YOUR COMMENTS

I really love horses... (Can you believe that my last name is Hoarse???) I ride them all the time and i will come and or adopt or donate money. even in this tough economy i can scrunge up enough money to help the horse shelter.. I <3 Horses!!!!!!
- Jenna Hoarse, concord

Thank you Teresa for all that you are doing and I hope after people see this article that some donations pour in or people find it in their heart to give a horse a good home. I took care of my landlord's horses for two years and gave one of them another year of life when people wanted her to have him put down. Even though he was 34 years old, he had a lot of spunk and spirit left and my take was as long as he was comfortable and did not founder again, that he should live as long as he could. In July, sadly, I realized his legs were going on him and we had him put down in Sept, one of the saddest days of my life, his name was Charley, but I called him "Bubbies" The other horse Medina, left in November to live in NJ and is doing well. The reason we let them go, was the economy. She had some financial issues and was going to not be able to afford feed and vet bills, etc. I wish I could take some of these horses, but I would not be able to afford their care either so I hope that people take a horse, they will give you love tenfold.
- Linda Brown, Hope MI

As a culture we may not like to eat horse meat but other cultures do so we ahould be able to sell the meat to those customers. After all, this is a suposed to be a free capitalist company.
- Rick, Loudon

It does cost alot to feed a horse and if they get sick, medical expenses are not cheap either. Grooming, bathing,brushing and maintaining a clean stall is also a big part of a horse health and well being.
I too am an animal lover and spent my younger years growing up on a farm. Work starts early to care for animals and it ends late and before you know it, it's time to start it all over again.
To Francis in Francistown, I had my face and eyes deeply scratched by a cat when I was a child, and I too have scars from that attack. I was also bitten by a stray dog walking to school, kicked by a horse and bruised many times by goats all before I was 10 years old. Not one of these incidents prevented me from ever trusting animals and I proudly own cats and dogs. Human error or an animals fear is what causes injuries or accidents when working or being around animals.
- TC, Manchester,NH

Alex,
You need to read my comment. I realize that Paradis is opposed to slaughterhouses, and Crawford in favor.

Crawford is absolutely right, and Paradis wrong.

The misguided ban on slaughtering horses has resulted in untold suffering.
- Rich, Bennington

Jeff, Manchester, Yea right, just like the dog who has never bitten anyone and ends up mauling a child. Everybody is like, "boy I didn't see that coming". Horses are animals, therefore unpredictable.
- Francis, Francistown

Francis, you're never too young to be around horses.
- Jeff, Manchester

Rich

You need to read the article, Paradis states that, "(she) doesn't believe slaughter is an option ever" Crawford who is the state veternarian stated that closing the slaughter houses has caused som problems. Write her the check if you can afford it, she is doing a good deed and has no intention of shipping the horses to a slaughter house. I made my donation already, if you can give even $5 to her cause I would imagine she would be thankful.
- Alex, Manchester

If I had lots of money, I'd run my own sanctuary for abandoned and neglected animals. That would be a wonderful dream come true for me. I give Ms. Paradis a lot of credit, horses are not easy animals to care for, nor are the cheap!! I'm sure her heart breaks over not being able to take in more, but she's doing a great job w/the ones she has, and hopefully she can adopt them out or return them to their owners someday.
- tammy, Manchester

As I read this, I was about ready to write a check (albeit a small one), until I reached the last couple of paragraphs.

That the closing of the slaughterhouse option has caused significant problems, including exhausting the adoption market, is beyond serious dispute. Horses you used to be able to sell for a few hundred dollars, you now have to pay several hundred dollars to dispose of. That clearly has an impact on the lower-quality horses.

So I'm disinclined to subsidize this well-meaning but misguided person's delusions. I'll look for a giving opportunity with a more realistic organization.
- Rich, Bennington

This is what should be happening. Charitable individuals step up. NOT GOVERNMENT. But ill bet my bottom dollar there's a program in the new 'Stimulus Bill. that has money allocated for orphaned horses.
- David Parent, Manchester

Teresa is a saint. She sacrifices so much to be able to provide a loving home for animals of all shapes and sizes. There need to be more women in the world like her and it would be a better place. She has one of the biggest hearts and would take in every single animal in need of a home if she could. Times are tough and money is tight but Live and Let Live Farm should not be forgotten about, if you can spare even a few dollars it will help.
- Rose, Manchester, NH

That's not very safe having that 8 year old child in with that horse like that. I was bitten by a horse when I was about that childs age. I still carry the scars, both Physically and emotionally.
- Francis, Francistown

Good article, and it reflects what's going on all over the country. However, there seems to be a (common)misunderstanding that American horses are no longer going to slaughter; when in fact hundreds of them are still going to slaughter every week to Mexico and Canada. The horse slaughter industry is as secretive as its always been. Still, many animals of all kinds are suffering terribly in this economy, and horses are NOT low-maintenance.
- Judy Bernier, Lewiston, ME