Wow
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
Wow. In less than one day, you shattered our goal of $8,000 to get an ad up in Alaska this weekend. As of this morning, we’ve raised over $20,000 thanks to your help. The ads will run this Saturday, Sunday, and Monday in Anchorage — and we’re planning additional advertisements in the coming weeks.
We also learned early this morning that the U.S. Senate “markup” is delayed yet another week. We’re now expecting these critical votes to take place sometime around October 10th.
This means we have more time to keep up the pressure — in Alaska and across the country. Click here to call and email your U.S. Senators now.
Thanks for everything. And we’ll keep you updated.
– Grace Kuhn, Communications Director, AWHC
GOP Leaders, Administration Unveil Tax Reform Plan, New IRS “Winnings” Rule
The following is from the American Horse Council:
GOP Leaders, Administration Unveil Tax Reform Plan, New IRS “Winnings” Rule
Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) will officially unveil the GOP template today at 2:15 PM EST. To view today’s event via livestream, please go to the following link: speaker.gov/live.
On September 27, 2017, GOP leaders released a “template” laying out key elements to characterize comprehensive tax reform legislation. The nine-page document identifies significant tax breaks for individuals and corporations, and includes a special focus on tax relief for small business. Below are highlights that will have the most significant impact on the equine sector, among other corporate and individual taxpayers:
Business Reform
- Small Business : The framework establishes a maximum tax rate of 25 percent on small businesses operating as “sole proprietorships, partnerships and S corporations.” With an increasing number AHC members filing as sole proprietorships and partnerships, this can potentially provide significant tax relief. Under current law, small businesses (pass-through entities) can pay federal taxes at rates as high as 39.6 percent.
- Corporate Tax Rate : The plan proposes to lower the corporate rate to 20 percent, down from the current 35 percent corporate tax rate.
- Expensing: The GOP framework “allows businesses to immediately write off the cost of … depreciable assets” for five years or more.
- Business Interest : The plan imposes “partial limits” for deduction of business interest on C corporations. The tax writing committees will review interest deductions for non-corporate taxpayers during the legislative process.
Save the Date for the AHC’s 2018 Annual Meeting & National Issues Forum
The following is from the American Horse Council:
Save the Date for the AHC’s 2018 Annual Meeting & National Issues Forum
The AHC is pleased to announce that its 2018 Annual Meeting and National Issues Forum will take place from June 10-13, 2018 at the Capital Hilton in the heart of Washington, DC.
The Capital Hilton is a new venue for the AHC’s Annual Meeting, as the past several years the meeting has been held at the Washington Court Hotel just a few blocks from Capitol Hill. In 2018, the AHC decided to give meeting attendees a glimpse of a different part of DC with a hotel that is just two blocks from the White House. Additonally, some changes have been made to the schedule to ensure attendees are able to attend the meetings that they would like to.
Historically, the AHC’s Annual Meeting, when all AHC Committees and the Unwanted Horse Coalition meet, has taken place on Monday. While the AHC’s five main committees will still meet on Monday, the Unwanted Horse Coalition meeting will now take place on Sunday.
With the growing industry and public interest in aftercare and retraining/rehoming, the UHC felt it was best to shift the 2018 meeting schedule around to allow more time for a robust discussion during the UHC’s meeting.
The National Issues Forum, sponsored by Luitpold Animal Health, will take place on Tuesday, June 12th. The agenda is still being finalized, but at this time topics include a Youth Panel, Tax Reform, Data Insights and Implications, Immigration, and Aftercare.
Please check the Events tab on the AHC website for information as it becomes available. If you have any questions about the Annual Meeting and National Issues Forum, please contact the AHC at 202-296-4031 or info@horsecouncil.org.
Read on AHC Website
The latest update
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
With our movement battling on so many fronts, I wanted to send around a quick update:
U.S. Senate Vote Coming Soon
The Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee is now expected to mark up its spending bill next week, with full committee consideration of the legislation the week after. Since the House passed a spending bill that lifts the longstanding prohibition on the destruction of healthy wild horses and burros, it’s critical that the Senate maintain these protections. These votes will likely determine what the final budget language is — and the lives of tens of thousands of wild horses literally hang in the balance.
Click here to contact your Senators right now.
BLM Wild Horse Roundups In Full Swing
If Congress fails to protect wild horses, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has said it would like to “dispose” of so-called excess wild horses and burros by killing them. So it’s no surprise the agency is already rounding up wild horses with renewed gusto. BLM-contracted helicopters have returned once again to the Wyoming Checkerboard, where 46 wild horses were captured and removed from their homes on the range yesterday. The roundup will continue until 1,500 wild horses lose their freedom and their families. Other roundups pending in Wyoming and Nevada will remove 10,000 more wild horses from the range.
