Monday, December 24, 2012

More Christmas Eve News

World's Tallest Horse - Meet The Record Breakers - Guinness World Records - YouTube

A Wild Horse & Burro Christmas Story « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Video of the Week: Horses Vs. Gingerbread House - HorseChannel.com

Tiny horses would rather catch the tube than walk

GREGG TOWNSHIP: Family’s prized Percheron horses to trot in California’s Rose Parade | News | CentreDaily.com

Meat company owner sues USDA for right to slaughter horses - latimes.com

Scathing Seasons Greetings Poster Depicts a Wild Horse Caught in Barbed Wire Courtesy of the BLM « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Tiny Horses Head to Grieving Conn. Town | TheLedger.com

The American Horse Christmas Tree | Habitat For Horses | Horse Rescue | Adopt a Horse

A GIGGLE with the GOATS Jingle Bells Holiday Performance




Wild Horse and Burro 12 Days of Christmas

Straight from the Horse's Heart


Reprint from 2009 by R.T. Fitch ~ Author/volunteer president Wild Horse Freedom Federation

Through the Eyes of the Wild Ones

(to be sung to the tune of “The 12 days of Christmas”)

On the first day of Christmas,
Ken Salazar gave me
One rogue BLM agency.

On the second day of Christmas,
Ken Salazar gave me
Two convict pilots,
And one rogue BLM agency.

On the third day of Christmas,
Ken Salazar gave me
Three covert round ups,
Two convict pilots,
And one rogue BLM agency.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
Ken Salazar gave me
Four zeroed herds,
Three covert round ups,
Two convict pilots,
And one rogue BLM agency.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
Ken Salazar gave me
Five bogus dates,
Four zeroed herds,
Three covert round ups,
Two convict pilots,
And one rogue BLM agency.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
Ken Salazar gave me
Six agents lying,
Five bogus dates,
Four zeroed herds,
Three covert round ups,
Two convict pilots,
And one rogue BLM agency.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
Ken Salazar gave me
Seven slaughter setups,
Six agents lying,
Five bogus dates,
Four zeroed herds,
Three covert round ups,
Two convict pilots,
And one rogue BLM agency.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
Ken Salazar gave me
Eight dead horses,
Seven slaughter setups,
Six agents lying,
Five bogus dates,
Four zeroed herds,
Three covert round ups,
Two convict pilots,
And one rogue BLM agency.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
Ken Salazar gave me
Nine laws a-breaking,
Eight dead horses,
Seven slaughter setups,
Six agents lying,
Five bogus dates,
Four zeroed herds,
Three covert round ups,
Two convict pilots,
And one rogue BLM agency.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
Ken Salazar gave me
Ten ranges barren,
Nine laws a-breaking,
Eight dead horses,
Seven slaughter setups,
Six agents lying,
Five bogus dates,
Four zeroed herds,
Three covert round ups,
Two convict pilots,
And one rogue BLM agency.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
Ken Salazar gave me
Eleven States now ruined,
Ten ranges barren,
Nine laws a-breaking,
Eight dead horses,
Seven slaughter setups,
Six agents lying,
Five bogus dates,
Four zeroed herds,
Three covert round ups,
Two convict pilots,
And one rogue BLM agency.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
Ken Salazar gave me
Twelve million heartbreaks,
Eleven States now ruined,
Ten ranges barren,
Nine laws a-breaking,
Eight dead horses,
Seven slaughter setups,
Six agents lying,
Five bogus dates,
Four zeroed herds,
Three covert round ups,
Two convict pilots,
And one rogue BLM agency.

Let’s Pray for a NEW version, Next Year!!

Saturday, December 22, 2012

2012.12.22 Updated Slaughter Stats & Website changes






Today's News


Just disgusting. Mexico is up 62% over last year, Canada is down 3% and Japan is up 867%.

Overall, 33% more horses were slaughtered than this time last year.





  
If you haven't been over to our website lately, I've moved a few things to make it easier to find information.

At the top of the horse slaughter page is a running recap of the attempted opening of horse slaughter plants with links to the source information. The slaughter stats are below the plant info.

