Any news lately on The Tin Man? Has he gone to River Edge yet?

Hiya, FsOB! Looks like today's first entry was spam, Alex & Wendy. Alex, thanks for the article about the positive action of the State of TX' Attorney General, preventing the passage of American horses thru TX to Mexico for slaughter. Wee-ha! Don't mess with Texas. Everyone please have a safe and productive day. Peace, RMH

Good morning everyone

Just a snippet of (good) news to report. Ouija Board has been confirmed to be in foal again - to Monsun. I hope all goes as well for her in this pregnancy as the last. We have good weeks and bad weeks here and I hope for an upward turn in fortunes for the rest of the week. We have great racing this week at Chester, and today Maraahel, a lovely 5-year old horse having his 31st outing will attempt to top the one million pounds earnings mark. If I'm correct, this is the horse that is never hit with the whip - because he doesn't like it. It doesn't stop him being a great fighter. We lost one yesterday, injured in running in a sprint - King Orchiosis. It happens on the turf too sometimes, but is always sad, whatever the place or circumstances.

Hope everyone has a good day.

Morning skritches to the BBH, Sir JH, Gorgeous George, Belle, and the rest of the stellar gang in Equine Heaven...

For them:

MORNING POST, SHELLEYA, DEBRA, WI/AAHS:

STRATEGY FOR THURSDAY MAY 8

As most of you already know, the Missouri Senate passed a resolution on Tuesday that will urge congress to NOT ban horse slaughter in this country. We must put ALL of our efforts into those that we have a chance of getting on board. The passing of this Resolution makes it all the more urgent to get the legislation passed at the Federal level.

We now have 201 co-sponsors in the House...getting 18 more is not unachievable. BTW....we DO have two co-sponsors from Missouri!!!

New to the 110th Congress: Please ask them to Cosponsor HR503

Chris Murphy – CT Phone: (202) 225-4476 Fax: (202)225-5933 Aide: Jesse Young

Ciro Rodriguez – TX Phone: (202) 225-4511 Fax: (202)225-2237 Alexandra Sifuentes

William Sali – Idaho Phone: (202) 225-6611 Fax: (202)225-3029 Aide: Rick Podliska

Heath Shuler – NC Phone:(202) 225-6401 Fax: (202)226-6422 Aide: Ryan Fitzpatrick

Adrian Smith – NE Phone: (202) 225-6435 Fax: (202)225-0207 Aide: Christy Oliver

Zach Space – OH Phone: (202) 225-6265 fax: (202)225-3394 Aide: Aaron Schmidt

Tim Walberg – MI Phone:(202) 225-6276 Fax: (202)225-6281 Aide: Matt Mika

Tim Waltz – MN Phone: 202-225-2472 Fax: Fax:202-225-3433 Aide: Sara Severs

Charlie Wilson – OH Phone: (202) 225-5705 Fax: (202)225-5907 Aide: Melissa Benish

As we continue to target representatives, we are also distributing (via email) a special target list based on the feedback from your calls. This FEEDBACK IS CRUCIAL in determining who to target and how to follow up with members of congress to ensure a swift conversion to cosponsor. Everyone, this

STRATEGY IS WORKING! Please continue to gather information from your calls and pass that information on to us via email through the DB.

Finally, please mention Americans Against Horse Slaughter when making your calls and remind them that we are a non funded, grassroots group of people from across the country brought together for the sole purpose of passing this legislation. It is important that they know we have NO OTHER agenda.

We are BARBARO’S VOICE……Let it be heard!!

Shelley and Deb

Americans Against Horse Slaughter

Posted by: ShelleyA at May 8, 2008 12:43 AM

Cheers,
Friar Tuck

Alex,

Thank you so much for the above link to the Bloodhorse story about the Mexican slaughterhouses being in trouble in Texas. I am so proud of our State's AG, Greg Abbott, to rule that horses sold for meat cannot pass through Texas. Now if they will only enforce it.....

Good morning.

Patty, I agree with you, they will have a hard time trying to enforce the law, but lets hope they give there best effort for the horses. I wonder if this news will get to DC or Texas Senators.

Have a great day, and keep calling.

Good MOrning all: gloomy day here in cny: really helping the spirits along.
repost from Padme last night> Yes Yes: to the point.
Thank You
**************************************************
I'm a little muddled.

Great Texas news, but...might it also be prudent to respectfully urge the Texas Attny General to follow through and make the TRANSPORT OF HORSES for the PURPOSE OF turning them into meat, illegal in Texas?

We are almost there, and this is good, however, if horses must still endure the torturous journey, through Texas, on their way to be killed, then what actual good is the ruling?

Also, I have long been advocating working on getting the border states to ban slaughter-bound horse transport through their states. With huge fines, and confiscation of the horses and the vehicles. This would land-lock the slaughter trucks, leaving them no place to go.

