Tag Archives: Horse Care

Breeds, Contributors/Press, Rescue/Protection Sources

Doubt Cast on Pilot Valley “Estray” Horses Rounded Up by BLM

July 7, 2010 Associate Editor 1 Comment

July 7, 2010 – CHICAGO (EWA) – On June 23, 2010, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Elko District office buried on its website a notice that approximately 175 “abandoned, domestic, estray” horses located within Pilot Valley, NV, were scheduled for impoundment beginning June 25. The round up was expected to take 3 – 4 days with corrals set up on nearby private land owned by Simplot Land and Livestock until the horses could be transported and placed under the jurisdiction of the State of Nevada.

According to Nevada laws, an estray is a horse that is found running loose on public lands but shows signs of domestication and the owner is unknown. A horse is considered “feral” under Nevada law if the animal was domesticated or is the offspring of domesticated horses and has become wild with no physical signs of domestication. The state of Nevada owns estray and feral horses. Wild horses and free-roaming Mustangs are protected by the BLM under the 1971 Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act.

Nevada authorities plan to sell the horses rounded up by the BLM at auction on July 10. The horses will be available to all buyers and are therefore at risk of ending up at slaughterhouses in Mexico or Canada.

Continue reading Doubt Cast on Pilot Valley “Estray” Horses Rounded Up by BLM →

Contributors/Press

Bronson Announces Accreditation of Ag Law Enforcement and Inspector General

July 7, 2010 Associate Editor 1 Comment

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has announced the reaccreditation of his Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (AgLaw) following a rigorous review by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA). The office first gained accreditation in 2007 and in April was re-evaluated for renewal of that status. For the first time, the department’s Inspector General’s Office has also received accreditation following a full on-site visit.

The CFA reviews all aspects of an agency’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support systems to verify compliance with 276 recognized standards of excellence. Accreditation by the CFA is voluntary but considered a significant accomplishment and this status is held in high esteem by the criminal justice community.

“This meticulous review of the facilities, personnel and programs within AgLaw measures our professionalism in a meaningful way, ensuring we meet the high standards dictated by law enforcement across the state and the nation,” Bronson said. “The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement has continued to expand its duties and responsibilities over the years in protecting our citizens and visitors and clearly our peers have determined we are meeting and exceeding expectations.”

Continue reading Bronson Announces Accreditation of Ag Law Enforcement and Inspector General →

Contributors/Press, Rescue/Protection Sources

Second Slaughter Mouthpiece Installed to Head “Unwanted” Horse Coalition

July 6, 2010 Associate Editor 2 Comments

July 5, 2010 – CHICAGO (EWA) – The recent appointment of Dr. Douglas Corey to the top spot of the Washington lobby group, The Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC), has made their loudly proclaimed stance of being neutral on the contentious issue of horse slaughter difficult to swallow.

Corey follows Dr. Tom Lenz, former head of American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). Both Lenz and Corey pull no punches on their enthusiastic support of horse slaughter. The two veterinarians with close ties to animal agriculture refer to horse slaughter as an end-of-life option that is needed. Regrettably, with the UHC parent group, The American Horse Council, this front for unscrupulous breeders and the meat industry, often has the ear of Congress and is considered a respected and respectable humanitarian organization.

The daring hypocrisy of both organizations is stunning and Corey’s own words prove it. Few equine rescue organizations are members of the UHC, shunning the prohibitive cost of membership to join. Rescue groups, dependent upon donations, would prefer to spend their funds on feed and hay.

Continue reading Second Slaughter Mouthpiece Installed to Head “Unwanted” Horse Coalition →

Breeds, Contributors/Press, Media/Radio/TV Sources

Western Radio Addresses Unwanted Horse Issue

July 4, 2010 Associate Editor 1 Comment

The Horse Radio Network’s Western Radio Show Explains the Dilemma of Unwanted Mustangs

Horse Radio Network at www.horseradionetwork.com

Lexington, KY – One of the Horse Radio Network’s newest shows, The Western Radio Show, takes a look at the controversial mustang situation in a way that anyone can understand. With the help of Dr. Don Hoglund, author of Nobody’s Horses, The Dramatic Rescue of the Wild Herd of White Sand, hosts Alan Moorhead and Jymmy Kay Cox guide you through the history, the controversy and the possible solutions to this topic.

There are over 34,000 formally free roaming mustangs currently in holding pens across America. The disposition of these horses has been the subject of heated debate and emotions recently. This two part series on the Western Radio Show at www.westernradioshow.com offers a better understanding of the mustangs’ displacement and disposition alongside the options currently available.

Continue reading Western Radio Addresses Unwanted Horse Issue →

Community/Charity

National Equine Resource Network (NERN) Launches, Prepares to Assist Struggling Equine Welfare Organizations

July 1, 2010 Associate Editor 1 Comment

Horse rescues & sanctuaries are struggling with high costs, low donations and a never-ending supply of horses. A new organization brings them hope…

Encinitas, CA (PRWEB) June 8, 2010 — Each year, more than 100,000 American horses cross the borders into Canada and Mexico where they are sold for slaughter. Countless thousands are seized by animal control officers in cases of abandonment, abuse or neglect, while an untold number of horses suffer silently in barns and backyards around the country. It seems an unfair fate for the animal that has, throughout history, given so much to mankind. Fields were plowed, battles were won, new frontiers were discovered and nations were built – all on the back of a horse.

