AAEP 'in bed" with Horse Racing Industry,...creates Task Force that, they say, puts the horses first;

But do they really give....

Oh yeah, sure they do care, somewhat. A horse has to be healthy to race and win money for them. Once it is apparent that a horse is "a looser" and not meant to race,.....thats when the slaughter part comes in, AND THAT was not even mentioned as an issue in their new "Task Force" recommendations. Not worthy of even a thought on the subject. Hummmmm.

Frum TheHorse.Com
by: Kimberly S. Brown, Editor

December 17 2008, Article # 13283

"We have a crisis in Thoroughbred racing," stated Scott Palmer, VMD, of New Jersey, a past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and head of the AAEP Racing Task Force.
The AAEP Racing Task Force was conceived in Austin, Texas, at the organization's Focus meeting because of the country's outcry following the catastrophic injury of Eight Belles. The result of four months of furious work is two white papers that will be presented to the AAEP board in January for approval. One will be an internal white paper for the organization's members, while the other will be released to the industry with recommendations of how to put the horse first in racing.

At the AAEP Convention's Racing Forum on Dec. 6, the membership went into closed session to discuss the recommendations of the task force.

In a later interview with Palmer, he said the task force will make recommendations to the AAEP board on four areas:

societal changes and the public perception of racing;
the business model of racing, and particularly those aspects of the current business model that may not be in the best interest of the horse;
the owner/trainer/veterinarian relationship that is broken and needs transparency; and
medication, which he said is hugely important.
He said in this "crisis" environment numerous safety commissions or task forces have been created, which he said was good, but he added that the AAEP felt that a veterinary perspective was needed, one which was based purely on the health and welfare of the horse.


"What is good for the horse is good for racing."
--Dr. Scott Palmer
"We have to put the horse first," he stated. "The horse is what makes racing different from all other forms of entertainment.
"What is good for the horse is good for racing," he emphasized.

Palmer said while the AAEP doesn't have the power to make changes throughout the racing industry, the task force members felt the AAEP could provide support to the people in the industry who can make the changes.

"We strongly support the efforts of others, like NTRA and The Jockey Club Safety Committee; we believe what we've done (the recommendations they will offer) will work hand-in-hand to make racing safer for the horse."

He said welfare and safety isn't a new initiative for the AAEP. "The AAEP was formed by a group of racetrack practitioners in 1954; we've been working toward this for more than 50 years," he said.

He noted there's a lot of "finger pointing" going on right now in the racing industry, "and we need to use scientific knowledge to see the big picture."

Palmer said many in the industry have been consulted in developing the task force's recommendations, including The Jockey Club, HBPA, sales companies, and racetrack owners.

"A number of these (forthcoming) recommendations involve considerable expense," said Palmer. "We don't expect overnight compliance, but we believe we have the support" to make the changes happen. "We anticipate the cost of the recommendations will be an obstacle that we'll have to address."

For example, in some jurisdictions within the United States approximately $200 is spent for drug testing of a racehorse, while in Hong Kong $700 might be spent per horse for more thorough testing.

There is a need to upgrade security and test racing surfaces, he said.

Palmer said there is now an opportunity to make changes in the business model of racing to reduce racing injuries, particularly in the way that claiming races are conducted.

Palmer said most veterinarians provide superior care of racehorses; others have created problems. The task force recommendations will address those problems. However, he stressed that medication is not just a veterinary problem, but an industry problem.

Palmer posed the question: Why are racehorses medicated?

The answers are:

to prevent disease (such as vaccination and deworming);
to treat illness; to treat an injury;
to minimize the disruption of the training schedule (the horse is headed for a particular race); and
to "level the playing field" when the owner or trainer thinks someone else has an edge.
The last two categories are driven by the business model of racing, and restructuring needs to take place to make sure that veterinary treatments are done with the best interest of the horse in mind, he said.

"We must put the horse first," he emphasized.

He said owner education is an important piece of the puzzle to address the problems of racing. "It's a complex puzzle, and if you miss one piece, it won't work," he said. "For example, you can't have uniform (medication) rules if you don't have uniform testing and administration.


"We have a great story to tell, but we can't 'spin' our way out of this crisis; we know we have problems, and we will address them."
--Dr. Scott Palmer
"The role of media is important," he said. "We have a great story to tell, but we can't 'spin' our way out of this crisis; we know we have problems, and we will address them."
The task force recommendations will focus on Thoroughbred racing, but many of the recommendations do apply to Standardbred, Quarter Horse, and Arabian racing as well, with the knowledge that there can't be a "blanket" approach, since each industry has unique problems and needs. Palmer added that some of the same issues that are faced by the racing industry apply to other performance breeds as well.

The AAEP is planning to conduct a welfare assessment of other competitive disciplines (such as three-day eventing) to evaluate the need for veterinary recommendations, said Palmer.

"We need commitment in all areas; we need meaningful change" in the racing industry, concluded Palmer.


http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=13283

PoliTex as Usual: Texas Lawmaker Gets Perks from Gambling / Horse Racing Industry

Hot News frum BigMouth Broad Casting; Dec. 16th, 2008

Lawmaker got cabin from contributor

A powerful South Texas lawmaker who oversees the gambling industry — and is the subject of a wide-ranging corruption probe — quietly received the rights to a fishing cabin near South Padre Island from a family that's developing a racetrack in McAllen, records obtained by The Associated Press show.

Papers filed with the Texas General Land office show Joseph V. LaMantia III transferred a rare fishing cabin permit to state Rep. Kino Flores, D-Palmview, in 2006, a year before the Texas Racing Commission gave final approval for Tesoros Race Park, in which the LaMantia family holds a major stake.

Neither Flores nor LaMantia returned phone calls from the AP. Flores' attorney, Roy Minton, said he was aware of the cabin but didn't believe it would hold any interest to Travis County prosecutors looking at Flores' relationship with the LaMantias as well as two convicted drug dealers from whom Flores acquired his Rio Grande Valley ranch.

One of the convicted felons, Roel Benavides, got a job with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality after Flores recommended him at the state agency, said Flores' attorney, Roy Minton. The TCEQ forced Benavides to resign in August after discovering he had lied about his criminal past, agency employment records show.

A probe began over discounted air travel Flores allegedly received from the LaMantias but has since widened to include Flores' land holdings. Minton has said he knows of no wrongdoing by Flores. Travis County prosecutors in Austin can examine allegations of misdeeds by state officials.

The fishing cabin, accessible only by boat, belongs to the state as part of a unique public-private partnership that allows people to acquire cabins on government-owned land along the Texas coast. There are only 413 state coastal cabins, which are acquired by permit and often held for years by those who hold them, officials said. Joe LaMantia III acquired one of the cabins, about 30 miles north of South Padre Island, in 1986, officials said. He transferred his cabin rights to Flores in August 2006, records show.

Flores paid a $325 permit transfer fee for the cabin, which measures 2,166 square feet, including a porch and outhouse, records show. Flores also has to pay $1,200 a year for the permit and can renew it every five years, records and interviews indicate.

LaMantia III is a manager with L&F Distributors, a family-owned Budweiser supplier for the more than 1,200-mile Texas-Mexico border region. He is also a stakeholder in Muy Buena Suerte Ltd., a limited partnership made up entirely of LaMantia family members. Muy Buena Suerte Ltd., which in English means "very good luck," owns 59 percent of Tesoros Race Park, a $23 million horse track approved for Hidalgo County, according to records filed with the Texas Racing Commission.

Tesoros Race Park received its final approval from the Texas Racing Commission in August 2007 and was scheduled to open for simulcast races in early 2009 with live racing to follow later in the year. But the city of McAllen, which would extend utilities to the track, has not received any permit applications. The family also owns a controlling stake in a racetrack planned for Laredo that was approved last year.

Flores, a colorful and combative lawmaker with close ties to House Speaker Tom Craddick, chairs the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures committee, which oversees gambling and liquor industries in Texas.

Regarding Benavides' TCEQ job, Minton said he didn't know if Flores was aware that Benavides had been convicted at least twice for drug-related crimes and had served several years in federal prison when the lawmaker agreed to vouch for him at the TCEQ.

"(Flores) either signed a letter or did something giving him a recommendation, but I mean he didn't get him the job," Minton said.

The AP requested emails sent to or from Benavides during his tenure at TCEQ, but officials said his account had been deleted and that his emails are "not recoverable."


http://license.icopyright.net/user/viewContent.act?clipid=181484106&mode=cnc&tag=3.5721%3Ficx_id%3D20081215-stolfiler-tx0439

NY Racehorse Retirement Stats

I have heard about "pensioned" or "retired" racehorses disappearing from the face of the earth, so I am wondering how many of these "so called" retired or pensioned horses are actually still around. Seems what is needed is someone (some org) to keep track of these horses even after they are "retired";

2007 RETIRED RACE HORSE SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS

1 There were 1,845 race horses retired in 2007 by 1,108 owners living in
New York.
That equates to nearly 1.7 horses per owner that retired a horse.

2 Seventy-nine percent of the horses reported in the survey were retired in
New York
with the remaining 21 percent retired out of state. Less than 1 percent was
retired out of
country. Seventy-six percent of thoroughbreds and 84 percent of
standardbreds were retired
in New York.

3 Of the horses reported retired, 28 percent were still sound for racing.
Only 2 percent
were unsound and needed euthanizing. Thirty-one percent of thoroughbreds
and 24 percent
of standardbreds were still sound for racing.

4 Injury or lack of soundness and lack of economic viability were the
primary reasons
given for retiring race horses. Only 3 percent had reached the mandatory
retirement age and
11 percent were retired to breed. Forty-one percent of thoroughbreds and 39
percent of
standardbreds were retired due to injury or lack of soundness.

5 Over one-half of the horses that were retired had less than $2,000 spent for
retirement. Over $8,000 was spent of 16 percent of the horses. Fifty-five
percent of
standardbreds and 49 percent of thoroughbreds had less than $2,000 spent
for retirement.

6 Of the horses reported retired in 2007 by gender, geldings were of 46
percent, mares
were of 23 percent, fillies were of 21 percent, and colts were of 10
percent of the horses.
Standardbred geldings accounted for 50 percent of the standardbred horses
retired, while
thoroughbred geldings accounted for 43 percent of the thoroughbred horses
retired.

