Sir, - Debby Ewing’s 'Up for discussion - end of life' article in The Irish Field last weekend deserved its two pages in our industry’s leading paper.

The taboo on discussion of the end of life pathway has been irrevocably broken by the horrific scenes revealed by the RTÉ Investigates programme. Many in this industry want to make things better but are unsure where to start. This article will hopefully start the conversation and can lead to a much wider discussion on the future. There is plenty of goodwill and smart people in our industry to make it happen. Let’s begin.

Returning to the RTÉ report, it is hard to believe that the Department of Agriculture can tell us how many cattle are in our fields using satellites but was unaware of the gross misconduct at a licensed abattoir.

This breakdown in governance should be the prime focus of any inquiry rather than an internal one (as mentioned in last week's story 'Wall to carry out a root and branch review of DAFM systems') which won’t address these issues.

An independent inquiry is needed including all involved in this debacle. It is not enough for leading officials at the Department to say that they were shocked on seeing the RTÉ hidden camera footage. When someone in charge is shocked it implies that the system of oversight needs fixing. - Yours etc.,

Brian Coonan

Co Kildare

Sir, - In light of the RTÉ exposé on equine cruelty, I wasn't surprised but I was sickened to discover that the animal abattoirs/holding yards are allowed to self-appoint a welfare officer.

I have no problem with horses being put down by lethal injection and/or shot by the hunt knackeries as long as it's completed in an area which is not stressful or scary for the animal, and that goes for the abattoirs too.

I have read and watched the film by Dr Temple Grandin, and I think that certain adjustments could be made to abattoirs to reduce the stress and keep animals from getting injured on the way to their end.

We are an incredible country, packed full of talented riders, producers and horse breeders. We can do better and, in fact, I think we can lead the way in making these abattoirs as stress-free and safe as possible.

We are world leaders in breeding. Let's be world leaders in end-of-life for equines too. - Yours etc.,

Kitty Shanahan

Equine osteopath and saddle fitter

Waterford

Sir, - I would like to express my support for Debby Ewing's brave article on the end-of-life of our horses.

To be honest I also think much could be done to reduce the stress on farm animals. I have farmed all my life and have some knowledge of slaughterhouses. They can never be holiday resorts but things could and should be made better.

As a permit trainer and small breeder I have had horses put down at home and I have taken some to slaughter and my experience has been that putting them down at home, which should be much better, doesn't always go well. I have had reasonably good experiences in England, with the slaughter process being quick and efficient. However, I always had the horses booked in and went with them. It is not a good experience for anyone.

I now live in Spain. Horses here rarely go for slaughter. The Spanish don't eat horse meat. However, many old horses are left to get too old and decrepit, which is not kind either.

The third party liability insurance which is obligatory here can, for a small extra payment, include cost of destruction at home and removal and destruction of the carcass. This is quite helpful as digging graves is expensive.

Anyway, I hope Debby Ewing's article may help to improve things and make more people aware of the problems. - Yours etc.,

Anne Ratcliff

Algar,

Spain

Sir, - I’m a McTimoney animal chiropractor working in the equine industry here for the past 20 years. I am writing in relation to Debby Ewing’s article in last Saturday's The Irish Field.

I cannot agree more with her that so much more needs to be done to address the issue of horse slaughter and the conditions they are subjected to at the end of their life. The majority of these horses have had a previous career either as competition horses or racehorses and do not deserve to meet such a cruel and inhumane end to their life.

The majority of these horses have also been given joint injections, anti-inflammatories, et cetera, to allow them to remain sound for competition and racing, and therefore should never be allowed enter the food chain.

In my opinion there is no need for equine slaughter houses in this country as we do not even consume horse meat, so would it not make more sense for horse consuming countries to rear and slaughter their own meat in a safe and humane manner?

I know this will not sit well with those involved in it in this country but more has to be done and the Department of Agriculture need to step up and take responsibility for their absolute failure to stop what was going on in this country.

I trust that change will be brought about sooner rather than later. - Yours etc.,

Áine Dillon

by email

Sir, - I am writing in response to the article on end-of-life in the racing industry.

I recently rescued a retired racehorse who had cost approximately €20,000 as a foal and ran in two point-to-points.

He somehow found himself at a flapper's yard when I bought him a year ago. He had been racing the week before I picked him up.

He was skin and bone, he weaved, he windsucked, he had grade 3 ulcers. sarcoids and suspensory ligament damage so bad his fetlock was nearly on the ground when he took a step.

His hips are so badly damaged the vet said that absolutely no one should ride him again - he wouldn't be able to carry the weight.

Another vet said that the underside of the horse's neck has been badly scarred and hardened from injections.

The horse was wearing shoes when I bought him and the farrier said they were so small for the actual size of his foot that the pain caused would have been horrific for him.

Shame on the licensed handler and racehorse owner who allowed this horse to fall into the wrong hands, just because he wasn't good enough to make them a profit.

