Newsletter XXIII
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Edition XXIII |
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Hi Welcome to this month’s HorseConscious Newsletter. So what do you think of the the BLM’s refusal of Madelaine Picken’s proposal for a sanctuary for America’s wild horses?
The full statement was released on the BLM’s website on Monday 24th and you can read it here: http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/newsroom/2011/january/nr_01_21_2011.html Abbey said the annual $500 per horse stipend to fund the nonprofit Save America’s Mustangs Foundation (SAMF) to oversee the horses’ care exceeds the $475 per horse the agency currently spends to care for animals residing in long-term holding facilities. "Her prospectus, as presented, does not demonstrate an obvious cost savings to the American taxpayer," Abbey was quoted as saying. In a response statement published on her website, Pickens stood by her plan. "My eco-sanctuary proposal offers a cost-effective solution to the problem of the BLM’s roundup and warehousing of as many as 40,000 wild horses in off-the-range holding facilities," the statement said. "It is exactly the kind of public/private partnership solution that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has stated is essential to reform of the wild horse and burro program. During our three years of work, BLM officials at every level acknowledged in meetings with me that the eco-sanctuary plan saves the taxpayers money." You can read her full statement below and there are also links to 2 video responses she has made. In one of these, she says her proposal would result in “huge savings” because it would involve the government initially turning over 1,000 wild horses in short-term holding facilities where costs run $2,500 a head, per year. Last year, Pickens purchased the 14,000-acre Spruce Ranch and the adjoining 4,000-acre Warm Creek Ranch to serve as a horse sanctuary. The Elko County ranches, which she renamed the Mustang Monument preserve, come with grazing rights on roughly 564,000 acres of public land. The BLM says it rounds up wild horses to limit their numbers to protect the herds, rangelands and wildlife. It set a target level of 26,600 horses and burros in the wild, and removed 10,637 of the animals from the range in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30. However, what people perhaps don’t realise is that the cost for looking after the horses is not restricted to those in the infamous holding pens we have all seen pictures and video of but also for those roaming the land in what are known as long-term holding. For example, in Oklahoma, that support money goes directly to 13 ranchers, who have the mustangs on their land. One such rancher, Ladd Drummond from north east Oklahoma, said
He has 2,200 horses on his land, for which the government pays him $1.30 per horse, per day. That’s $1.04 million a year, although Drummond said less than 10 percent is profit, or close to $100,000. He has to dedicate seven acres to each horse and gives them supplemental feed in the winter and puts out salt and mineral in the summer. "You have a lot of expenses that go into it, but, there’s definitely a little profit built in too, it’s hard to do anything without making a little profit," said Drummond. Meaning, he wouldn’t do it if he didn’t profit. Here are some numbers for you to mull over:
So if my calculations are correct that means the 27,000 must cost $12.8 million (27,000 x $475) per year and the 11,000 must be costing $24.2 million or $2,200 per head, which is not far off the figure that Madelaine Pickens was quoting. That being the case, and if the Foundation can take care of the full 37,000 population, this would cost an annual $18.5 million (37,000 x $500), which is considerably less than total BLM budget of $65 million. And with a potential 582,000 acres of grazing land for them (14,000 + 4,000 + 564,000), that works out at over 15 acres per horse, which is more than twice the space that the BLM currently allows. Before you all rush out and celebrate, let’s just hear from the Public Lands Council, who represent the livestock ranchers who use the public lands of the mid-West. You won’t be surprised to hear that they came out in support of the BLM. Their statement said that converting livestock Animal Unit Months (AUMs) or livestock grazing permits to single-use horse permits or sanctuaries for wild horses would violate the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934, thereby jeopardizing grazing permits and presenting opportunities for anti-grazing interests to push for more conversion of livestock allotments to other single-uses. In amongst all of this there are disagreements over the number of horses intended to be taken on by the Foundation’s proposal:
Huh? How were those figured calculated? Suddenly, we are talking about the Foundation requiring $2,700 per horse per year instead of $500 and the BLM spending $175 million dollars a year instead of their current $65 million. I’m confused. So what do we have at the end of all of this? Well, we certainly have a great deal of posturing, misinformation and misrepresentation.But what does is really all come down to? The usual. Money. Clearly, the ranchers and the BLM do not want the situation to change as it would lead to a potential major loss of income for them. Whilst the law apparently allows for the slaughter of horses, the BLM is opposed to this and instead, they’re working on new fertility control treatments and developing a plan to try and save money. As for Madelaine Pickens, I have no idea if her intentions are 100% honourable or not. Certainly, when I was at a reception for the Foundation at her country club near San Diego a couple of years ago, I came away with a very uneasy feeling about the whole setup. As I think I have mentioned before, I did hear heard rumours that there were plans to build wind farms on the lands they are intending to use for the sanctuary. Perhaps that is why she calls it an "eco-sanctuary"? Having said that, that’s probably not a bad idea if it can help fund the upkeep of the wild horse and burro population. Whether it’s $18 million a year or $65 million or $100 million, that’s still a lot of money that has to be found and America can ill afford increased public spending at the moment considering the mountain of debt it is carrying. I have no clue about the economics of wind farming but if a scheme could be found that was self-financing or nearly so, it would certainly stand a very good chance of making it and giving those 11,000 horses currently in short-term holding corrals a much better quality of life. What do you think? Tell us your thoughts on the HorseConscious Facebook page Next up, I am delighted to offer you a very special opportunity. Before I tell you about it though, let me ask you the following questions and as you read them, let your mind and body just go with the feelings that your answers bring you…
The Retreat will take place at Liz Mitten Ryan’s wonderful Gateway 2 Ranch in British Columbia, Canada. Having been there, I have to tell you that the ranch really has the most amazing magical energy. It’s like the land hasn’t changed since the day it came into being however many thousand years ago. It is so pristine, so beautiful so invigorating, it really has to be experienced to be believed. Of course, not only will you get the chance to soak up the energy of the land, you get to spend time hanging out with Liz’s fabulous herd. They are such big, beautiful creatures and the most chilled out horses I’ve ever come across.
– Learn the wisdom and language of horses All the traditional ways of riding and ‘working’ with horses will be forgotten in this paradise where the horses are the teachers and healers, helping humans to resonate at higher levels of connection and consciousness.