7 Of the horses reported by class last raced in, the primary races were
Allowance and
Claiming $4,999 and below. Only 1 percent raced in Claiming $50,000+ in the
last race.
Nine percent of thoroughbreds and 1 percent of standardbreds raced Claiming
$25,000-
$49,999 in their last race.

8 Seventy-three percent of the reported horses retired in 2007 had 2007
earnings of
less than $25,000. Only 3 percent of horses had earnings of
$75,000-$99,999. The 2007
earnings for thoroughbreds and standardbreds were significantly different.

9 Over two-thirds of the reported horses retired in 2007 had less than
$49,999 in
lifetime earnings. Horses with over $100,000 in lifetime earnings accounted
for 17 percent
of the horses. Twenty percent of standardbreds and 14 percent of
thoroughbreds had over
$100,000 in lifetime earnings

10 Over seventy percent of the reported retired horses were between the
ages of 3 and 6.
Twenty percent of standardbreds and 4 percent of thoroughbreds retired were
over the age of
10.

11 Of the major networks used for placement, 54 percent arranged private
placement.
Other networks were of 17 percent of the networks used. Both standardbred and
thoroughbred owners listed private placement as the primary networks used
for placement.

12 Of the respondents perceiving there are buyers for retired horses, 51
percent agreed
and 26 percent disagreed. Also, 23 percent of respondents were uncertain.
There were no
significant differences between thoroughbred and standardbred owners.
- 2 -

13 Twenty-six percent of respondents were uncertain if they would take back
a horse
previously owned or bred by them. Twenty-one percent of respondents
strongly disagreed
with taking back a horse previously owned or bred by them. Forty-one percent of
thoroughbred owners and 39 percent of standardbred owners responded they
would take
back a horse previously owned or bred by them.

14 Of the horses taken back by owners after retirement, 93 percent reported
taking back
1-5 horses. Only 4 percent reported taking back more than 8 horses. Two
percent of
standardbred owners and 6 percent of thoroughbred owners reported taking
back more than
8 horses.

15 Forty-eight percent of those responding to the survey agreed they would
pay to retire
a horse. Twenty-five percent were uncertain. Thirty-three percent of
standardbred owners
and 21 percent of thoroughbred owners disagreed with paying to retire a horse.

16 Of respondents willing to pay to retire a horse, 44 percent would pay a
monthly fee
of $150-$200, 28 percent would pay a lifetime fee of $2,500, and only 1
percent would pay
a lifetime fee of $10,000. Fifty-four percent of standardbred owners and 36
percent of
thoroughbred owners would pay a monthly fee of $150-$200.

17 Sixty-five percent of respondents would support a voluntary payment fund.
Seventeen percent of respondents would not support a voluntary payment
fund. And
eighteen percent of respondents were uncertain. Seventy-one percent of
thoroughbred
owners and 57 percent of standardbred owners agreed in supporting a
voluntary payment
fund.

18 Of those responding to the survey 43 percent would support a mandatory
payment
fund. Thirty-seven percent would not support a mandatory payment fund.
Twenty percent
of respondents were uncertain. Forty-two percent of standardbred owners and
32 percent of
thoroughbred owners would not support a mandatory payment fund.

19 Of the respondents that would support a mandatory payment fund, 36 percent
would pay $5 per race start. Twenty-six percent of respondents would pay
$25 per race start.
Thirty-six percent of thoroughbred owners and 9 percent of standardbred
owners would pay
$25 per race start.
Of the respondents that would support a mandatory payment fund, 76 percent
would pay
1% or less of the winning purse. There were no significant differences
between thoroughbred
and standardbred owners.

20 Respondents were able to select all applicable responses, so the percent
response does
not sum to 100 percent. Of the respondents indicating who helps in finding
a home for their
retired horses, 54 percent reported the trainer helped. Forty-six percent
reported other
sources that helped retire the horses. Fifty-eight percent of thoroughbred
owners and 49
percent of standardbred owners indicated the trainer helped in finding a
home for
retirement.

More on Magna's Slaughter Ban

Track policy seeks to protect horses

By Bethania Palma Markus, Staff Writer

Posted: 11/30/2008 09:29:03 PM PST


Leigh Gray, president of the non-profit Thoroughbred Rehab Center, with rescued mare Another Variety. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)ARCADIA -- Trainers and owners found to have sent injured or retired racehorses to slaughter will be banned from running or stabling horses at Santa Anita Park under a new policy from Magna Entertainment Corp., the company that owns the track.
Santa Anita President Ron Charles said the track hopes to ensure the safety of its racehorses by closely monitoring injured or retired horses and keeping dealers known to sell horses for slaughter off the property.

"It's not perfect, but I think it's a great first step, and it's something that's long overdue," he said. "If we know a horse is injured, we're doing our best to make sure when it leaves we have a commitment from the trainer and owner that it's not heading for slaughter."

Charles said the policy was entered into the track's horseman's agreement, which governs racing terms and conditions. Track officials plan to work with horse retirement and rescue organizations to help keep racehorses from grisly fates.

Owners also have been asked to donate a small percentage of winning purses toward racehorse retirement, Charles said.

No one has been banned from the track for violating the policy as of yet, Charles said.

Similar policies have been implemented by East Coast tracks such as Suffolk Downs.

The move comes after the demise of some of the world's racing legends, including champion stallions Ferdinand and Exceller, outraged racing fans.

Both horses earned millions of dollars on the track


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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and changed hands several times after the end of their racing careers but ultimately ended up in foreign slaughterhouses.

While the last U.S. horse slaughterhouse was closed in 2007, the Humane Society of the United States said 2003 data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicated about 10 percent of the equines slaughtered were thoroughbreds.

The Humane Society estimated nearly 20 percent of all thoroughbreds bred for racing eventually were slaughtered. But some in the business of rescuing the animals say the percentage is higher.

Horse meat is eaten in some European and Asian countries, but the practice is taboo in the United States.

Some said selling horses to slaughter is a dark side of an industry that over-breeds the animals in search of the next star racer.

Caroline Betts, president of Southern California Thorougbred Rescue, said while domestic slaughterhouses are now closed, she often finds former race horses at auctions known for selling to "killer buyers" or dealers that ship the animals to slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada.

"What typically happens in Southern California is horses are purchased very cheaply at auction," she said. "They're then resold to another dealer in New Mexico or Arizona and that person ships them to the border for the slaughterhouses."

Betts said the going price for a thoroughbred at some auctions can be as low as $200 or even less. More reputable auctions have raised the minimum price for horse sales to $500 to deter killer buyers, she said.

Many race horses can become riding, show, jumping or trail horses.

Leigh Gray, who runs the Thoroughbred Rehab Center in Bradbury, takes horses off the track, rehabilitates them, re-trains them and finds new homes for them.

Gray, a former exercise rider at Santa Anita and veterinary technician, has rehabilitated and placed hundreds of horses.

She currently is helping Super Strut, an 8-year-old gelding fresh off Santa Anita's track, overcome a leg injury. Gray said his owner wanted to ensure his well-being and turned him over to her nonprofit organization.

The big, gentle brown horse had 38 starts and won more than $500,000 on the race track.

"He'll make somebody a really nice riding horse or show horse," she said. "He needs to have his legs heal."

Rex Levi, 46, of Agoura Hills adopted a former race horse from Tranquility Farms, a Tehachapi-based rescue that specializes in thoroughbreds. He couldn't be happier with Mr. B, a 5-year-old gelding who raced as "Braggart."

"He's becoming a fine jumper, and we're having a blast," Levi said. "He's become a phenomenal horse and has far exceeded what I ever thought I'd get."

While many said the racing industry needs to do more to help its racetrack veterans, Charles said Santa Anita is taking steps.

"We need to do more to protect our athletes and our stars," he said. "It's really about public awareness and putting the trainers and owners on notice that we are taking this very seriously."

Click on title above to see article and leave comments;
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_11107842

China to Re-Introduce HorseRacing after 60 Years!

This IS NOT good news for the horses!

Fecha: jueves, 27 noviembre, 2008 1:56

As we all have seen the markets of racing horses it has also created problems to promote horse slaughter and abuse and neglect. China is getting ready to promote the same goals as America has. Sadly China does eat horses so there slaughter numbers could drastly increase. France and other countries may rely on there retired and injured horses for lunch...Here is the story....... ...
Horse racing returns to China after 60 years

November 27, 2008

Horse racing will return to the People's Republic of China on Saturday after a 60-year absence.
No race meetings been held in the republic since its formation in 1949.
The racing at Wuhan, which is approved by the government, will feature seven races and has a total prize pool of 120,000 yuan ($NZ32,000).
It is hoped the meetings will be held weekly and is part of the first steps to explore the potential commercialisation of racing in China.
Bets will be modest and at set prices, and are being called a "horse lottery".
Wuhan was a thriving centre for horse racing before 1949.

Childhood & Adolecent Gambling

Journal Article

Familial and Social Influences on Juvenile Gambling Behavior
Journal of Gambling Studies
Publisher Springer Netherlands
ISSN 1050-5350 (Print) 1573-3602 (Online)
Issue Volume 13, Number 3 / September, 1997
DOI 10.1023/A:1024915231379
Pages 179-192
Subject Collection Humanities, Social Sciences and Law
SpringerLink Date Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Familial and Social Influences on Juvenile Gambling Behavior
Rina Gupta1, 1 and Jeffrey Derevensky1

(1) McGill University, Canada


Abstract Social learning theory maintains that individuals model, learn and maintain behaviors that are observed, appealing and reinforcing. As such, parents and family members can often serve as significant models for gambling. Four hundred and seventy seven children between the ages of 9 and 14 completed a questionnaire inquiring about their gambling activities, including where and with whom gambling occurs, as well as information concerning their perceptions of their own gambling behavior. Results indicate that 86% of children who gamble regularly reported gambling with family members. Fifty-three percent of students who gambled within the previous 12 months reported gambling with their siblings, 40% gambled with their parents, 46% gambled with other relatives, and 75% gambled in their own homes. Students' responses also indicated gambling with their friends (75%), gambling alone (18%), and with strangers (8%). As children's age increases they tend to gamble more at friend's homes and at school. Prevalence rates indicated that 81% of the total sample had gambled at one point in their lives and 52% of those children reported gambling once a week or more. Eleven percent reported that gambling makes them feel important, 27% feel they gamble more than they desire to do so, and only 10% of the grade 8 students fear being caught gambling, suggesting gambling activities to be a socially acceptable behavior. Several clinical and research questions are addressed.

