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

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