Horse Forum

[ posted by Helyn, 29.10.09 14:07 ]

Proposed Government Accountability Office Study of Unwanted Horse Issue

On August 4, the Senate passed its version of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (H.R.2997). This bill provides funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Senate Appropriations Committee Report (111-39) accompanying this legislation directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the status of horse welfare as it relates to the closing of horse processing plants in the United States.

The House passed its version of the USDA appropriations bill on July 9, 2009. There is no provision in the House package seeking a GAO study.

GAO Study

The GAO is an independent federal agency that Congress often turns to for reports and analysis of important issues. GAO evaluates federal programs and policies; and provides analyses, recommendations, and other data to help Congress make informed oversight, policy, and funding decisions.

The AHC supports this GAO study. Currently, there is little hard data on this issue. Such a study could provide valuable information to the horse industry as it deals with the unwanted horse issue.

The Senate legislation directs the GAO to study the following issues.

How the horse industry has responded to the closure of U.S. horse slaughter facilities in terms of both the numbers of horse sales, exports, adoptions, or abandonments; the implications these changes have had on farm income and trade; the extent to which horses in the United States are slaughtered for any purpose; any impacts to State and local governments and animal protection organizations; how the Department oversees the transport of horses destined for slaughter in foreign countries, particularly Canada and Mexico; the manner in which the Department coordinates with the Department of the Interior and State governments to assist them in identifying, holding and transporting unwanted horses for foreign export; and general conclusions regarding the welfare of horses as a result of a ban on horse slaughter for human consumption.

The Committee language directs the GAO to issue its report by March 1, 2010.

Next Congressional Steps

The House and Senate will now have to reconcile the differences between the two versions of the bill through a conference committee that includes representatives of both the House and Senate. That committee will be meeting after Labor Day to decide if the GAO study will be part of the final appropriations bill and its accompanying conference committee report.

The AHC supports this GAO study and will be contacting its member organizations shortly seeking grassroots support urging the conference committee to include the GAO study in the final conference report.

If you have any questions, please contact the AHC.

1616 H Street NW 7th Floor • Washington, DC 20006 • Office: 202-296-4031 • Fax: 202-296-1970

[ posted by http://www.hopeforhorses.net, 02.11.09 18:52 ]

Hope For Horses is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization registered to do business in Washington State. For nearly ten years, we have championed humane care of all equines through legislation, investigation, assistance in impoundment, rehabilitation, education, and outreach.

[ posted by Helyn, 28.11.09 11:09 ]

Eighty-four horses seized from Tennessee ranch

November 26, 2009

These horses were among many found on a Cannon County property in Tennessee.

All 84 rescued horses are now in a temporary shelter until permanent homes can be found.


Once neglected and in poor health, these horses are well on their way to a better life. © Karla Goodson/The HSUS

Eighty-four horses have been seized in Tennessee in a joint rescue operation involving the Cannon County Sheriff's Department and the Humane Society of the United States.
The horses were seized by the Sheriff's Department on Tuesday due to signs of neglect and poor health. All are now in a temporary shelter until permanent homes can be found.

Rescuers also removed seven dogs, two goats and two chickens from the property. The animals were all in poor condition.

The owners signed all the animals over to the society at the end of the day's rescue operation.

"This rescue came not a moment too soon for the animals, including 84 horses struggling to survive," said Scotlund Haisley, senior director of emergency services with the society.

"There's no excuse for starving or neglecting an animal. It is the responsibility of every horse owner to provide humane, responsible care for their horses at all stages of their life."

When rescuers arrived on the 100-acre Bradyville property, they found many Tennessee Walking Horses and Spotted Saddle Horses, as well as quarter horses.

The society said many of the horses were emaciated and suffering from a variety of medical ailments including overgrown, infected hooves and parasite infestation.

Rescuers also found several dead horses on the scene, with one report suggesting there were 15.

Members of the public had alerted local police to the situation, the society said.

The sheriff's department sought the help of the humane society, which called in United Animal Nations to provide sheltering support and Volunteer Equine Advocates to help with animal handling and transport.

Invaluable help was also provided by officials from the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, who provided a stable to be used as an emergency shelter.

Rescuers removed the horses to the fairgrounds where they were checked by veterinarians and given any necessary immediate medical care.

Charges are expected in the case.

Haisley, said: "We found Tennessee Walking Horses, Spotted Saddle Horses, quarter horses and other cross-breeds roaming the property and overcrowded in a dank barn.

"Almost all of the horses were shockingly thin-more like taut skin pulled over a skeletal frame than the robust, lively creatures they should have been.

"Many hung their heads in apparent weakness and stood motionless on thin, wobbly legs. Some of the stronger horses eagerly vacuumed down mounds of fresh hay that had been laid out by rescuers."

Haisley said the operation gained another victory at the end of the day.

"After discussing the issue with the sheriff's department, the property owner has decided to surrender all of the animals," Haisley said.

"This is a huge weight off of our shoulders, as custody will immediately be signed over to HSUS.

"We can now focus on stabilising these horses and placing them with rescue groups in the area. This puts us one step closer to our final goal of finding responsible, loving homes for all of these formerly neglected animals."

[ posted by Helyn, 10.12.09 12:26 ]

NYRA Adopts Tough Anti-Slaughter Policy

By Jason Shandler

The New York Racing Association has announced an anti-slaughter policy that introduces harsh penalties to offending horsemen while encouraging them to support horse rescue and adoption initiatives.

The newly created policy, announced in a Dec. 10 release, is as follows:
Any owner or trainer stabled at a NYRA track found to have directly or indirectly sold a horse for slaughter will have his or her stalls permanently revoked from all NYRA tracks. NYRA requires its horsemen to conduct due diligence on those buying horses and encourages them to support rescue and adoption efforts and to find humane ways of dealing with horses unable to continue racing.
“We are fully committed to protecting our sport’s equine athletes,� said NYRA president and CEO Charles Hayward. “This policy sends the message that horse slaughter will not be tolerated and that those participating in this practice, either knowingly or for lack of due diligence, will not be welcome at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, or Saratoga.�
In addition to its stance against horse slaughter, NYRA also supports numerous equine retirement, anti-slaughter, and research organizations, and has made donations to the following organizations within the past year:
• Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation – Mission to save thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete on the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse and slaughter.
• Columbia Green Humane Society - Dedicated to the protection, humane treatment and well being of all animals.
• Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation – Committed to the advancement of research to enhance the health and soundness of horses of all breeds.
• Exceller Fund – Providing a future beyond the finish line, the Exceller Fund works to transition thoroughbred horses to a second career off the track.
Diana Pikulski, the executive director of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, added this:
"This policy is important because it makes everybody involved with a horse aware that they need to plan for its retirement and educate themselves about the options.
"It is also significant that NYRA, NYTHA, the NY Riders and The Jockey Club have already donated $100,000 for retirement in NY and committed themselves to developing a long term plan for retirement funding. We have had several follow up meetings to develop that plan and all the parties have participated."