I don't know why there is a state law. But
then California has a lot of laws with which I do not agree. There are
many areas where it is not good ecologically, even if legal, to bury a
horse. Here in the Bitterroot, the ground water level is really near the
surface. That water drains to the Bitterroot river. The Bitterroot
river is a good trout stream. Trout are very sensitive to water
quality. If enough horses are buried (and probably more important enough
septic systems are installed) the river water quality would
decrease.
In some areas, if there is enough room so the
neighbors won't complain of the smell, it is ecologically fine to allow the body
to decompose on the surface. This feeds local scavengers like hawks,
eagles, buzzards and coyotes. Unfortunately, this is most likely a bad
idea here because two species of bear are part of the cleanup
crew.
I personally do not see any real difference
between rendering and cremation. Both start with the body that has been
killed or died. At that point the horse is not capable of feeling pain or
suffering. Cremation burns the body, rendering cooks the body and thus
recovers usable fat and other things.
The last times we had to dispose of horses, the
charge by the rendering company was rather reasonable, on the order of
$140. Now that was a few years ago and in a different state. I'm
sure that it will be less than the cost of cremation.
ED
Ed & Wendy Hauser 2994 Mittower
Road Victor, MT 59875
