Equine Resolutions for the New Year--What Are Yours?

Photo by John Chun

Why a photo of Einstein's saddle clothe? Because as his name would infer it doesn't in fact take a genius to know that resolutions need to be made in horse racing to protect race horses.

Some inroads were made in 2009. We saw the public announcement by the NYRA that a "zero' tolerance stance was going to be taken at all New York racing tracks. The message was clear, knowingly send a horse to slaughter and your stalls would be pulled and denied in the state. The Second Race and many other organizations collectively applauded the stance. The question will be, will there be any real teeth to the announcement?

And yet today news from Florida stated that an investigation into an illegal slaughter house has begun after two race horses from Calder Racecourse where found there on Christmas Day. Three steps back....

Arizona has a problem, Kentucky has a problem, California has a problem....and on and on. Several tracks have recently been accredited by the NTRA Safety Alliance, however what do the tracks have to do to be certified with respect to a plan to safely protect the race horses? Who is regulating? And who is minding the people at the race track that provide the means and access to the gate to let in the trucks in the middle of the night?

Racing fans have asked why isn't more being done? Unfortunately with the current system of racing, each state has it's own groups, and then within each state again, there is a maze of regulatory bodies governing those same groups. If racing had one shared entity instead of so many factions, like the National Football League, or National Basketball Association does, would racing be able to do a better job of protecting the very horses it needs to exist?

The needs for resolutions in 2010 abound....let's hope that the racing industry collectively, actually does something in the New Year.

As for The Second Race our resolutions are:

1. To more efficiently and effectively network to assist the transition of race horses from the race tracks throughout California, western states and the Southwest. To work more closely with horsemen's groups, trainers, and race tracks---networking for adoptive homes and new careers.

2. To market everywhere the service that The Second Race can provide and to visit race tracks outside of California (Arizona, Washington, Kentucky, New York, Louisiana, Arkansas and Florida--invitations await) over the next 18 to 24 months.

3. To begin lobbying efforts to help those that do not want to give up their ex-race horses because they can no longer feed them. Often times the difference is a month or two of hay, and care in order for a situation to turn itself around. Wouldn't it be better to allow a horse to remain with their owners who want them, instead of looking for an already over burdened rescue to take them in?.

4. To look at ways to partner with existing groups/volunteers in a POSITIVE manner on behalf of the horses. The pettiness, egos and games only hurt the horses and the hard work of many when we do not work as a co-operative for the horses and create "hubs" of The Second Race at race tracks and surrounding areas.

5. To KNOW in my heart that The Second Race did all it could THAT day on behalf of a race horse ( be it Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, Arabian, Paint or Standardbred) before I close my eyes at night.

Update on the Arabian Horses Seized in Texas

Auction for 76 Egyptian Arabians to end this week

October 2, 2009

There has been a big improvement in the condition of the north Texas horses seized nearly two months ago, including the horse, pictured above and at bottom this week, and below, when he was seized.





An online auction in Texas for the right to adopt 76 Egyptian Arabians seized by authorities has attracted strong bids for some of the horses.
A total of 77 horses were seized from a Pilot Point property by the Denton County Sheriff's Office on August 14, assisted by staff of the Humane Society of North Texas.

Almost all the horses were identified as Egyptian Arabians, many of them with rare bloodlines. There are fewer than 30,000 registered Egyptian Arabians in the world.

Sixty-six-year-old Gordon Dennis Key, of Ranazans Arabians, signed the animals over to the humane society, which set about rehoming them.

The bidding process was devised by the society after consulting with key Arabian industry leaders. Prospective bidders had to apply for registration for the right to bid. They were vetted to ensure they had the experience to handle the horses, most of whom are unbroken.

While the society received several hundred inquiries about adopting the horses - at one stage they had four lines receiving calls, as well as cellphones - the vetted list of approved bidders considered to have suitable credentials amounted to a little over 100 people.

The society's lead humane investigator, Tammy Roberts, said 76 of the horses have been offered in the auction process, which closes this week. She told Horsetalk today that one of the breeding mares had reached $7500 and others had reached $2500.

