Click on title above to see horrific under-cover footage;
http://unnecessaryevils.blogspot.com/2010/03/canadas-finest-slaughter-plants-where.html
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
American Quarter Horse Association blames non-existent “ban” for the consequences of its own policy
February 5, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAGO, (EWA) – On February 4th the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) posted a release issued by the Animal Welfare Council (AWC) claiming that “experts” warned of current issues facing the horse industry if slaughter was ended. Reminiscent of past years, the AQHA is again promoting disinformation in the hope the American public will trust them for their good name.
The refusal to address the excess breeding of horses over the years has caught up with slaughter proponents. Once again, they find themselves scrambling to find scapegoats for a problem they created. Driven by the quest for registration fees, the AQHA has promoted overbreeding for decades as they have built their ever expanding empire worldwide.
The release revives the myth of the “unintended consequences” by claiming “experts” warned of a negative impact on horse welfare if slaughter was ended.
Not only has horse slaughter not ended but in 2008, the first full year after the US plants closed, the “unintended consequences” resulted in the second highest slaughter count since 1995.
“There is nothing stopping anyone from sending their horse to slaughter.” said Equine Welfare Alliance’s (EWA), John Holland. Blaming the closure of the plants for excess horses from an organization that alone brags of registering in excess of 135,000 foals every year, is hypocritical.
According to the USDA, the leading breed on the slaughter trucks are Quarter Horses, yet in 2008, AQHA’s former executive vice president, Bill Brewer, warned of a pending horse “shortage” and suggested offering incentives to increase breeding.
The release builds on the “imaginary ban” by stating that horses are at forty percent of their value since the plants closed. EWA’s Vicki Tobin asks the AQHA and AWC, “In the face of the greatest economic downturn since the 1930s, are home values, retirement funds and other assets that have decreased in value due to the closure of the slaughter plants?”
The release questions the lack of funding in the federal horse protection legislation, HR 503/S 727. Not stated is why the government should be responsible for privately owned horses or a breeder’s choice to breed more than they can sell.
Beginning in July, US horses must comply with European Union (EU) drug regulations. This critical issue impacts human food safety and yet, it was not mentioned. American horses are not tracked or considered food animals by any US government agency and routinely receive medications that are banned by the EU. Equine welfare advocates have been warning of the drug issue for years.
Combined with the drug compliance, the current downturn in international demand for horse meat will further exacerbate the issue.
A study released by EWA members in 2008 concluded with a warning of exactly what is occurring today, “Abuse and neglect is largely determined by economic conditions. …As of the end of the study period, abuse and neglect did not appear to have exceeded norms for the baseline year of 2006, but to the extent that the economic conditions continue to deteriorate, this trend may become more worrisome in the months to come.”
Meanwhile, the AWC, AQHA and slaughter proponents continue to blame “activists” for the “unwanted” horses that they are responsible for producing every year.
The Equine Welfare Alliance is a dues free, umbrella organization with over 95 member organizations. The organization focuses its efforts on the welfare of all equines and the preservation of wild equids.
Click on title above to visit EWAs site;
www.equinewelfarealliance.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAGO, (EWA) – On February 4th the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) posted a release issued by the Animal Welfare Council (AWC) claiming that “experts” warned of current issues facing the horse industry if slaughter was ended. Reminiscent of past years, the AQHA is again promoting disinformation in the hope the American public will trust them for their good name.
The refusal to address the excess breeding of horses over the years has caught up with slaughter proponents. Once again, they find themselves scrambling to find scapegoats for a problem they created. Driven by the quest for registration fees, the AQHA has promoted overbreeding for decades as they have built their ever expanding empire worldwide.
The release revives the myth of the “unintended consequences” by claiming “experts” warned of a negative impact on horse welfare if slaughter was ended.
Not only has horse slaughter not ended but in 2008, the first full year after the US plants closed, the “unintended consequences” resulted in the second highest slaughter count since 1995.
“There is nothing stopping anyone from sending their horse to slaughter.” said Equine Welfare Alliance’s (EWA), John Holland. Blaming the closure of the plants for excess horses from an organization that alone brags of registering in excess of 135,000 foals every year, is hypocritical.
According to the USDA, the leading breed on the slaughter trucks are Quarter Horses, yet in 2008, AQHA’s former executive vice president, Bill Brewer, warned of a pending horse “shortage” and suggested offering incentives to increase breeding.
The release builds on the “imaginary ban” by stating that horses are at forty percent of their value since the plants closed. EWA’s Vicki Tobin asks the AQHA and AWC, “In the face of the greatest economic downturn since the 1930s, are home values, retirement funds and other assets that have decreased in value due to the closure of the slaughter plants?”
The release questions the lack of funding in the federal horse protection legislation, HR 503/S 727. Not stated is why the government should be responsible for privately owned horses or a breeder’s choice to breed more than they can sell.
Beginning in July, US horses must comply with European Union (EU) drug regulations. This critical issue impacts human food safety and yet, it was not mentioned. American horses are not tracked or considered food animals by any US government agency and routinely receive medications that are banned by the EU. Equine welfare advocates have been warning of the drug issue for years.
Combined with the drug compliance, the current downturn in international demand for horse meat will further exacerbate the issue.
A study released by EWA members in 2008 concluded with a warning of exactly what is occurring today, “Abuse and neglect is largely determined by economic conditions. …As of the end of the study period, abuse and neglect did not appear to have exceeded norms for the baseline year of 2006, but to the extent that the economic conditions continue to deteriorate, this trend may become more worrisome in the months to come.”
Meanwhile, the AWC, AQHA and slaughter proponents continue to blame “activists” for the “unwanted” horses that they are responsible for producing every year.
The Equine Welfare Alliance is a dues free, umbrella organization with over 95 member organizations. The organization focuses its efforts on the welfare of all equines and the preservation of wild equids.
Click on title above to visit EWAs site;
www.equinewelfarealliance.org
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Big Thanks to Linda Jean: Dispelling the Myths
For the Love of Horses
by Linda Jean
I've always admired the beauty and strength of horses and long ago realized our own human survival has been dependent on horses throughout the history of our species. Horses have no doubt increased our quality of life by providing our ancestors with transportation, labor and even food. Even in less developed countries it is not unusual to see a horse pulling a plow in a field.