"After the Finish Line," NBC Covers OTTBs to Slaughter, Canter & Suffolk Downs

More exposure! Yeah!
Click on title to read article & vid;

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#27847733

Hoosier Park Joins "0" Tolerance Tracks!

While this did not make major headlines and hit the wires to be distributed nationally, there was a footnote attached to the ITOBA Hoosier Park Sales Catalogue for their Paddock Sale:
(the information below is directly copied and pasted from the ITOBA.com website)


Perhaps not the most attention getting way to announce this, but nevertheless, BRAVO Hoosier Park for being a class act!

Please note the following Hoosier Park policy: Any trainer or owner stabling at Hoosier Park who directly or indirectly participates in the transport of a horse from Hoosier Park to a slaughter facility or to an auction to sell horses for slaughter will be prohibited from having stalls at the track.

Posted by Holy Racehorse! at 5:10 PM

Click on title above for full story

Jockey Club Initiates a Matching Funds Program to Benefit Racehorse Retirement

The Jockey Club Initiates a Matching Funds Program to Benefit Racehorse Retirement

The Jockey Club will offer a voluntary checkoff program for all North American owners and breeders who submit their foal registration applications on or after January 1.

The Jockey Club also will match the checkoff up to $200,000 with proceeds and matching funds distributed to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and Thoroughbred Charities of America.

“We applaud the efforts of these two organizations through the years to retire, retrain and find suitable homes for Thoroughbred racehorses,” said Alan Marzelli, The Jockey Club president. “We are confident that the creation of this checkoff program will further those efforts and encourage others to take similar steps to ensure the well-being of our Thoroughbred athletes when their racing careers are over.”

The TCA raises funds and distributes grants to non-profit organization focused on improving conditions for horses and people in the Thoroughbred industry. The TRF works to provide humane retirement options for racehorses at the end of their career and operates vocational training in equine care to inmates at nine correctional facilities nationwide.

Click on title above for article;
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2008/November/11/The-Jockey-Club-to-offer-voluntary-checkoff-program.aspx

"Friends of Equines" Beseech Congresss

Click on title above to see the petition we have sent to our US Representatives, just to give them a warning about things to come in the Halls of Congress next year, and beseeching them to support our proposals to amend the farm bill and the economic stimulus act to give some of the $444 million dollars in tax-break money bestowed upon the equine industry back to the horses for rehoming and retirement. We think this is a good idea. Dont you? If not, why not? We would like to know.

Suffolk Serious About Slaughter Ban - FLYS to the Rescue of Several Horses & Bans the Violating Trainers

The tale of five horses from the Suffolk Downs backstretch that recently ended up in the kill pen of the infamous New Holland, Pa., livestock auction demonstrates the challenges the East Boston, Mass., racetrack has in enforcing its “zero-tolerance” horse welfare policy that will ban trainers or owners who sell their horses for slaughter.

The five Thoroughbreds discovered at New Holland were saved from an ignominious death in a Canadian slaughterhouse, one that typically follows a cramped and uncomfortable van ride with other livestock. Instead, these five horses are being placed in retirement or retraining facilities. Because of the incident, however, five people, including trainer Pam Pompell and owner Albert Michelson, have been told they are no longer welcome at Suffolk Downs.

The story begins Oct. 26, when the New England division of CANTER (Communications Alliance to Network Ex-Racehorses) held its third annual Suffolk Showcase to bring potential horses and adopters together. The Suffolk meeting, which ends tomorrow, has a number of horses whose future in racing has been compromised by physical infirmities or lack of competitiveness. They are among the population becoming known as "unwanted horses."

Trainer Pompell was one of those who attended the CANTER showcase. Two days later, it is alleged, she approached trainers Gerry LeFleur and Tony D’Angelo and said she had good homes for horses each of them brought to the Suffolk showcase, either at a Boy Scout camp or another charitable program for special-needs children. LaFleur gave Tercia de Reinas to Pompell, and D’Angelo gave Storm Up Front to the trainer. Owner Michelson, who raced a few horses at Suffolk with Pompell during the meeting, filled out some paperwork and vanned them off the track property. No money is said to have changed hands.

Five days later, on Nov. 1, Michelson is alleged to have vanned three more horses out of Suffolk (Tiny Target, Jimmy the Gov and Arrested Gatorgirl) that had been trained by Wayne Sargent. Pompell allegedly told Sargent the horses were going to CANTER. Again, the horses were said to have been donated at no cost.

On Sunday, Nov. 2, a CANTER volunteer was tipped off that some Thoroughbreds were en route to the notorious auction at New Holland where “killer buyers” have been operating for years. CANTER notified Sam Elliott, vice president of racing for Suffolk Downs, and he made arrangements the following day with the auction company to buy the five racehorses for $2,700, with financial assistance from the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. The horses were subsequently placed with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

How the horses went from supposedly being donated to a Boy Scout ranch or to the CANTER program and ending up in the kill pen destined for slaughter is where the story gets a bit fuzzy. Pompell and Michelson told the Paulick Report they donated the horses at no cost to a horse trader named Dave Costa, who owns Chipaway Stables in Acushnet, Mass. Costa, however, said he paid Michelson for the horses and intended to send them to his farm in Florida, where he hoped to sell them as polo horses in the toney Wellington area of Palm Beach County.

Costa said he sent the horses to New Holland to “overnight” before someone he hired would drive them to Florida. Costa changed his mind when he got a call from the van driver who said someone was willing to pay $1,500 for the five horses. The new owner then sold them by the pound to the auction company and put them in the kill pen, the area designated for horses not being auctioned off but sent directly to the Canadian slaughterhouse.

That’s where they were when Elliott of Suffolk Downs rescued them. When track management put the story together, Pompell and Michelson were notified that Suffolk Downs was exercising its right to exclude them from the property. LeFleur, D’Angelo and Sargent have also been excluded.

“Suffolk Downs did me dirty,” Pompell said when contacted by the Paulick Report. “CANTER put me on to three horses that were owned by Wayne Sargent. They said to take them and give them to Costa and make them into polo ponies. The horses looked like they hadn’t been fed, hadn’t been cleaned. Those stalls had at least a half a inch of shit on the ground. When we took the horses from Sargent he was happy. Then Suffolk accused me of sending horses to the killers that I had no knowledge of. Costa is a legitimate horse dealer and trainer. These horses did not go to no killers. We gave the horses to Costa. I will not kill a horse for anybody for any money.

“I was doing a favor to Sargent,” she said. “He pretty near begged us to take the horses.”

Michelson insists he received no money from Costa when he turned the five horses over to him. “I never sold them nothing,” he told the Paulick Report. “I’m 80 years old. I’ve raced horses, my father and grandfather raced horses. We are not in the killer business. My father was on the board of the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) for 25 years. We’ve never had a citation for abusing animals.”

Costa said he did pay Michelson for the horses, but wouldn’t disclose the amount. “He got a little money, but he didn’t get much,” Costa said.” I bought them as polo prospects, and dropped them off at the (New Holland) sale barn, where they were supposed to be picked up and driven to Florida. But the kid who was going to haul them off sold them.”

Costa claimed that he had never heard the term “kill pen” before. “All this is a bunch of b.s.,” he said. “What’s a kill pen? I’ve seen pigs in that pen, cattle, saddle horses. It was the only pen available, and the guys receiving cattle said to put them in that pen. The horses may have even been marked to keep them out of the sale.”

No matter how the horses wound up in the kill pen, hours away from the final ride of their lives, one thing seems certain: Suffolk Downs is serious about enforcing the anti-slaughter rules adopted under the leadership of Richard Fields, who bought controlling interest in the track last year. The policy was a bold move that a handful of other tracks, including those owned by Magna Entertainment, are adopting.

Pompell and Michelson have been banned from the property, effective immediately, as were the three other trainers, even though they may have believed the horses were going to be used for legitimate purposes.

"Regrettably, for the second time this year we have had a violation of our anti-slaughter policy and we intend to exercise our rights to restrict the access to our property by individuals involved,” said Chip Tuttle, chief operating officer for Suffolk Downs. “These horses were sold with deliberate disregard for their ultimate disposition. They didn’t end up at the auction months after they left here but hours later. There are lots of different stories, but the individuals involved should have known better.

“Both Suffolk Downs and the state of Massachusetts expect that the people who stable here will adhere to standards of decency and will uphold their obligation to the animals in their care,” Tuttle said. “The vast majority of the Suffolk Downs horsemen work with us and with accredited retirement programs to ensure safe and healthy second careers for their athletes."

Michelson didn’t seem bothered by the ban, saying, “I wouldn’t race there again if they paid me to come.”

Copyright © 2008, The Paulick Report




http://www.paulickreport.com/blog/banned-trainer-suffolk-done-me-dirty/

A "New Dawn" for Animals: Dog Racing Out - More Humane Farming In!

Horse racing industry beware! You may be next IF you dont straighten up your act!

The People Have Spoken—Victory for Animals in CA and MA!

Tuesday was an historic day in America in more ways than one. With resounding victories for California’s Prop 2 and Massachusetts’s Ballot Question 3, voters on both coasts sent a clear message that preventing animal cruelty is a national priority.

In California, the factory farm-related Standards for Confining Farm Animals Act (ballot Proposition 2) won in a landslide, with over 60 percent of respondents voting “yes” to mandate an increase of confinement space for veal calves, breeding pigs and egg-laying hens. On the Act’s effective date, January 1, 2015, these animals will have their rights to turn around, lie down, stand up and fully extend their limbs guaranteed by state law. Violators will face a fine up to $1,000 or six months in county jail.



