Calling All Canadians!

http://www.nwhorsesource.com/news/2009/08/canadian-recommended-code-of-practice.html

The Canadian Recommended Code of Practice for Care and Handling of Farm Animals:
Transportation of Horses is not enforced, horses not properly stunned before slaughter, etc…

For more info visit: http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/

In June 2008, the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition (CHDC) released a second investigative report on horse slaughter practices at Natural Valley Farms (NVF) in Saskatchewan. This report proved conclusively that horses experienced cruel abuse and suffering throughout the slaughter process there. NVF went into receivership soon afterwards, but the plant continued to operate as Natural Meat Co. (NMC). In December ‘08, NMC was ordered by the CFIA to cease operations due to food safety concerns. Operators of the plant decided to walk away and closed the plant in February ‘09. However, every week there remains over 2,000 horses that will meet their awful fate in Canadian slaughterhouses. The number jumped to nearly 113,000 horses in 2008, a 225% increase over 2006. The number of slaughter plants has grown from 3 to 6 since that time. About half of the horses are exported from the U.S., where slaughter plants have closed, but exports still continue. Horse slaughter has been in Canada for years, but the increase new is a result of the 2007 closure of the last U.S. plant. U.S. citizens fought hard to close the industry. However, until H.R. Bill 503 is passed, horses will continue to be exported to Canada and Mexico. A market for horse meat for human consumption exists in Europe and Asia. However, the majority of Canadians do not support it and an Ipsos-Reid poll reveals that 64% do not believe in killing horses for human consumption. The CHDC asks Canadians and Americans to contact Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency – the federal agencies responsible for the business of horse slaughter in Canada.

Speak out for the horses. Tell them why it is wrong and demand that horse slaughter end! These agencies are directed by:

Hon. Gerry Ritz Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

613 Confederation Bldg., House of Commons

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

Email: Ritz.G@parl.gc.ca

Website:www.gerryritzmp.com/

Tel: 613-995-7080; Fax: 613-996-8472

Ms. Carole Swan, President Canadian Food Inspection Agency

59 Camelot Drive

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y9

Email: swanc@inspection.gc.ca

Website: www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

Tel: 613-221-3737; Fax: 613-228-6608

Dr. Brian Evans, Chief Veterinary Officer of Canada

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

59 Camelot Drive, Floor 1, East Room 100

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y9

Email: bevans@inspection.gc.ca

Website: www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

Tel: 613-221-4191; Fax 613-228-6608

Horses have not traditionally been raised for human consumption in Canada. In our country, horses are considered sport and companion animals. Many Canadians believe that this industry must be abolished on humane grounds. 64% of Canadians do not support it.

• There are now 6 federally licensed horse slaughter plants in Canada (3 more than in 2006).

• Horses are shipped in crowded trailers over long distances, and often arrive injured, sometimes fatally.

• The CHDC has compelling evidence of horse abuse and suffering as a result of rough handling and poor slaughter practices at horse slaughter plants.

• Dr. Nicholas H. Dodman, of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and Member of the Leadership Council of the Humane Society Veterinary Medica Association, said of our June ’08 report: “horses experienced sheer terror”, “some horses were not properly stunned”, and “this practice should be banned”.

• The Federal Health of Animals Act is not enforced, which would protect sick, pregnant and unfit horses, and prohibit overcrowding.

• The Recommended Code of Practice for Care and Handling of Farm Animals: Transportation of Horses is not enforced.

• The CFIA does not enforce their own weak rules that slaughter bound horses must not be transported for longer than 36 hours straight and must be provide with feed, water and rest at required intervals. Double decker trailers are still allowed.

• The horse slaughter process itself is not humane euthanasia.

A CALL TO END HORSE SLAUGHTER IN CANADA YOU ARE THE HORSES’ VOICE – SPEAK OUT FOR THEM

CARD – Wonderful organization that runs a therapeutic riding program

Wonderful organization that runs a therapeutic riding program

http://www.card.ca

I was recently told about a great organization that runs a therapeutic riding program. They do such great work.
I felt it better to use their own words to describe what they do so the below information describes what they do.
I thought in my small way I’d pass it on in hopes that they can gain some more support

Their contact information:

Phone: 416-667-8600

Postal address:
4777 Dufferin Street,
North York, Ontario, Canada
M3H 5T3

“The Community Association for Riding for the Disabled is dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities through quality therapeutic riding programs. For almost 40 years, CARD’s therapeutic riding programs have had a direct and positive impact on the lives of thousands of children and adults with disabilities. Founded in 1969, CARD (the Community Association for Riding for the Disabled) was the first therapeutic riding centre in Canada. Today, CARD works with specially trained physiotherapists, equine experts, 19 therapy horses and more than 350 volunteers to help more than 500 children and adults with disabilities a year gain greater physical, cognitive, psychological and social skills. CARD is 100% self-funded through public grants, private donation and fundraising events”

Check out their website and consider supporting them with either a little time or money.

Some Youtube horse videos I like

Youtube videos I like

I think these videos are cool.

