The number of equines in the US is approximately 9 million, which includes all domestic breeds, mustangs and wild burros.

Per Animals' Angels:

- Our research shows a significant decrease in the number of U.S. horses shipped to Mexico for slaughter in 2021

-Although 18,000 U.S. horses died in Mexican slaughter plants in 2021, the numbers reflect a substantial drop from the 29,716 horses who were sent for slaughter in 2020.

-This decrease continues an encouraging trend, especially when the numbers are compared with previous years, such as in 2014 when a staggering 108,583 US horses met their gruesome end in Mexico.

The power the slaughter industry has can be derived from overbreeding by the 2 largest breed registries which are the Quarter Horse Association and the Jockey Club.  Backyard breeders, while problamatic for a number of reasons, contribute a small portion to the numbers of horses sent to slaughter.  Overbreeding is still a substantial cause for so many equines going to slaughter.

Cattlemen and other livestock producers are also staunch supporters of horse slaughter. They have lobbyists as well as former Congresspeople and Senators working hard for them. The argument used is the “slippery slope”; if we end horse slaughter then other livestock slaughter is at risk. 

Stemming the flow of equines going to slaughter has proven to be difficult as it is an economy sustained by overbreeding.  Every year, advocates and government representatives work to bring legislation to Congress to end the transport of equine to slaughter.  These bills have to be reintroduced with every new Congress, in essence starting from scratch, which is why it is so important to make our voices heard and push our elected representatives to co-sponsor the bill.  The bill is usually named the SAFE Act, and may have a additional reference to the year.  

There are over 300 drugs that can be given to equines that state “not for animals intended for food” due to the toxicity to humans. Yet, America’s equine, filled with toxic medications, are sent to Mexico and Canada for slaughter and eventually for human consumption overseas.

There are numerous resources online, and groups whose life’s work is data collection and investigation, all in an effort to end horse slaughter. Dominion Equine Welfare finds the following links to be the most accurate when it comes to statistics, historical information, education and calls to action.

Links:
Animals Angels: Animals Angels - North America |

For a comprehensive history of the slaughter of America's horses, to include photographic evidence, and efforts to end it:
Equine Welfare Alliance: Home (equinewelfarealliance.org)
Kaufmann Zoning (Mary Nash’s website): http://www.kaufmanzoning.net/