The Massachusetts ban on dog racing has been a long time coming—in 2000, a similar ballot measure was narrowly defeated, and attempts to get the question included on the 2006 ballot were unsuccessful. With the ban’s passage this week (57 percent to 43 percent), commercial dog racing will be phased out in Massachusetts by 2010. There are two dog tracks in the state—each of which is believed to currently house about 1,000 greyhounds. Because the phase-out will occur over a period of 14 months, greyhound advocacy groups such as Grey2K USA are confident that they will be able to find homes for any racing dogs who become available for adoption.

Great job, California and Massachusetts animal advocates! The ASPCA strongly supported both proposals, and promoted them to members of our Advocacy Brigade. If you would like to be alerted when animal-friendly legislation is being considered in your state, please sign up to receive email alerts from the ASPCA—the alerts are targeted to your area, and taking action is easy, fun and free! Join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade now.

FREE Thoroughbred Adoption Site Launched

Well we are thinking this could be a good and a BAD thing for the horses. What an "ideal" place for killbuyers to browse for "FTGH" horses....How carefully will owners screen the potential "adoptors," and are contracts going to be required? We doubt it.
-----------------
From "The Horse.Com"

Thoroughbreds are great athletes, and they also are great pleasure and companion animals for those who love horses.

Bloodhorse.com and TheHorse.com are teaming up to bring Thoroughbreds in need of homes to the attention of hundreds of thousands of horse owners across the United States. Creating this database was the brainchild of Antony Beck of Gainesway Farm.

With the Thoroughbred Adoption Services, any registered Thoroughbred, of any age, is eligible to be placed on this database of FREE horses. The database will be housed on TheHorse.com and will be promoted in the Thoroughbred industry by The Blood-Horse and Bloodhorse.com and in the pleasure horse and sport horse industries by The Horse and TheHorse.com.

In these tough economic times some Thoroughbreds need to find other homes and careers. This database allows Thoroughbred owners, breeders, and trainers to place a description of a Thoroughbred in front of horse industry participants with the objective of finding a good home for that horse. Any transactions will be the responsibility of the owner of the horse, who will be contacted directly by those interested in adopting that horse.

If you--or someone you know--has a Thoroughbred in need of a new home, please visit TheHorse.com. Links to the database will be on the home page starting Friday, Oct. 31.

Or you can visit Add A Horse to add a horse or Horses Available to view horses seeking new homes.

We recommend anyone giving away a horse, whether to a private individual or a welfare/rescue organization, learn as much as possible about that person or group prior to giving the horse away. There have been unscrupulous individuals and groups who take horses under the pretense of giving them good homes, then sell them for slaughter. (See article "Rescue Highlights Danger of Free Horses".)

The article "Horse Rescue Organizations: Questions to Ask" offers some tips on making sure the person or group who takes your horse has good intentions.

There also are some very good organizations that are recognized throughout the Thoroughbred and horse industries as being legitimate places to donate your horses, especially the sound horses looking for other careers. The article "Options for Ex-Racehorses" will give you the names and contact information for some of these groups whether you are interested in donating or adopting a Thoroughbred. BloodHorse.com offers an online directory of welfare and rescue organizations, as does the Unwanted horse Coalition.

Please spread the word to help Thoroughbreds find new homes and career

Click on title above to see article.

Mountaineer Ban: From the Rescuers Point of View or, "The Rest of the Story"

Well you will have to read back a few posts to follow this thread, but it started with the Announcement that Mountaineer was iniating a "No-Kill" policy at their track, and it wasnt two days later when TB rescuers found at least one horse from Mountaineer in a Pa Killpen.. The story goes when the rescuers called Mountaineer for help with this horse, Mountaineer either couldnt or would not help. We contacted Mountaineer to inquire into the matter and their response is in the post entitled "Mounaineer Responds" which is the post just below this one. As a result of Mountaineers response, the rescuers involved responded,...to us, and here is the rescuers "rest of the story," and of couse, our reply to that.

----- Original Message -----
From: Glv190@aol.com
To: againstslaughter@yahoogroups.com
Cc: QARR@NYCAP.RR.COM
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 6:12 PM
Subject: Re: [againstslaughter] Mountaineer Replys to Inquiry re:Sugarcreek TB Saves

Chris,

Indeed there are two sides to every story and since I am the person who called Rosemary Williams last Monday to inform her that Hopi's Lolo (a Mountaineer Thoroughbred who had just raced on Oct. 24th) was in a kill pen at New Holland, I would like for everyone to know the real story and not only the half truth reported by Ms. Williams.

The fact is that when I called Ms Williams, she relayed my call to Tamara Pettit who is the Marketing Director at Mountaineer. I informed Ms Pettit that one of their horses was in a kill-pen at New Holland and asked her what if anything they would be willing/able to do to help us get her out of there. Ms. Pettit's response was that Mountaineer had already made its charitable expenditures for 2008 and that we should submit a request for 2009. Well, suffice it to say that I informed Ms. Pettit that Hopi's Lolo need help NOW and that offering to help in 2009 would be far too late for Hopi as she would be DEAD IN 48 HOURS!!

It was disgustingly evident during my conversation with Ms.Pettit that Mountaineer was going to do NOTHING to help us save Hopi. So when I had another call come in via call waiting and realized the call was from someone who would actually STEP UP to help us save Hopi, I quickly ended my conversation with Ms Pettit.

The funny thing is that while Ms Pettit and Ms Williams were busy giving me excuses as to why they couldnt help their horse, I was in the process of recovering 5 TB's from a zero tolerance racetrack that actually does STEP UP for their horses. In fact, it was the track who paid for the horses, paid for their transport, and will pay a fee per horse to the TRF to care for them until they can be rehomed. This track is putting its money where its mouth is and is truly concerned that their horses are NOT sold to slaughter and that they are humanely treated once they leave the racetrack.

Mountaineers policy of banning trainers from sending horses to slaughter at Sugarcreek is NOT a zero tolerance policy. It is pathetic attempt on the part of Mountaineer to fool people into believing that they are protecting their horses from being sold to slaughter. The truth is that in singling out Sugarcreek they have left the door wide-open for trainers to send the horses directly to kill-buyers lots who will then transport the hroses to other kill auctions. Hopi is a perfect example. She was originally purchased at Sugarcreek on Oct. 31st and then transported to New Holland where the kill buyer was gathering more horses before heading them off to slaughter. This kill buyer will simply pick the Mountaineer horses up at Rudibaughs now (bypassing Sugarcreek) and will take them to New Holland where they will still be sold for slaughter.

Mountaineer's ban on horses being sold at Sugarcreek does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to protect them. It is all Mountaineer smoke and mirrors. Until they implement a zero tolerance policy on slaughter and until they put in place a plan to transition horses from the track and provide the funding to do so, there is no reason whatsoever to "thank them" or to pat them on the back. Nothing has changed for Mountaineer horses. Just ask the ones we couldnt save who went to slaughter last week.

Gail
-----------------
OUR REPLY

Gail,

The announcment wasnet a day old when this NH incident occurred, and I think you probably caught them off guard, not quite ready to deal with the instant "backlash" as a result of the announcment. There is no plan or program yet but they are working on one. Yes, you are right, we do need to warn them about places like the Mel Hoovers of Pa and the Rudibaughs of Oh., and YES also to get them to adopt a strong "O" tolerence slaughter policy like the others.
However, I DO feel thanks are in order for them for finally going public, whatever their reason or ultimatium may be, for taking a stance against slaughter. Even if it is only lip service for now, it is something we can work with them on, now that they have professed to be on the right side...it is a statement they DID NOT HAVE to make at all....they could have stayed with the arguement like so many other horse-loving folk do, that slaughter is a "necessary evil" or "humane euthansia." . At least they proport now to be on the anti-slaughter side, so we can work with them. It will take time and good people like yourself & Anne, Canter and other good TB rescues to guide them and "grow with them," and show them the best way. I can very well understand your frustration in not getting any help from Mountaineer for that emergecny,...I have been in that position before numerous times, when there was no help to be had for an animal from those responsible for its condition or situation, or in authority to act. It is very frustrating indeed. I have learned to accept that we are really all "on our own" in this business when it comes right down to it, yes, "Friends," "networks" and coalitions are nice to have and provide much needed support, but what happens when the support is not there, what can we do? Move on and do our best with what we have...and HOPE that support will come eventually someday "to stay," at least in some cases.
Now I dont know Ms Williams personally but she seems sincere in her desire to do the right thing. It is a new policy and they havent worked out all the kinks yet....and she is asking for help with setting up a program to help. She is talking with Canter whom I believe will be working with Mountaineer to help rehome some of the horses, and you dont think that is something to appaud and celebrate or to be thankful for? You do not think that is "progress?" We do!
Thanks for caring.
Cj/MK
----------
And then this, from us to Mountaineer re: the rescuers "rest" of the story;

Rosemary,

We received this from the TB rescuers involved in that NH case where a Mountaineer Horse showed up. Apparently they were not happy with your reply and have responded to it through us. They do not think you (Mountaineer) are sincere but "Friends of Equines" has defended you, cause we believe you are. Time will tell and we hope we are right.

Here is a link to their blurb and our reply;

http://horseracingshame.blogspot.com/

Together, we CAN make a difference!

Thanks

CJ, aka "MuleKist," Founder,
Friends of Equines FOES of Equine Slaughter
http://www.freewebs.com/friendsofequines
"Because We Care"

Mountaineer Responds to TBs Found in Pa. Killpen

From: QARR [mailto:QARR@NYCAP.RR.COM]
Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 11:06 AM
To: Rosemary Williams
Subject: Mountaineer TBs Found @ Sugarcreek

Dear Ms Williams,

We were just in the process of writing you a thank you letter for initiating a new "No Slaughter" policy at Mountaineer Track, when we got this message this morning through our emails,

Click on title above to read alert;
http://horseracingshame.blogspot.com/

and the rescuers are claiming that they spoke with someone at Mountaineer who said they cannot help.

We are hoping that at least you will follow through with sanctions against the owner or owners who bought these horses to SugarCreek Auction directly from your track, whomever they may be.

Please advise.