Read more about these tragic roundups underway and those that are pending by clicking here.
Secret Slaughter Summit
Several weeks ago, we exposed what we dubbed the Salt Lake City Slaughter Summit. Pro-slaughter politicians, bureaucrats and lobbyists gathered in Salt Lake City, excluding members of the humane management community. Despite their spin claiming a scientific and humane approach, the truth came out this week: A survey released by summit organizers shows that 99 percent of participants support eating horses. Of the top six “highly-supported options” for how to address horse and burro issues, three involved eating horses, one involved killing horses, and two involved selling horses to be killed. Protecting wild horses didn’t make the cut. What a sham.
Read more about the slaughter summit and its findings by clicking here.
We’re Fighting Back
With key U.S. Senate votes coming soon, roundups increasing, and our opponents pulling out all the stops, our movement is activating on all fronts. We’ve gathered more than 300,000 petitions signatures, we’re holding meetings with key members in DC and in home offices, our latest round of billboards are live, and we’re planning new advertisements to be released soon.
Donate right now to support our efforts.
Our opponents have a lot of power and a lot of money. But we have the opinion of the American people and an incredible movement behind us. Together, we can win this.
Forward,
Suzanne Roy
CHILLY PEPPER – OUT OF TRAGEDY COMES “HOPE” – literally!! URGENT HELP NEEDED!
The following is from Chilly Pepper – Miracle Mustang:
I have to say that this is probably the hardest update I have ever had to write. For over a year we have been working with a rescue in Naples Idaho. Everything was great for about a year, until it was not, and then it was beyond horrible and the devastation was heartbreaking. There is no worse feeling than knowing you have spent so much time and money and worked so hard to make sure a horse is safe and then you find out something like this. So we picked up all of ours who are not being held for evidence in the court case.
Matt and I had been to the rescue in question numerous times and the horses were all fat and happy. There was lush pasture and we wanted to live there. The horses were all doing well and we received updates via photos and videos. We also shared our visits and how awesome things were.
Senate to decide the fate of wild horses
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee will mark up the Interior Department budget as early as next week. As part of this process, they will decide whether wild horses keep or lose their protections from mass killing and slaughter. It the vote goes the wrong way, as many 92,000 of these cherished and innocent animals could be killed.
We need you to call your Senators right now and kindly ask them to tell the Appropriations Committee to ensure that 2018 Interior Department spending legislation INCLUDES prohibitions on the destruction of healthy wild horses and their sale for slaughter.
The bill reported out of Committee will form the basis for negotiations on final budget adopted in December. So, even though the budget is unlikely to be confirmed until December, next week’s debate could very well be the deciding factor in whether America’s wild horses roam free or are destroyed.
So please keep the pressure on your Senators!
Thank you for fighting for what’s right,
Suzanne Roy
Tell House Lawmakers to Push Bi-Partisan PAST Act
The following is from the American Horse Council:
Since Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL) re-introduced the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act of 2017 (H.R. 1847) in the spring, more than 250 Democrat and Republican lawmakers – or nearly 60 percent of the entire House of Representatives – have signed on to co-sponsor this important legislation. Thanks to your continued advocacy, your representative has heard your voice and agreed to co-sponsor the PAST Act. As Congress convenes for the fall session, please be sure to take advantage of the momentum you have created by contacting your House lawmaker to thank him for his support, and encourage final passage of H.R. 1847.
As you know, H.R. 1847 will strengthen the Horse Protection Act and finally end the soring of Tennessee Walking Horses, Spotted Saddle Horses, and Racking Horses. The American Horse Council, along with most major national horse show organizations and state and local organizations, supports the PAST Act. To send a letter to your House lawmaker urging final passage of the bill, please click below.
This goes live tomorrow
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
The U.S. Senate appropriations committee is voting as early as next week on whether to continue protections for wild horses. The final vote could be used in December’s budget package and lead to the mass slaughter of America’s wild horses.
This is no time to rest. Tomorrow we’re launching a new billboard right outside the airport in Las Vegas. Nevada voters, political leaders and tourists will see our message loud and clear: #NoHorseSlaughter. Since Nevada has over half the nation’s wild horses living within its borders, it’s important to know where its Senators stand.
Can you donate right now to help us keep this billboard up in Vegas?
This comes on the heels of our petition drop last week — when we delivered more than 300,000 petition signatures to Sen. Heller’s Las Vegas office. We were there with nine boxes of signatures, and the local media was there to report on our movement in action.