Therefore, when I read the following article in my local paper that the Nebraksa state legislature is discussing the need for a horse slaughterhouse, the hairs on my neck began to rise. Currently, slaughterhouses for horses are illegal when used for human consumption. Although Americans don't eat horses, they are a popular food stuff in Europe and Japan. The last US horse slaughterhouse closed down a few years ago, so now many horses are being "shipped" to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. In this article there is a claim made that more horses are neglected and abandoned because of a lack of slaughterhouses in our country. The facts counter this argument as a letter to the editor that I wrote states. Here is the original article (published October 3) and my comments that were published on October 10 of this year:
Lawmakers hear of need for horse disposal
LINCOLN— State lawmakers were told Friday of the growing need for low- cost disposal of unwanted horses in Nebraska, given federal and state restric- tions against horse slaughter. Debby Brehm, director of the American Quarter Horse Association’s Nebraska chapter, said more horses face abandonment or neglect now that slaughter is less of an option. “Slaughter is not pretty, but it does provide a humane, economical way to euthanize a horse,” she told the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee during a hearing on the issue. Brehm said neither she nor her group support slaughter, but they recognize that horse owners need more options for unwanted or ailing horses, particu- larly in the current economic climate. She said it can cost $1,900 to feed, water and shelter a horse for one year — not including veterinary care. The nation’s last three horse slaugh- terhouses closed in 2007. Some states — but not Nebraska — have banned the slaughter of horses. Congress, which is considering a federal ban on horse slaughter and transporta- tion of horses to slaughterhouses, has eliminated funding for inspections of horses to be used for human consump- tion. Horses are exported to Mexico and Canada for slaughter. A record 78,000 horses were sent out of the country in 2007, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics. Much of the meat is exported to countries in Europe and Asia for human consumption. Critics say slaughtering is inhumane. Don Wesley of the Humane Society of the United States said Friday that he sees a need for disposal services, but that slaughter should not be an option. He didn’t present alternatives. But supporters of the practice say that without slaughterhouses, more older or otherwise marginalized horses are neg- lected or abandoned. Ross Garwood of the Nebraska Farm Bureau said he supports horse slaugh- ter to help supply horse meat overseas. He said he would like to see a slaugh- terhouse built on tribal land, which would be exempt from federal inspec- tions. Several cases of horse neglect have come up in Nebraska over the past sev- eral months, including one involving more than 200 horses at a ranch south of Alliance. Scores of horses and burros were found ill and emaciated in April; about 74 horses and burros were found dead. The owner of 3-Strikes Ranch faces a January trial on 149 felony counts of cruel neglect of an animal. Gretna veterinarian Larry Henning said Friday that he’s been asked to corral abandoned horses that have made their way into traffic. “Death is not inhumane,” he said, tes- tifying on behalf of the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association. “Starvation and neglect are, and that’s what we’re starting to see.” State Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber said legislation will be introduced in January that would allow authorities to act faster in confiscating neglected horses. A legislative study of horse slaughter alternatives has been proposed by state Sen. Cap Dierks of Ewing, who owns several horses. He said Friday that without slaughter- houses, the only option for an owner of an unwanted or ailing horse is to “dig a hole and cover it up.”
My Letter:
Dear Editor,
A recent article in the Tribune titled “Lawmakers hear of need for horse disposal” left out some pertinent and factual information about horse slaughtering. It mentioned in the article that Don Wesley of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) who opposes horse slaughter, presented no other alternatives to the problem of over population of sick, injured or abandoned horses. I cannot speak for Mr. Wesley, but I was surprised by that statement because on the Humane Society’s website there is a thorough and factual discussion of alternative and viable options to horse slaughter (Google: "HSUS horse slaughter myths").
For example, horse sanctuaries and rescues, contraception and as a last result, lethal injection, are more humane options to horse slaughtering. The HSUS states that there are over 400 sanctuaries and rescue operations in the US that participate in helping to care for unwanted horses.
The Tribune article suggests that a ban on slaughtering horses causes more horses to be neglected and abandoned. This is a myth and there is no evidence to support it. California has had a horse slaughter ban for over 10 years and there has been no increase in neglect and abandoned horses. There has been, however, a 34% decrease in the number of horse thefts.
In the case of the 300 neglected horses in Alliance, there is no evidence the horses were neglected because of a ban on slaughtering. Generally speaking, horses are neglected because of a lack of responsibility on behalf of the owners due to a variety of reasons including economic hardships, lack of education about caring for horses, drought and even the price of hay. People who own horses have a legal responsibility to take care of them and there are state laws prohibiting abuse and neglect of horses. As the HSUS states, “horse abandonment and abuse is a sad reality whether or not slaughter is an available option—there is no causal connection between the two issues.”
It is also a myth that slaughter is a humane way to put down a horse since the website has videos from undercover investigations showing horses who are still alive as their throats are slit and they are dismembered. According to surveys on public opinion, an overwhelming majority of Americans (69%) support bans on horse slaughter.
The article stated that a proposal for a legislative study of horse slaughter alternatives has been recommended. It is important that our state lawmakers separate fact from fiction regarding horse slaughter and educate themselves on the effective alternatives available.
For more information about the cruelties of horse slaughtering read the House Judiciary Subcommittee's animal cruelty testimony at:
http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/pdf/Pacelle080731.pdf
Posted by Linda Jean at 5:56 PM
Be sure to thank Linda Jean for her wonderful advocacy and encourage her to go on exposing the Myths...
Click on title above to go to her blog;
http://dugandogdaze.blogspot.com/2009/10/for-love-of-horses.html
http://dugandogdaze.blogspot.com/2009/10/for-love-of-horses.html
by Linda Jean
I've always admired the beauty and strength of horses and long ago realized our own human survival has been dependent on horses throughout the history of our species. Horses have no doubt increased our quality of life by providing our ancestors with transportation, labor and even food. Even in less developed countries it is not unusual to see a horse pulling a plow in a field.