...yes, the Texas Attny General is on the right path. We must carefully encourage further action.

Your FOB Fren, O

Posted by: Otherlyn at May 8, 2008 6:33 AM

There stands Jerri in Pahrump, apparently commiserating with Apple about the joys of pregnancy.
I cannot believe this mare is still all alone in her stall...come on, girl. The poor bunny can barely move...

Prayers to all at MHR for success and delivery.
(And extra for Stephanie who is on crutches with a broken foot....oy)

Good Thursday morning FOBs,

I hope the press and exposure that horse slaughter is now getting will help our campaign to protect our horses from that horrible fate.

Have a great day everyone!!

Janice
A forever FOB

#######
Question and food for thought:

With gas prices going even higher and it affecting everything else.....why cannot we....lease, rent, buy a place and stock hay, grains, etc..for our horses...sorta like a food bank....

and when someone needs hay, etc...(which we would have to have designated different places) we can help them...and when they get back on their feet...that person supplies back to the hay/grain bank....?????

Good morning FOBs

Great news from Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott! After suffering the horror that Texas had one of the last slaughter houses in US, great to see some movement towards protecting our HORSES.

Linda

"just a little bit more" about the Reps on Thursday's national ABR/AAHS list -

Though they're all new to the 110th Congress and so have no prior record re HR 503 in the 109th - how they voted on HR 249 is an indicator of horsefriendliness.

Their respective votes on HR 249 are shown below. (Y = Yes; N = No; NV = Not Voting)

IMO - THANK those who voted YES on HR 249, and remind them that 249 applies only to WILD equines, and we still need HR 503 for the rest of them and to end export.

Chris Murphy CT (Y)
Phone:(202) 225-4476 Fax:(202) 225-5933
Aide: Jesse Young

Ciro Rodriguez TX (NV)
Phone:(202) 225-4511 Fax:(202) 225-2237
Alexandra Sifuentes

William Sali Idaho (N)
Phone:(202) 225-6611 Fax:(202) 225-3029
Aide: Rick Podliska

Heath Shuler NC (Y)
Phone:(202) 225-6401 Fax:(202) 226-6422
Aide: Ryan Fitzpatrick

Adrian Smith NE (N)
Phone:(202) 225-6435 Fax:(202) 225-0207
Aide: Christy Oliver

Zach Space OH (N)
Phone:(202) 225-6265 Fax:(202) 225-3394
Aide: Aaron Schmidt

Tim Walberg MI (N)
Phone:(202) 225-6276 Fax:(202) 225-6281
Aide: Matt Mika

Tim Walz MN (N)
Phone:(202) 225-2472 Fax:(202) 225-3433
Aide: Sara Severs

Charlie Wilson OH (Y)
Phone:(202) 225-5705 Fax:(202) 225-5907
Aide: Melissa Benish

Hay, FOB's!

###
Jonna, that was Otherlyn's post...not mine...

###
Need prayers for Lucy Wolfert...Willow's mom is back in the hospital. She was taken yesterday morning - fluid in lungs, internal bleeding (same as last fall). Prayers for the family. Stuff is coming to light and they need all the prayers and light to help them heal.

Healing, Love, Peace
ONS
Padme

Joan

I think your feed and haybank idea is a great one. It would have to be done regionally.

I think someone in Kentucky was thinking about this idea but I am not sure it moved forward.

This is disturbing - what the hell is wrong with people that they get a thrill out of killing a BLIND pony???? I hope they rot in hell.

Reward increased in blind pony's death
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons who killed a blind Mercer County pony has been increased to $1,500, thanks to donations from the public.

Sandi Drabick, executive director for the Humane Society of Mercer County Inc., said the shelter's voice mailbox has been filled with messages from people who want to donate. The shelter, which operates solely on donations, had put up a $500 reward.

The mangled body of 10-year-old Kahlua was found by his owner, Tory Morgan, on Wednesday. She and Renee Dorogy, the shelter's humane officer, said there were tire tracks in the pony's pasture that appeared to be made by an ATV.

Ms. Dorogy and Ms. Morgan think Kahlua was knocked down by a vehicle and then roped and dragged.

People with information about the pony's death can call the shelter at 724-981-5445.

Donations can be mailed to Humane Society of Mercer County, Reward Fund, P.O. Box 1046, Hermitage, PA 16148.

HBO Horse slaughter

Tell your friends and family.

BLIND pony???? I too hope they rot in hell.

Good Morning All,

Barbaro you live in my Heart.

Good morning wonderful creatures at MHR. Jerri might today be the day?

FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION!

For Barbaro, for Fitch, for Apache, for Ho'pats, for Windchill and all horses.

