House Considers Ban On Killing Horses For Food

Associated Press

Article Last Updated: 07/31/2008 11:39:15 AM PDT
WASHINGTON -
One menu item could soon disappear from foreign dinner tables: meat from slaughtered American horses. Animal rights advocates are urging lawmakers to pass a bill banning the slaughter of U.S. horses for consumption abroad, arguing the practice is inhumane. Opponents of the proposal say it would actually increase cruelty in the form of abandonment, abuse and neglect. Witnesses at a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing Thursday recounted graphic stories of the methods of slaughter and provided photos of bloodied horses. "From the transport of horses on inappropriate conveyances for long periods of time without food, water or rest - to the very ugly slaughter process in which horses react with pain and fear, no evidence exists to support the claim that horse slaughter is a form of humane euthanasia," said Nicholas Dodman, one of the founders of Veterinarians for Equine Welfare.

The last three horse slaughterhouses in the United States closed in 2007 but horses are currently exported to Mexico and Canada for slaughter there. The Agriculture Department said about 21,000 horses were sent to Mexico for slaughter in 2007. The bill under consideration would criminalize the domestic or international sale, delivery or receipt of horses for processing for human consumption. The House passed a similar measure last year but not the Senate.

In June, the Supreme Court turned down an appeal from the
Advertisementowners of a now-closed horse slaughtering plant who challenged an Illinois law prohibiting the killing of horses for human consumption.

Some veterinarians say a ban on slaughter would eliminate a necessary end-of-life option for unwanted horses. "Those of us who are in the field every day practicing equine medicine know the harsh realities confronting horses that are unwanted," said Douglas Corey, former president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. "Horses are left unsold at auctions, even with a rock-bottom sale price. Others endure a worse fate of being neglected by their owners or abandonment." The sides disagree about what percent of slaughtered horses are unwanted and whether there are sufficient rescue facilities to deal with the animals if slaughter were outlawed. Former Rep. Charles Stenholm, D-Texas, said the proposal would have unintended consequences, imposing significant costs on local communities who would now have to find humane placements for the horses and burdening livestock markets with paying for euthanasia. --- The bill is H.R. 6598 --- On the Net: For bill text: http://thomas.loc.gov/ House of Representatives: http://www.house.gov/ Veterinarians for Equine Welfare: http://www.vetsforequinewelfare.org/index.php American Association of Equine Practitioners: http://www.aaep.org/

HSUS @ Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008 (H.R. 6598)

Seeking Justice

Wayne Pacelle testifies in a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing, arguing in favor of a new bill that would track animal cruelty crimes, and for a permanent end to horse slaughter. Read the testimony» | Listen» | Act»

Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security (under Judiciary Committee)

Notes

Rep Bobby Scott of VA, Subcommittee Chair

Hearing on HR6598 and HR6597

July 31, 2008, Rayburn Building

I can’t confirm subcommittee members present as the visual quality of the broadcast was poor and did not show all subcommittee members, camera only focused on those who spoke.

Chairman Scott opened the hearing, allowed Minority Ranking member Gohmert TX to address opposition to both bills.

Gohmert noted that AQHA and AWC oppose HR 6598, and entered letters to the record.

“transport is legal and regulated by USDA”

Concern: “requirement of intent”

We have two sides who paint completely different pictures.

Gohmert opposes HR6597, says it may not get us the info sought in regard to incidents.

Conyers spoke briefly and added his statement to the record, yielded his time.

Attendees/panel:

Liz Ross, AWI

Charles Stenholm, Sr policy advisor, Olsen law firm (ie lobbyist)

John Boyd, NBFA founder

Douglas Corey, DVM, AAEP immediate past pres.

Nicholas Dodman, DVM, Tufts, AVMA member, VEW founder

Wayne Pacelle, HSUS

Ross:

Spoke of horses slaughtered, unwanted horse claims.

Per USDA, 92% of horses in slaughter process are in good condition, not old or undesirable. Title 18 applies here as slaughter is inhumane and abusive.

Stenholm:

Noted that he represents livestock markets.

“All animals should be treated humanely”, humane treatment is debatable. It’s what happens. There will be and are unintended consequences. My clients can’t sell horses: there will be no buyers if this passes.

- unfunded mandate: additional burdens on state and federal resources

- not enough money to take care of all the unwanted horses

- this would superimpose your will on owners’ who want to have them slaughtered. If owners accept slaughter for their horses, you would prevent that right.