Other highlights include:
For a full breakdown of a typical day’s schedule, see: ** SPECIAL GUESTS ** – Still to be confirmed, but we are hoping that we will be joined by some of the other HorseConscious Teachers and Contributors, who will demonstrate their fabulous talents and vision with you too. I do hope you will join us, it would be fabulous to meet you at last in person and finally put a face and personality to the names we see. As this is such a great opportunity for us to get together, I managed to persuade Liz to give us a extra special all-inclusive price of just US$2,995, which is 25% off the regular price for her E.A.R.T.H. retreats. The offer is open to all HorseConscious Members, newsletter subscribers and Facebook fans. If you would like to bring a partner or friend to this once in a lifetime opportunity, then we would be delighted to to meet them too. The only limitation is that we must have a minimum of 8 participants and we can only take a maximum of 12 participants. These can only be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so once they are gone, we are fully booked – sorry. To reserve your place on the first ever HorseConscious Retreat, go now to That’s all for this month and I look forward to meeting you at Gateway 2 in May! Best wishes |
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‘To turn and wind a fiery Pegasus, and witch the world with noble horsemanship.’-Shakespeare |
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EQUINE AWARENESS DAY www.equinisity.com and www.voiceforthehorse.com invite you to share in a celebration and awareness day for horses throughout the world. WHAT IS EQUINE AWARENESS DAY? During the month of May, we are asking participants from around the world to to share in a celebration and awareness day for horses. May 1st will start the month with a day dedicated to holding horses everywhere in our hearts, saying a silent prayer for all those who suffer at human hands and holding them in the light of love. For the rest of the month we would ask that you dedicate a day (any day you can) to share what you do with horses. Horses have been our companions since humans first discovered they could take us further and faster than we could go alone. Equines are now stepping forth in new capacities as teachers and healers, partners and friends. Whether you offer Equine rescue, horse therapy, a new natural way of horsemanship or healing with horses, now is the time to tell your story. The event will take place any day you pick during the month of May 2011. We ask you to post your story (what you or your organization does with horses) in your local paper sometime during the next two months, including your date and what you are offering, and invite people to tell you why they would like to come and participate in your offer. You then pick some winners and host an EQUINE AWARENESS DAY offering the winners and the press a free day at your facility to increase awareness of how special our horses are. If you would like to participate, you are invited to visit www.equineawareness.org for details. “Our dream is of a place and time where humans, animals and all of creation will unite in spirit and consciousness as equals.” "We teach by example -we offer truth and we offer wisdom" “Surrender is a good idea. Put your hand up, volunteer for the mission, then listen to your intuition and be in your truth” –quotes from the Herd www.equineawareness.org
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‘To me, horses and freedom are synonymous.’- Unknown |
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HORSE WELFARE WARS: WHEN EMOTION AND FACT COLLIDE Equine welfare and the growing population of horses needing homes are quickly becoming some of the major challenges that veterinarians face on a daily basis, according to Tom Lenz, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACT, who delivered the keynote speech, entitled "Horse Welfare Wars: When Emotion and Fact Collide," at the 56th Annual American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention, which was held Dec. 4-8 in Baltimore. During his talk Lenz reviewed how he believes the issue of unwanted horses arose, he urged veterinarians to confront the issue and educate owners on how they can help combat it, and he offered some suggestions on how the industry as a whole might greatly reduce the number of unwanted horses in America. And according to Lenz, the problem is not one that’s likely to be resolved quickly and easily: "The more you know about the unwanted horse issue it, the more complicated the solutions becomes," he noted. First, Lenz covered some vocabulary: Unwanted horses, says Lenz, are horses that are no longer wanted by their current owners because they are old, injured, sick, unmanageable, or simply fail to meet the owners’ expectations. "Welfare is defined as the physical and psychological state of the animal," Lenz said. He added that good welfare is generally described as meeting the horse’s physiological, psychological, and safety needs.
"We don’t eat horse meat in America, but we had three plants that processed horses for human consumption (in other countries)," Lenz said, reflecting on the early days of the anti-slaughter movement in the United States. He said that a nationwide controversy began as the American public learned that these plants processed horsemeat for human consumption. The issue is "complicated by a worldwide love affair with the horse," he explained. "Uninformed people with few to no ties to the equine industry care for horses and want to have a voice in how they are treated." The controversy led to some federal government officials introducing legislation that would close all the equine slaughter plants in the United States. After being approached by a government agency to provide an opinion on the situation, several AAEP veterinarians—including Lenz—traveled to Texas to evaluate the welfare conditions at the processing plants. He said that the team found that the horses awaiting processing were receiving good care, their welfare was not compromised at any time from arrival to time of slaughter, and that the veterinarians determined the horses were being euthanized in a humane manner under USDA veterinarian supervision. Lenz admitted that transportation of horses to the processing plants was an area of concern, however, as many of the horses were, and still are, transported in double decker trailers meant for cattle. He reported that there is currently legislation introduced in the House of Representatives (HR 305—Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2009) to eliminate the use of double decker trailers to transport horses anywhere in the United States. "The AAEP’s position is not pro-slaughter, we support HR 305 (Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2009) but oppose HR 503 which would outlaw the processing of horses for human consumption because there are no provisions in the bill to provide for the care of unwanted horses, to designate an agency to enforce the law or funding to support them," Lenz said. Despite the AAEP’s findings, the three equine processing plants closed due to state regulation in 2007 and, according to Lenz, the number of unwanted horses in the United States began to rise shortly thereafter. Years later, the negative effects of the closures are present more than ever, he said, noting that the action polarized the horse industry; the anti-slaughter contingency refused to reason with the pro-slaughter groups and vice versa. In addition, the average price for a mid- to low-end horse has plummeted, due to the high numbers of them now available. He also said that there is a significant increase in abandoned and neglected horses because owners have few options if they are unable to sell, donate, or re-home their unwanted horse. As a direct result of the abandonment and neglect, about 70% of the U.S.’s rescue, retirement, retraining facilities at or near capacity, he explained, citing the 2009 Unwanted Horses survey conducted by the Unwanted Horse Coalition. Lenz pointed out that as many horses remain at these facilities for life as there are horses that are adopted out or purchased so it is easy to see that the rescue, retirement, retraining facilities will soon fill up. Another issue that arose during the processing plant controversy and the expansion of the unwanted horse issue was a drastic increase in animal activist group activity. This, according to Lenz, has led to an increase in awareness among the general public. "Our views on animal welfare are conditioned by our personal knowledge base and life experiences," Lenz explained. The general public without a background in horses has only