Ro & Brady

### Just to let everyone know. If all goes well- Daryl, Susan and I will be marching on MO's capital very soon. I have an in there and she promises to help. she is a rep. There was a lot of misinformation given to the Senators. WEs Shoemyer introduced that resolution and during his presentation, he convinced the senators that over 100,00 horses would be starved and abused without slaughter, but also that they would always be treated humanely. He had no one to dispute these claims. This is what we plan to do, before this gets any further. Jen

Joe at TB Friends

ASKING for PRAYERS

So SAD....my trip which was supposed to be happy has taken another turn!!!

My sons lovely samoyed/husky named Snowy because she was covered in snow when they got her as a 6wk old puppy(she's pure black) rescued from a native reserve in northern Alberta 7yrs ago was not feeling well..eating but had diahrea and was vomiting a little!!! She became listless so yesterday afternoon Scott took her to the vet...3hrs later the vet phoned and she was DEAD!!!! Apparently a tumour in her liver which had burst!!!

Deanna and Scott are expecting the TWINS and I am worried to death about the stress on Deanna and how it may affect things!!!!

PLEASE pray that ALL WILL BE SAFE (Snowy was Deanna's dog)Deanna also lost her only sister approx 2yrs ago in a tragic car crash 2wks before her sisters wedding....she hasn't quite recovered from that yet!!!

I love you ALL and I thank you for being MY FRENS...you are the best frens in the whole world!!!!

HUGS and love

Wanted to share a commentary done by a Louisville, KY television station last night.

Although the Eight Belles death is tragic and much can be done to protect race horses, there is another equally important tragedy that happens to race horses every day. That is slaughter.

If you want to respond to this commentary please contact slangford@wave3.com Steve Langford WAVE 3 Vice President and General Manager

Here is his commentary.....

I have to ask -- what goes through PETA's leadership's mind prior to liftoff? With PETA it always seems to be ten, nine, eight, blastoff. Why not get the facts first and be realistic with your concerns? You might find more people will listen and understand your message.

The reality of this year's tragic Derby event was this -- Eight Belles ran the race of her life, crossing the finish line second, with her ears standing straight up, a happy, healthy racehorse. Unfortunately, accidents happen in all sports.

I wonder if PETA checked the Kentucky Derby's track record? There has not been a serious injury to a Derby horse in more than 40 years. That is a good track record.

As for some of the other questions -- was there excessive whipping by the jockey? Look at the tape. There was not. Do they breed thoroughbreds for speed? Yes, it's a competitive sport.

Taking it one further, all Derby contenders are cared for and treated better than most American's. And they do love to run. Go to Lexington and watch them in the fields.

Eight Belles left this world happy. That can't be said for the more than 100,000 horses sent to slaughter to countries like Canada and Mexico. That's a real tragedy. Of course none of them get any TV time. And without that bully pulpit, PETA is strangely quiet.

Odd to me. All of a sudden Texas steps up on the heels of what Missouri is trying to do. It has a hint of strategy.

Or maybe I'm just being paranoid.

####Mirabel, I am so sorry for Deanna's loss of Snowy, my prayers for her and the family that she will be able to remember the happier times to carry her through.

Judy

Hay, Maribel!!!

###
Prayers and Reiki (if its OK...) are on the way to Deanna, the entire family, the twins, Snowy (for the transition) and you...dear one.

It never seems to stop...but we keep going.

Healing, Love,Peace
ONS
Padme

####
LynGilbert

YES....PLEASE !!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
That would be so wonderful...this is not a happy situation at all!!!

Hay, Maribel!

###
start putting white light around Deanna and the twins...just for protection from the stress and upset...I'm already doing it...but the more, the better...

Have to run a couple of errands...will be back later in the day. Keep me posted...if you want to e-mail me, go ahead.

Healing, Love, Peace
ONS
Padme

May 8 Cherokee Devotional [sharing email from Harriette Brillianthawk]

There is something very good about suppertime. Suppertime is more that just a time to eat---it is warm with happy memories. A few sunny hours to run barefoot after school, a time of homecoming and hearing what everyone else did during the day. Suppertime means watching Grandmother making dogalvnhi, Cherokee grape dumplings, and hearing her sing as she worked. A day, a time, an hour never stands on its own, but is bolstered by all those hours that have gone before. Nothing is ever lost----not even the simplest things--for time enhances what has been dear to us. We tend to look back and think something no longer exists. But it does, in all the lovely hours that wait for us----like suppertime--like singing in the kitchen and warm bread baking. This is not just memory, it is sharing life.

We do not want riches, we want peace and love.

Red Cloud

Hi Everybody,
Interesting reading today. Mexico hahaha those are our horses.

A blind pony...Dear God, I hope the devil has a good time with that trash.

Gotta Love Texas. Yeeeeeeeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaaaaw!

Nicanor,
I always said those eyes of Barbaro's and his. I was talking about La Ville's the other day that they have their mother's eyes. She is beautiful.

