Invironmentalists want to kill wild horses
January 17th, 2008 by admin
SYDNEY (AFP) — Environmentalists called Wednesday for hundreds of wild horses to be shot dead to prevent a unique Australian national park becoming a “horse paddock,” with little room for native species.
Around 1,700 feral horses — known in Australia as ‘brumbies’ — have caused havoc in the Kosciuszko National Park, according to the National Parks Association of New South Wales state.
They are increasing in numbers by as much as 300 a year, the conservation group said, but the state has banned shooting of the animals from helicopters, widely considered the most effective way of controlling them.
The park, located near the country’s highest peak Mount Kosciuszko, covers 675,000 hectares (1.67 million acres) and is a UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve.
It contains the only alpine lake in mainland Australia, as well as plant species found nowhere else in the world and the rare mountain pygmy possum and corroboree frog.
“It is very undisturbed. It is a very intact ecosystem,” association official Andrew Cox told AFP. “I don’t want to see a park with 7,000 horses in 10 years time. It is going to be quite scary.”
Asked if they should be eliminated totally, he added: “That is our ideal goal — to eradicate the horses.”
“They are very possessive. When they pass through you can see.”
The association suggests culling more than 1,000 horses in the first year, with most of those left killed in the second year to stop the population growing again through breeding.
It says current plans to deal with the problem by trapping the horses are ineffective, accusing the state national parks authorities of caving in to sentimentalism. The association itself is a non-government body and is not directly involved with the running of the parks.
The area has entered Australian folklore as the location of the Snowy River, which is associated in many Australians’ minds with wild horses.
The state National Parks and Wildlife Service admits aerial shooting is an easy option.
But there is a moratorium on the practice after community anger at a botched cull of horses in another of the state’s national parks in 2000.
Source: AFP
Update on Amersham horses
January 16th, 2008 by admin
Horses, ponies and donkeys removed from Spindles Farm in Amersham last week are all making good progress at the rescue centres they were taken to. H&H has spoken to the three charities involved about how their new charges are getting along. Redwings Horse Sanctuary took in nine donkeys and thirteen ponies at their centre in Norfolk.
Nicola Markwell from Redwings told H&H: “They are all getting on really well; we’re really pleased with their progress.
“They are feeding and are less frightened than they were but are still very nervous. We have a specialist handling team coming in and they are improving.”Little Esther [the two-month-old donkey foal whose plight launched the Operation Esther campaign on the H&H website] is still very nervous though which is unusual for a donkey.
“They are being wormed, seeing the farrier and having blood tests also to make sure everything is all ok.” Ten ponies and one horse went to the ILPH.
Spokesman for the charity Hannah Rowley said: “All the animals have had a very good weekend.
“When they arrived they were covered in mud and excrement but now they’ve had a good groom, their cuts and scrapes have been treated, their feet trimmed and they have been thoroughly checked by the vets, including blood tests.
“They will remain in quarantine for a couple of days.”
The Horse Trust, based close to Spindles Farm in nearby Speen, took in 31 equines in total.
Seventeen have now been moved to safe locations while 14 remain in their care – three donkeys and the rest mainly ponies.
Susan Lewis at The Horse Trust told H&H: “They are all doing ok. They were in the poorest condition; emaciated – malnourished and dehydrated, it’s going to be a long road to recovery.
“When they arrived they were all very thin and had their heads down. Now they are less depressed and responding well and we are gradually beginning to see bits of their personalities coming out.
“It is a remarkable improvement and they seem so grateful for all our help. We’re taking the medical treatment slowly to work out exactly what they need so they each get individual care. I’m really hopeful. We’ve all fallen in love with them here.”
All the charities say they are extremely grateful for all the help and donations they are currently receiving.
Source and photo: Horse and Hound
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Weak Canadian Laws
January 15th, 2008 by admin
Actress, writer, horse-breeder Bo Derek notes the need to modernize and toughen canadian laws in the face of prominent cruelty cases and an empending American ban on horse slaughter that mean that 100.000 horses could be killed here in the next year.
Politicians have failed to modernize Canada´s 115-year-old animal cruelty laws despite the fact that it´s been eight years since new legislation was first tabled.
There is no law specifically protecting wild horses here though the U.S. has offered legal protection of its wild horses sinve 1971.