I love Wilbur the donkey/pony baby that was the “Little surprise that arrived” at Epona Horse Rescue when they rescued his mom a little black pony. For those pro-slaughter people out there if you can actually look at this little guy with so much life and such “Hoospa” and still think that he isn’t worth saving then you should check yourself in to the nearest hospital because obviously your heart has stopped working!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u8DL_B0pW8

Amazing rescued horse that simple is “amazing”

Animal Miracles – Shagra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMj2K2-K8wo&feature=related

And the following videos are by a trainer that kind of reminds me of Crocodile Dundee and I don’t know who but he is something special to see on a horse.

Starting a 4 year old Noriker (draft horse) Stallion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrPlgTjEoKY&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Black Horse – Wild Spirit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM0ATvwUzDU&NR=1

Horsetraining
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3B-wA7ff4w&NR=1

Retraining of a horse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAiYLxul8wM#watch-main-area

Buckjumping Stallion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1voou8gUw3Q&feature=channel

Nice Thoroughbred Elli Ross has for adoption

http://horsemenforhumanity.blogspot.com/

Just thought I’d post a really nice 3 year old TB mare that Elli Ross rescued from OLEX on Tuesday night. She can be adopted for 500.00 and looks and sounds like she’d be worth every penny. The link to Elli’s blog is below the title and photo of the horse if anyone is interested in contacting her about adopting this beautiful horse.

 

http://horsemenforhumanity.blogspot.com/

Older Mounted Police Horses being auctioned in Dallas, Texas

On the remote chance that someone from the Dallas Texas Area that is looking for a gentle first horse I’m posting that there are several retired Mounted Police Horses being auctioned in Texas right now and these horses would be of a temperment and training that would make them excellent first horses for someone. I would suggest if you buy one that you get someone who has riding experience to work with them a short time as some haven’t been ridden in awhile but once horses are well trained like that it doesn’t take much work to get them back to being gentle riding horses.

http://www.lonestaronline.com/listings/details/index.cfm?itemnum=931805591#TOP

http://www.lonestaronline.com/listings/details/index.cfm?itemnum=931805590#TOP

http://www.lonestaronline.com/listings/details/index.cfm?itemnum=931805589#TOP

http://www.lonestaronline.com/listings/details/index.cfm?itemnum=931805588#TOP

Horse Talk

It may seem odd for an artist to be writing about horses, horse issues and horse care but I’m hoping to use my artwork to rescue a horse from slaughter by buying it at an auction either before a kill buyer buys it or from the kill buyer that buys it. I also want to help educate people on horse care so that the horses I don’t rescue may be helped as well by people helping out rescues, knowledge on caring for their own horses they may not have known before and making the public aware that perfectly healthy horses are out there that get sold at auctions to “kill buyers” who then supply them to a slaughterhouse where they are slaughtered and end up on some European’s dinner plate. Our CANADIAN horses and for the good old USA!

 Before I am can personally rescue a horse I have to be able to pay for it’s feed and board as well as any vet bills etc. So if you benefit from the information you may consider buying one of my products http://www.zazzle.com/lucindaknowlton/gifts – even buying a postcard or a keychain would bring me that much closer to my first rescue or buy a print of my work on http://www.artistrising.com/galleries/Lucinda_Knowlton so I’m able to rescue a horse from auction. It’s been a dream of mine for awhile to save a horse from slaughter and retrain it to be a gentle rideable horse and then when it’s gentled enough to be ridden by anyone then find it a good home and start the whole process over again with another rescue.

If you dont find any of my product appealling but appreciate the information you’ve gotten from the site perhaps you could consider a small donation to and of the following rescues that I’m sure would put the money to good use for their rescued horses. I personally volunteer at Horse Rescue Ontario.

www.horserescueontario.org (variety of Ontario’s unwanted horses are rescued by them – I volunteer with them) or s.a.d rescue in Alliston (they rescue mainly draft horses – or CanningtonRescue (they rescue a variety of horses and ponies) http://horsemenforhumanity.blogspot.com/ (Elli mostly rescues thoroughbred but also others for the OLEX) www.newhorizonsequinecenter.com (They rescue mainly standardbreds from the racetrack and retrain them for riding.)
Thanks Lucinda

What are the Vital Signs for Horses

What are the Vital Signs for Horses
Temperature:
Normal body temperature of a mature horse at rest is 99 to 101 degrees F.

Heart and Pulse Rate:
Normal mature horses – 28 to 40 beats per minute. Newborn foals – 80 to 120.beats per minute
Weanlings – 60 to 80 beats per minute
Yearlings – 40 to 60 beats per minute

Determine Pulse Rate:
Horse should be calm, rested and relaxed to obtain an accurate heart rate.
Press your fingers against an artery. There are several locations where an artery can be felt.
1. back edge of lower jaw
2. inner surface of the groove under the jaw
3. inside the elbow, up and forward against the
chest wall.
4. under the tail, close to the body
5. the inside or outside pastern.

Dehydration:
Check skin pliability for dehydration. Pinch a fold of skin on the neck and release it. It should quickly return to its original position. If the horse is dehydrated, the skin returns slowly and tends to stay in a fold.

