Today, I'm going to depart from my regular writing. But I think what I'm going to talk about lends itself to what we're about. I'm preparing to say good-bye to my dog. She's been with me for 12 years now. It's particularly difficult because she's one of those dogs you'll never replace. She's a mama's girl-always at my side. She's the first one I see in the morning, the last one I see at night, my constant companion. I can't imagine life without her. She was diagnosed with Cushing's last year, and I was told the expectancy was 1-2 years. We hoped for 2, we got 1. Although there's not going to be a big thing that will happen, we're seeing her get to the point where it's on those who love her to make the decision that's best for her. And this is where the struggle begins. I love this dog. Love her. She's lying here on the floor next to my chair as i write this. Her presence in my life is a constant. Those who own and truly love animals understand this. But the promise I made was not to continue fighting to the end, but to do the right thing by her. The right thing is now to let her go with dignity. To allow her to leave us while she is not starving, not so underweight that she can no longer get up by herself. To leave us while she can still understand the basic commands she is being given. Those functions are slowly leaving her. The episodes that were lasting a day or two stretched into a week or two. The last one lasted a month. When we went to the vet, instead of drawing blood, he took her face in his hands and said "Oh, sweetheart". I knew. And, I'm not entirely selfless, I'll admit that right now. I do not want to let her go. But, I do not want to have her here at her expense so I can feel better. So, after a consult with the vet, we've reached a compromise I think I can deal with. My girl will spend Thanksgiving with us. She can have anything she wants to eat. She's been on a restricted diet for a year, so that will be a treat for her. She'll get all the extra love and hugs and kisses from those who want to say goodbye that she can stand. Then, my husband and I will take her, and we'll say goodbye to her on our own. We owe her that. Sometimes, it's not how long and hard you're willing to fight that counts, but how willing you are to give up when it's time. Not for your sake, but for theirs. So, we'll be having a few more days, and I'll be glad I have them. Does responsible ownership suck? It sure does. But I think my girl is counting on me to do right by her, she's always done right by me.
By RH2
Friday, November 27, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Hoarder of the week..... 30 on 3
Yes That's 30 horses on 3 acres!
This picture was sent to me by one of our readers. While I found it amusing it also brought back just how sick and tired I am of these so called rescues and sanctuaries getting away with the abuse of horses in the name of love. All the while pointing the finger at those of us who are educated in equine management and calling us greedy, blood thirsty, horse murderers.
RH2 has written a couple posts about the Tierra Madre Sanctuary, “5 out/4 in” and “Coloreado to Arizona”. We make fun of places like this, we show our disgust, but what exactly can we do to get places like this shut down? Why are hoarders given the luxury of tax exempt status? And why don’t their “followers” see the harm they’re causing these horses.
I’ve seen Tierra Madre Horse Sanctuary called “The Hotel California”. You know the place... The Eagles say “you can check out anytime you like but you can never leave”..... Well I suppose maybe some leave ( 5 of them just recently) but it’s on a rendering truck or in whatever manner Jim gets rid of the carcasses. Or maybe they just checked out and maybe Jim buries them on that whopping 3 acres he has??
Jim,
Please allow these horses to be “adopted”. Give them a chance at a normal life where they get to see day light, roll in the grass, and get out for a ride every now and then. What did any of them do to deserve to be jailed by you? Why are you allowing them to rot and die packed in like sardines with no purpose and no hope?
By RM
This picture was sent to me by one of our readers. While I found it amusing it also brought back just how sick and tired I am of these so called rescues and sanctuaries getting away with the abuse of horses in the name of love. All the while pointing the finger at those of us who are educated in equine management and calling us greedy, blood thirsty, horse murderers.
RH2 has written a couple posts about the Tierra Madre Sanctuary, “5 out/4 in” and “Coloreado to Arizona”. We make fun of places like this, we show our disgust, but what exactly can we do to get places like this shut down? Why are hoarders given the luxury of tax exempt status? And why don’t their “followers” see the harm they’re causing these horses.
I’ve seen Tierra Madre Horse Sanctuary called “The Hotel California”. You know the place... The Eagles say “you can check out anytime you like but you can never leave”..... Well I suppose maybe some leave ( 5 of them just recently) but it’s on a rendering truck or in whatever manner Jim gets rid of the carcasses. Or maybe they just checked out and maybe Jim buries them on that whopping 3 acres he has??
Jim,
Please allow these horses to be “adopted”. Give them a chance at a normal life where they get to see day light, roll in the grass, and get out for a ride every now and then. What did any of them do to deserve to be jailed by you? Why are you allowing them to rot and die packed in like sardines with no purpose and no hope?
By RM
Friday, November 20, 2009
Equine Version of Cap and Trade
Equine Version of Cap and Trade to Buy Thoroughbred Racing Industry Points with PETA………..Or What in Heaven’s Name Do 33,000 BLM Mustangs Have to Do with Racing?
We can take action, one horse person at a time, and change not only the world's perception of ourselves—we can actually do something of huge merit. We can save the lives of horses.We have before us two opportunities to save horses' lives AND, a nice side benefit—prove to ourselves and the outside world that we're not the demon-possessed trolls we've been painted to be. Sweet: being rewarded for Doing the Right Thing.Opportunity #1: The 33,000Last week, (this was originally printed right before the Kentucky Derby 2009) Madeleine Pickens trekked to Washington, D.C. to speak on behalf of The 33,000 (as I'm calling them)—the beautiful Wild Horses who should be allowed to live out their lives on the 1,000,000-acre Sanctuary that Mrs. Pickens wants to create for them. A gift to the horses; the people of the United States and to the government—this proposed Sanctuary is running into opposition. In fact, as I began to write this, I received an email from James Magill of the BLM. He thanked me for emailing the BLM about the Sanctuary, and he provided a link to the BLM's official stand on the issue. I read this statement as being a government-sanctioned tap dance, all smoke and mirrors. Reading between the proverbial lines isn't so hard—the BLM is reporting their take on Mrs. Pickens' proposal. They're seeing the thing from only one perspective: that of the Ag lobbyists. You know the Ag lobbyists, those fun-loving, high-living drones whose pockets are lined in the blood of dead horses. They represent ranchers who've been sold the bill of goods that, if the Wild Horses are allowed to live their lives peacefully on the Sanctuary, or if horse slaughter becomes fully illegal—somehow this is going to take down the entire meat industry. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around how the Bureau of Land Management and the State of Nevada can think that the horses are a threat—to the cattle industry, or to anyone else. Maybe because they eat grass? Take up space? Breathe air that steers need? Whatever the imagined threat, it's all propaganda for the sake of greed. The hot pursuit of Filthy Mammon once again dictates that innocent horses must die. Just in case their existence is a threat to wealthy ranchers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements made in the Alpha Mare blog belittling ranching to justify???? What does any of this have to do with the thoroughbred industry practices being called into question by PETA, the HSUS, and horsemen not aligned with either?