the knowledge that they obtain from the activist groups; the activist viewpoint is usually fairly extremist, he added. On the positive side, Lenz said, the increased number of unwanted horses and the concerns about equine welfare has stimulated positive action in the horse industry. Rescue groups have opened their doors to thousands of horses that have fallen into the unwanted category, and AAEP veterinarians have vaccinated thousands more horses to help the animals remain healthy as they begin new chapters in their lives. Even with the support from equine rescues and groups like the AAEP, finding a solution for the unwanted and neglected horse problem remains a challenge for equine practitioners and the industry in general. "There is no definitive answer," Lenz said. "In a perfect world, all welfare solutions would be based on science, such as (the horses’) health and biological function (as opposed to emotion). In reality, though, science is often ignored if society believes something is wrong." Lenz adds that he believes emotions often take over because society views animal welfare as a moral issue rather than a scientific issue, and they tend to be quick to blame when someone is caring for animals differently than they would. "We must learn to accept that there is a societal aspect to horse care and use, and also that different perspectives are valid," he continued. Lenz cites one of the simplest solutions to the unwanted and neglected horse problem as responsible ownership. Additionally, he suggested that although reopening the processing plants, with greater regulation over the transportation of the horses, might not be the ideal option for dealing with unwanted horses, it would aid greatly in controlling the number of unwanted horses in America until the industry can develop resources to eliminate the need. Next, he suggests looking at the big picture for a solution. Overemphasis on one point is counterproductive, he adds. By dismantling a situation and analyzing each of the aspects of the animals’ welfare, he explained, a full understanding of whether the situation is truly unethical is easier to come by. For example, solely looking at the feed a horse is offered or the time they are kept in—or outside of—a stall on a daily basis does not give an accurate reading on whether a caretaker is infringing upon a horse’s welfare. Finally, he suggests that the horse world come together and work for the ultimate goal: to stop horse neglect and control the unwanted horse population in America. "We as veterinarians have to take a firm position in the middle, and be willing to make a change," he concluded. thehorse.com, by: Erica Larson, News Editor December 16 2010, Article # 17406 |
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MADELEINE PICKENS RESPONDS TO BLM’S 1/21/11 ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING SAVING AMERICA’S MUSTANGS ECO-SANCTUARY PLAN On behalf of America’s wild horses, American taxpayers, and my Saving America’s Mustang Foundation, I would like to express my deep disappointment in the BLM’s late Friday (January 21st) evening press release announcing its rejection of my proposal to create a eco-sanctuary for wild horses in Nevada. Not even one month ago, on January 4, 2011 in Las Vegas, BLM director Bob Abbey stated publicly that my idea “has merit and deserves serious consideration.” Today, he has rejected the project, notifying the media, but providing my foundation with no explanation, despite our three years of hard work on the plan. My eco-sanctuary proposal offers a cost-effective solution to the problem of the BLM’s roundup and warehousing of as many as 40,000 wild horses in off-the-range holding facilities. It is exactly the kind of public/private partnership solution that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has stated is essential to reform of the wild horse and burro program. So imagine my astonishment when I read in the news release that my plan didn’t save money. During our three years of work, BLM officials at every level acknowledged in meetings with me that the eco-sanctuary plan saves the taxpayers money. Mr. Abbey’s suggestion that the area lacks enough water or forage to support wild horses is also perplexing. I’m puzzled by his statement to the media that my proposal seeks to place 10,000 horses on the Spruce Ranch, site of the future eco-sanctuary. In fact, our most recent proposal to the BLM was for approximately 1,000 horses on the approximately over half a million acres encompassed by the Spruce. This was made clear in numerous meetings with the BLM, and is explained on our website as well. (See Sanctuary Q & A #19, November 2010.) The target number of 1,000 horses is consistent with the number of cattle the BLM has consistently authorized on the public lands portions of the ranches I purchased. It seems that the BLM believes there is enough forage and water for cows, but not enough for horses on those same lands, from which the cows have been removed. In addition, in every meeting we’ve attended with the BLM, we’ve been consistent in agreeing that the BLM would ultimately determine the number of horses allowed on the land. We have presented a plan to take care of the 30,000-40,000 wild horses that are currently being warehoused by the BLM. The additional horses would, of course, be housed on land purchased in the future. The Spruce is a pilot program, undertaken with the intent of showing the BLM how this proposal will be possible. It was never intended to put 30,000 -40,000 horses, or even 10,000 horses, on the Spruce. Video Response from Madelaine: Jan. 21, 2011 8:09 PM ET APNewsBreak: BLM rejects Pickens horse rescue plan MARTIN GRIFFITH, Associated Press |
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‘‘Think, when we talk of horses, you see them Printing their proud hoofs i’ the receiving earth.‘- Shakespeare |
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WINTER CHORES: DEALING WITH WINTER ON THE HORSE FARM Welcome to the dead of winter. Even parts of the country that don’t usually experience snow are getting a healthy dose right now. Last week the New York Times reported that 49 out of 50 U.S. states had snow (Florida remained the Sunshine State!) Even when we as horse owners have done our best to prep for winter with heated water buckets, frost-free hydrants, weather-proof turnout blankets and the right equipment for chores there always seems to be at least a storm or two (or three) that wreaks havoc on our normal horse care routine for days on end, stretching into weeks for the unfortunate. When winter pounds on the barn door, our horses still need to be fed and watered in a timely manner and stalls need to be cleaned daily. But paddocks, too, need to be cleaned daily. The more frequently you clean the easier it all will be in the end. Hunting for manure in two feet of snow or chipping it loose from blocks of ice is no fun. My best advice is that the show still needs to go on; all the manure that you don’t pick up now becomes a pulverized a layer of muck once things thaws out again. How do you deal with cleaning paddocks in this kind of weather? Have you developed any special tricks or techniques to get stalls and paddocks picked up and chores accomplished? Share your secrets with your fellow winterizing horse owners! Some of the winter manure management tools we’ve employed at our farms include a straight-edge metal garden shovel or spade which works well for breaking frozen manure balls loose. In these times we often use a garden fork instead of a plastic manure fork which can break when forced. Additionally, we find that wooden handled tools are much easier to grip in winter – and are warmer, too. As far as good deals for purchasing them, shop around on the Internet. Believe it or not, even garden tools can be purchased at reduced rates new or used on the Internet. Check places like Craigslist for even better deals. Having the right winter weather tools not only makes horse life more efficient but it insures that you’ll be more likely to get those chores accomplished when it’s dark, cold, snowy or icy. thehorse.com, by: Alayne Renée Blickle, http://cs.thehorse.com/blogs/smart-horse-keeping |
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‘They are more beautiful than anything in the world, kinetic sculptures, perfect form in motion.’ |
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NEW ARTICLES ON HORSECONSCIOUS |
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KLAUS FERDINAND HEMPFLING: COMPACT SCHOOLING 2011 Klaus has released his 2011 schedule, including a first time full one year KFH Island-Mountain-Education series. Click the image to view and download the full program.
