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.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
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.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
"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
Click on title to read article & vid;
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#27847733
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
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
(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
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
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
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
Sunday, November 9, 2008
"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.
Friday, November 7, 2008
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/
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.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
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.
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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.
-----------------
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.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
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
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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"
----- 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"
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