There are so many complex issues that are part of the entire 'slaughtering horses in the US' issue. So many contributing snags that don't get addressed as part of this issue overall. The entire problem is so much bigger- SO much deeper- than gets dealt with. Okay- restraint. I cannot get into that now.
Summary of the news- 30 horses were on their way to be slaughtered, and the rig caught fire. All 30 of the horses were burned alive inside of the 53 foot long trailer. There must be some reason, some logical, and inextinguishable (har-har) explanation as to why it was impossible to... oh... I don't know... make the slightest chance of survival possible. Of course this is not NEW news, not really. Transportation disasters, casualties, deaths, trampling.... Overheating and dehydration on the way to Mexico, and towards Canada their hides freeze to the metal walls of the trailer; freezing so thoroughly that the hide stays on the metal even when the rest of the horse is unloaded.
53 feet is not a lot of room for 30 horses; especially when their metal container is engulfed in truck fuel-fed flames. Being trampled is a demise that might be only slightly more merciful than being burned.
(May 7th)
Local-ish news article (Syracuse coverage)
(May 20th)
Click for article (Chronicle of the Horse)
I believe that the Final Rule (effective as of October 7, 2011) is still the governing set of regulations when it comes to horses being transported to a facility for slaughter. It is a rule from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS agency overview) and the full, official document is the link posted below.
Federal Register- full document
Other links that caught my attention, even though I am not certain if any or all of them are antiquated at this point in time.
Welfare Parameters of Horses poster (aphis)
A survey from Colorado State University's animal sciences department- work of Temple Grandin
Trucking practices + injury to slaughter horses
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