To read the compete article and more of Klaus’ articles, visit Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling on HorseConscious |
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GOOD HABITS: CAROLYN RESNICK Good habits make good connections and improve horsemanship skills. I hope you are working on improving your horsemanship skills. Not because you are not skilled already, but rather that looking to be a better leader to enhance the connection you have is the ultimate joy being with horses and feeling alive and vital. It is better to form a cross species bond than to fix what is not working, and it is better to work with what feels good and works easily. Any problem can be handled in a relaxed and enjoyable pace. It will open the door to a cross species bond when leadership is shared in a humbling way. To read the compete article and more of Carolyn’s articles, visit Carolyn Resnick on HorseConscious |
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KATHY PIKE – INTER-SPECIES COMFORT
To read the compete article and more of Kathy’s articles, visit Kathy Pike on HorseConscious |
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EQUINE NUTRITION PRESENTAIONS AT EQUINE AFFAIRE AND ROCKY MOUNTAIN HORSE EXPO
Equine Affaire takes place February 3-6, 2011 at the Fairplex in Pomona CA (www.equineaffaire.com). Visit with Dr. Getty between presentations at the Presenters’ Booth (#677/679). Dr. Getty’s topics in Pomona: - Feeding in Sync with a Horse’s Instincts and Physiology - Laminitis – What? Why? How to Cure? – A nutritional perspective - Ulcers & Colic – What? Why? How to Cure? – A nutritional perspective - Helping Your Horse Grow Old with Dignity and Good Health - Henneke System of Body Condition Scoring – Live Demonstration The Rocky Mountain Horse Expo is happening March 11-13, 2011 (www.rockymountainhorseexpo.com) in Denver CO. There, Dr. Getty will address the following: - Feeding in Sync with a Horse’s Instincts and Physiology - Laminitis – preventing and treating nutritionally - Ulcers & Colic Can be Prevented! - Weight Control — The Hard and Easy Keepers Dr. Getty has taught and consulted on equine nutrition for more than 20 years; she is available for private consultations by appointment. Her comprehensive book, Feed Your Horse Like A Horse: Optimizing your horse’s nutrition for a lifetime of vibrant health, is available in hardcover and CD-ROM through her website or at Amazon.com. At www.gettyequinenutrition.com horse owners and managers will find a library of helpful articles, an online store, and a calendar of appearances, teleconferences and interviews. Dr. Getty also offers a popular (and free) monthly e-newsletter, “Forage for Thought”; sign up through the website. And watch the site for information on her upcoming February teleconference; Dr. Getty will be soliciting questions in early February. Science-based equine nutrition doesn’t have to be a mystery. Dr. Getty offers straightforward, useful information to help you “feed your horse like a horse.” Others who read this article have also inquired about: equine massage, equine health, horse health, equine therapy and holistic horse by: Getty Equine Nutrition, For more articles on equine therapy go to www.HolisticHorse.com |
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‘To be loved by a horse, or by any animal, should fill us with awe -for we have not deserved It.’-
Marion C. Garretty |
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FLOURIDE POISONING IN HORSES Let me first introduce myself. I am Cathy Justus from Pagosa Springs, Colorado. I am the Fluoride Action Network’s National Spokesperson Against Fluoride Poisoning In Animals. I have the sad distinction of owning the first horse to ever be diagnosed with "chronic fluoride poisoning" resulting from the consumption of artificially fluoridated municipal drinking water. I have this distinction not because it isn’t and hasn’t been happening for years all over this country, but because vets, like doctors and dentists are not taught in their schooling the proven detrimental science of ingested fluoride and what it is capable of doing to the body. I know of this lack of training first hand and of the proven science because I have made it a point, over the past 25 years, to talk to hundreds of these professionals who admittedly knew nothing about what fluoride is and does except for the proven lie You, no doubt, have seen in the papers and on the news that San Diego is soon to be fluoridated. The latest new starting date is the middle of January 2011. Being I was born and raised in Fallbrook (north county) and spent 25 years fluoride free there, I have a deep affection for the horse community which I grew up in. I would not wish what we have gone through here in Pagosa Springs, Co. from 1985 and continuing even to now from the accumulation and poisoning of fluoride, on anyone or anything. I beg you to get involved, do your due diligence, and do your part to stop fluoridation in San Diego before it begins. Believe me, stopping it before fluoridation starts will be much easier than stopping it after it begins. And if the fluoridation of San Diego is stopped in it’s tracks, it will make it much easier to get the fairly recent fluoridation of towns like Fallbrook, Bonsal, etc. ceased. Please note that fluoride is a systemic poison. It breaks the protein bonds in the DNA therefore changing the DNA. Very bad for genetic reproduction. It kills enzymes needed to catalyze virtually every function in the body. It changes the mineralization system weakening the bones and hardening soft tissue like cartilage, ligaments and tendons. It displaces iodine the thyroid uses to make thyroxin, which works with the hormone system and others. And it does much more damage than this. Because of this systemic poisoning of vital systems, it can cause virtually any chronic degenerative disease or ailment depending on each individual’s inherent weakness. From cancer to weak bones and bone fractures, from neurological problems to reproductive problems, from skin ailments to arthritis, from colic (digestive problems in humans) to heart attacks. Dr. Krook even brought up that fluoride poisoning may be the cause of many horses developing laminitis and foundering because of fluoride’s systemic disruption. Please open the attachment above to see the obituary of our latest loss of Winning Gold Bonanza, my beloved Palomino Quarter Horse show gelding. Please open the links below that contain a lot of information about what fluoride does to the body, not just of horses but to all mammals. Please remember that there are over 60,000 world wide independent research studies showing the ills fluoride consumption causes, yet there has never been a single safety study on the product used to artificially fluoridate municipal water nor has it ever been FDA approved for consumption. It is a proven toxic waste which also contains other carcinogens like arsenic, mercury, lead, beryllium, cadmium and radio active isotopes. And fluoride has never been shown to be a necessary element for good teeth, ever. You will see in the scientific peer reviewed manuscripts below how it ruins teeth. Please get involved for the sake of your health and that of your animals. I know too well how devastating, both monetarily and emotionally, the consumption of fluoridated water can be. And please pass this information along to others. The only way to stop this stupidity is to get involved. REFERENCES: Editorial