        Horse slaughter houses might not directly affect me, but what it does affect are my personal morals and ethics as a human being. My values lie deep in the belief of animal protection and animal cruelty. Having owned a pet of my own for twelve years I can't imagine an animal yet let alone a horse having to suffer in pain for the benefit of others. Many of my friends have rode horses and owned horses, been associated with these animals and through my research my heart goes out to them and their beloved horses. My interest for this topic grew juristically when I discovered the facts and what goes into horse slaughter and its controversy. I have explored both sides of this topic and dove deep into the understanding to fully comprehend this controversial subject. My background in this research isn't extensive but it is passionate. I have gained the knowledge needed and grew an understanding from a place of unbiased to create my own opinion on the subject. It is with this, that I believe to have fully capable qualifications to write on this topic. 

         In the article "The Horse Slaughter Conundrum" it informs its reader of both sides of slaughter houses. It provides substantial information of the pros of American slaughter houses while also presenting the facts on anti-slaughter beliefs. The article highlights on some economic benefits as well as the unethical practices associated with horse slaughter. This article has substantial information about the topic and analyzes both sides. The knowledge alone makes this article valuable as well as a chart that shows U.S. horses sold and killed for human consumption compared to Mexico and Canada. The interests of this article informs the reader of both sides while concluding them to make their own opinion. Found in Choices Magazine, published through the Agriculture and Applied Economics Association, this article holds some credibility through its publisher. The AAE is a well established organization with many partnerships, publications, awards and committees that secure its value and credibility. Their establishment as a well known organization makes them, themselves even that more responsible for the facts they put out furthering their credibility. Even further their background extends and addresses many topics within the field of agribusiness, resources and the environment qualifying them to be knowledgeable on such subject. 

        "Horse Slaughter" published by the Animal Welfare Institute, the treatment of horses during the slaughter process are presented as well as the even more brutal practices that are seen in other countries like Mexico and Canada. It goes into explain how horses are obtained by slaughter houses and their journey prior to execution.  They present some striking information about the treatment of horses during slaughter and in-sight on how these horses are sent there. Introduced to the term "kill-buyers" is just one example of how business to bring these horses into slaughter is unethical and illegal. The Animal Welfare Institute is a non-profit organization whose goal is to "alleviate the suffering inflicted on animals by people". AWI government affairs, animal programs, and legal cases brought on the subject of horse slaughter shows their stance and passion on this issue. An organization of this size can be respected in the front they take on this controversy and the facts that they back it with. 

          Within the academic journal "Anti-Horse Slaughter Legislation: Bad for Horses, Bad for Society" this dense reading has lots of valuable information pertaining to the logic behind the slaughter industry and the repercussions that could become of multiple legislation acts. Many facts are presented on the economical viewpoint of the slaughter industry and the effects the economy would feel.  There are lots of ideas, for example to value of horses in American history, that is presented which gives a different aspect to the anti-slaughter side. The author, Laura Jane Durfee is a trial lawyer who got her degree from Indiana University. She does not appear to have much background in horses or the slaughter industry which makes me question her ability to write about such a topic. This was her first publication, which was released in 2009. I feel as though her work can be respected, but her motives to write such an article is put into question. 

         This is an arguable research question because of the wide range of facts that can support both sides. It isn't a question that can be easily answered and requires research and analysis to form an opinion and solve the question. Within my research I found lots of pros and cons to the reestablishment of horses. There are many different angles and aspects to keep in mind when reviewing all the information at once. Many slaughter houses exist in the world, and each one is different to the country that they operate in. I would revise my question to specifically the reestablishment of slaughter houses within the United States. When doing my research I found that the slaughter houses in the United States vs. the ones in Mexico, Canada, and overseas were very different; as well as the operations of slaughter houses in the United States make a vast impact on the others around the world. 
