Soon it will be a year. The furor has died down, for the most part. Barbaro has been gone almost 12 months.
Although his name pops up in fewer Internet searches than it did several months ago, thankfully, all is not quiet on the horse rescue front. Since the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner was injured in the Preakness, more than 1,500 horses have been saved thanks to the efforts of the Fans of Barbaro (FOBs).
Yes, there have been disappointments. Proposed bills did not sail right through the halls of Congress into law. Various groups promoting rescue still squabble among themselves from time to time. And horses are still being slaughtered in Canada and Mexico for human consumption in Europe and Japan.
As we approach the end of the 2007, it's fitting to pause for a few quiet minutes to reflect on how wonderful, brave Barbaro really affected each of our lives.
Mine will never be the same. I am doing the type of writing I always wanted to do, motivated by his untimely injury and death eight months later. Overweight since infancy, I inherited some stick-to-it determination from my equine role model, lost 55 pounds, and ended up a size 6. I am a gentler, kinder person since getting to know Barbaro.
Rest in peace, Big Boy. We will never forget you. You left the world a better place.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
A Nation Bids John Henry Farewell
He was America's equine blue-collar hero, twice selected as Horse of the Year.
On October 8, John Henry, surrounded by his friends and caretakers, was euthanized at age 32 after vets were no longer able to keep him hydrated and comfortable.
He was purchased sight unseen for $25,000. The fact that he lived so long is at least partially attributed to his feisty spirit. He remains the highest earner for American horses who ran on turf.
After a memorial service at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, where he was spending his retirement, John Henry will be buried in the Hall of Champions, near his paddock.
On October 8, John Henry, surrounded by his friends and caretakers, was euthanized at age 32 after vets were no longer able to keep him hydrated and comfortable.
He was purchased sight unseen for $25,000. The fact that he lived so long is at least partially attributed to his feisty spirit. He remains the highest earner for American horses who ran on turf.
After a memorial service at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, where he was spending his retirement, John Henry will be buried in the Hall of Champions, near his paddock.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Cavel Loses Appeal to Overturn IL Anti-slaughter Law
It's a great day in the neighborhood if you live in DeKalb, IL--unless you're one of 60 employees who work at the Cavel slaughter plant.
It was a fabulous day for horses. The appeals court denied Cavel's attempt to overturn the Illinois law passed earlier this year to outlaw the slaughter of horses within the state's borders for human consumption abroad.
The DeKalb facility was the last such plant operating in the United States.
While the court's action will more than likely cause the facility to close, kill buyers are still free to transport horses to Canada and Mexico for slaughter for human consumption, primarily in Europe and Japan. The only way to permanently ban this practice is for Congress to pass a Federal law outlawing both the practice of slaughter and the transport of horses across U.S. borders for slaughter.
You can help by contacting your Representative and Senator NOW. See how they stand. Your elected officials are now back in Washington after spending time in their home districts.
It was a fabulous day for horses. The appeals court denied Cavel's attempt to overturn the Illinois law passed earlier this year to outlaw the slaughter of horses within the state's borders for human consumption abroad.
The DeKalb facility was the last such plant operating in the United States.
While the court's action will more than likely cause the facility to close, kill buyers are still free to transport horses to Canada and Mexico for slaughter for human consumption, primarily in Europe and Japan. The only way to permanently ban this practice is for Congress to pass a Federal law outlawing both the practice of slaughter and the transport of horses across U.S. borders for slaughter.
You can help by contacting your Representative and Senator NOW. See how they stand. Your elected officials are now back in Washington after spending time in their home districts.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Filly Rags to Riches Suffers First Career Defeat
She became everybody's darling when she was the first filly in recent history to win the Belmont Stakes.
Plagued by iffy medical symptoms such as unexplained fevers since her blazing win, Rags to Riches missed a lot of training time this year. Yesterday, she was beaten by half a length in the Gazelle by Lear's Princess at the site of her earlier triumph, Belmont Park. She was ridden by jockey John Velazquez.
It was the first loss in the filly's career since her racing debut in June 2006.
Trainer Todd Pletcher blamed Rags to Riches' time off the track for the second-place finish and said he's concentrating on getting her ready for the Breeder's Cup Distaff at Monmouth Park on October 27. And he still considers her the best three-year-old filly in the world.
Plagued by iffy medical symptoms such as unexplained fevers since her blazing win, Rags to Riches missed a lot of training time this year. Yesterday, she was beaten by half a length in the Gazelle by Lear's Princess at the site of her earlier triumph, Belmont Park. She was ridden by jockey John Velazquez.