and two peer reviewed published scientific manuscripts on our horses and others in our town: Editorial: "Failure to Diagnose Fluoride Poisoning In Horses Caused By Water Fluoridation" http://www.fluorideresearch.org/391/files/3911-2.pdf 1st Peer reviewed scientific manuscript: "Fluoride Poisoning Of Horses From Artificially Fluoridated Drinking Water" http://www.fluorideresearch.org/391/files/3913-10.pdf 2nd peer reviewed scientific manuscript: "Allergy In Horses From Artificially Fluoridated Water" http://www.fluorideresearch.org/392/files/39289-94.pdf When these scientific manuscripts came out, it went global and the amount of calls I received from all over the world was astounding. A 3rd peer reviewed scientific manuscript was written and published on horses in Southern Texas who were finally diagnosed with fluoride poisoning after years of miss diagnosis. http://www.fluorideresearch.org/413/files/FJ2008_v41_n3_p177-183.pdf Our Horse Fluoride Story up until 2006 is told on the Second Look Website: www.slweb.org/ftrcpersonalstories_cathy.html Dr. Paul Connett, PhD speaking in Denver in Sept 2010 (in several parts) by: Kathy Justus, Palette J Ranch Quarter Horses Pagosa Springs, Colorado (970)264-4462 justusoriginals@pagosa.net |
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‘To see the wind’s power, the rain’s cleansing and the sun’s radiant life, one need only to look at the horse.’Unknown |
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WHAT’S A RESCUE TO DO The horse world is nuts. We all know that. If you’re part of it, you know you must be crazy to want to spend the better part of your earnings on a pet. If you’re not, you look at those of us who are and wonder why they can’t find grown-up hobbies that don’t require risking life and limb and spending the better part of their earnings on a pet. The horse world is in trouble. We all know that, too. Look at it through the fringes of your pillow if you must, but the days of buying and selling horses as if they were a treasured commodity with an intrinsic and an extrinsic value are gone. We live now in the Unwanted Horses Today’s news from The Horse is about as intriguing as any I’ve seen in the past year. Granted, we’re talking about Nebraska, here, not the World at Large, but as goes the Midwest, so goes the Nation…eventually…so it bears noting that Nebraska wants their slaughterhouses back. They have historically been home to a number of livestock slaughter facilities, and they’re hoping to help those survive and help entrepreneurs to open ones that do horses only. But they’re not stopping there. You can read the full article here: Nebrasca Slaughter and Rescue Proposal. To summarize, rural Nebraska, a hot spot for not-so-hot productivity and in need of an industry to rebuild, has on its State Senate docket a bill that would provide the basis for opening slaughterhouses for the processing of horse meat within the state. But more intriguingly, Nebraska’s Senate is calling the rescues out. I’m sure a few people have stopped reading this post and are busy typing nastygrams to everyone they consider pro-slaughter or anti-rescue. I’m hoping the rest of you will take a clear-eyed look at what Nebraska is seeing pretty clearly. It’s one thing to be anti-slaughter and pro-rescue and quite another to agree to take in all of the unwanted horses when their owners stop wanting them. If that isn’t a jaw-dropping fiscal and physical nightmare for the charitable rescue organizations, then I can’t imagine what might be. That’s what the bill would require. Any rescue contacted by an owner wishing to dispose of a horse would be forced by law, with a penalty for shirking of misdemeanor charges, to take every animal when it’s offered, period. How’s that for a money-where-your-mouth-is clause? I’ve been wondering how long it would take before someone tipped to the fact that saying and doing are two different things, and when it comes to living creatures the size of horses, that’s a big difference. Last weekend I was fortunate to be invited to take part in a horse assessment at Blue Crest Farm in Long Valley, New Jersey, home of some of Rerun Thoroughbred Adoption’s New Jersey-based rescued horses. It’s a lovely place, the horses were wonderful, and Dr. Christine Orman, Rerun’s Resource Development Director, and Wendy Voss, Volunteer Extraordinaire, were a joy to play with on a cold, sunny day. [I stole the accompanying photos from their site since I didn't have the presence of mind to take any myself.] But it became clear very quickly that in order for ReRun to succeed in the overall and in any given project, they are going to need more than just financial help. They need bodies. They need experienced horse handlers willing to give some time—the current project could probably use three handlers each giving an hour three times a week—to make things run smoothly. The benefit to the horses would be immense, and the benefit to ReRun doubly so as they strive to give the horses a job to do in an Equine Assisted Learning program. The Facebook posts of support are wonderful, but if rescue is to survive the coming crisis, more people are going to have to step up and give time and energy. Anyone can write a check. Many of us less-technologically-challenged types can even Paypal a donation. But it takes a special commitment to actually show up on a snowy day and teach a horse a job he can do for the rest of his life to his own benefit and that of a few needy humans. I’ve posted before about the many faces of rescue. Buying and shipping horses around the country is only one face. Maintaining them is another. Voluteerism of many sorts is a third. Can you put your face in this picture? If so, please contact ReRun and offer your services. Cowgirl up before the bell sounds and give this effort a fighting chance at success. At risk of repeating myself (as if that never happens), if you can’t volunteer at ReRun or some other local rescue of your choice, can you help out a neighbor in need? Can you feed someone’s horses for a few days so they can do what they need to do to keep body and soul together? Can you spring for some hay for someone whose horses are obviously starving? Can you do anything to help the situation? Launching a Facebook or forum rant on Awful Owners and Thoughtless Horsemen doesn’t count. The time is upon us, the wall has been hit, and your help is vitally needed. Visit her blog, http://joannemfriedman.blogspot.com By Joanne Friedman, Freelance Writer, ASEA Certified Equine Appraiser, Owner Gallant Hope Farm |
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QUEENSLAND FLOODING DEADLY FOR AREA HORSES Dozens of horses have been killed by the floods that continue to trouble Australia, according to the New Zealand-based website Horsetalk. About 80 Standardbred horses at the prominent Cold Mountain Stud, located near Moore in Queensland, perished in the flood. Horsetalk reports that among the 80 horses were 17 active racehorses and 15 yearlings who were trapped in a barn that was submerged in flood waters. Another five horses from surrounding areas have been reported missing, according to another Horsetalk report. The Queensland Horse Council has initiated a Lost Horse Register, where owners can register their horses as being misplaced in the floods. "The Queensland Horse Council will be handling the lost horse register, contact point for lost horses, found horses and found dead horses," the council said in a statement on their website. "We want to be able to bring some closure to owners who have lost horses and also have accurate figures of lost horses at the end of this." Earlier this month, flooding in Australia forced the rescue of dozens of horses as flood waters reached as high as 30 feet in some areas. thehorse.com, by Erica Larson, News Editor January 17 2011, Article # 17555 |