Thanks

Christine Jubic, Founder,
Friends of Equines FOES of Equine Slaughter
http://www.freewebs.com/friendsofequines
"Because We Care"

* “It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brushfires in people’s minds.”--Samuel Adams

* "The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.If There Is No Struggle, There Is No Progress"-F. Douglas

"To Stand and Do Nothing When We Should be Protesting Makes Cowards of Us." - A. Lincoln


MOUNTAINEERS REPLY

Christine,

This horse left our grounds way before the policy of not sending horses to Sugar Creek was implemented. It is my understanding that the horse had a Sugar Creek tag on it and it somehow was found in New Holland. The trainer was put on notice.

Our PR department took the call on this horse and the caller demanded money. Our worker explained there was a process and the caller hung up on her. So there again half truths are circulating.

Rose Mary Williams
Director of Racing
304-387-8334
304-387-8303 fax

OUR REPLY

Thank you Rose Mary,

Of course there is always two sides to a story. I dont see why they would have demanded money of the track as it is the owners who are responsible,...not the track.
You still have a letter of thanks coming from "Friends of Equines" and we will add you as a "Friend" of Racehorses on our websites along with the Suffolk and the Magna Tracks people.

Of course the problem remains of what to do with all these OT horses and who will care for them, but we have an answer for that! We hope you will support our

"Tax Break Money to Go to the Horses" petition, and you can read more about it here;
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/a-petition-2-amend-the-farm-bill

Thanks for Caring!

Christine A Jubic. Founder,
Friends of Equines FOES of Equine Slaughter
http://www.freewebs.com/friendsofequines
"Because We Care"

MOUNTAINEERS REPLY

There will be a release out later this week. We just set Mountaineer up with the Canter program. They appear to be very well intended.

Rose Mary Williams
Director of Racing
304-387-8334
304-387-8303 fax

OUR REPLY

Thank you Rose Mary,

Yes Canter is a good outfit. There will be more help for you as we go aong, until we can get the industry to free up some real money for rehoming and retirement......

Also, we thought you might like to know as you are probably getting them also, we have received a few "hate mails" and "Letters of Concern" from owners and breeders worried about the ban,....and have posted one of the more "polite ones" here;

http://horseracingshame.blogspot.com/2008/11/tb-owner-in-uproar-over-mountaineer.html

We hope you wont let the turkeys get you down. You are doing the right thing, and we are encouraging our betting friends to only play at the No-Kill Tracks. We anti-slaughter folk ARE winning this war but we need the Industry to help us do it.

Thank you for taking the horses side!

CJ

Mountaineer TB Found in Pa. Killpen & Mountaineer Wont Help?

5 TB'S at Sugarcreek needs help

Mon Nov 3, 2008 11:49 am (PST)

They had a team of people at New Holland this
morning to recover 5 TB'S from a ZERO slaughter tolerance track. They
recovered all 5 and they are safe and headed to a TRF facility.

During the process they found 5 more TB'S in the direct to kill pen.
2 are injured. One of the injured horses just raced at Mountaineer on
October 24th. They have contacted Mountaineer and they are
unwilling/unable to help.

-End of Report

I am wondering who they talked to at Mountaineer and who was the owner who sent them to SugarCreek? The LEAST we can hope for here is that Mountaineer will keep its word and prosecute the offenders.

TB Owners in an UpRoar Over New Mountaineer Ban!

Letter of concern received today, and our reply;

Monday, November 3, 2008

Christine A. Jubic, Founder
Friends of Equines
FOE of Equine Slaughter


Re: Mountaineer Racetrack Memo


Dear Ms. Jubic:

On October 31, 2008 all Horsemen received a memo from Rose Mary Williams (in a nutshell and paraphrazed) stating that any horse going to Sugar Creek Auction, the last trainer of the horse would suffer stall loss and management exclusion. Well, as you can imagine, all horsemen are up in arms over this memo. You have succeeded in your effort to stop the hauling and should consider this quite a victory for all the animals.

I personally do not believe in horse-slaughter and my horses have a home to come to after racing. I am fortunate enough to be in a position that MY horses have a safety net after racing being retrained/reschooled and going on to other careers hopefully as sound plausible mounts. I have the time it takes to wait for safe homes for my horses that can no longer race and need another career. Most of the trainers at the track do not. They make a living training horses and that is how they support their families. Their horses don't have an 80 acre farm to go to and rest, relax and recuperate. Their horses "run for the money" every time they come out of the stall. I don't have to like it or agree with it, but it is HOW they live. It is their WAY OF LIFE. I don't know if it is right or wrong because I've thankfully, never been in their shoes, wondering what is like to know if I don't have a horse win "something" I can not buy feed or buy one of my children a coat for the winter. I don't know this kind of life.

But what I do know now, Mountaineer has NO resources or rescue set up to take these "unwanted horses", house them, get them out of those trainers stalls, so they can go on making a living, how they see fit. So, the horsemen are retaliating by coming up with ideas on how they can "rid themselves" of these horses they want to get out of their stalls, now that they can not have them picked up for the sale. Now, their "ideas" horrify me greatly and will really effect MY horses.

Some of the ideas that have been "overheard" are: They will give them a sedative and "run them into the river to drowned" and wash someplace down stream after they cut their lip off.

One horseman has a part-time backhoe business. He will make a fortune off track people and is already gearing towards this possible "new income".

Selling them to labs around the country for experiments, rat poison etc. The list went on and on to more crazier to down right ludicrous.

Most of these "ideas" are bred out of anger and resentment in changing the way they have always done business and I don't think they would follow through with them, BUT, the one "idea" that I am most concerned about that they can and will follow through with is-- if they can't get them out of their stalls, they will juice up their unsound horses and run them until they break down on the track and then it will be the tracks responsibility to "get rid of them". We are talking slab fractures, busted knees, sheared ankles, the most frightening forms of life threatening leg problems. They will numb these horses or freeze them up with whatever means necessary and send them out to race against healthy horses and if they breakdown in the middle of the pack, not only are they going to be trampled but any horse around them and the riders also are going to be hurt or killed. Now, it is everyone's concern and a scenario that is and will happen. I'm put in a position that I am going loose my horse that I've raised from a baby, trained, put thousand of hours into, planned a future for long after racing due to lack of communication between two groups of different people. You folks and Trainers. I'm going to be what the military regards as "civilian causalities". And I'm not sure who the thank for that.

I believe in the petition you sent to Rose Mary Williams, you stated "just ask and we will come", well, it's time to get the ball rolling with some help for these horses. I've contacted an arm long list of rescues and have received basically the same response. "WE ARE FULL" due to the economy horses aren't selling or being placed. Now, don't judge me to harshly, I've got 6 of my own horses that can no longer race that are in pasture and being fed, taking a toll on our barn too, so I do my part with those and I am willing to help with what I can. I don't know what the solution is or if there is a right or wrong answer in this situation, but I know more horses are going to be jeopardized and meet a terrible fate if a solution isn't worked out.

Respectfully,

Sherri Snyder
------------------

Our Reply;

Sherri, we are glad the anti-slaughter movement is finding support from industrymen (and woman.) We will ALL have to be sure and write Ms. Williams a GREAT BIG thank you letter for stepping up for the horses and joining the ranks of industrymen(and woman) who sincerley care about the life-long welfare of the horses. Many many people, thousands upon thousands of horse lovers, protectors, advocates, rescuers and people who just admire the horse, have worked very hard over many years to get this far. These are the "small victories" we must content ourselves with until which time the federal ban against horse slaughter is finally enacted and we wont have to worry about any American horses going to slaughter anymore and can concentrate on putting programs in place to take care of the "unwanted" ones.

Your concerns about "alternatives" to auction-house disposal or slaughter are real, and thank you for bringing them to the fore, but I am thinking cannot these owners afford to euthanise their industry "unwanteds?" We are thinking if not, perhaps these "poorer" industrymen should find a new line of business that would provide them a more steady and sure source of income? Also, dont the owners get a write off for the "losers" they have to dispose of?

Having NOTHING to do with the recent Mountaineer ban, In the New Holland Pa area, many racehorse owners are no longer bringing their horses to New Holland Auction (Pa.'s version of Sugarcreek) for fear they will be rescued by people who will discover that they were racing their horses lame, such as the case with Jerry Hollendorfer and "Heavenly Perfect." You can read all about there here:

Trainer of the Year Runs Horse Near to Death then Ships Her Off to Slaughter
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/trainer-of-the-year-runs-horse-to-death

Instead of bringing them to the NH Meat-Market Auction, some of the owners are now bringing them to Mel Hoovers Stable, a private livestock dealer just down the road from NH Auction, where Mel promices that their horses will not be rescued but will be sure to go to slaughter; EVIDENCE DESTROYED. Guaranteed. No problem.

Exposing Mel Hoover;
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/horsekiller-has-secret-pact-w-

It is imperative that it is made clear that it is not just Sugarcreek that the owners should avoid in seeking to "dispose" of their retired athletes. Yes as I have been saying, there are THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS of equine advocates, rescuers and protectors out there that would love nothing more than to be able to help re-home and retire ALL of these industry unwanteds, but our finances and facilities are stretched to the limits already, and we CANNOT do it on our own, we simply must find a way to work all together towards that goal, and there is only ONE way we can do it, we are certain of this, and it is only With the help of the industrys FINANCIAL support. The biggest producers and promoters, the "Millonaires Club" puppy-millers of the equine world need to start contibuting in a really big way. We will need LOTS of money not only to care for the horses but to buy more LAND for new facilities and/or expansion of already exisiting ones. They make money every day but they dont make land and what we have left is fast disappearing to development and FOREIGN investment. We need to start buying land NOW while there is still some left.

If we could get the proposed amendments to the Farm Bill & the Economic Stimulus Act in place, there would be PLENTY of money to do this. The rescuers, protectors and advocates will be there to help but we need the Industry to help us to be able to help them, and that is by having the BIG TOP 10 Producers & Promoters sacrifice only a small portion of their multi-million dollar tax-breaks for the rehoming and retirement of their horses.

