A pledge for horse lovers

Join horses lovers the world over whose sun would shine less brightly without these beautiful animals and take a pledge to give all horses a better life:

I believe that the time has come for owners and veterinarians to examine the morality and ethics of horse care.

I believe we should treat horses as we expect to be treated ourselves: with respect and dignity. Treating horses abusively should carry the same punishment as it would in the human world.

I believe the horse has a right to live on this earth on equal terms with humans. It is not a servant, toy, hobby or vehicle. It is an intelligent being with feelings.

I believe that horses are not breeding factories whose less-athletic babies can be discarded. Similarly, horses are not cars that can be junked when they start to have physical problems or grow old. Just as humans do not throw out their weak and old, society cannot throw out horses at any stage of their life.

I believe that horses should not be forced to do anything they don’t want to do. If humans do not want to be beaten or tortured into performing for the entertainment of others, neither should horses have to endure this type of abuse.

I believe that the law should not treat horses as property. Horses should have the same standing in court as humans, and horses should be allow to sue abusive owners for damages and emotional distress.

I believe that every horse deserves a humane death at the end of a humane life. Horses should live full lives and be euthanized surrounded by loved ones and trained medical professionals.

I believe that the world has come far in embracing equal treatment for people, no matter who they are. It is time to extend that equality and openness to horses.

I will not turn a blind eye to the suffering of horses simply because it’s the easier path or I don’t want to offend anyone. I will be the one to move the line toward a more just world for horses.