Before I start sniping and venting, I would like to mention an organization called Guardians of the Range. Their website http://guardiansoftherange.org/ elaborates on their mission, issues, accomplishments, and the life style they are trying to protect. They are just one hard working group of people Ag lobbyists are listening to. There are two sides to the issue.
One would think the BLM would be ecstatic over the prospect of being free of these 33,000 unwanted horses. It should be a light at the end of the tunnel for them. They should jump at it right? Even though Madeleine (or T. Boone) will supposedly foot the bill for the Ecotourism land of milk and honey for these horses it still has a cost.
The research I have done suggests “last chance sanctuary homes” for mustangs have a way of going south as far back as 1988. Remember they paid Dayton Hyde to yard those 500 or so horses for three years so they could live out their lives “free”. He took the money, when the three years were up in 1991, got his first mustang studs, started raising, and selling baby mustangs produced from the same horses he had been paid to care for because they “had nowhere else to go”. I wonder how many of the “33,000” may have been adopted had even one “last chance sanctuary” not been breeding for the same “market”. Of course, there is the Karen Sussman thing and the now infamous Three Strikes. I don’t think any of this has entered into the BLM’s “big picture” but I’m developing my own conspiracy theory so hold on.
The Anti-slaughter Mantra Handbook chant #1, “over breeding is the main cause of unwanted horses, slaughter, abuse, and all other evils heaped upon horses since the beginning of time”. Does this apply to the AQHA, APHA, ApHC, all slaughter supporting associations, and NOT the BLM, any other mustang producers, or the Jockey Club?
The Madeleine mustang plan will change nothing in the Thoroughbred racing. Pensioning 33,000 mustangs is not going to make any thoroughbred last longer or run faster. The “saved” are mustangs not Thoroughbreds.
Does the Alpha Mare have any idea how much land a million acres is? Does she care? It’s not in her back yard. It will have no affect on her livelihood, the related jobs created both directly and indirectly, and in turn the tax revenue paying for the public services in her state.
A million acres is roughly 1,560 sections. A section is 640 acres. Each side of a square section is one mile. This means Madeleine’s privately owned sanctuary will cover 1,560 square miles. Compared in size to some western national parks ……..Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, covers 70,448 acres, Zion National Park in Utah 289,633 acres, Yellowstone National Park 2,219,789 acres or 3,468 square miles in Wyoming and Montana, and Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona 1,217,403 acres gives some scope of the size of the proposed project. Keep in mind, though a controversial issue, there are grazing permits issued for many national park ranges. The ROAM Act and other legislation may have something to say about this in the future but as of now much of this land is productively grazed.
Just what are those greedy ag lobbyists and ranchers whining about? Assuming the proposed million acres is currently used as grazing land to run 33,000 head of cattle much the same as Madeleine will run her 33,000 saved mustangs after she makes her purchase. The Alpha Mare refers to them as steers.. However, steers and their heifer sisters must be born to producing female bovine commonly referred to as cows. The mother cow, balance sheet asset, source of every Big Mac or T-bone, and well spring of abundant cash for those greedy, wealthy ranchers/farmers supporting those fun loving, high living drones.
If the land is running 33,000 mother cows divided by a 350 cow herd size per ranch operation means these million acres are at work making a living for 94 families. Those same 33,000 cows will produce 29,700 calves based on 90% live calf crop figure. Using the October 10 markets from the High Plains Journal, steer calves weaning at 500 to 550 lbs., 100.00 to 107.50, an average of 1.03 or $ 540.75 per head assumedly half of the marketable calves will be the above referred “steers”. The cash sale value of those 14,850 steer calves, $8,030,137.50. Their heifer sisters weaning at the same weight 500 to 550 lbs., 91.00 to 96.25, an average of 93.87 or $ 492.81per head with a total market value of $7,318,228.85, producing $15,348,366.35.
The lion’s share of this money will be spent in the local ranching communities where these calves were raised and sold. Feed stores, breeding stock producers, insurance brokers, real estate agencies, local banks, schools, livestock auctions, truck dealers, implement dealers, vets, and so on. All will take a piece of the ranch’s calf crop income to circulate through the state’s economy. At every turn in their lives these calves will be providing labor and revenue somehow. The end result is around 18,000,000 pounds of beef at the grocery store. I read the average American eats 69 pounds of beef annually. You do the math. I did in “How Can This Make Sense” last summer, thought it might apply here too.
The shift from productive livestock to non productive livestock will not be without cost. The ones feeling warm and fuzzy about it will not be bearing the brunt of the cost. ……Mr. Pickens is a major promoter of wind energy. A mustang sanctuary “somewhere in the west” might be an excellent way to package a large wind farm. It could offer tax leverage, ecotourism, green energy, horse rescue, and saving the heritage of the west all in one package.
http://www.communityservices.nd.gov/uploads/resources/625/wind-turbine-lease-considerations-for-landowners.pdf has information about landowner compensation and much more. Compensation can be quite lucrative for a landowner. All concerned wish to make wind energy projects attractive to all concerned.
