Straight from the Horse’s Heart 2011 in Review « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Straight from the Horse’s Heart 2011 in Review « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Here’s an excerpt:

London Olympic Stadium holds 80,000 people. This blog was viewed about 600,000 times in 2011. If it were competing at London Olympic Stadium, it would take about 8 sold-out events for that many people to see it.

Equine Welfare Alliance Launches “War Horse” Assault on Three Troubled Political Careers « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Equine Welfare Alliance Launches “War Horse” Assault on Three Troubled Political Careers « Straight from the Horse's Heart

HOUSTON, (Horseback) – The Chicago based Equine Welfare Alliance launched the most sophisticated assault yet against the return of equine slaughterhouses with a 90 screen breakout ad to be shown within 10 minutes of the opening credits of Steven Spielberg’s “War Horse.” The ad campaign will target three Washington politicians who pushed the cancellation of a prohibition against funding horse slaughter inspectors. The targeted ads will run in the districts and states of Georgia Republican Rep. Jack Kingston, Sen. Roy Blunt (R) Missouri, and Wisconsin Democrat Sen. Herb Kohl.

“Real” War Horse Shares Screen with Spielberg’s « Straight from the Horse's Heart

“Real” War Horse Shares Screen with Spielberg’s « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Our first attack on those who betrayed our horses has landed. It will leverage the movie War Horse.

We teamed up with Robin Hutton of the Sgt. Reckless Memorial Fund and today, the ad below will appear on 90 theater screens within 10 minutes of the start of the movie War Horse. The ad will be aired in selected theaters in the following states: North Eastern Georgia, Missouri, Wisconsin, Montana and Wyoming. Why those states, you ask? Very simple – Kingston, Blunt, Kohl, Baucus and Wallis! The ad will run for 30 days.

Pro-Horse Billboard Campaign Gains Ground Against Horse-Eaters « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Pro-Horse Billboard Campaign Gains Ground Against Horse-Eaters « Straight from the Horse's Heart

A provocative billboard along Florida’s Turnpike is getting attention from drivers going through Palm Beach County‘s northern horse country.

The sign, which went up last week about a mile south of Indiantown Road, shows two horses nuzzling each other next to the words “Stop Slaughtering Us!” in red and white slash-style letters

Nonprofit: Feed America's hungry -- and their pets - Local News - Houston, TX - msnbc.com

Nonprofit: Feed America's hungry -- and their pets - Local News - Houston, TX - msnbc.com

Steven Spielberg’s epic drama War Horse opened this week, banking on the raw cinematic power of horses to do what they do so well in their everyday lives: perform brute work for humans and get almost nothing for it.

Horse Eating Minority Attempt to Make a Point « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Horse Eating Minority Attempt to Make a Point « Straight from the Horse's Heart

In our last post we shared with you a letter from an astounding 14 year old young lady, Cheyenne Little, who is actually educated enough and adequately enlightened to the point that she “gets it” when it comes to the cruelty and inhumanity that is at the heart of bloody, predatory horse slaughter. I was both motivated and enthralled when I read what she had written as it was years beyond her time and several levels above the tripe that you get out of the public ramblings on the Horse-Eaters side, I had to pinch myself to remember that this was a fourteen year old speaking out, hats off to Cheyenne; we sure hope that there are a ton more of young folks like you out there as our fight is for you.

14 Year Old Campaigns to Save U.S. Horses « Straight from the Horse's Heart

14 Year Old Campaigns to Save U.S. Horses « Straight from the Horse's Heart

My name is Cheyenne Little, I’m a 14-year-old girl who lives in Grass Valley. You might remember me as the kid who wrote the “More than a little help” article a few months back.

My horse China’s doing great, I’m doing great. But there’s one thing that’s not so great. And I’m asking for the help and support of my community to change that status.

I recently started a petition against the reopening of equine slaughter in the U.S. Before equine slaughter was made illegal in 2007, over 25,000 horses each year were being processed and shipped out of the country for human consumption.

