Pathophysiology of free-bullet slaughter of horses and ponies.

This research work observed the effects and efficiency of .22 calibre bullet shooting as a method of slaughter in horses and ponies. The findings revealed that shooting effectively renders the animals immediately insensible, making it a valid method of euthanizing horses and ponies.

Study Methodology

• The study was carried out on a total of 46 horses and ponies during a regular commercial slaughter process within an abattoir.
• The researchers used a .22 calibre long rifle with hollow point rounds for the shooting operation.
• The sensibility or insensibility status of the animals were evaluated immediately after each horse or pony was shot, but before they were exsanguinated (drained of blood).
• Equine pathophysiology following the gunshot wounds was also assessed.

Observations and Findings

• All the horses and ponies were immediately rendered insensible after the gunshot, a crucial indicator in evaluating the humanitarian aspects of a slaughter method.
• The level of unconsciousness caused by the bullet varied, with only one pony showing signs of shallow concussion, characterized by an intermittently positive palpebral reflex but no other indications of brainstem activity.
• All animals (100%) experienced varying degrees of damage to their brainstem structures or cerebrum lobes; 41 (89%) had damage to their thalamus or hypothalamus region.
• In an atypical case, one pony’s brain was missed by the bullet, still, damage was caused to the thalamus, midbrain, pons, and cerebellum. This pony still showed no signs of sensibility.

Conclusions

• The research findings validated free-bullet shooting as an effective method for dispatching horses and ponies, as it swiftly renders them unconscious and insensible.
• This implies that the method is likely humane and could be generally acceptable for the euthanasia of large animals such as horses and ponies.