- this is private property rights.

- zoo’s need this.

Boyd:

We don’t eat horses. First learned of horse slaughter from the May 2008 Bryant Gumbel HBO piece. Neither he nor any of his board of directors were aware of slaughter before this. This is an issue of right and wrong. It’s an issue of greed, slaughter is wrong. The ‘unwanted theory’ is not the issue, the issue is the money, the profit.When we became aware of slaughter, we reached out: our membership will place horses.

Heat, hay costs are all factors, have been.

We take care of our livestock, we don’t eat horses.

Corey:

Horses are being severely impacted, the unwanted horses are listed in the media (mentioned dates of articles: Time mag, etc)

The harsh reality is that they can’t afford the care.

Per 2006 USDA: 102K processed in US, these unwanted horses.

We oppose because long term care and funding for horses affected is absent.

30k horses = $55M/yr for care.

Can the federal govt afford that?

Horse processing . . . the industry must work together: educate or inform owners.

75% of AAEP members voted to say horse processing should remain an option. ??

Dodman:

Noted his slaughter plant experience and as an anesthesia/consciousness expert.

Countered the unwanted horse claims by Corey, and his other claims.

Minus out the stolen horses, those bought under false pretenses.

This is a predatory, brutal industry.

Revenues go abroad, not the US.

Not humane, not anesthesia. It’s Auschwitz for horses. He described transport and kill box conditions he saw in Canada.

Polls and AVMA are wrong: they’re given limited data and come to wrong conclusion.

There is no data on horse increases without slaughter.

Pacelle:

As a society, we’re decent and responsible to animals, banned dog fighting.

Slaughter is animals opportunistically collected up for profit.

They concoct a defense: we’re doing them a favor by killing them.

Follow state cruelty statutes. Be humane to the less powerful. Law says that cruelty to animals is wrong.

He entered rescue info into the record.

Questions to panel:

Boyd responds to property rights per Stenholm “they belong to me”.

Boyd: Well, slaves were property. It’s wrong to slaughter. We can provide good homes with rescues. USDA doesn’t know the number of unwanted horses.

Ross responds to cost to localities:

Ross: Sees no post-bill economic impact. Slaughter is an economic drain, gave example of Paula Bacon and Kaufman, TX and the plant’s negative impact on their municipal sewer system, huge expense.

Stenholm was asked to address drug residues in meat.

Stenholm: All US meat went to Europe. Assumes that that was all in line with regs.

Scott: how do we know that the meat meets standards?

Stenholm: how could we?

Livestock markets will not be able to sell horses.

Boyd: I disagree that horses won’t be able to sell. No black farmer raises horses for human consumption.

Stenholm: US ate horses prior to WWII.

Economic necessity . . . wild horses, burros require funding. This would be imposing your will on an owner of the property.

Subcommittee member:

Are existing sanctuaries ready to absorb?

Ross: Slaughter of horses is reflective of market demand, not of the number of ‘unwanted’ horses. Facts of the stated reports don’t check out.

Boyd: we can’t regulate other countries. We should be looking at organizations: Farm Bureau, for example, to partner. Deal with the population here.

Conyers: how to bring Rep Gohmert to this?

Pacelle: This is about responsibility. There has been no defense of the commerce of horse slaughter, but responsibility is the issue. Be responsible.

Dodman: “They” adjust the facts to suit them. AVMA rejected his article. The AVMA website’s Q&A is distorting facts. It is abuse and neglect, they should say so.

Corey: It can be documented, it is real.

Gohmert: Agreed that horses are not raised for consumption. What is acceptable euthanasia? Accurate statistics would be desirable. Noted a constituent and their special needs children with equine program, the benefits. Can’t afford to put down their horses. What’s the best way?

Dodman: the best way is chemical euthanasia.

Gohmert: what about the CBG for euthanasia (via AVMA)?

Dodman: CBG is viable with a skilled operator and a horse with low blood pressure and controlled environment, but not at a slaughter plant. That’s a totally different situation: noise, activity, small target.

Corey: AVMA panel /00 or /02: barbiturates, gunshot or CBG ok.

Pacelle: Added factors: long distance transport, then additional suffering.

Noted that there are 34 million cattle on US farms and approx 1-2 million dead stock. This is regularly handled on farms. Large body disposal is doable.

Hearing ended 10:59 am.