Anecdotal reports indicate most companies are paying $4,000 to $6,000 annually per megawatt of tower capacity for fi xed-compensation packages. For royalty compensate on packages, 3 percent to 5 percent of gross revenue from electricity sales is common, including renewable certificates. Landowners should negotiate for inclusion of renewable, pollution and environmental credits in addition to the sale of electricity.
However, if you are a rancher hoping this income will offset the cost of buying land, don’t get your hopes up. Especially if you have financed your purchase with a USDA FSA mortgage ……. Any land with a FSA mortgage needs an extensive approval process. The approval process is extensive enough that the wind developer may not want to deal with it.
I ended the “How Can This Make Sense” blog by stating Madeleine should get to making fence for her “paddocks”…..well it seems she might have help with that……according to the website…….
Fences, gates and cattle guards become an issue when a wind tower is on grazing land. The contract should specify who is responsible for construction and maintenance of any necessary fencing, gates and cattle guards. These costs should be the responsibility of the wind energy developer.
There are listed hazards but I’m sure mustangs could graze under the towers. The cows do around here. I don’t want to give the impression I am against alternative “clean” energy sources. I am definitely not. I do want to suggest, maybe; just maybe, this won’t be the huge benevolent sacrificial donation it is promoted to be.
And I still haven’t figured out what any of it has to with the destruction of Thoroughbreds by the racing industry…… ……..
By RH1
We can take action, one horse person at a time, and change not only the world's perception of ourselves—we can actually do something of huge merit. We can save the lives of horses.We have before us two opportunities to save horses' lives AND, a nice side benefit—prove to ourselves and the outside world that we're not the demon-possessed trolls we've been painted to be. Sweet: being rewarded for Doing the Right Thing.Opportunity #1: The 33,000Last week, (this was originally printed right before the Kentucky Derby 2009) Madeleine Pickens trekked to Washington, D.C. to speak on behalf of The 33,000 (as I'm calling them)—the beautiful Wild Horses who should be allowed to live out their lives on the 1,000,000-acre Sanctuary that Mrs. Pickens wants to create for them. A gift to the horses; the people of the United States and to the government—this proposed Sanctuary is running into opposition. In fact, as I began to write this, I received an email from James Magill of the BLM. He thanked me for emailing the BLM about the Sanctuary, and he provided a link to the BLM's official stand on the issue. I read this statement as being a government-sanctioned tap dance, all smoke and mirrors. Reading between the proverbial lines isn't so hard—the BLM is reporting their take on Mrs. Pickens' proposal. They're seeing the thing from only one perspective: that of the Ag lobbyists. You know the Ag lobbyists, those fun-loving, high-living drones whose pockets are lined in the blood of dead horses. They represent ranchers who've been sold the bill of goods that, if the Wild Horses are allowed to live their lives peacefully on the Sanctuary, or if horse slaughter becomes fully illegal—somehow this is going to take down the entire meat industry. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around how the Bureau of Land Management and the State of Nevada can think that the horses are a threat—to the cattle industry, or to anyone else. Maybe because they eat grass? Take up space? Breathe air that steers need? Whatever the imagined threat, it's all propaganda for the sake of greed. The hot pursuit of Filthy Mammon once again dictates that innocent horses must die. Just in case their existence is a threat to wealthy ranchers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements made in the Alpha Mare blog belittling ranching to justify???? What does any of this have to do with the thoroughbred industry practices being called into question by PETA, the HSUS, and horsemen not aligned with either?
Before I start sniping and venting, I would like to mention an organization called Guardians of the Range. Their website http://guardiansoftherange.org/ elaborates on their mission, issues, accomplishments, and the life style they are trying to protect. They are just one hard working group of people Ag lobbyists are listening to. There are two sides to the issue.
One would think the BLM would be ecstatic over the prospect of being free of these 33,000 unwanted horses. It should be a light at the end of the tunnel for them. They should jump at it right? Even though Madeleine (or T. Boone) will supposedly foot the bill for the Ecotourism land of milk and honey for these horses it still has a cost.
The research I have done suggests “last chance sanctuary homes” for mustangs have a way of going south as far back as 1988. Remember they paid Dayton Hyde to yard those 500 or so horses for three years so they could live out their lives “free”. He took the money, when the three years were up in 1991, got his first mustang studs, started raising, and selling baby mustangs produced from the same horses he had been paid to care for because they “had nowhere else to go”. I wonder how many of the “33,000” may have been adopted had even one “last chance sanctuary” not been breeding for the same “market”. Of course, there is the Karen Sussman thing and the now infamous Three Strikes. I don’t think any of this has entered into the BLM’s “big picture” but I’m developing my own conspiracy theory so hold on.
The Anti-slaughter Mantra Handbook chant #1, “over breeding is the main cause of unwanted horses, slaughter, abuse, and all other evils heaped upon horses since the beginning of time”. Does this apply to the AQHA, APHA, ApHC, all slaughter supporting associations, and NOT the BLM, any other mustang producers, or the Jockey Club?
The Madeleine mustang plan will change nothing in the Thoroughbred racing. Pensioning 33,000 mustangs is not going to make any thoroughbred last longer or run faster. The “saved” are mustangs not Thoroughbreds.
Does the Alpha Mare have any idea how much land a million acres is? Does she care? It’s not in her back yard. It will have no affect on her livelihood, the related jobs created both directly and indirectly, and in turn the tax revenue paying for the public services in her state.
A million acres is roughly 1,560 sections. A section is 640 acres. Each side of a square section is one mile. This means Madeleine’s privately owned sanctuary will cover 1,560 square miles. Compared in size to some western national parks ……..Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, covers 70,448 acres, Zion National Park in Utah 289,633 acres, Yellowstone National Park 2,219,789 acres or 3,468 square miles in Wyoming and Montana, and Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona 1,217,403 acres gives some scope of the size of the proposed project. Keep in mind, though a controversial issue, there are grazing permits issued for many national park ranges. The ROAM Act and other legislation may have something to say about this in the future but as of now much of this land is productively grazed.
