Tag Archives: Equine Protection

Breeds, Wild Horse Sources

Help Protect Cloud and His Herd

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Submit a response letter to BLM scoping notice

Lynx, in Cloud's band, could be removed next year as a yearling.

Dear Friends of Cloud, his family, and herd;
The time is rapidly drawing to a close for you to be submit your letter to help prevent another removal in Cloud’s herd in 2012. I know you all care deeply for Cloud and his family, just as I do, and it is of vital importance that we all stand together to help the Pryor herd. It is therefore of the upmost importance that you submit a letter in your own writing to the BLM Billings Field Office postmarked by August 30th.

We’ve written our letter, which you can read here. I encourage you to take a look at it, and use it to help you with your own letter if you haven’t written yours already. You can also read over some talking points to help you get started. A reminder that BLM is not accepting emailed comments (we crashed their server last time!), so you can mail them yourself to the address below or you can email them to us at info@thecloudfoundation.org and we will mail them for you. You can also fax your comments to (406) 896-5281. Although we are all frustrated that this unique little herd is continually being threatened, please remember to be polite.

I hope you will all take a moment to help Cloud and the Pryor herd. Thanks so much!

Happy Trails!
Ginger

You can mail your letters to:
Jim Sparks, Field Manager
BLM Billings Field Office
5001 Southgate Drive
Billings, MT 59101

*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Wild Horse Sources

Pryor Scoping Letter Issued

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BLM Seeks Another Removal in Cloud’s Herd

Little Lynx. Photos (C) The Cloud Foundation

Dear Friends of Cloud, his family, and herd;
The BLM Billings Field Office mailed a Scoping Letter to interested parties on July 28th, stating their intent to reach an “Appropriate” Management Level (AML) of 90-120 adult wild horses, one year of age and older in the Pryor Mountains. If they carry out this plan 45 to as many as 75 horses would be removed in 2012. We cannot allow this to happen.

Our position is clear — there is absolutely no need for any removals.

It is important that you respond to an action which would threaten the continued existence of the Pryor Wild Horse Herd. Please write a factual letter to the BLM using some of the information provided here. Remember that BLM will not consider your response unless it is clearly your message — no copying of the list supplied here. Please use your own words to communicate your polite outrage at such an unwarranted proposal.

You will note in our list of recommended response topics, the support of PZP, the one-year infertility drug. This comes as a departure for TCF. However, the remotely delivered drug given at the correct time of year has reduced the foal population and it has given us a good argument to fight for no removals. We still strongly believe in the long-range goal of natural management without helicopters or bait traps or drugs. We see PZP as a means to an end, and that end is a hands off strategy in which Mother Nature calls the shots as much as possible.

Continue reading Pryor Scoping Letter Issued →

Breeds, Rescue/Protection Sources

Welfare Ranchers Call Mustang Advocates “Hysterical”

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August 9, 2011 – Chicago (EWA) – The Progressive Rancher Magazine has issued a response to the article in Time Magazine on the Madeleine Pickens proposed wild horse sanctuary. It is ironic that the response accuses equine advocates of “misrepresentations and distortions” of truth but is full of the authors’ own misrepresentations and distorted truth.

The story, which was not available online, was immediately distributed in a press release by Sue Wallis of United Horsemen LLC., a staunch horse slaughter supporter and opponent of wild equine preservation.

Many western ranchers are licensed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to graze cattle on public lands for token fees well below the government’s administrative costs, leading opponents of the practice to refer to them as “welfare ranchers”. Since welfare ranchers on public lands are one of the driving forces behind the removals of America’s wild horses and burros, it came as no surprise that such a magazine would distort the truth to further their agenda for more removals.

Such is the widespread sense of entitlement in this community that they exhibit outright anger at having to share public lands they feel should be solely for the use of their privately owned livestock that currently outnumber mustangs by at least 50 to 1.

The article quotes long-time equine advocate, Willis Lamm, in an attempt to discredit all information from equine advocates. In response, Lamm commented, “It’s ironic that Sue Wallis, who along with her group that I have long considered to be included among those Hysteria Corps, laptop experts and self-promoters, would be so careless as to publish my criticisms of their very actions in her press release.”

Continue reading Welfare Ranchers Call Mustang Advocates “Hysterical” →

Wild Horse Sources

Mustang Monument Receives One Million Dollar Donation from Nevadan Couple

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Photo by: Marian Umhoefer - Review Journal

We are delighted to announce that Nevada residents, Stacie and Charles Mathewson, generously donated one million dollars to the Saving America’s Mustangs’ Wild Horse Eco-Preserve, Mustang Monument!

