condition. We should work to get GOOD CONDITIONS FOR SLAUGHTER BOUND HORSES! it is a realistic goal. there are way too many horses to completly rid the USA, or any other country for that matter, or horse slaughter. if that was the case, some totally horrific invention would come up to get rid of “excess horses.” -Kees
Posted by Briar
Woodchuck, if the horse was put down before slaughter, there would be no point to it. The meat would be contaminated. People DO actually eat that, you know. It’s good, I’ve had it before, and yes I have had a horse that I knew and loved go to slaughter. It was for the best, he was old, and no one would buy him, and we didn’t have the money to put him down. In fact, horses feel more pain being put down then they do during slaughter. In slaughter, they are shot right to the head and they feel almost nothing. During euthanasia, there is a slight wait before it kicks in and the horse actually dies. I’m not going to get into a fight over this. This was a BAD idea to post, because everyone is going to get fired up. Especially me, since it kind of seems like I am the only person on this whole site who isn’t against horse slaughter. It’s a necessary evil, guys. Get used to it.
Posted by Dilly_Dally
I belive horse slaughter is a nessisary evil. If there wasnt a place to dispose of all the unwanted horses… and yes there are many what whould we do with all them? No yes i do disagree with how the horses are killed and i think it is just horribel that great horses like Fredinan would end up at slaughter (a triple crown winner). I belive they need to come up with a more human way to transport and kill the animals but its all needed. I absolutly do not support bill HR 4848 which was passed into law that allowes the slaughter of BLM horses (mustangs) that bill apauls me. But i think in order to consider the issue in full sight… everyone just needs to take a step back and look at the whole picture. But in response to Brairwood the captive bolt gun stunner is only affective an painless when it is used properly. All the vets and by law says the animal must be restrain (which in many slaughter plants the animals only in a shute) theres other thnings but i cant think of them right now… but of course, stunning is not always effective and many animals’ throats are slit while they are still semi-conscious which leads to a painfull death. Like i said nessasariy evil… just need to find a better way to preform it.
Posted by Prancing Pony
I’ve seen the site, I’ve seen horse slaughter pictures, I’ve done a project on horse slaughter. Nothing will stop horse slaughter unless the United States stops it, ok? I’m not trying to be rude but I’m just tired of hearing I can’t believe they slaughter horses… well they slaughter cows, pigs and other animals to so why not horses? Just because most people in the United States don’t eat horses, people in Japan eat horse meat. I’m sorry if I upset any of you but it’s only the truth. Yes, I love horses or I wouldn’t be on this game but if you read most articles it will say the same as what I said. As you may know horses that race are often sent to the slaughter house but i found out that the people that own most race horses are doctors and they don’t have the space for a race horse so when they can’t sell the horse to a nice home it goes to the slaughter house. I do agree that the way horses die isn’t as nice but I bet some of it is exhagerated… but that’s also my opinion. Also horses can not be euthanized because the medicine overdose that is put into the horse would contaminate the meat and the meat would be useless. I think i’ve said enough and if you have any complaints against me please gm me I’ll be happy to show you why i feel this way.
Posted by Double Diamond English Stables
If anyone know how many signatures it takes then let’s make a petion against inhumane horse-slaughtering!We could make a difference…If we tried!
Posted by Prancing Pony
It’s hopeless to do it… it doesn’t work and it’s a waist of time, sorry.
Posted by Double Diamond English Stables
You don’t know that!
Posted by Evening Star Stud
i don’t know how ppl who claim to love horses so much could be FOR slaughter? that’s just crazy. in reality as much as we would like i’m sure most all are under 18 so y would anyone want to listen to what we have to say, the only way to get things done is to go to congress or some high powere in ur country and speak in front of them. i’ve been working to get the mustang rider stopped since it was signed and nobody wants to listen to me because i’m only 15. i’m not sure how they slaughter them and if they uthinize them but the conditions that they are in while they wait is tourtue and pulls out ur heart to just look at pictures. i’m not going to go into great discussion because i’ll go all out about it. for those that don’t know about the mustang law it’s to slaughter 14,000 mustangs over 10 years old and then every horses that’s not sold after 3 times and there are alot of people who wouldn’t even consider a mustang or how great they can be, but i’m going to stop now because i could write a book on this. ~Ashley
Posted by Dilly_Dally
Most people who truly do love horses you will find for slaughter but against the inhuman way the horses are taken care of on the way and at the slaughter plant. I would rather see a horse die a quick death then have its life spread out threw a matter of 8 months of the horse slowly dying of dehydration and worms. Think of it this way… if you were in the desert and there was no way you could get food or water but had a pistole with 1 bullet in it would you choose to starve to death or kill your self painlessly? -just a though-
Posted by Rockieee
End the horses sufering and pain forever, the poor horses Are PETS not “Food” for some one or thing, It breaks my heart to see thoughs videos and witness the pain. Would you like to be shot in the head 6 times befor dieing a cold Lounly death, I don’t so why horses?????. Loves the horses all ways, Samantha
Posted by Double Diamond English Stables
Nobody really cares except for a small handfull of kind hearted people
Posted by Blossoming Rescue
Horses DO feel pain! While CONCIOUS they do get mistreated, I don’t think it is acceptable to explain how they do it, but Horse DO FEEL PAIN! I am 101% behind what Eddie-NPF just said!!!!!!! HORSE SLAUGHTER IS CRUEL AND SHOULD BE STOPPED!!!!!
