National Welfare Code of Practice

This is a good thing. If they practice what they preach. I believe this all just came about this month. It addresses what DoubleHP and groups like us have been talking about for years. Of course we will let these big guys take the credit for it. Even though it has taken them many many many many many years to climb on board. I know a lot of this has to do with the show industry. But it also has to do with trail riding and just plain horse ownership. You know, how we take care of our horses at home. My very favorite part is this: "WE ARE COMMITTED to promoting responsible breeding practices and to produce better horses, not just more horses." Can you imagine how good this could be, if orgs. like AQHA, APHA, etc., really believe in this? Then, if all the wanna bee cowboys would just follow along, we would begin to see fewer and fewer cheap, untrained, neglected, and unwanted horses. All of those things go together, by the way. I mean cheap, untrained, neglected, and unwanted. They all have to do with each other. And they all have to do with irresponsible breeding. Over production. Mass production of a product that no one is buying.

I'll highlight my favorite parts. I took this off of the American Horse Council website, but I learned about it from the HSUS. ok, here it is.

National Welfare Code of Practice Endorsed


A national Welfare Code of Practice has been endorsed by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Quarter Horse Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the U.S. Equestrian Federation and the U.S. Trotting Association. The Welfare Code of Practice, drafted by the American Horse Council, outlines in generic terms what it means for an organization to be committed to the responsible breeding, training, care, use, enjoyment, transport and retirement of horses.

“We hope that as many organizations as possible will endorse it to show that the industry as a whole is committed to the welfare and safety of the horse,” said AHC President Jay Hickey. “We know that the safety and welfare of our horses is very important to us. We hope that this code will be another indication to others that the horse community takes its responsibilities to our horses very seriously.”

...  it is hoped that the endorsement of a broad, more generic Welfare Code of Practice by as many organizations as possible will be another indication to the public, the media, federal and state officials and the horse community that the horse industry “Puts the Horse First.”

“We fully support the AHC Welfare Code of Practice and encourage everyone associated with the horse to abide by its principles,” said Alex Waldrop, President and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. “It is important that the horse industry as a whole, regardless of breed or discipline, affirms its individual and collective commitment to horse welfare and safety. It is equally important that the industry communicate with one voice on this important issue and the AHC is the right vehicle for doing so.”

“This Code of Practice stands to unite the equestrian community in it’s commitment to protect, honor, and ensure the safety and well-being of the horse which is the core of our sport,” noted John Long, CEO, United States Equestrian Federation, the National Governing Body of Equestrian Sport.

The AHC Welfare Code of Practice will also provide a guide for equine organizations that are formalizing a welfare philosophy and policy for their respective organizations. “The American Horse Council Welfare Code of Practice provides a standard for the horse industry and equine organizations to evaluate their individual welfare policies and initiatives. It clearly states the principles necessary to achieve a level of stewardship for the horse that always puts the welfare of the horse first,” said Dr. Jerry Black, past-President of the AAEP and Chair of the AHC’s Animal Welfare Committee.

"I would strongly encourage all equine-related organizations to join us in signing the code of practice demonstrating their commitment to continuously ensuring the safety and welfare of our horses,” said Don Treadway, Executive Vice President, American Quarter Horse Association. “By agreeing to a code of practice, we send a clear message to the public that we are committed to ensuring our horses are treated with compassion, dignity and respect.”

“We hope that as the Code is reviewed more organizations will endorse it. Our goal is to have as many associations as possible sign on,” said Hickey.

The AHC Welfare Code of Practice follows.
Welfare Code of Practice
American Horse Council
Introduction
American society has grown away from its agrarian roots of only a few generations ago. The horse, which was once a staple of American agriculture and general transportation, is now used primarily for breeding, competition, sport, recreation and entertainment, although there are still many horses used for work on farms and ranches, and in urban areas and exhibitions.

The horse industry is committed to the safety, health, care and welfare of all horses and to always “Put the Horse First.”

We address equine welfare and responsible care (1) by supporting a uniform Code of Practice regarding the responsible breeding, training, competing, care, use, enjoyment, health, transportation, and retirement of horses; and (2) by initiating communication with the public, the media, federal and state officials and within the horse community regarding these issues.