Charles Mathewson is the former president and chief executive officer of International Gaming Technology and recipient of the 2011 Governor’s Philanthropist of the Year. He and his wife, Stacie, have been notably philanthropic to many respected causes in Nevada. The Saving America’s Mustangs Foundation is honored to be chosen to receive such a substantial gift from them.

“We are over the moon to have received such support and generosity from our friends. It’s been really exciting to see so many Americans committed to Saving America’s Mustangs and our western heritage,” said Madeleine Pickens. Their significant contribution will facilitate growth and continued progress with the development at Mustang Monument.

Additionally, SAM has received so much encouragement from thousands of other residents in Nevada who excitedly await the grand opening of Mustang Monument. Communities are recognizing the positive impact that the eco-preserve will have on not only the wild mustangs, but also with our American culture.

Together, we will all provide a better life for our beloved American mustangs and our western heritage!

Saving America’s Mustangs

Events, FEI, Western/Reining

FEI Reining Committee Agrees New Rules Structure

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Lausanne (SUI), 2 August 2011 – The FEI Reining Committee has now completed its work on a total revision of the Rules structure for the discipline. The proposed amendments will be sent to National Federations for full consultation before they are voted on at the FEI General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro (BRA) in November prior to implementation on 1 January 2012.

The FEI set up three working groups in January of this year to conduct a full review of the discipline, addressing all aspects of the sport, including rules and veterinary issues.

The proposed new Rules include a ruling that prevents any organisation that does not fully comply with FEI Rules and Regulations from running competitions in conjunction with FEI Reining Events.

The new Rules will cover training and warm-up methods used at FEI Events for sliding stops, spins and backing. Also included in the revisions are new Rules covering:

•    Types of bits allowed
•    Types of spurs allowed
•    Education of Officials
•    Minimum number of Stewards required at Events

Continue reading FEI Reining Committee Agrees New Rules Structure →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa, USEF

USA Equestrian Trust Awards Nearly $200,000 in 2011 Grants

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More Than Half of Grants Given to USEF to Support Equine Health Research and Youth

July 27 — Lexington, KY — Every year USA Equestrian Trust provides grants to equine non-profits.  This year a total of $198,822 was awarded to 10 projects.  More than 61 percent of 2011 grant funds went to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) with the bulk of that going to its Equine Health Research Fund, which coordinates research to benefit all equine breeds and disciplines.  Other monies went to programs of merit to help people with disabilities, create or expand educational opportunities for both people and horses, and preserve historical landmarks or the land used by our horses.

All of the USEF grant proposals that USAET received were funded.  Of special note is the money given to support the U.S. Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup team proposal.  Monies given will help reduce the amount participants will have to pay thus expanding the number of talented Saddle Seat Equitation riders who can now afford to try out to be a member of the U.S. team.

Those projects awarded grants were as follows:

CAMP HORSEABILITY ($15,200) is a program that offers riders with special needs competitive show opportunities similar to those available to typical riders.  This grant will help defray the expenses needed to cover the costs for a team of fifteen riders with disabilities who compete in the Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities (LIHSSRD).  Riders compete in a series of eight shows culminating with the finals at the Hampton Classic Horse Show.

Continue reading USA Equestrian Trust Awards Nearly $200,000 in 2011 Grants →

Breeds, Media/Radio/TV Sources, Wild Horse Sources

Madeleine Pickens Shares Her Story with the Horse Radio Network

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July 13, 2011. Lexington, Kentucky, USA: The Horse Radio Network’s (HRN) Jamie Jennings and Helena Bee join together as part of the Women of HOPE series to bring you an incredible interview with Madeleine Pickens. This interview will air in a two part series on Thursday, July 14, 2011 and Friday July 15, 2011 on the live HORSES IN THE MORNING show at www.horsesinthemorning.com or on a smart phone at www.horsesinthemorning.mobi. Plus, it will be played in its entirety on Friday on the recorded Stable Scoop Radio Show at www.stablescoop.com.

Heartfelt. Overcoming. Passionate. Inspiring. Four words that sum up Madeleine Pickens and her efforts to change the way Americans treat one of our most beloved national symbols; the mustang. Madeleine Pickens is no stranger to challenges, and she is a role model for horse girls and women everywhere. She is the epitome of the successful businesswoman, a wife, mother and grandmother, a Thoroughbred racehorse owner, an animal welfare activist, philanthropist, and author. But above all, she is an American woman who is heartfelt, overcoming obstacles, passionate, and inspiring.

For example, Madeleine and her husband, Boone Pickens, led the fight to close the last horse slaughterhouse in the United States. Their work resulted in the passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act by the United States House of Representatives. During the disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, the Pickens donated $7 million to the Red Cross to aid the people of the city of New Orleans.