Just what are those greedy ag lobbyists and ranchers whining about? Assuming the proposed million acres is currently used as grazing land to run 33,000 head of cattle much the same as Madeleine will run her 33,000 saved mustangs after she makes her purchase. The Alpha Mare refers to them as steers.. However, steers and their heifer sisters must be born to producing female bovine commonly referred to as cows. The mother cow, balance sheet asset, source of every Big Mac or T-bone, and well spring of abundant cash for those greedy, wealthy ranchers/farmers supporting those fun loving, high living drones.
If the land is running 33,000 mother cows divided by a 350 cow herd size per ranch operation means these million acres are at work making a living for 94 families. Those same 33,000 cows will produce 29,700 calves based on 90% live calf crop figure. Using the October 10 markets from the High Plains Journal, steer calves weaning at 500 to 550 lbs., 100.00 to 107.50, an average of 1.03 or $ 540.75 per head assumedly half of the marketable calves will be the above referred “steers”. The cash sale value of those 14,850 steer calves, $8,030,137.50. Their heifer sisters weaning at the same weight 500 to 550 lbs., 91.00 to 96.25, an average of 93.87 or $ 492.81per head with a total market value of $7,318,228.85, producing $15,348,366.35.
The lion’s share of this money will be spent in the local ranching communities where these calves were raised and sold. Feed stores, breeding stock producers, insurance brokers, real estate agencies, local banks, schools, livestock auctions, truck dealers, implement dealers, vets, and so on. All will take a piece of the ranch’s calf crop income to circulate through the state’s economy. At every turn in their lives these calves will be providing labor and revenue somehow. The end result is around 18,000,000 pounds of beef at the grocery store. I read the average American eats 69 pounds of beef annually. You do the math. I did in “How Can This Make Sense” last summer, thought it might apply here too.
The shift from productive livestock to non productive livestock will not be without cost. The ones feeling warm and fuzzy about it will not be bearing the brunt of the cost. ……Mr. Pickens is a major promoter of wind energy. A mustang sanctuary “somewhere in the west” might be an excellent way to package a large wind farm. It could offer tax leverage, ecotourism, green energy, horse rescue, and saving the heritage of the west all in one package.
http://www.communityservices.nd.gov/uploads/resources/625/wind-turbine-lease-considerations-for-landowners.pdf has information about landowner compensation and much more. Compensation can be quite lucrative for a landowner. All concerned wish to make wind energy projects attractive to all concerned.
Anecdotal reports indicate most companies are paying $4,000 to $6,000 annually per megawatt of tower capacity for fi xed-compensation packages. For royalty compensate on packages, 3 percent to 5 percent of gross revenue from electricity sales is common, including renewable certificates. Landowners should negotiate for inclusion of renewable, pollution and environmental credits in addition to the sale of electricity.
However, if you are a rancher hoping this income will offset the cost of buying land, don’t get your hopes up. Especially if you have financed your purchase with a USDA FSA mortgage ……. Any land with a FSA mortgage needs an extensive approval process. The approval process is extensive enough that the wind developer may not want to deal with it.
I ended the “How Can This Make Sense” blog by stating Madeleine should get to making fence for her “paddocks”…..well it seems she might have help with that……according to the website…….
Fences, gates and cattle guards become an issue when a wind tower is on grazing land. The contract should specify who is responsible for construction and maintenance of any necessary fencing, gates and cattle guards. These costs should be the responsibility of the wind energy developer.
There are listed hazards but I’m sure mustangs could graze under the towers. The cows do around here. I don’t want to give the impression I am against alternative “clean” energy sources. I am definitely not. I do want to suggest, maybe; just maybe, this won’t be the huge benevolent sacrificial donation it is promoted to be.
And I still haven’t figured out what any of it has to with the destruction of Thoroughbreds by the racing industry…… ……..
By RH1
Sunday, November 15, 2009
5 out, 4 in....and send those thongs in!
When you lose 1 horse, it's sad. When you lose 2, it's a tragedy. When you lose 3, there's probably a problem. When you lose 4, the bells should be going off. When you lose 5, the bells, lights, whistles, and sirens should all be resounding in your head, heart, and soul. When it happens in a very short time span, what is the first step you would take? If you operate Tierra Madre Horse Sanctuary, you take in four more horses. And hint at wanting a fifth. (Thankfully, no ones biting yet). To do a quick re-cap, Tierra Madre is a Sanctuary in Arizona that houses 30 horses on 3 acres. And no, I didn't get the numbers backwards. This past summer has been especially cruel, and Jim Gath has lost 5 of his "kids" as he refers to the horses in his care. Jim is something. He knows how to tell a story, and anyone reading his blogs can attest to that. He's gained a loyal following by humanizing those in his sanctuary to the point of their having conversations with him. Jim really can get to you if you're not careful. He promises his horses that they'll fight until the end. The journey to that end is often long and painful for the horses, but Jim documents it with such style and love that often times you're unaware that you're reading a diary of pain and suffering. For each "Good______" (insert horse's name here) that one reads, one can almost imagine that human to human connection that Jim fancies to have with his Equine counterparts. But for those of us who haven't quite gotten the wool pulled all the way over our eyes, there's a "But". But why, if these horses are in pain, isn't Jim sitting down with his vet, and coming up with a different plan? I know, according to Jim, the vet is claiming that Jim is doing all he can. He's doing the best he can for these horse who would otherwise be in the hands of those who would just kill them quickly with no forethought. And since that vet bill continues to rise like flood water, one can only guess at what Jim CAN actually do. But why, when he is losing horse after horse, isn't Jim thinking that MAYBE, just MAYBE, his housing situation could be a problem? I know, he has said he has a wonderful set up, and not everyone has 100's of acres, and the show barns do it. But here's the thing-horses at show barns get taken out and worked and used on a regular basis. That is not the case at Tierra Madre. And Jim is so over-worked and understaffed, that who knows how often the horses actually get turned out in that corral he has set up for exercise. We know they aren't ridden. Jim claims to be in tune with Mother Earth and the messages she sends. Yet when it appears that she has done everything but grab him by the throat and shake him, Jim remains oblivious to the message. Perhaps Mother earth is telling Jim "ENOUGH"! 