The following post comes from the American Wild Horse Preservation.
May is Burro Awareness Month and it’s time to take an action to help our wild burros! Nowhere are these amazing and historic animals in more danger than in Arizona, where the State Game and Fish Department is teaming up with some counties to lobby Arizona’s Senators to support burro roundups. Arizona Senators McCain and Flake need to receive a message loud and clear that Americans want our wild burros protected, not cruelly rounded up. Please tell these Senators that the voice of “We The People” should prevail in the management of these iconic animals and the public lands they call home. Please sign our petition today!
Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version of the FY 2017Agriculture Appropriations bill. T his bill provides funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the 2017 fiscal year ( October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017). The bill contains several provisions that impact the horse industry, including the so-called “horse slaughter defunding provision,” funding for USDA equine health activities and enforcement of the Horse Protection Act.
FY 2016 House USDA Appropriations
Horse Slaughter
Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) offered an amendment to prohibit funding for USDA inspections at U.S. horse slaughter facilities that was adopted by a voice vote. This prohibition will prevent horse slaughter facilities from operating in the U.S. if this bill is signed into law.
Currently, No horse slaughter facilities are operating in the U.S and a prohibition on funding for inspectors at such facilities from last year’s FY 2016 USDA bill is in effect until September 30, 2016 . If that prohibition expires, USDA will be required to provide inspectors and horse slaughter facilities if any were to open.
A similar defunding amendment was adopted by the House Appropriations Committee when it approved the House version of the USDA appropriations bill.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Equine Health
The bill would provide $939 million for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). APHIS is the USDA agency responsible for protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural health, including responding to contagious equine disease outbreaks. Funding for Equine, Cervid, and Small Rumi ant health would be set at $19.7 million, this is a $200,000 increase over FY 2015.
Horse Protection Act
The bill provides $706,000 for enforcement of the Horse Protection Act a $9,000 increase over FY 2016 funding.
Horse Castration: From Colt or Stallion to Gelding
According to Larry R. Bramlage, DVM, MS, castration is normally performed on colts to make them more tractable and easier to handle. The mature, intact male horse becomes progressively more difficult to train and more aggressive as it gets older.
New Career Barrels of Fun for Retired Giant
When 17hh gelding Colicchio retired from the stables of Caulfield trainer Clinton McDonald in late 2014, a second career in barrel racing isn’t what most astute judges predicted.
New Vocations Featured in The Chronicle of the Horse “Untacked” Magazine
New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program is honored and proud to be featured in a 4-page article that appeared in the May/June 2016 issue of The Chronicle of the Horse Untacked magazine.
EQUUS Foundation Announces 2016 Champion Scholarship Recipients
The EQUUS Foundation is pleased to announce this year’s Champions of Equine Service Scholarships to seven equine volunteers who logged hundreds of hours in support of organizations in the Equine Welfare Network.
Cathy Wieschhoff on Natural Horsemanship for OTTBs
As an eventer based in Lexington, Kentucky – the heart of Thoroughbred country – Cathy Wieschhoff has plenty of experience with OTTBs. Cathy and Sheldon were one of five Thoroughbred Makeover demo participants who wowed audiences at Rolex this year.
Extreme Mustang Makeover competition: 100 days to train a wild mustang
Wish Come True – it’s not just a random name, but how Wanette Wilson explains the wild mustang that she was given nearly 100 days to train in the Extreme Mustang Makeover competition.
Morris County Teen has a Knack for Taming Wild Horses
Cat Zimmerman was just 12 years old when she picked up her first mustang for the Extreme Mustang Makeover Youth Challenge. She and that horse, “Comacheria,” better known as Monche, ended up fourth overall out of 17 competitors. Now 14, Zimmerman, Morristown, is starting out with a new mustang to participate in this year’s challenge.
Horse Ownership is a Large Investment
Shelters take in a variety of horses. Some have been abused, some are sick or injured and some are left simply because their owners can’t take care of them anymore. That’s because people often get into horse ownership without fully understanding the commitment they are making.
Wild Horses Transformed in Extreme Mustang Makeover at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center
The Jacksonville Equestrian Center was host to genuine American mustangs and their trainers as they showcased their newfound partnerships to a packed house.