Six foals have now arrived at Gut Aiderbichl in Henndorf. They come directly from a foal market. What would have happened to them otherwise is uncertain. For Gut Aiderbichl, only one thing counts: they are now safe in their new "forever home" at Gut Aiderbichl.
Foal rescue as a symbol
The foals usually spend the summer on the green pasture, still unsuspecting. For a short time, the foals are allowed to feel what it might be like to lead the happy life of a horse. But as the summer draws to a close, the foals' beautiful lives are often over too. They are transported to a foal market, which is very popular in southern Germany and Austria. However, future riding horses are not always sought here.
For many foals, the final destination is the slaughterhouse. Colts in particular are often dealt a bad hand. They are forced into overcrowded transporters, where they often have to stand for an agonizingly long time. Many suffer serious injuries or become infected with deadly diseases. Their journey takes them to Russia, France, Italy, Belgium or other countries. There they are either fattened up or sent straight to their deaths.
Foal markets end in the slaughterhouse for many animals
"The sad fate of many foals that are auctioned off at the age of 6 months and sent to their certain death on an animal transporter is unacceptable to me!" says Sonja Klima, Global Communication Manager at Gut Aiderbichl.
This is why animal rights activists such as Gut Aiderbichl and Sonja Klima have been fighting for years to save the foals. It was not the first time that the animal welfare organization has bought foals at auction for Gut Aiderbichl either.
The story of foal Kathi has given many people food for thought. Michael Aufhauser bought foal number 53 free at a horse slaughter market in 2004. Nonius was also saved from being transported to the slaughterhouse by Gut Aiderbichl at the age of six months in 2019
Animals are often traded as mere commodities
In this case, fate was also kind to Nuria, Mella, Pia, Herzog, Zafar and Alfred. They have now found a loving "forever home" at Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf.
"We would like to see this foal rescue as a symbolic act. We live in a world in which animals are still traded as mere commodities. It can't go on like this," says Dieter Ehrengruber, Managing Director and Chairman of the Gut Aiderbichl Foundation.
