In the wake of Eight Belles’ euthanasia following injuries in the recent Kentucky Derby, a Gallup poll (www.gallup.com/poll/107293/PostDerby-Tragedy-38-Support-Banning-Animal-Racing.aspx) reveals that almost four in 10 Americans (38%) say they would favor banning sports that involve competition between animals.
Women were slightly more in favor of banning racing than men, and those 18 to 29 favored a ban slightly more than older age groups. There was little difference in these attitudes by church attendance or by political party. Results were based on telephone interviews, with 1,017 national adults 18 and up, conducted May 8-11.
In addition to the question about banning horse and dog racing, Gallup’s annual Values and Beliefs survey updated a broader question about the treatment of animals, last asked in 2003. A quarter of Americans said animals deserve the same rights as humans, while almost all of the rest agreed animals should be given some protection from harm and exploitation.
Gallup reported that the aforementioned attitude toward the treatment of animals is virtually the same as it was five years ago.
– Bloodhorse.com
Dr. Cecilia Penedo, University of California-Davis, explains the steps involved in DNA testing at the Veterninary Genetics Laboratory for members of the National Pedigreed Livestock Council. The NPLC met this week in Sacramento to catch up on trends in livestock genetics, legal issues relating to intellectual property, activities of those who oppose animal agriculture and assorted discussions of association management.
Thanks to the VGL staff and everyone at UC-Davis who helped organize and coordinate the meeting in Sacramento. More than 50 members attended, with nine horse breed associations represented. This type of gathering is especially useful for those of us who don’t normally have the opportunity to share ideas and information with folks who work for other breed organizations. Equine folks obviously focused on specifics in the horse industry, but we can always learn from other groups who serve a membership of livestock raisers.
Researchers at the UC-Davis Equine Performance Research Center outlined some of their studies for a tour group of breed association executives from the National Pedigreed Livestock Council. The meeting in Sacramento this week included a tour of UCD facilities and lots of discussion about industry trends and issues. In case you’re wondering, this particular nanny is part of a study for the U.S. Army to investigate the effects of less than ideal environmental conditions (specifically dust and altitude) on soldiers.
For equine studies, the treadmill is especially useful in studying a horse’s gait and stride for signs of lameness and related compensatory changes. UCD is a premier facility with well-respected researchers in a variety of equine projects. The tour was definitely a highlight of the gathering in Sacramento. We also heard from experts in the field of genetic technologies who discussed “genomic enabled animal selection” and emerging science (which continues to amaze).
Lots of initials, but the University of California-Davis hosted attendees at the annual meeting of the National Pedigreed Livestock Council this week in Sacramento. After the business sessions, the Veterninary Genetics Lab staff at UCD took us on a tour of the DNA lab, the equine performance research facility and the goat studies area. It was a gorgeous day and the scenery was accented by this colorful driveway near the lab.
The NPLC is an organization of executive officers of the various nonprofit breed associations of dairy, horse and pony, sheep, goat, swine and beef species. Our program included updates on livestock genomics, association management, the future relevance of breed associations and discussions of legal issues relating to patents and intellectual property.
Washington State University (WSU) received a $25-million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help construct a $35-million building that is to become the centerpiece of WSU’s new School for Global Animal Health. Research at the school will focus on discovering new vaccines, diagnostics and other strategies to control global infectious diseases that affect both animals and humans.
“WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine is a worldwide leader in research on animal health and its link to human health,” says WSU President Elson S. Floyd. “The generous support of the Gates Foundation is truly transformational. The work of WSU researchers will be dramatically enhanced, and the results of their work could impact countless lives in this country and around the globe.”
The school will focus on three interrelated approaches to global animal and public health, including: vaccine development and deployment, emerging pathogen and disease detection, and control of disease transmission from animals to humans.
To learn more, visit: www.globalhealth.wsu.edu
Rural residents have long had to deal with folks from the city dumping their unwanted dogs. Now you can add horses to the mix.
“The forced closure of the last horse killing facilities in the U.S., done at the urging of animal rights activists, has caused a herd of unwanted horses in animal shelters nationwide, according to breeders, ranchers and horse rescuers.”