Posted by |Sonic|
Tip:NEVER,EVER feed your doggie the dog food with horsie in it..They get REALLY sick,and some..*sniffle**cough*die*sniffle*cough*Hehe..As for slaughter..Errrmm..Me,if i got a horse(I’d name him Chaos Control for gelding,and Amy Rose for a girl..She’d have to be called Rose,because..My name is Aimee..Not the point!)and they got somethin’ like arthitis(whoot..Spelling fairy may have blessed me..)me..Well..Let’s say my poneh would be googol(any number with one hundred zeros)time more lucky to have lived an awesome life with me..cause..Well..Yes,I am awesome!! ^_^
Posted by Schöne Träume
Don’t believe everything that you read on the internet guys. The site, www.sharkonline.org, is obviously biased. Hardly ever is horse slaughter like that. The horses in most cases do not feel any pain whatsoever, however accidents can happen. If someone is inexperienced or whatever, then clearly there will be some pain involved. I have had horses put down and I have had horses go to slaughter, I don’t really see a difference. When they were euthinized then they do feel some pain as well as the trauma of the procedure (i.e. the emotions that the owners are clearly feeling, the examination leading up to ext). Horse slaughter is a necessary evil; no one can care for all the old, crippled or otherwise unfit horses in the world that are killed. If there were no horse slaughter everyone would be up to their ears in diseased, crippled horses with no purpose in life. If you really feel that horses are being abused then go to a slaughterhouse and see for yourself. Then after you can join a shelter that will provide for elderly animals. Or you could adopt one of the horses that you claim are being mistreated, although I am almost certain that you would become tired of caring for an animal that goes through $600 in vet bills a month, and is still suffering regardless.
Posted by ®Brass Bits Ranch
I HATE HORSE SLAUGHTER!! I hate horse slaughter because my mom sold my poor old horse named Bagder and he was only 20 to slaughter and i stood watching him suffer! I never got on a nother horse again after that. i dont speak to my mom any more.
Posted by Reach Stars
Well I was against horse slaughter but now I am starting to think that it is somewhat necassary. The trip up should change other than that, it is probably necassary. I don’t think death will ever be pretty for almost anyone.
Posted by Reach Stars
Well I was against horse slaughter but now I am starting to think that it is somewhat necassary. The trip up should change other than that, it is probably necassary. I don’t think death will ever be pretty for almost anyone.
Posted by
Yeah almost all of us want horse slaughter gone, but people are so greedy for money they’ll do anything to get it.
Posted by Belfalas
You ppl r 4geting other animals! There r other animals that are being slaughterd not only horses and they deserve your time as much as horses do!!!
Posted by Dwarf King
I myself believe that horse slaughter… although a horrible thing is neccisary as what else would we do with the many poor horses that die every year? There really isnt anythign else to do except burning them… which sounds even more horrible. I also agree with Kees a bit. Although i believe petitions do have some affect of changing peopels views i think that because slaughter houses are a horrible neccesity its mor elogical and kinder to make slaughter houses more pleasent and happier for the horses. The place they describe on that website was probably shut down immediatley because i am quite sure that a county/state would not let a slaughter house run like that. Also one thing…. At the bottom of the page it has clips of horses being put to sleep. This is a very misleading video clip. Only very sick horses with very weak immune systems can be put to sleep because horses are such large animals they need a massive amount to kill them and its just too exspensive. So those horses in the clip were most likly extremly ill and uthnesia on horses that are fit and healthy but just old or unwanted is most likly impossible and the website is very very misleading. Thankyou xx
Posted by Liberty
There are so many views about how people feel about horse slaughter – personally I hate it but the above comment shows how Horse slaughter is a good thing. I have seen videos and it makes me feel bad because it is happening to other animals like pigs and sheep etc I am not a vegetarian but it does make me stop and think – maybe if the horses are so ill there should be a better place and a nicer way to to end their lives but in a peaceful way so that they are not sacred or in pain. For example clean beds, their own stables just samll little things that can help. Anyway I hate horse slaughter but that is my view.
Posted by Liberty
whoops the above article shows how it helps in some way lol sorry – ihadn’t read all of it only the bottom bit *blushes*
Posted by MOVED*sL*
*agrees with memily* 😀 the first time i saw the horse slaughter pics i screamed and screamed and screamed i mean some horses can be nasty ( eg. my horse reared up and slashed ma head open, i didn’t take her to the slaughter house just found out wot was the problem was and got it solved) it isn’t fair
Posted by MOVED*sL*
*agrees with memily* 😀 the first time i saw the horse slaughter pics i screamed and screamed and screamed i mean some horses can be nasty ( eg. my horse reared up and slashed ma head open, i didn’t take her to the slaughter house just found out wot was the problem was and got it solved) it isn’t fair
Posted by Yami-Yugi
horses DO feel, not like we do, but they DO… i think we shouldnt try to end slaughter ( i also hate it, dont get me wrong) but we should work on the conditions HOW they get killed… sometimes its better for the horse to be killed, sometimes its so sick it would be more painful if they would live on. thats my opinion, we should do something about the WAY HOW to slaughter.
Posted by à®Whisperà®
Oh my goodness, I have never cried so much in my life. I will never ever do that to my horse EVER -huggles stormy- I’m crying and I never cry Thats horrible! How could anyone do that! Okay I can’t even write anymore Because I am crying ~Whisper
Posted by Prancing Pony
Ok just realize this ok? Some people love horses some people love pigs but they’re slaughtered to… we just have to live with the facts that horses are slaughtered to. I know some of you are young and don’t understand it but horse slaughter IS necessary. It doesn’t matter if u like it or not, that won’t stop it.
Posted by Haiku
Slaughter is not only cruel for horses but also any other animal. But, even worse than the few moments of pain they go through during the actual slaughter,is the conditions they are forced to live in. Allow me to tell you about the mustangs in the western U.S..First they live a happy, free not easy, but natural life in the wild. Then one day a large scary “monster” comes out of the sky and chases them. Old,sick, weak and young horses “drop”. Once captured they are held in over crowded holding pens. They are then shipped away in trucks. Many are injured and are litteraly dragged onto the packed trucks. Any sick or weak horses that did not die while being chased for hours on end by the horrible, ugly, noisy helecopter, are trampled to death by there herdmates who are just trying to stay on their feet. They are then sent to feedlots to be fattened up, and then, finnally to the slaughter houses.
Just as bad is the lives of the cows,pigs, chickens, turkeys etc… First they are raised in crowded sheds with minimal room to move around. They eat only a mixture of sawdust, hormones, and their own fecal matter. After they are suitably fat they are sent to the slaughter houses in open air trucks. The trucks, as usuall, are over crowded. In the trucks the birds wings break in the wind. They are then slaughtered.
I do not agree with any slaughter. But you say that horses that are old or sick are put down “without pain”. Do you really think what I have just described is painless? I also think that, if a horse has served it’s life well, carrying humans around without complaint it deserves a little dignity in death. Sick horses are often sick/injured because of unanatural manmade conditions. This can be directly or indirectly, from overuse of some sort of chemichal or even from thousands of years of artificial breeding. But any horse that is some how made so that it cannot be useful to humans either deserves a life at pasture or a peaceful, humane death.