Our Commitment to all Horses and the Horse Industry
The organizations listed below are committed to the principle that the welfare and safety of the horse is the guiding principle in the decision-making process for all owners, service providers, organizations, events and activities.

WE ARE COMMITTED to the dignity, humane care, health, safety and welfare of horses in all our activities and care. These are our highest priorities. We are the stewards of our horses and must be firm in the standards and practices that guide us. Our first principle is:

The welfare, safety and stewardship of the horse is the guiding principle in the decision-making process for all segments for the horse industry.

WE ARE COMMITTED to promoting responsible breeding practices and to produce better horses, not just more horses.

WE ARE COMMITTED to responsible training techniques. All training should be done with the maturation and ability of the horse considered. Horses should be prepared for competition with proper training and conditioning methods. Excessive disciplining methods, whether in stables, training areas, or during competition, will not be tolerated.

WE ARE COMMITTED to educating owners, trainers, veterinarians, competitors, exhibitors and recreational riders to ensure that they know and respect their horse’s abilities and limits, and their own, so as to not push the horse or themselves beyond their ability level.

WE ARE COMMITTED to making all competitions fair and ensuring all competitors an equal opportunity to succeed. Performance-enhancing drugs, practices or equipment have no place in competitions or exhibitions. Effective drug testing by accredited laboratories is essential to the safety and welfare of our horses and the public support of competitions, with appropriate penalties levied for violations. The welfare of the horse must take precedence over the demands or expectations of owners, breeders, trainers, sellers, buyers, organizers, sponsors, officials, or spectators.

WE ARE COMMITTED to the welfare of the horse as paramount during competition. The horse industry should invest in the infrastructure, environment and facilities to provide a safe environment for all horses in all activities, whether breeding, competing, or simply riding. Any facilities that house horses should be committed to the appropriate care and treatment of all horses while in their facility, and should be designed with the environment and the intended use of the horse in mind.

WE ARE COMMITTED to minimizing injuries to horses during training, competition, use, or work. Whenever possible injury data should be collected, documented and reported to the governing body of the competition or any other injury database for analysis in order to ensure a safer environment.

WE ARE COMMITTED to the continual review, evaluation and improvement of all rules, regulations, policies and practices in all equine activities, based on science (where indicated). When warranted, they should be refined or changed. This includes existing practices to ensure they are not being perceived as acceptable, particularly if new research has called them into question.

WE ARE COMMITTED to providing continuing education on all activities involving horses and eliminate inhumane practices as well as strengthening sanctions for non-compliance.

WE ARE COMMITTED to educating all people who own or work with horses to ensure they are knowledgeable in the proper husbandry, care, and handling of horses. Each horse should be observed frequently to ensure that they are healthy. In consultation with a veterinarian, all such individuals should develop a sound health care program, appropriate to the facilities, environment and needs of the horses.

WE ARE COMMITTED to providing an environment in which anyone aware of equine cruelty or neglect is willing to report it to the proper local, state or federal authorities. Should an incident occur at an event it should be reported to judges, stewards, responsible authorities or the sanctioning organization.

WE ARE COMMITTED to improving the health and welfare of horses through scientific research, collaboration, advocacy and the development of appropriate rules. The industry should continue to support and work with the many individuals, universities, veterinarians and foundations doing and funding equine health and welfare research in order to reduce injuries and improve health.

WE ARE COMMITTED to horse owners and caretakers ensuring horses in their care are current on vaccinations and following best practices to minimize infection and disease. When a disease outbreak occurs horse owners and events must act quickly and responsibly, monitor the horses, report the outbreak to, and cooperate with, veterinarians, authorities, facility management and all stakeholders to bring a rapid resolution to the outbreak.

WE ARE COMMITTED to ensuring that our horses will have an opportunity to transition to additional careers, uses or activities as the need arises. When necessary, owners and veterinarians may have to consider end-of-life decisions. The welfare, safety and dignity of the horse must continue to be the guiding principle in deciding how and when to provide a humane death.

WE ARE COMMITTED to being transparent about our activities in order to ensure the public, the media, federal, state and local officials and the various segments of the horse community understand what we do, why we do it, and support it.

