Thursday, April 29, 2010

The Cloud Foundation Takes Action with Herd-Watch: Public Eyes for Public Horses « Straight from the Horse's Heart

The Cloud Foundation Takes Action with Herd-Watch: Public Eyes for Public Horses « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Colorado Springs, CO (April 30, 2010)—Today the Cloud Foundation launches Herd-Watch, an innovative volunteer program to monitor wild horse and burro herds as well as roundups across the West. The iconic horses and burros are currently being managed to virtual extinction, contrary to the. From this day on, Herd-Watch will: watchdog America’s wild horses and burros, provide increased public visibility, monitor the range conditions and the mustang, burro and livestock numbers as well as keep tabs on the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) plans for “management” of each treasured American Herd.

Montana Rep. “Red” Ed Butcher Maintains Village Idiot Image « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Montana Rep. “Red” Ed Butcher Maintains Village Idiot Image « Straight from the Horse's Heart

HOUSTON – (SFTHH) One needs to have a lot of pity on the family of retiring Montana Rep. “Red” Ed Butcher; you know that they have to cringe each time he steps before a microphone, picks up a phone or opens his mouth in general. There is just no way that this man’s lips can part without him sticking his foot clear up his mouth until his eyes bulge out; it’s got to be painful for those who are related to him, at least just a little bit.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

R.T.’s Original “Wrangler Iced Tea” – Nectar of the Gods « Straight from the Horse's Heart

R.T.’s Original “Wrangler Iced Tea” – Nectar of the Gods « Straight from the Horse's Heart

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.

BLM Reveals Plans to Rip over 1,000 MORE Wild Horses from Nevada’s Public Lands « Straight from the Horse's Heart

BLM Reveals Plans to Rip over 1,000 MORE Wild Horses from Nevada’s Public Lands « Straight from the Horse's Heart

ELKO — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management Elko District’s Tuscarora Field Office has released an environmental assessment on its plans to remove about 1,000 horses from the Owyhee, Rock Creek and Little Humboldt herd management areas.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Mud, Blood and Horse Crap: There’s no way to “Pretty Up” Horse Slaughter « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Mud, Blood and Horse Crap: There’s no way to “Pretty Up” Horse Slaughter « Straight from the Horse's Heart

I have to be honest with you, all of this recent talk of horse slaughter and the cruelty that the likes of “Slaughterhouse” Sue Wallis wants to dish out on our companion animals has conjured up some pretty poignant memories on the topic of horse slaughter.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Hardin Montana Says No Thanks to Horse Slaughter Plant « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Hardin Montana Says No Thanks to Horse Slaughter Plant « Straight from the Horse's Heart

CHICAGO, (EWA) – Montana Representative Ed Butcher’s plan of building a horse slaughter plant in Hardin, MT has ended.

The city of Hardin unanimously passed Ordinance No. 2010-01 that amends the current zoning ordinance to prohibit the slaughter of more than 25 animals in a seven day period. The action effectively bars the building of a slaughter plant in Hardin.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Last Chance for Animals Documents the Pain and Suffering Endured by Wild Horses Held by the BLM « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Last Chance for Animals Documents the Pain and Suffering Endured by Wild Horses Held by the BLM « Straight from the Horse's Heart

An on-the-ground investigation by Last Chance for Animals’ Special Investigations Unit (SIU) of the wild horses held in BLM custody at two facilities in Nevada reveals graphic evidence of the horses’ suffering from broken bodies and broken spirits as a result of their violent capture.

New Tourist Attraction: Horse Meat in Wyoming « Straight from the Horse's Heart

New Tourist Attraction: Horse Meat in Wyoming « Straight from the Horse's Heart


CHEYENNE — A plan to give the Wyoming Livestock Board an alternative to selling abandoned horses is getting stiff opposition from animal welfare advocates.

And it is coming even before the new law goes into effect July 1.

The plan by members of the United Organization of the Horse is to set up something like a triage operation at the old railroad stockyards in Cheyenne for abandoned or unwanted horses. The horses would be screened and provided rehabilitation, training or slaughter, depending on their condition. The plan is ultimately to market horse meat in the state.

Wyoming Rep. “Slaughterhouse” Sue Wallis building a Horse Slaughter Plant? « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Wyoming Rep. “Slaughterhouse” Sue Wallis building a Horse Slaughter Plant? « Straight from the Horse's Heart

CHEYENNE -- A Wyoming state representative from Recluse is interested in opening a horse slaughtering facility in Laramie County, according to the director of the Wyoming Livestock Board.