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‘There is no secret so close between a rider and his horse. ‘-Old equine expression |
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THE THOROUGHBRED CONUNDRUM:
What’s her academic opinion on takeout issues? Can horses have their very own 401k’s? Find out below. (1) What is your horse racing background? Primarily, I’ve been a fan. I watched my first live racing on (English) Derby weekend from a stroller on Epsom Downs, and remember it. My grandparents were daily handicappers and bettors, and my step mother is also an avid racing fan and a member of Elite Racing Club in the UK which campaigned the G1 winning mare Soviet Song and also a recent runner – Dandino – in the Japan Cup. It’s been fun keeping up with her racing “ownership” interests. In 1994, I moved from Cornell in New York to USC in Los Angeles to take up an economics professorship. I also took up horse riding again and found myself surrounded by off-track thoroughbreds. I bought my first off track thoroughbred from a groom at Santa Anita in 1999. He was a British bred horse that had formerly raced at our local small track in Sussex, England. My husband, a former thoroughbred owner/trainer, and I owned and managed a small, hands-on thoroughbred breeding farm and sales business here in southern California for a few years, although both partnerships are now dissolved. Currently I run a non-profit thoroughbred rescue organization. (2) How did you get involved in horse rescue? That’s a painful recollection for me. A few years ago, I found myself single and caring for a significant number of young horses and former broodmares while working full time. I needed to find homes for some of them. I reached out to friends in the horse business for help with that, but was lied to by a local licensed owner about her intentions for one mare. (It’s a felony in California incidentally, to lie to or deceive someone for the purpose of obtaining an animal for commercial gain). Within a few weeks, I found myself scouring local low end horse auctions looking for the horse, which I never found. I was appalled at what I witnessed and learned at those low end sales which were an awfully long way from the sales pavilions at Keeneland and Barretts. Local young racehorses and breeding stock, including pregnant thoroughbred mares, were routinely dispersed there for their residual value which was often in the black market value of their meat for human consumption. It is a felony in California to purchase or sell horses for the purpose of export from the state for slaughter, but the law is not enforced. I wanted to help as many of those horses as I could to find a safety net, and to advocate for them and for change in this method of dispersal. I founded Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue which tries to do those things, albeit in a small way. (3) We first spoke with you about some other issues in racing. You have been active in answering questions of horseplayers and the industry on takeout via blogs, emails etc and seem quite passionate about it. In a lot of the items you address you speak of "optimal takeout". What exactly is that? “Optimal takeout” is the percentage tax rate on amounts wagered (betting handle) that maximizes tax revenue Legal wagering on US horse racing is taxed by state and local governments and, in practice, the pari-mutuel tax revenue is shared by governments with racetracks and other horsemen’s groups incurring costs and – varying in degree by state – the total tax/takeout rate is also determined in consultation with these groups. States today take a very small percentage relative to tracks and horsemen’s groups collectively, and derive income from other forms of legal gaming which often is a larger source. “Optimal takeout” derives from the idea that the law of demand holds for legal games. In other words, the demand for bets is inversely related to the “price” of a bet – the percentage of handle that is taxed and not returned to bettors. There is therefore a Laffer Curve associated with takeout rates, which characterizes how revenue from taxation of handle varies with the takeout rate. If the takeout rate were zero, there would obviously be zero revenue. Because demand falls with price, there is also some very high takeout rate – 100% is an obvious example – at which the tax base (handle) would shrink to zero which would also produce zero revenue. There is therefore some takeout rate on handle, between 0% and 100%, which maximizes revenue. What the revenue maximizing takeout rate(s) is/are depends on the shape of the demand function for the legal game in question. Specifically, it depends on how sensitive or elastic demand is to price changes at different takeout rates. If demand increases (decreases) more than proportionately to a price change at a given takeout rate, then revenue will rise (fall) if the takeout rate declines (rises) – demand is elastic at that takeout rate – and conversely if demand changes less than proportionately to a price change. 4) Have you had a chance to read any published literature on takeout? Is the general conclusion in academia and through empirical testing that our takeout is too high, too low, or about right? I’ve read quite a bit of the academic (peer-reviewed) literature that tries to establish optimal takeout rates on pari-mutuel wagering. These are statistical analyses that estimate the price elasticity of betting handle, for specific samples of tracks and dates. They use the estimates to infer what the implied “Laffer Curve” looks like around the takeout rates that prevail in the samples. Then they can say whether prevailing rates are higher or lower than the revenue maximizing rate. That literature begins with the seminal work of Gruen (Journal of Political Economy, 1976) and continues up to the present time with recent studies from Europe. The recent US academic literature has been more focused on estimating how betting handle responds to the availability of, and prices of, substitute forms of gaming and to the availability of simulcast signals and ADW wagering options, as you would imagine. The analyses all suggest that demand for pari-mutuel wagering is inversely related to its own price, the own takeout rate i.e. gamblers are rational “utility maximizers” in their response to price changes. It is also inversely related to the availability of substitute games (state lotteries, casinos, etc.) and positively related to the prices of substitutes (i.e. if the price of a substitute falls, betting handle on racing falls). The direction of sensitivity, and the rationality of gamblers on pari-mutuel horse racing in regard to price changes, is not at issue. The issue, for the purpose of establishing optimal takeout rates, is what the magnitude of price sensitivity is. Almost all studies of own price/takeout elasticity show that demand is “elastic” at the takeout rates prevailing in the samples studied; i.e. that takeout rates were above the optimal rate and that revenue could be increased by reducing them usually by a substantial margin. The only two estimates I have seen that suggested a specific takeout rate was lower than the revenue maximizing rate date to 1979 and 1980 when average takeout rates were in the 14% range. 