Posted by Haiku
Wow, loooong post!
Posted by Haiku
Some of you say we cannot change the way things are. But if we don’t try how would you know? If nobody tried to change things we would still be living in caves.
Posted by Haiku
Slaughter is probably neccesary,it’s a horrible thought, but it would be much better if conditions where changed. Ok, fourth post now, I shall now proceed to shut my trap lol.
Posted by Figure Eight
Horse slaughter is bad.I’ve seen photos of RAW SKINNED BLOOD DRENCHED horses.They first are tourtured,then they are knocked unconsious with a big metal hammer.Now they are put into a chute that cuts into them.Next they are lifted up by ONE leg and are taken to be butchered.I won’t tell the rest cause it is TOO gross.
Posted by Briar
You people seriously need to get your facts straight. The sites on the internet that are anti-slaughter are almost ALWAYS 99% exaggerated. You want to see or know what REALLY happens? Talk to someone who works in a slaughterhouse or go to one yourself. Most of you are, excuse me for saying this, extremely ignorant when it comes to this topic. Learn your facts before you preach that we (people that are not anti-slaughter) are horrible, wrong, sick people. Just like horses, WE have feelings too. I must say I’m rather fed up of getting hate mail from you lot.
Posted by Rxy – Selling
Yes slaughter is a sad thing, b8ut i HAVE to agree with Briarwood. There’s that many horses that are suffering out there, but the funds and good will wont stretch for that many. Slaughter is the quickest, easiest and best soloution for old, or beyond help horses. All we can do is make sure our horses that we own and love, stay that way, and don’t have their lives ended like so many others. But fighting like this isn’t helping…really. ~HJ~
Posted by Haikuxx
horse sloughter is horable it should be ilegal
Posted by Angel Toots
Guys, my opnion is that in reality horse slaughter will never end, just as with gay marriage will never fully be legal nor liked. You can spend millions and work as hard as you want, for something you want, theres nothing wrong with that. But in reality there will always be horse slaughter, illegal horse slaughter if it becomes illegal to slaughter horses. In my country, Italy, horse is a delicacy, I am very ebarrased that horse is such a food, but in china they eat dogs and cat. Instead of ending slaughter why dont we work on educating the public about proper horse care? I know young children love horses and want one, there parents give it to them then the child doesnt want it anymore and the parents sell it top slaughter, maybe if we educated the public like we do with cats and dogs it would be more effective? -Angel
Posted by Angel Toots
And yes I spoke personally, my friend had a horse when she was younger and he was a bucker (they bought him without testing him out) so her dad sold him to slaughter. MAYBE if they had a been educated on some degree about horses his life would have been saved? -Angel
Posted by Haige
I have saved 2 gorgeous standardbreds from horse slaughter. One has an obscure back and one is fully blind. These two had the worse tempraments, but when I got through to them using the parrelli method, these two turned out like angels. I now can ride my blind boy, and these two are the best horses I have ever known, and yet, they were a few days away from being turned into dog food. It’s horrible – Emma
Posted by Ghosty’s Chat Party Account
actually, the bill was that mustangs and burros over 10 years old and that had failed adoption three times would be slaughtered…it’s in an issue of Horse Illustrated. i might type it up so everyone can see just how horrible things are for our wild mustangs.
i myself aren’t 100% anti-slaughter, because there are some horses out there that are beyond help – quite a few, actually. with those, trying to help them would be very hard in all ways, so slaughter is their best option. i’m not talking about rambunctious colts, but the old, sick horses that are nearing the end of their days. i don’t like it, but would you rather see them suffering with chronic illnesses for the rest of their lives?
Posted by Taylor
If people would stop saying it’s pointless to try to end horse slaughter, that it wouldn’t work, and have a positive attitude about it, maybe ending horse slaughter really would be possible.
Posted by Haikuxx
aminal slaughter is just wrong it should be against the law. I looked at the sight that you posted and I did’nt now it was that bad I mean some one went out of they’re way to be mean to the animals!
Posted by
*poke* Like I said, money has got a lot to do with it
Posted by LightningZarah****
its not easy to go against the law. we can try of course but ending horse slaughter is not the fact. its the condition, the WAY how they are slaughtered… pigs, cows,… they get ALL slaughtered. only because we love horses maybe more than pigs and cows you would end slaughter? i also really do hate slaughter but it has to be, if the horse got killed RiGHT it doesnt “feel” the slaughter itself. So dont think about ENDING HORSE SLAUGHTER THINK ABOUT CHANGING CONDITIONS!!!!
Posted by Baby Blue Bash
I CAN’T BELEIVE SOME OF U THINK WE NEED TO SLAUGHTER HORSES! sure, we can’t look after every single one but still! it is wrong to slaughter any creature
Posted by Kangawoo
Slaughter is a very controversial issue, as this whole discussion has proven. I personally, am most worried about the mustangs at this point. Basically, what Bush has done is kill off a good percentage of the lowering numbers of mustangs. It drives me nuts to see this happening, and I truly hope some of you guys will pay attention to this and look into what you can do. Monty Roberts once said something along the lines of this; “To some extent we attach to the mustang the same characteristics we would like to see in ourselves: strong, wild at heart, sensitive, graceful; and above all, free.”
Posted by nose4fruit
Slaughter to all animals is evil and cruel. There’s a little thing out there called “euthanasia”, which peacefully and painlessly kills horses who need to be killed. Horse slaughter is mean and evil. Don’t do it. Dont support it. Don’thave anything to do with it. Briarwood, go ahead and drop that horsey on my doorstep so I can take it to a vet so that they can euthanize those dying horses.
Posted by nose4fruit
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Horses should never be slaughtered! *stabs horse slaughterers eith a spork*
Posted by *-|Skewbald_Stud|-*
I can help.I know about slaughter `cause my dad`s a hunter and brings his game to the slaughter house.It`s evil..I work for a stable and could get some signatures there,it`s a rescue clinic.I could aslo get some from my school.
