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What You Can Do to Help Save Cloud's Herd and America's Wild Horses
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
On the Lighter Side: The Original Wrangler Iced Tea
The Horseman’s drink that puts the “Giddy-up” into the Summertime Doldrums
MAGNOLIA, TX – (SFHH) It’s 3 PM and you have just finished that last section of fencing in the back pasture. Of course you are a little worn out due to all of the help you had with the horses leaning over your shoulder trying to see what you were doing…and ole Mother Nature didn’t come to your rescue with even one stinking cloud or a breath of air movement, but you still got the job done and with that comes a sense of accomplishment. But alias, there is no one there to slap you on the back and say “job well done” so it looks like it’s up to you to tip your sweat-soaked straw hat to your shadow on the parched ground and say “Good job” and simulate patting yourself on the back. It’s time for a break, it’s time for a reward so what do you reach for? A Wrangler Iced Tea, of course, the adult, thirst quenching beverage of choice for hard working cowgirls and cowboys who have just plain “had it” with beer of any flavor. Wrangler Iced Tea cools your jets while rejuvenating your “get go”. Ahhh…it’s like falling off a mountain waterfall into a giant pool of pure relaxation and rejuvenation. Move over Ponce DeLeon, we have done found the Fountain of Youth.
Can’t find Wrangler Iced Tea in your local feed or tack store, then this is you lucky day as the original Mixologist and Lead Stall Mucker of Laughing Horse Farm, author R.T. Fitch, has agreed to share the recipe with you, our readers, as an act of kindness from one horse lover to another. Ain’t that sweet?
“Well shoot, there’s not much to it”, said R.T. during a recent interview, “it’s pretty simple, actually. I owe most of the success of the recipe to the horses out there, particularly the little Brasilaro, Apache.”
Reporter:, “The horses, what did the horses have to do with it?”
“Well, back when we lived in Louisiana for a while, ole Apache developed a cough one summer. Scared the daylights out of my wife, Terry, thought it was something serious. She called the vet and he rushed over and declared that Apache had COPD and that we would have to stall him all day and put fans on him and blah, blah, blah. That is no life for a horse and I knew he didn’t have COPD. I felt that he was allergic to that Louisiana grass or whatever was growing amongst it. So I called my ole buddy Jerry Finch, pres of Habitat for Horses and one fine horse medic.
Ole Jer said that I might not believe it, but he had found that one of his horses responded very well to a rather common elixir that could be purchased at almost any convenience store”
“And what would that be?”
“Bock Beer, particularly Shiner Bock as Apache had lived in Texas, after coming from Brazil, and he owed it to his former adopted state. Jerry also was rather emphatic about ensuring that we stick to Bock and Bock alone…’Don’t be given him any of the light or malt stuff’, Jerry had said, ‘It’s got to be Bock or it won’t work’, so we tried it”
“Did it work?”
“Course it did, but not as quickly as I would have liked it to. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I got into the habit of hanging out in the barn to ensure that Apache would eat his dinner with one bottle of Shiner Bock mixed in, and of course, I couldn’t let the remaining five get hot so, you know….”
“Yes, I know”
“But it was not working quickly enough although Apache did show a new and invigorated interest in his dinner. So I began to experiment with other beverages, things that the horses liked. Coming from Brazil, I already knew that Apache and the rest of the horse gang liked beer but if I was going to concoct something that I could share with the horses it would be advantageous to come up with something that I would like, too, and that is how it all started.”
“Can you be more specific?”
“O-Tay, the horses always liked to take sips of Terry’s ice tea when she would be in the barn or out in the pastures, and I could hardly keep them out of my vodka martinis so…one evening, I was out in the barn working and sweating away. Harley had already stolen the olive out of my martini (which to his surprise was stuffed with a Habanera pepper) and Terry came out to see me. I was parched and my martini was almost empty (my idea of a martini is vodka, on the rocks, in an Old Fashion glass). So Terry poured some of her ice tea atop my vodka and presto chango, Wrangler Iced Tea was born.”
“Sounds pretty simple”
“It’s not so much simple but the fact that it is user friendly that makes the drink a real winner for those thirsty ranch hands. In our part of the country I mix 1 part (regional) Community Ice Tea with 1 part vodka, large amounts of ice cubes and a lemon slice…mmmmmm, good. The tea is tart and gives the vodka both flavor and a caffeine punch while the cubes keep it cold without diluting it like crushed ice does.”
“Sounds like you have it all figured out.”
“But of course, and now we are experimenting with the new flavors offered from Lipton’s Tea like their Citrus and Raspberry flavored Green Tea. Imagine, an adult beverage that is actually good for you. And by juggling the mixed quantities you can make it either ‘Manly’ or ‘FuFu’ that’s the beauty of it.”
“But back to the horses, how did it help with the horses?”
“We are not real sure, it didn’t completely get rid of Apache’s cough but we are becoming suspect that he gives a cough or two, on occasion, just so that he can get his medicine.”
“What gives you that idea?”
“Well, only when we are out where he knows that we can see and hear him he will sort of clear his throat and then run to the barn.”
“So, it might mean that he wants to fed.”
“True enough, but it’s what he does next that sort of gives him away.”
“What’s that?”
“He looks back at us and giggles.”
And there you have it, folks, straight from the Horse Listener’s mouth. If Wrangler Iced Tea doesn’t refresh, sooth and light you up, all at the same time, then nothing will. R.T. wanted us to add one more thing, they are currently in negotiations to have the beverage bottled and distributed by a well known, national bottling company while also in talks with Home Depot for bottling it under their label as an effective and aromatic paint and varnish remover. Things are looking up for the Fitch’s.
Cheers!
May the Force of the Horse be with you.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Filly saved from slaughter gets another chance at life
Four years ago, a pretty chestnut yearling filly with a crooked leg was facing certain death. The “kill truck” had arrived at the Massachusetts thoroughbred breeding farm where she’d been born, and the owners, knowing that the filly could never withstand the rigors of training, were preparing to load her onto the van, for a ride from which she would never return.