Record remains open for additional materials (One week, I believe.)

1:37pm edited typo's. Thank you Autumn Smoke

Animal Welfare Institute Testifies Before Congress

Favor of New Bill Containing Criminal Penalties for Horse Slaughter AWI
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 31, 2008) – “Every five minutes an American horse is slaughtered to fill the demand of high-end European and Asian diners,” Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) federal policy advisor Liz Ross said today, testifying before the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security in support of a new bill to end the cruel transport and slaughter of America’s horses.

The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008, H.R. 6598, carries criminal penalties for the purchase, sale, delivery or export of horsemeat intended for human consumption including fines and prison time. Introduced on July 24, 2008 by House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) and Representative Dan Burton (R-IN), the bill would amend Title 18 of the US Code, providing US government officials and law enforcement officials with the tools necessary to ensure that American horses are protected from the brutal trade for their meat.

The bill has already garnered tremendous bipartisan support. “This issue has been vetted in Congress on multiple occasions and every time any measure to prohibit or restrict horse slaughter comes up for a vote the tally is overwhelming in favor of ending this form of animal cruelty,” Ross stated in her testimony.

“I am proud to be a co-sponsor of H.R. 6598,” said lead co-sponsor Representative Burton. “We must treat these magnificent animals with the respect and dignity they deserve.”

Not only is there legislative precedence for taking the Judiciary route to address the issue of horse slaughter – via an earlier incarnation of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act that allowed for penalties to be assessed under Title 18 – but horse slaughter, in every respect, is a form of animal cruelty and ought to be recognized and treated as such, Ross explained.

“We thank Representatives Conyers and Burton, who have afforded the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008 a fair opportunity to proceed, as well as Chairman Bobby Scott for his co-sponsorship and commitment to moving this important bill,” said Chris Heyde, deputy director of government and legal affairs for AWI. “Now that H.R. 6598 has moved from subcommittee, we hope the Speaker and the Senate will provide similarly swift consideration for a policy that is supported by the vast majority of Americans.”

Testifying before the subcommittee in favor of H.R. 6598 were, in addition to Ross; Dr. John Boyd, President of the National Black Farmers Association; Wayne Pacelle of the Humane Society of the United States and Dr. Nick Dodman of Veterinarians for Equine Welfare. The full text of their statements will soon be available at www.awionline.org.

Issue background:

Each year, more than 100,000 horses are purchased at auction by killer-buyers for export to Canada and Mexico, where they are brutally slaughtered for human consumption. In some cases, the killing method involves activities such as knife stabbing.

In the last Congress, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan bill banning horse slaughter for human consumption by a vote of 263 to 146. The bill was not taken up by the Senate before the end of the congressional session.

A 2006 national poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies found that almost 70 percent of Americans already support a federal ban on horse slaughter.

Contact:
Chris Heyde, (703) 836-4300

For over 57 years, the Animal Welfare Institute has been the leading voice for animals across the country and on Capitol Hill to reduce the sum total of pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans. To learn more about us, please visit www.awionline.org.

STRATEGY FOR FRIDAY AUGUST 1

The feedback we received after today's hearing was that it went VERY well. Many of us listened on line and were so impressed by those that spoke out in favor of ending horse slaughter. . You should all be extremely proud of yourselves for the huge job you did. It really set the groundwork for HR6598 and it seems as though we are off to the right start. Now, we just need to keep sprinting. Once again it shows what can be accomplished when we all work together.

Until further notice, the strategy will be to continue to gain co-sponsors for HR6598.

As well as calling DC, this is a perfect time to call your Representative's local office for an August appointment. You can also check to see if your Rep is scheduled to be at an event near you. It is a perfect opportunity to get their attention and have a few words.

We now have even more of a reason to remain motivated. None of us knows for sure what tomorrow will bring but it is not impossible to see the end of horse slaughter this year.

We are BARBAROS VOICE..............let it continue to be heard!!!

Thanks for everything,
Shelley and Deb
Americans Against Horse Slaughter

The Story of Falcon Fury

The Story of Falcon Fury:
A Report From New Holland Livestock Auction

By: Anne Russek

On Monday, July 21, 2008 Diana M. and I went to the New Holland livestock
auction. We went there to gather information and documentation that Thoroughbreds from off the track were being pipelined to slaughter. We were not intending to rescue any horses as we had no funds and no trailer. We wanted to see for ourselves whether the HBO documentary had changed anything within the racing
industry.