30 horses on 3 acres is too many. Jim does not seem to understand. While the fates seem cruel in Jim's loss of 5 horses, perhaps there was an opportunity presented. A chance to do something Jim could not do before. Manage the horses he had on those 3 acres a little better. Take the extra time he had to study up on the possible solutions to the issues plaguing Tierra Madre's "Kids". Perhaps move things around a bit to afford a little more running room. Save a little money. And Jim's reaction to Mother Earth's message? Why, he brings 4 more horses into the mix! After all, the universe must have meant for this to happen, right? Jim couldn't possibly understand that with the loss of 5 horses, he could to do a little re-grouping before taking in any more horses, could he? I wish he could have. But Jim isn't that kind of "Two legged", as he likes to describe his human counterparts. Jim can't fathom a world in which he would simply say "No". There are too many "Four leggeds" in need of Jim's love and devotion. In his blog about Quality Road, the horse who had the melt down at the starting gate recently, his suggestion was for the horse to retire to Tierra Madre. Thank Mother Earth that that's not happening! We all know that Coloreado now is a retiree there (see "Coloreado to AZ") . (For those interested, Coloreado has sustained his first injury at TM. He Banged his hip on a post. How could he not? Jim has determined after letting him run a bit that he's too sore to be turned out with the other horses, so now he gets to spend his time with Jim. Lucky Coloreado). As Jim continues his quest to keep his numbers up, and his massive vet bill down, his supporters have, in a bizarre twist, found a way to keep his spirits up. They have decided to send him a thong from each of the 50 states. Yep-Jim will be receiving an item of women's underwear from each state-some with a little cash tucked inside. I'm not sure what this has to do with Horse Rescue but it was just too damned bizarre to leave out of this! I know Jim is struggling right now. How could he not be? But I also find it a little strange that with the loss of 5 horses he holds dear- his "brothers" his "best girl", he can so quickly bounce back and move on. Some attribute this to a hoarder mentality. I'm not a doctor, so will reserve my judgment. We've lost 2 horses in our 25 years of ownership. We couldn't even think of replacing them for a long time. But, Jim must carry on, and do what he is put here to do. And he will draw his strength from his "kids" . Jim posted the Serenity Prayer in one of his blogs. "God, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference". Perhaps instead of mailing thongs, Jim's supporters should offer up this prayer for Mr. Gath. I think his "kids" would appreciate it far more.You know, you want to like this guy- he spins a hell of a tale. The horses, well they seem human, with the conversations they have with Jim, and the emotions they evoke while you read of their antics. You almost forget they are not receiving the proper training to make them solid citizens worthy of adoption, or even trail rides. Jim IS thinking about offering a few of the horses for trail riding, but only to "experienced" riders. Those would be riders who are willing to train from the driver's seat so to speak. When Jim rides, the horse is in charge, so that limits their usability for the general public. And you almost forget when reading the poignant tales of suffering that these horses are living through hell on a daily basis until they "tell" Jim that enough is enough.Take "Little D", the most recent loss at Tierra Madre. While I didn't go back too far in Jim's blogs, I know she's been battling Laminitis at least since July. On November 10, Jim delivered a dramatic and tear inducing description of Little D's final walk- make that march to the end of suffering. Jim says his "kid" marched with a purpose to her final resting place. She enjoyed a flake of Alfalfa hay along the way. She was determined. To the reader who doesn't know better, it was like reading a great book, the descriptions so emotion invoking, so real, you were almost there. But for those of us familiar with the ravages of Laminitis, the thought of a horse with 25% hoof separation explains the "march", and causes perhaps, tears of a different kind.So, Jim, enjoy the 4 new horses, the thongs, and maybe, just maybe, next time you print that prayer, think about it......really, really, think about it, Good, Jim.
By RH2
By RH2
Saturday, November 14, 2009
"Buddy Can You Spare a Dime?"
Poor Me Rescue..... or "Buddy Can You Spare a Dime?"
Welcome to the "Poor Me" Rescue. I decided to open it because I really love horses more than anyone else in the world. More than you, in fact. Some people say I don't do the best job, but they're just jealous. Keep your eyes on me, and listen to the sound of my voice. Pay attention!!! If you believe what I tell you, we'll do just fine! Those horses there? How many are there? Well, I've been trying to get my numbers down, but it's hard when there are so many in need, and I keep going to auctions. Did I mention that you can help save a horse? Well, you can! Lucky for you, I'm 501 c 3 or 3 c. I forget, but it means I can get money for these horses! I mean, I can raise money to help them! I call it bail or ransom. You know-the horses that go to sales are like prisoners, and they need people like me to get them out. Only, I don't have my own money to do that. But, once I let people know that these horses had really terrible lives before they met me, and that they're about to go on trucks to be killed, well, the bail gets raised pretty quickly. Their feet? Well, you can contribute to have those trimmed. Did I mention I'm 501 z3? Or 3c-something like that. It means you can help me care for these horses by giving me money. I know, their feet DO look really bad, but I've been really busy lately. Once I get more donations in, I'm going to really think about trimming them, though. It's just hard to find the time when I have so much going on. I have a lot of blogging to do, and a lot of message boards I have to visit. People just love to hear about all of the good things I do all day. And they love to see all of my pictures. Hey-you may have seen some of my pictures on the Internet! You have? What do you mean the horses don't look all that great? Well, you must be new here! That's because they come from terrible owners who don't love them like I do! Brush them and get the burrs out of their manes and tails? Sure, you can volunteer to do that! Did I mention I'm a 501 B3-or something? It means you can donate and give me money to help these horses. I should be brushing them? I do, when I have time. But I'm really busy right now, and they really do look pretty good. Better than they did when they lived with those crappy owners who didn't love them like I do. Yeah, some are skinny, but those crappy owners didn't feed them. If you want to donate for some food, I'm a 501 BZ, I can take your money to buy feed for them. Sure, they've been here awhile, and should look a lot better, but it's not my fault that those jerks who owned them before didn't love them enough to take care of them. Look how much they love me!! What do you mean they're probably just looking for food? These horses know I have a special gift! They know I love them more than anyone else ever will. They want to be near me! That's why I just keep on buying more. Did I forget to tell you I'm a 501 VC? That means you can give me money to help these horses, and I can love them and let them live here until I find someone who will love them like I do!Yeah, there IS a lot of junk laying around, but I don't have a lot of volunteers. It's tough to get people to help out around here. But that's okay, because I love horses more than anyone, so I'll just keep buying them, and taking good care of them. Better than those crappy owners that had them before. Maybe you'd like to buy one. You ride? Well, I don't know about that! I don't really have time to do a lot with these horses. I just love them so much, but not too many of them really like to be ridden. I tried with a couple of them. I had a saddle once, but I had to sell it. I ran out of hay. Maybe you'd like to donate a saddle. We can use anything we can get! It's tough running a Rescue. But I do it because I love the horses. Hey, don't leave yet, you haven't seen the rest of my horses! Did I mention I'm a 501 G T? I can take your money-I mean, you can help the horses. Hey, wait-don't you want to see the rest of the place? I'll be putting new pictures up on the internet later today. I take VISA........Boy, it's tough running a Rescue!