There have been several bids of at least $2000. Even some of the older geldings were attracting bidder interest, around the $100 to $300 mark.

About 20 of the horses have so far attracted bids.

"We just want to see these horses in good homes and being cared for. They have been through so much."

Roberts said many of the horses were older. She said there were two yearlings, several 3-5-year-olds and a large group aged 8-10. The remainder were mostly over 20.

She expected some of the horses would remain without homes after the auction and the society would sift through the applications in a bid to get the horses suitably rehomed.

Nearly all the horses have been formally identified and have been matched to registration paperwork.

"Some wonderful Arabian people came in," she says. They went through the paperwork, checked those with brands and managed to match nearly all the animals with their formal paperwork.

She said the society was still getting calls about the horses, including overseas interest, which would likely lead to more bidders being approved.


Some of the horses were found in stalls thick with dung and urine.
Roberts said the horses had improved remarkably since they were seized, in particular the mares, which had been in generally better condition than the others at the time the animals were seized.

Their improving condition has seen some of them grow feistier, she noted, with staff getting the odd nip and bite.

Roberts said the Humane Society of North Texas had spent $200,000 so far this year on equine cruelty cases.

"We have taken on over 500 horses in the last two years," she said.

She praised the arabian horse community for its support.

"The arab community has stepped up to assist in volunteering and raising some funds." One organisation raised $2000 to help feed the horses, she said.

"We would like to see more of this in the horse world," she said. The arab community had set an example that she would like to see other breed groups follow.

Roberts said the Denton County District Attorney's Office was continuing its investigation into the treatment of the horses before their seizure.

Update on the Arabian Horses Seized in Texas

I wanted to re-visit the seizure of the 76 Arabian horses and check on their status. The Humane Society of North Texas has received permanent custody of the malnourished horses. The published statement is:
On August 26, 2009 the Humane Society of North Texas received permanent custody of all 77 horses owned by Gordon Dennis Key of Renazans Arabians, Pilot Point, TX. Custody was granted after several hours of non-courtroom negotiation between legal representatives. Pertinent to the negotiation was the issue of registration paperwork for all horses, and by forgoing monetary settlement, HSNT will receive all paperwork relevant to registrations for each horse. HSNT staff felt that this paperwork was key to the arabian industry, and will benefit the future of each horse.

HSNT recognizes that this is a special herd of intrinsic value within the Arabian world and is currently working hard on a suitable adoption plan for the herd. At this time the most likely scenario will be an online adoption auction scheduled within the next 30 days, (subject to change as plans progress) with each horse having a minimum adoption bid preset and each bidder being assigned a bidder number after approval of a pre-submitted adoption application. It is the ultimate goal of HSNT to place these animals into homes where they will be well cared for and properly housed for the remainder of their lives.

The issue of reproduction of some of these noble animals will be allowed to be decided upon by approved bidders who are successful in the bidding process, as HSNT recognizes that this herd does not represent any group of animals currently overpopulated or commonly neglected. HSNT also understands the importance of some of the genetics represented in this herd, and wishes to allow responsible arabian enthusiasts the ability to continue improving this fine breed of horse as has been so thoughtfully done for decades. HSNT believes these animals will now have a chance to contribute their fine lineage to the promotion and endurance of the egyptian arabian heritage.

Please continue to go to HSNT’s website and fill out an adoption application so it can be pre-approved. Approved applicants wil be notified by phone or email. Details on the adoption auction, as they are determined, will be posted on HSNT website and will be disseminated via arabian website locations as appropriate. HSNT is proud of this victory for the horses. Donations to continue their care until new homes are found can be made at www.hsnt.org

Further details as to the exact time, location and manner for the Adoption Auction as well as a listing of horses, photos and information on each will be released to everyone as soon as it is prepared. Please be patient as this is a large undertaking.

Donations are of course encouraged and welcome. A heartfelt Thank You to those that have already donated to help these animals in need. The arabian community has been setting the standard for other equine breed organizations as this case has progressed, and the horses are the direct benefactors of your support.