We arrived at the auction around 5.30 AM. There were several large and small trailers in the parking lot and we proceeded to record DOT numbers. We were aware that some of the trucks would have been used to transport sheep, goats cows and pigs. We knew not all the trucks were the kill buyers rigs. That being said, we identified several known buyers. We also saw the truck and trailer of the Camelot Auction in New Jersey, another auction that sells for slaughter.

We went into the horse area and saw that the horses were tied to a post and rail iron fence. The horses had fresh shavings to stand on and they had access to water and hay. Some of the horses were tied very short, movement was limited. Other horses were tied loose enough they could lie down, one horse was loose and standing in the aisle-way. The first group of horses were obviously grade , and a few ponies.

At the end of the long aisle, we saw our first Thoroughbred. He was a chestnut gelding with two hind socks. His yellow auction tag was #613. The first thing you noticed was that his right front leg was three
times its normal size and his knee was very swollen. It appeared fractured. He was pointing that leg and incapable of holding it straight. He also had two
wounds under his jowl where his halter had rubbed through the skin. He was thin, but not emaciated. Diana flipped his lip and we recorded his tattoo number.

Diana put in a call to a friend who could ID the horse for us. We moved some hay in the trough closer to him so he could eat and we talked about how
unbelievable it was that anyone could have brought a horse in this condition to the auction. None of the New Holland employees who were working seemed to have any concern about the horse or his compromised condition.

Within five minutes we received a phone call with the ID information, the
horse was a three year old by Mr. Greeley named Falcon Fury. He had last run at Delaware Park on July 2, 2008. He had finished 6th beaten 12 lengths, the comment said 'lacked rally'. MORE

AAEP Opposes HR 6598 !

Remember "Project Wanted Horse" ?

American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)

statement regarding H.R. 6598:

The Horse

"Unwanted horses in the United States are facing a crisis. Horses that are considered at-risk in the equine population are being severely impacted by a struggling economy, high grain and hay prices, and the closure last year of the U.S.'s three remaining processing plants. The result has been increased equine cruelty in the form of abuse, neglect and abandonment. In the state of Colorado alone, equine cruelty investigations increased by 40 percent in 2007.

Because of the large population of unwanted horses in this country, the AAEP believes that the processing of unwanted horses is currently a necessary end-of-life option. We oppose H.R. 6598 not because the AAEP believes that sending a horse to a processing plant is the best option for reducing the unwanted horse population, but because the bill does not help address the long-term care and funding that will be necessary to help the tens of thousands of horses that will be affected by a ban. Given the current factors causing an increase in the unwanted horse population, we feel this legislation is premature.

Dear AAEP , Have you not read this NEWS RELEASE ?

Animal Welfare Institute and National Black Farmers Association Launch “Project Wanted Horse”

Partnership Disproves Slaughter Industry’s “Unwanted” Horse Theory

Washington, D.C. - The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) today launched a national partnership to help American horses in need by finding them homes on farms operated by NBFA members.

The announcement of the “Project Wanted Horse” partnership comes as the US Congress considers the CONYER-BURTON "PREVENTION of EQUINE CRUELTY ACT" (HR6598) working to disprove bill opponents’ arguments that the campaign to end horse slaughter has resulted in a glut of unwanted horses in the United States - and that slaughter is therefore necessary.

“One of the horse slaughter industry’s main arguments is that there are no homes for these animals,” said Chris Heyde, deputy director of government and legal affairs for AWI. “The coming together of our national organizations sends a significant message that these horses are valued and wanted.”

“Project Wanted Horse” will ensure that horses rescued by equine protection organizations, from the slaughter pipeline, or from an abusive situation are placed on farms operated by NBFA’s 94,000 members across the country. AWI will oversee the placement of horses with NBFA members. Each placed animal will be accompanied by a legally binding contract, ensuring quality lifetime care and that they will not be resold only to end up on the path to slaughter.

While horse slaughter no longer occurs in the United States, in 2007, more than 100,000 American horses were exported to Canada and Mexico, where they were killed, processed and exported for human consumption in Europe and Asia. Each year, thousands of horses are purchased at auction by killer-buyers, stolen from farms and acquired illegally. Across the border, they are often slaughtered using barbaric practices that are illegal in the United States, such as shooting and stabbing.