Posted by KDPerformanceHorses~BdayOnThe27th!!!
before i get started: nose4fruit, when you type in repeted letters/a reeeeeally long word, it screws up the width of the page and makes things a lot harder to read. Please (this is to everybody) don’t do that again. (u might not have known before- i’m not mad at you and please don’t be mad at me -but now you do).
but now on to the topic of horse slaughter. please read my whole reply before jumping to conclusions (especially the last part).horse slaughter is, most definately UNFORTUNATELY, a neccessary evil *cries*. first of all, if the horse is useable/fixable, it should be sold to someone who can use it or fix it. euthaniaisa is a [very good] option, but, unfortunatly, an expensive one (i would love it if every horse had that option…but sometimes it just isn’t possible). so the only options you’re left with is sending/auctioning the horse off to slaughter; letting it sit and die, unused and unhappy; or sending it to a rescue/retirement facility.
after euthanasia, i believe the rescue/retirement place is the best option. they will take horses, fix them up, and sell them to a good home. or they will provide a good environment for a horse that is no longer useful.
but when the horse is in [unreversable] pain and really can’t be euthanized because of money issues, the only option left is usually slaughter/auction to slaughter.
the conditions of slaughter are completely, truly, and unethically HORRIFIC. i’m not just talkign abotu the way they slaughter the horses, but the events leading up to it, from the careless auctions, to the inhumane (not inhuman- spelling, people!), overcrowded, and unsanitary shipping, the overcrowded and unsanitary feedlots, and the amount of stress before the actual slaughter. i think the transport has to be the worst- the horses sometimes go for a week without being let off the truck (which translates into no fresh air), and sometimes go for days without food or water. The horses become dehydrated and confused/less conscious, and sometimes sick. Therefore, leading them off the trailer, or onto another trailer, is dangerous: they could fall off the trailer/ramp and injure themselves badly.
due to the fact that I have never been in a slaughterhouse myself and am runnign out of time, i won’t even start on the conditions in the feedlots and slaughterhouses. but they are horrible nonetheless.so basically, i wouldn’t hate slughter (i wouldn’t exactly support it, but i wouldn’t feel so strongly against it) if conditions improved for the horses being sent to slaughter and if only horses that were truly chronically ill/disabled were sent to slaughter. I mean, knowing that the horse was able to have a use past its life (feeding people- bleah -and other animals) provides a little comfort, especially when compared to knowing that the other option the horse had was to suffer until it died. But that last part would only make sense when the conditions improved for the slaughterhorses.
so let’s try to fight to improve the conditions and provide our companion animals some dignity in their last moments (or months), not try to change the world.
don’t hate!
*darrah
Posted by KDPerformanceHorses~BdayOnThe27th!!!
long pst, lol…
i recommend reading the november 2002 article in horse illustrated (page 50) on the ilph (international legue for the protection of horses) and slaughter/rescue, etc.- it’s informative and unbiased, and talks about education as the solution (big kudos for sharon biggs).Bthanks for reading my opinions~
*darrah
Posted by KDPerformanceHorses~BdayOnThe27th!!!
sorry about annoying you all yet another time! 😀
i’m not just another emotional teen who wants to “save the horses,” i’ve done my research and tried to stay open/level-minded and unbiased (i recommend you all do the same). but i’m still against the current conditions of slaughter.
tip for those who, like me, are against slaughter/the conditions of slaughter: take action. if you just sit on your butt complaining and don’t actually do anythign about it, no matter how much you cry, nothing’s going to change.
love you all~
*darrah
Posted by Uniform Bronze[Quarter Horse]
I’ve been a part of Shark.. for a few years now..I go to Rallys, meetings all over.. As much as we would like to Stop slaughter, and as much as im Aginst it.. along with TONS of other ppl.. Its an on growing Buisness, and you cant Save every horse you come acrossed. YES Slaughter houses are a terrible. thing.. But.. if we were to Rid houses, ppl would lose jobs, and horses and other animals will be over populated..sorry for the Harsh reality..dont think That im “for” slaughter just saying nothing we can do about it.
Posted by Mountain Meadows Ranch
I CAN’T BELIEVE U GUYS WHO SAY WE CAN’T MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Of course we can. One state at a time, if we all tried, we could end horse slaughter. It is cruel and inhumane. **** u all who say (excuse the um, language) we can’t stop it and that it’s ok to ignore slaughter. IT’S NOT! Not I’m worked up in a state, I am so surprised at a lot of people’s responses!!!! Well you guys who say that, you don’t really love horses. And to you guys who say you are working to end horse slaughter, God bless ya and I really hope we can end slaughter!
Posted by
nose4fruit, all those x’s weren’t necessary, they stretch the screen and make the page look ugly. Please next time don’t do it.
Posted by Little Hinata
I’m disgusted by horse slaughter and I hope they stop it soon. I’ve signed so many petitions but they still didn’t stop horse slaughters… stupid slaughterers… Horses have helped us so much and this is how we repay them? Seesh… I’ll definately sign the petition!
Posted by
Why is the page so long? is it because of all those x’s`? god its annoying =/
Posted by Angel Toots
Gosh Dangit how annoying! Now I cant read many of the posts because of all the X’s *growls*, I agree with some of your statements, they are very logical. I must add to my post, I am dont hate and I dont like horse slaughter, kinda like I am afraid of the ocean but at the same time it fascinates me. I myself used to ride a pony that was saved from slaughter, years ago my trainer knew a man who bought a 2 yr old peruvian paso with lines that could be traced back to the very foundation horses, she was wild because he didnt properly handle her nor care for her, he called a slaughter truck and then called my trainer to tell her she was history (the horse), my trainer rushed over and bought the horse from the man. With lots of love, and the right care and attention she became one of the best horses you would have ever met, she was very gentle with young children (and me bouncing all over her back as a youngster) and could tolerate anything without losing her temper. That was a good case of rescuing, but what people are doing these days with mustangs ARENT right. Anyways I have my thoughts and all but it would be repeating other peopler on the old horse issue 😉 -Angel
Posted by Silversage646
i tottaly think they should rethink their actions! (Killers I mean) They say its quick and not that painful? Lets put all them through it and see if they like it! They would HATE IT! People have no hearts these days. I live in southern Alberta nd there were over 1mil horses killed in alberat alone last year
Posted by Die Romantic Ranch
Did you guys know that most of the workers at slaughter houses are Convicts in jail? It only seems fitting that theeses people could kill an innocent animal on which our country has been built.