Miraculously, a brave young woman who had a particular fondness for this young thoroughbred, intervened. She pleaded with the owners not to send the copper filly to her death, and, though she had no idea how she would be able to support the young horse, said she’d assume responsibility for her care. The owners agreed, and the life of the elegant filly was spared.
But after a few months of struggling to pay for the filly’s board on her modest salary, she realized that she couldn’t afford to keep her. She turned to Susan Sheridan, President of Bay State Equine Rescue in Oakham, MA, who on September 17th, 2005, welcomed the filly into the group’s loving embrace, recognizing that because of her physical limitations, she might never be adopted.
They named her Ember, reflecting the flashy chestnut’s gorgeous warm color. Initially, Ember was simply turned out to graze and to grow and to enjoy the feel of the grass on her feet. The angle of her leg didn’t improve, but Ember steadily grew stronger and more confident and her winning personality and sleek appearance captivated everyone who met her, both equines and humans.
When she was old enough, Ember was taught to accept a bit and bridle, and eventually, a rider. She showed a deftness of foot that belied her limitations, and Susan began to dare to hope that Ember might yet find a home of her own.
Yesterday, on June 20th, 2009, her dream came true, when Kim Titus arrived at the Rescue barn with some friends and a trailer, to bring Ember to her new digs in West Greenwich, Rhode Island. Kim had met the mare several weeks ago and after coming out to ride her on a regular basis since then, they formed a genuine partnership.
“I believe they are a perfect match,” sighed Susan Sheridan, brimming with great satisfaction and perhaps a bittersweet-tinged tear, too. Thanks to her, the gentle filly whose chances were slim when she entered the world on April Fool’s Day, more than five years ago, will have a chance at a wonderful life.
June 21, 2009
For more info: Get involved with the activities of Americans Against Horse Slaughter, to permanently outlaw the practice of horse slaughter in this country and to ban the shipment of our horses to Canada and Mexico, where they are being murdered for foreign dinner plates.
Horse racing trainer rides zebra to pub
A former jump jockey and horse racing trainer, Bill Turner, rides a zebra called Zebedee to his local pub in Sherborne, Dorset.
Bill Turner, 61, bought Zebedee from a game reserve in Holland for £4,500 and learned to ride the animal in just two weeks.
Zebras are much less co-operative and more difficult to ride than horses, owing to their unpredictable nature and tendency to panic under stress.
Now Mr Turner rides Zebedee to his local, the King’s Arms, for a pint after work.
“I have broken hundreds of horses over the years, and always wanted to try my hand with a zebra, but they are very hard to get hold of,” he told the Racing Post.
“I approached Longleat a few years ago and we were going to get one of them when a mate of mine was supplying some of the meat for the lions but, unfortunately, that fell through.
“They say zebras are so hard to break because they haven’t got any brains and they do panic very easily, but I approached him as if he were a horse.
“He had never been touched, and at first was coming at me with his front feet and biting, but I purposely never hit him and tried to treat him with complete and utter kindness. At the moment it is working.”
Mr Turner, whose training career stretches back 30 years, has already found a buyer for Zebedee but plans to keep him for around a year to ensure he is absolutely safe to pass on.
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Saturday, June 20, 2009
Horses on the Hill
Over the years I have received a multitude of emails asking what can be done to halt the slaughter of the symbol of our national heritage, the American Horse. Often I have felt helpless in offering no more than a simple letter to the appropriate Representative in Washington. Even the production and publication of our book, "Straight from the Horse's Heart " often feels as if we have fallen short of hitting the mark and stopping the madness.
But now there is something that you can do, action that you can take...
Equestrians and equine advocates from across the country will descend upon Washington, D.C. on Tuesday July 14, to pressure Congress to end horse slaughter once and for all. For way too long, America's horses have fallen victim to this brutal, foreign driven and predatory embarrassment.
Though no horse slaughter plants are currently operating in the U.S., the lack of a strong federal bill prohibiting their transportation to slaughter allows more than 100,000 healthy, sound and adoptable horses to be hauled over our boundaries to Canada and Mexico each year, where they are brutally butchered. Their meat is then shipped to Europe and Asia as a delicacy for human consumption. And as I type, state governments are researching and contriving ways to bring bloody horse killing into their states, Montana has already cleared the way.
It's time for this cruel madness to stop!!
Join leading equine advocates, veterinarians, trainers, riders, owners and artists from around the United States as we unite to end this brutal, murderous trade for good.
Horses on the Hill - 2009
Please mark your calendar and join us (Terry and I will be there) in Washington, DC on July 14th to meet with your legislators and show your support for America’s horses and the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (H.R. 503/S. 727). The last Horses on the Hill was a huge success, let’s make this one even bigger and better!
As plans unfold for the daylong event you can start right now by signing up to attend. Please send an email to blair@awionline.org telling us if you plan on attending. Feel free to email if you have any questions.
Then follow these steps:
- Visit AWI’s Compassion Index to find your US Representative and two US Senators. Enter your zip code and hit go.
- Call their offices and ask to speak with their animal staffer, let them know you are a constituent. Schedule a meeting on July 14th between 10 am and 4 pm. You will be scheduling a total of three meetings (one in US House, two in US Senate). You can ask to meet with your legislator, as well, but meeting with the animal staffer is very beneficial. Questions about calling Capitol Hill? Click here.
- After you set your meetings, come back to AWI’s Compassion Index and fill out the form with your meeting information. This will help us both coordinate your meetings and follow up after you leave. We will provide specific information (brochures, fact sheets, etc…) that will help in your meetings.
- Send this email to everyone you know and ask them to join us in Washington, DC on July 14th for America’s horses.
- Make your travel plans to join us on Capitol Hill. DC is a great summer destination. There are lots of things to do.
