Today, AWHC officially launched our new webinar series ‘Wild Horse 101.’
The response was incredible! In fact, so many people RSVP’d and tried to join the webinar that we quickly hit capacity for the maximum number of viewers on the platform.
Many of you reached out to us — that you couldn’t view the webinar as a result or wanted to participate but were busy at the time of the viewing.
That’s why we wanted to make the webinar available to you here to view so you can watch it without any issues and at your leisure.
↓ Watch Today’s Webinar ↓
Thank you for helping make the launch of our webinar a success and we wanted to apologize for any technical issues or confusion for those who tried to join but were not able to.
We appreciate your patience and are thankful to count you among our supporters!
We’ll be the first to say it: It can be difficult to stay up to speed with the complex issues affecting our nation’s wild horses and burros. With so many federal agencies, acronyms and applicable laws, it’s easy to get confused.
That’s why we’re going to break it down for you TOMORROW, April 30, with the launch of our ‘Wild Horses 101’ webinar series. You can RSVP here.
We’ll be discussing the origins of wild horses in the Americas, Wild Horse Annie and the beginning of the movement to save America’s wild horses, some of the major policies and proposals being implemented and considered by the Bureau of Land Management, and so much more!
We want this to be an interactive and engaging experience, so during the webinar, you will have the chance to ask questions and we’d be glad to answer them.
We hope to hear from you and look forward to speaking with you all,
American Wild Horse Campaign
P.S. — If you already registered before the webinar was postponed, you do not need to register again.
Last week, we lost one of our most beloved AAE heroes.
Rusty has been such a beloved symbol of AAE for so long.
He taught so many people about the kindness of horses, the greatness of horses,
the mystery of horses, and the strength of horses.
He held gently so many of our hearts, and some more than others.
Rusty came to us way back in 2010 from his own hero,
his amazing mom that was in the military reserves and facing deployment.
She was also dealing with some financial challenges and
wanted only the best for her special guy.
She worried about his fate when she’d be gone for an extended time.
AAE welcomed this lovely ol’ guy with open arms.
Rusty was 24.
Rusty had already experienced a full life.
As best I recall 10 years later, he had started on the Arabian Horse racing circuit,
then dabbled in various disciplines in the arena before moving on to “happy trails”.
When he first came to us, he participated in a small riding lesson program with one of our founding fosters.
He transitioned to AAE where he became a fixture in our New Volunteer Orientation program and
various Youth programs while waiting for his forever home.
After what we thought was going to be the perfect home passed on him,
we realized how much he meant to AAE, and AAE was meant to be his forever.
Fortunately, Rusty lived a good life at AAE. He had few problems, he was an easy-keeper, and
his youthful and swanky spirit captured the hearts of many.
Rusty put the exclamation mark at after “senior horses are so special”!
Rusty, Sparky, Finn, and LoneStar were a dream team. Ruby was his special lady.
Rusty was 34. He made the decision. He left us during the night, on his terms.
No goodbyes to us. No goodbyes from us.
We’re all so broken-hearted. Goodbye special guy.
You touched our world in so many unspoken ways, and
we’re all so grateful you’ve left us with so many memories.
We’ll remember you forever, Rust.
Love you, ol’ man!
Oh My, A New Tractor, Thank You!
Balancing the sad news, we have some wonderful news.
AAE received a really special gift; one that will make so much of our “hard” work so much more achievable and with much less of the “heavy” burden, especially looking forward to working with our new property.
THANK YOU, Dick and Sue L.!
It’s already been put to good use, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
This is such an immeasurable representation of your love of AAE and your long support and dedication to
the health and happiness of our horses (and all of our humans).
Thank YOU, Thank YOU, Thank YOU!!!
Remember to select All About Equine Animal Rescue, Inc. as your charity of choice,
AmazonSmile donates to AAE with every purchase, at no cost to you!
This is a FREE and EASY way YOU can help raise funds for AAE.
As many of you know, we have a continuing need to expand store hours.
TACK STORE SUPPORT
We need more help staff the store on Wednesday afternoons, 2p-6p, can you help?
We would also like to expand our daily hours.
Fri to Mon 10-12 and 2-6. With enough help, we can split the shifts, 10a to 2p and 2p to 6p.
Likewise, Tues-Thurs, we’d like to add 10a to 2p.
If you’re interested in helping with tack store activities (e.g. cleaning donated tack, researching/pricing, organizing/merchandising, blanket/tack repairs, picking up tack donations, helping customers, sharing AAE info, admin support, and more), we need you.
Current store hours are Fri-Mon 12-4p, and recently added Tues/Thurs hours 2-6p.
We can always use help during any of the current hours, too.
Please email us if you are interested/available Tues, Wed, or Thurs afternoons, 2-6p.
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
If you are available to help with administrative activities, we are creating admin hours in the office at the store. We have a variety of administrative tasks we need help getting done.
Please email us if you are interested/available Tues, Wed, or Thurs afternoons, 2p-6p.
BOOTS & BLING 2020
We postponed off our Boots & Bling event, but will need help planning as soon as we set a new date. The event includes a catered BBQ Dinner, DJ Music and Dancing, Live/Silent/Dessert auctions, and line dancing with instruction. We need help in most areas for planning for this event to make sure its a huge success for AAE and our horses.
Please email us if you are interested in helping with Boots & Bling.
Once we resume, we will meet once a month until the event.
SPECIAL PROJECTS AROUND THE BARN
Maybe you’d like to help around the barn, but don’t want to work directly with the horses,
or you don’t like to muck?
We could use some daily to weekly to monthly help cleaning and organizing, whether it’s the feed room, the meds room, the office, the tools, groundskeeping, painting shelters, monitoring the fencelines, dump runs, tree trimming, coordinating vehicle maintenance, or a zillion other things.
There’s so much that needs to be done, and we can use extra hands to help keep things looking nice and clean.
Please email us if you are interested/available during regular barn shifts,
Mon-Sat 8a-noon, Sun 9a-1p or afternoons 3p-6p.
