Wipe out plan for American’s wild horses

PRESS RELEASE
June 11, 2009- for immediate release

Documents Reveal BLM Secret Plan to Destroy Wild Horses

Documents obtained from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) via the Freedom of Information Act by a Phoenix-based non-profit, The Conquistador Program, reveal shocking and detailed plans to destroy healthy wild horses in government holding facilities as well as those still remaining in the wild on public lands.

BLM employees as well as a USDA veterinarian held weekly “Implementation Team” meetings beginning in July of 2008 in which they discussed and developed strategies aimed at ridding BLM of thousands of mustangs. In October they completed a 68 page document entitled “Alternative Management Options”. Tactics included in this document are reminiscent of those used to wipe out Native American tribes in the 1800s.

The BLM team created scenarios for killing mustangs using barbiturates, gun shots, or captive bolts. Bodies would be disposed of through rendering, burial or incineration. They discussed killing 1200-2000 wild horses per year. The document states that “the general public would be prohibited from viewing euthanasia.” Additionally, the Team felt that “increased support from public relations and management staff would also be needed to insulate those doing the actual work from the public, media and Congressional scrutiny/criticism.”

“Minutes from these meetings as well as the Draft Plan reveal what amounts to ‘the final solution’ for the American mustang,” states Ginger Kathrens, filmmaker and Volunteer Executive Director of The Cloud Foundation. “Despite a huge outcry from the American public last year regarding BLM plans to kill wild horses in holding, the agency is still pressing forward with a plan to destroy our American mustangs both on and off the range.”

Division Chief of the Wild Horse and Burro Program Don Glenn told The Cloud Foundation that “no decision has been made to move forward on a large scale with this plan, yet.”

BLM meeting minutes speak for themselves. “Security at facilities and at gathers would need to be increased to combat eco-terrorism. Having the people that are willing to put down healthy horses at gather sites could be a problem. Having vets putting down healthy horses at preparation facility[ies] could also be a problem.” Meeting minutes reveal the psychological toll that employees would pay—“have counseling for employees and contractors that have to euthanize the healthy horses because it is very stressful.”

The report created an option in which wild horses of all ages could be sold “without limitation”. In other words, horses could be sold directly to killer buyers in unchecked numbers. The Team admitted that “some wild horses will go to slaughter”.

“Once they are gone, they’re gone” says Karen Sussman, President of the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros. “To lose this incomparable species would be a travesty.”

Team Members formulated ways in which they could circumvent the National Environmental Policy Act, asking “How many (wild horses) could be euthanized during a gather (roundup) without having NEPA?” BLM discussed ways to circumvent the federal carcass disposal law (43 CFR 4730.2). Conversations included how many wild horses could be rendered at the Reno Rendering plant or “disposed of in pits”. The Team concluded that “there will not be large numbers of horses euthanized during gathers or in the field. This is due to state environmental laws.”

Recommendations include the creation of gelding herds, and sterilization of mares to create non-reproductive herds in the wild in place of natural herds. The team recommended changing the sex ratio from the normal 50% males and 50% females to 70% males and 30% females. Then the experimental two-year infertility drug, PZP-22, would be given to all mares that are returned to the wild. Plans call for rounding up the wild horses every two years to re-administer the drug.

“Mares on the drug will cycle monthly and, with the altered sex ratio, the social chaos will be dangerous and on-going,” Kathrens explains. “Any semblance of normal wild horse society will be completely destroyed.”

Kathrens has spent 15 years in the wild documenting mustang behavior for her PBS television documentaries which chronicle the life story of Cloud, the now famous pale palomino stallion she has filmed since birth. “Even Cloud and his little herd in Montana are in serious danger if BLM implements these options,” she continues. “The BLM plans a massive round up in Cloud’s herd beginning August 30, 2009.”

The BLM will not guarantee that Cloud and his family will remain free.

The BLM documents referred to above and photos of wild horses are available from The Cloud Foundation.