If you have any questions please email Blair at blair@awionline.org. We look forward to seeing you all on July 14th. Be sure to bookmark http://www.horsesonthehill.org and check back often for updates and new information.
www.horsesonthehill.org www.awionline.org www.hsus.org
I have decided to put my money where my mouth is and attend this initiative...and if you knew me, and the size of my mouth, that is one TREMENDOUS commitment. Please join my wife, Terry, and myself in D.C. on the 17th and let's put this issue to bed one last and final time. I made a promise to an old Equine friend to "tell the story", maybe now is the time to "make it happen".
See you soon.
R.T.
R.T. Fitch
Author - "Straight from the Horse's Heart"
The Force of the Horse®, LLC
1-800-974-FOTH
This message may contain confidential information and is intended only for the use of the parties to whom it is addressed. If you are not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of any information in this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify me immediately at the telephone number indicated above.
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Friday, June 19, 2009
A Plea to save Cloud's Herd and all our Wild Horses
Over 40% of America’s wild horses have been removed from the wild from 2000-2008 alone and if the agency responsible for managing our wild horses, the Bureau of Land Management, does not change we are in danger of losing the last of our wild horses. Over 100 herds have been zeroed out from the over 19 million acres legally designated for their use. The BLM needs to return wild horses to these areas—over 30,000 are currently in government holding. 
As few as 13,600 wild horses remain in designated public land herd areas in ten western states in America, among them is Cloud’s herd in the Pryor Mountain area of Montana and Wyoming. Only 25% of our wild herds are currently at genetically viable population levels! Cloud’s herd is one of these although a massive round-up planned for August 2009 would change this. The round-up would result in 60 horses losing their families and their freedom, including some horses who have lived their entire 20+ years in the wild. We must stop the destruction of Cloud’s herd and work for the sustainable future of all our wild horse herds across the west.Congressmen Nick Rahall (D-WV) and Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) have stepped forward to make real and positive changes to the Wild Horse and Burro program with their recently introduced bill HR 1018. Please write to them to thank them for their hard work. You can read Ginger Kathrens’ comments and suggestions to the congressmen here.
Here is a short list of government contacts -- please write, e-mail and/or call on behalf of Cloud and all our wild mustangs.
Contact the following agencies and representatives
PRESIDENT:
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Comment line: 202-456-1111
www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/
CONGRESS:
1. Stop the BLM from managing our wild horses to extinction.
2. Halt all round-ups of wild horses until range conditions and herd numbers can be verified.
3. Return wild horses in holding to the 100+ herd areas (19+ million acres) that have been zeroed out.
4. Expand the Pryor Mountain. Wild Horse Range for Cloud’s Herd & protect herd at viable population level of at least 150 adult horses until range is expanded.
Congressman Nick Rahall (D-WV)
2307 Rayburn HOB
Washington,DC 20515
(202) 225-3452
email
Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ)
1440 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
ph (202) 225-2435
fax (202) 225-1541
Email to: Laurel.Angell@mail.house.gov
Your US Senators and Congress people
Montana Senator Max Baucus (D)—specific to Cloud’s herd
511 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC, 20510, phone: 202-224-2651
e-mail from: http://baucus.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm
Montana Senator Jon Tester (D)—specific to Cloud’s herd
204 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC, 20510,
phone: 202-224-2644, e-mail from: http://tester.senate.gov/Contact/
Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee:
304 Dirksen Senate Building, Washington, DC 20510
phone: (202) 224-4971, Fax: (202) 224-6163, e-mail all 23 members at http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home
Reinstate wild horse protections removed in 2004 by the Burns Rider and include language in the bill that would prevent BLM from destroying healthy wild horses.
DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR- BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
1. Work to expand the legal boundaries of the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range to include the historic and current use areas in the Custer National Forest. This will allow for a truly viable herd of 200-300 mustangs.
2. Keep the population at a viable number of at least 150 adults until range expansion is achieved. This will allow for the preservation of the rare Spanish genetics of the herd. Bringing in horses from other herds is ill advised, unnecessary and costly.
3. Do not remove older horses
4. Work to protect the mountain lions that have kept the herd at zero population growth in years past. Natural management should be the goal.
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar \
DOI, 1849 C Street NW, Washington DC 20240
Phone: 202-208-7351, exsec@ios.doi.gov
BLM Acting Director Ron Wenker & Acting Deputy Director Mike Nedd
1849 C Street NW, Washington DC, 20040, phone: 202-208-3801 Ron_Wenker@blm.gov, Mike_Nedd@blm.gov
Don Glenn BLM Division Chief of Wild Horse and Burro Program
BLM Washington Office, 1849 C Street NW, Rm. 5665 Washington DC 20240
Phone: 1-800-710-7597 or 202-208-3801, Fax: 202-208-5242, wildhorse@blm.gov
5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, MT 59101
phone (406) 896-5223, fax (406) 896-5281
Jim_Sparks@blm.gov
United States Department of Agriculture
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20250
Email: AgSec@usda.gov
FOREST SERVICE
Ask the following people to please work with the BLM to expand the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range to include the historic and current use areas in the Custer National Forest. This will allow for a truly viable herd of 200-300 mustangs.
• Abigail Kimbell, Chief USDA Forest Service
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, D.C.
20250-0003
phone: (202) 205-1661, e-mail: akimbell@fs.fed.us
• Mary Erickson, Acting Forest Supervisor- Custer National Forest
PO Box 130, Bozeman, MT 59771,
p. 406-587-6701, mcerickson@fs.fed.us
• Chris Worth, Acting Deputy Supervisor
1310 Main Street, Billings, MT 59105
phone: 406-657-6200, cworth@fs.fed.us
Please write letters to the editor, ask that your favorite radio and TV hosts cover this story and last but not least, please tell your friends and family about wild horses and ask them to join the Cloud Foundation in helping to protect and preserve wild horses on our public lands.