Daily Horse Care, especially pm shifts (Daily 8a-12p or 3p-6p)
Used Tack Store Support, all areas (Fri – Mon, 12-4p, possibly T, W, Th 2-6p)
Barn/Facility Maintenance
Foster Homes, Long-Term Foster/Sanctuary Homes
Capital Campaign Support
Board Members
Fundraising/Events
Grants – Writing and Research
Volunteer, Project, and Activity Coordinators
Outreach Activities
Youth Programs
Therapy Programs
Veteran Programs
Special Projects
Admin Support
Marketing
Graphics
Social Media
Bloggers
Photographers
Media and/or Photo Librarian
More, more, more
Interested in volunteering or volunteering in other areas?
This past weekend, AWHC launched a major initiative, #KeepWyWyld, as part of our national effort to prevent the Bureau of Land Management from moving forward with a plan known as The Wyoming Wild Horse Wipeout.
If it moves forward, irreversible damage will be done to Wyoming’s cherished wild horses and half of the state’s wild horse habitat will be gone for good.
That’s why I’m reaching out to you now. Since launching this initiative just last week, the outpouring of support has been incredible. In fact, it’s exceeding all of our expectations.
But if we’re going to succeed and save these horses, then we all need to do our part and we don’t have much time. Which is why we’ve outlined five ways you can get involved and provided an update on how we’re tracking toward our goals ahead of the April 30 deadline for public comments.
Here Are 5 Ways You Can #KeepWyomingWyld This Weekend
April 30 is the deadline to submit public comments in opposition to the Bureau of Land Management’s Wyoming Wild Horse Wipeout proposal, which would result in more than 3,000 wild horses being rounded up and permanently removed from public lands.
That gives us less than ONE week to PROVE to the BLM that the American people oppose this devastating mustang eradication plan.
Wyoming’s tourism slogan is “Don’t Fence Me In,” and the state’s iconic wild horses symbolize that sentiment. In fact, the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop in the Checkerboard is promoted by the state’s tourism boards as “something you and your family will never forget because Sweetwater County’s cherished wild horses are living examples of a wide-open landscape and untamed frontier spirit.”
Incredibly, the BLM’s plan would eradicate every single wild horse from the viewing loop, fencing these symbols of the wide open West in dismal feedlots!
Write to Wyoming’s tourism boards here and ask them to join our efforts to prevent the destruction of the iconic Wyoming Checkerboard mustangs.
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has the power to oppose and potentially change the course of the Wyoming Wild Horse Wipeout. In fact, his state is looking to purchase a large chunk of these lands from Occidental Petroleum and could designate the area as a recreational resource in which wild horses are protected.
Take part in AWHC’s national petition drive to demonstrate the immense public pressure in opposition to the eradication of Wyoming’s wild horses.
If we’re going to save these horses, then we need to get everyone involved, including our friends, family, and coworkers.
So many people who love wild horses aren’t aware of what’s at stake in Wyoming — And just a couple minutes of their time can make a difference.
Add a frame to your Facebook profile picture in support of Wyoming’s wild horses here
Change your Facebook cover photo and upload Instagram stories in support of the horses here
Start a Tweet storm and get people talking on Twitter about this issue here
Our legal team has been heavily involved in fighting back against attempts by the BLM and the livestock industry to round up tens of thousands of wild horses, permanently remove them from public lands, and perform dangerous sterilization surgeries on mares. We’ve been fighting the attempt to eradicate the Wyoming Checkerboard horses since 2011.
Not only have we achieved a number of important legal protections but also our legal team has scored victories in fourteen separate lawsuits filed over the last nine years!
Our veterinarian, Greg Farrand, came to do a health check on Chasity the day after she arrived. She obviously needs a lot of core strength work, but it will improve her health and keep her occupied while she is in quarantine. Simple core strength leading lessons will have a dramatic effect on her overall health and welfare both physically and mentally. Wrangler looks on with interest as the vet surveys her condition.
He thought because of her enlarged, fallen crested neck and all the fatty deposits over her body that she may have foundered. But her feet were in pretty good shape…no stress rings from founder.
She did have Borium shoes on the front feet (maybe previously used for parades on asphalt?). They were inordinately grown out and her hooves behind were also a bit long in the heels. She was definitely out of balance.
When we looked at her udder, we noticed that she had possibly been nursing before she came to us. She had what looked like milk dripping from extended teats and dried fluid caked on the insides of her legs.
She has cataracts starting in her eyes which made her a bit head shy…
…but, her teeth had just been floated and they were good.
Her posture is terrible with substantial Lordosis (sway back) even though she is only 13 years old! She exhibits the posture of a jennet after several foals. Her fallen, crested neck will be another challenge. However, she is a very sweet and cooperative girl! She is obviously the victim of some negligence… intentional or not.
When Chasity begins her lessons, we will be employing a reward system of training called “Behavior Modification.” This is a more complex way of training than Clicker Training in that your voice is an important communication element that fully engages the animal’s attention and promotes a more intimate bond between you. She has already been exposed to this training process by asking her to come to be haltered, follow at my shoulder and to stand quietly for the veterinarian. It is the simple beginning to a lifetime of good manners.
When we train, we carry the crimped oats reward in a fanny pack around the waist. When the equine knows you have them, they don’t try to run off and are willing to follow you anywhere. Animals need to be rewarded for the good things they do with more than just a pat on the neck to insure that their good behaviors will be repeated. Food is the animal’s ultimate payment for doing a good job. You just need to learn what food is best to use and how to dispense rewards appropriately for the best results. For equines, the food is crimped (rolled, cracked, or steamed) oats. Contrary to popular belief, the equine that is rewarded with crimped oats is less likely to bite than one that does not get the practice of taking them gently from your hand. Your equine will always continue to work for a reward of crimped oats and the oats will give your equine the extra energy he needs during training. Carrots and other “treats” do not work the same way and will not yield the same results.