Over the last decade, hope for a brighter future has blossomed in the widespread emergence of equine welfare organizations. While these organizations have begun to provide a safety net for America’s horses, the need for them is increasing exponentially. Rising costs of fuel and hay, coupled with an economic downturn, has thrust more equines than ever into at-risk situations. At the same time, feeling the economic pinch, Americans have decreased their charitable giving and equine welfare organizations are seeing fewer, smaller donations. The result is an industry that is financially struggling and has reached or is nearing capacity, in a climate where the need for these organizations is urgent and continuing to grow. Now, more than ever, the equine welfare industry needs to thrive.

Continue reading National Equine Resource Network (NERN) Launches, Prepares to Assist Struggling Equine Welfare Organizations →

Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, EQUUS Foundation, Events, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

McLain Ward & Vocas Win the $25k Fairfield Grand Prix to Benefit The EQUUS Foundation

June 30, 2010 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Ward004967 — Vocas, owned by Louisburg Farm and ridden by McLain Ward, winner of the $25,000 Fairfield Grand Prix and the Callari Cup presented by Wells Fargo Advisors. Photo courtesy of Reflections Photography.

WESTPORT, CT – June 29, 2010 – McLain Ward, aboard Vocas, owned by Louisburg Farm, emerged victorious over a field of 27 competitors at the $25,000 Grand Prix on Saturday, June 26, 2010, the culminating event of the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show held in Westport, Connecticut.

Urged on by spectators and over 350 guests at The EQUUS Foundation Grand Prix Benefit Luncheon, Ward and Vocas claimed victory in an exciting jump off. Ward also placed 4th aboard Esplanade 7 owned by Louisburg Farm, and 12th aboard Miel D’Amuray owned by Gabby Slome. George N. Venizelos representing Wells Fargo Advisors was on hand to present the well-earned blue ribbon, along with Jonathan Moffly of Moffly Media, Show Co-Chairs, Alison Ashman and Catherine Herman, Jenny Belknap Kees, Chairman of the Board of The EQUUS Foundation, and Lynn Coakley, President of The EQUUS Foundation.

Continue reading McLain Ward & Vocas Win the $25k Fairfield Grand Prix to Benefit The EQUUS Foundation →

Uncategorized

EU & Canada Poised to Accomplish What US Congress Should Have Done: Ban Horse Slaughter

June 30, 2010 Associate Editor Leave a comment

June 29, 2010 – CHICAGO, (EWA) – Since the 107th Congress (2001), equine welfare advocates across the country have been trying to get elected officials to pass legislation to ban the slaughter of American horses. Polls have consistently shown that the legislation has the support of 70% of Americans, but without fail the bills have been stalled, blocked with secret holds, and left off the legislative calendars. Now it appears the European Union (EU) and Canada may stop horse slaughter before Congress.

Strict new traceability requirements will go into effect July 31st, for all horses slaughtered for consumption in the EU. Additionally, the EU is poised to require Country of Origin labeling of all meat. And finally, the EU has begun investigating inhumane slaughter practices in Mexico.

Despite President Obama’s promise to not allow lobbyists to run the country and his support of a horse slaughter ban when he was in the Senate, the agricultural special interests have continually been allowed to prevent the legislation from moving forward. Public records reveal donations from special interest groups to the legislators blocking the bills.

“When it comes to stopping the slaughter of horses, clearly money talks,” commented Equine Welfare Alliance’s (EWA) John Holland.

Continue reading EU & Canada Poised to Accomplish What US Congress Should Have Done: Ban Horse Slaughter →

Contributors/Press

Vaccinations Urged for Horses as EEE Cases Rise

June 28, 2010 Associate Editor Leave a comment

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is urging horse owners to get their animals vaccinated following an upsurge in the number of Eastern Equine Encephalitis cases. Sentinel chickens that serve as an early warning of the existence of the disease are also being diagnosed with EEE in areas of the state that are not usually affected.

So far this year there have been 16 confirmed cases of EEE in horses. While that is not an unusually high number, seven of the cases were reported on Wednesday, June 23, from counties scattered throughout the state.

“Most of the cases have been in the central and north central part of the state which is normal,” Bronson said. “But we are also seeing increased EEE and West Nile Virus activity in sentinel chickens in the southern part of the state, including Martin County which has not had EEE detected in 30 years. In addition, there has been a confirmed case of EEE in a horse in both Collier and Okeechobee counties. So I want to remind horse owners of the importance of getting their animals vaccinated.”

EEE is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is transmitted to horses by infected mosquitoes. Signs of the virus include fever, listlessness, stumbling, circling, coma and usually death. The disease is fatal in horses in 90 percent of the cases.

Bronson says the majority of cases of EEE and other mosquito-borne diseases can be prevented through proper vaccinations. Horse owners are urged to check with their veterinarian to make sure their animals have received current vaccinations and booster shots against EEE and West Nile Virus, and that these shots are kept up to date.

Liz Compton
comptol@doacs.state.fl.us
(850) 488-3022

Contributors/Press, FEI

FEI President Supports EU in Promoting Animal Identification and Traceability

June 14, 2010 Associate Editor Leave a comment

HRHPrincessHaya-EUVetWeekSpeech — FEI President HRH Princess Haya addresses the EU Veterinary Week conference in Brussels.

14 June 2010 – FEI President HRH Princess Haya has assured the European Union of the FEI’s support in promoting and improving standards in animal identification and traceability.

Speaking to top European Veterinary officials attending the third European Veterinary Week (EVW) in Brussels today, the FEI President highlighted the need to create a clear distinction between the sport horse as an equine athlete and livestock that is part of the food chain.

Identification and traceability are hugely important to the equine industry, she noted, helping to minimise the risk of disease-spread during the cross-border transportation of competition horses and also enhancing integrity and promoting public confidence in the equestrian industry.

Continue reading FEI President Supports EU in Promoting Animal Identification and Traceability →

Horses in the South – An Equine News Publisher