Anyone that know me knows that I love animals. I have been and will always be a voice for them. Hence, when I see something of note that others need to know about, I share. I share because I care for animals. This is something I never knew about despite extensive research I did about horses for my debut novel, Shattered Lies. Of course, it isn't something that the horse industry would want us to know. When you read this you'll see why. You'd think in an industry where so money is riding on the animals that the people involved would humanely and properply take care of them. You'd be so wrong. I'm one for the animals. I hope you are too. ~ S.J. Francis
The Darker Side of Horse Breeding: ‘Throwaway’ Foals
by Matthew Russell /The Animal Rescue Site
The plight of nurse mares and their offspring foals is so grim, many would rather not discuss it.
Far from the winner’s circle, between the headlines of prize horses and jockeys, nurse mares live solely to be impregnated in order to lactate and sustain the life of favored racing horses. Outside this role, nurse mares are of no use to breeders, and the foals produced as a result of the process are of even less consequence.
“A nurse mare foal is a foal that is born so that it's mother can become a nurse mare,” said Victoria Goss, founder of the Last Chance Corral, in an interview with TriStateUpdate.com. “When the mare has her foal she comes into milk and then she is leased out to raise shall we say a more lucrative baby.”
According to the Jockey Club’s 2015 Report of Mares Bred Statistics, 1,449 stallions covered 34,627 mares in North America during 2015. Based upon historical trends, the club estimated an additional 2,000 to 3,000 mares were bred during the 2015 season.
The Jockey Club limits admission to animals that have been bred through traditional means, without artificial insemination, embryo transfer or transplant, cloning or any other form of genetic manipulation. According to Jane Allin, Chief Research Analyst for the International Fund for Horses, “Given that the gestation period is 11 months and after giving birth she is in heat 7-10 days later [a mare] must be re-bred to ensure she produces another potential champion foal in 11 months. This unremitting cycle pushes the mare to extreme biological limits, clearly equine exploitation at the hands of the negligent thoroughbred industry.”
The Foals
Allin laments the fate of the unwanted foals in this process.“They are more or less taken from their mother immediately at which time the horror begins,” she wrote, “Many are simply killed by clubbing or other means, some are starved to death and others are sold to the tanning industry for their hides also known as 'pony skin.' Since it is illegal to send foals under six months to slaughter, they skin them to manufacture high-end leather products.”
Of course, not every thoroughbred foal is taken from its mother, or dam, and placed with a nurse mare permanently, as Carleigh Fedorka explains on HorseCollaborative.com. Nurse mares are still an important part of farming, as sometimes mares can die during childbirth, and the foals will still need nourishment and weaning.
What Can Be Done?
There are many organizations across the country that adopt and shelter these foals, seeing them as more than just a byproduct of the horse racing industry, but it’s no easy task.As Terri Stemper of the Dream Equine Therapy Center writes, “Over the last couple of years, awareness of this industry has increased and there are more rescues than ever devoted to these helpless foals but this is not enough. Overbreeding of all horses in general has become an issue recently. With the closing of all of the slaughter plants in the US, we are about to see more abuse and neglect than ever before.”
While consideration of the plight of nurse mare foals is desperately needed, it’s unfortunately not the only example of horse mistreatment in our country. “Soring” involves the intentional infliction of pain on a horse's legs to force the horse to perform an exaggerated, high-stepping gait known as the “Big Lick.”
A 2015 Humane Society of the United States investigation of one of the premier barns that trains horses to do the Big Lick revealed that this illegal activity continues.
By signing this petition, you can let Congress know the Horse Protection Act should be amended to end the failed system of industry self-policing, ban the use of devices associated with the soring of Tennessee walking horses and related breeds, strengthen penalties and make other reforms necessary to finally end this torture.
VIDEO: A visit to Last Chance Corral foal rescue:
https://youtu.be/Muj69eBJQ_A
Copyright The Animal Rescue Site. Original Post: http://blog.theanimalrescuesite.com/throwaway-foals-trash/
From Dodo Impact: Horses are stepping high for the saddest reasons and it's so totally unnecessay:
Here's What 'Soring' Does to Horses:
If you care about animals, please share this story with others. Together, you and I can make a difference for the animals.
More info about the dark side in the horse world: CAUTION: Not for the weak-hearted:
Horse Racing: The Dark Side Exposed:
http://www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/NEWS/news_horse/ALL/911/
Milk of Death: The dark side of the nurse mare industry:
https://tuesdayshorse.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/milk-of-death-the-dark-side-of-the-nurse-mare-industry/
Milk of Death: The dark side of the nurse mare industry:
http://questequinewelfare.org/attachments/article/53/The%20Dark%20Side%20of%20the%20Nurse%20Mare%20Industry.pdf
The Chronicle of the Horse forum:
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?412215-The-Dark-Side-of-Performance-Breeding-(horse-neglect-Danish-owned-Stud
The Dark Side of U.S. Horse Racing You Won't Hear About on Television:
http://mic.com/articles/120184/the-dark-side-of-u-s-horse-racing-you-won-t-hear-about-on-television#.qefgq8CDM
Thanks for visiting my blog for the animals. It's always great to connect with another animal lover. If you and I don't speak up for them, who will?
Coins That Count:
Regards,
“Some secrets should remain that way.”
This is how horses should live.
Remember: Animals don't have voices. We must be their voice. Always. Forever. Wherever. whenever. I'm one for the animals. Are you?
By signing this petition, you can let Congress know the Horse Protection Act should be amended to end the failed system of industry self-policing, ban the use of devices associated with the soring of Tennessee walking horses and related breeds, strengthen penalties and make other reforms necessary to finally end this torture.