5) How do other industries find "optimal pricing" and what can racing do in an academic or scientific way to do the same? This is a huge question which can’t be answered in less than a novel. In general, “optimal pricing” depends on the goals of the industry. The ability to achieve any goal is constrained by many things, including the structure of the industrial organization, industry cost and demand conditions, and the legal environment. Determination of pricing goals (e.g. short-run profit maximization, long-run profit maximization, quantity/consumer/market share maximization, partial cost recovery, survival etc) along with actual determination of the optimal price – generally require knowledge or estimates of production cost functions, demand functions, and broader market conditions. Obviously, since state and local taxes are a part of the price of pari-mutuel wagering, then the goal of the government is also a factor. In California, for example, the CHRB has an explicit goal of state tax revenue maximization, which suggests that revenue maximization might be a key goal of pricing in racing. In Florida, the state regulatory authority of pari-mutuel wagering has a quite different mission. If revenue maximization is the goal for pricing of pari-mutuel wagering, then the cost structure of the industry is irrelevant – and racing needs to continually monitor market demand to know how demand is changing over time and under alternative market conditions to know how revenue will respond to a given price change. It needs to know what the shape of the “Laffer Curve” or total revenue curve is. An industry could use existing demand elasticity estimates to simulate the impact for revenue of a variety of price changes. The econometric studies of pari-mutuel wagering I mention above provide “point elasticities” for handle with respect to price. They tell you whether revenue will rise or fall as you change prices from the levels prevailing in the sample, and hence whether you are above or below optimal takeout at the prevailing prices in that sample. But these estimates are unlikely to reflect current market conditions and demand. In any case, they do not map out the entire demand function which you would need to derive the Laffer Curve and the current revenue maximizing price. How can you infer what the entire Laffer Curve looks like in your state today, without directly experimenting with your customers? Consumer surveys as a controlled experiment. Researchers conducting experiments could ask participants to respond in hypothetical wagering amounts to menus of prices allowing you to derive a behavioral and quantitative model of gambling demand over prices. I think to do this right would likely necessitate a long and complicated experimental research program, but it warrants academic and industry investigation. You could develop agent based, theoretical models of wagering behavior – for example, models that assume rational, forward looking optimization on the part of bettors – calibrate them, and simulate them under alternative pricing and product menus to map out an entire demand function and Laffer Curve. You evaluate how good the model is by comparing the simulated handle data to actual handle data as takeout rates change. There is an academic literature which examines attitudes towards risk, and the objective functions, of pari-mutuel gamblers, which might provide a basis for initial behavioral modeling assumptions. I think this is a promising avenue for research too, and also a major project. Some very simple behavioral models have been explored in the existing literature. For example, in the 1970s you could assume that the state had a monopoly over legal pari-mutuel wagering and so use a simple profit maximizing monopoly model to derive the optimal price, which is simply a markup over marginal cost of production (estimated from track percentage take) where the markup is a specific function of an estimated demand elasticity. Obviously, that model is no longer relevant. In any case, ongoing research to assess the market that racing faces is called for if the goal of pricing is revenue maximization or in any way depends on what the demand curve looks like – which is true of any optimal pricing strategy. 6) HANA has put forth your name as someone we’d like to see get more involved, say on a gambling or wagering board/panel in California to hopefully grow our sport. Does this interest you? It is something I would be interested in. 7) Back to horse retirement: If you could wave a magic wand and do one thing to help retired horses live their days out in dignity, what would you do? I think my “nirvana” is for all industry stakeholders – state and local governments, owners, breeders, trainers, private owners of racetracks, and fans/gamblers – to agree that a 401K should exist for every thoroughbred racehorse prospect, with the funds contributed by all and centrally managed and dispersed. How large should it be per horse? Just large enough to ensure that if that horse cannot or can no longer race or breed, there is a reputable, approved non-profit specializing in the retirement and/or transitioning of racehorses that is willing to take it in at the time of the horse’s retirement. That does not mean that the fund should cover expenses for the lifetime of the horse; for many young, relatively healthy horses there is an active adoption and sale market which will absorb them as non-racing prospects relatively quickly, while horses genuinely in need of retirement can be subsidized from that turnover. There are some owners that literally keep their racehorses for their lifetimes, and some good private markets, as well, for off track thoroughbreds that will absorb some that can be transitioned. I don’t think a central fund will need to finance the transitioning and retirement of them all – but it should be there to secure a place in the non-profit sector of those that have no good alternative. Is it feasible? I think so – and more, I think it will enormously benefit the industry to develop a reputation for altruism and uniformly caring for its equine athletes when they are no longer athletic. The trend of social conscience in favor of humane treatment of animals is unlikely to reverse, so you have to take account of that in any plan to build or even maintain public and political support. I’m not naïve about the costs – they would run in the tens of millions of dollars a year, although I’d note that is dwarfed by what is spent on thoroughbred racehorse and breeding prospects each year at public auction. Maybe you need an initial investment fund to be established by a sympathetic philanthropist to establish a new norm or standard for industry practice to live up to. Based on my own experiences – as a very naïve horse owner some years ago and now much less so – secure, humane placement and retirement of racehorses is very difficult to accomplish, and usually best left to organizations which specialize in doing so. They just need to be adequately funded to do that work on behalf of the industry. Used by permission of Caroline Betts, view original article on HANA |
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STORYTIME WITH LUKAS, THE WORLD’S SMARTEST HORSE If there is ever any doubt in your mind about thoroughbreds finding |