Posted by CLOSED
That was horrid! I pictured it as just shoot-kill-skin! I agree with Meadows up there! It has totally changed my life.
Posted by Oak Welsh Stables
In england we are lucky and dont have slaughter house i do think its unnecerssary and in the uk horses are put to sleep through a simple injections or they are shot. this was probably a worthless peice of info but just spare a thought for the less unfortunate horses oh and i think all wild horses in america should be rounded up and the stallions/geldings should be gelded this way they wont be continue breeding.
Posted by Angel Toots
Putting horses to sleep IS quick and they CANT feel it, they just close there eyes like there going to sleep but then they go brain dead (cant feel it) and they never wake up. Slaughter houses…I dont want to explain it. -Angel
Posted by Ghosty’s Chat Party Account
Oak Welsh, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!
why would you want to geld all of the stallions?
Mustangs are a national symbol here…you obviously have no idea what you’re talking about.
the reason that there are still free-roaming herds is so the mustangs continute to reproduce.
if you want to say something as moronic as that, don’t bother typing it.
Posted by Prancing Pony
Mountain Meadow Ranch, how dare you say we aren’t true horse lovers unless we want to stop slaughter! You have no right to judge us by saying that, you posted this and asked for opinions, we gave you our honest opinions. Live with it ok? Some of us aren’t 100% against horse slaughter because it’s necessary! If you haven’t realized it yet, well you’re going to realize it now. Have you ever realized that pigs, cows, and chickens get slaughtered to? Well, they do and maybe some people love chickens, cows and pigs like we love horses. Ever considered that? I don’t mean to sound rude but I think some of your responses to these have been rude. I’m done. – Wake.
Posted by Prancing Pony
I’d also like to add that euthanizing horses is very expensive and where would you burry all the horses?
Posted by Angel Toots
True black, nice thinking 🙂 -Angel
Posted by *dressy’s*showing||acount
omg, i didnt know any of that happened, one of my fav horses at my barn was just put down, the caring way. *starts sobbing*
Posted by
Black Flame I’m not sure if this is true or not
but my friend said that apparently in Australia (or just
Victoria) horses aren’t buried, a dead horse would be
sent to a slaughter horse to be turned into dog food.
Yeah I’m trying to make my post readable from
all those stupid X’s
Posted by Angel Toots
thanks chichy, that was helpful! and here I think they get
sent to be burned (creamated) then there ashes
are buried unless the owner really wants it. I
dunno, I dont know what they did with my old
pony :-\ -Angel
Posted by Babalon
i my friend toled me that is you send a horse to a dog mean factury they will give you the roll they mke out of your horse is you wont it
Posted by Babalon
sick ant it
Posted by HAZESSTABLE
hi there i am in Australia and i am doing everything i can to stop horse slaughter i am complaining to the government the American government putting signs up everyehere so if u wanna help me stop this disgrace plz let me know
Posted by HAZESSTABLE
hi there is also an even worse horse site at www.equineadvocates.com it is about horses and how u can save em there is even pictures of the horses being killed grrrrr ihate those stupid people
At the same time you can see how things are changing. In 2003 articles had titles like revolving around actual gameplay and inter-competition between members:
LIVE AUCTION by American Dressage Association on November 3, 2003
Rescue Center Just Opened! by Fate on November 3, 2003
Abuse of Power? by Robin on November 7, 2003
Matter of Opinion by LLStables~NEED TO SELL HORSES! on November 7, 2003
Stud Adds by Jade on November 7, 2003
New Breed!!! by Jade on November 11, 2003
PARTAY! by .K.a.y.l.e.e. on November 11, 2003
Paying for Stables? by Silver Dream Training Center on November 11, 2003
New on White Oaks! by Jade on November 15, 2003
What makes a horse a true Hall of Famer? by Äitto&Īmage on November 19, 2003
By 2007 most of the articles have titles involving more special interest and personal experiences like this:
How Many Horses Does it Take to Change a Lightbulb? by OliveOil on Janurary 3, 2007
New Year 2007! by Pyrite Stable *Saddlebreds on Janurary 3, 2007
Understanding Breeding Rules by RareBlackAngelelite on Janurary 3 2007
A Gift of Help by Newspaper on Janurary 10, 2007
Does Your Horse Need a Turnout Blanket? by JQ-Sale Over on Janurary 10, 2007
Weekly Featured Poem by Newspaper on Janurary 31, 2007
Horses in High School by on Feburary 11, 2007
Longeing Do’s and Don’ts by on Feburary 11, 2007
Horses in High School by Newspaper on Feburary 11, 2007
Scary Things? A horses point of view! by on Feburary 16, 2007
Grooming Tips by WHF Wood Hill Farm on Feburary 18, 2007
Does your horse bite? by thank_me_later_1992 on Feburary 18, 2007
You can see how the member’s creativity evolves over the years, how they are looking for things that haven’t been done before, and how they like to push the envelope to newer and better things. In previous years I used to spend a lot of time constantly making changes to White Oak Stables, adding on to it and updating layouts and such. When I stopped doing this the game started getting newspaper titles complaining the site wasn’t being updated enough:
Site Changes, November 30, 2005
Site Changes, December 2, 2005
Site Changes, December 3, 2005
And articles like this:
Posted on November 30, 2005 by Awen – No New Breeds
There has been a discussion happening on the message boards, that I thought I would submit for the paper. Essentially, there were many of us that were unable to attend the chat session due to work or being out of town, and there are some suggestions for the site that we have been asking for a very long time.
1)Stallion Breeding Requests
2)Ability to Sterilize Mares
3)Limits on the number of foals a horse can have
4)Automatic Show Settings
5)Changing the way founded horses are priced (too expensive for newcomers)
6)Tack Buying – quantities, etc.
I think I got everything, if not, people can always add more in the replies.
Posted by .. JacKiE ..
I don’t know HOW long we have been asking for most of these changes, but it’s ridiculous.. not to mention HOW many times we were TOLD that it was going to happen.. months later.. wow.. still nothing. Not surprised. Thanks for bringing it up again, Awen.. lets hope that it EVENTUALLY catches Jade’s attention. -nods-
Posted by Black Coffee Stables – QUIT
Its too bad that so many people weren’t able to get on the chat to offer their suggestions; I think a lot of things that really needed attention got passed over as a result. You’ve basically listed the changes I’d like to see most (starting with stallion breeding requests!). I’d also REALLY like to see prize reinstated for the best players on the game. If we’re not going to get anything for being on the list, Jade might a well abolish the list altogether.