List compiled by The Cloud Foundation, March, 2009 ~ www.thecloudfoundation.org
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Thursday, June 18, 2009
Maduna continues to hang onto claim that Horses were poisoned
Maduna claims horses were poisoned
Jason Meduna, owner of 3-Strikes Mustang Ranch, walks out of a Morrill County courtroom Wednesday. Meduna waived a preliminary hearing on 149 counts of animal abuse. Meduna has been accused of starving and neglecting horses and burros on the ranch.
BRIDGEPORT — A Morrill County rancher accused of animal abuse maintains that horses and burros that once lived on his ranch suffer from the effects of poisoning.
However, in testimony Wednesday, a Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality official countered claims by Jason Meduna that water sources on his property had been poisoned.
Meduna, 42, faces 149 counts of animal cruelty, a Class IV felony, and appeared for a preliminary hearing in Morrill County Court on Wednesday. Meduna, represented by Lincoln attorney John Berry, waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
Morrill County authorities charged Meduna after arresting him April 18, alleging that Meduna starved and neglected more than 200 horses boarded on the 3-Strikes Mustang Ranch. Meduna had set up the ranch as a sanctuary for wild horses and burros adopted by Meduna and other owners from the Bureau of Land Management. Meduna owned some horses and burros on the property, while animal rescue groups and private individuals also paid for care and board of horses at the ranch.
Animal rights rescue groups removed 210 horses after Meduna’s arrest. According to an arrest affidavit, Meduna’s arrest followed an investigation that started with claims by Meduna that neighbors had stolen a horse from the ranch. Meduna told officers at that time that he believed that his neighbors were poisoning his horses with cattle feed.
On Tuesday, Meduna reiterated his position that the horses have suffered from poisoning, not from starvation and neglect. He maintains that 80 percent of the horses removed from the ranch “were fine, while 20 percent looked terrible.”
Meduna said that he believes that a lake on his property had been poisoned with arsenic. Law enforcement “did little investigation and offered no help,” he said after he contacted them about the alleged poisoning and the theft of a horse named Rayu. Meduna had contacted several media outlets after the alleged theft of Rayu, asking for the horse’s return.
If his report of Rayu’s theft had been investigated properly, he said, officers would have found the person responsible for the condition of the horses. He still believes that someone poisoned the horses, he said, and that he is not responsible for their poor condition.
“If you find one (the person who stole Rayu), you find the other (the person who poisoned the horses),” he said. “You get to the bottom of it all.”
The Star-Herald has confirmed that Meduna did submit samples to the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) from three water sites on the property that he says show high levels of arsenic, and provide evidence that the horses were poisoned. Meduna maintained that high levels of arsenic at specifically one site, a lake on the property that served as a primary source of water for the horses, were not naturally occurring and had to be caused by poisoning.
A supporter of Meduna’s, Ray Field, executive director of the Wild Horse Foundation, has even offered a $25,000 reward to find the person responsible for the poisoning of the horses, Meduna said. The reward offer has been verified on Field’s Web site.
However, Brian McManus, a NDEQ public information officer, confirmed that the agency had obtained its own samples from the property after being contacted by a citizen and submitting private test results. McManus said that the NDEQ contacted Meduna last week and reported its findings to him.
“We certainly can’t verify the assertion of poisoning,” McManus said. In its testing, McManus said the NDEQ did find that one of the lakes tested above “chronic levels” of arsenic for surface water standards that apply to aquatic life. The standards are set to address possible polluters versus natural conditions, McManus said.
He said that the lake, which had levels of arsenic at 58 parts per billion, tested above the 16 parts per billion for standards that apply to aquatic life, but below “acute levels” of 340 parts per billion.
“The NDEQ doesn’t have standards that address the feeding of livestock,” he said. While the results would test above drinking water standards for arsenic that are set for municipal water sources — with acceptable levels being up to 10 parts per billion — he said, “you are looking at apples and oranges when you are talking about livestock drinking from it. (Drinking water standards) are conservative numbers to be highly protective of public health.”
Also, McManus noted, officials notified Meduna that levels of arsenic in the water sources are consistent with natural conditions in the area.
“The standards wouldn’t apply in this case because (the level of arsenic) is caused by natural conditions.”
The lake with the highest levels of arsenic is in a closed basin area, which means there are no streams or rivers that feed the lake area. McManus said that Sandhill lakes have variable levels of arsenic, because of the underlying groundwater conditions. He said the NDEQ specifically noted in its reporter that in 1982, a survey from the University of Nebraska Conservation and Survey Division, drilled a test hole in 1982 a mile west of the ranch. That geologic survey located a 25-foot thick ash bed at 40 feet below the surface.
“Volcanic ash typically contains high concentrations of metal,” McManus said, adding that it is the NDEQ’s conclusion that the volcanic ash has resulted in the levels of arsenic found in the water sources on Meduna’s property.
While Meduna’s lawyer did not comment on the allegations of poisoning, Berry said that Meduna “is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
Berry said that Meduna and defense lawyers have not seen records or evidence in the case.
“We are looking forward to finding out as much as we can about the charges against Mr. Meduna.”
Berry said that the involvement of various rescue organizations and other agencies has “complicated the matter.” Meduna said that he believes those organizations and agencies “are after one thing — money. It’s all about making money.”
Meduna is scheduled to appear on July 14, 1:30 p.m., in Morrill County District Court.
Morrill County Prosecutor Jean Rhodes said she would not comment on the case, including Meduna’s claims about arsenic poisoning.
