At this writing, all three slaughterhouses for human consumption (two in Texas, one in Illinois) are closed.
Why, then, do we still need Federal legislation banning the slaughter of horses for human consumption? If they're closed, what's the point?
1. Cavel in DeKalb, IL has filed a lawsuit to permit it to re-open. The court has agreed to hear their arguments.
2. Without Federal legislation to prohibit the export of horses for human consumption, we cannot stop killer buyers from taking them to Canada and Mexico to be slaughtered. Make no mistake about it, slaughter plants in those two countries have not been affected and are still operational.
3. While setting up a slaughter plant involves a lot of retrofitting for horses, there is absolutely nothing to prevent owners of the three closed slaughterhouses to set up shop in other states if they consider it profitable. Nothing except Federal legislation, that is.
It's absolutely crucial that we get 60 Senators to co-sponsor this S311 to stop the slaughter of these innocent animals. Won't you make a call today to one of your elected representatives?
In the meantime, we continue to buy all the slaughter-bound horses we can. If you are able to contribute financially, please email me, and I will direct you to a legitimate rescue operation.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Virginia Hunt Country Tour - Dynaformer Colt
Wow...this was totally unexpected.
The Virginia Hunt Country horse tour is held on Saturday and Sunday of each Memorial Day weekend, with the proceeds from tickets to help local charities. Hubby Paul and I had not done it in about 10 years but decided to pick a few places to see out of the dozen or so open for visitors this year.
At the top of our list was the Firestones' Newstead Farm because I was bound and determined to see Genuine Risk, now 30, who was the first filly in 65 years to win the Kentucky Derby in 1980. She's in excellent shape for her age, by the way.
We decided before returning to the car to walk over to another barn. The irony of this is I stopped for a while to ponder the idea, as I have torn cartilage in one of my knees and was trying to minimize walking.
As we walked from one stall to the next, we noted a colt and commented he looked a lot like . . . you guessed it, Barbaro. When we looked at the lineage posted, we found out he was an unnamed colt out of Dynaformer, Barbaro's sire!!!!!!!!! I didn't recognize or don't remember the name of the dam, and it was too dark in his stall to take a photo without a flash. We didn't want to startle him.
On the way out, we mentioned to a couple of staff members, "Oh, we see you have a Dynaformer colt." None of them recognized the connection to Barbaro.
By the way, both of us wore our blue Barbaro shirts and received perhaps a dozen comments about them. In each case, we were able to talk about horse slaughter and the need for legislation. I also handed out maybe half a dozen cards.
This event runs through Sunday, 5/27. Tickets are $25 each and are most easily purchased at Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville, VA. While they are also available at each tour stop, you have to know what the stops are in advance to buy tickets there. So it's easier just to drive to the church on Route 50 to get them.
The Virginia Hunt Country horse tour is held on Saturday and Sunday of each Memorial Day weekend, with the proceeds from tickets to help local charities. Hubby Paul and I had not done it in about 10 years but decided to pick a few places to see out of the dozen or so open for visitors this year.
At the top of our list was the Firestones' Newstead Farm because I was bound and determined to see Genuine Risk, now 30, who was the first filly in 65 years to win the Kentucky Derby in 1980. She's in excellent shape for her age, by the way.
We decided before returning to the car to walk over to another barn. The irony of this is I stopped for a while to ponder the idea, as I have torn cartilage in one of my knees and was trying to minimize walking.
As we walked from one stall to the next, we noted a colt and commented he looked a lot like . . . you guessed it, Barbaro. When we looked at the lineage posted, we found out he was an unnamed colt out of Dynaformer, Barbaro's sire!!!!!!!!! I didn't recognize or don't remember the name of the dam, and it was too dark in his stall to take a photo without a flash. We didn't want to startle him.
On the way out, we mentioned to a couple of staff members, "Oh, we see you have a Dynaformer colt." None of them recognized the connection to Barbaro.
By the way, both of us wore our blue Barbaro shirts and received perhaps a dozen comments about them. In each case, we were able to talk about horse slaughter and the need for legislation. I also handed out maybe half a dozen cards.
This event runs through Sunday, 5/27. Tickets are $25 each and are most easily purchased at Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville, VA. While they are also available at each tour stop, you have to know what the stops are in advance to buy tickets there. So it's easier just to drive to the church on Route 50 to get them.
Cavel Files Lawsuit to Continue Slaughtering
Owners of the Cavel Internation slaughter plant have filed a lawsuit to try to permit the facility to continue to slaughter horses for human consumption after the Governor of Illinois signed into law anti-slaughter legislation last week.
This event was expected.
What can we do about it?
The answer is to get Federal legislation passed to stop horse slaughter for human consumption. The bills before Congress would also ban the export of horses to Canada, Mexico, or any other country for the same purpose.
We MUST get these bills to the floor of the House of Representative and the Senate for a vote. The Senate bill requires 60 co-sponsors to be sent to the floor and has perhaps half that number. We need YOU to call or email your Representatives and Senators to do something about this legislation. When you do, you need to mention the specific bill numbers about which you're concerned. This is S311 in the Senate and HR 503 for the House.