The most important thing when training your equine is to learn to dispense the crimped oats reward promptly and generously in the beginning, and only when your equine is complying. This will solidify the connection between you, insure that the positive behaviors will be repeated, and will begin to facilitate a strong, and mutually satisfying relationship. If your equine tries to pull away, just let go of the rope (if he is already haltered), call his name, reach in your fanny pack and offer the oats to coax him to return to you. Do not chase him! Be patient and do not try to progress through lessons too quickly as this is usually what causes disobedience.
It will take some time to strengthen Chasity’s core (the muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue that support the skeletal frame), get her into good equine posture so her joints work properly and obtain her trust, but I see no reason that it cannot be done…and I am pretty sure I can do it!
The future of the Wyoming Checkerboard wild horse herds is in danger. The Bureau of Land Management’s proposed Wyoming Wild Horse Wipeout would result in the state losing more than HALF of its wild horse habitat.
Nearly 40% of the state’s wild horse population would be roundup and removed from the wild — all to allow the livestock industry and private ranchers to replace them with cattle and sheep after targeting the state’s wild horses for elimination for years.
That’s why on this Earth Day, we’ve set the 24-hour goal of raising $10,000 toward the AWHC Wyoming Legal Defense Fund.
We know this is a difficult time and many of you are not in a position to donate right now.
But at a time when the BLM is threatening to round up as many as 20,000 wild horses per year and proposing the eradication of Wyoming’s Checkerboard horses, your support is what allows us to: continue spreading the word about this cruel and costly plan, organize throughout the country in support of America’s wild horses, fight back in the courts through our legal team, operate the world’s largest humane fertility control program for wild horses, and so much more.
P.S. — We’ve gone to court three times to defend the Wyoming Checkerboard horses — and each time we’ve won. Now we’re gearing up for a fourth legal battle … and this one is literally the last stand for these iconic mustangs. Please help if you can.
We introduced Cody earlier this year, and look at him now. Cody is a 1999 Arabian gelding that came to AAE after long-time family health issues with his owner and the passing of his caretaker. When Cody arrived at AAE, he was very under weight and in much need of dental care. After intake, he was put on a pellet diet. All of his basic needs were updated including dental and farrier care, vaccines, dewormer and a new microchip.
Cody enjoys people, loves grooming and attention. He has been getting a refresher with his ground manners, as he can be a bit pushy. He appears sound, and he enjoys working! He has been ridden lightly a handful of times, walk, trot, canter, but needs some conditioning and rebuilding before asking much more. He seems to know how to move off the leg, and seems to be generally calm, quiet, and easy. Cody is ready for his new home. He could be a fun restart project for an experienced person; he’s not suitable for a beginner at this time.
It is because of the support from our volunteer and donors that horses like Cody get a second chance. Your donations makes a difference!
Save the Date, May 7, 2020, for the Sacramento Region Community Foundation’s Big Day of Giving! This year there are 615 nonprofit participating! We are excited to be a part of this community grown
24 hour giving challenge!
This comes during a time of great uncertainty, especially for horses like Cody,
and your support is more important than ever.
Your donation will assure Cody and our other horses continue to receive the level of care they need.
We understand many have been impacted by COVID-19, but our horses are counting on your support!
Commit to GIVE today! You can schedule your gift today, make a one time gift,
At the beginning of this week, we reached out to you about a devastating plan being proposed that represents an existential threat to Wyoming’s wild horses.
The stakes have never been higher for Wyoming’s Checkerboard wild horse herd: Over 3,000 of them could be rounded up and removed from public lands while nearly 2.5 MILLION acres of wild horse habitat could be permanently eliminated.
Here Are 5 Ways You Can #KeepWyomingWyld This Weekend
April 30 is the deadline to submit public comments in opposition to the Bureau of Land Management’s Wyoming Wild Horse Wipeout proposal.
That gives us less than two weeks to PROVE to the BLM that the American people oppose this devastating mustang eradication plan.
Wyoming’s tourism slogan is “Don’t Fence Me In,” and the state’s iconic wild horses symbolize that sentiment. In fact, the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop in the Checkerboard is promoted by the state’s tourism boards as “something you and your family will never forget because Sweetwater County’s cherished wild horses are living examples of a wide-open landscape and untamed frontier spirit.”
Incredibly, the BLM’s plan would eradicate every single wild horse from the viewing loop, fencing these symbols of the wide open West in dismal feedlots!
Write to Wyoming’s tourism boards here and ask them to join our efforts to prevent the destruction of the iconic Wyoming Checkerboard mustangs.
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has the power to oppose and potentially change the course of the Wyoming Wild Horse Wipeout. In fact, his state is looking to purchase a large chunk of these lands from Occidental Petroleum and could designate the area as a recreational resource in which wild horses are protected.
Take part in AWHC’s national petition drive to demonstrate the immense public pressure in opposition to the eradication of Wyoming’s wild horses.
If we’re going to save these horses, then we need to get everyone involved, including our friends, family, and coworkers.
So many people who love wild horses aren’t aware of what’s at stake in Wyoming — And just a couple minutes of their time can make a difference.
Add a frame to your Facebook profile picture in support of Wyoming’s wild horses here
Change your Facebook cover photo and upload Instagram stories in support of the horses here
Start a Tweet storm and get people talking on Twitter about this issue here
Our legal team has been heavily involved in fighting back against attempts by the BLM and the livestock industry to round up tens of thousands of wild horses, permanently remove them from public lands, and perform dangerous sterilization surgeries on mares. We’ve been fighting the attempt to eradicate the Wyoming Checkerboard horses since 2011.
Not only have we achieved a number of important legal protections but also our legal team has scored victories in fourteen separate lawsuits filed over the last nine years!
White House Releases Guidelines to Re-Open the U.S. Economy
On Thursday, April 16, the White House released “Guidelines for Opening Up America Again,” a 20-page document outlining a tiered and regionally-based roadmap to get back to business. The guidelines are voluntary and authorize governors to implement either state-wide, or “county by county” timetables for easing restrictions on personal and commercial mobility. Importantly, the guidelines establish so-called “gating criteria,” enumerating health-based benchmarks that serve as a prerequisite for different classes of business establishments to re-open.