“Having seen the recent HBO ‘Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel’ segment on horse slaughtering, I had no choice but to act,” said Dr. John Boyd, NBFA founder and president. “Horse slaughter, in all circumstances, is a violent, brutal process. Horses play an important role in our members’ lives, not just because of their role on the farm, but because they are often part of our families. By joining with the Animal Welfare Institute, we hope to end the transportation and brutal killing of these animals for human consumption.“

CONYERS-BURTON "PREVENTION of CRUELTY ACT OF 2008 (HR6958)

Please cosponsor H.R.6958 and stop the cruelty to America's Horses.

Helping Animals a Duty, Delight For Greenville Woman

10:09 PM CDT on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 By RICHARD ABSHIRE / The Dallas Morning News
rabshire@dallasnews.com

Hawk Reeves named her place Phoenix Pharms, after the mythical bird that rises from its own ashes, because it's where her rescued horses and other animals find new life.

"It's the place where heaven and horses meet," she said.

Giving animals second chances is a passion for Ms. Reeves, who has lived with husband Paul on the 80-acre property near Greenville since April.

"It's the air I breathe," she said, "the blood in my veins."

Phoenix Pharms is home to six horses, seven dogs, four ducks, a dozen or so chickens, five cats, a goose and a gander whose wings grew upside down. Woofie's owner was about to "put him out of his misery" when Ms. Reeves offered to adopt him.

But the horses are Ms. Reeves' first priority. She said some of them were in bad shape when they arrived, skinny and sick with untrimmed hooves and fearful manners. Visits to the veterinarian were long overdue, even for those that were registered with papers.

It's not unusual to see pedigreed horses suffering from neglect, said Sharon Behringer, treasurer and show manager for the Lone Star Arabian Horse Club. She once volunteered with a rescue group for Arabians and saw cases where horses suffered when their owners ran into financial problems.

It's a widespread problem, experts say.

"Horses are large, expensive animals, and sometimes they're the first to be seen as luxuries that have to be let go when people can't feed their families or pay their mortgages," said Keith Dane, director of equine protection at the Humane Society of the United States.

And when struggling horse owners have to let their animals go, Mr. Dane said, that's when Ms. Reeves and other rescuers step in. Last year, Habitat for Horses – which cares for 50 animals at its Galveston County ranch – helped rescue more than 70 horses from a property near Cash, a town south of Greenville, where officials alleged they were neglected and abused.

Rescue groups are a big help with cruelty seizures like that one, said Sandy Grambort, equine program coordinator with the Humane Society of North Texas in Fort Worth.

Ms. Grambort said her agency took in 101 horses in 2007. Seventy-four were placed in new homes, 20 were turned over to rescue groups, and seven had to be euthanized. It has taken in 73 horses so far this year.

Owners known as "hoarders" are a problem, Ms. Grambort said. In May 2007, she helped investigate complaints against an owner of 21 horses. Some were in awful shape, she said.

"Hoarding is a mental condition where people are collectors," said Mr. Dane of the Humane Society of the United States. "People feel they are helping the horse by buying it, or they're careless breeders. ... And the population outgrows the land and the grass, and they're not feeding the horses and it becomes a crisis situation."

That's when the public usually becomes aware of a problem and authorities get involved.

Ms. Reeves said some of her horses came from hoarders, but

she's also on the lookout for "killer buyers," people who buy horses for slaughter.

The last three U.S. horse-slaughter plants – two in Texas – were closed last year. But Mr. Dane said 40,000 horses a year are still hauled to plants in Canada and Mexico to be processed for food products sold in Europe and Asia.

The cross-border traffic has been going on for years but has grown since the American plants closed. And it's not just old or sickly horses that make the trip.

"The killer buyers, because they are buying for a foreign gourmet meat market, prefer healthy, fat, younger horses where the meat is tender," Mr. Dane said. "They're getting $20 a pound. They don't want old, skinny horses."

Vallentino, an Arabian stud, was a skinny horse when he arrived at Phoenix Pharms in March, Ms. Reeves said

"He was so underweight you could count his ribs," she said. "He hadn't been groomed in several months and could not be touched by a human."

In July, he won an open halter class in a show sponsored by Ms. Behringer's Lone Star Arabian Horse Club.

Ms. Reeves takes pride in Vallentino's rise from the ashes. But for her, the humane treatment of horses and other animals is a duty as well as a pleasure.