Download Steven Spielberg Pro-Horse Flyer « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Download Steven Spielberg Pro-Horse Flyer « Straight from the Horse's Heart

“In this day, people don’t have exposure, they don’t have interaction with horses. I hope this movie [War Horse] makes people appreciate the innate and natural intelligence of horses. And I also hope this movie brings an aware- ness to the plight of horses both after World War I and the plight today in a very sad turn of events in which the slaughtering of horses is being permitted for food as a renewed export industry, which makes us all very sad.”

- Steven Spielberg

Double Talk and Dancing: BLM Can’t Spin Fast Enough « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Double Talk and Dancing: BLM Can’t Spin Fast Enough « Straight from the Horse's Heart

On December 7^th, 2011 (Pearl Harbor Day) the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a report on an internal investigation put forward to supply a response to a Federal Judge presiding over a law suit alleging inhumane care and treatment of wild horses and burros from helicopter roundups all the way to long-term holding and the one and only singular plaintiff in that case was and still is Ms. Laura Leigh, Vice President of the Wild Horse Freedom Federation (WHFF). Sitting alone in a Reno Nevada Federal courtroom with her attorney Gordon Cowen and the backing of WHFF Leigh came before the Honorable Judge McKibben and stated her case regarding the observed acts of alleged cruelty displayed by the BLM and their contractors against the country’s wild horses and burros as they were rounded up on protected public land.

Everything You Wanted to Know about “War Horse” but were Afraid Ask « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Everything You Wanted to Know about “War Horse” but were Afraid Ask « Straight from the Horse's Heart

As of late it has been a difficult ride for the horses of the United States of American, both domestic and wild. From the gaff of language being stripped from an Ag bill that defunded horse slaughter plant inspections and then signed by the President to the rapid, cruel and possibly unlawful trapping and removal of protected wild horses and burros from public lands by Obama’s BLM; things have been bleak and looked like they were heading south, until…enter stage left, Steven Spielberg with his latest epic film War Horse. If ever the American public needed to be informed on the plight of the American horse it is now and Mr. Spielberg just opened up that conversation on Christmas Day.

Video: A Christmas Wish of Good Cheer from China « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Video: A Christmas Wish of Good Cheer from China « Straight from the Horse's Heart

For the safety and security of my wife, Terry, and our ranch I rarely divulge my location, travel plans or activities. But being that it is Christmas I will open up and transparently report that I am not at home with Terry nor am I even in the United States of America on this Christmas Day. I am on the other-side of the world with our sister nation, China, and sharing our Western Christmas traditions with our Chinese friends.

The Wild Horse and Burro Christmas « Straight from the Horse's Heart

The Wild Horse and Burro Christmas « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Twas the night before Christmas on our public land,
Not a Mustang was stirring, knowing what was at hand.
They huddled in fear hoping someone would care,
In hopes that the advocates soon would be there.

Disturbing Video Prompts Calls for Ban on Horse Slaughter in Canada « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Disturbing Video Prompts Calls for Ban on Horse Slaughter in Canada « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Animal advocacy groups are calling for a ban on the sale of horse meat after disturbing video emerged from a Quebec slaughterhouse showing horses being knocked unconscious before they are butchered.

One of the videos, shot with a hidden camera in Les Viandes de la Petite Nation in western Quebec, shows an agitated-looking horse standing in a small stall.

Lobbyists Work Through Holidays To Block Humane Legislation « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Lobbyists Work Through Holidays To Block Humane Legislation « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Lobbyist Charlie Stenholm has been working hard since before Thanksgiving. First, there was his Opinion piece in The Washington Times blasting proposed legislation protecting circus elephants, tigers and zebras from abuse—something that would hurt his client, Ringling Brothers.

