Showing Support

I have been a subscriber to Equus magazine for about 10 years now. In fact, I would say it's my favorite Horse Magazine.

So, I felt a little sad about not renewing my subscription. But I made a decision awhile ago that I would not support any part of the Equine Industry that did not support me, or at least treat me fairly.

In the September issue of Equus, there is an article by Craig DiBenedictis. It is on the subject of Slaughter, which is nothing new, and says nothing new. I don't object to anyone stating their opinion, but I do have problems with those with ulterior motives, and those who support them.

Mr. DiBenedictis is a Reverend, which is fine with me, although some of his ideas are a little different. But, to each his or her own.
http://www.alliancenet.org/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID23682%7CCHID125467%7CCIID1752908,00.html

What I really object to is the fact that Mr. DiBenedictus has another agenda, which was not mentioned in the magazine.
http://www.all-creatures.org/cva/th-20060909-r.htm

And, as a horse owner, I get a little tired of hearing from those who do not themselves own horses. Mr. DiBenedictis, to his credit, does sponsor a horse. I think that's great. However, I don't think that gives him even the slightest grasp of what we, as horse owners deal with on a daily basis.

If I'm a little short on cash at the end of the week, I can't choose to withdraw my funds, or send a little less. If my horse gets sick, it's me who does the all night walking, and it's me who pays for all of the care. I'm the one who puts in all of the time, and does all of the care.

And to tell you the truth, I'm a little insulted that a publication like Equus would give any page space to someone like Mr. DiBenedictis without at least checking into his background to see just who he is, and what his agenda is.

Those of us who own horses are the ones who will support the Equine industry. I doubt very much that those who do not would have much use for magazines, so I'm a little at a loss as to why any of the publications would buckle under their pressure, or pander to them. One other popular publication discontinued their Breeders issue because of pressure from the Anti side, and I canceled my subscription to that magazine, also. Why discontinue something that was educational and informative? Did they think these people were the bulk of their subscribers? And what about the subscribers who were still interested in the Breeding issue? Or wasn't their money as good somehow?

Sooner or later, there are some factions of the Equine Industry that will have to take a stand and decide whether or not they will bow to the pressure that is being placed upon them. I understand it is very difficult. After all, many of these people do not own horses, so they have nothing but time on their hands to write letters, and keep the pressure on.

But if those who make their living from those of us who own horses wish to continue to do so, perhaps they should at the very least do some research on the articles they print.

Not all of us accept everything at face value, or believe that what is printed is the whole story.

In the case of Craig DiBenedictis, there's a lot more to his cause than a simple love for horses.

And in the case of Equus, I expected a lot more from a magazine I always considered top of the line.
written by RH2