Therefore, when I read the following article in my local paper that the Nebraksa state legislature is discussing the need for a horse slaughterhouse, the hairs on my neck began to rise. Currently, slaughterhouses for horses are illegal when used for human consumption. Although Americans don't eat horses, they are a popular food stuff in Europe and Japan. The last US horse slaughterhouse closed down a few years ago, so now many horses are being "shipped" to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. In this article there is a claim made that more horses are neglected and abandoned because of a lack of slaughterhouses in our country. The facts counter this argument as a letter to the editor that I wrote states. Here is the original article (published October 3) and my comments that were published on October 10 of this year:
Lawmakers hear of need for horse disposal
LINCOLN— State lawmakers were told Friday of the growing need for low- cost disposal of unwanted horses in Nebraska, given federal and state restric- tions against horse slaughter. Debby Brehm, director of the American Quarter Horse Association’s Nebraska chapter, said more horses face abandonment or neglect now that slaughter is less of an option. “Slaughter is not pretty, but it does provide a humane, economical way to euthanize a horse,” she told the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee during a hearing on the issue. Brehm said neither she nor her group support slaughter, but they recognize that horse owners need more options for unwanted or ailing horses, particu- larly in the current economic climate. She said it can cost $1,900 to feed, water and shelter a horse for one year — not including veterinary care. The nation’s last three horse slaugh- terhouses closed in 2007. Some states — but not Nebraska — have banned the slaughter of horses. Congress, which is considering a federal ban on horse slaughter and transporta- tion of horses to slaughterhouses, has eliminated funding for inspections of horses to be used for human consump- tion. Horses are exported to Mexico and Canada for slaughter. A record 78,000 horses were sent out of the country in 2007, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics. Much of the meat is exported to countries in Europe and Asia for human consumption. Critics say slaughtering is inhumane. Don Wesley of the Humane Society of the United States said Friday that he sees a need for disposal services, but that slaughter should not be an option. He didn’t present alternatives. But supporters of the practice say that without slaughterhouses, more older or otherwise marginalized horses are neg- lected or abandoned. Ross Garwood of the Nebraska Farm Bureau said he supports horse slaugh- ter to help supply horse meat overseas. He said he would like to see a slaugh- terhouse built on tribal land, which would be exempt from federal inspec- tions. Several cases of horse neglect have come up in Nebraska over the past sev- eral months, including one involving more than 200 horses at a ranch south of Alliance. Scores of horses and burros were found ill and emaciated in April; about 74 horses and burros were found dead. The owner of 3-Strikes Ranch faces a January trial on 149 felony counts of cruel neglect of an animal. Gretna veterinarian Larry Henning said Friday that he’s been asked to corral abandoned horses that have made their way into traffic. “Death is not inhumane,” he said, tes- tifying on behalf of the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association. “Starvation and neglect are, and that’s what we’re starting to see.” State Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber said legislation will be introduced in January that would allow authorities to act faster in confiscating neglected horses. A legislative study of horse slaughter alternatives has been proposed by state Sen. Cap Dierks of Ewing, who owns several horses. He said Friday that without slaughter- houses, the only option for an owner of an unwanted or ailing horse is to “dig a hole and cover it up.”
My Letter:
Dear Editor,
A recent article in the Tribune titled “Lawmakers hear of need for horse disposal” left out some pertinent and factual information about horse slaughtering. It mentioned in the article that Don Wesley of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) who opposes horse slaughter, presented no other alternatives to the problem of over population of sick, injured or abandoned horses. I cannot speak for Mr. Wesley, but I was surprised by that statement because on the Humane Society’s website there is a thorough and factual discussion of alternative and viable options to horse slaughter (Google: "HSUS horse slaughter myths").
For example, horse sanctuaries and rescues, contraception and as a last result, lethal injection, are more humane options to horse slaughtering. The HSUS states that there are over 400 sanctuaries and rescue operations in the US that participate in helping to care for unwanted horses.
The Tribune article suggests that a ban on slaughtering horses causes more horses to be neglected and abandoned. This is a myth and there is no evidence to support it. California has had a horse slaughter ban for over 10 years and there has been no increase in neglect and abandoned horses. There has been, however, a 34% decrease in the number of horse thefts.
In the case of the 300 neglected horses in Alliance, there is no evidence the horses were neglected because of a ban on slaughtering. Generally speaking, horses are neglected because of a lack of responsibility on behalf of the owners due to a variety of reasons including economic hardships, lack of education about caring for horses, drought and even the price of hay. People who own horses have a legal responsibility to take care of them and there are state laws prohibiting abuse and neglect of horses. As the HSUS states, “horse abandonment and abuse is a sad reality whether or not slaughter is an available option—there is no causal connection between the two issues.”
It is also a myth that slaughter is a humane way to put down a horse since the website has videos from undercover investigations showing horses who are still alive as their throats are slit and they are dismembered. According to surveys on public opinion, an overwhelming majority of Americans (69%) support bans on horse slaughter.
The article stated that a proposal for a legislative study of horse slaughter alternatives has been recommended. It is important that our state lawmakers separate fact from fiction regarding horse slaughter and educate themselves on the effective alternatives available.
For more information about the cruelties of horse slaughtering read the House Judiciary Subcommittee's animal cruelty testimony at:
http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/pdf/Pacelle080731.pdf
Posted by Linda Jean at 5:56 PM
Be sure to thank Linda Jean for her wonderful advocacy and encourage her to go on exposing the Myths...
Click on title above to go to her blog;
http://dugandogdaze.blogspot.com/2009/10/for-love-of-horses.html
http://dugandogdaze.blogspot.com/2009/10/for-love-of-horses.html
Thursday, October 1, 2009
AQHA Official Celebrates Pending Slaughter of Quarter Horses
AQHA Official Celebrates Pending Slaughter of Quarter Horses
CHICAGO, (EWA) – In the aftermath of Montana Governor Schweitzer’s non-action, HB 418, a bill that bars Montana’s citizens from taking court action against the building of a horse slaughter plant, became law. This action has left many Montana legislators and citizens shocked that their state might soon be known as the new “home of horse slaughter”. Montana has enacted a probably unconstitutional statute that denies due process under the United States Constitution.
Horse slaughter will tarnish the “Big Sky” brand and everything it stands for from cattle to tourism. History has shown that such plants bring nothing but pollution and controversy. Montana law makers failed to ask themselves why Texas and Illinois, and now Saskatchewan Canada, have rid themselves of the industry. Who is to gain?