Then, there was the push to get horse slaughter inspection bans reversed, which was accomplished a week later by three U.S. lawmakers who quietly revised a long-overdue spending bill behind closed doors.

Infamous Wyoming Equine Terrorist Has Head Up Horse’s Butt, Again « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Infamous Wyoming Equine Terrorist Has Head Up Horse’s Butt, Again « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Well America, the scourge of our society and the symbol of all that is wrong with our political system has firmly planted her over inflated head right up the arse of her fictional unwanted horse, again.

“Slaughterhouse” Sue Wallis is spouting words of stupidity and fiction as she has announced to her handful of unenlightened cultists that Ginger Katherns and all of the rest of us who litigate against BLM injustice are parasites as we are spending U.S. tax dollars via the use of Equal Access to Justice Funds to finance our legal actions. All I can say is I WISH! Our suits are brought forward with our OWN personal funds and the kind donations of other tax paying, decent Americans…something Wallis would know nothing about. Too busy with plans for equine carnage and abuse she bathes herself in the blood of the horses and uses it as a mask while she doles out massive doses of misinformation and blatant lies to her groveling worshipers. It is enough to sicken the average soul and truly an ugly blemish upon the morale fabric of America. This reject from a class B horror film is enough to try the patience of Satan himself.

The Unwanted Puffball Coalition « Straight from the Horse's Heart

The Unwanted Puffball Coalition « Straight from the Horse's Heart

“The mission of the Unwanted Puffball Coalition is to reduce the number of unwanted fluffy white dogs (Puffballs) and to improve their welfare by education, buying politicians and planting false stories in the press, combined with the efforts of organizations who say publicly that they are committed to the health, safety, and responsible care but are really interested in the profitable disposition of these creatures.”

How Many Congressmen Does It Take To Screw A Horse? « Straight from the Horse's Heart

How Many Congressmen Does It Take To Screw A Horse? « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Only three. This is the number it took to remove language from an agriculture appropriations spending bill on November 18, reversing a five-year ban on horsemeat inspections. The culprits? Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI), Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA). Their strategy? The old closed-door-session-on-Capitol-Hill trick.

Horse Slaughter Not Welcome in Texas, Again « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Horse Slaughter Not Welcome in Texas, Again « Straight from the Horse's Heart

When it comes to the issue of horse slaughter, the Star-Telegram’s Monday editorial got one thing right: The American people, and Texans in particular, love their horses — but because they are trusted companions, not dinner.

Action Alert: Your Help Needed to Protect the Pryor Mustangs « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Action Alert: Your Help Needed to Protect the Pryor Mustangs « Straight from the Horse's Heart

The BLM is proposing another significant removal of wild horses on the Pryor Mountains. I know. Just when you thought it was safe… they’re back!

BLM’s recently released Environmental Assessment (EA) seeks to remove via bait trapping and potentially water trapping, 30 young Pryor mustangs, ages 1-3 years. Bait and/or water trapping could begin as early as mid-January. Comments are due by January 6, 2012. We urge you to comment and to support the NO Action Alternative, the only alternative that keeps a viable population of horses on the mountain

Horsemeat is Big Business « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Horsemeat is Big Business « Straight from the Horse's Heart

When Barack Obama signed the 2012 Agriculture Appropriations Bill on Nov. 18, it opened a door for the renewed slaughter of over 100,000 horses per year on American soil. Some of the president’s most ardent loyalists felt personally betrayed by this move because Obama had initially supported the 2009 Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (H.R. 503) which outlawed the transportation or purchase of horses for the intent of human consumption.

Profile: For the Love of Wild Horses « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Profile: For the Love of Wild Horses « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Laura Leigh’s 1998 Ford Explorer is coated in a fine alkaline dust. Sometimes caustic, it makes eyes water and noses bleed when kicked up while driving endless miles of bumpy, unpaved desert road.

Scrawled in the dust of one window is “NO MORE RHETORIC!” — the war cry of a woman who’s been working out of her truck for the past two years to monitor the Bureau of Land Management‘s wild horse roundups.