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‘‘There is a touch of divinity even in brutes, and a special halo about a horse, that should forever |
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DIARY DATES: |
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February 1 |
Debra Olson Daniels, One Day Seminar with Alexandra Kurland, Toutle, WA, debraolsondaniels@wildblue.net |
| February 4-5 | Anna Twinney, RMSAAM Animal Communication Class, Castle Rock, CO, information@rmsaam.com www.rmsaam.com |
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February 5-6 |
Kathy Pike, Dance of Authenticity, Tucson, AZ, http://coachingwithhorses.com/calendar |
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February 5-10 |
Kathy Pike, Equine Facilitate Learning and Coaching – Level One Training (includes above workshop), Tucson, AZ, http://coachingwithhorses.com/calendar |
| February 6 | Anna Twinney, Holistic Horse Day, Joder Ranch, Boulder, CO, info@reachouttohorses.com |
| February 16 | Anna Twinney, Holistic Horse Day, Maui, HI, rdomaui@aol.com |
| February 17-19 | Anna Twinney, 3 day Animal Communication Class, Maui, HI, rdomaui@aol.com |
| February 18-20 | Debra Olson Daniels, Washington State Horse Expo, Tai Chi Rope/Rein Handling workshop, Clicker Training, www.wastatehorseexpo.com |
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February 24-27 |
Sandra Wallin, The Art of Equus, Maple Ridge, BC www.chironsway.com |
| February 26-27 | Debra Olson Daniels, Clicker Training Seminar, The Magic Center, Toutle, WA, debraolsondaniels@wildblue.net |
| E.A.R.T.H. 2011 | Liz Mitten Ryan, 2011 Programs |
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Various dates – Please quote HorseConscious when booking |
For details of all of all Anna Twinney’s events and workshops click here |
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Various dates – Please quote HorseConscious when booking |
Kathy Pike’s calendar and clinics can be found here |
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Various dates – Please quote HorseConscious when booking |
Details of Epona workshops by Linda Kohanov can be found by clicking here |
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Remember: |
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‘The journey is the reward.’ - Chinese Proverb |
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In case you didn’t hear, on Friday 21st January, BLM Agency Director Bob Abbey released a statement to The Associated Press saying Madeleine Pickens’ plan wouldn’t save American taxpayers money and doesn’t include enough water and grazing area for mustangs. He also said that despite requests from the BLM, they never received "a formal or detailed proposal so that the BLM can properly analyze and determine its feasibility." 
"There’s not many things you can do in agriculture to change up your cash flow so this was a good program for that". By which I take it to mean, that he must get paid upfront!
To throw the whole situation further into confusion, on the Foundation website, it claims that the costs to the American taxpayer over the next decade would be approximately $1 billion dollars, whilst saving the taxpayers approximately $700 to $800 million dollars.
If that resonates with you, then I invite you to join me for a special HorseConscious Retreat from 
Whether you are an experienced rider or new to horses, by just spending time with them, you will:
Lenz believes the closing of American equine processing plants is one of several issues which led to the proliferation of unwanted horses and equine welfare situations. Others include the economic recession which has decreased the market for horses and irresponsible ownership which has resulted in over breeding in some segments of the industry.
Sunday I took this photo on my way home from driving the horses in the mountains. I glanced to my right just in time to see it and had to turn around to get the photo. The two stood together while I snapped away with my camera. The donkey slowly lower his head to eat his food, keeping the cat balanced and snug on his back. He even took a few steps around the paddock! My heart was so touched by this inter-species friendship. (The cat is curled up on the back of an elder mini donkey.) How sweet!
Dr. Juliet Getty, internationally known equine nutritionist, will appear at Equine Affaire-Pomona in early February and Rocky Mountain Horse Expo-Denver in March. Her programs will address feeding basics as well as approaches for dealing with various equine health conditions and circumstances.
that it is "safe and effective and good for your teeth". We have now personally lost 8 horses and 4 dogs and many, many others have been lost in our town because of the consumption of this virulent and cumulative toxin. (see links below to the proven science) I watched and lived the hell of my beloved animals getting progressively sicker and ultimately dying as others are doing with their animals, themselves, their friends and families without these so called experts knowing why. The only difference with me is that I had a background in knowing the proven science behind fluoride. We used 8 different vets, two were equine veterinary experts at Colorado State University, and not one of them could tell me what was causing the many and varied ills that were making sick and killing my horses despite me suggesting my suspicion of chronic fluoride poisoning. Despite my sending our water municipality volumes of scientific manuscripts proving that fluoride kills, they still wouldn’t cease this poisoning. It was not until 2005 that our water municipality knew, from the scientific proof I provided about our horses and others in our town from the world’s authority on fluoride poisoning in animals, Dr. Lennart Krook, PhD, DVM, at Cornell University in New York, that either they stop this mass medication without consent and without them being able to control the dose consumed,or they would be sued. 
part of the classifieds. Horses are still beautiful, elegant, lovely creatures, and as Temple Grandin so astutely puts it, Animals Make Us Human (one of her best works, by the way, so go buy it and read it while your toes defrost). It’s the better part of our nature that allows us to appreciate how closely animals are connected to each other and the world, and it’s that part that keeps us from sliding into the mayhem we so easily cause when we’re not paying attention.
If you have been around California racing, California horse rescue or have seen comments on industry websites about "optimal pricing" and other economic concepts from someone who seems to know what she’s talking about, chances are you’ve encountered Caroline Betts. Caroline is a driving force behind the Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue, a well respected rescue, and teaches economics at the University of Southern California. Recently, the Horseplayers Association offered out a vision of a "Gambling Board" in California and submitted Ms. Betts name as someone we’d like to see get involved. We contacted her recently and asked her several questions. At the end of the interview, you will find links to Caroline’s organization, its Facebook page, Twitter page and more if you’d like to adopt, donate, or keep apprised.
i.e. the percentage of handle that is not returned to bettors which maximizes the tax revenue received by state and local governments, racetracks, and horsemen’s groups.
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