It was the first loss in the filly's career since her racing debut in June 2006.
Trainer Todd Pletcher blamed Rags to Riches' time off the track for the second-place finish and said he's concentrating on getting her ready for the Breeder's Cup Distaff at Monmouth Park on October 27. And he still considers her the best three-year-old filly in the world.
Friday, August 3, 2007
House Again Votes to Ban Horse Slaughter
Note the press release just issued by the Animal Welfare Institute:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
U.S. House of Representatives Votes to StopHorse Slaughter, Again
-->-->-->WASHINGTON-->, -->D.C.-->--> (Aug. 2, 2007) – Once again, Congress has voiced its opposition to horse slaughter. The U.S. House of Representatives today approved an amendment to the 2008 Agriculture Appropriations bill that will temporarily bring horse slaughter to a halt by stripping funds from the federally required inspection of slaughter-bound horses. Without the inspections, the slaughter cannot proceed.
Introduced by U.S. Representatives John Spratt (D-SC), Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Nick Rahall (D-WV) and Ben Chandler (D-KY), the amendment ensures that horse slaughter stops while Congress considers the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA), a permanent ban on this abhorrent trade. The measure must now go to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
The amendment is almost identical to one that passed overwhelmingly in the U.S. Congress two years ago, with the addition of language to prevent the U.S. Department of Agriculture from circumventing the will of Congress – as it did in 2005 when the slaughter continued.
More than 100,000 horses were brutally slaughtered in the United States last year at three foreign-owned slaughterhouses for human consumption in Europe and Asia. Tens of thousands more were exported for slaughter in Canada and Mexico. Currently, Cavel International (DeKalb, IL) is the last remaining horse slaughter plant in operation in the country. The only other plants, both in Texas, were effectively closed down earlier this year under state law.
A hearing on Aug. 16 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit will determine whether Cavel International will remain open or be forced to shut its doors, following last April’s passage of a similar law that was signed by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.
“Once again, when the entire House has the chance to vote on ending slaughter, support for a ban is overwhelming. Sadly, a few politicians and misguided business associations continue to thwart the Democratic process by stalling enactment of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act,” said Chris Heyde, deputy legislative director of the Animal Welfare Institute. “I implore these individuals to stand with the majority of Americans who support a ban on horse slaughter and allow this measure to move forward.”
The American public, over 500 animal protective organizations, horse industry organizations and veterinarians all support the effort to end the slaughter of America’s horses. Congress must now pass the AHSPA (H.R. 503/S.311) to end the slaughter of American horses nationwide and ensure that they are not exported elsewhere to be killed for those who wish to eat them.
The Animal Welfare Institute applauds the continued leadership of the sponsors of legislation to end horse slaughter. The organization also commends Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) for supporting efforts to protect -->-->America-->-->’s horses from this cruel industry and those who want to exploit their suffering.
The Animal Welfare Institute, founded in 1951, is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the sum total of pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans. Our legislative division is leading the national campaign to end horse slaughter and advocating passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. For more information, please visit www.awionline.org and www.saplonline.org.
##30##
CONTACT: Chris Heyde, (703) 836-4300
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
U.S. House of Representatives Votes to StopHorse Slaughter, Again
-->-->-->WASHINGTON-->, -->D.C.-->--> (Aug. 2, 2007) – Once again, Congress has voiced its opposition to horse slaughter. The U.S. House of Representatives today approved an amendment to the 2008 Agriculture Appropriations bill that will temporarily bring horse slaughter to a halt by stripping funds from the federally required inspection of slaughter-bound horses. Without the inspections, the slaughter cannot proceed.
Introduced by U.S. Representatives John Spratt (D-SC), Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Nick Rahall (D-WV) and Ben Chandler (D-KY), the amendment ensures that horse slaughter stops while Congress considers the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA), a permanent ban on this abhorrent trade. The measure must now go to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
The amendment is almost identical to one that passed overwhelmingly in the U.S. Congress two years ago, with the addition of language to prevent the U.S. Department of Agriculture from circumventing the will of Congress – as it did in 2005 when the slaughter continued.
More than 100,000 horses were brutally slaughtered in the United States last year at three foreign-owned slaughterhouses for human consumption in Europe and Asia. Tens of thousands more were exported for slaughter in Canada and Mexico. Currently, Cavel International (DeKalb, IL) is the last remaining horse slaughter plant in operation in the country. The only other plants, both in Texas, were effectively closed down earlier this year under state law.
