Long before there was an animal rights movement, our forefathers designated the horse a 'favored animal' which means we do not eat them. Several times throughout the history of our country, horse meat eating has been introduced and every time the American people have turned away deeming it offensive. An extensive poll among California registered voters was recently conducted by Decision Research. Government has a right and a responsibility to outlaw activities which are abhorrent to the majority of people. Thus the need for government intervention.
Special interests run the state legislature.
Horse owners are currently levied multiple taxes, fees and licenses. We do not, however, receive equal access to tax-payer services like dog or cat owners. Horse owners are long overdue in receiving some service. Most horse abuse, i.e., theft, irresponsible overbreeding, PMU foal production and the unlawful extermination of our wild mustangs is economically subsidized by horse slaughter. Compounded by the fact that all revenues from state sales tax and many professional equine livelihoods are lost by the export of our California equines across state lines for slaughter.