Gnadenbrot (animal husbandry)
Since the 18th century, the expression “ to give bread of grace ” has denoted the keeping of an old, no longer capable horse . Due to his life's work to date, the owner still grants him care and support in old age until death. In the past, this was of particular importance because horses were more powerful than pure farm animals today and became worthless to the owner when they could no longer be used for work. It was therefore a special expression of appreciation when an old animal was not slaughtered but received bread of grace, which meant an additional expense for the owner.
Horses
The cost of adequate housing , nutrition and medical care is higher for an old horse than for a young horse. For example, an old horse can no longer eat properly due to worn teeth , has osteoarthritis or heart problems. Old horses need regular exercise that is adapted to their daily form, as they break down muscles faster than young horses.
Many horses today do not receive their bread of grace in the place where they lived and worked, but on special farms that offer pastures for the elderly. The term is used because horses that no longer work spend more time in the pasture there. Courtyards of this kind are often referred to as sanctuaries ; they sometimes take in animals as well as horses. Many of these farms are run by private individuals, while others are organized as non-profit associations . An essential difference to the animal shelter is that the animals are not passed on from the sanctuary, but remain there until they die.
Other animals
In recent times, many more than were Fundraising funded sanctuaries established in which various commercial, domestic and wild animals are kept on first indefinitely. Animals with a recognizable impairment or a moving life story, such as blindness or abuse, are welcome there. Since the animals have not achieved any particular life's work, they do not receive a bread of grace in the narrower sense.
supporting documents
- Bread of grace in the vocabulary database of the Karl-Franzens University Graz
- ↑ Key figures of the Swiss horse industry as of 2016 , Swiss National Stud SNG, Avenches, www.agroscope.ch, page 17
- ↑ How to keep old horses going , Angelika Nido Wälty, January 22nd, 2015, Tierwelt
- ↑ Luna sanctuary for blind animals