Earlier this year, Rep. Sue Wallis, R-Recluse, was one of several legislators to sponsor a bill that allows the "disposal of" stray animals, as opposed to their sale.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Public Alarm Grows as BLM Castrates Captured Mustangs Behind Closed Doors « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Public Alarm Grows as BLM Castrates Captured Mustangs Behind Closed Doors « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Reno, NV (April 23, 2010)—Unexpected castrating of captured male mustangs, four years old and younger, by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) started behind closed doors on Friday, April 16th in the Fallon holding pens of Nevada. Many depressed horses with swollen scrotums have been observed. The public understood that the castration of the Calico wild horses would not occur until the In Defense of Animals court case was heard in May as there is a possibility of returning the wild horses to their protected public rangelands.

Florida Senate Passes Bill Making Slaughter of Horses a Felony « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Florida Senate Passes Bill Making Slaughter of Horses a Felony « Straight from the Horse's Heart

TALLAHASSEE — Without a single legislator voting “nay,” a bill toughening laws against those who butcher horses or sell or purchase their meat is galloping to the desk of Gov. Charlie Crist.

The bill, which cleared the Senate chambers Thursday, had been a legislative priority for the South Florida delegation, where at least 22 pet horses were found slaughtered last year. They are presumably sold for their meat, sometimes even marketed to buyers as beef.

Inhumane Horse Slaughter Charges Probed at Canadian Plant « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Inhumane Horse Slaughter Charges Probed at Canadian Plant « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Authorities, including the RCMP, are investigating allegations launched by an animal welfare group accusing a Fort Macleod slaughterhouse of inhumanely killing horses.

The complaint against Bouvry Exports Calgary Ltd. was made by a group called the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition after it obtained what it alleges is hidden camera footage from inside the slaughterhouse.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

BLM Ignores Calico Wild Horse Advocates’ Concerns « Straight from the Horse's Heart

BLM Ignores Calico Wild Horse Advocates’ Concerns « Straight from the Horse's Heart

For the last 11 days, the BLM has been trying to make it seem that there is nothing we need to know about the captive wild horses form the Calico Mountains who are currently being held in a closed door feedlot in Fallon, Nevada.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

BLM Clears Way for Utah-Nevada Pipeline « Straight from the Horse's Heart

BLM Clears Way for Utah-Nevada Pipeline « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Controversy, rumors, lies and innuendo circle around the BLM’s deadly roundup of the native Wild Horses that once lived in the expansive Calico Mountain Complex in North West Nevada.

Wild Horse Killers to Stand Trial in Nevada « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Wild Horse Killers to Stand Trial in Nevada « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Reno, NV (April 21, 2010)—The Cloud Foundation and other wild horse advocates are coming to Reno on April 27, 2010 at 3 p.m. to witness Todd Davis and Joshua Keathly make their first court appearance for allegedly harassing and killing five federally protected American wild mustangs—shot on or about November 28, 2009 in Washoe county, Nevada. U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. McQuaid, Jr. will preside in Federal District Court, 400 S. Virginia Street, Reno.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Icelandic Horses Run for Cover from Erupting Volcano « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Icelandic Horses Run for Cover from Erupting Volcano « Straight from the Horse's Heart

They come galloping out of the volcanic storm, hooves muffled in the ash, manes flying.

Shutting the last of his 17 horses into an old barn, Ingi Sveinbjoernsson, 56, breathes a sigh of relief.

Only 24 hours earlier he had lost the shaggy Icelandic horses in an ash cloud that turned day into terrifying night, blanketing the wild landscape in glutinous grey mud.

“I went out to fetch them and realised I couldn’t see my own hand. That’s how dark it was,” he said, shaken. “I never imagined anything like it.”

Monday, April 19, 2010

Market for Horse Meat Evaporates in Europe « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Market for Horse Meat Evaporates in Europe « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Belgian and Dutch consumers were shocked to learn of widespread horse slaughter-related cruelty in North and South America. Undercover video footage aired on three major news programs showed horses designated for slaughter are routinely starved, dehydrated, injured and abused.