All racehorse owners should ask their trainers what is their policy when a horse is not suitable for racing and cannot be found another home, and they genuinely cannot afford to keep it themselves. - Yours etc.,

Jai Hunter

by email

Sir, - I just want to say that I strongly agree with the article by Debby Ewing in last weekend's edition of The Irish Field.

As a sport horse owner and registered veterinary nurse of small animals I believe I have seen and academically studied a lot of the euthanasia and animal behaviour procedures mentioned.

With my own horses, when they are injured or old I have them sedated before they are euthanised and they are then taken away to be incinerated. It’s expensive, yes, but we need to remember these animals are luxury items. If we can afford to keep them surely we have to be able to afford to get rid of them when the time comes too.

I am really hoping some change comes for these beautiful creatures. - Yours etc.,

Colette Doyle

by email

Sir, - I'm writing out of concern, having read Debby Ewing's recent article highlighting the subject of how equines are slaughtered in Ireland.

I'm someone who has been involved with riding for pleasure for much of my life, and in the past couple of decades have owned ponies and horses here in Ireland.

It shocked me that horses are despatched in a seemingly inhumane and primarily economy-driven manner, when the sport that produces them is making so much money, but seems to care so little about how they end their days.

I was amazed that there is apparently only one Irish slaughterhouse. The extended travel involved, especially of injured horses, must be made worse by such centralisation and prolong their agony. I am aware of how caring private owners can and often do choose to have their own horses put down by local vets, with sensitivity and associated reduction of stress.

It puts me off the idea of supporting racing as a spectator, when I hear of what surely amounts to cruelty to some of our most noble, sensitive and sentient animals. The list of recommendations provided by Ewing's article, suggested, actually by omission, a heartless, cruel, terrifying system that urgently needs regulating and monitoring. Normalisation of brutal procedures breeds indifference.

The idea of including cameras to allow outsiders to act as observers, constantly, rather than intermittently, is a good one. But I suggest a complete overhaul of this regime is also in order.

I really hope this whole shameful system changes for the better soon. I hope you will continue to report on this topic and help bring about the positive change that seems long overdue. - Yours etc.,

Claudia Kinmonth

Co Cork

Sir, - What has been going on at Shannonside Foods Ltd is absolutely disgusting. We should all hang our heads in shame at letting this go on under our noses. Unfortunately the reality of what happens to discarded racehorses is something we've all chosen not to think about.

Thoroughbreds do make wonderful riding horses. I used to buy and retrain horses purchased from Doncaster over 30 years ago. I never had one that had any bad in it at all. They all went on to have great second careers: hunting, doing side saddle and polo, but the reality is that there just aren't enough homes for all the horses that are produced and don't go on to be huge, much treasured winners. For the majority it is going to be an ignominious end.

My own horses and ponies - and at 62 years of age with three horse-crazy kids I have had very many - die peacefully at home, put to sleep when I feel their quality of life is starting to decrease, with me beside them.

Thoroughbreds have been nurtured and cared for since they were born. Their experience at Shannonside is horrific in comparison and so unnecessary. A little care and thought should be put into the correct way to kill them, with specialist abattoirs and experienced handlers.

We owe it to these horses to make sure there is a humane way for them to die. Quietly, gently, in calm surroundings, not frightened and in pain. And they need to be killed here, not shipped abroad, out of sight, where they will doubtless suffer the same treatment as was happening in Shannonside.

Please can we do something to prevent this happening. Can we make sure the legislation is changed to allow these incredible horses to die with dignity. The Irish Field can and must be the voice for the Irish horse world. - Yours etc.,

Jacqui Broderick

by email

Sir - I am writing to you in response to the excellent article by Debby Ewing in The Irish Field last weekend.

We need to keep this discussion alive. It is time we all took our heads out of the sand and speak up for the welfare of our horses.

The Irish people pride ourselves on being leaders in areas such as the ban on indoor smoking and LGBT rights. We also proclaim ourselves to be a nation of horse lovers. Its time for us to lead the way in protecting the welfare of our horses by calling for a total ban on the slaughter of leisure horses for meat, in Ireland and Europe.

It is, I believe, the right way to protect animal welfare, food safety and the reputation of the horse industry as a whole.

I beg of you to keep this discussion alive in your paper, and help to push forward permanent, effective change. - Yours etc.,

Lynn Sheehy

by email

Sir, - The brilliant article by Debby Ewing in The Irish Field last weekend really sheds light on a truly awful topic.

The list of suggestions at the end gave a small glimpse of how terrifying and traumatic a slaughterhouse must be for horses. Please, please, something has to change.

I can't even fathom how people can allow this to happen to horses after all they do to serve us, be it in competition, racing, for pleasure or as companion horses. In the racing industry it is our greed that brings so many horses into this world. They deserve better than to be labelled as disposable objects. We need to do better and be better for them. - Yours etc.,

Caroline Marwood

by email