I will pass your blurb along to some TB rescues in our area in hopes that some help will be found for the Mountaineer OTTBs, but yes you are right, most all rescues are strained and unable to take any more horses. The Finger Lakes TB Adoption program nearest us helped in the rescue of 85 starving TBs from a breeder. The rescues CANNOT do it alone - that is why we have engaged in our "Industry Accountability" Campaigns. We cannot do it without the financial backing of all who have a hand in registered horse production. Of course, we need to get the industry to get breeding under control, and one way to do that is to create breeding "dis-incentives" by making them contribute to the long-term care of their unwanteds. Did you see our "Tax Break Money to Go to Equine Retirement" petition? There is the ONLY answer. Nothing less with do;

Industry Tax Break Money to Go to Horses
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/a-petition-2-amend-the-farm-bill

Thanks for caring and keep up the good work for your animals.
IF everyone were as responsible as yourself, there would be no "artificial" "need" for equine slaughter

CJ

Mountaineer to Go "No-Kill?" Wow!

We ARE making GREAT strides in the "No-Kill" Stable Revolution! Mountaineer going "No-Kill" should make a BIG dent in the number of TBs Showing up at SugarCreek Cruelty Auction House!

MOUNTAINEER MAY BAN TRAINERS SELLING AT SLAUGHTER AUCTION
By Ray Paulick

Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort in West Virginia has notified horsemen they will lose stalls and may be excluded from the track if any horses racing at Mountaineer end up at the Sugarcreek auction in Ohio, the Amish-run livestock sale where many horses end up in the hands of killer buyers and headed for slaughter facilities in Canada or Mexico.

The new policy appeared on aTuesday overnight entry sheetat the Chester, W. Va., track. Suffolk Downs racetrack in East Boston, Mass., was a pioneer in instituting a policy to prevent horses going to slaughter auctions, and Magna Entertainment recently adopted a company-wide policy at its tracks.

Mountaineer also is instituting a ban on toe grabs in excess of two millimeters in height on the front feet. That policy takes effect Dec. 1.

Thanks to the Paulick Report reader who brought this new policy at Mountaineer to our attention.

Vicki
vicki tobin|http://www.vickitobin.com
The only way to stop excessive breeding is to take away the financial incentive that slaughter
provides and then to back rigid enforcement of existing cruelty laws. We cannot wish our way
out of abuse and neglect any more than we can slaughter our way out of it.
~ John Holland

STOP the WholeSale Industrial Killing of NewBorn Baby Horses / Exposing the Nightmare of Nurse Mare Farming

Click on title above to read all about the racing industrys "other" dirty little secret.

Racing Industry Greed Disguised as "Civic Good"

Guess by now we have all heard of the horse racing industrys new "marketing campaigns." I am particularly annoyed with the proposal to promote the horse-racing / gambling industry to our communites, our family's and youth as a "civic good." They are encouraging their members to contribute to local charities, to participate in such programs as Habitait for Humanity, and to promote the creation of local funding for civic events, particularly geared towards our children such as with their charitable work with the children and the Ronald McDonald folk. This is racing industry greed at it worst, as it is putting our youth at risk by promoting gambling as "a good thing." Dont the industry brainieacts that came up with that idea know gambling is a vice and is the ruination of many familys' and youths and is something NOT to be promoted as a benefit to society? Duh. For shame on them for trying to disguise their own self-interest in the
guise of "civic duty & pride!"

Read more about it here;

http://www.freewebs.com/horseracinghallofshame/index.htm

A Workable Solution that Would END 95% of Horse Slaughter in the USA!!

Greetings Fellow Equine Lovers, Protectors, Advocates & Rescuers!

Here is an idea we think is a very good one and will REALLY help the
horses.

Please read it over and see what you think, and if you agree that
this is a good idea, please sign and pass it around.

Click on title above to see the plan;
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/a-petition-2-amend-the-farm-bill

Thanks!

CJ/MK, Founder,
"Friends of Equines FOES of Equine Slaughter"
http://www.freewebs.com/friendsofequines
"Because WE Care"


"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate,
tireless minority keen to set brushfires in people's minds."
--Samuel Adams

* "The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those
whom they oppress.If There Is No Struggle, There Is No Progress"
-F. Douglas

Petition to Amend the Farm Bill and Economic Stimulus Act

In view of all the "so-called un-wanted" horses being produced and the industries opposition to our anti-horse slaughter efforts, we propose amendments to the Farm Bill & the Economic Stimulus Act that would; with-hold tax-break monies from the BIG TOP 10 breeders/producers of horses and to those who promote their breeding, the various "breed specific" Registries, the Jockey Club & the AQHA, said monies to be put towards a National Registered American Equine Atheletes Rehoming & Retirement Fund, and to remove breeding incentives to be replaced with rewards for responsible breeding and/or breeding DIS-incentives;

Click title above to see petition;
http://horseracingshame.blogspot.com/2008/10/proposal-to-amend-farm-bill-and-equine.html

Horse Lovers, Rescuers, Advocates & Protectors IGNORING Heavenly Perfect Petition. Friends of Hollendorfer?

Where are the "Fans of Heavenly Perfect?" Why are not their signatures on this petition? What are they afraid of? Getting sued? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

No Support from Anti-Slaughter Camp for Petition that Would REALLY Help Horses

Click on title above to see the petition that would really help thousands of horses that the anti-horse slaughter folk dont seem to be signing. Can you imagine why? Is not the idea embodied in this petition a good one? What is the problem here? Because some rescues "dont like us?" Well lets not lose focus here people....its not about who we like or dislike,....its about the horses, remember, the ones they are killing every day? The ones that die as we stand idly by....

"To stand in silence when we should be protesting makes cowards of us." - Abraham Lincoln


Guess we will have to get this petition on over to the "general" animal loving community as these so-called "horse loving" folk are somthin' else!

Click on title above to see petition

Kentucky Racing Commissions' Task "Farce?"

Click on title above for an interesting read from the Paulick Report;
http://www.paulickreport.com/blog/kentucky-racing-an-integrity-task-farce/

TB Owners & Trainers Rebutt NTRA's Stance on Horse Slaughter

From the Paulick Report: Following is the text of the letter from Josephine Abercrombie and the list of co-signors of HR 6598.

Sept. 23, 2008

Dear Chairman Conyers and Ranking Member Smith:

Last week, during a Judiciary Committee mark up of H.R. 6598 – the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008, it was revealed that the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) does not support current legislation to ban horse slaughter. Needless to say, we were surprised at the revelation and disappointed by the reasons NTRA put forward, none of which are valid.

As Thoroughbred industry leaders who have long supported all Congressional actions to end this cruel industry, we were disappointed that the NTRA voiced unfounded concerns to those who support the slaughter of horses thus jeopardizing the passage of this legislation. We and so many others in the Thoroughbred breeding and racing community strongly support all legislative initiatives, including H.R. 503, S. 311, and H.R. 6598, which will bring horse slaughter to a swift end. We want you to know that the NTRA’s position is not representative of the larger community.

We commend you, Chairman Conyers, for providing this bill with a fair hearing, which has allowed it to move to this point. Given the narrow opportunity to act before Congress adjourns, we hope that H.R. 6598 can swiftly be moved from Committee to the floor of the full House of Representatives for final consideration. This bill is too important for politics to delay its enactment. Every five minutes an American horse is slaughtered. This bill can stop that.

H.R. 6598 is a sound bill that puts enforcement into the hands of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and its agents who are trained and staffed to deal with criminal issues. We feel confident that the DOJ has the necessary experience in dealing with large animal confiscations having led such high profile investigations involving animal fighting, Class B Dealers, and puppy mills. As with other statutes, under H.R. 6598, the DOJ has the authority to ask for assistance from other federal, state and non-governmental agencies during its enforcement of the law and this flexibility has shown to be highly effective.

Under a close examination of the concerns asserted by those opposing the bill, we can see no legitimate reason not to pass this legislation. As representatives of the Thoroughbred industry we look forward to the next Committee mark up of H.R. 6598 and urge you to pass H.R. 6598 as written, without amendments, as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Josephine Abercrombie

WE, the undersigned, are co-signors of this letter and support legislation to stop the slaughter of American horses.
John H. Adger, racing and bloodstock manager, Stonerside Stable, Houston, TX;
Peggy Augustus, Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Keswick Stables, Keswick, VA;
Betty and Gary Biszantz, Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Cobra Farm, Lexington, KY and Solana Beach, CA;
Nadia Sanan Briggs, Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Padua Stables, Ocala, FL;
Anne and Cot Campbell, Thoroughbred owners, Dogwood Stable, Aiken, SC;
Pat Chapman, Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Someday Farm, Doylestown, PA;
Jenny Craig, Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Rancho Paseana, Rancho Santa Fe, CA;
Carol Farmer, Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Shadowlawn Farm, Midway, KY;
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Ford, Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Diamond A Farms, Versailles, KY;
Maegan Ford, Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Diamond A Farms, Versailles, KY;
Staci and Arthur Hancock, Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Stone Farm, Paris, KY;
Mark Hennig, Thoroughbred owner and trainer, Garden City, NY;
Sara Jones Hill, Thoroughbred owner, Coconut Grove, FL;
Gretchen and Roy Jackson, Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Lael Farm, West Grove, PA;
Barbara Banke and Jess Jackson, Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Stonestreet Farm, Lexington, KY;
Jackson W. Knowlton, Thoroughbred owner, managing partner, Sackatoga Stable, Saratoga Springs, NY;
Julie Krone, Racing Hall of Fame jockey, Los Angeles, CA;
Janice and Robert McNair, Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Stonerside Stables, Houston, TX;
Ellen Moelis and Herbert I Moelis, Thoroughbred Charities of America, Candyland Farm, Middletown, DE;
Maggi Moss, Thoroughbred owner, Moss Equestrians, Des Moines, Iowa;
Joanne and Paul Oreffice, Thoroughbred owners, Dogwood Stables, Paradise Valley, AZ;
Debby and John Oxley, Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Fawn Leap Farm, Midway, KY;
Madeleine Paulson Pickens, Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Rancho Santa Fe, CA;
Dan Rosenberg, Rosenberg Thoroughbred Consulting,, Midway, KY;
James D. Squires, Two Bucks Farm, Versailles, KY;
Angie Athayde-Stevens, Thoroughbred consultant, Los Angeles, CA;
Gary Stevens, Racing Hall of Fame jockey; Los Angeles, CA;
Deborah W. Tatham and Thomas P. Tatham, Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Oak Cliff Breeders, Houston, TX;
Melanie and Jeffrey Tucker, Stone Bridge Farm, Schuylerville, NY;
Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson, Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Lexington, KY and Saratoga Springs, NY;
Kim and Nick Zito, Thoroughbred owner and trainer, Lexington, KY and Saratoga Springs, NY.