Sincerely,
Sandy Grambort
Equine/Livestock Program Coordinator
HSNT


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UPDATE - COURT ACTION AUGUST 26
Susan Mayo, a Board member of the Institute, was in court this morning. There was no hearing, as the parties met first in the judge’s chambers and reached an agreement. Based on Susan’s oral report (we do not yet have a copy of the official court order in writing):

1.Mr. Key will surrender the horses to the Humane Society of North Texas
2.He will provide the “papers” for all the horses (we do not know what will be done about currently unregistered horses that may be registerable under AHA guidelines).
3.He will pay $5000 to the court, which will go toward the care of the horses.
There was no comment on whether he will face any misdemeanor charges or if this closes the entire matter.

76 Arabian horses seized from a Texas Ranch Need Your Help

From an edited news clipping.....

August 18, 2009

Police in Texas have seized 76 Arabian horses from a property in Denton County over concerns about their condition.
The animals were seized by Denton County sheriffs on Friday. It is understood the horses are being cared for by staff and volunteers of the North Texas Humane Society (HSNT) and some private contractors.
The society described what they found on the property as gruesome.
"Animal control officers seized 76 emaciated Arabian horses from an equestrian farm there ... HSNT volunteers and staff are now providing them care and completing their veterinarian evaluations."
The society has put out an urgent appeal for hay, specialised feed for putting condition on thin horses, tack and money for vet bills.
The owner of the property, aged in his 60s, is expected to be charged with cruelty to livestock in coming days, an offence punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4000 fine.
Initial assessments of the horses found 20 were extremely malnourished and 40 seriously underfed.

Restoring the animals to full weight will take many months.
Early reports suggest some of the horses were found in stalls thick with dung and urine.
Police were alerted to the condition of the horses after a person who went to inspect the 43-acre property, which is on the market, was concerned at the condition of the animals.
More information: http://www.hsnt.org/

Here is a television post about the horses.

http://www.kten.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=4045448&h1=More%20Than%2070%20Horses%20Seized%20Near%20Pilot%20Point&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=45067&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=45338398

The North Texas Humane Society website states that they have a wish list for this particular seizure:

URGENT - WISH LIST FOR THIS CASE
Quality Square Bales of Hay
Equine Senior or 14% Sweet Feed
Donations towards the Vet care
Running Gator/4 Wheeler
New or Used Tack

The website has a PayPal function that can be utilized for donations.

Welcome to The Second Race

Welcome to "The Second Race TM". The Second Race, was created by me, Sharla Sanders as an umbrella organization with its philosophy and mission at its core-- NETWORKING FOR RESULTS. When researching my idea for a network solution primarily for race horses and rescue efforts, I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for so I decided to create my own. This blog will serve to communicate in the next few years several initiatives and objectives I have developed (some committed to paper and development and some still swirling around in my head). But all with one singular purpose--- to share information and resources to benefit all. To loosely quote, Sharmen Lane, a motivational speaker "Ones candle does not burn any less brightly for having shared it's light with another".


Too often we come from a place of fear, scarcity, or with a closed fist when it comes to helping another group or individual. I don't know if it's human nature, or this economy or a bit of both that seems to have made it seem far more difficult in the past year to obtain help. The Second Race, wants to blow all of this negativity away, and bring forth a consortium, if you will, of goodwill.


This blog will endeavor to give the reader access to non profits, a voice to individuals that toil behind the scenes; asking them to give their first hand account of their trials, joys and more importantly their expertise. The Second Race will search out experts in fields such as grant research and writing, care of the equine athlete, rescue and fundraising. The Second Race will form alliances with horseman's groups across the United States to find who is and who isn't backing the very racing stock that they generate their livelihood from. If there is a program that is offered that is available in a particular state, my aim is to share this with the reader. The Second Race will form partnerships with all forms of media, industry leaders and prominent people inside and outside of the horse world. Personally, I want to laugh, cry and point out the ridiculous and the marvelous all at the same time. I want to introduce us both to breeders, owners and trainers from the four major racing worlds and so much more.


Lastly, and may I say most important of all my wishes for The Second Race TM is that we celebrate the amazing equine athletes that give us their very lives for our enjoyment a network that will serve them when it's time for their next RACE.


Until next time....