The Cloud Foundation, Inc.
107 South 7th St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80905
719-633-3842
719-633-3896 (fax)
info@thecloudfoundation.org
www.thecloudfoundation.org

Announcing “Snaps” a new foal at Adopt A Foal

Baby horse born at horse rescue and is up for adoption with his mother, a mare named, “Ginger”. Yes, Ginger’s Snaps, a play on words. And yes indeed you can find beautiful foals in horse rescues, so consider the adoption option when you want to add another horse to your herd.

Foal for Adoption: Snaps

Marian Mastin, the founder of Adopt-A-Foal & Equine Rescue, Inc. sent me a press release about this new foal, “Snaps”. Boy is he a cutie! Please check out this horse rescue website and all they horses for adoption.

You can view more photos of Snaps and Ginger in the press release.

I know you may not be ready to adopt a horse or a foal, but anytime is a great time to help them out with a donation. Please visit Adopt-A-Foal & Equine Rescue, Inc. and consider making a donation to help these horses in need.

Donation does have to be cash. They accept empty laser and inkjet cartridges and used cell phones. They also promote donation of “re-gifting items” as a means to turn those unusual or unwanted gifts that many of us receive for special occasions and/or during the holidays into a tax deduction! These recycled gifts can be used as auction or raffle items for Adopt-A-Foal & Equine Rescue, Inc.’s upcoming fundraising events.

For additional information on adoption, recycling and/or re-gifting donations, please contact: Marian Mastin at 281-356-6644 or send emails to mmastin (at) adoptafoal . org [remove spaces and add @ in place of the (at)].

Don’t add to the problem of unwanted horses. Please reconsider breeding your horse! Most of the horses going to slaughter are not old, sick, mean, or crippled, just too many horses and not enough good homes. Many healthy foals and yearlings end up at the horse slaughter houses too.

Adopt a Horse – Check out Petfinder for your next horse

Youtube video: When She Loved Me – Stop The Horse Slaughter

OK here is one to cheer you up after that last video…

Youtube video: I Am – Horses

American horses shipped to Mexico and Canada for slaughter

But you can help stop the horse slaughter if you speak up now

The Wall Street Journal has a news report online about this subject here:
Horses — No Easy Solution

There is a pending American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act to stop American horses from being shipping out of the country for slaughter. Please read the article and contact your legislators.

The Equine Advocates Inc site presents many facts and figures on the horse slaughter industry.

For more info you can do an Google search for American Horse Slaughter.

Two horses headed for death saved and made into greeting cards.

I just thought that I would share with you a little background information on a couple of the horses who’s photos appear in the Horse Art eCards. Both of these horses had a rough start in life and were about to be auctioned for horse meat, but kind and loving people rescued them and they are now living the good life.

“Shiloh” Percheron/Belgian cross

(Photo posted in the “Wise Words” ecard category in Horse Art eCards.)

“…for those who aren’t aware…Dan and I adopted Shiloh from a rescue in Kentucky when she was 17 days old…she would have been sent to slaughter had she not been rescued. She is a Percheron/Belgian cross and 3.5 yrs old now and once she’s clean…a real beauty! Just goes to show ya…that thar bucket feeding her milk sure goes a long way! LOL )

She and Dan are doing very well with their schooling to drive….we are very excited to get Shiloh “graduated” and back home to take ‘er for a spin!”

- Marian Mastin of Adopt A Foal – Mon, 11 Dec 2006

“DOC HUDSON” Quarterhorse

(Photos posted in the ecard categories of “Wise Words”, “Love”, and “Christmas” in Horse Art eCards.)

“I wanted to tell you what Alina (the little girl in the photos) was telling Doc in that picture – she later told her MiMi that she was telling Doc, “Doc, you and me are going to grow big together.” Pretty good looking quarter horse who was rescued from and saved from going to auction – he is from grand champion cutting stock and because he was raised around Pasos – he thinks he’s one. Too funny!

My dad started round penning him in August and he is the smartest baby (foal) they have ever come across. As different people come through the barn, they all ooh & aah over Doc and now the owner of the barn regrets getting rid of him. Different cutting trainers have been in and out of the barn and immediately spot him. They are curious about his bloodlines and when told who he is out of they can’t believe how my parents acquired him. Now he has a permanent home and he and my daughter will be reunited in about a years time so they can grow big together.