Star-Herald
By: MAUNETTE LOEKS, Staff Reporter
Published: Thursday, June 18, 2009 4:16 AM CDT
http://www.starherald.com/articles/2009/06/18/news/local_news/doc4a39b9df58adc678711430.txt
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Wednesday, June 17, 2009
3-Strikes Ranch owner to face trial after waiving prelim
Jason Meduna in Court
The owner of the mustang outpost in Morrill County waived his right to a preliminary hearing and will now face trial in Morrill County District Court. Forty-two year old Jason Meduna is charged with 149 felony counts of animal abuse regarding the malnourishment and death of horses and burros found on the 3-Strikes Ranch south of Alliance.
Meduna appeared in court with his wife Anissa and his lawyer John S. Berry Jr. of the Berry Law Firm, based in Lincoln, Neb. Berry was reluctant to comment if the 149 counts are excessive.
Judge G. Glenn Cammer set Meduna's arraignment in district court for July 14th at 1:30 pm.
If convicted Meduna could receive up to 5 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine or both for each felony.
Morrill County Attorney Jean Rhodes says the investigation is continuing.
http://www.kneb.
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Welfare group comment on Arabian slaughter position
Welfare group comment on Arabian slaughter position
June 17, 2009
by John Holland
I found the justifications of their pro-slaughter resolution put forward by the Arabian Horse Association officials in the Jurga Report, and cited in Horsetalk.co.nz, to be most enlightening. They give a graphic indication of the true nature of the “extensive research” mentioned in the original AHA pro-slaughter resolution.
Glen Petty is quoted as saying: “Compelling reasons for passage of the motion were conditions at Mexican slaughter facilities and at a growing numbers of farms in the US.” I would agree about the conditions in Mexico, but most other slaughter proponents do not. These proponents site the AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners) which claims to have inspected the Mexican slaughter plants recently and found them to be humane. This was also reported in the Jurga Report. So which is it?
But the second part of this statement is clearly an attempt to associate the effects of the economic downturn with the closing of the US slaughter plants. The linkage could only be true if the number of horses being slaughtered had significantly decreased.
However, exports simply replaced domestic slaughter and the number of American horses slaughtered in 2008 (over 134,000) was the second highest of any year since 1995. It is therefore impossible to assign any effect to a decline in slaughter that never happened.
The study we did last year established that there had been no observable increase in abuse and neglect through the beginning of 2008, but it did find a linkage between unemployment and neglect. Prophetically it warned in the conclusions that a downturn in the economy could cause an increase in neglect nationwide.
This would all be questionable enough, but Petty continued: “It was felt humane slaughter and government regulation was a better alternative to the growing inhumane conditions that have occurred as unintended consequences caused by the passage of HB503.”
This is the most illuminating statement of all. First, the bill number was not HB503, but H.R.503, and more tellingly, it passed only the House of Representatives in the 109th Congress and did not become law. A bill with the same number is pending in the current congress. So again, Petty is using the effects of something that did not happen as a justification for their resolution.
If there was any lingering doubt about the nature of the “extensive research” upon which the AHA’s resolution was based, Mr Petty has certainly removed it with his explanation.
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Tuesday, June 16, 2009
SFHH Update: 3 Horses Stolen from PA found in VA
Manns Choice, PA (SFHH) - Christy Sheidy, Co-founder of Another Chance 4 Horses, reports that her organization tracked down a dealer in Virginia who purchased the sorrel and white and then sold the horse to a kill buyer. The horse was located in the New Holland kill pen awaiting transport across the boarder to a murderous slaughter house. The horse rescuers from Chance 4 horses have pulled the stolen equine to safety.
Working with the dealer, who had unknowingly purchased the horses from the horse thief, Christy and her volunteers located the other two horses who are promptly being returned to their rightful owners.
The family from Manns Choice, PA would like to thank Chances 4 Horses and all of the thousands of people who banded together across the internet to help in locating their special companions. A very special "Thank you", indeed.
R.T. Fitch
Author - "Straight from the Horse's Heart"
The Force of the Horse®, LLC
1-800-974-FOTH
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Sunday, June 14, 2009
Arabian committee at odds with Arabian Horse Association’s resolution on horse slaughter
Image via Wikipedia
June 14, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Arabian committee at odds with Arabian Horse Association’s resolution on horse slaughter
CHICAGO, (EWA) – Subsequent to an Equine Welfare Alliance press release (June 9, 2009) calling attention to the Arabian Horse Association’s (AHA) passing a resolution in support of horse slaughter, the AHA Rescue and Rehoming Subcommittee, chaired by Carol Darnell, who is also chair of the Arabian Horse Foundation’s Rescue and Rehoming Advisory Panel, took strong exception to the AHA move, issuing the following position statement:
“We, the members of the Rescue/Rehoming Subcommittee of the Equine Stress, Research and Education Committee of AHA, take serious issue with the recent BOD action in support of equine slaughter.”
“Quite aside from the reality that some of the membership of AHA does support slaughter,” the release continued, “we believe it to be inappropriate for our BOD to take any position whatsoever on such a passionate and divisive issue, especially without polling our membership for consensus or consulting with our two rescue entities within the AHA/AHF complex. We believe it should be the role of a breed promotion organization to support husbandry practices and organizational goals which sustain our horses, rather than endorse practices which enable irresponsible husbandry at the horses’ expense.”
The committee went on to say, “On a practical level, the negative response by much of the Arabian community and the equine community as a whole, along with significant negative press, is damaging to the organization at a time when we can ill-afford such damage, especially when it is self-inflicted.
We, along with many others in the Arabian horse community, are striving to have the BOD revisit and reconsider the action taken.”
The original press release issued to media outlets by the AHA led readers to believe the AHF was involved in the passing of the resolution. The AHF has a separate BOD, functions independent of the AHA and was not involved in the discussion and passing of this motion.
John Holland
540.268.5693
john@equinewelfarealliance.org
Vicki Tobin
630.961.9292
vicki@equinewelfarealliance.org
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Saturday, June 13, 2009
Documents Reveal BLM Secret Plan to Destroy Wild Horses
PRESS RELEASE
June 11, 2009- for immediate release
Documents Reveal BLM Secret Plan to Destroy Wild Horses
Documents obtained from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) via the Freedom of Information Act by a Phoenix-based non-profit, The Conquistador Program, reveal shocking and detailed plans to destroy healthy wild horses in government holding facilities as well as those still remaining in the wild on public lands.