The Equine Welfare Alliance has obtained a document that answers this question. The mass e-mail was from Stan Weaver, president of the Montana Quarter Horse Association (MQHA) and is titled “HB 418 Final Comments – Success!!!!. Rejoicing in the news that Montana may be home to a horse killing plant, the MQHA president boasts that the MQHA was the driving force behind the passage of the law.
Weaver praises members for pushing the legislation while bragging about the haste with which it was put together. Weaver describes how the MQHA and the bill’s sponsor, Representative Ed Butcher, had come up with the idea for the bill just weeks before it was introduced. After that introduction, the bill was ridiculed widely as the “Montana Butcher Bill.”
Indeed, this is cause to rejoice for the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), the organization leading the effort to continue the slaughter of American horses for foreign firm’s profit. This magnificent breed, touted as the most versatile of all horses, is being sent to slaughter in record numbers. In fact, half of all horses sent to slaughter each year are American Quarter Horses.
Meanwhile, the AQHA continues to promote indiscriminate breeding.
Weaver is apparently so enamored at the prospect of a slaughter plant to butcher Montana’s Quarter Horses that he ponders writing a book that will contain all the emails and letters in support of horse killing.
Last year, when other businesses were reducing production, AQHA management and its member breeders continued their mad quest to grow revenues by registering 140,000 new foals, an increase of 5,000 more horses over 2007.
In his speech before the 2008 annual convention, Bill Brewer, the AQHA’s then executive vice-president said, “Our challenge becomes looking at ways to introduce an equine economic stimulus package that will boost registration numbers.” Apparently, that package includes killing off existing Quarter Horses to make room for more.
The AQHA and its allies have promoted unfounded stories that the nation is being flooded with tens of thousands of abandoned horses. It was a salient point made by supporters of “The Butcher Bill” and was picked up by the Montana media and repeated without question, even though county officials reported a total of only fourteen abandoned horses in 2008.
Yet the group and its apologists fail to mention the indiscriminate breeding encouraged by the AQHA and ranchers such as Weaver. Weaver’s ranch alone produces and registers 100 horses per year and helps fill the AQHA treasury with registration fees.
According to Weaver, the next major AQHA effort will be to try to defeat the federal legislation that will end the slaughter of American horses; HR 503, The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2009.
In their zealous quest to defeat HR 503, EWA expects more of the elaborate disinformation campaign from the AQHA and its lobbyists.
EWA wholeheartedly supports humane and responsible animal agriculture and is prepared to respond.
www.equinewelfarealliance.org
here is also a copy of the email/letter the President of the MQHA sent around:
From: Stan Weaver [mailto:stanweaver1@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 2:03 PM
To: (names removed to protect the recipients)
Subject: HB 418 Final Comments - Success!!!
I am sure you are all aware that HB 418 has become law. Although Governor
Schweitzer did not sign the bill, he still had a hand in it becoming law. The Montana
Horse Industry owes him a big “Thank You.”
I think each one of you can take credit in the fact that we got this bill passed. It is
because of all of your phone calls, letters, faxes and e-mails that you took the time to do
in order to show your passion for this cause that produced such a positive outcome.
Being involved made all the difference. This was a true grass roots effort and
Representative Ed Butcher told me that at the end of our campaign, calls from just
Montanans were 80% in favor of the bill. That is outstanding - and really shows what a
grass roots effort can do.
I would like to personally thank all of you that sent me e-mails and made phone
calls to me in support. Many of you copied me letters that you had sent to the Governor,
and each showed your passion and truth for this subject. Maybe one of these days I will
write a book of all those e-mails and letters – there are some pretty interesting ones to say
the least.
I also would like to thank the Montana Quarter Horse Association and its Board of
Directors for letting me represent them in this endeavor. It was at a meeting of these
folks on Sunday, February 8th that the whole idea was born. At that meeting it was
decided unanimously that we would support the Horse Processing bill, and I agreed to
write a letter and Cali would send it to our members. The effort and e-mail list just grew
from there.
This whole process just shows how important it is for us to get involved and do
what we can. It is a different world than it was in our grandparent’s day or even our
parents. Now days there are people who sit in an office in Washington, D.C. or New
York City, or Los Angeles and they have never calved a wild heifer or had to suckle a
chilled down calf. They never had a colt buck every time they jumped him out , and knew
they had to be hand enough to ride him or end up walking back to the house since there
was not a horse trailer and pickup close by. Yet, these people feel that we have been
doing this wrong for generations and they are sure that if they legislate their ideas it will
force us to abide by them. We must be aware of what goes on around us and we must
become active in preserving our way of life. I was contacted by several animal owners
that have different issues with the legislature this year. I feel that before the next
legislation there will be some sort of animal owners or animal/agriculture coalition to
help fight and support bills in the 2011 legislation. The tide is turning.
Our next big push will be HR 503 before the U.S. House of Representatives. This
is the bill to criminalize the transport of horses that will be sold for human consumption.
It is scheduled to be heard this fall. The AQHA and several of its affiliates (including
Montana) will work hard to defeat this bill. I will keep you all informed as to its process
and when we need to make our move and become involved.
Again, thanks for all your support and your commitment to getting HB 418
passed. You all take care and may God bless each of you until we talk again.
Best Regards,
Stan Weaver, President
Montana Quarter Horse Association
digusting....
CHICAGO, (EWA) – In the aftermath of Montana Governor Schweitzer’s non-action, HB 418, a bill that bars Montana’s citizens from taking court action against the building of a horse slaughter plant, became law. This action has left many Montana legislators and citizens shocked that their state might soon be known as the new “home of horse slaughter”. Montana has enacted a probably unconstitutional statute that denies due process under the United States Constitution.
Horse slaughter will tarnish the “Big Sky” brand and everything it stands for from cattle to tourism. History has shown that such plants bring nothing but pollution and controversy. Montana law makers failed to ask themselves why Texas and Illinois, and now Saskatchewan Canada, have rid themselves of the industry. Who is to gain?
The Equine Welfare Alliance has obtained a document that answers this question. The mass e-mail was from Stan Weaver, president of the Montana Quarter Horse Association (MQHA) and is titled “HB 418 Final Comments – Success!!!!. Rejoicing in the news that Montana may be home to a horse killing plant, the MQHA president boasts that the MQHA was the driving force behind the passage of the law.