"It's our stewardship from God," Ms. Reeves said. "We take that serious out here."

CURLIN AIN'T HE SWEET !!

Here's a Curlin photo that appeared in the NY Daily News last week for all the chestnut-aholics in the crowd to drool over. :)

STRATEGY FOR THURSDAY JULY 31

A huge thanks to the many that came out in force today making thousands of phone calls, sending faxes, emails and letters. It is our understanding that phones were ringing off the hook. We did get a lot of positive feedback and it looks like we will be picking up several co-sponsors!

Reports are that a number of those calling the committee got busy signals and were told they were getting lots of calls!!

The Judiciary Committee hearing is scheduled for 9:30AM on Thursday.

Live video feed to the proceedings. http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/calendar.html

scroll down to here - there is a hotlink to watch
By Direction of the Chairman
07/31/2008
Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security
9:30 A.M. in 2141 Rayburn House Office Building
Hearing on: H.R. 6598, the ""Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008" and H.R. 6597, the "Animal Cruelty Statistics Act of 2008"

Until after the hearing tomorrow, our strategy will continue to be to gain co-sponsors for HR6598. As soon as we get further directions, we will immediately pass them along.

May we get the outcome that we seek tomorrow. This could be a HUGE step forward for our horses.

We are BARBARO’S VOICE…..and today it was heard!!!!

Thanks,

Shelley and Deb

SLAUGHTER GOES UNDERGROUND Pay Paulick

The following guest commentary by Alex Brown (www.alexbrownracing.com) discusses the recent implementation by some racetracks of a zero tolerance policy for horse slaughter and the unintended consequences those programs may have.. — Ray Paulick

By Alex Brown

Recently some racetracks in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region have adopted a zero-tolerance policy for horse slaughter. They will no longer tolerate horses from their racetrack going to slaughter. They will penalize the connections of those horses that are discovered in the slaughter pipeline.

On the surface, this policy sounds excellent. It certainly is well meaning. If you combine this new policy with the resources that are now being targeted for rehoming racehorses by racetracks, it’s even better. LongRun at Woodbine, the first I believe. Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program. Philadelphia Park’s new program, Turning for Home. ReRun and Monmouth, and so forth. All very good. (Note: these racetrack programs are not listed because of their zero-tolerance slaughter policy, but because they have assigned resources to support retiring racehorses).

The reality is, however, unless racetracks have done their research and truly understand the scope of the problem of their horses going to slaughter, and can provide alternatives for those horses, a no-slaughter policy may have unintended consequences. To ensure horses won’t go to slaughter, a racetrack needs to provide opportunities to account for all of the horses that are currently being shipped out to slaughter. Those racetracks that are providing alternatives, noted above, are for the most part full. They can only take on additional horses if more adopters and foster homes are found. They simply cannot take on additional horses as demand for their services dictate.

So what happens to the horses at the racetracks with zero-tolerance slaughter policies? Racehorses that were going to public kill auctions?

A policy of zero tolerance for slaughter simply sends some of these horses "underground." Rather than go to a public auction like New Holland, where they can be seen by private buyers and horse rescues, they go directly to kill buyer feedlots and kill pens. Rescues that once had access to these feedlots and kill pens will no longer be provided access.

Fewer racehorses may enter the slaughter pipeline, but more may ultimately be slaughtered.

Certainly as an industry we are becoming more aware of the problems facing our retiring stars. And kudos for the racetracks who have made these positive steps — especially those tracks that have assigned resources to actively support their retired stars. I just hope that we continue down this path so we are able to safeguard all our stars from slaughter, and not simply divert a number of them underground. Of course, we should also actively support a federal ban on the practice of horse slaughter.

Alex Brown was the web master for www.timwoolleyracing.com, a site that became Barbaro central. following the 2006 Preakness. Alex left Tim (on good terms of course) and the Fair Hill training center to travel North America, from one racetrack to the next. He started at Penn National where he spent three weeks as a freelance exercise rider. He then went to Presque Isle Downs, for five weeks during its inaurgural meet (September). He was a groom, hotwalker and exercise rider. Next stop was Keeneland for its October meet working for Eddie Kenneally. He was a salaried exercise rider. He then moved to Churchill Downs with the same job for a couple of weeks. In November of 2007 he moved to Sam Houston Race Park, as a salaried exercise rider, to work for Steve Asmussen. In April 2008 he moved to Woodbine to continue working for Steve Asmussen. This site will follow Alex’s journey, as he also writes a book about Barbaro and Barbaro’s legacy.