Mass gatherings including racing events and horse shows would fall under “Phase 3,” which Administration officials are identifying as a state of relative control over risks associated with COVID-19 exposure. Talks between various private sector stakeholder advisory committees are underway to discuss tactics to comply with the spirit of the guidelines while limiting potential tort liability arising from new risks. These advisory committees include horse industry partners in the agriculture and sports communities. AHC will share details related to next steps as they unfold. To view a copy of the guidelines, go to the following link: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Guidelines-for-Opening-Up-America-Again.pdf.
We’re all doing a lot of video conferences so here’s a novel idea .
INVITE A HORSE TO YOUR NEXT CORPORATE MEETING OR VIDEO CALL
Need a fresh face to brighten up your video conference meetings? Want a fun experience for an online Happy Hour? Looking for a virtual tour? The Pennsylvania Equine Rescue & Retirement Foundation
Ambassadors Penn & Penny are here for you.
CALL TODAY!! 724-777-4747 or EMAIL!! info@perrf.org
We’ve got a number of great options.
Check out our COVID-19 Resources for
Horse Owners, Non-Profits, Equine Businesses, and Industry Employees – PLUS state specific resources
at
Since enactment of the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act on March 27, the Small Business Administration (SBA) on Thursday, April 16 depleted $350 billion of loan commitments under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), hitting the maximum amount authorized by the massive economic relief package. Because Congress is officially out of session until Monday, May 4, lawmakers would have to pass legislation to authorize additional funds under rigid “pro forma” procedures prior to that date. Last week, the Senate passed in pro forma session a narrow bill adding $250 billion to the PPP. The House, however, rejected the proposal, and countered with a bill that would authorize $250 billion to fund municipal governments and hospital networks, in addition to Paycheck Protection aid. The Senate subsequently rejected the House proposal, initiating behind-the-scenes talks to move past the stalemate. With both chambers having reached an impasse on specific dollar amounts and the scope of additional economic aid, a near-term path forward remains uncertain.
Much of the confusion arising from Paycheck Protection stems from the two-tiered roll out for loan eligibility. On April 3, the SBA began processing loans for small businesses and sole proprietors. A week later, on April 10, the agency opened the program to independent contractors and the self-employed, thereby extending the program to large segments of the horse industry. SBA had not previously operated large-scale loan programs for these two classes of borrowers, therefor creating an environment of uncertainty for borrowers and lenders.
Many members of the horse industry have reported long waiting times from their banks to learn details related to their applications. To give perspective on the bottlenecks, the Administration reported earlier this week that it had processed approximately 1.4 million applications and disbursed slightly over $70 billion to banks. While policymakers intend the program to operate on a “first come, first served” basis, the depletion of funds should not necessarily dissuade potential borrowers from moving forward with an application. Many banks, especially larger institutions including Wells Fargo, for example, have stated that they will continue to process Paycheck Protection loans, pending additional funds from Congress. AHC will continue to keep members informed of guidance and developments related to small business loans and other economic relief measures. For a detailed overview of Paycheck Protection, go to the following link: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP%20–%20Overview.pdf.
Survey COVID-19 Economic Impact on Equine Industry
___________________________________________
The American Horse Council is conducting a brief survey (14 questions which take less than 10 minutes) to determine the economic impacts of COVID-19 on the equine industry. We would very much appreciate your assistance with collecting this information. The only thing you need to have handy is your total horse related income and expenses for March 2019 and March 2020 so we have some comparison.
It’s important to note that for statistical reasons we are sending this survey to a predetermined 1,000 people. Please do NOT forward this or share this survey with others as statisticians will be scaling the responses and we must preserve the sample size .This survey will close April 20, 2020, and depending on the pandemics length we will reissue each month to get up to date numbers and data. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AHCCOVID19Impact
Thank you. Be well and Be Safe. #HorseStrong
National resource database
available to help at-risk horses.
UHC has pushed up the release of its resource database questionnaire in the wake of COVID-19, in an effort to compile a listing of all known safety net programs available in the nation to help owners who are in need, as well as the rescues and sanctuaries that help them. It is our hope, that by having one centrally located area to access these resources, we will help owners keep their horses from becoming at-risk during these trying times.
The AHC News is provided to you as a benefit of your AHC membership, and we hope you find the articles informative and useful. While the AHC does grant permission for newsletter articles to be passed on, we hope you will encourage those you are sharing the articles and information with to join the AHC so they can stay informed and up-to-date!
Permission to pass on the AHC News articles to your members, readers, or others is granted on the condition that it is forwarded in its original form or directly linked with the AHC logo and a link to the AHC website.
Once again I hope this finds you safe and healthy. Our prayers go out for all the families in crisis.
Thank you so much for your love and support. Your donations make it possible to keep on doing our work, even in the midst of the Pandemic.Sadly, (but understandably), as the Pandemic increases, folks doing rescue are all seeing their budgets decreasing.So we want to send out an extra special THANK YOU to you for helping us keep saving lives.
Sadly, the slaughter trucks have not missed a beat, and are still continuing to roll.
BRUISER UPDATE! PTL!! Our beautiful little boy had something in that beautiful head click. I think his wires all came together. He is now drinking his milk without issue. I no longer have to give him 2 shots a day, and he is rocking his little world. Obviously he could still crash, but it appears to be much less likely than before – woohooo!!!
THANK YOU FROM BRUISER – for hanging in there and never giving up!
Sending prayers for all of y’all out there.
We also have great news about the little baby we had at the feedlot. Little Lona was transferred to Mama Mel’s, and then picked up by Bev Boshart. She is one of our amazing Chilly Pepper Family, and her rescue has taken 2 foals last year and hooked them up with a Mama and she took on the one we just rescued. Yes, she did it again. Lona now has her own horsey Mama. We are so grateful to Bev for all she does. It’s Teamwork that makes the Dream work!