That’s the lead sentence in an article from a recent USA Today that looks at the consequences of legislative and legal maneuverings that have made horse slaughter illegal in the U.S. What’s more, the article warns, “Although it remains legal to ship horses to Mexico or Canada for slaughter…there is a move in Congress to close that off as well.”
Paxton Ramsey, an East Texas cattleman and horse breeder, says the shutdown of slaughterhouses has led to stray horses showing up in higher numbers on public land and private property. If that continues, he told the paper, it won’t be long before the public has to foot the bill for a half-million horses at $2,400/horse/year.
Meanwhile, neglected horses are showing up in shelters across the nation. While some shelters say they have room for more horses, shelters in Virginia, Tennessee and Illinois are full, according to the article. Donna Ewing, founder of Hoofed Animal Rescue and Protection Society in Barrington Hills, IL, told the paper, “I’ve seen a tremendous increase in the number of people pleading with us to take their horses and we absolutely cannot.”
– Burt Rutherford, BEEF Magazine
by John Etcell, AAA President
As you would be aware, the entire Australian Equine Industry has been severely affected by an outbreak of Equine Influenza (E.I.). There have been major ramifications on the Australian Appaloosa Association as a result of this.
The outbreak first occurred in August 2007, right at the beginning of the Australian Breeding Season. The impact has been enormous with a vast number of our members unable to show their horses, breed their horses or transport their horses.
Some areas in Australia remain unaffected, however the major impact has been felt in the States of New South Wales and Queensland. It is in these two States that the majority of members reside so the impact is enormous. These two States have been locked down since August 2007.
This has impacted on the scheduling of the Australian Appaloosa National Championship Show. Originally scheduled for April 2008, it will now be held in Dubbo, New South Wales from the 22nd June 2008 to 2nd July 2008.
Following our visit to Oklahoma City last year, our level of enthusiasm and expectation relating to the relationship between the ApHC and the AAA was very high. The exciting proposals that were discussed indicated a wonderful year in 2008 for the Australian Appaloosa Association. Unfortunately, The Equine Influenza Virus has almost brought the Australian Appaloosa Association to its knees and has altered these arrangements dramatically.
Having said that, I am hopeful that 2009 will be our ( The ApHC and The AAA ) new beginning. It is hoped that the international proposals can be implemented throughout that year. It is also hoped that other international delegates and guests who expressed a wish to visit the Australian National Show in 2008 may transfer that wish to 2009.
At the moment there is also talk that a member or a number of members of the AAA Board may visit the USA coinciding with the Appaloosa World Show later in 2008. Should this eventuate, then it would be the perfect opportunity to reestablish the relationships and proposals began in 2007.
Regards,
John Etcell.
President AAA
Since all three U.S. horse slaughter operations were ordered closed last year, the number of horses exported to Mexico for slaughter has increased 312 percent, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. As of Dec. 20, 2007, 44,475 horses had been shipped to Mexico for processing for human consumption compared with 10,783 shipped at the same time in 2006.
Citing inhumane treatment, animal-rights groups such as the Humane Society of the United States have called for a ban on exporting horses for slaughter. The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, currently pending in Congress, would prevent any horse slaughter facility from operating in the United States as well as prohibit the shipment of horses to other countries for processing.
The AVMA and other opponents of the bill contend that actions of the anti-horse-slaughter coalition, led by HSUS, have, in fact, led to the current welfare crisis. Unwanted horses fared much better when they were transported under government supervision to U.S.-regulated facilities and humanely euthanized, they say. For more information, follow this link: http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/jan08/080115a.asp
Several factors have combined to create an abundance of neglected horses in the United States. The closure of the horse slaughter facilities has made older horses a financial liability, and the rapidly escalating price of hay has made many horse owners re-evaluate their hobby. The American Horse Council says there are 9 million horses in the United States today, and the number of owners charged with animal cruelty due to neglected horses is on the rise as the price of horse ownership increases. So, the fallout from the closure of the slaughter facilities: More horses are suffering from starvation and neglect. — Greg Henderson, Drovers editor. www.drovers.com
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