BLM employees as well as a USDA veterinarian held weekly Implementation Team meetings beginning in July of 2008 in which they discussed and developed strategies aimed at ridding BLM of thousands of mustangs. In October they completed a 68 page document entitled Alternative Management Options. Tactics included in this document are reminiscent of those used to wipe out Native American tribes in the 1800s.
The BLM team created scenarios for killing mustangs using barbiturates, gun shots, or captive bolts. Bodies would be disposed of through rendering, burial or incineration. They discussed killing 1200-2000 wild horses per year. The document states that the general public would be prohibited from viewing euthanasia. Additionally, the Team felt that increased support from public relations and management staff would also be needed to insulate those doing the actual work from the public, media and Congressional scrutiny/criticism.
Minutes from these meetings as well as the Draft Plan reveal what amounts to the final solution for the American mustang, states Ginger Kathrens, filmmaker and Volunteer Executive Director of The Cloud Foundation. Despite a huge outcry from the American public last year regarding BLM plans to kill wild horses in holding, the agency is still pressing forward with a plan to destroy our American mustangs both on and off the range.
Division Chief of the Wild Horse and Burro Program Don Glenn told The Cloud Foundation that no decision has been made to move forward on a large scale with this plan, yet.
BLM meeting minutes speak for themselves. Security at facilities and at gathers would need to be increased to combat eco-terrorism. Having the people that are willing to put down healthy horses at gather sites could be a problem. Having vets putting down healthy horses at preparation facility[ies] could also be a problem. Meeting minutes reveal the psychological toll that employees would payhave counseling for employees and contractors that have to euthanize the healthy horses because it is very stressful.
The report created an option in which wild horses of all ages could be sold without limitation. In other words, horses could be sold directly to killer buyers in unchecked numbers. The Team admitted that some wild horses will go to slaughter.
Once they are gone, theyre gone says Karen Sussman, President of the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros. To lose this incomparable species would be a travesty.
Team Members formulated ways in which they could circumvent the National Environmental Policy Act, asking How many (wild horses) could be euthanized during a gather (roundup) without having NEPA? BLM discussed ways to circumvent the federal carcass disposal law (43 CFR 4730.2). Conversations included how many wild horses could be rendered at the Reno Rendering plant or disposed of in pits. The Team concluded that there will not be large numbers of horses euthanized during gathers or in the field. This is due to state environmental laws.
Recommendations include the creation of gelding herds, and sterilization of mares to create non-reproductive herds in the wild in place of natural herds. The team recommended changing the sex ratio from the normal 50% males and 50% females to 70% males and 30% females. Then the experimental two-year infertility drug, PZP-22, would be given to all mares that are returned to the wild. Plans call for rounding up the wild horses every two years to re-administer the drug.
Mares on the drug will cycle monthly and, with the altered sex ratio, the social chaos will be dangerous and on-going, Kathrens explains. Any semblance of normal wild horse society will be completely destroyed.
Kathrens has spent 15 years in the wild documenting mustang behavior for her PBS television documentaries which chronicle the life story of Cloud, the now famous pale palomino stallion she has filmed since birth. Even Cloud and his little herd in Montana are in serious danger if BLM implements these options, she continues. The BLM plans a massive round up in Clouds herd beginning August 30, 2009.
The BLM will not guarantee that Cloud and his family will remain free.
The BLM documents referred to above and photos of wild horses are available from The Cloud Foundation.
The Cloud Foundation, Inc.
107 South 7th St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80905
719-633-3842
719-633-3896 (fax)
info@thecloudfoundation.org
www.thecloudfoundation.org
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Thursday, June 11, 2009
GAO Asked to Investigate Cruelty to Horses
Obama and Vilsack asked to push for ban on horse slaughter
Ithaca, New York (June 10, 2009) The Animal Law Coalition and Animals Angels have asked the U.S. Government Accounting Office (GAO) to investigate gross violations of humane laws and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in connection with the commercial slaughter of horses.
The request for a GAO investigation comes in the wake of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for documents which were subsequently released by the USDA. Alarming cruelty and violations of regulations were documented in several hundred photos taken during 2005 at U.S. slaughterhouses by USDA investigators.
Though horse slaughter ended in the U.S. in 2007, American horses are still sold for slaughter in Mexico and Canada. Proponents of horse slaughter have insisted on the re-opening of horse slaughter plants, saying U.S. laws protect horses from cruelty unlike Mexico and Canada.
Documents and photos released by the USDA, however, refute such claims. The FOIA shows horses bound for slaughter in the U.S. endured shockingly cruel treatment. Photographs documented horses with legs ripped off, eyeballs hanging on their cheeks and other severe injuries.
Earlier GAO documents raise additional disturbing humane issues. A 2004 GAO report found horses were slaughtered while conscious, which are considered significant violations of the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.
Sonja Meadows, Executive Director of Animals' Angels, a Maryland based animal welfare organization, said, "We are asking the GAO to thoroughly examine the ineffectiveness of laws in preventing documented cruelty and inhumane practices. It seems clear from the USDA FOIA, earlier GAO reports, ours and others' investigations, that horse slaughter is a predatory business whose economics require cruel and inhumane practices. It is definitely not, as horse slaughter advocates would have the public believe, a service motivated by altruistic concerns or humane practices."
Horses are slaughtered for consumption overseas, primarily in parts of Europe and Asia. A USDA study shows that 92% of the American horses at slaughter are young, healthy and without behavioral problems, refuting claims that horse slaughter provides a service in disposing of horses that are old, lame, sick or crazy.