The closure of major American slaughter operations in the face of an empending ban, has meant an over 40% increase in the number of horses crossing the border to be slaughtered in Canada.
“I was surprised to discover that Canada has animal cruelty laws that were written a century ago, that there is no protection at all here for wild horses and that 300 horses a day could face death in a trade most Canadians would want no part of”, said Bo Derek. Dereh added, “An opinion survey conducted showed the majority of Canadians opposed to horse slaughter, and I believe it is only a matter of making Canadians aware of what´s going on, to end these practice”.
Derek and Sinikka Crosland of the CHDC will be available in Vancouver to comment to the media on the launch of the CHDC´s campaign to increase protection for Canada´s horses.
Source: The CNW Group
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Drought a hard time for horses
January 13th, 2008 by admin
Many are ending up in slaughterhouses or on back roads, left to die, because of overpopulation and expensive feed.
Joe Penn, a Kentucky horse and mule auctioneer, is not a sentimental man — not once he enters the stockyard. He knows that the value of many horses is measured in pounds of flesh.
But this winter, the horses are thinner than usual, and Penn finds himself wondering what becomes of the creatures with bare ribs and flat rumps, the ones that now sell for as little as $10.
“I wonder,” Penn said. “And then I tell myself I probably don’t want to know.”
In many parts of the United States, horse owners are struggling to feed their animals after a severe drought doubled — even tripled — the cost of hay. The drought has exacerbated a glut in the low end of the horse market, brought on by years of over-breeding and the recent economic downturn.
Source: L.A. Times
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Rare Cream Draft
January 13th, 2008 by admin
Dean Treangen, who grew up on a dairy farm in southeastern Minnesota, runs the Minnesota Zoo’s 8-acre working farm (which isn’t open to visitors in the winter). Among the attractions are three rare American Cream draft horses.
“When they opened it, I thought it was a little strange that they needed a farm at the zoo in a rural state like Minnesota, but as people come out and you get questions, you soon realize that we are more urbanized now. … People need exposure to a farm. So that’s what we do.
“The two geldings here, Prince and Duke, are probably my favorites, because we work with them a lot, we drive them. They’re the ambassadors of the farm. Most of the visitors who’ve been out here before recognize them, and a lot of them come out just to ride the wagon that they’re pulling.
“These are a rare breed of draft horse, the only breed that originated in the U.S. They came on in the early ’30s. Then tractors came into play, and people wanted tractors; they got away from horses. The breed itself never really took off. At one point there were 26 of them left. Now there’s around 350 — I don’t know the exact number — in the world.”
Source: The Star Tribune - Photo: HorseHome
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Surviving Horses in Portage County
January 12th, 2008 by admin
BRIMFIELD — Many viewers were shocked and outraged last night by our report, about horses starved to death in Portage County.
An 8-year-old mare named Bonnie-Jo should be in her prime now. Instead her thick winter coat can’t cover up the protruding bones under her skin.
As she munches on hay in a warm barn, a girl, 13-year-old Lindsey Call, kisses her and says, “I love you Bonnie-Jo.”
After last year’s county fairs and riding season, Lindsey’s family decided to board Bonnie-Jo and other horses strong enough to win prizes. They chose Never Rest Ranch in Brimfield Township.
The family says regular phone calls were made to the ranch, and they were told all the horses were fine, but three of their horses starved to death.
Brimfield police and the Portage County Animal Protective League say they found a total of five dead horses on the farm. They are considering cruelty charges against the owner.
Of the 20 horses found alive, four have been taken to foster homes.
Two, named Opie and Anthony are at the Geauga County Humane shelter.
The Portage County Animal Protective League is asking for donations of quality hay or money to pay veterinarians for the 4 horses that are in foster homes.
Donations can be sent to the APL at P.O. box 927, Ravenna, OH 44266, or call 330-296-4022
Source and photo: WKYC
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Appeal fund for rescued horses
January 12th, 2008 by admin
A FUND has been set up to aid horses rescued from the horror farm where 32 animals were found dead.
The RSPCA has set up a phone line for people to make donations to animals rescued from Spindles Farm, Hyde Heath, on 0300 123 8484.
The South Bucks Branch of the animal welfare charity is also taking donations on 01494 677775 and through www.southbucksrspca.org.uk.