Please stay safe out there and keep us in your prayers. Rescue never stops. Even though the funding has slowed down, we have not. So THANK YOU AGAIN for your wonderful donations.
Destiny is doing well. The clay is working and her wound is healing wonderfully!
I understand many folks are in financial crisis. If you are not in a position to safely donate, please just share this information.
Below, Bruiser feeling good! LuLu is also doing great and getting chubby, lol.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KEEP HELPING US SAVE MORE LIVES, YOU CAN GO TO:
WIN (WILD HORSES IN NEED) is a 501c3 IRS EIN 55-0882407_
If there are ever funds left over from the cost of the rescue itself, the monies are used to feed, vet, care for and provide shelter and proper fencing for the animals once they are saved.
With the empty stall and run next to Wrangler, we now had space to consider getting him a new companion. I checked with a friend in Oklahoma and we found Chasity! What a lovely “Lady!” My friend said she was a really FORWARD moving jennet with a lot of independence and enthusiasm. We thought she would be the perfect companion for Wrangler!
Chasity was delivered on 3-30-20 and the introductions began while she was in quarantine in a space where she could see Wrangler, but they could not reach each other.
They played with excitement back and forth along the fence line for a bit!
Then Wrangler had to come to me and tell me and Chad all about what a beautiful girl he had found! He was SO EXCITED!!!
Then Wrangler returned to the fence where they ran back and forth together for quite some time!
They were clearly VERY interested in each other! Love was in bloom!
Chasity does have issues, but will be fed and maintained the same way we do with all of our equines. Many feeds can cause hypertension in Longears (and horses, too!) and an inability to focus for any length of time. Mules and donkeys require a lot less feed than horses because they are half donkey and donkeys are desert animals. Too much feed or the wrong kind of feed and you run the risk of skin irritations, abscesses, colic, or founder. The formula for our oats mix fed once a day with grass hay morning and evening is very simple and produces amazing results.
Depending on the individual, we feed the average sized equines (13 hands to 17 hands) 1-1/2 to 2 cups of oats mixed with 1 oz. of Sho Glo by Manna Pro and 1 oz. of Mazola corn oil. Draft animals (over 17 hands) get twice as much and the minis get 1/4 (small minis under 36 inches) to 1/2 (36 to 48 inches) cup. We monitor weight gain and loss by decreasing and increasing the their hay intake and turnout time. A maximum of 2 cups of oats for an average sized animal (usually during the winter) is all they need. We give them oats as rewards from a fanny pack around our waist during their lessons when they actually need the added energy. The oats must be broken open in some way (crimped, steamed, rolled, etc.) as equines cannot digest whole oats. A neglected animal with coarse hair will show a drastic difference in the hair coat within four days. This feed and exercise program together will make a dramatic change in the overall body shape within six months!
If you alter or modify this regimen with other products, you will not get the same results. I make sure the equines have free access to a trace mineral salt blocks (red block) for their mineral needs. We worm with Ivermectin paste wormer in January, March, May, July and September and break the cycle with Strongid in November. When regular worming is done, the Ivermectin will kill tape worm larva, so they cease to be a problem. We vaccinate in the spring and give boosters in the fall. Consult your veterinarian to know the types of vaccines you will need for your specific area. I never feed Longears (donkeys, or mules, or even my horses) any pre-mixed sweet feeds, or excessive alfalfa products. I feed pelleted Sho Glo because it is such a small amount and provides adequate daily nutrition. Feeding larger amounts of dehydrated feeds and supplements can increase the risk of choking. You cannot add enough water to prevent them from sucking fluid from the digestive tract. Equines, and particularly pregnant equines, should not be turned out on Fescue grass. Our pastures are brome and orchard grass which seems best, although Timothy and Coastal hay are okay for Longears if this grass mix is no available. Pregnant equines we feed grass hay only from six weeks before foaling to six weeks after foaling after which their oats mix can be resumed.
Chasity will be kept in quarantine with no direct interaction with the other equines for 30 days.
Then, she will be kept in a stall and run right next to Wrangler for evening feedings, overnight and for morning feedings for one week before they can go to turnout together in the same area. Feeding in a smaller, dry lot, or stall and run, and monitoring turnout has several benefits:
Each animal can easily be checked daily for any injuries or anomalies. It promotes bonding.
Each animal will not have to fight for his food, can sleep uninterrupted and be more calm and refreshed each day.
You can do turnout at specific times for grazing during the day, and bring them back easily each night because they will know their oats are waiting for them. When you feed the oats mix in the evenings, it makes it easier to call them back from shortened pasture time in the spring (they have to work into extended pasture time slowly and over several weeks).
You can monitor grazing intake so there will not be over-grazing. This minimizes the risk of colic, or founder (Longears should not be on pasture more than five hours a day, and only one hour a day for minis, starting with shorter periods of time in the spring).
The smaller area affords you a confined space for beginning training, so there is no need to chase or be interrupted by other animals.
Your animal will be more apt to come to you easily to be haltered after their morning feeding of grass hay for their lessons only when they know you have fanny pack full of oats for them. You should only need to call them from the gate and never play chase!
) Having this definite routine lets your animal know what to expect and discourages adverse behaviors. If you are inconsistent and break the routine, the results will not be the same.
Chasity is a bit suspicious, awkward and unsure of things now, but we have no doubt about her easy adaptation to our program that will increase her confidence, promote good health as her postural core strength evolves and solidify her new habitual way of moving and resting.
For nearly a decade, the Checkerboard wild horse population has been a top target of the powerful Rock Springs Grazing Association and the livestock industry. Now, the Bureau of Land Management is preparing to bend to their demands and deal a devastating, irreversible blow to Wyoming’s wild horses.
The scope of the proposed plan is unprecedented, and will result in the destruction of the magnificent wild horses of the Wyoming Checkerboard. If we fail to generate a massive show of force, these horses will be lost forever.
Free webinar on COVID-19 Financial Assistance Options
for Horse Owners and Horse Businesses
If you or your business is struggling financially due to COVID-19 related layoffs, closings, or reduced business, join Extensionhorses.org and AHC to learn about some assistance options.