Posted by Haiku
I agree with Black. A lot of things probably got passed over. And I know a lot of older players who were working probably would have fought the ‘making rescuing easier’ idea.
Posted by Heavenly Haven
I hope that the best players prize that hopefully will be reinstated will include the players that always take care of their horses, though they have a low member score (due to being new). I’m on everyday making sure that my horses are groomed and entered in shows. I may not have much money, and my score may not be high, but I have healthy horses (and I run a rescue account with VERY healthy horses). Please consider this when the reinstatement of the prizes comes about.
Posted by Lizby
The best players prizes only go to the players on the assorted top 10 lists. If they gave out prizes to players just because they take care of their horses the prizes would become meaningless
Posted by Purple Lightning
All of the players on the Top 10 lists have VERY healthy horses…how do you think we got there? It isn’t just based on your horse’s health – you also have to show them in order to get both their ranks up and your member ranks up. It takes work, but if you stick with it it isn’t as hard as one might think.
Posted by Triwhisper Manor
I’ve noticed that myself…has anyone gone and pestered jade about it? lol… I think everything was covered in here at least a lot of major issues, and propably the reason no one was on is because it was thanksgiving weekend? I wanted to be on but I got stuck at a relativies house all day
Posted by Haiku
I know, thanksgiving weekend was probably not the wisest choice so that Jade could get the most members in there.
Posted by Rockieee
Man i agree with this 150% we need these changes, wos has been the same for nearly a year and she is losing me…..i pay 25 dollers a year for a stabel so we better start gettinjg what we need and want….. .Rocker.
Posted by Fuzz Pony {Fuzzbutt Farms}
How about credits going out to top players again?? I think if we have an area for awards… we should actually get awards once in awhile… or just get rid of the space alltogether.
Posted by Kelbeans
Rocker you’re right, she’s losing me too! All these changes have been asked for time and time again and instead we get easier rescue options and clubs. The top 10’s should get a reward, because they work damn hard to get there, the game should be made faster by deleting dormant accounts, and all the changes listed by Awen should have been effected long ago. I wish I had been at the debate, but on the other hand I’m wondering if I would’ve been listened to anyway. It makes me feel a little cheated and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one. Jade – I gave you $100 of money I worked hard for, and call me greedy, but I’d like something in return. Kel.
Posted by ~Dreami Pony~
Jackie Jade is busy! I think that was inapropriate. (how do you spell it?)
Posted by Dressy
*rolls eyes* I know, it’s like we’ve waited for ever. I can’t wait to see these changes happen. I was at the debate, like at 2 pm PST and Jade had left o.O Anyways. I hope these things actually happen… I know it’s hard to code into the game, but maybe..just maybe it’ll work. *nods* PS: If I sound uber loopy, I’m on like a ton of meds..Upid strep something or another..
-Dressy, 23170
Posted by Oasis
Dreami, the thing is that we have paid real money for our stables, and while we all know Jade is busy, it’s been months and months and months. We are all busy, but when you make a committment, you’re supposed to follow through with that committment. The other thing is, at the same time we were supposed to have some of these changes on this game which have never happened, Jade has started up whole new games like sim dog (or whatever it’s called). It’s fine to start new games, but you should need to fulfill older committments before starting new ones.
Don’t get me wrong, I have great respect for what Jade has done in terms of creating this game in the first place, but I don’t care for being promised things, and then never hearing about them again. If she is so busy that she cannot work on this game, then she should find someone else that can. I am sure there are people on this game that have the skills and desire to write code for Jade in exchange for something like a free stable, or game credits, or whatever. That costs Jade nothing, and would get some of the things that need to be done, taken care of already.
Posted by .jádà kiss.
I think that Dreami may just not like Jackie, seeing as how she always says she is rude in one way or another…but maybe it’s just me. Anyways, I wanted all those things too…I didn’t buy a stable, but…also, I wanted to get working on the wos dictionary, which, I may add, Jade would not have to do, for all those concerned, but I need the go-ahead…I hope all this comes to attention.
Posted by Wormwood’s Shetlands
Agree with pretty much everyone who has posted here. I don’t think its inappropriate to expect promises given to be honoured in a timely fashion. If, as was mentioned, Jade IS that busy (I understand the demands of work and school all at once), there are a good number of people with a reasonable knowledge of php/css/html that could easily lighten her workload and improve the general player moral. I’m seeing a LOT of unhappy players here right now, and many of them stable owners like me. That just isn’t good business.
Posted by Ghosty’s Chat Party Account
Rocker, you don’t have to pay $25 for a blue ribbon. if truth be told, it isn’t that much different from having a regular large stable.
Posted by Locust Livin’ Horses
.e.ternal .a.che spare, yes you DO have to pay $25 for a blue ribbon stable, YEARLY. so on that oart your are sorely mistaken. I agree with alot of what has been said. Jad has been promising alot of things for awhile now, and all we get are new things and not the stuf she has told us earlier in the game that we would get.
Posted by
boooooooooooooooooring article
Posted by Haiku
-closes tags-I don’t think discussing that changes that -ought- to be made to WOS is boring at all….please do not be so rude.
Which eventually led to my response of:
Posted on December 3, 2005 by Jade
Okay, I’ve read all the posts on my last article (as of today) and here’s my response to a lot of the things you’ve said.
Why do I make so many games when I already have ones to commit to?
In truth most of the games I make are not for me. I make them for someone else (through my design business) and they end up coming back to me beacuse people default on the payments. If any of you play my other games you’ll realize that I don’t really manage them (wos is about the only one I do). So when people default I open them to other people in hopes of selling/renting them or bringing in some extra income.
“You have to keep up with customer demand in order to stay successful”
Very very true, and I’m trying. There are so many changes and things I would like to add to White Oak Stables and I’m very willing to make all those changes.
“I am sure there are people on this site that are capable and willing to code for you in exchange for something like a free stable, or game credits, or whatever.”
