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

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