Copyright © 2008, The Paulick Report

Big Brown Injured at Aqueduct: Racing Career is Over!

NEW YORK (AP)—Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown’s racing career is over after injuring his right front foot during a workout at Aqueduct on Monday.Trainer Rick Dutrow said the 3-year-old colt, who was preparing for the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 25, appeared to kick himself while working on the turf course at Aqueduct with stablemate Kip Deville. Big Brown was able to complete the six-furlong work when Dutrow noticed blood coming out of the foot.
“It looks like he grabbed himself in a bad spot,” Dutrow said.
Though the extent of the injury is unknown, Michael Iavarone of IEAH Stables, co-owners of Big Brown, said the horse who captivated the racing world during his Triple Crown bid will not race again.
“It’s in the best interest of the horse to let him recover and move on to his breeding career,” Iavarone said.
It means there will be no showdown in the BC Classic between Big Brown and 4-year-old star Curlin. The race was expected to be Big Brown’s last before retiring to stud at Three Chimneys Farm in Midway, Ky.

“This is devastating. He had a great work this morning, and we were very excited about going to Breeders’ Cup,” Iavarone said. “This is not only devastating to us, but to all of his fans who won’t get to see him run in the Classic.”

In this June 2, 2008 file phot…
AP - Oct 13, 11:22 am EDT
The injury caps a brilliant but somewhat controversial career for Big Brown, who won seven times in eight starts including dominant runs in the Derby and the Preakness.
His bid for the first Triple Crown since 1978 ended during a bizarre Belmont Stakes in which he was eased by jockey Kent Desormeaux at the turn and he trotted across the finish line in last.
The Belmont came after Dutrow admitted he took Big Brown off the anabolic steroid Winstrol, though Dutrow claimed the decision had nothing to do with Big Brown’s poor performance. The horse was also dealing with a painful quarter crack in his left front hoof. That injury is unrelated to the injury he sustained Monday.
Big Brown bounced back from the Belmont with wins in the Haskell Invitational and the Monmouth Stakes and was poised for a shot at Curlin, horse racing’s all-time leading money winner. Not anymore. Dutrow expressed disappointment but said the horse’s health is the highest priority.
“The best case scenario is he lives a real good life,” Dutrow said.

Click on title above to read "BloodHorse" article

"Friends" Encourages U 2 Bet Only @ "No Slaughter" Tracks

If you or anyone you know bets the horses, tell them
to bet only at Anti-Slaughter Tracks;
Suffolk, Gulfstream, Laurel, Pimlico, & Santa Anita

Magna Tracks Enact No-Slaughter Ban

Magna tracks enact slaughter policy

Magna Entertainment Corp. will not allow any owner or trainer found to have transported horses from one of its facilities to a slaughter facility or to an auction to sell horses for slaughter to obtain stalls at any of its tracks.

The policy reads: “Any trainer or owner stabling at an MEC facility who directly or indirectly participates in the transport of a horse from an MEC facility to either a slaughterhouse or an auction house engaged in selling horses for slaughter will be prohibited from having stalls at any MEC facility. The policy also applies to any actions related to the transport of a horse from an MEC facility where the ultimate intended result is the horse's slaughter.”

The company, which owns Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park, Pimlico Race Course, and Laurel Park among other tracks, announced the new guidelines on Friday.

In June, Suffolk Downs became the first North American track to enact such a policy, stating that any trainer found to have sold a horse for slaughter would have his stalls revoked and be denied stalls in the future.

Last month, Suffolk Downs officials informed an unnamed Thoroughbred owner that he was no longer welcome at the Boston track after two horses associated with him were discovered at the auction pens at New Holland, Pennsylvania.

"Since the inception of MEC, we have taken care to protect the health and safety of [its] customers, workers, and equine athletes participating in activities at all of our facilities,” Magna Chairman Frank Stronach said in a statement. “The goal of the policy is to forewarn industry participants who participate in the slaughter of racehorses that they are not welcome at any of our facilities across the country. I hope other racetrack owners formally adopt similar policies."


Click on title above for article;
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2008/October/10/Magna-tracks-enact-slaughter-policy.aspx

Tearing at The Cloak of Neutrality

A Wonderful blurb from the Paulick Report;

INDUSTRY ORGANIZATION POSITIONS ON SLAUGHTER

By Ray Paulick

When the Judiciary Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives
held a markup hearing on Sept. 17 to discuss H.B. 6598, the
Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008 that would ban slaughter
and criminalize the transportation of horses for the purpose of
having them slaughtered for human consumption, a letter from
National Thoroughbred Racing Association president and CEO Alex
Waldrop said his organization took a neutral position on H.B. 6598
despite supporting previous anti-slaughter legislation.

Waldrop’s position statement, read into the record by Republican
Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, outraged a number of prominent
Thoroughbred industry participants, including Pin Oak Stud’s
Josephine Abercrombie, who wrote a letter signed by more than 40
individuals that was sent to the leadership of the Judiciary
Committee stating that the NTRA did not speak for them on the
issue. The Judiciary Committee passed the legislation on Sept. 23
and sent it to the full House.

On Oct. 3, however, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) referred
the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act to the Agriculture Committee,
giving that committee until Jan. 3, 2009, to take action on the
bill. Since the 110th Congress has adjourned, the bill will not
pass unless it comes up during a lame duck session, which is highly
unlikely.

Agriculture Committee chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and
ranking Republican Goodlatte both have been recipients of
contributions from the NTRA PAC, most recently receiving $5,000 for
their 2008 campaigns. Peterson is a member of the Congressional
Horse Caucus and Goodlatte has been a strong ally of the NTRA’s
lobbying efforts concerning Internet gambling and tax incentives
for breeders. Goodlatte has been an opponent of slaughter
legislation. (Abercrombie, incidentally, is a “champion” level
NTRA Horse PAC donor, giving $5,000.)

In the wake of the Judiciary Committee’s action on anti-slaughter
legislation and the NTRA’s neutral position (the American Horse
Council is also neutral), Paulick Report readers suggested we
contact other major Thoroughbred industry associations and
businesses to see if they have taken a position on the issue of
slaughter and on the specific legislation (H.B. 6598).

Listed alphabetically by organization, here is what we learned:

ASSOCIATION OF RACING COMMISSIONERS INTERNATIONAL: According to RCI
president/CEO Ed Martin, the RCI “normally does not take positions
on pending legislation in Congress and has not been asked by any of
its members to address the issue.”

BREEDERS’ CUP: Greg Avioli, president/CEO, said the Breeders’
Cup “has not issued a formal policy statement on the slaughter
legislation before Congress. However, it is the strong consensus of
our board that slaughter is inhumane and any and all reasonable
options other than slaughter should be pursued. In furtherance of
this position, proceeds from this year’s Championships will go to
multiple retirement organizations.”

CHURCHILL DOWNS INC. Officials did not reply to requests for a
position statement. Churchill Downs Inc, created the Greener
Pastures program in conjunction with the Thoroughbred Retirement
Foundation and supports other retirement and retraining programs.

FASIG-TIPTON: Did not reply to requests for a position statement.
Under the leadership of the late John Hettinger, Fasig-Tipton’s
majority shareholder, the company created Blue Horse Charities to
offer support to various retirement and retraining organizations.
Hettinger was the industry’s leading anti-slaughter advocate.

JOCKEY CLUB: Spokesman Bob Curran gave no position on H.B. 6598 but
said the official breed registry “is opposed to the slaughter or
processing of Thoroughbreds for consumption by humans or animals.
This includes the sale and/or transportation of Thoroughbreds for
slaughter or processing for consumption by humans or animals.” The
Jockey Club is a member of theUnwanted Horse Coalition.

KEENELAND ASSOCIATION: Did not reply to requests for a position
statement. Keeneland and its foundation have supported Thoroughbred
retirement and retraining organizations, including the Thoroughbred
Retirement Foundation and Rerun.

KENTUCKY EQUINE EDUCATION PROJECT: A statement from executive
director Patrick Neely said: “It has been a topic of discussion in
some of KEEP’s industry working groups but no formal position has
been taken at this time.”

KENTUCKY THOROUGHBRED ASSOCIATION: Did not reply to requests for a
position statement. KTA lists several Thoroughbred retirement
organizations on its Web site.

MAGNA ENTERTAINMENT (owns Santa Anita, Gulfstream, Laurel, Pimlico,
Lone Star Park, Remington Park, Golden Gate Fields): Does not have
a position statement on slaughter or current anti-slaughter
legislation, according to an official with the company.

NATIONAL HORSEMEN’S BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION: CEO
Remi Bellocq said he could not provide a yes or no answer to
whether the organization supports a ban on slaughter or H.B. 6598
because of the diversity of the 30 HBPA affiliates across North
America. “Our horsemen and horsewomen fall across the spectrum on
this issue,” Bellocq said. The National HBPA is a member of the
Unwanted Horse Coalition. Bellocq said “this shouldn’t be
defined necessarily as a ‘slaughter for human consumption’ issue
but, rather, an ‘unwanted horses’ issue. To a person, if given a
choice, horsemen would much prefer finding a home and/or second
career for their horses as opposed to slaughter. Unfortunately, no
matter what legislation (state or federal) is passed, the real
problem – the number of unwanted horses – will still exist. To
stem the number of unwanted horses, education and awareness are a
key first step to successfully bring the number down.

“To that end, in 2005 National HBPA was one of the founding
members of the Unwanted Horse and we continue working actively
within the UHC to better educate horsemen about the options
including, should all else fail, humane euthanasia. The UHC has set-
up a big tent under which all the wonderful horse rescue programs
can work together. If we truly made an industry-wide effort to
centralize, for example, an ex-racehorse outplacement / adoption
program, I am convinced many could be placed with willing owners.
Why not, for instance, establish a national site modeled after
Petfinder.com? Already, organizations like the Illinois HBPA have
created similar approaches with success (see Illinois HBPA’s
Horses Wanted link.”