Weaver praises members for pushing the legislation while bragging about the haste with which it was put together. Weaver describes how the MQHA and the bill’s sponsor, Representative Ed Butcher, had come up with the idea for the bill just weeks before it was introduced. After that introduction, the bill was ridiculed widely as the “Montana Butcher Bill.”
Indeed, this is cause to rejoice for the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), the organization leading the effort to continue the slaughter of American horses for foreign firm’s profit. This magnificent breed, touted as the most versatile of all horses, is being sent to slaughter in record numbers. In fact, half of all horses sent to slaughter each year are American Quarter Horses.
Meanwhile, the AQHA continues to promote indiscriminate breeding.
Weaver is apparently so enamored at the prospect of a slaughter plant to butcher Montana’s Quarter Horses that he ponders writing a book that will contain all the emails and letters in support of horse killing.
Last year, when other businesses were reducing production, AQHA management and its member breeders continued their mad quest to grow revenues by registering 140,000 new foals, an increase of 5,000 more horses over 2007.
In his speech before the 2008 annual convention, Bill Brewer, the AQHA’s then executive vice-president said, “Our challenge becomes looking at ways to introduce an equine economic stimulus package that will boost registration numbers.” Apparently, that package includes killing off existing Quarter Horses to make room for more.
The AQHA and its allies have promoted unfounded stories that the nation is being flooded with tens of thousands of abandoned horses. It was a salient point made by supporters of “The Butcher Bill” and was picked up by the Montana media and repeated without question, even though county officials reported a total of only fourteen abandoned horses in 2008.
Yet the group and its apologists fail to mention the indiscriminate breeding encouraged by the AQHA and ranchers such as Weaver. Weaver’s ranch alone produces and registers 100 horses per year and helps fill the AQHA treasury with registration fees.
According to Weaver, the next major AQHA effort will be to try to defeat the federal legislation that will end the slaughter of American horses; HR 503, The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2009.
In their zealous quest to defeat HR 503, EWA expects more of the elaborate disinformation campaign from the AQHA and its lobbyists.
EWA wholeheartedly supports humane and responsible animal agriculture and is prepared to respond.
www.equinewelfarealliance.org
here is also a copy of the email/letter the President of the MQHA sent around:
From: Stan Weaver [mailto:stanweaver1@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 2:03 PM
To: (names removed to protect the recipients)
Subject: HB 418 Final Comments - Success!!!
I am sure you are all aware that HB 418 has become law. Although Governor
Schweitzer did not sign the bill, he still had a hand in it becoming law. The Montana
Horse Industry owes him a big “Thank You.”
I think each one of you can take credit in the fact that we got this bill passed. It is
because of all of your phone calls, letters, faxes and e-mails that you took the time to do
in order to show your passion for this cause that produced such a positive outcome.
Being involved made all the difference. This was a true grass roots effort and
Representative Ed Butcher told me that at the end of our campaign, calls from just
Montanans were 80% in favor of the bill. That is outstanding - and really shows what a
grass roots effort can do.
I would like to personally thank all of you that sent me e-mails and made phone
calls to me in support. Many of you copied me letters that you had sent to the Governor,
and each showed your passion and truth for this subject. Maybe one of these days I will
write a book of all those e-mails and letters – there are some pretty interesting ones to say
the least.
I also would like to thank the Montana Quarter Horse Association and its Board of
Directors for letting me represent them in this endeavor. It was at a meeting of these
folks on Sunday, February 8th that the whole idea was born. At that meeting it was
decided unanimously that we would support the Horse Processing bill, and I agreed to
write a letter and Cali would send it to our members. The effort and e-mail list just grew
from there.
This whole process just shows how important it is for us to get involved and do
what we can. It is a different world than it was in our grandparent’s day or even our
parents. Now days there are people who sit in an office in Washington, D.C. or New
York City, or Los Angeles and they have never calved a wild heifer or had to suckle a
chilled down calf. They never had a colt buck every time they jumped him out , and knew
they had to be hand enough to ride him or end up walking back to the house since there
was not a horse trailer and pickup close by. Yet, these people feel that we have been
doing this wrong for generations and they are sure that if they legislate their ideas it will
force us to abide by them. We must be aware of what goes on around us and we must
become active in preserving our way of life. I was contacted by several animal owners
that have different issues with the legislature this year. I feel that before the next
legislation there will be some sort of animal owners or animal/agriculture coalition to
help fight and support bills in the 2011 legislation. The tide is turning.
Our next big push will be HR 503 before the U.S. House of Representatives. This
is the bill to criminalize the transport of horses that will be sold for human consumption.
It is scheduled to be heard this fall. The AQHA and several of its affiliates (including
Montana) will work hard to defeat this bill. I will keep you all informed as to its process
and when we need to make our move and become involved.
Again, thanks for all your support and your commitment to getting HB 418
passed. You all take care and may God bless each of you until we talk again.
Best Regards,
Stan Weaver, President
Montana Quarter Horse Association
digusting....
Saturday, May 9, 2009
The TRUTH Behind the PUSH for Horse-Slaughter
I thoroughy enjoyed this article.
Excellent TRUTH in reporting!
"Telling it like it is,"...and wonderfully!
------------------------
Originally appeared in:
http://www.zootoo.com/journals_j_currentevent/keepyourfriendscloseandyourene_rtfitch
posted by RTF
(is that you, Jerry?)
Apr '09
7
12:41am
http://www.horseraceinsider.com
Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer: the Ag Lobby’s Dirty Little Plan, Revealed
Monday, April 06, 2009
Cattle Grower Network
“It has been shown that horsemeat is low in fat, low in cholesterol and high in protein- overall a better quality of meat than beef. If horse meat were readily available in the U.S., would you be inclined to try it?”
It pays to be on enemy email lists: I received the above link this afternoon, to a website promoting horse slaughter. A faux poll, and several misled people who are contemplating dining on "lowfat" horsemeat. The Ag lobbyists have convinced cattle "growers" that, hmmm, horsemeat might be a yummy thing--I'm thinking that it's a significant part of Ag lobby's push for horse slaughter plants--that if horse slaughter is brought back into the United States, cattle "growers" can get into the biz of "growing" horses specifically for slaughter.