Overproduction recognized by salebarns

This (below) is from the website of the Corsica Salebarn, from their Nov. 16 2009 horse sale.
This is a perfect example of the low-end horse breeders' nonsense.
Good grief, has it really taken them 12 years to figure out what their problem is?: Overproduction. Notice, though, as you read the report, first they admit that overproduction is the problem. They mention it twice. But, at the end of the report, they just can't stand it anymore, and they have to blame an outside source: The HSUS. Like it's their fault there are too many horses born every year.
Why did the rest of us know many many years ago that overproduction was the problem? DoubleHP has been doing horse rescue for about 8 years now, and we knew that overproduction was the cause of the problem way back then. I'm sure the HSUS knew it way before that. The low-end horse breeders are the last to figure it out. Surprise Surprise! I've always thought these low-end breeders must not be too smart. Feed and care for an untrained broodmare all year, sell her baby for $50 or $500, and call it a business. Please tell me, where is the profit? That is, if you are properly caring for the horses. If they can't figure out in about a second that this is not a good business plan, no wonder it took them 12 years to figure out that overproduction is the problem. Well, at least they know now. Thank you to the Humane Society of the United States for helping us all understand what the problem is: overproduction!

here's the report:

"Loose Horses – sold 128 Head. The big cleanup of over production from when the horse market was at its high peak 10-12 years ago is about over. We have been selling lots of stallions & broodmares these past several years as people got out of the business when the price of weanlings dropped drastically due to the over production that had been going on. Again, foreign slaughter horse plants taking big advantage of the fact all horse processing plants closed in the U.S., no alternative but to use them & show it by prices paid. PETA & HUS has hurt the economy a bunch."

If you have questions or comments, please email Darci at doublehphorses@alliancecom.net

Goal: to end a cycle of neglect

there is an update to the story about the 80 horses rescued in Tennessee.
All of the horses already have been signed over to the HSUS, and this rescue just happened a couple of days ago! Upon Vet approval, the horses will be adopted by responsible horse owners. I do not know the status of arrests, charges, all of that. But I do so hope that whatever else happens, these irresponsible horse owners are not allowed to own animals for a long long time if ever again. And that they will not be allowed to breed animals either. That, to me, is the final step. Ending the cycle of neglect for that group of horses, for that location, for those neglectful owners, forever. Without that, the mission is not completed. I realize that every situation is different. But this should be the goal every time. The unified goal. The goal of the Sheriff, the States Attorney, the State Vet. office, the neighbors, the community, and any animal welfare groups involved. And actually, this should be the goal of the Horse Industry as a whole too. What good can these irresponsible horse owners possibly do for the industry?

For me, the arrests, charges, convictions, sentences, fines, all of that can vary. And personally I do not care about all of that as much as I care about what will happen to the horses and making sure that these people do not repeat their crime of inhumane treatment to animals. And then they do need to be held accountable. They need to somehow come up with some money to help with the rescue and emergency care expenses.  Their names have already been made public. So now they can live with this embarrassment, shame, and disgrace too. And try to pull themselves up out of it. If they have children, their children will have to deal with this publicity too. And that is sad. But if we want to move toward fixing this social problem, and that is exactly what it is, these are the things that must happen. This accomplishes several things. It sends a message out to other irresponsible horse owners. That they need to clean up their act or the same thing will happen to them. People are not so afraid to report these cases anymore. And they will get reported, eventually. It also helps to decrease, not increase, the numbers of horses born through irresponsible breeding practices which leads to more neglected and more unwanted horses. What it really does is this: It makes things better, not worse. It is a step toward progress, compassion, kindness, education, responsibility. Instead of a step backwards toward further cruelty, stupidity, failure, and crime. Let them get away with it, the situation will get worse and our Counties will find themselves having to deal with it more and more and more. instead of less and less and less. Deal with it now, without hesitation, without last-second sympathy for the offender, deal with it now as though it were a crime of significance. Because it is. Inhumane treatment to animals is directly and almost always related to violence against humans. Inhumane treatment to animals should be reason enough to act. But add in the relationship to violence against humans, and it becomes even more serious. Or it should anyway.  Ending a cycle of inhumane treatment to animals is progress no matter how many animals are involved, one or one hundred. Ending a cycle of inhumane treatment to animals is huge! It will make the next one easier. And the one after that even easier. And on and on. And soon we will see the number of cases decreasing instead of increasing. I really believe this to be true. The laws are in place. And if we can work toward that unified goal of Ending a cycle of neglect, we will start to see a difference. We will start to see things get better, not worse.