Tomorrow, we’re also launching a billboard in Phoenix. But with votes expected as early as next week, we’re hoping to expand our advertising and grassroots pressure.Please donate now, and we’ll be in touch with you in the next 48 hours with other ways you can help during this critical stretch.
For the horses,
Suzanne Roy
Update
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
Last week, President Trump reached a deal with Congress to provide a short-term, 3-month budget extension.
Good or bad news for horses? The answer is neither. The final votes to allow or stop slaughter are now delayed until early-December.
This delay does NOT mean we can let up between now and then. The Administration is still pushing for a policy of mass slaughter of America’s wild horses. The appropriations debates in Congress are ongoing. Given the House bill’s inclusion of horse slaughter language, it is absolutely critical that the Senate produce a bill that protects horses from mass killing and slaughter. Then we’ll have a fighting chance of prevailing when the House and Senate negotiate final spending legislation.
The Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee could vote on the Interior spending bill as early as next week. So NOW is the time to contact your Senators to weigh in to protect wild horses and burros!
Tell them to OPPOSE any 2018 spending legislation that would allow for the killing or sale for slaughter of healthy wild horses and burros.
Then click here to follow up your call with an email your U.S. Senators.
Let’s keep up the pressure. Our petition has more than 300,000 signatures, and today we’re delivering it to Senator Dean Heller’s office in Las Vegas. We’re placing stories in publications across the country, and our team is in Washington D.C. meeting with legislators. You can support us right now by following up your call with an email to your Senators.
Keep it up!
-Suzanne Roy
P.S. We’re now also facing the reality of a longer campaign. Our hope is to sustain the same size and intensity of our campaign through the December votes. Your donations are needed to help us do it. Please contribute now.
URGENT HELP NEEDED! – CHILLY PEPPER ON STANDBY FOR UP TO 50+ FOALS
The following is from Chilly Pepper – Miracle Mustang:
Well they just keep coming. I received an urgent call last night about 5 foals ready to ship up in Washington State. I spoke with the gentlemen this morning and he will be calling in the next few days to arrange a time for us to pick them up. (Providing we can raise the funds necessary to keep saving these lives.) We are also on standby from our other folks in WA as well.
The larger number of babies, which at this point is 30 – 60 weanlings, will need to be picked up in CA, by September 17 or around that time. As usual in our world, there are no “for sures” with the exception of the fact that there will be a very large number of babies to save. We won’t know how many or how much help there will be. These babies lives will be at stake so we are hoping that y’all are on board to save them. At this time, we are really strapped from the last batch of 49 Yakama kids and the orphans from NV.The gelding of the stallions was not quite covered and the total bill was around $3300+. This included Nya’s vet visit and her blood draw.Unfortunately the wilder ones generate so much adrenaline that they require larger amounts of medication, and that medication is extremely expensive.
a blow
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
Last night, the House Rules Committee defied the overwhelming will of the American people and voted to block an amendment to stop the slaughter of America’s wild horses.
It’s a setback but far from a done deal.
Will you contact your Senators now and tell them: #NoHorseSlaughter — protect America’s wild horses?
Our team is tracking every possible legislative path forward. In short — it’s complicated. We could block this in the U.S. Senate, or the entire appropriations process could be abandoned for what’s called a “continuing resolution.” Trust that we’ll be tracking every possibility, and activating our movement to pressure Congress to the right targets and at the right moments.
The House Rules Committee sided with the BLM and the special interests, defying sound science and the will of 80% of Americans who oppose the slaughter of America’s wild horses. But we do want to thank our champions who stood with us in the fight, including Rep. Dina Titus for her leadership in offering this amendment, Reps. Peter King and Carlos Curbelo for adding bipartisan support, Rep. Michalle Lujan Grisham for her steadfast opposition to horse slaughter, and Rep. Jared Polis who persisted as our opponents tried to bury the vote.
While this setback stings, our broader efforts are gaining momentum. We’re meeting with swing legislators on the Hill, getting more and more press attention, and launching ad and advocacy campaigns in swing states. We can win this.
Thanks for everything,
– Suzanne Roy
AHC News-Summer 2017
The following is from the American Horse Council:
Congress Must Address Federal Funding Before Moving to Major Agenda Items
As Congress returns from their August recess, they will immediately consider a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the federal government beyond September 30, which marks the end of the current fiscal year
American Horse Council Makes Changes to Governance Structure
The following is from the American Horse Council:
American Horse Council Makes Changes to Governance Structure
American Horse Council (AHC) President Julie Broadway and the AHC Board of Trustees are pleased to announce two governance changes to the AHC’s Board effective 2018.