Okay, I completely agree with you. Is there anyone out there on WOS that would be willing to help out with coding in exchange for WOS stuff? I’ve looked for people before but I run into problems:
1) I can’t pay anything. I don’t have any money to pay anyone with.
2) You must know advanced html, php and mysql. This is where my biggest problem lies. I’ve had programing helpers before and that was disasterous. They screw everything up and then I spend even more time going back and cleaning up their mess! Lol. However, if you can program or know anyone whose willing to program please have them email me.
3) One of the people I had programing for me was changing member’s money and horses, etc and giving away how the game works. One of the biggest reasons for our grade change when this layout went up. We have enough problems with cheating I’d rather not add to it, so our programer has to be super trustable.
” But, like others have pointed out, when people are paying you money for the game, you really need to listen to them and try to be timely in making improvements to the game.”
Okay, I know this is really our biggest issue on White Oak Stables. If I can get someone to help out who can program, great. Please remember that we do have this game disclaimer:
This site and all materials come as is and as available, meaning whiteoakstables.net cannot guarantee the site will be uninterrupted or error free due to server or programming complications, that errors will be corrected, or that the server is free of virus or other harmful devices.
When you sign up for WOS you agree to this, and you agree to it every time you play the game. Techniqually I’m not required to make additional updates or changes to WOS (as no business is) but I know that in perspective things that don’t change don’t survive, so I know we need updates made (which i’ll work on by getting staff if I can).
“What I do mind is glitches in the system (such as half the stable shows saying training circuit when they aren’t, not being able to put clothes on etc) not being sorted and things being promised without them being delivered.”
One thing to say here, I don’t play wos. Most of the time I don’t even get around to reading the message boards before *poof* its next month and the game is reset. If you find a glitch please send me an email. I don’t know about a lot of these things. If it helps I’ll add a “report a glitch” link so that I can try and get these things straightened out faster.
As for things not being delivered, I swear they will and I promise I’ll work on it (ie getting staff if possible).
“I’m sure running this site has taught you a lot and you will continue to learn and grow. “
It really has. I love WOS soo much, and I love you guys to. When I first started WOS even upgrades were free (ask GVSH!) and I had hoped to keep it that way. Then life happened and we went through server after server and here we are now, lol. I appreciate everything you guys say and all the suggestions and ideas and the time you devote to the website.
Posted by Inkys Hanos
i see what you mean jadey…and i guess its good you want to do gliches…but i think more people should learn to realise you have a life outside wos…like every other human being….inky
Posted by Inkys Hanos
and…weee first post 😀
Posted by Woodchuck (active acc)
Does this count as second or third post? lmao! You didn’t need to take out time from your life to answer all of those! Very considerate and … nice! lol. 😛
Posted by Whispering River
i whould just love to say thanks jade for makeing this game and not just makeing this game takeing time to talk in listen we all love you jade!! -jojo
Posted by .jádà kiss.
Perhaps this will cool some tempers, I hope.
Posted by Lacy’s Arabian Desert
yes 4th or 5th post lol thanks for making this web jade and people need to relize that u r also in collage and i have cuzents that r in collage and they do have any time for outside life so u r trying ur best:D thanks again jady
Posted by Happy Horse Farms-Stable
Thank you for replying and acknowledging our posts.
Posted by ~TBTW~
hello im new and dont know much about that gotta go for a riding lesson please email me 38243 anyone an dill give you $50
Posted by Never
As someone said before, its interesting how the sides change and all of a sudden its all “aww jadey thanks for making the game, well wait as long as you need” when last time it was like “Jade im going to quit if you wont fix blah blah blah” humm just me making an observation
Posted by Haiku
I’m starting to see your point of view better Jade. I’m still nuetral. Changes would be nice, but I didn’t join for the promises of change, and I’m not staying because of them either…
Posted by Oasis
Thank you very much for taking the time to explain and reply to the issues that were raised. I truly appreciate being heard and answered.
As for problems with programmers – is there a way to test run new code before putting it into the game? Not being a programmer I do not know how code is usually tested – but I know it usually is in the business world before something goes live (notice I say usually lol). That might help in regards to both the trust issues and the inept programmers. A test system would prevent the need for someone to be given high level control of the real game, and if something is wrong in the code, it will also prevent the game from being brought down. Not sure how feasible that is, but thought I would throw it out there as a suggestion.
This part is directed at some of the replies, not to Jade. The issue has never been one of not understanding that Jade is busy. We all get that fact, and I think most, if not all, of us do have sympathy for that. I would greatly appreciate it if people would stop trying to imply that there is a lack of empathy for Jade. It is not true, and it is not conducive to resolving this, as it only breeds more frustration and division.
Posted by Kelbeans
Ateh as usual I agree completely. I thank Jade for taking the time to post her feedback on the issues some of us have raised. It must be hard to ask for help on a site you’ve built up from scratch, and I think you’re showing enormous strength in doing so. I for one feel that I’ve been listened to, and will look forward to an even better WOS. Kel : )
Posted by Rowey
I would help if i could program….
Posted by ~Dreami Pony~
That was a really cool article and it was interesting to read! Thanks —–> Dreami
Posted by Briar
Lol like Notthefan said, I love the changing sides.
I also love the fact that Jade even keeps this game running for us when we whine and complain about her. And don’t lie, because I know we’ve all done it before. I have too. But I also appreciate the work Jade puts into the game and I will continue to play it even if she doesn’t update it because, well, I like it.
So there! Hah.
Posted by Kelbeans Rare Breeds
I love the fact people keep going on about changing sides!!! For my part anyway I have given Jade feedback on things that could be improved on the site and she thanked me (above). She has now given me feedback on this and says she will make improvements, therefore I am thanking her. Do these people who talk about “changing sides” want/expect people who have complained before to reply negatively to this well thought out and well written article? I know alot of the people who had issues with updates and things (myself included) have fully acknowledged the amount of work Jade has put into this site and emphasized the fact that we like the game (or why would we be here?). Unfortunately that does not solve the issues. Jade has now acknowledged this and has asked for help in moving things along, which, as I said before, takes guts. Instead of running away or ignoring negative feedback she has taken the time to write this article, listened to what people had to say and is doing something about it. I think some people may have confused criticism of the game with a personal attack on Jade. Kel : )
Posted by Jade
Part of the problem with programing is that the programer has to have access to the database and website files. Really, there is no way to truly prevent them from editing site pages, or the database without my say so beacuse if they’re a program then they know how to get around all the little “bricks” or “blocks” I could put up to try and prevent that from happening. So in perspective I can try and limit what they can do but it won’t help that much in the grand scheme of things. This is why the person would have to be completely trustable.