By RH2
Welcome to the "Poor Me" Rescue. I decided to open it because I really love horses more than anyone else in the world. More than you, in fact. Some people say I don't do the best job, but they're just jealous. Keep your eyes on me, and listen to the sound of my voice. Pay attention!!! If you believe what I tell you, we'll do just fine! Those horses there? How many are there? Well, I've been trying to get my numbers down, but it's hard when there are so many in need, and I keep going to auctions. Did I mention that you can help save a horse? Well, you can! Lucky for you, I'm 501 c 3 or 3 c. I forget, but it means I can get money for these horses! I mean, I can raise money to help them! I call it bail or ransom. You know-the horses that go to sales are like prisoners, and they need people like me to get them out. Only, I don't have my own money to do that. But, once I let people know that these horses had really terrible lives before they met me, and that they're about to go on trucks to be killed, well, the bail gets raised pretty quickly. Their feet? Well, you can contribute to have those trimmed. Did I mention I'm 501 z3? Or 3c-something like that. It means you can help me care for these horses by giving me money. I know, their feet DO look really bad, but I've been really busy lately. Once I get more donations in, I'm going to really think about trimming them, though. It's just hard to find the time when I have so much going on. I have a lot of blogging to do, and a lot of message boards I have to visit. People just love to hear about all of the good things I do all day. And they love to see all of my pictures. Hey-you may have seen some of my pictures on the Internet! You have? What do you mean the horses don't look all that great? Well, you must be new here! That's because they come from terrible owners who don't love them like I do! Brush them and get the burrs out of their manes and tails? Sure, you can volunteer to do that! Did I mention I'm a 501 B3-or something? It means you can donate and give me money to help these horses. I should be brushing them? I do, when I have time. But I'm really busy right now, and they really do look pretty good. Better than they did when they lived with those crappy owners who didn't love them like I do. Yeah, some are skinny, but those crappy owners didn't feed them. If you want to donate for some food, I'm a 501 BZ, I can take your money to buy feed for them. Sure, they've been here awhile, and should look a lot better, but it's not my fault that those jerks who owned them before didn't love them enough to take care of them. Look how much they love me!! What do you mean they're probably just looking for food? These horses know I have a special gift! They know I love them more than anyone else ever will. They want to be near me! That's why I just keep on buying more. Did I forget to tell you I'm a 501 VC? That means you can give me money to help these horses, and I can love them and let them live here until I find someone who will love them like I do!Yeah, there IS a lot of junk laying around, but I don't have a lot of volunteers. It's tough to get people to help out around here. But that's okay, because I love horses more than anyone, so I'll just keep buying them, and taking good care of them. Better than those crappy owners that had them before. Maybe you'd like to buy one. You ride? Well, I don't know about that! I don't really have time to do a lot with these horses. I just love them so much, but not too many of them really like to be ridden. I tried with a couple of them. I had a saddle once, but I had to sell it. I ran out of hay. Maybe you'd like to donate a saddle. We can use anything we can get! It's tough running a Rescue. But I do it because I love the horses. Hey, don't leave yet, you haven't seen the rest of my horses! Did I mention I'm a 501 G T? I can take your money-I mean, you can help the horses. Hey, wait-don't you want to see the rest of the place? I'll be putting new pictures up on the internet later today. I take VISA........Boy, it's tough running a Rescue!
By RH2
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Taking on the Thoroughbred Industry
* http://forums.delphiforums.com/SSSER/messages?msg=45.1
Can David take on Goliath with the truth? Will anyone listen? Does anyone care? With the banning of an outspoken member from the ABR forum by Alex Brown, we now have a new voice speaking out. I'm impressed. Many, myself included have long felt that while speaking loudly against Slaughter, Alex Brown was in no way going to bite the hand that feeds him. He was not going to speak out against the Thoroughbred Industry, and the common practices that put the horses at the sales and on the trucks that lead to the plants. Alex may be a crusader, but he's no fool. The Slaughter issue has been a distraction for the issues that plague the Thoroughbred Industry. Breaking down, drugging, and throwing away horses not yet in their prime is not an issue Mr. Brown really wants to discuss. The fact that he has gone to the extent of banning those who DO want to discuss these issues is proof of his determination to keep the dissenting voices on ABR silent. It is often said on the forum that "Barbaro will lead the way". He could have. But as long as Alex is at the helm, Barbaro will be the symbol for the Anti Slaughter issue, rather than what he truly is. Barbaro, in truth was another case of a great horse started too soon, broken down, and lost to the racing world too early. Those wishing to deal with the realities of the Racing Industry on ABR will be silenced quickly. There is now a new venue to voice those concerns for the Industry and the horses that are being lost because of it. Time will tell if anyone will listen, or care. But for now, at least those who wish to speak can do so without the censorship prevalent on ABR.