This disgusts me. But I'd rather know what they're up to than not. Ignorance is NOT bliss.
Ah, every now and then, the Good Guys catch a break.
Just when you thought that the battle to keep equines safe from slaughter was a losing effort—an email drops into your Inbox that qualifies as a gift from Heaven. A miracle. Hundred-dollar bills dropping from the sky.
Today was just such a day.
Allow me to elucidate. I am a member of American Horse Publications, a terrific organization that brings together every equine publication, website and freelancer in the country. I cannot stress strongly enough how much I enjoy being a member of AHP.
But today I appreciate it perhaps more than ever before, for I got an email from a website that turned the horse slaughter thing around for me. Refreshed me. Renewed my resolve.
[AHP regularly sends out press releases for its members: some days I get upward of 20 press releases. This is a great service that the organization provides to members. Most days I hear from Missy Wryn, or The Blood-Horse, Thoroughbred Times—the ones I’d expect.]
But, ah, today. Today I was frustrated. Today I had a headache, from beating my brains against a post. I’ve been trying for several days to write a follow-up to Montana’s Big, Bloody Sky, but have been stumped. Not that I’ve run out of words—I’ll be yammering on my way to the grave. I’ve run out of patience with the system, a system that allows Governors to play footsie with Ag lobbyists and to disguise death sentences for horses as concern for their welfare.
You see, Friday was a day of jubilation for we anti-slaughter people. Well, it was a minute of jubilation.
We’d heard, first, that Montana’s Governor Brian Schweitzer had vetoed the horse slaughter bill.
Friends and colleagues emailed me to send up the first flares. Start the bonfire, we’re havin’ a weenie roast!
That ecstasy lasted about three seconds. I read Schweitzer’s letter to The Butcher (Ed Butcher, that is: the most appropriately-named politician in America.) The letter of “veto” was really a letter filled with amendments. IF the bill is amended in ways that Governor Schweitzer find to be appropriate—he will sign the bill into law.
And the reasons for his amendments are to write in protections for those who would build the slaughterhouses—NOT because he’s concerned about the horses’ welfare. Sure, his letter of amendment is filled with language that sounds like he’s concerned for equine welfare—all the “unwanted horses” ya-ya.
But the bottom line of it is that he’ll be delighted to sign the bill into law, as long as the amendments are written in—and those magnanimous Belgians are protected. Schweitzer wants to make sure that, once the slaughterhouse is built in Montana—no one can step up to the plate (or courthouse) and close it down.
So I’ve spent several days trying to write about something that is on the surface so vague that anti-slaughter folks were tempted to think we’d won. But knowing that we’ve not won, the battle continues, and—if anything—is more frustrating than ever. At this point, it’s out of our hands. Phone calls to Schweitzer’s office will not change a thing. Now we sit and wait to see if/when the Montana State Legislature tosses it back to him.
If they do, he’ll sign it.
If he signs it, Montana license plates can read, “The Slaughter State.”
So today I felt stumped. Defeated. Not sure what to write.
Now I know. Today we were given a gift, that of insider knowledge. This is a valuable tool—knowledge. The Truth shall set you free. The light of Truth, shining in the darkness—can turn it all around for the horses.
We have the ammo we need now: the email I received via AHP today carried the subject line, “Would You Eat Horse Meat?”
I turned on my mental heel. They had my attention. I had to peek inside, and see behind the curtain.
This email was from a website that identified itself aswww.CheyenneOutlaw.com
I’d never heard of them before. I thought it might be a group of cowboys, perhaps a newsletter of cowboy poets.
Not quite. Cheyenne Outlaw Ranch is—you guessed it—a cattle ranch in Wyoming.
Their mission is to “grow” and sell—beef, (as shown in the pic below of a Canadian "Horse Meat Farm. Notice they pick the larger, draft style horses to "grow" as they bear more meat.)
Why, you might ask yourself, would they wish to contact those of us who work in publishing in equine industries? Hmmmmm…tap yourself on the chin. Think about this a minute.
It all became wildly clear the minute I read the email: supposedly, The Cattle Grower Network had conducted a poll. Uh, yeah. And in that poll, they asked if readers would eat horsemeat if it were available to them.
Uh-huh. A rigged poll. People who are members of Cattle Grower Network, answering a question that, on its surface, seems simple.
Disgusting, but simple.
The underlying implication is enormous.
Finally--the Truth behind the push for horse slaughter plants.
The Truth, that those who are proponents are no more concerned about “unwanted horses” than a bald man is about unwanted hair.
The Truth is that the Ag lobby is working with the “cattle growers” not only to re-introduce horse slaughter into the United States—the underlying reason for doing so is that the next step after reintroduction is to create a market for horsemeat IN the United States.
The beef industry has been hurting lately. Too many people actually concerned about silly things like, oh, I don’t know—cholesterol. Fat. Colon cancer.
What, oh, what, can a “cattle grower” whose profit margin is flagging do? Hmmm…got land. Got grass. Got fields fenced in. Beef, fatty. HORSE…not so fat.
Horsemeat = a marketing strategy that could save the necks of the ranchers who’ve invested millions of dollars into an industry that is threatened by a growing American concern for health.
Read the link above, to the “poll” and those who agree with the results of the poll—that, supposedly, horsemeat just may be an acceptable addition to the American diet. Read the words, then let them set in.
Realize that this is a well-calculated campaign. This is NOT random people who happen to think that horse slaughter is a good thing.
This, my friends, is every bit as insidious a campaign as the tobacco industry creating chocolate cigarettes for children.
This campaign was hatched in the boardrooms of The Beef Council. This plan is being executed by the Ag lobbyists and the ranchers. This, they believe, will be the plan that saves the ranchers.
All this time, we anti-slaughter people thought they were merely executing the “slippery slope” argument, that, if horse slaughter is taboo in America—they’ll come for the beef industry next.
That passive-aggressive approach—that’s what we thought they were up to.
But today’s email revealed the Truth—Hallelujah, the Truth will set the horses free.
The real motivation of the Ag lobby and the Beef People is not to prevent beef slaughter from being outlawed—for that would never happen. The real motivation is to open wide the door to horse slaughter so that RANCHING HORSES for meat will not only become acceptable—it will become an exciting, viable new market for the cattle ranchers. “Branching out,” as it were. Creating a new market, and giving it the old hard-sell.