Good Thursday Morning Barbaro!

reposting from late yesterday's cached comments:

may 6,2008
GEOGRAPHY OF HOPE

--LITTLE ERIN WHO MELTS INTO HER SHEETS
WIFTING AND WAFTING
BETWEEN THE SUN AND THE MOON TONIGHT

i send the miiky way over there
tossing that what i can catch
of the star nursery over their house
..to rest soundly tonight
to breath in and out.
.to gather strength.
geography of
.hope with what is
now
.REACHING OUT
TO SPREAD hands across the world
large large WiNGS
feathered deeply
softest downy feathers
fluffy cushioning the torn and the aching
..
TO the WINDOW WHERE THEY ALL SLEEP TONIGHT

eight bells
winston
jack
my heart breaks
as you take this long journey

for whom the bell tolls
..the time chosen beyond time'
hearts shredded in the blast of departure
shining black coat
a profile stunning from ancient egypt saudi arabian native dancer

the fine grained sand and dirt she folded into it'
'arc angels flying to her side form all fur corners
lifting her on high
over the roar of tears below
as her owners and trainers held each other in disbelief
to have to let HER go
oh so soon
the bitter sting
loss ..
the shock cuts deep

to larry ,his wife his team mr porter

i learned from Barbaro

about eternity
seeing feeling that endless greatness of his flying hooves off the ground
suspended joy

'touched by the silver tipped wings of ruffian and secretariat
pine island and the unknown valiant servant brave miner

below
in a beautiful barn guarded by two cats
half blind jack held the roost
his fur shinny from good food
loving hands
a sense of purpose his caring wise owners hearing him
beyond
over the hill
at that rescue farm
melissa communes with the broken but golden souled winston

eternal basket of gratefulness
slice of fresh bread on an earthen plate melting butter

TO THOSE WHO GATHERED HIS CRACKED BONES
GAVE HIM THE LOVE HE HAD DREAMED OF AND NOW COULD EAT FOR HIMSELF
TILL HE WAS LED ON THAT VELVET CARPET TO THE HEAVENLY GATES

LOYAL SPIRITS VISITING EARTH
THEIR JOBS SO WELL DONE
EVIDENTLY TO HAVE A NEW LIFE
THAT NOW WOULD FLOAT AND GROW
IN THE GARDENS OF OUR HEARTS
IN OUR HEARTS
FOR
THOSE OF US LEFT BEHIND HERE
TO WEAVE THEIR LEGACY INTO SOME DEEP PATINA

A SERVICE TO CRAFT----
LET YOUR LOSS BE YOUR LESSON?
OH THAT IS TOO HARD TO WRITE
NOW WE MUST PART
AS THE ANGELS COME TO CALL FOR YOU.
.I WEEP TO MY KNEES.
.OH MY HEART

THE NIgHTS -- HER STALL
NOW EMPTY.
.I DO HEAR THAT ..
...MY DALRIN..SINGS THE BIRD ON THE TREE BY MY SIDE

HOW COULD I NOT HONOR THEM ALL
BEFORE I FALL TO SLEEP TONIGHT

THE WORLD IN AN UPROAR
CYCLONES BOMBS STARVING CHILDREN
EVEN IN OUR LAND
HOUSES STILL TORN INTO A MILLION PIECES
FAMILIES TYRING TO BE FAMILIES ON THE STREET

buT AS HER HOOVES POUNDED INTO VICTORY
is
the holiness of her
jack and winston-
them too,
their
innocent loyalty and devotion that lifts my own heart to the hghest realms

to rejoice

that
i have tasted lived,sung through her them
i have lived the questions
and so have they
this in itself
is part of some greater mystery called
life

yes
eight bells
notice the prevalence of B
IN BIG BROWN
8 BELLS
THAT SOUND EVOKING A CALL TO ,
A CLARION,
TO A GATHERING TO
AND OF

I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR HER BEING .
.SHE SURELY LOOKS DOWN ON THOSE SHE LEFT BEHIND

SPREADING HER WNGS UPWARD AS SHE SOARS OVER THE TALLEST MOUNTIAN OF UR EARTH

I SHALL COMFORT YOU ..KNOW ABOVE ALL
SHE SAYS
SHE SAYS

THAT YOU HAVE LOVED ME AND KNOW THAT
ETRNAL LOVE .
.THAT KIND OF LOVE NEVER CHANGES
EVEN THOUGH I AM HERE AND YOU ARE THERE
.
BETTER TO HAVE LIVED THE QUESTIONS THAN NOT

IN GRATEFULNESS
to the SERVICE
8 belles ,winston jack ....
.has given to the world
they run together with
Barbaro who by now,well knowing the holy plains
filled with the softest sweetest of grass and fresh water..
across that stretch of pink clouds tipping into the west
i see a huge
FLAME -blazing home--
to the endless ribbon of purple blue night
coming right at you
at us..
that hill just over there ..to here.
right here ......