By RH2
*Delphi Forum - Voiceforhorses
Can David take on Goliath with the truth? Will anyone listen? Does anyone care? With the banning of an outspoken member from the ABR forum by Alex Brown, we now have a new voice speaking out. I'm impressed. Many, myself included have long felt that while speaking loudly against Slaughter, Alex Brown was in no way going to bite the hand that feeds him. He was not going to speak out against the Thoroughbred Industry, and the common practices that put the horses at the sales and on the trucks that lead to the plants. Alex may be a crusader, but he's no fool. The Slaughter issue has been a distraction for the issues that plague the Thoroughbred Industry. Breaking down, drugging, and throwing away horses not yet in their prime is not an issue Mr. Brown really wants to discuss. The fact that he has gone to the extent of banning those who DO want to discuss these issues is proof of his determination to keep the dissenting voices on ABR silent. It is often said on the forum that "Barbaro will lead the way". He could have. But as long as Alex is at the helm, Barbaro will be the symbol for the Anti Slaughter issue, rather than what he truly is. Barbaro, in truth was another case of a great horse started too soon, broken down, and lost to the racing world too early. Those wishing to deal with the realities of the Racing Industry on ABR will be silenced quickly. There is now a new venue to voice those concerns for the Industry and the horses that are being lost because of it. Time will tell if anyone will listen, or care. But for now, at least those who wish to speak can do so without the censorship prevalent on ABR.
By RH2
*Delphi Forum - Voiceforhorses
Saturday, November 7, 2009
We Really Love Thoroughbreds…….
For As Long As It Takes Them To Make Eight Starts……..
Rants and raves, one darned (damned?) opinionated Broad er..., Woman--who loves Thoroughbreds; loves the sport; and freely expresses her exasperation. The Alpha Mare wants to see good things all around for everyone in horse racing,
PETA and some others have convinced a lot of people that our sport is rife with hard-hearted horse haters. Not only do we force horses to run—we may actually pray that one of them goes down. We get a sadistic thrill out of seeing a horse writhing in pain, and then euthanized. PETA has done a great job of convincing a lot of lonely, ill-informed, ignorant people that we are The Bad Guys.
But we who love Thoroughbreds—genuinely love them—and the sport of racing them, have before us a Golden Apple. The chance to band together and make a difference. This plum opportunity has been handed to us on a silver platter. We can resurrect the reputation of the sport—a reputation that has been decided by PETA's spin doctors—simply by making a few phone calls.
So starts one of the Alpha Mare’s columns. She goes on to say the plum opportunity is Madeleine’s plan for the now 33,000 mustangs but I plan to deal with the Equine Cap and Trade way of buying off PETA in another blog so…. back to the eight starts and the love of thoroughbreds.
Eight starts. Eight is the average number of starts made by a thoroughbred race horse. Equus magazine has an article on conformation types, specifically, the classification of horses into basic conformation types, The Question of Type. “Durability is not an issue in breeding the racehorses of today”, states the November 2009 article. The average number of starts for a thoroughbred is between six and ten, eight.
So let’s do the math……
If….. it takes three to six months to get a colt from the pasture to fit, gate okayed, and ready to enter in a race. If…..a conservative time between races for a horse is three to four weeks. If……8 starts is multiplied by 3 weeks = twenty-four weeks or roughly another six months. This makes the estimated length of the horse’s career around a year from start to finish. If…… a horse must break their maiden before they are four, most will have achieved this (or not) by their fifth birthday. If…… most are started as long yearlings to make the two year old season many will not make it past their third birthday without needing a career change or a “forever home”.
PETA’s spin doctors are trying to make those involved in racing “Bad Guys” by taking aim on an industry they don’t understand????? PETA and the HSUS are perfectly fine when they are after the AQHA, rodeo, barrel racing, roping, auctions, or just about any OTHER horse activity. The literal translation for this particular commentator I believe is, “I love PETA or HSUS spin until it is directed at me and mine, then they are WRONG”.
“Let’s band together and do something”…….One of the most popular dodges blames the AQHA for the vast numbers of unwanted horses. The AQHA lobby is for slaughter to allow the association to continue killing horses in droves instead of policing its breeders and contributing to horse welfare. This is a chanted “fact” for anti-slaughter campaigners. One of whom stated statistically half of all foals registered with the AQHA will end up going to slaughter. The anti-slaughter/anti-AQHA commentator didn’t provide any verification so I can’t say how this statistic was gathered but……..
I wonder if the Thoroughbred foals registered each year have even 50/50 odds of reaching their seventh birthday. I also read an anti-slaughter statistic stating the average age of a slaughter horse was seven….. Remember eight starts….. a career lasting less than one year. Most working ranch, rodeo, or other performance event horses are in TRAINING to even compete in their career discipline for that length of time or longer. The Jockey Club may produce fewer foals each year but do they have the better chance at a long productive life?
We have done blogs about the practice of breeding event specific horses. We have done blogs on the practice of breeding genetically defective animals. We have done blogs on breeding animals with less than functional conformation. We are not singling out thoroughbred racing to pick on.
“Let’s band together and make a difference.” How can we do that?
Is this “doing something” time better spent on the phone or in breeding sheds, the training arenas, or studying form to function conformation as it applies to the speed horse or any horse for that matter? Is this “doing something” time better spent whining “there aught to be a law” or trying to convince others who “truly love thoroughbreds” there just might be a better way to make horses last longer? Make them more marketable to people other than racing enthusiasts. Maybe send them home from the track while they are still sound enough to remarket?
