'm another one who could have a rant. If you eat meat (as I do)then horses are meat. I just hate the cruelty involved in the transportation, and that covers our own meat animals.

We have two old boys who have been retired for about 6 years. Live out, rugged up, well feed. If we weren't in the position to keep them then they would be pts. We all had great times together, even now if you put a lorry or trailer in the field they would load themselves. The thought of them being sold, traumatised, bullied and mis-treated makes my blood run cold and I would sooner let them go only knowing happy times.

A friend had two horses pts last year (as ours would have to go together)and I just think she was very brave.

Again it is people being greedy and/or shirking responsibility.

Re breding valueless foals

Many English people who move here to France get very cross because their 'unpapered' horse on which they have competed in England is not eligible for many levels of competition here. It means that foals bred from parents whose origins are unknown (either or both having no breed papers) have considerably less value.
This applies to ponies as well,riding schools go to competitions here too so need qualified ponies. Obviously all sorts of unscrupulous things go on as in any country but it does mean that 'let's have a foal'
is less of an option.