Ashley Harkins from the United Horse Coalition (UHC) provided an overview of UHC and spoke about their resource database of safety net programs including rescues and hay banks for horse owners.
Bryan Brendle from the AHC described some pandemic-related federal assistance programs including unemployment assistance, federal tax rebates, and two small business loans made available by the CARES Act (the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan). He also discussed who qualifies and how to apply for each of these.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have reached all facets of the equine industry including the AHC’s Annual Meeting & National Issues Forum originally scheduled for June 7-10, 2020.
Our host hotel has unfortunately had to furlough a number of staff, and informed us this week that they did not feel they would have adequate resources to address our needs in June.
Please note our new dates are October 25-28, 2020 at The Le Meridien in downtown Denver CO. A revised meeting schedule and agenda will be made available shortly.
Survey COVID-19 Economic Impact on Equine Industry
____________________________________________
The American Horse Council is conducting a brief survey (14 questions which take less than 10 minutes) to determine the economic impacts of COVID-19 on the equine industry. We would very much appreciate your assistance with collecting this information. The only thing you need to have handy is your total horse related income and expenses for March 2019 and March 2020 so we have some comparison.
It’s important to note that for statistical reasons we are sending this survey to a predetermined 1,000 people. Please do NOT forward this or share this survey with others as statisticians will be scaling the responses and we must preserve the sample size .This survey will close April 20, 2020, and depending on the pandemics length we will reissue each month to get up to date numbers and data. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AHCCOVID19Impact
Thank you. Be well and Be Safe. #HorseStrong
National resource database
available to help at-risk horses.
UHC has pushed up the release of its resource database questionnaire in the wake of COVID-19, in an effort to compile a listing of all known safety net programs available in the nation to help owners who are in need, as well as the rescues and sanctuaries that help them. It is our hope, that by having one centrally located area to access these resources, we will help owners keep their horses from becoming at-risk during these trying times.
Two-Week Old CARES Act Unleashes Avalanche of Emergency Loan Applications
Since passage of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act two weeks ago, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has begun to implement one of the law’s signature provisions, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). As reported in a widely circulated edition of AHC’s Tax Bulletin , the CARES Act provides about $350 billion to help bridge payroll, rent and related expenses for small business, non-profits, independent contractors and the self-employed. The loans, capped at $10 million or two and one-half times an employer’s average monthly payroll – whichever sum is smaller – are available to a small business or 501(c)(3) or (19) nonprofit with not more than 500 employees. The SBA is rolling out the program in two steps: on Friday, April 3, the agency began to process applications from small business, sole proprietors, and 501(c)3 and (c)19 corporations.On April 10, the agency will officially extend the program to two new classes of potential borrowers; the self-employed; and independent contractors. The expansion of the pool of eligible borrowers should benefit large segments of the horse industry, including veterinarians, farriers and trainers, among others. Unlike other programs, the SBA will fully forgive any loan made pursuant to the PPP, so long as the borrower uses funds to cover payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent and utilities. Furthermore, federal regulators are requiring that borrowers use at least 75 percent of the loan amounts to cover payroll. SBA is deferring any payments due pursuant to PPP loans for six months. (Continued …)
The SBA is processing an unprecedented volume of applications, creating bottlenecks within the financial system and raising the possibility that the program could run dry in two or three weeks. To help create efficiencies within the process, federal policymakers are considering two options: allowing the Federal Reserve to step in and assist the SBA in disbursing loans directly to banks; and moving legislation that would allocate an additional $250 billion to the program, above the $350 billion authorized by the CARES Act. While the Administration has authority to take immediate action to smooth implementation of Paycheck Protection, authorizing additional billions of dollars will require an act of Congress. This is already proving problematic as lawmakers debate priorities for next steps for COVID-19 relief.
As the federal government better understands the threat COVID19 presents, they continue to provided new updates. As of April 6, the New York Animal Import Center (NYAIC) resumed accepting reservations for import quarantine reservations. Reservations may be made to begin Monday, April 13, 2020. Also, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has extended its Emergency Declaration through May 15th. The declaration can be found here: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency/expanded-emergency-declaration-under-49-cfr-ss-39023-no-2020-002-relating-covid-19 States are continuing to issue their own emergency declarations and it is recommended to check with your state departments of transportation for more information.
We need your help to ask Congress to include associations in the Paycheck Protection Program. The House and Senate are currently negotiating additional funding in response to COVID-19. While associations are included in some of the recently passed CARES Act’s programs , many associations are very concerned that trade and professional associations experiencing severe revenue losses during the current pandemic were excluded from the popular and beneficial Paycheck Protection Program. Over 3,500 associations have signed onto a letter including AHC, AAEP, AQHA and others….
Today is a major milestone for us. One year ago, we signed an agreement with the State of Nevada to launch a PZP fertility control program for the famed Virginia Range wild horse herd in Nevada. It’s now the largest humane wild horse fertility control program in the world.
Our mission was to prove that there is an effective and cost-efficient way to humanely manage wild horse populations without expensive roundups, crowded holding corrals, or dangerous sterilization surgeries.
We’re proud to announce that this program hasn’t just been a success, it has exceeded all expectations. And we wanted to give you an inside look at this historic program as we expand on this work in the months ahead.
↓ Watch The Video ↓
In our program, volunteer darters deliver the safe and effective fertility control vaccine PZP remotely to wild mares on the range. The vaccine is 97% effective in preventing pregnancy and is an excellent tool to keep wild horses in balance with their environment.
And, unlike the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) $81 million-a-year roundup program, our program is cost-effective and most importantly, keeps wild horses where they belong: in the wild.
From the get-go, there were skeptics: “How do you expect to deliver fertility control in such a large wild horse population in such a vast habitat area?”
But we didn’t back down from the challenge. Our team — including our incredible volunteers — worked hard, day-in and day-out. And tens of thousands of you supported this work along the way.
