"Animal Rights" Extremists Protest Horse Show

A Scotland show with Andalusians, Friesians, and other highly-trained horses is being protested by radical 'animal rights' protesters, under the claim that the riders use tight reins to control the horses, and riding is a strain on their muscles....
How long until they go after local horse shows and events, or even horseback riding in general?

"A cast of 30 horses from Russia, Holland, Germany, Spain and the UK star
in Europe's largest equestrian touring theatre show tomorrow.
The show involves Spanish horsemen on classic Andalusian mounts, Cossack daredevil riders, Arabian stallions, equestrian ballet and friesians. "

The campaign manager of the extremist group:

"Horses used in circuses are often controlled by tight reins. These, along with some of the tricks they are made to perform, can place an unnatural and severe strain on their muscles. This company makes money out of forcing horses to perform degrading and unnatural tricks."

Source: http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=1706082005

Seeing a skilled horse and rider perform is beautiful. It is not a 'trick', nor is it a severe strain or abuse.

No sane person wants to see animals abused, but 'animal rights' groups go too far in attacking anything that has to do with animals. There is an alternative to the extremists groups, with 'animal welfare' groups such as National Animal Interest Alliance -- promoting the well-being and proper care of animals but not banning their use all together. Before you send money to something that sounds innocent like a "Humane Society", make sure it's not working to destroy the wonderful relationship between animals and people.

New Article on the website: "The Unknown Danger", an article by Ron Hevener, that describes an incident where a horse farm was attacked by extremists.

Horse with Hayfever

A horse with hayfever!
Jul 25 2005

Teddy the horse has to sleep
on piles of newspapers - because he suffers from hay-fever.
If the 14-year-old is exposed to hay or straw, he starts coughing and wheezing as if he were having an asthma attack....

The rest is at: http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/tm_objectid=15778897&method=full&siteid=50003&headline=a-horse-with-hayfever--name_page.html

Horse Ride Benefits Shriners

Horse ride benefits Shriners
from Billings Gazette
CHEYENNE - A man who spent five months on horseback traveling from east Texas to Las Vegas and through Colorado arrived here at last for Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Mike Hansen, of Hitchcock, Texas - a town of about 6,000 people southeast of Houston - made the ride to raise money for Shriners Hospital, which helped his son, Clayton, recover from a serious burn nine years ago.
Clayton, then 12, and friends had started a fire with gasoline. Some of the gasoline got on Clayton's leg, and his pants caught fire when they tried to stomp the fire out.

"Now you can hardly tell he was burned," Hansen said. "They did a good job on him."
The treatment was free, but Hansen hoped to repay the favor by handing out donation envelopes to people he met along his trip.

Can Horse Dewormers Poison Dogs?

Got a strange question regarding dewormers:

Gross as it is, my dogs eat horse poop. I worry that they could get poisoned
after I deworm the horses. Is this reasonable, or does the toxin somehow get
denatured as it passes through the horse?

If anyone out there knows.... please comment or email!

Horse Meat For Dinner?

A restaurant in New Zealand has started serving a dish called "Mr. Ed is Dead"-- horse steaks. The restaurant is called Canvas and is located in Hamilton, North Island, NZ.

Restaurant owner David Kerr said Wednesday that he received lots of complaints
and abusive phone calls after he started serving horse steaks at his eatery in
Hamilton, North Island, as part of an annual event during which restaurateurs
compete to offer the best out-of-the-ordinary culinary delights to diners.
Source:http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050713.wedit0713/BNStory/Front/

And the other news story:

Wild horses, Kaimanawa or otherwise, could not drag Sir Patrick to the dish.
"I'm not impressed at all at the fact that horse meat is available as a delicacy
in a restaurant in Hamilton," he said. The dish was "distasteful". "My life with
horses has been my passion," said Sir Patrick. "If it was the last restaurant in
Hamilton I wouldn't be having it." Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10335737

Canvas Restaurant Contact Details:
1 Grantham Street Hamilton
Phone 0-7-839 2535
Website: http://www.mcafe.co.nz/page/mcafe_3.php

Parade in Washington D.C. in Sept

I recieved an email the other day after our newsletter went out:

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Hello Ultimate Horsesite!
I love your site & your newsletter. I wanted to let you know that on Saturday September 3, 2005 we (grassroots organization - United States Equine National Treasure Association) are sponsoring a Parade in Washington D.C. called "Ride for Freedom, The Spirit of the Horse" to celebrate the history of the horse and all equines to support the ban on horse-slaughter in the United States.

We have room for 300 parade-ready horses, 30 wagons or carriages and 100 Ford Mustangs to honor Ford Motor Company in their efforts to save the wild mustangs sent to slaughter. The ride is FREE.(10$ administration fee for getting your parade # etc.) It is for every person that would like to participate and be at the White House to make our voices heard that it is NOT ok to slaughter horses. We do not care if those who want to go agree with everything on our site - we are giving those who want to raise their voices loud and clear an opportunity to be in Washington D.C. on horseback, on carriages, on foot or in any year model Ford Mustang. We have made arrangements with a Cedarville State Forest for camping with your horse(s) and also have a list of hotels that may provide discounted rates for the Ride for Freedom, Spirit of the Horse. Camping fees are $25 per nite. Please check out our site, www.usenta.org We hope you will link your site and help spread the word.

Thank you,Patti Stafford
803-631-0917
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You can go to www.usenta.org to find out more about the organization.

Horse Dies of EEE Virus in Alabama

Horse owners need to make sure that their horses have their 4-way shots (Vaccinates against EEE, WEE, Tetanus, and Influenza) and their West Nile Virus shots:

GRAND BAY, Ala. (AP)_Eastern Equine Encephalitis, a dangerous mosquito-borne virus, is blamed for killing a horse in Grand Bay.Mobile County health officials said
yesterday the animal died June 12th and had not been vaccinated against the
disease.

Full story: http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=3501055&nav=0RdEbGuW

Rodeo Horse Stolen in Arkansas

If you're in AR, keep your eyes open for this stolen horse:

Horse Stolen After Rodeo By The Morning News:
SPRINGDALE -- A horse that carried the American flag in Monday night's Rodeo of the Ozarks was stolen. Badger, a light gray horse, was missing Tuesday morning when the rodeo stock was checked at Parsons Stadium in Springdale. Badger, valued at $20,000 by his owner Stace Smith Pro Rodeo, is about 15.2 hands tall, with four socks. A freeze brand on its left shoulder is only visible when the horse is wet, according to a news release from the Rodeo of the Ozarks.Police are investigating the robbery, according to Capt. Bob Bersi, of the Springdale Police Department. Anyone with information can call the stadium office at (479) 756-0464, or at (877) 92-RODEO.