We added a page for horse meat food safety information. The regulations are at the top followed by published white papers and studies, then EU reports and recalls and lastly, articles by investigative reporters and journalists - key word investigative!

There is a page for John's PowerPoint presentations, PSAs and other hand-outs that were developed for specific initiatives. 
____________________________________
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Other news:






Tuesday, December 18, 2012

No American Horse Steak for You, Europeans

Forbes


One of the surprises we got when we moved to Luxembourg was in the butcher section of the supermarkets, where a selection of horse meat appears among the beef, veal and pork. We had to be careful not to take it by mistake since it looks almost the same as beef, if slightly darker.
A horsemeat butcher in southern France
A horsemeat butcher in                 southern France                                                 photo: Wikipedia
We’re not horse meat eaters, although my husband has been tempted to accept a friend’s invitation to a restaurant that prepares “the best horse steaks in the country.” Throughout Europe - France, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, and Netherlands, among others – and in a few Asian cultures, horse meat is a delicacy.
Read entire article here.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Today's News

From Equine Welfare Alliance

Drugs Injected at the Racetrack Put Europe Off U.S. Horse Meat



PARIS - For decades, American horses, many of them retired or damaged racehorses, have been shipped to Canada and Mexico, where it is legal to slaughter horses, and then processed and sold for consumption in Europe and beyond.

Lately, however, European food safety officials have notified Mexican and Canadian slaughterhouses of a growing concern: The meat of American racehorses may be too toxic to eat safely because the horses have been injected repeatedly with drugs.

Despite the fact that racehorses make up only a fraction of the trade in horse meat, the European officials have indicated that they may nonetheless require lifetime medication records for slaughter-bound horses from Canada and Mexico, and perhaps require them to be held on feedlots or some other holding area for six months before they are slaughtered.

"We don't want them," he said. "It's too risky."

The action is just the latest indication of the troubled state of American racing and its problems with the doping of horses. Some prominent trainers have been disciplined for using legal and illegal drugs, and horses loaded with painkillers have been breaking down in arresting numbers. Congress has called for reform, and state regulators have begun imposing stricter rules.

But for pure emotional effect, the alarm raised in the international horse-meat marketplace packs a distinctive punch.

Read entire article here.

Friday, December 7, 2012

More Friday News

The Humane Society of the United States Launches Safe Stalls Horse Rescue Network | Horse Back Magazine

Officials, Owner Say Nix to Washington State Facility | Horse Back Magazine

Advocates Protest Wild Horse Removal Near Reno Nevada « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Nevada Ag Dept Wild Horse Roundup Sparks Debate in Reno « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Horses used to treat, manage PTSD | Health & Fitness | Life | Toronto Sun

And, IMPORTANT:

Take Action to Preserve Wyoming's Mustangs!