I realize that as we go along, Society sometimes decides that certain things really aren't so bad anymore Society thinks these things should be more acceptable and "less illegal." Sometimes that's because so many people are doing it anyway, or because it's just the easiest way to deal with it. Make it legal so we don't have to deal with all the arrests. But starving an animal. Fencing it in with no food, no water, no shelter, must never become acceptable. Think of what acceptances would soon follow.
I just keep going back to the question: would we like to make things better or worse? And to make things better, we have to make certain things unacceptable. And inhumane treatment to animals is one of those things that should remain unacceptable. Or we will all lose the emotions, the compassion, the respect for ourselves and for the earth that we live on, we will lose all of the things that make us human and hold us together. 
If you have comments or questions, please email Shelter Manager Darci at doublehphorses@alliancecom.net

Toward Greener Pastures for 80 Starving Horses - Wayne Pacelle: A Humane Nation

Here is a new post from the HSUS. The Humane Society of the United States. USE THE LINK BELOW. The link will take you to the story and a video. Notice they did not hesitate, and all entities were in agreement, that they must remove ALL not some of the animals on this property.

The horses in this story look and act like the horses we rescue.  I can honestly say that in all of our rescues, only once did we have trailer loading issues. And we had prepared for that because we expected it with that particular group of horses. So we made sure we had some extremely experienced horse handlers and trainers with us on that rescue. But otherwise, we have never had trouble loading them. In most cases, the horses we rescue have had very little human contact in the months leading up to their rescue. Just standing out there starving. So, they are usually extremely happy to see us arrive with our trailers. and then when we get them to where we can give them hay and water, they quickly become our friends. Afterall, we are the ones who brought them to the food.
Bless Your Food on this Thanksgiving Day. And Bless the Animal Rescuers for the work they do. Sometimes they have to do it on Holidays, on weekends, after 5 p.m.. And many of them are Volunteers.

and the next time you hear someone around here say something negative about the mission of the HSUS, please set them straight. all you need to do is go to their website hsus.org and read their stories, watch their rescue and undercover videos. One of the hardest ones to watch is the one about the baby veal calves. And it doesn't have anything to do with eating beef, with eating baby beef, with farming, or about producing food. It only has to do with cruelty to animals. The way they are treated. The way they are piled up on top of each other. both the living ad the dead. The way they are splashed with water so the electric prod might be able to get them up on their tiny little feet, even though they are too weak to stand. The way the workers laugh at them, at their weak and wobbly condition, yelling at them to get up cuz "there aint nothin' wrong with you." Like I said, it has nothing to do with the production of food or farming. Only about cruelty.

here's the link to the new HSUS video. The rescue of 80 starving horses in Tennessee.


Toward Greener Pastures for 80 Starving Horses - Wayne Pacelle: A Humane Nation

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No, it won't get worse.

Do you about throw up every time someone says, "it's only going to get worse," regarding the reports of starving horses in our area?

here is a response that I have found to be very satisfying:

"No, it won't get worse. Not in our area anyway. Because our Sheriffs and Humane Officers and State's Attorneys are investigating and charging people with inhumane treatment of animals, if they are indeed treating their animals inhumanely. It's getting better! not worse."

PERIOD. That's all you have to say. Your point will have been made.