Sponsored by: Humane Society of the United States
The life of a sored horse is filled with fear and pain. "Soring" involves the intentional infliction of pain on a horse's legs to force the horse to perform an exaggerated, high-stepping gait known as the "Big Lick." A 2015 Humane Society of the United States investigation of one of the premier barns that trains horses to do the Big Lick — ThorSport Farm in Tennessee — revealed that this illegal activity continues unabated.
This is the second time in four years that The HSUS has documented trainers and grooms intentionally inflicting pain on Tennessee walking horses. Unscrupulous trainers use a variety of gruesome techniques, including caustic chemicals that burn the horses' flesh, chains and heavy, stacked horseshoes to accomplish this artificial gait rewarded in show rings.
No horse should be made to suffer for a blue ribbon — it is time that cruel soring is stopped.
Tell Congress to amend the Horse Protection Act to end the failed system of industry self-policing, ban the use of devices associated with the soring of Tennessee walking horses and related breeds, strengthen penalties and make other reforms necessary to finally end this torture. Make your voice heard and support this proposal!
Click here to sign petition: http://theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/ars/petition/HSUS-WalkingHorses2/?gg_source=ars&gg_campaign=Ad%20-%20468x250petition-stand-up-for-tennessee-walking-horses2ars&gg_medium=house&gg_content=2016-04/468x250petition_160418112934.jpg
VIDEO: A visit to Last Chance Corral foal rescue:
https://youtu.be/Muj69eBJQ_A
Copyright The Animal Rescue Site. Original Post: http://blog.theanimalrescuesite.com/throwaway-foals-trash/
From Dodo Impact: Horses are stepping high for the saddest reasons and it's so totally unnecessay:
Here's What 'Soring' Does to Horses:
More info about the dark side in the horse world: CAUTION: Not for the weak-hearted:
Horse Racing: The Dark Side Exposed:
http://www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/NEWS/news_horse/ALL/911/
Milk of Death: The dark side of the nurse mare industry:
https://tuesdayshorse.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/milk-of-death-the-dark-side-of-the-nurse-mare-industry/
Milk of Death: The dark side of the nurse mare industry:
http://questequinewelfare.org/attachments/article/53/The%20Dark%20Side%20of%20the%20Nurse%20Mare%20Industry.pdf
The Chronicle of the Horse forum:
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?412215-The-Dark-Side-of-Performance-Breeding-(horse-neglect-Danish-owned-Stud
The Dark Side of U.S. Horse Racing You Won't Hear About on Television:
http://mic.com/articles/120184/the-dark-side-of-u-s-horse-racing-you-won-t-hear-about-on-television#.qefgq8CDM
Thanks for visiting my blog for the animals. It's always great to connect with another animal lover. If you and I don't speak up for them, who will?
Coins That Count:
Is your coin jar overflowing? Turn that loose change into cash that helps animals by donating to The HSUS at participating Coinstar machines nationwide. Where to go» Find a Kiosk near you...
https://www.coinstar.com/kioskfinder?element=Charity&parmName=HumaneSocietyofUS
Until next time….hug your animals. Tell them you love them. If you don’t have a pet, adopt one. Make adoption your first option when seeking a pet. Adopt. Don’t shop. Can’t adopt. Please consider fostering one. The animal will have the taste of home and the shelter will cover the expenses. Can’t foster? Make a donation or volunteer at your local shelter. Please, don’t hunt. Unless you’re starving down in a ditch somewhere, there is no logical reason to do so. Whatever you do, however you do it, please be a voice for the animals large and small. All it takes is one to make a difference, good or bad.
Together, you and I can make a difference in an animal's life. I’m one for the animals. Are you? Thanks for visiting. Stay safe. Be strong. Be happy. Smile. Show compassion. Be nice to one another. Pass it onward. If you like what you see here, please consider signing up to become a follower. Please feel free to share this post with others. https://www.coinstar.com/kioskfinder?element=Charity&parmName=HumaneSocietyofUS
Until next time….hug your animals. Tell them you love them. If you don’t have a pet, adopt one. Make adoption your first option when seeking a pet. Adopt. Don’t shop. Can’t adopt. Please consider fostering one. The animal will have the taste of home and the shelter will cover the expenses. Can’t foster? Make a donation or volunteer at your local shelter. Please, don’t hunt. Unless you’re starving down in a ditch somewhere, there is no logical reason to do so. Whatever you do, however you do it, please be a voice for the animals large and small. All it takes is one to make a difference, good or bad.
Want to help out shelter animals without spending a dime?
Go to www.freekibble.com
Answer a question daily for dogs and cats and kibble is donated to
feed them. Right or wrong, the answer doesn't matter.
Click on www.freekibble.com/litter
and help give litter for cats.
Another way to help feed shelter animals without spending a dime
is to visit and click the big purple box at:
S.J. Francis
In Shattered Lies: "Good and bad, it's All About Family." Available now from Black Opal Books and for sale at on-line retailers and independent booksellers.
“Some secrets should remain that way.”
My Black Opal Books Author Page:
http://www.blackopalbooks.com/author-bios/bio-sj-francis
My web page: http://www.sjfranciswriter.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sjfrancis419
My web page: http://www.sjfranciswriter.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sjfrancis419
This is how horses should live.
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My writing Blog: http://sjfranciswriter.blogspot.com
A Book Review 4 U: http://abookreview4u.blogspot.com
A Consumer's View: http://aconsumersview.blogspot.com
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Good Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33550975-s-j
And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2017 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.
Remember: Animals don't have voices. We must be their voice. Always. Forever. Wherever. whenever. I'm one for the animals. Are you?
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