And Speen-based The Horse Trust, which has taken on animals rescued from the farm, has been inundated with offers of support.
Marketing director Susan Lewis said: “I am absolutely overwhelmed. We have had people volunteer, supplying food and offering land, stables and money.” Two volunteers started work yesterday, the day after the story was first reported in the media, she said.
Donations can be made to the trust by calling 01494 488464
Source: Bucks Free press UK
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AQHA offers horsemanship
January 12th, 2008 by adminAmerica’s Horse, January 10, 2008 – The American Quarter Horse Association, a longtime industry leader, continues its innovative path by being the first association to offer a comprehensive horsemanship book. Developed through an educational partnership with La Cense Montana, “AQHA’s Fundamentals of Horsemanship: Step 1” and “AQHA’s Fundamentals of Horsemanship: Step 2” are guides to horsemanship and training techniques developed to bring horses and their owners closer.
Each book contains more than 100 step-by-step photographs to demonstrate 30 exercises to help people develop better relationships with their horses. A 90-minute DVD is included with each book and demonstrates each exercise using the scenic La Cense Montana Ranch as a backdrop. The program was reviewed by a panel of AQHA professionals to ensure the methods were safe and easy to understand.
AQHA has long been dedicated to educating current and would-be horse owners and, as a recognized industry leader, has developed educational programs that are widely used throughout the world. “AQHA’s Fundamentals of Horsemanship” advances the Association’s mission statement to develop diverse educational programs, material and curriculum that will position AQHA as the leading resource organization in the equine industry.
“The more we understand how to work with our horses, the more pleasure they bring,” said Ward Stutz, AQHA’s director of education, member programs and youth activities. “‘AQHA’s Fundamentals of Horsemanship’ is intended to give horse owners new tools to use while building a lasting partnership with their horses.”
Sourse: AQHA
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Saved and recovering
January 12th, 2008 by admin
The task of nursing more than a hundred rescued horses, ponies and donkeys back to health got under way yesterday. Many of the animals recovered from a farm in Buckinghamshire on Wednesday were emaciated, with overgrown hooves and matted coats. Most were terrified of humans. In one of its largest operations to date, the RSPCA found the animals, along with 31 others that had died, crammed into dirty pens and fields on the farm. Three horses had to be put down immediately and it was feared others might follow.Jamie Gray, the 44-year-old horse trader alleged to have run Spindles Farm in Hyde Heath, near Amersham, has been charged with criminal damage and assault on a police officer. He is due to appear before Aylesbury magistrates on Monday.
The RSPCA found two more dead horses at another location in the county yesterday, which they believe may belong to Gray.
The surviving animals were taken to four sanctuaries, where staff were trying to feed them up, clip their hooves, rid them of ringworm and clean their coats.According to Nicola Markwell, of Redwings Horse Sanctuary in Norfolk, which took eight of the donkeys, five ponies and eight miniature Shetland ponies, they were badly traumatised. “Some of them just won’t let anyone near them at all,” she said. “We have to put those through a gradual handling programme and let them recover before we release them into a herd.”Members of the public flooded Redwings with calls overnight, donating more than £15,000 and offering rugs or equipment.
Of the animals recovered, the youngest was thought to be a two-month-old donkey foal, which was making good progress at Redwings along with its mother. Welfare officers said it was “incredible” that the donkey, which they have named Esther, had survived. “Esther is a little nervous - but she seems OK,” said Miss Markwell. “She is staying close to her mother and is obviously bewildered.
“But she is quite playful, which is a good sign. She is feeding well, like all the other donkeys.”
Source: The Telegraph UK
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Horse retirement
January 11th, 2008 by adminKolkata, Jan.10 (ANI): Retired horses of the West Bengal police training centre need not worry about their future, as the State government has facilitated setting up of special stables for them at Ashaari, the shelter for animals run by People for Animals.
The government initiative has delighted animal lovers and people in the police force. It is hoped the step would keep Roshanara, Teja, Patriot and many other horses like them in good stead for long.
Earlier, the horses found no longer useful were put down (shot dead) sans any mercy. The barbaric method of brining animals lives to an end was objected to by several people.
Fourteen horses of the West Bengal Police Training Centre (PTC) were earlier declared retired but they are now stabled at Ashaari.
Source: Thaindian News
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