Stress is Killing the Captive Calico Wild Horses « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Stress is Killing the Captive Calico Wild Horses « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Day after day since the beginning of the "gather" of the wild horses who once freely roamed Nevada's Calico Mountains, the BLM has reported the deaths of the horses who were forced into its clutches. Though the Gather Daily Updates report that the total of equine lives lost as a direct result of this roundup is 79, a truer mortality tally is more than 90, in addition to the dozens of in utero foals who perished through miscarriages or as a consequence of the demise of the dams.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Sequel: Princess Slaughterhouse and the Duke of Doink show their “Ass” or Burro « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Sequel: Princess Slaughterhouse and the Duke of Doink show their “Ass” or Burro « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Before disappearing off into obscurity; the Evil Princess of Wyoming and the Duke of the Kingdom Doink had formulated a plan to raise the numbers of their “Organizations of the Dead Unicorns” from three members to seven.

George Knapp’s I-Team: Nearly 80 Wild Horses Dead After Roundup « Straight from the Horse's Heart

George Knapp’s I-Team: Nearly 80 Wild Horses Dead After Roundup « Straight from the Horse's Heart

LAS VEGAS -- The Calico Hills wild horse roundup has been characterized by the Bureau of Land Management as a huge success. But wild horse advocates say it was a disaster, and one that grows worse every day.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Wild Horses, Young Adults and Fresh Hope for the Future « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Wild Horses, Young Adults and Fresh Hope for the Future « Straight from the Horse's Heart

During “March for Mustangs” in D.C., March 25th there were many, many things that awed and inspired me. From the sheer number of people who attended to the diverse cross section of American society represented during the rally. But perhaps the most subtle and most unexpected surprise was the participation and enthusiasm of the young people. They were there and they were very outspoken and obvious; years before their time.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Wild Horses and Burros Please Take Me Away « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Wild Horses and Burros Please Take Me Away « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Last night I did something that I normally don’t do when I sit down to write, I lost my temper. My wife, Terry, has taught me to think twice before I hit the send key and usually I am pretty good about following that rule. But last night I was so ticked that I couldn’t even see straight.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Captain of NYCPD Mounted Unit Kills 3 Retiring Horses « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Captain of NYCPD Mounted Unit Kills 3 Retiring Horses « Straight from the Horse's Heart

The retirement package that was administered to three solid veterans of the NYPD was a needle to the neck and an early death where they had an easy 10+ years left to reap the rewards of just being a horse. And the Horse’s Ass…no wait, that is an insult to the horses, the piece of horse poop, no…again that is degrading to the fallen equines…the worthless, stinking, pond scum who issued the order should contemplate if he will receive the same loving treatment upon his retirement. We could only hope!

Monday, April 12, 2010

Herd Watch to BLM: “We are Watching!” « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Herd Watch to BLM: “We are Watching!” « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Gone will be the days of covert operations of the BLM slipping a secret round-up in through the back door. No more will we tolerate the poor math, junk science and incorrect numbers. Times are changing and they are changing for the better as “Herd Watch” is coming.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Leading Horse Slaughter Proponent Calls Undercover Video a Fabrication « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Leading Horse Slaughter Proponent Calls Undercover Video a Fabrication « Straight from the Horse's Heart

CHICAGO, (EWA) – The Canadian Horse Defence Coalition (CHDC) recently released hidden camera footage from an investigation that took place at the two largest horse slaughter plants in Canada, Bouvry Exports and Viande Richelieu.

So horrific are the conditions depicted at both plants that they have prompted Bill desBarres, Chairman of the Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada (HWAC) and a long time proponent of horse slaughter, to declare he believes the footage was fabricated by groups opposed to “any animal agriculture”.

Equine Advocates form HERD WATCH to Keep an Eye on Wild Horse Mismanagement « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Equine Advocates form HERD WATCH to Keep an Eye on Wild Horse Mismanagement « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Over the past several months many readers have asked, “How can I help, how can I make a difference in the effort to save our Wild Horses?”

Well now is your chance. Herd Watch is a citizen coalition forming to monitor wild horse herds in an organized effort to create a database that will include range information pre-roundup, monitor the roundup and collect post roundup data of the ranges and remaining herds.

Wild Horse Humane Observer Joins Chorus of Concerned Voices over Skewed BLM Numbers « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Wild Horse Humane Observer Joins Chorus of Concerned Voices over Skewed BLM Numbers « Straight from the Horse's Heart

I must address BLM’s April 8, 2010, “Daily Update.” They admit, because they were outed by the Humane Society’s vet’s comments, that on March 6, a mare and foal died in the birth process. They claim their failure to include this fact in their “Daily Updates” then — or anytime up till now — was an oversight issue. Oh, please..