martita

Posted by: martita goshen at May 8, 2008 6:06 AM

Barb in AZ, my thoughts are with you.It has been very tough.(((((Barb))))

Maribel,
Prayers being sent for Deanna, Snowy and the twins. ((((((((((((Family Hug)))))))))))))

Alex- there is no link- I just got word of it from a state rep who is the mother of my sons scout leader. Rep Fares is going to try to help us with this. We just have to be able to support what i told her on the phone. that is what Daryl, susan and I hope to do in person next week. I do have a copy of a letter that was sent to Susan E. from one of the Senators that voted yes. I will forward that to you. Jen

PLEASE READ JOE TODAY.
So sad: now I worry about whether or not to cut and paste Joe....

Blessings to all; My head is banging away like hell and I will be taking large quantities of whatever
may help this stop....

Couraqge: see. Hurt brain not spel so gud.

I love this man and Joe!

MONTY ROBERTS ADVOCATES FOR THE HORSE IN HORSE RACING
Famed Horse Gentler and Trainer of Multiple Grade 1 Champions Calls for Change
SOLVANG, CALIFORNIA - 5/7/2008 - Monty Roberts, internationally acclaimed horse trainer, animal behaviorist and author of the best-selling The Man Who Listens to Horses, continues his mission statement to "leave the world a better place than I found it for horses and for people too" by advocating change in the horse racing industry.

The recent tragedy at the Kentucky Derby with Eight Belles is an opportunity for the industry to show that it is doing everything in its power to protect horses. A major step in the right direction would be to take whips out of racing. Roberts has been advocating this change for years and believes that now is the time for horse the industry to show their support for this change.

"Violence is never the answer." Roberts took his message of violence-free horse training to the world stage in 1996 encouraged by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Already Roberts had been the leading Thoroughbred consignor at Hollywood Park Race Track for 13 years. He says that his horses respond to his non-violent approach.

"A whip has no place in horsemanship at all," argues Roberts. "It's medieval for horses." He also points out that a horse that wants to win, that has that competitive spirit and natural "will to win" is always going to be a far better racing prospect than the one that has to be beaten for half of the race.

In 2006 Edgar Prado never touched Barbaro with his whip and never asked him to do anything more than was necessary. Prado said, "If he's running real hard, why should he be punished? I'm a horse lover more than anything else."

A student of Roberts's concepts, Hong Kong's leading rider and 7-time winner of the Jockeys Championship Trophy, Douglas Whyte, said "I still believe I can get more out of a horse by encouraging them rather than punishing them. My job is to win the horse's confidence and to get them to run to their best for me."

Roberts so often hears the statement, "We need the whips for safety's sake," but, says, in fact, nothing could be further from the truth, because far more accidents are caused by whips than are ever averted by whips. Roberts offers that if a jockey felt the need for a whip to guide the horse, why not use a spongy, Nerf whip so that no pain could be produced?

Trevor Denman (race announcer at the Santa Anita race track) suggests that an extremely high percentage of disqualifications are caused by using the whip. Further, he said that if the bettors could understand that, they would be less apt to insist that jockeys use the whips to verify that they are trying.

Roberts suggests that the number of race fans would increase with a strong promotional program featuring Whipless Racing. "As racehorse people, we often say we are giving the horse a chance to do what he loves best, run. I believe that is a true statement, but if it is what he loves best, why do we have to whip him to do it? We do not."

It is Roberts' opinion that the best jockeys would still be the best jockeys, and in fact, true horsemanship skills would come to the front if whipping was eliminated.
ABOUT MONTY ROBERTS
Monty Roberts first gained widespread fame with the release of his New York Times Best Selling book, The Man Who Listens To Horses; a chronicle of his life and development of his non-violent horse training methods called Join-Up®. Monty grew up on a working horse farm as a firsthand witness to traditional, often violent methods of horse training and breaking the spirit with an abusive hand. Today, Monty's goal is to share his message that "Violence is never the answer." Roberts has received the ASPCA "Founders" award and the MSPCA George T. Angell Humanitarian Award.

Join-Up philosophies can be seen at work with both humans and horses across the world, from farms to major corporations. To learn more about Monty Roberts or the many applications of his Join-Up training methods, visit www.montyroberts.com or call (805) 688 - 6288.

Here is the link to the Wave 3 Television commentary. Sorry, I am blue link challenged.

http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=8285595&nav=menu31_2_10

((((((((((((((((((jonna)))))))))))))))))))))

I read this on Thoroughbred Times;

Necropsy results for Eight Belles expected within two weeks

by Mike Curry

Necropsy results for Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) runner-up Eight Belles are expected within two weeks, according to Victoria Keith, a spokesperson for owner Rick Porter’s Fox Hill Farms.