We have spent a lot of time here talking about the “rescues”. We have spent a lot of time talking about thin Thoroughbreds and dysfunctional personalities using them as fronts in a personal agenda I can’t begin to understand.
I would like to introduce you to one “pro-active” program run by people who impress me as “truly loving thoroughbreds” for the long haul, not just eight starts and on to Madeleine’s place. http://horsecreektb.com/ Go have a look. “Meet” some people who have set out to produce race horses who can do everything plus run, see some pretty scenery, and some truly “rehabbed” ex-race horses. Who is doing more to promote and better the thoroughbred horse and horse racing? Who would you rather have standing behind a horse you were buying, the Alex/rescue crowd, the Alpha mare, any one of the anti-slaughter ranters who have weighed in here, or these good people and their lifetime commitment to these horses?
………..or just one more answer to the burning question “What are we doing?”
By RH1
note: I know this isn't really Saturday Satire or atleast not as satirical as we've been in the past. However I thought it was an appropriate blog for the day of the breeders cup....
RM
Rants and raves, one darned (damned?) opinionated Broad er..., Woman--who loves Thoroughbreds; loves the sport; and freely expresses her exasperation. The Alpha Mare wants to see good things all around for everyone in horse racing,
PETA and some others have convinced a lot of people that our sport is rife with hard-hearted horse haters. Not only do we force horses to run—we may actually pray that one of them goes down. We get a sadistic thrill out of seeing a horse writhing in pain, and then euthanized. PETA has done a great job of convincing a lot of lonely, ill-informed, ignorant people that we are The Bad Guys.
But we who love Thoroughbreds—genuinely love them—and the sport of racing them, have before us a Golden Apple. The chance to band together and make a difference. This plum opportunity has been handed to us on a silver platter. We can resurrect the reputation of the sport—a reputation that has been decided by PETA's spin doctors—simply by making a few phone calls.
So starts one of the Alpha Mare’s columns. She goes on to say the plum opportunity is Madeleine’s plan for the now 33,000 mustangs but I plan to deal with the Equine Cap and Trade way of buying off PETA in another blog so…. back to the eight starts and the love of thoroughbreds.
Eight starts. Eight is the average number of starts made by a thoroughbred race horse. Equus magazine has an article on conformation types, specifically, the classification of horses into basic conformation types, The Question of Type. “Durability is not an issue in breeding the racehorses of today”, states the November 2009 article. The average number of starts for a thoroughbred is between six and ten, eight.
So let’s do the math……
If….. it takes three to six months to get a colt from the pasture to fit, gate okayed, and ready to enter in a race. If…..a conservative time between races for a horse is three to four weeks. If……8 starts is multiplied by 3 weeks = twenty-four weeks or roughly another six months. This makes the estimated length of the horse’s career around a year from start to finish. If…… a horse must break their maiden before they are four, most will have achieved this (or not) by their fifth birthday. If…… most are started as long yearlings to make the two year old season many will not make it past their third birthday without needing a career change or a “forever home”.
PETA’s spin doctors are trying to make those involved in racing “Bad Guys” by taking aim on an industry they don’t understand????? PETA and the HSUS are perfectly fine when they are after the AQHA, rodeo, barrel racing, roping, auctions, or just about any OTHER horse activity. The literal translation for this particular commentator I believe is, “I love PETA or HSUS spin until it is directed at me and mine, then they are WRONG”.
“Let’s band together and do something”…….One of the most popular dodges blames the AQHA for the vast numbers of unwanted horses. The AQHA lobby is for slaughter to allow the association to continue killing horses in droves instead of policing its breeders and contributing to horse welfare. This is a chanted “fact” for anti-slaughter campaigners. One of whom stated statistically half of all foals registered with the AQHA will end up going to slaughter. The anti-slaughter/anti-AQHA commentator didn’t provide any verification so I can’t say how this statistic was gathered but……..
I wonder if the Thoroughbred foals registered each year have even 50/50 odds of reaching their seventh birthday. I also read an anti-slaughter statistic stating the average age of a slaughter horse was seven….. Remember eight starts….. a career lasting less than one year. Most working ranch, rodeo, or other performance event horses are in TRAINING to even compete in their career discipline for that length of time or longer. The Jockey Club may produce fewer foals each year but do they have the better chance at a long productive life?
We have done blogs about the practice of breeding event specific horses. We have done blogs on the practice of breeding genetically defective animals. We have done blogs on breeding animals with less than functional conformation. We are not singling out thoroughbred racing to pick on.
“Let’s band together and make a difference.” How can we do that?
Is this “doing something” time better spent on the phone or in breeding sheds, the training arenas, or studying form to function conformation as it applies to the speed horse or any horse for that matter? Is this “doing something” time better spent whining “there aught to be a law” or trying to convince others who “truly love thoroughbreds” there just might be a better way to make horses last longer? Make them more marketable to people other than racing enthusiasts. Maybe send them home from the track while they are still sound enough to remarket?
We have spent a lot of time here talking about the “rescues”. We have spent a lot of time talking about thin Thoroughbreds and dysfunctional personalities using them as fronts in a personal agenda I can’t begin to understand.
I would like to introduce you to one “pro-active” program run by people who impress me as “truly loving thoroughbreds” for the long haul, not just eight starts and on to Madeleine’s place. http://horsecreektb.com/ Go have a look. “Meet” some people who have set out to produce race horses who can do everything plus run, see some pretty scenery, and some truly “rehabbed” ex-race horses. Who is doing more to promote and better the thoroughbred horse and horse racing? Who would you rather have standing behind a horse you were buying, the Alex/rescue crowd, the Alpha mare, any one of the anti-slaughter ranters who have weighed in here, or these good people and their lifetime commitment to these horses?
………..or just one more answer to the burning question “What are we doing?”
By RH1
note: I know this isn't really Saturday Satire or atleast not as satirical as we've been in the past. However I thought it was an appropriate blog for the day of the breeders cup....
RM
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