Mystery Surrounding Abandoned Horses Finally Solved « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Mystery Surrounding Abandoned Horses Finally Solved « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Chicago (EWA) – A six month investigation by the EWA and other animal investigation organizations has finally determined the predominant source of abandoned horses in the Southwestern US. The findings show that most or all of more than 5,000 horses a year are being abandoned after being rejected for slaughter at the Mexican border.

An Equine Christmas Story: We Were There « Straight from the Horse's Heart

An Equine Christmas Story: We Were There « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Today is Sunday, precisely one week before Christmas so I tender for you, this day, an original equine related Christmas story. But today’s story tugs at my personal heart-strings with more vigor than necessary. This tale was written several years ago, immediately after the loss of my German Shepherd companion, Nikki. With her passing many creatures were living with a gap in their hearts, this feeling does not only apply to humans but to our animal companions as well. Her partner in arms and constant friend was Terry’s good buddy, Kenny, a massive white Shepherd that cried, howled and looked for Nikki weeks after her departure. The story that follows was one I wrote as Kenny and I tried to find our way through our sadness and grief and is forever alive in our book “Straight from the Horse’s Heart“. The hole is still there but both of us learned to live with it, except that today the hole in my heart is much wider as our good friend and trusty companion, Kenny, crossed over the bridge on Friday, December 16th 2011. We miss him, even the horses wonder where the evening guardian is that watched over the barn while they ate…it is now so empty without the bouncing, forever happy German Shepherd.

The Shame of the BLM « Straight from the Horse's Heart

The Shame of the BLM « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Forty years ago this week, the American people spoke with one voice on an issue that clearly touched the heart of the nation. The Wild Horse and Burro Act was signed into law, over the objections of the powerful cattle industry. Congress was flooded with more letters and telegrams about wild mustangs than for any other issue save the Vietnam War. They insisted that wild horses must be preserved on public lands. That demand became law.

Think Our Wild Horses Are Safe? « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Think Our Wild Horses Are Safe? « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Forty years ago this Saturday, on December 17, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon was moved to quote Henry David Thoreau. “We need the tonic of wildness,” the president announced in a statement released from Biscayne Bay, Florida, on the day he signed into law the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, the first federal law designed to protect and manage our wild horses. Nixon wrote that the new law was “an effort to guarantee [the] future” of the horses. and he credited grassroots public support for the political impetus behind the measure.

BLM Targets Famous Wild Stallion Cloud’s Babies « Straight from the Horse's Heart

BLM Targets Famous Wild Stallion Cloud’s Babies « Straight from the Horse's Heart

BILLINGS, Mont. (Dec. 16, 2011) – The Montana Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Billings Field Office issued a Preliminary Environment Assessment outlining plans to strip at least half of the young wild horses from the Pryor Mountains in 2012. The BLM preferred alternative would result in a loss of 20% of the herd and 50% of the young horses, ages one-three, in order to reach their Appropriate Management Level (AML) of 90-120 set in the Herd Management Area Plan (HMAP) of 2009.

Italian Horse Group Exposes Dangers of Imported U.S. Horse Meat « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Italian Horse Group Exposes Dangers of Imported U.S. Horse Meat « Straight from the Horse's Heart

In the USA there is no differentiation between FPA (Food Producing Animal) and non-FPA equidae; horses are simply not considered as part of the food chain. US’ horses are slaughtered in Canada and Mexico (and perhaps in the USA re-starting in 2012). Horse meat is exported primarily to Europe (France, Belgium, Italy and Germany are the main horse-meat eating countries). The significant point here is therefore that any horse, not being considered part of the food chain, can be treated with any and all drugs which the vet – or indeed simply the owner – considers necessary, with no formal requirements to observe or fulfil.