The necropsy was performed on Monday at the University of Kentucky's Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center in Lexington under the direction of Kentucky state veterinarian Lafe Nichols, D.V.M.

“Dr. Nichols would not call what they have told us as the preliminary results,” Keith said, referring to media reports of preliminary autopsy results. “So far they could only tell us that what they know is that the horse broke her two legs, but for final results we need to wait for cultures and a complete exam of the tissues.”

Eight Belles, who capped a four-race winning streak leading up to the Derby with a win in the Fantasy Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park, was cremated Monday night and a decision likely will be made this week for her final resting place.

Both Porter and trainer Larry Jones have been bombarded with interview requests as well as expressions of sympathy since the 1 1/4-mile classic race on May 3 at Churchill Downs.

“The vast majority have been so supportive, and I wish we had a way to thank everyone for all of the kindness that’s been sent our way,” Keith said. “It has been overwhelming.

“I don’t think we realized how widespread the impact would be. We have to think about racing and not just our own feelings, even though I can tell you how tough this has been on Rick and Larry. I think they feel a responsibility to keep everyone informed.”

During a news conference at Delaware Park on Tuesday, Jones requested that Eight Belles be tested for steroids in response to accusations that Eight Belles might have been on performance-enhancing drugs. Steroid testing is not part of the initial necropsy because steroids are not illegal in Kentucky, but tests for performance-enhancing drugs can be completed after the necropsy.

“We are just hoping for any clue that we can possibly get out of the necropsy that helps us in some way and might help racing or other horses,” Keith said.

"In 2006 Edgar Prado never touched Barbaro with his whip and never asked him to do anything more than was necessary. Prado said, "If he's running real hard, why should he be punished? I'm a horse lover more than anything else."

Quote by Monty Roberts from article above.

Ya gotta love Edgar!!!!!!

Patty,
Edgar knows how to do it the right way. he hmself is a gentls man and as he say he loves the horses.

I have so much respect for Edgar.

Alex,
Other's have expressed their feeling's, what are your views on racing these horses at four or five years old so they mature a bit more.

Sending All, All All My Love, Prayers And Rainbows To Angels Lucy, Willow, Deanna And Scott
The Twins, Snowy And Barb AZ, Chunky And Punky.

All, All All Angelic Beautiful Glowing Rainbows
To You........

Affirmed

As I am another FOB who is blue-link challenged, here is the link to read a letter to the editor of the NY Times. Quite possibly sent in by an FOB.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/08/opinion/l08horses.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=the+welfare+of+racehorses&st=nyt&oref=slogin

RIP beautiful Eight Belles.

i just wanted to make a quick comment on the tv commentary posted by jennie above...

i cannot comment on the actions of peta. all i know is that their underlying message and apparent cause is to have a voice for all animals and that they stand for fair and justified treatment of them.

i have a big issue with racing, and some of you daily visitors to this board already know that, but i truly get upset when i hear anyone justifying the whipping of a horse. i keep hearing "they love to run more than anything else". well, if that's certainly the case, then at these races why feel the need for a whip? if they truly love to run, they will run correct? (sounds like monty roberts would agree)...

another thing that disturbs me is all the comparisons to these thoroughbreds living a better life than most people. with all due respect (and this is not directed towards you jennie - i know you did not write that but simply just posted the commentary) - that is the MOST assinine comment i have ever heard. given the choice of being treated really well for 2-3years and then offed as opposed to living a normal life and having a regular life span, what would you choose for yourself ? let me guess.

i am not going to claim i know anything about horse racing. all of my conclusions are based on the outcome and the things i hear or read about. like i said before, i do not think i will ever find a reason to justify betting on horses for money, watching races for the thrill, excitement or entertainment of it all. i just plain and simple care about the well being of all animals and it saddens me everytime i hear of an incident of "another horse that had to be euthanized on the track" or "100 horses were rescued from a slaughterhouse" - well what about the other thousands that weren't saved???

JUST GOT THIS EMAIL,

Thank you for your comments regarding the upcoming forum entitled “The Unwanted Horse Issue: What Now?” which is being held on Wednesday, June 18th in Washington, DC. The forum is being cosponsored by USDA and the AHC.

The focus of this informational forum is the “unwanted horse” and not slaughter. The intention of the forum is to bring people together to seek a greater understanding of the current issues surrounding unwanted horses. It is not intended to be a debate on either slaughter or on the federal ban of slaughter in the U.S. There have been many other forums for that debate.

The purpose of this forum is to try to identify the circumstances surrounding “unwanted horses,” whether there are such horses, and if there are, how many there are, the causes of their being unwanted, and the possible solutions and options to help them. We hope it will be an opportunity to collectively identify the current situation regarding the well-being of these horses and to discuss alternatives to deal with them before they slip into the “unwanted” category.