Nevada Wild Horses could be Destined to Slaughter in Days

Straight from the Horse's Heart


By R.T. Fitch ~ volunteer president/co-founder of Wild Horse Freedom Federation
Nevada to be Branded “Animal Cruelty State” in Court of US Public Opinion
3 week old foal being dragged with baling twine by developers hired security at Ag. Dept. bait trap - photo by
3 week old foal being dragged with baling twine by developers hired security at Ag. Dept. bait trap – photo by Bo Rodriguez
“Yesterday we ran a brief story with photos of a 3 week old foal being abused at a Nevada Department of Agriculture bait trap on private property.  As the day progressed Reno area advocates began to write and comment on what they had witnessed and we corrected a few errors in the story but the point and the problem never shifted or dimmed.  The concern and anger generated by the photos fueled the biggest number of hits this blog has ever seen in a single day; thousands and thousands of concerned Americans logged in.  Frustration is so thick you can cut it with a knife.
This, folks, is beyond serious.  We at Wild Horse Freedom Federation are currently working a behind the scenes legal project to shut down the BLM‘s rapid desimation of wild horse & burros on federal public lands.  We are not chasing individual roundups with TROs as they just don’t work and we have abounded access and humane care issues as, at this rate, they are only a distraction and moot as there won’t even be any wild horses if we do not stop the roundups and do so quickly.  But our hearts are torn to pieces over what is happening to theseVirginia range “state” horses as these captives go directly to auction and can end up in the hands of kill buyers within just a few days or weeks.  This is the fear and this also the reality.  These true wild horses are facing a death sentence, right now.
Please spend a few moments and read several of the comments that folks have made and then make a call or fax as outlined below.  Maybe with enough heat, even from outside of the state, Nevada officials will listen and enter into productive talks, with the knowledgeable advocates who are speaking below, and seek a humane solution versus slaughtering these horses for human consumption abroad.
Thanks to all those who care and lend their voices to those who cannot speak for themselves.” ~ R.T.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bo Rodriguez says:
“The foal was three weeks old, an the developers DiLoreto and Damonte are responsible for this also. They have allowed an continue to allow Nevada Department of Agriculture to trap horses on their properties. I have photos of them there at the trap an heard Mr Damonte say he didn’t care for the horses, an wanted them all gone. Tom DiLorreto said he followed states guide lines to the tee. But as you can see, the state must have changed its policy of handling animals humanly to do what you have to, to get rid of it an get the money from the kill buyers as fast as you can.
I did not enjoy taking these photos of the three week old foal being drug around by a piece of bailing twin, it was a long and traumatic for both protesters and horses.
There has to be a better solution.”
Sue says:
“They not only Lure them into a death trap…there were photos of a truck chasing them just days before. Not to mention DeLoretto buzzing them in his private helicopter. I don’t know how these people sleep at night.
Quote by Damonte ….”If I had it my way , all of these horses would be DEAD .”
Pretty strong , evil statement. The trap was set on Louie Damonte’s property with his permission.
 Seems some people have a hate for these horses.
 This was the horses home before it was theirs.
 The news was there most of the day, yet the only channel that gave any information about it was channel 4.
 Something must be done…these horses cannot speak for themselves, so we have to be their voice.”
 NV Kate says:
“The really pissy thing about it, is that the Dept of AG does NOT have to follow any kind of protocol regarding wild horses. BLM while they don’t adhere to anything does have protocol.
According to the state these horses because they live on now privately owned land are considered ‘estrays’… and because they are estrays they can be sent to slaughter legally if you can stomach that!
 God Bless you Bo Rodriguez for taking these photos!!! had I been there I would be in jail right now! Bo I want to encourage you to send copies of your photos to the HSUS…. Arnold Baer abaer@humanesociety.org, Beverly McGrath BevDDAL@msn.com , and the Nevada HSUS state rep Holly Haley hhaley@humanesociety.org. The next legislative session we had better have something more concrete than we did the last time, and it’s possible their legal dept may want to press charges for animal abuse.
I’ve been lobbying the state for the last 6 years trying to get some protection for the so called estrays . Beverly McGrath found a sponsor for a bill last year that would have done that, but it was pulled at the last minute due to something an advocate recommended to the sponsor, I still curse the individual for that but damn it horses that live in checkerboard areas (mixed private and public land) are considered estrays even thought they are wild and we MUST find a way to protect them as well! As it stands now, they have NO PROTECTION what so ever!”
Kelly says:
“The mother was trapped in the pen with the rest of the herd at this time, the stallion and three other mares had broken out of the pen after being confined most of the day, the baby got out as well.  They ended up putting the baby and the mother in a separate pen for the night, kept the rest in the first pen, and the stallion and the other three mares spent the night trying to get to the rest of the family. this morning they were ALL taken away by the Nevada AG department, mother and foal had a “personal trailer””
Ellen Holcomb says:
“The herd of 13 is all together, in the Carson City prison facility. the foal is with her mom, the stallion was re-captured along with the rest of the escapees…..they would not leave their other herd members behind….they sacrificed their freedom to be with their family. They will be joining another 15 wild horses to be auctioned off at the livestock slaughter auction in Fallon NV….this will happen in a week or two–after all stallions & colts are castrated. Please consider donating to the Hidden Valley Wild Horse Protection Fund…to help rescue these herds and/or to help maintain the 100 already rescued since late August.”

Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval

Office Phone: (775) 684-5670
Office Fax: (775) 684-5683
Nevada Dept of Agriculture Director Jim Barbee
Office Phone: 775-353-3600
Office Fax: 775-668-1178
Steve Stapp says:
“Jim Barbee has promoted himself to GOD. He doesn’t have a ‘public’ email and will not accept calls. He doesn’t want to deal with the horses, the advocates, the residents or anyone. Call the Gov. office and ask to speak with Ms. Jordan Grow…she’s the liaison between the Gov and the Ag Dept and has access to Jim B. She’ll listen and give you lip service but on two occasions she has gone to Barbee on my behalf and offered our proposal. He can’t tell her to go away because she works for Sandoval. He just tells her his answer…”NO” !”

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Wild Horses_Owyhee Closer Look

Exclusive Photos: Reno Residents Riled Over NV AG Dept Wild Horse Cruelty

Straight from the Horse's Heart

Posted: December 6, 2012 by R.T. Fitch


Update by R.T. Fitch ~ volunteer president/co-founder of Wild Horse Freedom Federation
Photos Show Ag Department Cruelty
3 week foal under attack
3 week foal under attack
Reno Wild Horse Advocates are not only outraged by the Nevada Department of Agriculture’s war against the Virgina Range horses but also the documented cruelty exhibited with the manhandling of the these wild horses upon capture.
After running several of the local stories, here on SFTHH, we received emails, testimonials and pictures regarding the inhumane practices of the Ag dept. from outraged advocates.
Included, here, are two photos of Ag agents cruelly manhandling a 3 month old foal.  This needs to stop and it needs to stop now.
We strongly encourage you to call, email and/or fax Nevada’s Governor Brian Sandoval,
Office Phone: (775) 684-5670
OfficeFax: (775) 684-5683
12-6-12_dept_of_ag_manhandling_a_3_week_old_foaland let him know, even if you do not live in Nevada, that you do not approve of the state’s attack upon the Virginia range horses and that you will spread the negative news far and wide until such actions cease.
Likewise, please contact the office of the Department of Agriculture’s Director Jim Barbee and express your concern.
Office Phone: 775-353-3600
Office Fax: 775-668-1178
Please remember that these captured horses will go to auction and historically, if not rescued by advocates, will be purchased by kill buyers and go to slaughter, that is a given.
And wild horse and burro advocates in Nevada; we stand with you in your fight for the horses.  Be it the BLM, State agencies or any other governmental group that rains suffering down upon our icons of the west, Wild Horse Freedom Federation and SFTHH are at your side and share in your passion to seek freedom and long lives for the wild horses and burros of the United States of America.
Keep the faith.
Photos courtesy of Kathy McCovey

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Press Release: BLM Colorado Investigating Wild Horse Deaths

Straight from the Horse's Heart 


Release Date: 12/04/12
Contacts:
Steven Hall, Colorado Communications Director, 303-239-3672
Deanna Masterson, Public Affairs Specialist, 303-239-3671
“As a precaution, we have quarantined the facility and will not ship animals out this week,”
Cañon City, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management is investigating the deaths of 19 wild horses at its Cañon City Wild Horse Inmate Program facility.  The BLM discovered dead horses in a pen on Dec. 3.  Several other wild horses in the same pen exhibited signs of illness. The BLM is working with veterinarians including state and federal animal health authorities to investigate the cause of the illness.
Veterinarians have euthanized those horses in the most severe condition with a poor prognosis for recovery. Autopsies were performed on three of the dead horses at the facility, with additional horses and samples sent to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
“As a precaution, we have quarantined the facility and will not ship animals out this week,” said Fran Ackley, BLM Colorado Wild Horse and Bureau Program Lead. “We are working with a veterinarian to determine the cause of the illness and prevent any potential spread to other wild horses at the facility.”
There is no estimate of when the lab analysis will be completed. In addition to the autopsies, the BLM sent water and hay samples to a lab for testing.  The horses and burros are currently being fed hay from a different source as a precaution.
The BLM will release additional information as it becomes available.