Campaigning for Barbaro--Virginia

Missing Barbaro

2007-12-26T11:31:00.000-05:00

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.

A Nation Bids John Henry Farewell

2007-10-09T06:44:00.000-04:00

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.

Cavel Loses Appeal to Overturn IL Anti-slaughter Law

2007-09-21T21:15:00.000-04:00

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.

Filly Rags to Riches Suffers First Career Defeat

2007-09-16T07:02:00.000-04:00

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.

House Again Votes to Ban Horse Slaughter

2007-08-03T06:34:00.000-04:00

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.
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CONTACT: Chris Heyde, (703) 836-4300

Rescued Arabian Succumbs to Starvation

2007-07-21T22:50:00.000-04:00

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.

Barbaro Stakes July 15 at Delaware Park

2007-07-03T22:47:00.001-04:00

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.

Stop Proposed House of Rep. Amendment!

2007-06-13T08:20:00.001-04:00

The Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007 was handled by the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, specifically, the Submcommittee on Horticulture & Organic Agriculture. It currently exists as HR 2419, as amended.

The recent amendment to the bill creates a threat to horses in several respects. If passed, this legislation would nullify bans on horse slaughter in Texas and California, bans on gestation crates in Floriday, and bans on both gestation and veal crates in Arizona. It would also wipe out bans on foie gras in California and Chicago. Thankfully, there is no matching bill (yet) in the Senate.

HR 2419 will soon to go the floor of the House for a vote. Please contact your elected Representatives to put a stop to this threat to horse welfare.

FILLY WINS BELMONT--FIRST IN 105 YEARS

2007-06-09T19:58:00.000-04:00

Three-year-old Rags to Riches, a filly who had never raced against colts, beat favorite Curlin by at least a nose. In the end, she simply had more gas in her tank.

The haughty chestnut with the off-center blaze, known for her arrogant antics in the barn, let the big boys in the race see a lot of her butt as she made history. She was the first filly in 105 years to win the mile-and-a-half Belmont, the longest of the Triple Crown Races.

Bred to run long distances, the new thoroughbred queen follows in the hoofprints of her father and half-brother, both of whom won the Belmont.

The best news of all: NOBODY was injured in the Belmont Stakes.

Equine Rescue League Need Your Help

2007-06-05T11:56:00.000-04:00

Situated just on the edge of Virginia Horse Country, the Equine Rescue League, Inc. (ERL) in Leesburg urgently needs your help. Founded in 1990, it has become a fixture in the area and took in 32 neglected Morgans during its first year in operation. Loudoun County has generously leased acreage to the organization all this time. However, this county, one of the fastest-growing in the country, is reclaiming the land for landfill expansion.

As a result, the Equine Rescue League will have to find a new home and vacate the property by September 22, 2007. This is particularly difficult in an area only an hour west of Washington, DC and where property values are so high.

If you are able to help, please call ERL at 703-771-1240. They need suggestions for finding a new home, donations, and help obtaining grants. Their URL: http://www.equinerescueleague.org/erl/.

IL Judge Lets Cavel Resume Slaughtering Horses

2007-06-01T12:48:00.000-04:00

The judge who heard the arguments regarding the Cavel slaughter plant in DeKalb has granted the owners' temporary restraining order.

This means the plan may start slaughtering horses again while awaiting a ruling on the Illinois law passed in May that outlaws the practice for human consumption abroad.

A very sad day for all of us--all the more reason to pass a Federal law.

Why Do We Still Need a Federal Law?

2007-05-31T20:07:00.000-04:00

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.

Virginia Hunt Country Tour - Dynaformer Colt

2007-05-27T07:59:00.000-04:00

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.

Cavel Files Lawsuit to Continue Slaughtering

2007-05-27T07:50:00.000-04:00

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/

ILLINOIS BANS HORSE SLAUGHTER

2007-05-24T20:38:00.000-04:00

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.

After the Preakness

2007-05-21T20:18:00.000-04:00

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.

Eve of the Preakness

2007-05-18T21:48:00.000-04:00

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.

Preakness on Saturday

2007-05-15T06:58:00.000-04:00

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.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

2007-05-12T19:41:00.000-04:00

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