In developing the agenda, the organizers focused on getting a balanced set of speakers with varied views and expertise. We have speakers from Congress and USDA, from various equine industry groups, welfare groups, equine rescue centers, and more.

We hope that this forum will be an opportunity for anyone concerned about the unwanted horse issue to come together, share information, and discuss solutions to benefit the well-being of these horses.

American Horse Council

Kathie Luedeke

Director of Administration

American Horse Council

1616 H Street, NW, 7th Floor

Washington, DC 20006

www.horsecouncil.org

###Dawn - all I have to say is that you are right. You dont know anything about racing. These horses do love to run naturally. There may be things that are done that isnt right,but disputing wether they love to run is wrong. Its like saying a Labrador retriever really doesnt like to retrieve things. They are just born that way. Jen

"God's Wonders In Rainbow"

From God's Loving Heart
The Most Beautiful Rainbow Barbaro
His Wings Of Love
Glowing Halo
The Light Of Love
Beautiful Visions
Beautiful Creations
Divinely Inspired
Appearing
Many Special Blessings
Barbaro's So, So So Beautiful Angels
The Seeds Of Divine Hope
Barbaro's Halo Is Glowing So, So So Beautifully
All The Colors Of The Rainbow
The Circle Of Love
In Hearts
In Roses
In Halos
The Circle Of Angels
In Halos
Eight Belles
Glowing
In Rainbows
Angel Edgar
His Beautiful Heart
God's Wonders
Divine Insight
Seeing God's Love
His Angels........

8.......Halos.......Two Hearts......Connected In
Love......Barbaro's Rainbow.......

Affirmed Rainbows.......
Sacred Prayers......

Affirmed Rainbows.......
God And The Angels Are With You.......
Jesus......

Affirmed Faith......
Angel Barbaro With You.......

Glowing Light......

Affirmed

jen - sorry if you misunderstood. i don't think i ever debated the fact that horses love to run. i don't question that, what i question is the practice of whipping a horse because he is not running fast enough to please his jockey, owner or trainer or to win that big grand money prize. how is that acceptable???

Dawn- I cant disagree with you on that point. I have always thought it was overused in this country and should be regulated. that is one reason I hope P. Valenzuela will never be allowed to ride again. He is one of the worst. jen

I don't like the whipping with the crop. I have never liked seeing it in any race I have ever watched.

Barbaro, I'm missing you so much today! I love you beautiful boy. You are my inspiration when times get rough. I need you today, thank you for being here for all of us. God bless all in equine heaven.

####
Good article on another breakdown less the 24 hours after Eight Belles. Haven't heard much about it.

Donaldson: Brutal accidents show horse racing needs changes

02:58 PM EDT on Tuesday, May 6, 2008

By JIM DONALDSON
Journal Sports Writer

The first race at Belmont Park on Sunday afternoon was nearing the finish when a 4-year-old filly named Just Foolin stumbled in deep stretch and fell, propelling her rider, Angel Arroyo, head over heels to the track, where he lay curled in a ball as the latter half of the 10-horse field went hurtling past -- one of the horses appearing to kick him, even as she tried to avoid him.

Related links
AP Video: What happened at Churchill Downs?

Your Turn: Horse racing: Is it a legitimate sport, or cruelty to animals?
It was less than 24 hours after the tragic collapse and death of the courageously game filly Eight Belles moments after crossing the finish line second in the Kentucky Derby.

Unlike the Derby, which was attended by more than 157,000 at Churchill Downs, and watched by millions more on national television, there were only 4,576 fans in the mostly empty grandstand at Belmont, and the video of the race was seen only by racing fans watching at simulcast outlets, or on their computers.

If those hardcore handicappers cared about anything than other the results of the race, they were out of luck. They were never shown what was going on around Just Foolin, who was vanned off, nor were they informed -- at least not while I was watching and listening -- about the condition of Arroyo, who, it was reported Monday in the New York papers, had a bruised thigh.

It was yet another example of how, although the horses that run the races are noble thoroughbreds, the people who run the game are more like ostriches.

There was no way, however, that thoroughbred racing could put its collective head in the sand Saturday at Churchill Downs. Not with the world watching as Eight Belles lay on the track with two shattered ankles -- a painful, mortal injury that required immediate euthanization by lethal injection.

It was yet another in a increasingly disturbing series of accidents to have occurred on the rare days when casual sports fans are watching racing.

On Breeders' Cup day last October, a European champion colt named George Washington broke down in the Classic at Monmouth Park and had to be euthanized on the track.

Two years ago, Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was trying to add the Preakness to his list of victories when he injured a leg. After months of treatment, he finally succumbed.

Racing no longer can ignore such accidents.