Recently there have been several stories in our local news related to inhumane treatment of animals. the charges involve starving horses. emaciated horses. a horse with a damaged eyeball. a horse stolen and tortured. horses already dead by the time help arrives, puppy mills, dead puppies, injured dogs. And some people (even though they love animals and cry when they read these sad stories) don't think these stories should make the news. It's like, "yes I want the animals to get help and yes I want the people to get a little talkin' to, but I don't want everyone to know about it." I try and try and try to understand that separation and all I can come up with is they want the process to go so far and pertain only to that particular incident and hope that person never does it again and let that be that, but they don't want to deal with or be reminded of the big picture. They only want to go so far but don't want to take the last step that achieves progress, because that last step is a really really big one and can't be undone. They only want to go far enough so that others will notice they care and feel bad, but they don't want to go so far that their neighbors might get mad at them, even if the neighbors' animals are dead because they didn't get fed. They don't understand that when a crime is ignored, people think it isn't really a crime and it's ok to do it, that it's acceptable. And so it happens more often. But if the crime is dealt with as serious and unacceptable and punishable, people know that it is a serious crime that it is not going to be ignored. And so it happens less often. For those of us who concentrate on both the individual horse as well as the big picture, yes, of course, we want to help that horse. But we also, just as badly, want to make an educational point and influence in some little way, the big picture, to do what we can to decrease, not increase, the cases of neglected/abused horses and the cases of irresponsible horse breeders and owners. And you just can't do that by keeping things a secret.

You see, if people know it is no longer acceptable to treat horses this way, that it's not the norm, that it's not just some piddly little thing like spitting your gum out your car window, it will happen less often. Who wants to go to jail? pay fines? be totally embarrassed? have their kids deal with this kind of publicity? Who wants that? No one that I know! So, if people know that horse neglect is not exempt from all of this, horse neglect will happen less often. And that's why it is right that it is making the news around here. The stories need to be told. The problem cannot be hush-hushed. It exists and must be dealt with, in order to focus on the big picture and make things better not worse.

I would like to say that we are becoming kinder and smarter where animal welfare is concerned. That alone would make for fewer cases of inhumane treatment to animals. But the reality is that the thought of jail time and convictions probably outweighs the "be-kind-to-animals" theory.
So, let's try this again. Your co-worker who knows nothing about what's going on in the horse industry, comments on a news story involving a person charged with not feeding his horses. Co-worker shakes his head, noting the poor economy, "poor guy, hard times, and it's only gonna get worse," Co-worker says.
OK, and now what is your response?
"No, it won't get worse. Not in our area anyway. Because our Sheriffs and Humane Officers and State's Attorneys are investigating and charging people with inhumane treatment of animals, if they are indeed treating their animals inhumanely. It's getting better! not worse."

Yes! That is the right answer! Very good response!

This response addresses the no-clue "breeders" with no business & marketing sense who take their skinny wormy young horses to shabby little low-end salebarns to try to get $5 to $150 for them and call it a good day (I wonder what the mares look like at home). and that's if they have an ounce of ambition to get the horses in a trailer and haul them to the salebarn. Others just let them stand around at home and get skinnier and wormier until they die. With the poor skinny wormy mares bred back again for the next year, bred to the same stallion, the same product, the same packaging, and still no market. Stupid Business Plan. That's all it is.

And it also addresses the people who (with no money or facilities or ambition to do chores or knowledge of how to properly care for and train a horse) go to these shabby little low-end salebarns and buy these skinny wormy young horses for $5 to $150, take them home, fence them in, and provide even less than what the horses had before!

In all of our cases involving horses rescued from starvation, it's never been about the economy. It's never about anything. Except the situations mentioned above. The people with a legitimate excuse of "poor economy" and "poor market" are not going around buying more horses and they certainly are not breeding their mares back if no one would buy the babies the previous year. The responsible horse owners are not doing that. And we do not rescue horses from starvation when they are owned by responsible breeders and horse owners. Because responsible breeders and owners do not let their horses starve. It's the irresponsible ones, the ones mentioned in the above paragraph, who are causing the problem. They can't afford to feed a horse yet they go buy one. They can't afford to get the stud colts gelded so now the mares are pregnant and there wasn't enough food for them all the way it was! Those are the ones causing the problems. You think they have a clue about the economy? about the horse market? Surely not. Or they would not be buying and breeding these horses.

These are the people who need to read and see the news stories about other people doing time because they didn't feed their horses.