Meadows said, "Irrefutable evidence of brutality is already quite plentiful, unfortunately. We believe the GAO's report will be the definitive wakeup call to the new USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and the Obama administration to push for an immediate ban on horse slaughter."
A copy of the request for a GAO investigation is attached at the end of this article along with Exhibits 1, 2, and 3 also submitted with the request.
Go here to review the documents including photos released by the USDA.
For additional information on horse slaughter investigations and information regarding the export of horses for slaughter, go to http://www.animals-angels.com/.
Posted and endorsed by:
R.T. Fitch Author - "Straight from the Horse's Heart" The Force of the Horse®, LLC 1-800-974-FOTH
Madeleine Pickens Presents Eco-Sanctuary Plan to BLM
June 10, 2009 by Eric OKeefe
Madeleine Pickens is no ordinary horsewoman. A lifelong equestrian, she has led numerous champions into the winner’s circle, including the Hall of Fame Thoroughbred Cigar, winner of 16 consecutive races. Now she is championing a new cause: America’s wild horses.
“Wild horses are a living symbol of the pioneering spirit of Americans and the America West,” she says. Her goal is to establish a 501(c)(3) eco-sanctuary for all horses currently in holding facilities on BLM lands. Similar to a national park, it would be a tourist attraction as well as a refuge. To that end she has submitted a proposal to the Bureau of Land Management to create a public/private partnership that would not only locate appropriate land with sufficient forage and water sources but allow wild horses and burros to be free‐roaming and able to form natural bands.
“While the primary objective of the project is to care for these wonderful creatures, we will also be stewards of the land,” she says.
In March during hearings on H.R. 1018, Restoring Our American Mustangs (the ROAM Act), Pickens testified before the House of Representatives Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Committee on Natural Resources. She has also submitted a plan to initially alleviate conditions for 10,000 wild horses currently being penned in BLM short-term holding facilities.
“My view is for a wild horse sanctuary that will be a tourist destination similar to our national parks where Americans and tourists from around the world can come, observe and be a part of this great part of American history. We can use this treasure to promote ecotourism and at the same time provide for permanent retirement and management of these American icons to which we owe so much,” she says.
To that end, she is urging those who cherish the wild mustang and support her initiative to contact Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to stop the slaughter and confinement America’s wild horses and burros.
To join the thousands who have already petitioned Secretary Salazar as well as read more about her plan, The Land Report encourages you to visit her website.
Posted and endorsed by:
R.T. Fitch Author - "Straight from the Horse's Heart" The Force of the Horse®, LLC 1-800-974-FOTH
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Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Equine welfare group condemns arab horse resolution
The Equine Welfare Alliance has condemned a passing of a resolution by the board of the United States Arabian Horse Association (AHA) in support of slaughter.
Arabian Horse Association board backs US slaughter plantsThe alliance said the resolution attempted to mitigate the decision and "ease the ultimate betrayal of their breed" by voicing support for equine rescue and responsible horse ownership.
"EWA questions how the AHA can promote slaughter and responsible ownership since they contradict each other," said alliance representatives John Holland and Vicki Tobin.
The AHA did not name any rescues or programmes supported or planned by the AHA in support of their breed, they said.
The alliance said reports suggested the move was prompted by the elevation of AHA president Lance Walters to the American Horse Council board.
Walters stated: "Since Arabian horses are involved in racing, showing, competition, and recreation, our owners and events are greatly affected by federal actions."
Walters did not describe how horse slaughter comes into play with racing, showing, competition and recreation events, Tobin and Holland said.
"The AHA foal count was only 6500 in 2008 - a commendable example of responsible breeding, and AHA bloggers have recently been discussing how well Arabian prices are holding up in the sagging economy."
Given that, the alliance wondered at the motivation behind the resolution, which was first reported in Arabian Horse World.
Scores of AHA members have told the alliance they planned to discontinue membership in their breed association because the stance.
"Both the Arabian Association president and his board are far out of the mainstream of American's opinion where more than 70 per cent consistently say in polls that they are opposed to horse slaughter," Holland and Tobin said.
The alliance called for the AHA membership list in order to commission polling by an outside agency to determine whether Arabian owners really support slaughter.
Holland, himself a proud owner of Arabians, said of the action, "It is high time the members of these organisations let their management know just who they work for!"
More information: www.equinewelfarealliance.org
Horse slaughter in the news
This Article was posted and endorsed by:
R.T. Fitch
Author - "Straight from the Horse's Heart"
The Force of the Horse®, LLC
1-800-974-FOTH
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Bill is Deferred on Horse Slaughter Processing Plants
Today the ASPCA announced that HB 1428/SB 1898, the bill that would have facilitated the opening of horse slaughter processing plants in Tennessee, has been deferred for the rest of this year.
While the ASPCA expects this bill, or something similar, to reemerge in 2010, the horses are safe for now.
If you haven’t already, please take a moment to contact your U.S. senators and representative on behalf of the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act. This federal bill will prohibit the transport of horses across state lines for slaughter, and if passed, will make pro-slaughter, state-level bills like HB 1428/SB 1898 irrelevant.
This article was posted and endorsed by:
R.T. Fitch Author - "Straight from the Horse's Heart" The Force of the Horse®, LLC 1-800-974-FOTH
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Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Arabian Horse Association betrays breed
June 9, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: John Holland
540.268.5693
john@equinewelfarealliance.org
Vicki Tobin
630.961.9292
vicki@equinewelfarealliance.org
Arabian Horse Association betrays breed
CHICAGO, (EWA) – In a move reminiscent of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) and the Arabian Horse Foundation has gone on record supporting horse slaughter with the passage of a resolution. According to reports, the move was prompted by the elevation of AHA president Lance Walters to the American Horse Council board.