Sadly most of the horses (14 in all, purebred with fantastic papers) went to auction some for as little as $75 to $350 (for a mare with a newborn) all with papers! One Peppy Sand Badger son (stallion) sold for $225, hopefully he found a good home.” (The caretaker of these horses died and owners were elderly and couldn’t care for the horse properly and they were in poor condition.)

- Jeannine Wargacki of Paso Americana – Fri, 1 Dec 2006

What can you learn from these two stories that may help your horse business?

Here are a few things I take from this info:

1. From these two stories and others I have read and heard, there seems like quite a few nice horses are being sent to auctions with a good chance they will end up being bought and sold for horse meat.
2. Purebred horses with good to great bloodlines show up at the auction barns regularly.
3. Since most people in the market for a horse are looking for one ready to ride most of the young foals, studs, broodmares, and untrained horses are short on buyers and have the highest chance of going to slaughter.
4. The main people that bid on horses in poor condition are the killers. People buy with their eyes and want horses that look and move great.
5. People desire horses they can handle and ride so the more training the horse has more willing they are to part with good money for them.
6. Surroundings count big time! Take a diamond ring — if it is glittering on black velvet in a classy uptown jewelry store window people will perceive its value as higher than if they viewed the same ring at a yard sale. Same goes for where people view a horse for sale.

So lets see…

If you want to received the best price (most profit) for your horses and take the lest chance they will end up slaughter bound you have to do as many of the following as possible…

• Sell what people are looking for — what is in demand, horse wise, for your area? What training, bloodlines, breeds of horses, color of horses, etc…
• Put as much training as you can on your horses. Even if you are selling foals a halter trained foal that will trailer load and allow his hooves to be trimmed will pull more interest than a foal that hasn’t been touched. And a foal that has been imprint trained at birth and given daily handling will make a better horse and gain more looks and money.
• A horse that is easy to handle and ride has a much better chance of staying in a home for a many years or maybe life and has far less chance of being bid on by the killers if he should ever end up in an auction.
• Love your horses? Then consider selling them with a buy back option.
• Pay attention to your horses health and condition. The better they look the higher their perceived value. They don’t have to be a halter horse to shine like one. Learn about horse nutrition because it can make a huge difference in how your horse looks.
• The setting counts. A man was trying to sell his horse and he wasn’t getting many interested buyers until he started to board his horse in a popular show barn. His horse seemed a better value when displayed in a winning barn surrounded by champions. If you have a farm look at it with new eyes and see where you can polish the setting. Consider a nice looking sign with flowers at the entrance. Fly flags with your logo imprinted on them. Maintain the paint on the buildings and kept everything clean and orderly.
• Only breed the best to the best! There seems to be just too many horses around and that drops the prices of all but the very top ones. Breed less, breed better, train more, market better.
• Take great photos or pay someone that can.
• Give people all the info they need and be truthful about the horse.
• Learn more about marketing your horses and your horse business. Never stop learning. This is especially important if you breed a not so popular breed or sell young untrained stock.
• Seriously consider getting out of the horse breeding business. You don’t have to breed horses to have a horse related business and make money. Consider all the other options that allow you to be around horses but without adding to the over population problem.
• Put your new found knowledge into action.

Learn to Market your Equestrian Business…

Selling 101 for Equestrians – How to Quickly and Safely Sell Your Horse

Covers advertising and marketing, about how to write advertisement, adding pictures, pricing, and other things to do to sell your horse, local and off line actions.

“The Law Of Attraction” For Equestrians Teleclass
Why You Get What You Get With Your Horse And In Your Life

PR for Equine Biz Teleseminar with Sherry Busch, of RiskOutWest.com

I would love a day to come where there are no horses going to slaughter but until then we can all play a part in helping save horses by spreading this info. I would love to hear your thoughts on this, especially if you have any more helpful horse business tips. Just comment on this posting.

P.S. If you would love to see one of your favorite horse photos posted as a Horse Art eCard email me a clear, sharp, good looking horse photo to info (at) alove4horses.com with “Horse Pics” in the subject line. Also let me know who is in the photo and who took the photo and your web site address to post in small text in the ecard image.