Over the course of this past year, our mostly volunteer team delivered over 1,700 fertility control treatments (primers and boosters) to more than 950 mares in the 300,000-acre Virginia Range. That number represents nearly 80% of the reproductive-age mares in this roughly 3,000-horse mustang population.
The Stunning News? Our team actually OUTPERFORMED the BLM’s own program to administer fertility control!
We didn’t do this alone. This successful effort would not be possible without our village of partners and supporters — the Nevada Department of Agriculture, political and business leaders, including Governor Steve Sisolak, Assemblyman Jim Wheeler, tech company Blockchains LLC and real estate developer Lance Gilman, to local wild horse organizations, our amazing team of dedicated volunteers, and generous supporters like you.
I hope that you feel as proud as I do of this work, our team in Nevada, and what we have all achieved together.
Even as we celebrate these accomplishments, we know that this work is far from over. The BLM and the livestock industry continue to push for a multi-billion dollar plan to round up and remove more than 100,000 wild horses from public lands in the next ten years.
We’ll continue to fight back using every resource at our disposal. And, even during these difficult times for our country, we’ll work to expand our operations in Nevada — home to more than half of the nation’s remaining wild horses — to continue to show that wild horses can be managed humanely and to ensure that America’s mustangs stay wild and free.
Many of us have more time on our hands these days and we wanted to give you some important news and provide some interactive materials about wild horses that you and your family can utilize while staying at home.
A Hard-Earned Victory for California’s Devil’s Garden Wild Horses
Back in 2018, AWHC joined forces with the Animal Legal Defense Fund and California local advocate Carla Bowers to file a lawsuit to stop the U.S. Forest Service from selling California wild horses for slaughter. The horses in question were captured in fall 2018 from the Devil’s Garden Wild Horse Territory in northeast California’s Modoc National Forest.
We’re pleased to report that this litigation blocked the Forest Service from selling the Devil’s Garden wild horses for slaughter, giving Congress time to act.
In December, after U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, 66 members of Congress, and 22 members of the California State Legislature joined the public in opposing the slaughter plan, Congress passed legislation to prohibit the Forest Service from destroying healthy horses and selling them without limitation on slaughter.
This is the same prohibition that Congress has long imposed on the Bureau of Land Management. We’re grateful to all the AWHC supporters who donated to support our litigation, which played a critical role in securing this prohibition on slaughter of wild horses and burros under U.S. Forest Service jurisdiction.
But, the Devil’s Garden Wild Horses Still Aren’t Safe Yet (Action Alert)
In fall of 2019, the Forest Service rounded up and removed 499 more wild horses from the Devil’s Garden Wild Horse Territory. The majority of the horses have been adopted or sold, some, disturbingly, for $1 a piece. Approximately 100 wild horses — including older horses, pregnant mares and foals — remain in corrals in the Modoc National Forest.
Unlike the BLM, which has halted sales and adoptions of horses and burros during the COVID-19 crisis, the Forest Service continues to dispose of these federally-protected animals for $1 a piece. Worse, a single buyer can purchase 24 horses at a time, and the government will transport them for free, including to states as far away as Arkansas and Florida!
The Forest Service has no adequate system for vetting potential buyers or following up after horses are purchased to ensure their welfare.
By selling horses in bulk for $1 a piece and shipping them for free across the country with no safeguards to protect them from abuse and slaughter, the Forest Service is creating an avenue to sidestep Congress’ slaughter ban.
We’ll be the first to say it: It can be difficult to stay up to speed with the complex issues affecting our nation’s wild horses and burros. With so many federal agencies, acronyms and applicable laws, it’s easy to get confused.
That’s why we’re going to break it down for you on Thursday, April 16, with the launch of our ‘Wild Horses 101’ webinar series.
We want this to be an interactive experience! Which is why we’re encouraging you to submit questions so we can address them as we tackle some of the most important topics.
Our first segment will go over the history of wild horses and how we arrived at the place we are now. We hope you’ll tune in.
And Finally, A Fun Activity For The Kids At Home
We know that many of you are juggling a number of responsibilities at home, and for those with young kids, we’re offering a way to keep them entertained!
We took a bit of inspiration from Velma Johnston, aka “Wild Horse Annie,” who was the influential wild horse advocate responsible for some of the most important wild horse protections on the books. As part of her campaign to save America’s mustangs, she organized a wildly successful children’s writing brigade that generated national support for mustangs and led to the passage of the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act.
AWHC hopes to harness that spirit again by getting kids involved in the fight to save our mustangs. A great place to start is with our official children’s activity book: it’s available completely for free and includes coloring pages, a word search, and writing prompts!
That’s our news for the week… our best wishes to you and your loved ones during this difficult time.
Once again I hope this finds you safe and healthy. Our prayers go out for all the families in crisis.
UPDATE – WE RECEIVED GOOD NEWS!!!
His upper airways were compromised and that is why he was having trouble breathing. Thankfully they are clear now and although he continues to have issues, it appears most of it is staying out of his lungs.
He may need scoped if these issues continue, and he is definitely not out of the woods, but we are not losing him this morning. Both Docs said go back to the bottle.
It was terrifying listening to him gurgle and choke this morning. His little nostrils are too small to use their scope, so we are heading home, praising God that although he sounded like Dandelion, he has a real chance to get through this.
Bruiser is crashing. It’s 3 a.m. and I can hear him struggling to breathe. He has fought so hard to be here, and we finally got his blood test coming back close to normal. It was a big improvement, but he was still having issues.
Bruiser is having trouble when he drinks his milk. We always take them off the bottle asap, and many times they never even see a bottle. However, this is when Bruiser’s troubles started.
He was “off”, or “special” if you will, when we got him. His band left him alone to die. It is obvious there were multiple reasons for Mama to leave him. In the wild, if a baby is sick or injured, the stallion or others in the band will often kill it, or they just leave it behind. It is harsh, but is is survival and they do not want predators attracted.