In an attempt to mitigate this announcement and ease the ultimate betrayal of their breed, the AHA and foundation also voiced support for equine rescue and responsible horse ownership. EWA questions how AHA can promote slaughter and responsible ownership since they contradict each other. AHA did not name any rescues or programs that are currently supported or planned by the AHA in support of their breed, saying only that they promote slaughtering the magnificent horses they purport to represent.
Walters stated, “Since Arabian horses are involved in racing, showing, competition, and recreation, our owners and events are greatly affected by federal actions”.
Walters did not describe how horse slaughter comes into play with racing, showing, competition and recreation events.
The AHA foal count was only 6,500 in 2008 – a commendable example of responsible breeding, and AHA bloggers have recently been discussing how well Arabian prices are holding up in the sagging economy. The only explanation for this move would thus appear to be stunning political self interest.
Scores of AHA members have told EWA they plan to discontinue membership in their breed association because of Walter’s and his board’s shameful toadying to advance his position within the pro-slaughter AHC.
Both the Arabian Association president and his board are far out of the mainstream of American’s opinion where more than 70 percent consistently say in polls that they are opposed to horse slaughter.
The Equine Welfare Alliance asks the Arabian Horse Association for its membership list in order to commission polling by an outside agency to determine whether Arabian owners really support the brutal and painful killing of their breed to supply foreign markets with a meat Americans don’t even eat.
EWA’s John Holland, himself a proud owner of Arabians, said of the action, “It is high time the members of these organizations let their management know just who they work for!”
www.equinewelfarealliance.org
Posted and endorsed by:
R.T. Fitch
Author - "Straight from the Horse's Heart"
The Force of the Horse®, LLC
1-800-974-FOTH
Monday, June 8, 2009
PETA thwarts efforts to bring home racehorses
June 7, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PETA thwarts efforts to bring home racehorses
CHICAGO, (EWA) – As reported today on ESPN’s Outside the Lines, PETA has inserted itself into the issue of American racehorses being slaughtered in Japan. The slaughter of Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand in 2002 brought outrage to American horse owners and was the catalyst for anti- slaughter awareness in America.
The Program reported on two thoroughbreds, War Emblem and Charismatic who are both standing stud in Japan. ESPN interviewed Michael Blowen, owner and founder of Old Friends, A Kentucky Facility for Retired Thoroughbreds and Kathy Guillermo, vice president of laboratory investigations for PETA.
Over the years, Blowen has developed an excellent relationship with key personnel in Japan that has smoothed the way for retiring these great athletes to Old Friends. He keeps a list of thoroughbreds that are nearing the end of their stud duties and has been following their stud careers for years. At the top of his list are War Emblem and Charismatic. Blowen has been in discussions for the past eighteen months and developing plans with his Japanese contacts for their retirement to Old Friends.
Despite the claims of slaughter advocates to the contrary, PETA had until now, remained out of the horse slaughter issue. But now, in true PETA fashion, the message was horrific visuals of the cruelty inherent with slaughter, however, their organization offered no assistance in bringing the athletes home. At one point, Ms. Guillermo actually challenged Blowen by saying she was not aware of anyone that was working to bring the horses home. Blowen had recently discussed just this effort on EWA’s Howling Ridge radio program.
Blowen’s most recent Japan rescue was Wallenda who earned $1.2 million in 33 lifetime starts on the track. Old Friends also expanded its facility from 40 acres to 92 acres last year and currently has over 40 retired athletes including Popcorn Deelites, one of the horses that portrayed Seabiscuit in the box office smash hit about the legendary California racehorse.
“I’m hoping things like PETA is doing won’t hurt our relationship with the Japanese,” Blowen said, asking the extremist animal rights group, “Are you just going to keep showing footage of horses in excruciating painful situations or are you going to try to build a relationship with the people that actually own these horses, that actually control them - to find a place for them and work really, really hard to bring them home?”
EWA couldn’t agree more.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Boneheaded Jersey Bureaucrat Threatens Horse Welfare Organization Over Newsletter Art - Should be Fired
http://horsebackmagazine.com/breakingnews.htm
Boneheaded Jersey Bureaucrat Threatens Horse Welfare Organization Over Newsletter Art - Should be Fired
Note Sent to Supporters by Head of Manes and Tails After Garden State Threat
By Ellen-Cathryn Nash
When creating a newsletter regarding Bravo Packing the image of the State Seal of New Jersey was included at the top of the page. A letter was received and this newsletter must be sent to all recipients of that newsletter. First, the New Jersey State Seal was found on Google Images, it was not stolen from a New Jersey web site. Ergo, if Judith I. Gleason, Esq. and Legal Specialist at the New Jersey Department of Agriculture wants to be sure that no person, or persons, can use the image of the New Jersey State Seal then she should be demanding that Google removes the images from their database, rather than threatening a citizen of the State of New Jersey with a referral to the Division of Criminal Justice for 'appropriate action.'
Nowhere in this letter does Ms. Gleason address the purpose of the newsletter which was to prove that the New Jersey Department of Agriculture has failed to make Governor Corzine aware of the request for an Executive Order banning the slaughter of all members of the genus Equidae for any purpose in the State of New Jersey. In short, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture is withholding evidence from Governor Corzine which would make it possible for him to decide if he wants to issue such an order.
The letter included above is addressed to me, it is my property, and my right to disseminate it in any manner I see fit. I am unable to recall any newsletters that have been delivered. One would think that the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Legal Specialist would have better things to do with her time than threaten a citizen of the State of New Jersey who is simply standing up for an issue that is most illegal and must be dealt with at the top of the New Jersey Government. Ms. Gleason, will you ensure that the evidence provided for Governor Corzine actually reaches him? The Governor has the right to know when citizens request Executive Orders and the ball is in your court. The first request was sent on October 2, 2008. Here is the latest request. One need not 'divine' that eight months is more than enough time to walk to the Governor's office in Trenton or send it to Drumthwacket! I have honored your most spurious demand/threat. Now it is time for you to provide Governor Corzine with the information he has been sent for his consideration.
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