And at the same time, we can continue to focus in on the big picture too. We can continue to think about and remember the big problem of the cycle of horse neglect, and what it takes to break the cycle. So let's try to remember the big picture too.

Let's remember to ask questions and voice opinions about giving these rescued horses a chance at a good life now. In a new home. With guidelines or restrictions on breeding and re-sale.

Let's remember to ask questions and voice opinions about the future of all of the horses, not just some of the horses, that are owned by these people.

Let's remember to ask questions and voice opinions about the irresponsible reproduction of these neglected horses.

Let's remember to ask questions and voice opinions that may help lead to the end of a particular cycle of neglect for a particular entire herd (not just part of the herd), for a particular location, for a particular horse owner. Forever.

The photo above is Saint Nick, whose inhumane treatment resulted in his death. His owner was convicted.
No, it's not going to get worse. It can't. It can only get better. For the Horses.

Addition: I am adding this to this post. I just found it in the news but it happened about a month ago. DoubleHP received reports about these horses and forwarded the info. on to Second Chance Rescue. DoubleHP has no legal authority, so you are better off making your reports directly to a Sheriff or a Humane Officer. But here is an example of how it really does help to report things.

48 year old Kenneth Backes and 51 year old Johnny Backes were ordered to turn ownership for 13 of 14 animals previously seized from their property to the Second Chance Rescue Center. They also pled to one count of inhumane treatment of an animal for one of the colts seized. All other charges were dismissed. 14 animals were taken in the Hanson County community of Emery after authorities received a tip that the animals were malnourished. The brothers are also not allowed to have any other livestock on their property before June 1st of 2010 and after that they're only allowed three head of livestock total.

Spencer man charged with inhumane treatment to animals

Man faces charges in animal case


Melanie Brandert, The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.

Nov. 7--SPENCER -- A Spencer man faces 15 counts of misdemeanor inhumane treatment of an animal for neglecting several horses and two dogs.

Thomas A. Dykshorn, 33, is accused of failing to provide food, water and proper care for the animals on Oct. 6, according to the complaint dated Monday in McCook County circuit court.

Dykshorn's case is connected to 12 horses being seized from his farm three miles east of Spencer by Second Chance Rescue Center officials on Oct. 14. That was the center's third major animal seizure since early September.

Eleven horses were taken to Second Chance. One horse that had its eyeball removed because it was punctured was transported to Dakota Large Animal Clinic near Harrisburg.

Many of the horses had protruding ribs, vertebrae and hip bones, said Dana Wigg, Second Chance humane officer.

McCook County Sheriff Mark Norris has said he received an anonymous call on Oct. 6 from a concerned person who saw a stray dog at a rural home east of Spencer and thought it belonged to a neighbor.

Wigg met with Sheriff's Deputy Wayne Moen to pick up the dog, which had visible ribs and hip bones, that afternoon from Dykshorn's acreage, court documents said. They found another dog with several injuries, such as a partially collapsed head, swollen-shut left eye and indented skull.

The horses showed signs of being starved and underweight, and some had bleeding legs. Many of the horses had no food or water in their pens.

Wigg took the two dogs into her custody that day.

Rosey Quinn, Second Chance director, said the horses are recuperating, except for one that is not well. Three of the horses have been adopted, and the center is looking for homes for the others.

"They have got a ways to go with their recovery," she said. "They have had their feet done, gotten shots (and) been wormed."

Horses in poor condition usually take four to six weeks for any changes to occur with their health, Quinn said.

Dykshorn is free on $500 bond and will have his initial court appearance on Nov. 30.

'Tis the Season for Hope

This is an early Christmas gift from Kelli Bultena at http://www.lennoxnews.com/.

it's going to run in the Eastern South Dakota Peach in late November. a PSA. Full Page! Thank you so much Kelli and The Peach.

Here's some info. about the Peach that you will find on the lennoxnews.com website.
Are you looking for an affordable way to reach thousands of potential customers? The Eastern SD Peach is the answer. Established by a group of neighboring newspaper publishers, The Eastern SD Peach provides a great market for any advertiser. It is an all advertising tabloid that is inserted into 11 different newspapers.

Place your ad today! Email kelli@lennoxnews.com or call 605-647-2284 for more information.