Grim Remains Discovered at Calico Complex after Wild Horse Round-up « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Grim Remains Discovered at Calico Complex after Wild Horse Round-up « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Pictured, here, are the skeletal remains of a wild horse that became trapped in a BLM cattle guard and died a miserable and agonizing death. Please allow me to share Elyse Gardner’s very words as per her post on the Humane Observer Blog, this day:

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Photo of Willie Nelson Adopted Horse Wins Award « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Photo of Willie Nelson Adopted Horse Wins Award « Straight from the Horse's Heart

HOUSTON (SFTHH) – A photo snapped the first few minutes that a newly adopted horse was released on Willie Nelson’s Texas ranch gained notice at the Equine Ideal 2010 Winter Photo Contest. Sponsored by the Equine Photographers Network the black and white photo titled “First Bite” by Terry Fitch of Magnolia, Texas has won the “Peoples Choice Award”.

In BLM “Speak” One plus One Wild Horse equals Zero Horses « Straight from the Horse's Heart

In BLM “Speak” One plus One Wild Horse equals Zero Horses « Straight from the Horse's Heart

At the conclusion of the bloody helicopter stampede that was called the Calico Round-up we reported that the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) math was highly suspect when it came to accounting for the number of wild horses that were actually on the range. On the day the disastrous round-up ended, February 5th 2010, I wrote the article, “BLM’s Wild Horse Numbers Just Don’t Add Up” highlighting the fact that the number of horses in the Calico complex reported by the BLM pre-roundup didn’t match with what they reported post-roundup.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Willie Nelson: A Clear and Persistent Voice for the American Horse « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Willie Nelson: A Clear and Persistent Voice for the American Horse « Straight from the Horse's Heart

There are many celebrities who lend their names to causes and appear to have conviction and moral fortitude but often times, when things get a little heated, they tuck their tails between their legs and run for cover. But not Willie; question his motives or make an uninformed statement and Mr. Nelson will come out swinging and that’s just what he is doing over the issue of Equine Welfare.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Come Dance with the Horses and Me « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Come Dance with the Horses and Me « Straight from the Horse's Heart

The story that I am about to tell is of a very special horse at the Habitat for Horses ranch named Pete. He was the first horse to come into HfH, bought off the slaughter bound truck at the age of 8 months. The story I heard was that the previous owner wanted him gone so he could put cattle on the pasture.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Monday, April 5, 2010

Horse Slaughter Is Cruel and ‘Bute’ in the Meat Kills Humans « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Horse Slaughter Is Cruel and ‘Bute’ in the Meat Kills Humans « Straight from the Horse's Heart

f you can't persuade them for the right reasons, then scare them with the facts.

A new paper in the journal Food & Chemical Toxicology shows how dangerous American horse meat is for human consumption.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Calico Wild Horses are out of Sight, but not out of Mind « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Calico Wild Horses are out of Sight, but not out of Mind « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Out of sight, out of mind. That's what the BLM is hoping will happen to the captive wild horses from the Calico Mountains. The agency has used the Easter holiday as a rationale for cancelling the usual Sunday public visiting hours, so we're literally in the dark about what's happening behind the closed doors of the 320-are feedlot near Fallon, Nevada.

Landmark Paper Links Bute to Chemical Contamination « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Landmark Paper Links Bute to Chemical Contamination « Straight from the Horse's Heart

HOUSTON, (Horseback) – Decades of USDA studies asserting U.S. and Canadian horse meat as chemically harmless have been branded as bogus by a new peer reviewed scientific study.

WHO’S ON FIRST? « Straight from the Horse's Heart

WHO’S ON FIRST? « Straight from the Horse's Heart

The horse slaughter proponent’s arguments bring to mind the old Abbott and Costello routine because you never really know what they are saying. They talk back and forth to each other with neither, understanding the other or making sense.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Contaminated Horse Meat a Health Risk, According to Study « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Contaminated Horse Meat a Health Risk, According to Study « Straight from the Horse's Heart

CHICAGO, (EWA) – A peer reviewed scientific study tracing race horses sent to slaughter for human consumption has found that 100% of the horses in the study group had been administered phenylbutazone, a banned carcinogen that can also fatally damage the bone marrow of humans. The findings appear to validate the European Union’s recent tightening of traceability requirements on horse meat from third countries.