Please do it NOW. We chose our legislators, and we have a right and an obligation to express our concerns and interests.
To find out how to contact your Congressmen, see:
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/
This event was expected.
What can we do about it?
The answer is to get Federal legislation passed to stop horse slaughter for human consumption. The bills before Congress would also ban the export of horses to Canada, Mexico, or any other country for the same purpose.
We MUST get these bills to the floor of the House of Representative and the Senate for a vote. The Senate bill requires 60 co-sponsors to be sent to the floor and has perhaps half that number. We need YOU to call or email your Representatives and Senators to do something about this legislation. When you do, you need to mention the specific bill numbers about which you're concerned. This is S311 in the Senate and HR 503 for the House.
Please do it NOW. We chose our legislators, and we have a right and an obligation to express our concerns and interests.
To find out how to contact your Congressmen, see:
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/
Thursday, May 24, 2007
***ILLINOIS BANS HORSE SLAUGHTER***
Late this afternoon, the Governor of Illinois signed into law legislation to ban the slaughter of horses in his state for human consumption abroad.
Violators of the new law face up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,500. Unless it finds a way around this legislation, the Cavel slaughterhouse in DeKalb is out of business.
Although some of the Fans of Barbaro (FOBs) made a heroic effort to save truckloads of horses in the wee hours of the morning, knowing the Governor had not yet signed the legislation, they were not successful in saving any of the more than 140 horses executed today. In a matter of hours last night, they collected $14,000 over the Internet and were prepared to ransom the horses to save their lives. However, they were not for sale.
Please observe a moment of silence for the innocent horses destroyed today and to honor those who tried so persistently to save them.
Violators of the new law face up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,500. Unless it finds a way around this legislation, the Cavel slaughterhouse in DeKalb is out of business.
Although some of the Fans of Barbaro (FOBs) made a heroic effort to save truckloads of horses in the wee hours of the morning, knowing the Governor had not yet signed the legislation, they were not successful in saving any of the more than 140 horses executed today. In a matter of hours last night, they collected $14,000 over the Internet and were prepared to ransom the horses to save their lives. However, they were not for sale.
Please observe a moment of silence for the innocent horses destroyed today and to honor those who tried so persistently to save them.
Monday, May 21, 2007
After the Preakness
Fans of Barbaro (FOBs) shed more than a few tears when Chelokee flew across the finish line in the newly-renamed Barbaro Stakes, the ninth race. Chelokee and Barbaro shared trainer Michael Matz from Fair Hill Training Center. To watch as Mr. and Mrs. Jackson greeted him in the winner's circle was triumph. We felt Chelokee was running for Barbaro, Fair Hill, Michael, and all the horse causes we hold so dear. I had the privilege of seeing Chelokee work out at Fair Hill only a few days before Michael Matz decided the colt was not ready for the Kentucky Derby.
We extend out deepest condolences to the owners of Mending Fences. This handsome colt had to be euthanized after he collapsed and broke his ankle with a compound fracture during the tenth race. According to his jockey, the horse did not stumble, just collapsed. We will probably never know what caused it.
We have just learned that the Illinois legislation to ban horse slaughter in that state will not be forwarded to the Governor to sign until mid-June according to state regulations. In the meantime, the huge Illinois slaughter plant, Cavel, is ramping up to slaughter more horses per day. It normally kills on one day and ships on another. Apparently, they have hired extra help and are doing both on the same day. This is a disgrace that should not be happening in America, and we are trying to get an emergency injunction to shut down the place.
Additional efforts this week are focused on the Lone Star state. Horse slaughter in Texas is currently illegal. However, efforts are in progress to pass legislation that would make it legal again. We have 10 days to try to reverse this process.
You CAN make a difference. Go immediately to www.campaigningforbarbaro.com to see how.
We extend out deepest condolences to the owners of Mending Fences. This handsome colt had to be euthanized after he collapsed and broke his ankle with a compound fracture during the tenth race. According to his jockey, the horse did not stumble, just collapsed. We will probably never know what caused it.
We have just learned that the Illinois legislation to ban horse slaughter in that state will not be forwarded to the Governor to sign until mid-June according to state regulations. In the meantime, the huge Illinois slaughter plant, Cavel, is ramping up to slaughter more horses per day. It normally kills on one day and ships on another. Apparently, they have hired extra help and are doing both on the same day. This is a disgrace that should not be happening in America, and we are trying to get an emergency injunction to shut down the place.
Additional efforts this week are focused on the Lone Star state. Horse slaughter in Texas is currently illegal. However, efforts are in progress to pass legislation that would make it legal again. We have 10 days to try to reverse this process.
You CAN make a difference. Go immediately to www.campaigningforbarbaro.com to see how.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Eve of the Preakness
It's that almost-nervous time for owners and trainers. The Preakness is tomorrow.
A co-worker asked me today which horse I hoped would win. I told her that as a Fan of Barbaro, I'm selfish about his memory. I confessed I did not want to see any horse win the Triple Crown this year lest he eclipse Barbaro's memory. This is probably just human nature, certainly a measure of how deeply this great athlete and indominitable spirit lives in our hearts.