The current 15-person Board of Trustees of the AHC is made up of individuals representing organizations that hold AHC Organizational Memberships at the “Strategic” level*. These organizations include The Jockey Club, American Association of Equine Practitioners, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, US Trotting Association, US Equestrian Federation, Thoroughbred Racing Association of North America, and the American Quarter Horse Association. Starting in January 2018, the AHC Board will add two “at large” seats.
The first “at large” seat will be filled by the current Chair of the Coalition of State Horse Councils. The second “at large” seat will be determined by applications.
In January the AHC President will call for applicants for the second “at large” seat from current AHC member organizations to serve a maximum two year term on the AHC Board. Only member organizations paying dues at the level designated for their size organization are eligible. Applicant’s organization must be willing to commit to the time needed to serve on the board and cover expenses necessary to attend meetings, etc.
In March the Board will review all applicants and elect a trustee based upon: 1) the need for that sector of industry to have a voice not currently represented by sitting trustees, and 2) the individual’s background and knowledge of the equine industry.
As part of the AHC’s strategic plan, a task force was formed to review the organization’s overall governance structure and ensure relevancy and best practices. Based upon their research it was recommended that additional voices and perspectives would be beneficial. The AHC is looking forward to these additions to the board and would like to express its appreciation to the Governance Task Force and Membership Task Force for their research and input.
As the national organization representing the equine industry in Washington, DC, the AHC strives to be inclusive while ensuring the board is a manageable size and the trustees are strongly committed to AHC’s mission. The AHC feels these additions will serve us well as we look ahead at challenges facing the equine industry.
To learn more about the AHC’s governance and opportunities to participate on ad hoc committees, task forces and standing committees go towww.horsecouncil.org/goverance.
*to view the organizational membership levels available, click here
Read on AHC Website
Votes tomorrow?
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
If the current Appropriations bill is passed unchanged, America’s wild horses could drop to near extinction levels. The bill, as written, would lead to the mass killing of healthy wild horses and burros in holding and on the range.It would be a tragic and unprecedented mass slaughter.
Thankfully, a bipartisan amendment has been offered to stop this cruel policy before it begins. With a vote expected as soon as tomorrow, we need you to contact your Congressperson right now:
When you call your Representative, tell them:
- Vote YES on the Titus/King/Polis/Curbelo/Lujan Grisham Amendment to protect wild horses
- Vote YES on the Buchanan/Roybal-Allard/Royce/Blumenauer Amendment to stop horse slaughter
Votes this week may very well decide the fate of wild horses and burros in this country. If the amendment votes go against us and the appropriations bill passes, we could see horse slaughter plants opening and new mass killing of wild horses and burros beginning on the range and in holding pens. It’s unthinkable. And we have to stop it.
Call and email your Representative right now.
Thank you,
-Suzanne Roy
P.S. Your donations help us expand and sustain our campaign to protect wild horses, as we put up TV ads and billboards and intensify our advocacy and education efforts. Please donate now.
SYALER eNewsletter
The following is from Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue:
Ears the news…
It seems as though summer is in a hurry to leave. This morning was downright chilly. Fall is definitely in the air. The donkeys and mules feel it too. There has been a lot of running and bucking and farting happening in the pasture today. I have been getting calls from folks who are going to be needing to surrender their animals before winter comes. We have had a good summer for adopting out animals, with three donkeys and the adorable mini horse we have going to their new home shortly.
We have five animals in the rescue currently, four standard donkeys and a hinny, who all need a lot more training/handling/behavioral work done with them before they will be ready to be put up for adoption. We work with them almost daily, but it’s been slow going with this group. I am confident that they will come around in time, but in the mean time they need to eat and have their feet trimmed and receive veterinary care and it’s putting a strain on our bank account.
CHILLY PEPPER UPDATE – NEWEST ORPHAN NEEDS LOTS OF HELP
The following is from Chilly Pepper – Miracle Mustang:
Meet “Nya”, our latest “critical” orphan. We picked her up on Tuesday in Fernley, NV. I have to say she might win the contest for “worst physical condition” since Honeybandit. She is an absolute love, but starved to the point where she could have organ damage.
However, she is improving a teeny tiny bit every day. She did not leave the nursery or her air conditioner for the first several days, and is fighting some sort of internal issue. She has a cough and is here fighting for a chance to survive, thanks to Anne Hall and Anna Orchard, who pulled her in the nick of time.
Her temperature was all over the place, including a fever of 103+ when she came in to a low temp of 97. But we are watching her like a hawk and what we are seeing so far is positive. She needs lots of prayers and special groceries obviously.
We placed 9 of the 15 orphans we had, and then received an emergency call to pick up up 2 4-year old mares, prior to picking up Nya.
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