Mucous Membranes:
Gums, inside lips of a mare’s vulva and nostrils should be pink. A fire engine red color usually denotes illness. Anemia causes a pale color. Lack of circulation causes a bluish-purple color.

Quantity and Condition of Circulating Blood:
Rate of capillary refill (the rate blood returns to an area) indicates the quantity and condition of the circulating blood. Capillary refill can suggest anemia, colic, congestion and shock. You can determine capillary refill time by pressing your thumb on the horse’s gum and releasing it. It should take about two seconds for the blood and normal color to return to the area. Longer capillary refill times can be indicators of dehydration or a circulatory problem.

Catching Laminitis or Founder Early

Overweight, easy keeping horses and ponies as well as horses that have had laminitis in the past are susceptible to laminitis, which is also commonly known as founder. During times when the grass is richer and fructans are higher in the grass these horses should be kept away from grazing. Grass with high amounts of sugar are large contributors to founder. Since the timeline of treating founder is very short before permanent damage can result I would suggest that you have a record of your horses blood pressure and heart rate as one of the earliest and most telling ways of identifying laminitis in it’s early stages is that the horse will have a sharp increase in blood pressure/and or heart rate. If you find it’s heart rate or blood pressure has gone up abruptly then immediately contact your vet.

How to Overcome Your Fear of Riding

I fell from a horse when I was very young and since I was hospitalized I was unable to get back on right away which is generally the best thing to do when you fall off to prevent the person from developing a fear of riding. When I got out ot the hospital my concerned parents had already sold my pony so it was many years before I was to ride again and by the time the opportunity arose, I was petrified. Literally phobic of horses. I only had to be withing viewing distance of a horse and my mouth became bone dry and I could almost hear my heart pounding in my chest. But the one thing that never left me, despite all the fear I had developed of the big beasts, was a love of their beauty and grace. I did get back on years later and over came my phobia. I thought I’d share some of what I learned to cope and eventually win over my fear.

1. Take lessons from a qualified instructor. Explain honestly your fears and concerns. If the instructor constantly pushes you to go far beyond your comfort level then find another riding school or at the very least make it very clear to your instructor that you are not ready to do what they are asking.

2. Take it slow.

3. Make sure that you are riding what they call a “confidence builder” this is a horse that doesn’t bolt, is very very quite and possibly even too lazy to move fast.

4. Don’t worry about appearing stupid or people making fun of you because you’re “a work in progress” and when your fear subsides then you may even surpass anyone stupid enough to make fun of your fear.

5. Work on doing things the right and safe way. Feeling secure in the saddle will be the quickest and best way to overcome your fear. Make this clear to your instructor. Ask him or her about the three points of contact that makes your seat most secure. These are the pubic bone and your two seat bones and if these three are in contact with the saddle it gives you better balance and security.

6. Try to relax. If you tense up your body will be tense and you will lose your 3 points of contact. Perhaps try some breathing exercises where you breathe deeply through your diaphram.

7. Try to just focus on your position and with the horse at walk for awhile even the first 3 or 4 lessons. NEVER let anyone bully you into anything you aren’t ready for. When you are comfortable and not as nervous you can then take a “leap of faith” and try trotting a few steps. Go slow though – you’ll get there.

8. When you’re riding try not to think about falling off – rather concentrate on the technical aspects of riding. eg. Are my feet in the stirrups in line with my ears? Is my posture correct? Are my reins held correctly in my hands? Are my arms holding the reins at the correct angle? Am I leaning too far forward or too far back?

9. A good way to gain confidence is to have a friend use a lunge line and make the horse go in circles so that you only have to focus on a few things at one.

10. Try closing your eyes for short periods while you ride to just feel the rythm of the horse and to work on balancing from just the feel of it’s movements

11. Try some exercises to improve your balance like holding your arms straight out and touching your shoulders. Reach back and try and touch the horses tail and then his ears from the saddle without raising yourself from your saddle. This also increases your flexibility as well.

12. Spend a lot of time grooming your horse. Talk to it when you’re riding or grooming because if you’re talking to it you’re focusing on what you’re saying to it rather than on the fear you’re feeling.

13. Become comfortable with your horse on the ground, leading it, grooming it and putting it’s tack on. These all help increase your confidence.

14. Research horse riding and handling. There are books, videos. Youtube – you can get books and videos at your local library about riding, grooming and handling horses as well as caring for them, first aid and training as well. Knowledge is another key element to reducing fear.

15. Most of all breath and be patient with both yourself and the horse. As the expression goes: “Rome wasn’t built in a day” and it’s better to get your riding right and correct so both you and your horse are safe than to race ahead blindly.

16. Some good links on Youtube for improving your riding seat are:

Excellent Link for getting a good seat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhr7h0TExAI&feature=related

how to improve you classical seat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sl6SeJEzOo

Good Thigh contact:: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8qMg4Lh24Y&feature=related

Piano Hands: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4euwFV75f0&feature=related

Ankle Position: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMUzBO03Emc&feature=related

Stop Pulling on your horses mouth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J4yjVQDvac&feature=related

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