Once horse slaughter plants are put in Montana and the Dakotas—it’s all downhill from there. They think that we anti-slaughter people will just give up, and go away with a whimper. That we’ll shrug our withers, and give in.
No doubt they even aspire to converting Willie Nelson: their clever marketing wonks envision Willie as a potential ally, the face of The American Horsemeat Council. Once that door to slaughter is flung wide-open—the possibilities are endless.
I am not arguing in slippery slope here, friends. All you need do is read this nonsense from the cattle “growers,” this email they sent to their allies, to see through their transparent motive.
If we open that door—if we let Governor Schweitzer amend so vile a bill as to make it palatable, and pass it into law—then the Ag lobby and beef “growers” can institute Phase II: the cultural and governmental acceptance of horse ranches.
If you don’t want to see billboards for “Secretariat: the Other Red Meat”—you must work with us. You don’t need my vivid imagination to see that this is the real motivation for the push for slaughter: all you need is eyes to read; a brain to comprehend and a heart to give a damn.
Ag lobby—we are finally on to you. We’ve got you in our scopes. You’re goin’ down. No Alydar Alpo for me—and no Filly Filet at Peter Luger’s.
Not now. Not ever.
Click on title above to vist the authors blogspot;
I am putting her in my favs.
http://www.zootoo.com/journals_j_currentevent/keepyourfriendscloseandyourene_rtfitch
Excellent TRUTH in reporting!
"Telling it like it is,"...and wonderfully!
------------------------
Originally appeared in:
http://www.zootoo.com/journals_j_currentevent/keepyourfriendscloseandyourene_rtfitch
posted by RTF
(is that you, Jerry?)
Apr '09
7
12:41am
http://www.horseraceinsider.com
Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer: the Ag Lobby’s Dirty Little Plan, Revealed
Monday, April 06, 2009
Cattle Grower Network
“It has been shown that horsemeat is low in fat, low in cholesterol and high in protein- overall a better quality of meat than beef. If horse meat were readily available in the U.S., would you be inclined to try it?”
It pays to be on enemy email lists: I received the above link this afternoon, to a website promoting horse slaughter. A faux poll, and several misled people who are contemplating dining on "lowfat" horsemeat. The Ag lobbyists have convinced cattle "growers" that, hmmm, horsemeat might be a yummy thing--I'm thinking that it's a significant part of Ag lobby's push for horse slaughter plants--that if horse slaughter is brought back into the United States, cattle "growers" can get into the biz of "growing" horses specifically for slaughter.
This disgusts me. But I'd rather know what they're up to than not. Ignorance is NOT bliss.
Ah, every now and then, the Good Guys catch a break.
Just when you thought that the battle to keep equines safe from slaughter was a losing effort—an email drops into your Inbox that qualifies as a gift from Heaven. A miracle. Hundred-dollar bills dropping from the sky.
Today was just such a day.
Allow me to elucidate. I am a member of American Horse Publications, a terrific organization that brings together every equine publication, website and freelancer in the country. I cannot stress strongly enough how much I enjoy being a member of AHP.
But today I appreciate it perhaps more than ever before, for I got an email from a website that turned the horse slaughter thing around for me. Refreshed me. Renewed my resolve.
[AHP regularly sends out press releases for its members: some days I get upward of 20 press releases. This is a great service that the organization provides to members. Most days I hear from Missy Wryn, or The Blood-Horse, Thoroughbred Times—the ones I’d expect.]
But, ah, today. Today I was frustrated. Today I had a headache, from beating my brains against a post. I’ve been trying for several days to write a follow-up to Montana’s Big, Bloody Sky, but have been stumped. Not that I’ve run out of words—I’ll be yammering on my way to the grave. I’ve run out of patience with the system, a system that allows Governors to play footsie with Ag lobbyists and to disguise death sentences for horses as concern for their welfare.
You see, Friday was a day of jubilation for we anti-slaughter people. Well, it was a minute of jubilation.
We’d heard, first, that Montana’s Governor Brian Schweitzer had vetoed the horse slaughter bill.
Friends and colleagues emailed me to send up the first flares. Start the bonfire, we’re havin’ a weenie roast!
That ecstasy lasted about three seconds. I read Schweitzer’s letter to The Butcher (Ed Butcher, that is: the most appropriately-named politician in America.) The letter of “veto” was really a letter filled with amendments. IF the bill is amended in ways that Governor Schweitzer find to be appropriate—he will sign the bill into law.
And the reasons for his amendments are to write in protections for those who would build the slaughterhouses—NOT because he’s concerned about the horses’ welfare. Sure, his letter of amendment is filled with language that sounds like he’s concerned for equine welfare—all the “unwanted horses” ya-ya.
But the bottom line of it is that he’ll be delighted to sign the bill into law, as long as the amendments are written in—and those magnanimous Belgians are protected. Schweitzer wants to make sure that, once the slaughterhouse is built in Montana—no one can step up to the plate (or courthouse) and close it down.
So I’ve spent several days trying to write about something that is on the surface so vague that anti-slaughter folks were tempted to think we’d won. But knowing that we’ve not won, the battle continues, and—if anything—is more frustrating than ever. At this point, it’s out of our hands. Phone calls to Schweitzer’s office will not change a thing. Now we sit and wait to see if/when the Montana State Legislature tosses it back to him.
If they do, he’ll sign it.
If he signs it, Montana license plates can read, “The Slaughter State.”
So today I felt stumped. Defeated. Not sure what to write.
Now I know. Today we were given a gift, that of insider knowledge. This is a valuable tool—knowledge. The Truth shall set you free. The light of Truth, shining in the darkness—can turn it all around for the horses.
We have the ammo we need now: the email I received via AHP today carried the subject line, “Would You Eat Horse Meat?”
I turned on my mental heel. They had my attention. I had to peek inside, and see behind the curtain.
This email was from a website that identified itself aswww.CheyenneOutlaw.com
I’d never heard of them before. I thought it might be a group of cowboys, perhaps a newsletter of cowboy poets.
Not quite. Cheyenne Outlaw Ranch is—you guessed it—a cattle ranch in Wyoming.
