Groundbreaking Animal Equality Investigation: Horse Slaughter in Asturias, Spain
A groundbreaking investigation by Animal Equality and award-winning photojournalist Aitor Garmendia exposes the slaughter of horses in Spain. The findings reveal persistent abuse and inhumane treatment within the industry.
Between November 2023 and May 2024, Animal Equality documented the cruel conditions at a slaughterhouse in Asturias, Spain. Despite a decrease in horse meat consumption, Spain remains the largest producer in the EU. But Spain is not the only country contributing to this trade.
No matter where these investigations take place, they reveal a common reality: one where the violence inflicted on these animals robs them of the most precious thing—their lives.
Horses deserve to live a life full of companionship and love, free from suffering. By embracing cruelty-free, plant-based foods, we can show compassion and refrain from contributing to their suffering.
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Transcript (English — en)
what do you think of when you see horses
do you think of strength Freedom Beauty
do you think of them like the dogs and
cats that many of us live with as
companions with unique personalities who
deserve compassion and protection
unfortunately for many of them another
fate
awaits for the first time in over a
decade we are exposing the hidden
cruelty behind horse slaughter between
no November 2023 and may 2024 animal
equalities investigators documented the
Journey of these animals until the day
they are
killed horses are admired in the United
States it's hard to imagine these gentle
creatures being shot hung by their
Hooves and slaughtered for their meat
many Americans don't realize that the US
contributes significantly to Global
horse meat production there is no
permanent Federal ban on the exportation
of American horses to be killed for
their meat while horse meat cannot be
sold in the US the US still exports
thousands of horses for Slaughter while
American horses are being provided to
this cruel Global meat trade Spain leads
the European Union in horse meat
production this young horse represents
the thousands of horses sent to
slaughter he's shot in the head with a
captive bolt gun while his companions
await his turn to die
these animals are crammed into the stun
box
[Music]
together they're hung by their feet
upside down and their throats are
slit imagine the fear coursing through
their bodies during this slow L
Death the phona revealed to our
investigators that the horses seen in
this investigation came from both horse
meat farms and equestrian riding centers
these centers discard horses because
they were considered too old had
behavioral issues or had sustained
injuries too costly to
treat this reality mirrors how humans
often discard animals like cows pigs and
and chickens for their meat over 30,000
horses are sent to Spanish slaughter
houses every year if each of these
horses lined up nose to tail they would
stretch the length of 300 football
fields investigations are the most
powerful tool we have to expose the
cruel and abusive treatment of animals
within factory farming no matter where
these investigations take place they
reveal a common reality one where the
violence inflicted on these animals Rob
them of the most precious thing their
lives