The alternative to slaughter

Humane euthanasia is the route that i would say more caring people choose. The word euthanasia is derived from Greek and it means good death. This by far would have to be the least painful way for any aninmal to go. The animal is usually pre-sedated, and that will cause the animal to usually fall to the ground and this is like what would happen prior to a surgery also. The animal is then pretty much gone, in the fact that he doesn't feel anything or really know what is going on around him. The final injecttion is a drug overdose which is delivered via an intravenous injection in the horse's neck. The veterinarian will use two 60cc syringes to administer 120ccs of the barbiturate to the average 1000 pound horse. The drugs used, (barbiturates, anesthetics), directly depress the central nervous system. The overdose leads to a depression of breathing and cardiac arrest. The horse is then checked after five mins or so to confirm death. The breathing, eyes, any other signs of life are checked at that time. I was able to find more information that explains the procedure in more detail on the website http://www.equineprotectionnetwork.com/rescue/euth.htm . Just keep in mind that the other option is being stabbed repeatedly and then having their throat slit while still concious, so euthanasia is the most humane option available. It also mentioned that once these drugs are administered, the animal is said to be contaminated and must be immediately disposed of because any animal that feeds on the carcass will more than likely die. I have experience or have at least seen a few horses be put down and they are later picked up by byproducts where they are used for various things. I would hope that they are not fed to other animals seeing as the article states that the meat is contaminated.