A hearing on Aug. 16 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit will determine whether Cavel International will remain open or be forced to shut its doors, following last April’s passage of a similar law that was signed by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.
“Once again, when the entire House has the chance to vote on ending slaughter, support for a ban is overwhelming. Sadly, a few politicians and misguided business associations continue to thwart the Democratic process by stalling enactment of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act,” said Chris Heyde, deputy legislative director of the Animal Welfare Institute. “I implore these individuals to stand with the majority of Americans who support a ban on horse slaughter and allow this measure to move forward.”
The American public, over 500 animal protective organizations, horse industry organizations and veterinarians all support the effort to end the slaughter of America’s horses. Congress must now pass the AHSPA (H.R. 503/S.311) to end the slaughter of American horses nationwide and ensure that they are not exported elsewhere to be killed for those who wish to eat them.
The Animal Welfare Institute applauds the continued leadership of the sponsors of legislation to end horse slaughter. The organization also commends Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) for supporting efforts to protect -->-->America-->-->’s horses from this cruel industry and those who want to exploit their suffering.
The Animal Welfare Institute, founded in 1951, is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the sum total of pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans. Our legislative division is leading the national campaign to end horse slaughter and advocating passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. For more information, please visit www.awionline.org and www.saplonline.org.
##30##
CONTACT: Chris Heyde, (703) 836-4300
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Rescued Arabian Succumbs to Starvation
RC El Dinero, the 27-year-old starving Arabian gelding rescued by Beauty's Have in Florida on June 2, 2007, died at 8:00 AM this morning. His body was unable to overcome the effects of starvation as he battled Cushings disease, diabetes, and leg problems.
Although he had appeared to be steadily improving, he began to fail two days ago. Around 2:30 AM, Nick indicated he wanted to walk around the paddock. Theresa Batchelor, owner of Beauty's Haven, helped him get up and let him walk around to see the other horses. He was apparently saying goodbye.
Later in the morning, Nick led her to the back of the barn, when he proceed to lie down. After a whinny as if to say, "Thanks for everying," he placed his head in her lap and passed away.
Nick was loved by thousands who read of his plight. May he rest in peace and frolic with Barbaro.
Although he had appeared to be steadily improving, he began to fail two days ago. Around 2:30 AM, Nick indicated he wanted to walk around the paddock. Theresa Batchelor, owner of Beauty's Haven, helped him get up and let him walk around to see the other horses. He was apparently saying goodbye.
Later in the morning, Nick led her to the back of the barn, when he proceed to lie down. After a whinny as if to say, "Thanks for everying," he placed his head in her lap and passed away.
Nick was loved by thousands who read of his plight. May he rest in peace and frolic with Barbaro.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Barbaro Stakes July 15 at Delaware Park
Fans of Barbaro (FOBs) planning to attend this event should contact me right away if you have not already made arrangements. The actual schedule will come out about four to five days ahead of race day.
FOBs will be gathering in a tent in the Grove, where Barbaro's birthday celebration was held April 29. However, instead of being served a catered meal, we will be purchasing our BBQ through he food line.
It has been a peaceful last few days. No horses were slaughtered at Cavel in DeKalb since the judge refused last week to extend the temporary restraining order that allowed the plant to ignore the May law outlawing horse slaughter in that state for human consumption abroad.
It's important, however, not to rest on our laurels. Killer buyers are still purchasing horses at auction and trucking them to Canada and Mexico whenever the trip proves profitable. And Cavel's owners have stated they plan an appeal. Until a Federal law is passed to ban both the slaughter of horses for human consumption AND their transport for the same purpose, they will never be safe in this country.
FOBs will be gathering in a tent in the Grove, where Barbaro's birthday celebration was held April 29. However, instead of being served a catered meal, we will be purchasing our BBQ through he food line.
It has been a peaceful last few days. No horses were slaughtered at Cavel in DeKalb since the judge refused last week to extend the temporary restraining order that allowed the plant to ignore the May law outlawing horse slaughter in that state for human consumption abroad.
It's important, however, not to rest on our laurels. Killer buyers are still purchasing horses at auction and trucking them to Canada and Mexico whenever the trip proves profitable. And Cavel's owners have stated they plan an appeal. Until a Federal law is passed to ban both the slaughter of horses for human consumption AND their transport for the same purpose, they will never be safe in this country.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