Posted by Jade
*programer
Posted by
First I would like to state that i have never commented on the other posts, so don’t go saying I changed my views =P
I realise very much how hard it is to do so much stuff on the site, keeping up with whiners and going to school etc. I only know some HTML, and with the help of my FrontPage *hugs* I can do quite a lot of stuff, but not enough to help Jadey with programing WOS. If there is anything I can help with though feel free to ask =). And I hope I am helping by taking care of most of BSK =)
Dusty
Posted by Humble Pine Mountain(ღMBFღ)
I…could say something, but I won’t, because…well, I just won’t. And I can’t really function very well right now, as I’ve just written 2 papers and am starting on my third. -.-;
Posted by Humble Pine Mountain(ღMBFღ)
..that was Briar, by the way.
Posted by cubic
Thankyou for listening Jade. Hopefully now we’ve got things off our chest the game will have much less tension again! It is great that you are responding to customers’ concerns and expectations. Thankyou for already putting up a ‘report a glitch’ link. I think it was the taking time to post a glitch and it never being read that was getting to people, so this is great.
Posted by Awen – No New Breeds
I do not know how much space you have, or how much space this would take, but would it possible to save a second version of this game, minus all the user accounts, for the purposes of testing?
I know that may not be feasible as it may take way too much space, and/or it would simply be too difficult and way more work than it’s worth. Just my problem solving side trying to come up with possible solutions. lol
Posted by TotalAngel
Thanks Jade for taking the time to write this up. I can’t possibly understand how hard it is to run all this stuff and put up with us 🙂 but you do a great job! Keep it up and thanks for WOS!! Love, TA
Posted by Shadow View Farm
Thanks, Jade.
Posted by Dressy
Thanks for explaining this to us. I know for a fact that’ll cool tempers. As for the helpers, I don’t know if it would really help, because you’d have to make sure they weren’t screwing up, stealing etc. I think maybe, if you were gonna have helpers it should be people you like know in real life. Then you cam actually yell at them in person if they screw up xD. Anyways, everything else has been covered =)
-Dressy, 23170
Posted by Dressy
can* hehe whoops
Posted by Dragons Rest Fells
It’s really nice to actually be heard for the first time since I’ve been here. I have to say, this is the most I’ve ever seen done with the game. My only problem still is; why ban players (i.e. like Chichy) with no known rhyme or reason? I still don’t know the whole story here, so I can’t really say much, but I don’t think she got an explanation of why she is banned, or am I wrong? This kind of management makes me nervous playing the game as I and other players don’t want to be banned, for unknown reasons. Maybe giving us a link with ALL the reasons a player could be banned would help ease some of the tension. I also think seeing you, Jade, as an active part of WOS would really help calm things down. When we play this game for months on end, without seeing a single post, a single article or anything on WOS, it starts to feel like this is a solely member run game. When member’s feel like there are no reprucussions for cheating, then cheating starts to become a epidemic. Players who don’t cheat, and follow the rules, start to feel the need to enforce those rules, because there is no one to do it for them. This is why there are so many anti-Noob posts, restrictive breeding policies, and angry older players who don’t play or won’t help new players. They don’t want to be taken advantage of without someone who has control of the game, to dole out some disciplinary measures. KC
Posted by *Buffalo*
Why do some people have to complain so much!! It’s just a game. And….it’s not like you have to keep on paying for the game, unless you are a blue ribbon stable member or whatever. $10-$25 isn’t that much…..
Posted by Uniform Bronze[Quarter Horse]
I think everyone should Back off of Jade, i think he does one Heck of a job. Granted many of you want Changes.. i think the game is fine the way it is. I Have no complaints. So ease up killers. Jade will make changes when SHE has the time, if ya’ll dont already know. School is tough. Computers Crash, (and are Very expensive to fix) and im sure Jade gets hundreds of e mails a day ok i should be quiet now. lol
Posted by Uniform Bronze[Quarter Horse]
I think everyone should Back off of Jade, i think he does one Heck of a job. Granted many of you want Changes.. i think the game is fine the way it is. I Have no complaints. So ease up killers. Jade will make changes when SHE has the time, if ya’ll dont already know. School is tough. Computers Crash, (and are Very expensive to fix) and im sure Jade gets hundreds of e mails a day ok i should be quiet now. lol
Posted by Silly
Call me clueless; believe it or not, I have an “excuse”, if you will. I have been gone from WOS for three months.
What has happened in those three months? I am not sure. But I do know this. Three months ago, in early September, Jade was getting bashed by a bunch of people. Simple to understand. Now, I log back in three months later and what do I see? An article by Jade trying to explain her position. I read the comments and the articles, and I see the people making the outrageous comments are none other than the people who were threatening to quit three months ago. You see where I’m going with this?
And if you don’t understand… then buzz out of this topic. But that’s just my two cents. -Silly, #16081
Posted by Silly
Oh and, on the ‘changing views’ subject, I never changed views. But I think that’s rather obvious.
Posted by Dragons Rest Fells
My post was merely insight to what I’ve seen going on in the couple times I’ve signed on in the past few months, I was just trying to give Jade some help as to why I think the players are the way they are now, as she does not play the game.I applaud Jade for even wanting to improve this game for all the hostile, insulting players (which is sadly a growing majority).
I no longer play the game due to the lack of friendliness in WOS not because of Jade. I never threatened to quit, as it wouldn’t change anything. Do you see where I’m going with this??
Letting the member’s speak out is an awesome thing. I think it’s helped White Oak Stables in more ways then one. Members have a voice and suddenly their opinion matters not only to them, but to all the other members who can relate to them.
Social community is an important aspect of the game that needs to be preserved and encouraged. It will be the major influence that leads us to even bigger and better ideas.
As my networking professor David Hyland-Wood once said, “a great idea is just a bunch of good ideas built on top of each other”. Social community is one of those good idea.