He was not a “dummy” foal, but his brain was not fully wired yet. He has been improving, but this morning I can hear the pneumonia. He has been on antibiotics and Doc has tried numerous ones to help him, but this is a critical situation at this point.
I am not sure if Comstock can save him or not, (they have a hospital on sight).
It is so hard, because this is not a baby that has been depressed or lays around moping. He is feisty and runs and plays, but he is crashing right now.
It is definitely NOT in the budget, but I have to try and give him one last chance.
PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN! There is so much heartache out there. I am hoping and praying he will have a chance, but we can only do what our budget allows. At this time, it’s pretty scary.
I understand many folks are in financial crisis. If you are not in a position to safely donate, please just share this information.
Below, Bruiser and LuLu, enjoying their cuddle time.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KEEP HELPING US SAVE MORE LIVES, YOU CAN GO TO:
WIN (WILD HORSES IN NEED) is a 501c3 IRS EIN 55-0882407_
If there are ever funds left over from the cost of the rescue itself, the monies are used to feed, vet, care for and provide shelter and proper fencing for the animals once they are saved.
We hope that this email finds you well and safe during these difficult times for our nation and our world.
We need to let you know that, despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19 on day-to-day life, our work to protect wild horses and burros continues.
In fact, Congress is working now on appropriations legislation to fund the government for the upcoming fiscal year (which begins on October 1). This presents both dangers that we must remain alert to, and the opportunity to make progress against the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) mass roundup and sterilization plan.
We’re pleased to report that several wild horse champions in Congress are stepping up to protect wild horses.
House Natural Resources Chair Raúl Grijalva (Arizona), Congresswomen Deb Haaland (New Mexico) and Dina Titus (Nevada), and Congressman Steve Cohen (Tennessee) are officially requesting that language be added to any appropriations measures that would:
Require more than 10% of the budget of the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro Program to be utilized to implement a humane fertility control program utilizing the proven birth control vaccine PZP;
Encourage the BLM to form public/private partnerships with non-profits to expand these programs as alternatives to mass roundups; and
BAN federal funds from being used for dangerous surgical sterilization procedures.
If adopted, this would represent a HUGE step forward toward actual reform of the BLM’s broken wild horse and burro roundup program, as well as a HUGE victory in our fight to protect these iconic animals across the West.
From the safety of your homes, and utilizing but a minute of your time, you can make a difference in ensuring that Appropriations Committee members include this critical language to protect our treasured horses and burros in Fiscal Year 2021 spending legislation.
Once again I hope this finds you safe and healthy. Our prayers go out for all the families in crisis.
Bruiser is crashing. It’s 3 a.m. and I can hear him struggling to breathe. He has fought so hard to be here, and we finally got his blood test coming back close to normal. It was a big improvement, but he was still having issues.
Bruiser is having trouble when he drinks his milk. We always take them off the bottle asap, and many times they never even see a bottle. However, this is when Bruiser’s troubles started.
He was “off”, or “special” if you will, when we got him. His band left him alone to die. It is obvious there were multiple reasons for Mama to leave him. In the wild, if a baby is sick or injured, the stallion or others in the band will often kill it, or they just leave it behind. It is harsh, but is is survival and they do not want predators attracted.
He was not a “dummy” foal, but his brain was not fully wired yet. He has been improving, but this morning I can hear the pneumonia. He has been on antibiotics and Doc has tried numerous ones to help him, but this is a critical situation at this point.
I am not sure if Comstock can save him or not, (they have a hospital on sight).
It is so hard, because this is not a baby that has been depressed or lays around moping. He is feisty and runs and plays, but he is crashing right now.
It is definitely NOT in the budget, but I have to try and give him one last chance.
PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN! There is so much heartache out there. I am hoping and praying he will have a chance, but we can only do what our budget allows. At this time, it’s pretty scary.
I understand many folks are in financial crisis. If you are not in a position to safely donate, please just share this information.
Below, Bruiser and LuLu, enjoying their cuddle time.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KEEP HELPING US SAVE MORE LIVES, YOU CAN GO TO:
WIN (WILD HORSES IN NEED) is a 501c3 IRS EIN 55-0882407_
If there are ever funds left over from the cost of the rescue itself, the monies are used to feed, vet, care for and provide shelter and proper fencing for the animals once they are saved.
My name is Deb Walker and I’m AWHC’s Field Representative here in Nevada. I coordinate our amazing team of volunteers on the Virginia Range implementing the world’s largest humane management program for wild horses.
AWHC reached out on Monday asking for donations of $30 to cover the costs of the cornerstone of this program — the $30 fertility control vaccine known as PZP. We’ve had an incredible response and outpouring of support since then.
As a result, we can cover the costs of 321 (!) annual vaccines for wild mares. Our team of volunteers is working hard and I want to let them know we have the supplies we need to not only maintain this program but to expand it!
Nevada Field Representative
American Wild Horse Campaign
Read Our Previous Message Below:
We know that this is a difficult time for the country and for many of you. If you are not in a position to financially support our work, we completely understand. But for those of you who can, give us a moment to explain why we’re asking for $30.
In Nevada’s Virginia Range, AWHC operates the world’s largest humane management program for wild horses. Next week marks the one year anniversary of the establishment of this historic initiative to prove to the world that there is a humane way to manage wild horse populations that doesn’t require mass roundups, crowded holding corrals, dangerous sterilization surgeries or slaughter.
The cornerstone of this highly successful program is the remote darting of wild mares with the scientifically proven fertility vaccine known as ‘PZP’. Our work on the Virginia Range continues uninterrupted despite the COVID-19 pandemic and our volunteers are working hard, day-in and day-out, to vaccinate these mares.
The price of a single mare’s annual PZP vaccine is just $30.
Compare that to the tens of thousands of dollars the Bureau of Land Management spends on the roundup and long-term holding involved in the removal of a single horse.
Let alone the $5 BILLION figure the Acting Director of the BLM is citing as the cost of a plan to round up over 100,000 horses from public lands over the next decade, with the goal of rounding up as many as 20,000 in 2020 alone.