Photos: Spanish purebred horses destined for butcher amid financial crisis
April 18, 2013
In this photo taken on Monday, April. 8, 2013, a ''Pura Raza Espanola'' or Pure Spanish Breed horse belonging to breeder Francisco Mesa is seen inside a stable at La Yeguada de la Nobleza ranch in Almonte, in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. Barring an unlikely reprieve, Mesa' purebreds will be turned into horse meat for export come July. They are victims of a wrenching economic downturn that has wiped out fortunes, turned housing developments into ghost towns and left more than a quarter of the population out of work. (AP Photo/Laura Leon) ( Spain Horse Calamity )
In this photo taken on Tuesday, April. 2, 2013, ''Pura Raza Espanola'' or Pure Spanish Breed mares belonging to breeder Francisco Jose Rodriguez are seen at "La Yeguada de Cuatro Vientos" ranch in Almonte, in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. Barring an unlikely reprieve, Mesa' purebreds will be turned into horse meat for export come July. They are victims of a wrenching economic downturn that has wiped out fortunes, turned housing developments into ghost towns and left more than a quarter of the population out of work. (AP Photo/Laura Leon) ( Spain Horse Calamity )
In this photo taken on Monday, April. 8, 2013, A ''Pura Raza Espanola'' or Pure Spanish Breed mare belonging to breeder Francisco Jose Rodriguez runs next to the stable at "La Yeguada de Cuatro Vientos" ranch in Almonte, in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. Barring an unlikely reprieve, Rodriguez' purebreds will be turned into horse meat for export come in the next coming months. They are victims of a wrenching economic downturn that has wiped out fortunes, turned housing developments into ghost towns and left more than a quarter of the population out of work. (AP Photo/Laura Leon) ( Spain Horse Calamity )
In this photo taken on Monday, April. 8, 2013, breeder Francisco Mesa's hand is seen placed on the back of one of his ''Pura Raza Espanola'' or Pure Spanish Breed horse inside a stable at "La Yeguada de la Nobleza" ranch in Almonte, in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. Barring an unlikely reprieve, Mesa' purebreds will be turned into horse meat for export come July. They are victims of a wrenching economic downturn that has wiped out fortunes, turned housing developments into ghost towns and left more than a quarter of the population out of work. (AP Photo/Laura Leon) ( Spain Horse Calamity )
In this photo taken on Monday, April. 8, 2013, Head horses sculptures decorate the main entrance of "La Yeguada de Cuatro Vientos" ranch belonging to breeder Francisco Jose Rodriguez in Almonte, in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. Barring an unlikely reprieve, Rodriguez' purebreds will be turned into horse meat for export come in the next coming months. They are victims of a wrenching economic downturn that has wiped out fortunes, turned housing developments into ghost towns and left more than a quarter of the population out of work. (AP Photo/Laura Leon) ( Spain Horse Calamity )
In this photo taken on Tuesday, April.9, 2013, cured sausage meats from horses are seen hanging next to a picture of the Virgin of "El Rocio" in a horse butcher in Camas, Spain. The southern Spanish region of Andalusia, famed for flamenco and Moorish castles, is also home to a legendary breed of horses that carried conquistadors into battle in the Americas, featured in Hollywood epics and more recently became trophy acquisitions for Spaniards during a giddy economic boom. Now, they are victims of a wrenching economic downturn that has wiped out fortunes, turned housing developments into ghost towns and left more than a quarter of the population out of work. (AP Photo/Laura Leon) ( Spain Horse Calamity )
In this photo taken on Tuesday, April.9, 2013, Butcher Manuel Delgado prepares a piece of a ''Pura Raza Espanola'' or Pure Spanish Breed horse meat in a horse meat butcher in Camas, Spain. The southern Spanish region of Andalusia, famed for flamenco and Moorish castles, is also home to a legendary breed of horses that carried conquistadors into battle in the Americas, featured in Hollywood epics and more recently became trophy acquisitions for Spaniards during a giddy economic boom. Now, they are victims of a wrenching economic downturn that has wiped out fortunes, turned housing developments into ghost towns and left more than a quarter of the population out of work. (AP Photo/Laura Leon) ( Spain Horse Calamity )
In this photo taken on Tuesday, April. 8, 2013, an empty stable is seen at "La Yeguada de la Nobleza" ranch belonging to Francisco Mesa in Almonte, in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. Barring an unlikely reprieve, Mesa' purebreds will be turned into horse meat for export come July. They are victims of a wrenching economic downturn that has wiped out fortunes, turned housing developments into ghost towns and left more than a quarter of the population out of work. (AP Photo/Laura Leon) ( Spain Horse Calamity )
In this photo taken on Monday, April. 8, 2013, a ''Pura Raza Espanola'' or Pure Spanish Breed horse belonging to breeder Francisco Mesa is seen inside a stable at La Yeguada de la Nobleza ranch in Almonte, in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. Barring an unlikely reprieve, Mesa' purebreds will be turned into horse meat for export come July. They are victims of a wrenching economic downturn that has wiped out fortunes, turned housing developments into ghost towns and left more than a quarter of the population out of work. (AP Photo/Laura Leon) ( Spain Horse Calamity )
In this photo taken on Monday, April. 8, 2013, a ''Pura Raza Espanola'' or Pure Spanish Breed horse belonging to breeder Francisco Mesa is seen at "La Yeguada de la Nobleza" ranch in Almonte, in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. Barring an unlikely reprieve, Mesa' purebreds will be turned into horse meat for export come July. They are victims of a wrenching economic downturn that has wiped out fortunes, turned housing developments into ghost towns and left more than a quarter of the population out of work. (AP Photo/Laura Leon) ( Spain Horse Calamity )
In this photo taken on Monday, April. 8, 2013, Part of the bridle of a ''Pura Raza Espanola'' or Pure Spanish Breed mare belonging to breeder Francisco Jose Rodriguez is seen on the ground at "La Yeguada de Cuatro Vientos" ranch in Almonte, in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. Barring an unlikely reprieve, Mesa' purebreds will be turned into horse meat for export come July. They are victims of a wrenching economic downturn that has wiped out fortunes, turned housing developments into ghost towns and left more than a quarter of the population out of work. (AP Photo/Laura Leon) ( Spain Horse Calamity )
In this photo taken on Monday, April. 8, 2013, A ''Pura Raza Espanola'' or Pure Spanish Breed mare belonging to breeder Francisco Jose Rodriguez grazes at "La Yeguada de Cuatro Vientos" ranch in Almonte, in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. Barring an unlikely reprieve, Rodriguez' purebreds will be turned into horse meat for export come in the next coming months. They are victims of a wrenching economic downturn that has wiped out fortunes, turned housing developments into ghost towns and left more than a quarter of the population out of work. (AP Photo/Laura Leon) ( Spain Horse Calamity )
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