What IS important to me about the Preakness is that all horses entered arrive safely at the finish line. No more broken bones, no dropped stirrups, no accidental kicks, no gate injuries.
So the question is, what will you do this weekend to further Barbaro's cause? Will you contribute to laminitis research or the rescue of some grateful horses, no matter how small the amount? Do it NOW.
A co-worker asked me today which horse I hoped would win. I told her that as a Fan of Barbaro, I'm selfish about his memory. I confessed I did not want to see any horse win the Triple Crown this year lest he eclipse Barbaro's memory. This is probably just human nature, certainly a measure of how deeply this great athlete and indominitable spirit lives in our hearts.
What IS important to me about the Preakness is that all horses entered arrive safely at the finish line. No more broken bones, no dropped stirrups, no accidental kicks, no gate injuries.
So the question is, what will you do this weekend to further Barbaro's cause? Will you contribute to laminitis research or the rescue of some grateful horses, no matter how small the amount? Do it NOW.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Preakness on Saturday
This week has been a hard week for fans of Barbaro. As the Preakness approaches, we remember the horrific injury he suffered as if it happened last week. Most of us have shed a few tears already.
However, the folks at Pimlico will this week honor the Jacksons, jockey Edgar Prado, and Dr. Richardson for their heroic efforts in trying to save Barbaro and to make the horse racing world a safer one.
What can you do to remember Barbaro on Saturday? There are several things. In last year's Preakness, Barbaro wore the number 6. Consider donating a multiple of $6 to one of the links posted on this web site. Your family can tie bows or ribbons in the blue and green colors of Lael Stables to a tree, on your front door, or perhaps on your car antenna. Make a Barbaro or "NO HORSE LEFT BEHIND" sign. When people ask if it's somebody's birthday, explain why you did this.
You can also click on the links I've posted and find out whom you can call and write to help wipe out the slaughter of innocent horses in this country. Just one call might save a horse.
When I taught introductory college journalism classes, I used the same activity each time on the first night of class. Since obituaries are the easiest type of article to write, I asked each student--most of whom were in their 30s and 40s--to take 15 minutes and write his or her own obituary. It was presented in a lighthearted way and not morbid. Some loved the class activity, while others were dumbstruck. They had never thought about how others would remember them.
How would you like your obituary to read? Would you like to be remembered for all the overtime you put in at work? Or would you like others to read that you volunteered your time and/or resources to make the world a better place? Think about it.
However, the folks at Pimlico will this week honor the Jacksons, jockey Edgar Prado, and Dr. Richardson for their heroic efforts in trying to save Barbaro and to make the horse racing world a safer one.
What can you do to remember Barbaro on Saturday? There are several things. In last year's Preakness, Barbaro wore the number 6. Consider donating a multiple of $6 to one of the links posted on this web site. Your family can tie bows or ribbons in the blue and green colors of Lael Stables to a tree, on your front door, or perhaps on your car antenna. Make a Barbaro or "NO HORSE LEFT BEHIND" sign. When people ask if it's somebody's birthday, explain why you did this.
You can also click on the links I've posted and find out whom you can call and write to help wipe out the slaughter of innocent horses in this country. Just one call might save a horse.
When I taught introductory college journalism classes, I used the same activity each time on the first night of class. Since obituaries are the easiest type of article to write, I asked each student--most of whom were in their 30s and 40s--to take 15 minutes and write his or her own obituary. It was presented in a lighthearted way and not morbid. Some loved the class activity, while others were dumbstruck. They had never thought about how others would remember them.
How would you like your obituary to read? Would you like to be remembered for all the overtime you put in at work? Or would you like others to read that you volunteered your time and/or resources to make the world a better place? Think about it.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Happy (almost) Mother's Day to Barbaro's mom, La Ville Rouge, and to the 10 pregnant mares rescued from slaughter this week by the Fans of Barbaro (FOBs).
La Ville Rouge was bred again to Barbaro's dad, Dynaformer, on April 29--Barbaro's fourth birhday--and once again this past week since the April attempt was unsuccessful. We hope for a third full brother to Barbaro.
And our best Mother's Day wishes to Gretchen Jackson, Barbaro's human mom. Her courage, compassion, and tenacity in caring for all the Jackson horses has inspired us time and again. This lovely lady cares about every abandoned horse. Bravo, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson!
This blog is a work in progress. Expect many enhancements during the month of May.
Vonda
La Ville Rouge was bred again to Barbaro's dad, Dynaformer, on April 29--Barbaro's fourth birhday--and once again this past week since the April attempt was unsuccessful. We hope for a third full brother to Barbaro.
And our best Mother's Day wishes to Gretchen Jackson, Barbaro's human mom. Her courage, compassion, and tenacity in caring for all the Jackson horses has inspired us time and again. This lovely lady cares about every abandoned horse. Bravo, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson!
This blog is a work in progress. Expect many enhancements during the month of May.
Vonda
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