Conference noted::equitation

    I wish I had an answer.   How anyone can abuse an animal
    I'll never understand.  They rely on people and look to
    their owners to take care of them and treat them kind.
    They can't speak for themselves.  I wish I could do
    something about it.  Just thinking about this makes
    me choke up.
    
    I wouldn't mind doing some volunteer work for an 
    animal shelter, whatever - at least it's a small
    help.  
    
    g

    I feel the same way.  It's horrifying to think that any animal
    should have to suffer this way.  
    
    I feel that I am contibuting in a small way, though.  I have
    adopted a formerly neglected pony through the NH Equine Humane
    Assoc, and will provide her with an exceptional home for the
    rest of her life. She's a joy, a bratty little pain in the butt, and
    the cutest little critter on hooves! I wish I were in a position to adopt 
    more!
    
    I also contribute regularly to the NHEHA, and am hoping to find
    time in my schedule to volunteer at events they sponsor, etc. this
    coming summer. Maybe if everyone could donate, offer time, etc, just a 
    little once or twice a year more abused/neglected horses could be 
    helped.  I know it sure makes me feel good to help out, and adopting
    this pony has been so rewarding!
                                    

Does anyone know if this is under the jurisdiction of the ASPCA? I know that the
MSPCA and Animal Rescue League do periodic checks of commercial stock yards,
race tracks and livestock auctions in MA. 

We don't have any rendering plants in Massachusetts though, Does Connecticut
have an SPCA? (do we have any Digital plants in Connecticut - thus noters?;-)

J

RE: .2 - all but one of my pets are adoptees (horses, dogs, cats) - there is
nothing like it :-) (I'd have more but I'd be single again ;-)

    
    This is about transporting horses/livestock to the slauterhouse's.
    It seems some folks out there don't see why the animals should be
    cared for since they are on the way to be killed for meat.  Horse
    meet in Europe is delicatic(sp).  There is a large artical about this
    in Horse Illustrated Mag' and a few other Mags as well.
    
    There is a group out there (cant remember right now) who is trying to
    get a law passed to slauter horses in a humane way, and to have them
    treated well before they are slauterd.
    
    My horse club is putting some info in our next newsletter to try and
    get some response.  
    
    Lou (another good reason to be veggie)
    

    There is something we can do!!!! (for the horses in USA
    anyway)  I will re-type here what I've put in our horse club newsletter...
    (Louisa just mentioned in previous reply)  Also, if you get the Horse
    Illustrated Magazine, there is an article about the Humane Horse
    Transportation Act in the January issue.
    
    To brief what is going on....
    Once sold to slaughter, the horses, regardless of age, gender , or
    physical condition are packed itno double-decker livestock trucks to
    make the long, arduous journey to the sit of their ultimate death. Upon
    arrival, horses that are ill or injured are, BY LAW, to be euthanized
    humanely.  THIS IS NOT BEING ENFORCED!  The horse are hungry, injured,
    thirsty and frightend, and stay that way.  Veterinarians are supposed
    to be on site to insure humand killing...by stunning the animal
    first... THIS IS NOT BEING ENFORCED!!!  Sometimes the killing is done
    improperly and they are slaughtered while still alive.  
    
    If you'd like to support the Humane Horse Transportation Act and 
    Support of the USDA's full enforcement of slaughter house regulations
    Please write to: 
    	                       
    	Patrick Leahy
    	Chairman of Senate Agriculture Committee
    	Washington, DC 20510
    
    	E. (Kika) de la Garza
    	Chairman of House Agriculture Committee
    	Washington, DC 20515
    
    	Secretary of Agriculture
    	United States Department of Agriculture
    	12th & 14th St SW
    	Washington, DC  20250
    
    Also, write to you local representative in House and Senate!
    
    Finally, the Humane Society of United States invite all interested
    parties to contact them at 2100 L St., NW, Washington, DC 20037
    or call: 202-452-1100
    
    It will take a little time to do this on our part, but isn't it worth
    it if we can get this law passed!!!!  these poor animals!!! 
    
    If anyone wants a copy of the article, send me a note mr4dec::cslinn
    
    this is disgusting and uncalled for behaivor!!  lets do something!!!
    
    sorry..........went off on a roll again...........
    
    thanks! Caroline
    

    I have always adopted animals too.  Right now I have a kitty that
    my sister found (almost dead) and I was happy to see her get
    healthy and playful.  I've had her 9 years now.
    
    I feel so sorry for these poor horses.  I had a friend once that
    rescued a pony from slaughter.  She worked really hard to make
    him well and put alot of time and effort into him, and he turned
    out great.  But if horse meat really is a delicacy in Europe, 
    there's no stopping the slaughter.  
    
    Poor things.  What a horrible life to live.  It would be some
    comfort to know they are cared for and treated in a humane 
    way.  I know the same horrible treatment is given to cows,
    pigs, chickens. etc.   It's really sad.  I don't know too
    much about the various organizations out there that are
    working to stop it, but I would imagine there are at least
    a few.
    
    g

The beef and poultry industries have been established for many years. The
infrastructure to support the monitoring of conditions for raising, transporting
and slaughtering these animals is probably more advanced than for horses (not
that it is any great shakes but...).

I don't know of any ranches or farms that raise horses for meat in the US. Not
that it is any consolation for cows and other meat animals - but these horses
are animals that were probably hand raised for racing or riding, and have been
rendered unusable by some painful debilitating injury of some sort (majority of
the time the result of mis-use or negligence by some human).

I used to take horses off the track, I met alot of really great people - with no
money or education really  - who would buy horses off the truck at Rockingham by
the pound, just because they had a kind eye or they knew the horse, and live in
dumpy conditions just so they could save the horses lives (one lady was a live
in "farm manager" at an off-track barn in Windham NH - she turned 2 stalls into
an apartment - had 6, 2 and 3 legged thoroughbreds, a couple of goats and many
cats - one of the greatest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing)

We all need to follow up with the legislators in note ".5" to help all our
4-legged friends...

I didn't mention the upcoming of foalmeet in Germany. I saw a 
documentary last week and they mentioned that foalmeet was 
getting popular in Germany. A market place was shown and there 
were people buying foals. The foals were loaded in the truck in a 
very rough way. The foals were used to run loose and were afraid 
to go in the truck. One women saw the way the foals were treated 
and refused to sell her filly to them.
When the buyers saw the camera they put some straw on the ramp 
and the foals were treated in a humane way. 
So it is possible!!!

PH

    I wonder if there is any sort of a place that a person
    could do volunteer work caring for some of these abused
    animals?   
    
    g

I know there are special institutions where old and maybe abused 
horses can stay and are enjoying their retirement.  The horsess 
can stay until they die. These institutions "live" on donations. 
Of course food and land are expensive so there are nog many of 
these institutions. 

PH

    Red Acre Farm in Stow used to be a retirement place for Police
    horses etc.  I lived a few houses down from there and my
    mother used to take me down to visit them.
    
    I now take instruction there.  My instructor bought a horse
    a while back (a pinto) at an auction, that had been severely
    abused.  You should see this horse now - she is beautiful
    and happy.  
    
    If I had a place to keep a horse, I'd adopt one (maybe two!!)
    in a minute (along with plenty of cats, dogs, and whatever
    else needed a good home!)
    
    g