Their mission is to “grow” and sell—beef, (as shown in the pic below of a Canadian "Horse Meat Farm. Notice they pick the larger, draft style horses to "grow" as they bear more meat.)
Why, you might ask yourself, would they wish to contact those of us who work in publishing in equine industries? Hmmmmm…tap yourself on the chin. Think about this a minute.
It all became wildly clear the minute I read the email: supposedly, The Cattle Grower Network had conducted a poll. Uh, yeah. And in that poll, they asked if readers would eat horsemeat if it were available to them.
Uh-huh. A rigged poll. People who are members of Cattle Grower Network, answering a question that, on its surface, seems simple.
Disgusting, but simple.
The underlying implication is enormous.
Finally--the Truth behind the push for horse slaughter plants.
The Truth, that those who are proponents are no more concerned about “unwanted horses” than a bald man is about unwanted hair.
The Truth is that the Ag lobby is working with the “cattle growers” not only to re-introduce horse slaughter into the United States—the underlying reason for doing so is that the next step after reintroduction is to create a market for horsemeat IN the United States.
The beef industry has been hurting lately. Too many people actually concerned about silly things like, oh, I don’t know—cholesterol. Fat. Colon cancer.
What, oh, what, can a “cattle grower” whose profit margin is flagging do? Hmmm…got land. Got grass. Got fields fenced in. Beef, fatty. HORSE…not so fat.
Horsemeat = a marketing strategy that could save the necks of the ranchers who’ve invested millions of dollars into an industry that is threatened by a growing American concern for health.
Read the link above, to the “poll” and those who agree with the results of the poll—that, supposedly, horsemeat just may be an acceptable addition to the American diet. Read the words, then let them set in.
Realize that this is a well-calculated campaign. This is NOT random people who happen to think that horse slaughter is a good thing.
This, my friends, is every bit as insidious a campaign as the tobacco industry creating chocolate cigarettes for children.
This campaign was hatched in the boardrooms of The Beef Council. This plan is being executed by the Ag lobbyists and the ranchers. This, they believe, will be the plan that saves the ranchers.
All this time, we anti-slaughter people thought they were merely executing the “slippery slope” argument, that, if horse slaughter is taboo in America—they’ll come for the beef industry next.
That passive-aggressive approach—that’s what we thought they were up to.
But today’s email revealed the Truth—Hallelujah, the Truth will set the horses free.
The real motivation of the Ag lobby and the Beef People is not to prevent beef slaughter from being outlawed—for that would never happen. The real motivation is to open wide the door to horse slaughter so that RANCHING HORSES for meat will not only become acceptable—it will become an exciting, viable new market for the cattle ranchers. “Branching out,” as it were. Creating a new market, and giving it the old hard-sell.
Once horse slaughter plants are put in Montana and the Dakotas—it’s all downhill from there. They think that we anti-slaughter people will just give up, and go away with a whimper. That we’ll shrug our withers, and give in.
No doubt they even aspire to converting Willie Nelson: their clever marketing wonks envision Willie as a potential ally, the face of The American Horsemeat Council. Once that door to slaughter is flung wide-open—the possibilities are endless.
I am not arguing in slippery slope here, friends. All you need do is read this nonsense from the cattle “growers,” this email they sent to their allies, to see through their transparent motive.
If we open that door—if we let Governor Schweitzer amend so vile a bill as to make it palatable, and pass it into law—then the Ag lobby and beef “growers” can institute Phase II: the cultural and governmental acceptance of horse ranches.
If you don’t want to see billboards for “Secretariat: the Other Red Meat”—you must work with us. You don’t need my vivid imagination to see that this is the real motivation for the push for slaughter: all you need is eyes to read; a brain to comprehend and a heart to give a damn.
Ag lobby—we are finally on to you. We’ve got you in our scopes. You’re goin’ down. No Alydar Alpo for me—and no Filly Filet at Peter Luger’s.
Not now. Not ever.
Click on title above to vist the authors blogspot;
I am putting her in my favs.
http://www.zootoo.com/journals_j_currentevent/keepyourfriendscloseandyourene_rtfitch
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Nutrena "in bed" with AQHA, AHC
Nutrena Feed Supports Horse Slaughter
We must not suppot any companies that support horse slaughter. Do not buy from them.
Hello Patricia,
Thank you very much for sharing your concern with us, and I do apologize for the delay in responding to you.
We stand behind our partnership with the AQHA. We at Nutrena, alongside the AQHA, are partnering with the American Horse Council, the governing body of the Unwanted Horse Coalition, to help solve the bigger issue of educating horse owners to be responsible so that someday we can achieve a point where slaughter does not even need to be considered as an option. If you are not familiar with the UHC, I encourage you to visit their website at www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org to learn more about what they are doing to help with this issue.
Thank you,
Gina Thesing
Nutrena
----------------------------------------------------------
My email to them:
Species:
Equine
Topic:
Other
Comments:
Just so you know I do not support horse slaughter for human consumption. I will not buy anything from Nutrena because you have AQHA on your feed bags. AQHA is a major supporter of horses being slaughtered and American quarter horses are the largest breed on the trucks going to slaughter in Canada and Mexico. If you want anyone to buy your feed then I suggest you not be pro slaughter.
Patricia
We must not suppot any companies that support horse slaughter. Do not buy from them.
Hello Patricia,
Thank you very much for sharing your concern with us, and I do apologize for the delay in responding to you.
We stand behind our partnership with the AQHA. We at Nutrena, alongside the AQHA, are partnering with the American Horse Council, the governing body of the Unwanted Horse Coalition, to help solve the bigger issue of educating horse owners to be responsible so that someday we can achieve a point where slaughter does not even need to be considered as an option. If you are not familiar with the UHC, I encourage you to visit their website at www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org to learn more about what they are doing to help with this issue.
Thank you,
Gina Thesing
Nutrena
----------------------------------------------------------
My email to them:
Species:
Equine
Topic:
Other
Comments:
Just so you know I do not support horse slaughter for human consumption. I will not buy anything from Nutrena because you have AQHA on your feed bags. AQHA is a major supporter of horses being slaughtered and American quarter horses are the largest breed on the trucks going to slaughter in Canada and Mexico. If you want anyone to buy your feed then I suggest you not be pro slaughter.
Patricia
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