Wild Horse and Burro Prayer of Thanks « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Wild Horse and Burro Prayer of Thanks « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Yesterday, December 15th 2011th, was the fortieth year anniversary of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burro Act and thousands, if not millions, of compassionate equine advocates were lighting candles in memory of all the wild horses and burros who have lost either their lives or their freedom since the law first went into effect. Diluted, twisted and bastardized by multiple administrations for the sake of special interest profits the very horses and burros that the law intended to protect are now hunted, abused and removed from their rightful land by they very federal agency that was charged to protect them. How have we gone so terribly wrong?

Obama Administration Issues Impotent Horse Slaughter Commentary « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Obama Administration Issues Impotent Horse Slaughter Commentary « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Frustrated by a “do nothing” Congress full of posturing, self-righteous old farts who couldn’t broker a simple business deal if their lives depended upon it? Sick of seeing the feds piss your hard-earned money away while you can’t get a single elected official to acknowledge your existence let alone actually listen to what you are saying? Tired of broken promises, dashed hopes and the death of the American Dream? Well we have some good news for you; the President of Change has now officially been inducted into the hall of “Do Nothing” with special honors for being a self-serving, narrow minding, promise breaking twit. And we are surprised, why?

BLM Abuse Continues at Nevada Roundup « Straight from the Horse's Heart

BLM Abuse Continues at Nevada Roundup « Straight from the Horse's Heart

RENO, Nev. (Dec. 13, 2011) – During the helicopter roundup of wild horses and burros in the Calico Complex of northwestern Nevada last Thursday, Ginger Kathrens, director of the Cloud Foundation, filmed the hotshotting of a group of 10 burros that had been captured and were being loaded into a stock trailer by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) contractors, Sun J Livestock.

Wild Horse Advocates Recommend BLM Follow Own Findings « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Wild Horse Advocates Recommend BLM Follow Own Findings « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Just days after releasing the results of an internal investigation on allegations and ongoing legal action noting “inhumane conduct” in the handling of wild horses and burros the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has come under pressure to immediately implement the very procedures for “humane care” that their own findings recommend.

Laura Leigh, VP of Wild Horse Freedom Federation (WHFF) and founder of Wild Horse Education (WHE) has released a detailed, point-by-point analysis of the BLM’s report and along with WHFF’s president, R.T. Fitch, is calling for the BLM to move forward with implementing appropriate humane procedures prior to the ruling to be handed down by a U.S. District Judge on Leigh’s case against the BLM over the very same issue.

Holiday for Healing « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Holiday for Healing « Straight from the Horse's Heart

It’s Sunday and time for a little respite from the fight; but today our story actually takes you to a small skirmish within the battle to save our wild horses and burros, a story right to the heart of the problem and the soul of those who are fighting the battle.

Horse of a Different Color « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Horse of a Different Color « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Last week the BLM issued a report on an internal investigation into on going allegations of inhumane treatment of wild horses taking place during their controversial helicopter roundups. The internal panel was split on the issue of what constitutes inhumane care and handling but landed on multiple issues of inappropriate behavior by both BLM employees and their hired federal roundup contractors. Overall, the report is just a heartbeat away from admitting wrongdoing but what gives, here? Why this report, why the split of the team and why offer to generate some form of humane standards when handling wild horses and burros from roundup to long-term holding? Why now?

WHFF “Humane” Wild Horse Case Goes International « Straight from the Horse's Heart

WHFF “Humane” Wild Horse Case Goes International « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Incidents of aggressive handling of wild horses have been acknowledged in a Bureau of Land Management report into Triple B muster in Nevada.

BLM Responds to Wild Horse Litigation « Straight from the Horse's Heart

BLM Responds to Wild Horse Litigation « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) personnel and contractors involved in wild horse gathers should receive clear instructions on what constitutes humane horse handling, according to a panel appointed to review procedures during a controversial mustang round-up which took place in Nevada earlier this year.