Alex will continue to provide general racing updates and other updates of interest to Fans of Barbaro with the hope that his site continues to serve as a platform for Fans of Barbaro.

Alex has worked in racing for the last twenty years in North America, at Fair Hill Training Center. He has also worked in racing in the UK, if only more briefly. Alex has an MBA, taught Internet Marketing for ten years, worked in the admissions office at the Wharton School, and has written a couple of whitepapers on transparency and the use of blogs.

The Judicial Committee Call Fax Email

PLEASE IGNORE THE LINES...I DON'T KNOW WHY IT CAME OUT LIKE THIS...... Democrats Rep. John Conyers Jr. (author/sponsor 6598; cs 503) Chairman, House Judiciary Committee (D) Michigan, 14th (202) 225-5126 Phone (202) 225-0072 Fax email link (constituents only) http://www.house.gov/conyers/contactform_zipcheck.shtml Rep. Howard L. Berman (cs 503) (D) California, 28th Phone: (202) 225-4695 Fax: (202) 225-3196 email link (constituents only) http://www.house.gov/berman/contact/index.shtml Rep. Rick Boucher (cs 503) (D) Virginia, 9th 202-225-3861 (phone) 202-225-0442(fax) http://www.boucher.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=645&Itemid= Rep. Jerrold Nadler (cs 6598 & 503) (D) New York, 8th phone: 202-225-5635 fax: 202-225-6923 email link (constituents only) http://www.house.gov/nadler/emailform.shtml Rep. Robert Scott (cs 6598 & 503) (D) Virginia, 3rd (202) 225-8351 Phone (202) 225-8354 Fax email link (constituents only) http://www.house.gov/scott/contact.shtml Rep. Mel Watt (cs 503) (D) North Carolina, 12th Tel. (202) 225-1510 Fax (202) 225-1512 email link - from NC only http://www.house.gov/formwatt/IMA/issue_subscribe.htm Rep. Zoe Lofgren (cs 503) (D) California, 16th phone: (202) 225-3072 fax: (202) 225-3336 email link (constituents only) http://lofgren.house.gov/emailform.shtml Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (cs 503) (D) Texas, 18th (202) 225-3816 Phone (202) 225-3317 Fax email http://jacksonlee.house.gov/contact-form.shtml Rep. Maxine Waters (cs 503) (D) California, 35th Phone: (202) 225-2201 Fax: (202) 225-7854 email link (accepts from CA only) http://www.house.gov/waters/IMA/issue.htm Rep. Bill Delahunt (cs 503) (D) Massachusetts, 10th Phone: 202-225-3111 Fax: 202-225-5658 William.Delahunt@mail.house.gov Rep. Robert Wexler (cs 503) (D) Florida, 19th phone: (202) 225-3001 fax: (202) 225-5974 email link (constituents only) http://wexler.house.gov/email.shtml Hon. Linda T. Sánchez (D) California, 39th phone: 202-225-6676 fax: 202-226-1012 link to email (constituents only) https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml Rep. Steve Cohen (cs 503) (D) Tennessee, 9th Phone: (202) 225-3265 Fax: (202) 225-5663 email link (constituents only) http://cohen.house.gov/index.php?option=com_email_form&task=view Rep. Hank Johnson (cs 503) (D) Georgia, 4th Phone: (202) 225-1605 Fax: (202) 226-0691 email link (constituents only) http://hankjohnson.house.gov/contact_hank_write.shtml Rep. Betty Sutton (cs 6598 & 503) (D) Ohio, 13th Phone: (202) 225-3401 Fax: (202) 225-2266 http://sutton.house.gov/about/emailform.cfm Rep. Luis Gutierrez (cs 503) (D) Illinois, 4th (202) 225-8203 (202) 225-7810 Fax email link (constituents only) http://luisgutierrez.house.gov/singlepage.aspx?newsid=1262 Rep. Brad Sherman (cs 503) (D) California, 27 Phone: (202) 225-5911 FAX: (202) 225-5879 email link (CA only) http://bradsherman.house.gov/sherman/contact/ Rep. Tammy Baldwin (cs 503) (D) Wisconsin, 2nd < class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1217221589_79" style="CURSOR: hand; BORDER-BOTTOM: #0066cc 1px dashed">(202) 225-2906 Phone (202) 225-6942 Fax email link (from