After the Bureau of Land Management announced in 2008 that the United States government was considering euthanasia and/or selling more than 30,000 wild mustangs to slaughterhouses overseas, Madeleine Pickens announced plans to develop a one million acre (4,000 km²) sanctuary for the horses. She did exactly that. It’s called Mustang Monument, and it is beyond a dream come true for anyone who appreciates the presence of these simple, yet stunning equines.

The Horse Radio Network (HRN) – the Voice of the Horse World – is the pioneer and leader in equine related online horse radio. With a variety of different shows from the serious to the sublime, the Horse Radio Network is your entertaining and informative source for everything horse. Listen to any of the nine popular shows on the network at www.horseradionetwork.com.

Awards, Benefits, Community/Charity, Conferences, Equestrian Aid Found., WHIN, Wild Horse Sources

Willie Nelson and Family Win WHINNY Awards

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Nashville, TN – July 12, 2011 – It’s become not only a mission with a passion, but one that has members of the Nelson family standing up and doing whatever they can to stop the slaughter of horses.

Willie Nelson has been an advocate against the slaughter of wild horses for years and of the almost 70 horses he owns, 25-30 were rescued directly from slaughter. He believes it’s our job to protect them and makes it a point to support many of the groups that work in this area. His passion and advocacy
is being shared by his family.

His daughter Amy and granddaughter Raelyn have joined in the fight testifying against the slaughter of horses and are making it a point to work with the State of Tennessee’s legislative branch to keep the dialog about any laws concerning these issues open.

“Here’s another great example of someone with high visibility taking the time to support this cause and who brings along not only his family but thousands of fans around the world to join him. There’s a reason why people like Willie Nelson. The man shows his dedication to horses and doing the right thing every day of his life. Willie definitely walks the talk,” states WHIA Executive Director, Catherine Masters.

The Whinnys are an awards program set up by the Women’s Horse Industry Association. The awards will be given out on October 6 in Nashville, Tennessee at the Rhythm and Hooves benefit to save horses. The event will raise funds for three equine charities: The Cloud Foundation, The Equestrian Aid Foundation and NetPosse.com. The benefit will be a part of the WHIA’s Annual conference (October 6-8 at the Radisson Hotel Opryland) where women in the horse industry will gather to exchange information and business.

For additional information on the WHIA and its upcoming conference and benefit, please visit Women’s Horse Industry or call 615-730-7833.

Rescue/Protection Sources

The True Unintended Consequences of Horse Slaughter

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Over the years, we’ve written about the nonsensical arguments used by those in support of horse slaughter. We’ve scratched our heads and wondered why seemingly intelligent people would use the most illogical, ill-conceived arguments and ridiculous euphemisms like “horse harvesting” to try to sway public opinion to embrace horse slaughter.

Time after time horse advocates have exposed the horrendous cruelty involved in the industry in ways that were completely indisputable. Yet, slaughter proponents steadfastly insist on calling the process “euthanasia” which of course means “good death”, the very polar opposite of what the gruesome evidence shows.

Animal Agriculture organizations, from turkey growers to pork producers, have always been tacitly opposed to banning horse slaughter on the flimsy supposition that it would lead down a slippery slope toward the banning of all meat production.

Unlike slaughter supporters who throw out unsubstantiated statistics and comments, we are always under a microscope. We must have our facts, figures and sources straight before going to press. We have consistently had enough research and data to resink the Titanic but more often than not, we have been unable to break the stronghold on the press by our opponents.

Continue reading The True Unintended Consequences of Horse Slaughter →

Uncategorized

Seven Cases of the Hendra Virus Have Been Diagnosed in Australia

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Seven horses have died and more than 30 people are now playing a waiting game to see whether they have contracted the deadly Hendra virus.

That, however, is the growing reality for Australians living in the parts of Australia known to be at risk from the Hendra virus.

Seven cases have been diagnosed in little over a fortnight. In all, 31 people now face a six-week wait and regular testing to determine whether they have the deadly infection.

It is, by any measure, a bad start to the Hendra season, which coincides with the breeding season of flying foxes – the native fruit bats that provide a reservoir for the virus.

It has been suggested that disruption to normal feeding grounds resulting from devastating floods in the region earlier this year may be in some way be responsible for the surge in cases.

The virus is able to be passed on to horses, and is then capable of jumping to humans. Of the seven known cases of human infection, four have proved fatal.

While the risk of people contracting the virus is considered low – victims have all had major exposure to bodily fluids from sick horses – the reality is that horse owners need to ramp up their biosecurity in areas considered prone.

Continue reading Seven Cases of the Hendra Virus Have Been Diagnosed in Australia →