Breaking News: BLM Issues Report on Inhumane Wild Horse Roundup Allegations « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Breaking News: BLM Issues Report on Inhumane Wild Horse Roundup Allegations « Straight from the Horse's Heart

HOUSTON, (WHFF) – Today the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the long awaited report on their internal investigation into allegations of inhumane treatment in connection with the Triple B wild horse roundup that occurred in Nevada during July and August of this year.

Pro-Horse Movement on a Roll « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Pro-Horse Movement on a Roll « Straight from the Horse's Heart

As all of you equine advocates are aware, the past several weeks have not been the best for our companion, four-legged friends, the American horse. Between the roar of helicopter blades and the gavel of Congress there has been a full-scale war waged upon the benevolent friend of all Americans, the horse, but please take heart…we are NOT going away. In fact, we are becoming more galvanized by the second, hence, the lack of a lot of news coming out of SFTHH. We are busy.

California Rodeo Company Shipping Horses to Slaughter in Mexico « Straight from the Horse's Heart

California Rodeo Company Shipping Horses to Slaughter in Mexico « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Following a USDA/IES investigation and dismissal of Animals’ Angels’ concerns that horse trader David Misner may have violated California law by knowingly selling and shipping California horses that were then sent to slaughter, the most basic questions remain:

Pasture to Plate: Congressional Christmas Gift to the U.S. « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Pasture to Plate: Congressional Christmas Gift to the U.S. « Straight from the Horse's Heart

“Warning – this report and associated videos included are graphic in nature. This Canadian Horse Slaughter Plant has been touted as the most humane plant in the world. It is what several rouge politicians and big AG lobbyists want to see on U.S. soil as they brainwash the American public. Lies, corruption, falsified paperwork and blatant inhumanity surround the predatory business of horse slaughter and there has been, is not nor never will be anything “humane” about it. We are smarter than this and better than than this. This brand of cruelty cannot be allowed back onto U.S. soil. The sold-out politicians have to go. Again, proceed at your own risk!” ~ R.T.

The Force of the Horse: Because of Love « Straight from the Horse's Heart

The Force of the Horse: Because of Love « Straight from the Horse's Heart

It is Sunday and once again time to catch our breath and reflect on why it is we do what we do as we charge forward in our battle to better the welfare of our equine companions, both domestic and wild. And being that we have rushed into the Holiday season, with little fanfare or warning, I would like to submit for your reading refreshment a story that appeared in my inbox, this morning. Likewise, we published this story last year and it, too, was submitted by another kind and caring reader.

For the Horses: Occupy Obama’s Phone AND Fax Line « Straight from the Horse's Heart

For the Horses: Occupy Obama’s Phone AND Fax Line « Straight from the Horse's Heart

“As a tax-paying American I demand that President Obama live up to his campaign promises and immediately sign an Executive Order prohibiting predatory horse slaughter in the United States and to ban the cruel transportation of American horses to slaughter across our borders.”

Call President Obama on Promise to Stop Horse Slaughter « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Call President Obama on Promise to Stop Horse Slaughter « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Here at WHFF volunteer headquarters we are besieged with emails, calls, press interviews on the atrocity of 3 Congressman covertly working to bring foreign owned horse slaughter plants to the United States and we, have had enough. To echo our good friends at the Equine Welfare Alliance we are tired of mailing, faxing, calling our legislators only to get back canned and condescending responses, we are MAD and mad enough to do something about it, TODAY!

Equine Advocates Take Horse Slaughter Debate To Air Waves « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Equine Advocates Take Horse Slaughter Debate To Air Waves « Straight from the Horse's Heart

HOUSTON – The horse-flesh back of the Fitch’s Magnolia home is considered “family”.

No question about it.

“All four of these guys were throw away horses,” said Terry Fitch as she kissed a nuzzling gelding.

Even the possibility their “friends” could some day reach a dinner table in Belgium or France has spurred a need for the Fitch’s to fight.