• Our publication is second in paid circulation in the immediate metro area to the Argus Leader with a readership of 30,000 and a circulation in excess of 12,500.

• It is very affordable advertising and will not stress your advertising budget.

• We have excellent demographics that target a wide variety of social audiences.

Participating newspapers (phone numbers) and coverage area include:

1. The Alcester Union/Hudsonite (605) 934-2640 Alcester/Hudson

2. Canistota Clipper (605) 296-3181 Canistota

3. Hartford Area News (605) 296-3181 Hartford

4. Hawarden Independent (712) 551-1051 Hawarden, IA

5. Humboldt Journal (605) 296-3181 Humboldt

6. Leader-Courier (605) 356-2632 Elk Point/Jefferson

7. Lennox Independent (605) 647-2284 Lennox/ Chancellor/Worthing/Tea

8. Madison Daily Leader (605) 256-4555 Madison

9. The Marion Record (605) 648-3821 Marion

10. The Montrose Herald (605) 363-5038 Montrose

11. Parker New Era (605) 297-4419 Parker

Well, I better get some sponsor details up on the web.

I think this is just beautiful. Kelli gave us permission to use it however we want to.

Kelli designed it. Isn't she good!

This is a special PSA. Some of you will recognize the children in this PSA. The Antonsens from Hartford SD. Paul is the little boy with the special heart. The family is coming to visit us and their sponsored horse Prince this Saturday. The next day Paul will leave on an adventure. It will most likely involve his fifth open-heart surgery and a pacemaker.

Yes, this PSA is special. Thanks again Kelli.

Thank you, it's never too late to help

A while back I mentioned that when I go for a long time without blogging it doesn't mean there's nothing going on. It means the opposite. We've been very busy with a new group of rescued horses, which I'm still not allowed to talk about or show pictures of. This makes it difficult to get donations. How do people know we really are caring for these horses or that these horses exist? Anyway, thank you to those of you who have been able to help or donate. DoubleHP and my dad Wally Hortness donated the first 50 bags of stall bedding for these horses. And others have followed with an additional 40 bags through our program at TSC. Some of you I know, some of you I don't know yet. But when our program at TSC ends on Sunday and we do our raffle, I'll get the info. from TSC and I hope it will include your names and addresses so I can thank you all properly.  In addition, we have received some cash donations from some of our loyal friends who help every single time we (the horses) need it. and also from a couple of new friends. I am hoping we will be able to reimburse the very generous person who opened up her stable, hay, and chore help resources for these horses during their first 2-3 weeks of rescue. This is a lot of extra work and hay and manure for one facility. And we don't have any room left here at DoubleHP. So we rely on other horse facilities to step forward and help out during the first 2-3 weeks of quarantine & Vet evaluation, before we can move the horses into more family-type foster homes.
Thanks also to those of you who have volunteered to help with chores for the new horses and for the shelter horses here at DoubleHP. The regulars are back to work now so things are getting back to normal whatever that is. And we also got about 20 sm sq bales of alfalfa donated. It's from a hay provider we buy from, so it's excellent hay! And the Vet had us start the horses on some alfalfa last week. Still mostly grass hay, but now a little bit of alfalfa too.
I wish I could say more, but frankly I have no idea what is going on as far as the legal part of it. I am not involved in that part of it. I can tell you that these horses needed our help and all we can do for now is keep helping them. I guess.
Thanks.

thanks for the poem

oh, look what someone gave to me in a comment from previous post.
thank you whoever you are.







The Heart of a Horse


When your day seems out of balance
And so many things go wrong
When people fight around you
And the clock drags on so long…

When most folks act like children
And fill you with remorse
Go out into your pasture
Wrap your arms around your horse.

His gentle breath enfolds you
As he watches with those eyes
He may not have a PhD
But he is, oh, so wise!
His head rests on your shoulder
You embrace him good and tight;
He puts your world in balance
And makes it seem all right.

Your tears will soon stop flowing
Then tension will be eased.
The nonsense has been lifted
You are quiet and at peace.

So when you need some balance
From the stresses in your day,
The best therapy you can seek
Is out there eating hay!

Author unknown