NEW YORK RACING ASSOCIATION: Did not reply to requests for a
position statement. NYRA offers support to the Exceller Fund, which
helps place retired horses and has supported the Thoroughbred
Retirement Foundation. THOROUGHBRED HORSEMEN’S ASSOCIATION: CEO
Alan Foreman said the organization has not taken a position on the
current legislation. “There will be a new Congress in January and
we will visit the issue then,” Foreman said.

THOROUGHBRED OWNERS AND BREEDERS ASSOCIATION: Position statement
from TOBA president Dan Metzger: “We are categorically opposed to
the slaughter of Thoroughbreds, and urge all those involved in the
Thoroughbred industry to support rescue and adoption efforts and to
work together to find humane means of dealing with the problems
presented by Thoroughbreds no longer suitable for racing or
breeding.” Metzger did not indicate whether or not TOBA has a
position on H.B. 6598. TOBA is a member of the Unwanted Horse
Coalition and is affiliated with Thoroughbred Charities of America,
which supports numerous horse retirement and retraining operations.

THOROUGHBRED OWNERS OF CALIFORNIA: Did not reply to requests for a
position statement. TOC’s Web site offers advice to a horse’s
“last owner” and pushed for a first-of-its-kind charitable fund,
the Calfornia Retirement Management Account (CARMA), to solicit
and distribute purse checkoffs for retirement and retraining
programs. Transport for slaughter is illegal in California.

THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATIONS: Executive vice president Chris
Scherf said the organization of North American racetracks has
adopted no official position.

Copyright © 2008, The Paulick Report

Searching for that "Perfect" Christmas Present?

How about a racing stable of your own?
For a mere 10 Million ...

THREE CHIMNEYS THOROUGHBRED RACING STABLE PACKAGE
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gate? You go to Three Chimneys Farm. The legendary Kentucky farm has managed
some of racing's winningest thoroughbreds, including history's only
undefeated triple crown winner (a little guy named Seattle Slew). For this
exclusive package, you get the works because Three Chimneys means business.
They will build you a stable of 12-15 thoroughbreds and with your input will
train them, house them, select races, enter them in races, provide you a
personal racing concierge, and manage the entire enterprise for the next
four years. As the owner, you get to name your stable and any unnamed
horses, design your own silks, attend races, pose for pictures, give quotes
to the media ... and keep all the purses and trophies.

Thoroughbred Racing Stable Package
Price $10,000,000.00
Neiman Marcus - The Christmas Book, Page 82

http://www.neimanma
O> rcus.com/store/sitelets/christmasbook/fantasy.jhtml?cid=O
CBF9_NMO3611&cmcat=Christmas&icid=NMCBpageF82

Proposal to Amend the Farm Bill and Economic Stimulus Act

Let them mull this over in their pea-pickin' little heads;

Click title above to see the Proposal

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/a-petition-2-amend-the-farm-bill

Bill is dead but we arent,...are we?

HR 6598 Dead n Stinkin'
& Arkansas Wants New Horse Slaughter Plant

Our latest bill to end horse slaughter, HR 6598, is dead and now, the Arkansas Horse Council wants to build a new horse slaughter plant.
Is failure of this latest bill signaling a green-light to the pro-slaughterers for a re-opening of equine slaughter houses in the USA?

Think it cant happen? Think Arkansas is the only state that cant wait
to jump on the "build a new horse-slaughter plant" bandwagon? Think
again. There are many states waiting in the wings to see "which way the wind blows" on the federal issue of horse slaughter. Sure we are winning the "polite wars" on paper and in the polls but, meanwhile, we have this mindset (and their money) to contend with;

Arkansas Horse Council Wants Horse Slaughter Plant!

Cut & Paste link below to see article;
http://tinyurl.com/48cfjv

Fellow Advocates;

Had enough of the "polite" wars? Tired of waiting on our bills to
pass? We have said it before and we'll say it again: We dont need no stinikin' bill to stop the slaughter! Come join our "Friends of Equines Industry Accountability" Campaign. We are out to hold the industry accountable and to COMPEL THEM to stop the slaughter of their own right NOW....

Our targets are the American Horse Counsil (AHC), The Jockey Club, The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA,) The American Quarter-Horse Association (AQHA), and the Nations Top Ten Breeders, just for starters. They are the most visible and culpable ones,...and they are also the ones most able to afford to help us fix the problems that they are helping to create. In terrorem (no contest,) res ipsa loquitur (the thing speaks for itself,) and Respondant Superior (They are the masters we are only the servants. They have the "deepest pockets.")!

*I know what the pro-slaughter BIGWHIGS are saying about some of our
ideas,.. I have heard them with my own ears while on our DC and Saratoga Campaigns. We also got word from some of our spies inside the enemy camps. Word is that the pro-slaughter industrialists think we are "dangerous." They say that we will cost them dearly if any of our ideas catch on. What say you?

Read more about our "Friends of Equines" Industry Accountability Campaigns
by clicking onto the title above.

Friends of Equines FOES of Equine Slaughter
http://www.freewebs.com/friendsofequines/


Dont Get Sad Get MAD, and start
"Kicking Ass for the Equines!"


"Whatever Your Fight, Dont be LadyLike!"
-Mother Jones

"Fight Like Their Lives Depend on It, Cause They Do."

- CJ/MK

"There are thousands hacking at the branches of evil and too few
striking at the root."

---Henry David Thoreau

The New Face of "Friends"

Announcing some changes to the face of our old website, updated to reflect what we are hearing is the death of HR 6598, and offering some alternative plans & solutions.....

Click title above to go there,.....

Farm Bill Gives Equine Industry $444 Mil in Tax Breaks

Incorporated into the recently enacted Farm Bill, the Equine Equity Act gives industrial horse owners and breeders $444 million dollars in tax breaks over the next 10 years! Who, we ask, ultimatley pays the "vig" on these lucrative tax breaks? We the tax payers of course, and also, the poor over-bred, over-used, over-raced horses as a species. Imagine if just a small portion of this money could be put into a national retirment fund for retired industry horses? There would be our answer to "who is going to take care of all these horses if the slaughter option ends?"

Click on title above to see the full report;
http://www.customcareequine.com/news_notes/horsepac_legislative_summary.pdf

Hollendorfer Stables to Sue Friends of Equines

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: C Jubic (518) 753 - 7791

Received Today;


VIA EMA1L AND CERTIFIED MAIL

September 30, 2008

Schiff Hardin, LLP
One Market
Spear St. Tower, 32nd. Fl
San Francisco, Ca. 94105

Christine A. Jubic
Friends of Equines, Foes of Equine Slaughter
118 River Rd.
Johnsonville, NY 12094

CJubic@nycap.rr.com

Re: Jerry Hollendorfer and Hollendorfer Racing Stables

Dear Ms. Jubic:

We represent Jerry Hollendorfer and Hollendorfer Racing Stables. I call your attention to your website, www.freewebs.comlfriendsofeciuines, and the petition drive against Mr.Hollendorfer, wherein you are trying to damage Mr. Hollendorfer’s reputation in the horse industry with slanderous comments. We demand that you and your organization, “Friends of Equines, Foes of Equine Slaughter,” retract your statements immediately and publicly apologize for the statement as well as to immediately stop the petition drive you are conducting. If you do
not do so, we will file suit against you and your organization for defamation of character and intentional infliction of emotional distress, seeking all damages available under the law,including punitive damages.
Based on your website and petition drive, it is clear you are aware that Mr. Hollendorfer is a horse trainer of some repute. As part of your petition drive, you make several incorrect and slanderous comments about Mr. Hollendorfer involving the care of a horse called Heavenly Perfect. You falsely claim that Mr. Hollendorfer raced Heavenly Perfect on May 13, 2008,
knowing that she had laminitis, a hoof disease, as well as other fractures and chips to the knees and joints. You also falsely reported that Mr. Hollendorfer sold Heavenly Perfect at a “kill auction” on May 23, 2008. Your reporting was clearly done with actual (and misdirected)malice including statements such as: “Trainer of the Year Runs Horse to Death,” “Jerry Hollendorfer Runs Foundered Horse Near to Death and Sends Her Off to Slaughter,” that Mr. Hollendorfer “tortured” Heavenly Perfect by “forcing her to race time and time again knowing she was not fit to race,” and that Mr. Hollendorfer is your “International Posterboy of Racehorse
Cruelty.” Your petition drive also encourages others to spread your false comments about Mr. Hollendorfer. In reviewing the comments of those who signed your petition drive, it is clear that your slanderous comments are having the desired effect of besmirching Mr. Hollendorfer’s good name and reputation in the horse industry.
Contrary to your assertions, Mr. Hollendorfer provides the utmost care and treatment to all the horses he trains, including Heavenly Perfect. Therefore, the untrue and defamatory comments you have made about Mr. Hollendorfer are particularly offensive and reprehensible to him. Also, contrary to the statements you are spreading on your website petition, Mr. Hollendorfer only raced Heavenly Perfect four times in over two years, and never while she while she was injured. In May 2008, Mr. Hollendorfer gave her to a Mr. Ed Harvey, who stated he was purchasing her as a pleasure horse or brood mare. Mr. Harvey, not Mr. Hollendorfer, was the one who apparently then sold her to what you are claiming was a “kill auction.” Mr. Hollendorfer had absolutely no involvement with that sale.
We therefore demand that you remove any defamatory comments about Mr. Hollendorfer
from your website, to withdraw your petition, and to issue a formal retraction in the manner required by Section 48a(3) of the California Civil Code. Please do so by October 24 or we will file suit.

Very truly yours,
Jean H. Hurricane
JHH:sfr
Cc: Jerry Hollendorfer
John Worden
SF\9229563.

Bloggers note; Well we just hope the Dorf Camp realizes where the burden of proof lies in this case, and it is not upon the Defendants, "Friends of Equines."

Click on title above or "The Dorfs" pic (top right) to see the petition;
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/trainer-of-the-year-runs-horse-to-death