WI only) http://tammybaldwin.house.gov/get_address.html Rep. Anthony Weiner (cs 503) (D) New York, 9th Phone: (202) 225-6616 Fax: (202) 226-7253 email link (constituents only) http://www.weiner.house.gov/email_anthony.aspx Rep. Adam B. Schiff (cs 503) (D) California, 29th Phone: (202) 225-4176 Fax: (202) 225-5828 email link (constituents only) http://schiff.house.gov/HoR/CA29/Contact+Information/Contact+Form.htm Rep. Artur Davis ( YES on 503) (D) Alabama, 7th (202) 225-2665 (phone) (202) 226-9567 (fax) email link (constituents only) http://www.house.gov/arturdavis/zipauth.shtml Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (cs 6598 & 503) (D) Florida, 20th Phone: 202-225-7931 Fax: 202-226-2052 email link (constituents only) http://wassermanschultz.house.gov/zipauth.htm Rep. Keith Ellison (cs 503) (D) Minnesota, 5th phone: 202-225-4755 fax: 202-225-4886 email link (MN only) http://ellison.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=87 Republicans Rep. Lamar Smith Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee (R) Texas, 21st phone: 202-225-4236 fax: 202-225-8628 email link (constituents only) http://lamarsmith.house.gov/contact.aspx?section=Mail uilding 0515 6 225-86nouse Office Building Rep. Jim Sens enbrenner Jr. (R) Wisconsin, 5th Phone: (202) 225-5101 Fax: (202) 225-3190 email link (constituents only) http://sensenbrenner.house.gov/email_zip.htm Rep. Howard Coble (R) North Carolina, 6th Phone: (202) 225-3065 Fax: (202) 225-8611 Email Howard Coble by clicking here howard.coble@mail.house.gov Rep. Elton Gallegly (cs 503) (R) California, 24th Phone: (202) 225-5811 Fax: (202) 225-1100 email link (constituents only) https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml Reb. Bob Goodlatte (R) Virginia, 6th phone: (202) 225-5431 fax: (202) 225-9681 email link (constituents only) http://www.house.gov/goodlatte/emailbob.htm Rep. Steve Chabot (cs 6598 & 503) (R) Ohio, 1st (202) 225-2216 (phone) (202) 225-3012 (fax) email link (constituents only) http://www.house.gov/chabot/zipauth.shtml Rep. Dan Lungren (YES on 503) (R) California, 3rd Phone: (202) 225-5716 Fax: (202) 226-1298 email link (CA only) https://forms.house.gov/lungren/forms/email.shtml Rep. Chris Cannon (R) Utah, 3rd Phone: (202) 225-7751 Fax: (202) 225-5629 Email: cannon.ut03@mail.house.gov Hon. Ric Keller (Yes on 503) (R) Florida, 8th Phone: (202) 225-2176 Fax: (202) 225-0999 email link (constituents only) https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml Rep. Darrell Issa (Yes on 503) (R) California, 49th phone: 202-225-3906 fax: 202-225-3303 email link http://issa.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm Rep. Mike Pence (Yes on 503) (R) Indiana, 6th (202) 225-3021 office (202) 225-3382 fax email https://forms.house.gov/pence/IMA/contact_form.htm Rep. Randy Forbes (Yes on 503) (R) Virginia, 4th (202) 225 - 6365 (phone) (202) 226 - 1170 (fax) email link (constituents only) http://forbes.house.gov/zipauth.html Rep. Steve King (R) Iowa, 5th Phone: (202) 225-4426 Fax: (202) 225-3193 email link (Iowa only) http://www.house.gov/steveking/email.shtm Rep. Tom Feeney (R) Florida, 24th (202) 225-2706 phone (202) 226-6299 fax email link (constituents only) https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml Rep. Trent Franks (R) Arizona, 2nd Phone: 202-225-4576 Fax: 202-225-6328 email link (constituents only) https://forms.house.gov/franks/email_zipcheck.shtml Rep. Louie Gohmert (R) Texas, 1st Phone: 202-225-3035 Fax: 202-226-1230 email link (constituents only) http://gohmert.house.gov/contact_louie.htm Rep. Jim Jordan (R) Ohio, 4th Phone: (202) 225-2676 Fax:(202) 226-0577 email link (constituents only) http://jordan.house.gov/contactform_zipcheck.shtml