The sport, which once led the nation in attendance -- surpassing even major-league baseball, the National Pastime -- has plummeted in popularity since its heyday just before, and immediately after, World War II.

The sad, and grisly, scenes of the demise of such fine equine athletes as Eight Belles, Barbaro and George Washington -- along with the injuries suffered by everyday horses such as Just Foolin, who hadn't finished "in the money" (first, second or third) in five starts prior to Sunday -- only serve to turn people away from what, in many ways, is a truly beautiful, very exciting and very traditional sport.

In some ways, too traditional. There is a reluctance to change in thoroughbred racing, yet, clearly, some changes must be made, less a sport which once was revered across America become reviled.

One positive development has been the trend toward synthetic racing surfaces. Although the data is not yet conclusive, it appears that artificial tracks, such as those at Del Mar in California and Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., are safer than dirt tracks, such as those on which the Triple Crown races are run at Churchill, Pimlico (in Baltimore) and Belmont.

Other changes are not as easy to implement.

For generations, horses have been increasingly bred for speed, not durability. Instead of racing every week or two, as many did, most horses now race barely once a month, if even that often.

The legendary Seabiscuit raced an incredible 35 times as a 2-year-old -- more than most horses run now in their entire careers -- and won only five, even though he was trained by Hall of Famer "Sunny Jim" Fitzsimmons. It wasn't until "the 'Biscuit" was purchased the following year, in August 1936, at Saratoga, by West Coast auto magnate Charles Howard, and put into the hands of Tom Smith, that his career took off.

This year's Derby winner, Big Brown, has had chronic foot problems. He raced just once as a 2-year-old, and that was on grass. His Derby race was only the fourth of his career. Now, in order to win the Triple Crown, he'll have to race again a week from Saturday, in the Preakness, and if, as expected, he wins there, he'll almost certainly run in the Belmont Stakes three weeks after that, on June 7, in a demanding distance race that covers a grueling mile-and-a-half.

It's been 30 years since a horse won the Triple Crown. It was in 1978 that Affirmed outdueled Alydar three times. It is too tempting a prize to pass up. And so it is likely that Big Brown, who, prior to the Derby, had run three times in his life, will have to run three times in five weeks in order to win the Triple Crown.

That's a lot to ask of any horse in this day and age, especially of one prone to quarter-cracks (painful splits) in his hooves.

Big Brown is a product of a breeding industry that has dangerously narrowed thoroughbred bloodlines. Like the last 14 Kentucky Derby winners -- and Eight Belles -- Big Brown is a descendant of the late Native Dancer, a great racehorse who was highly successful in passing along speed and racing precocity to his offspring, but -- his own career cut short by leg injuries -- passed along that less desirable trait, as well.

Another change that would be beneficial would be the elimination of race-day medication. If a horse needs drugs to run, it shouldn't run. If it can't race clean, it shouldn't race at all. Medication allows unsound horses to train, and race, when they'd be better off in the barn.

The problem is that race cards have to be filled every day at tracks across the country. The larger the fields, the more money is wagered. Gambling is, after all, the reason most patrons go to the track, and the payoffs tend to be bigger when there are 10 horses in a race than when there are only five.

Sadly, one of the rare times racing authorities seem to pop their heads out of the sand is when the handle drops.

When a horse and jockey go down, as in the first race Sunday at Belmont, they look the other way.

Karen Macmanus - Dallas, Texas

Horses and Greyhounds are born to run naturally. Both are TRAINED to Race. There is a big difference between the two.

A horse who is whipped with a crop will hold back it is in Monty's book I am reading now, just due to the shock of it and the pain involved. No one will ever convince me like it was done once that they dobn't feel it. B.S.

. It wasn't until "the 'Biscuit" was purchased the following year, in August 1936, at Saratoga, by West Coast auto magnate Charles Howard, and put into the hands of Tom Smith, that his career took off.

And when they got him he would not run, from being over run and trained. Thank God he ended up with Howard and Smith,they made him who he was and took good care of him.

Eight Belles' Injury Raises Questions About Racing Industry
by: The Associated Press
May 05 2008, Article # 11807

A day after Big Brown blazed across the finish line, the snapshot of Eight Belles down on the dirt set off a raging debate that extended far beyond the Kentucky Derby: Is horse racing now facing an image crisis?

With the memory of Barbaro still fresh, Eight Belles' catastrophic injury Saturday put increasing focus on a sport already trying to overcome a decline in popularity.

Her death has raised thorny issues about the whole Thoroughbred industry, including track safety, whether fillies should be allowed to run against colts, and whether horses are bred too much for speed and not for soundness.

A prominent animal rights group got involved Sunday, too, criticizing Eight Belles' jockey for whipping the horse and saying the second-place prize should be revoked.

Eight Belles

But to horse people, it wasn't all that simple.

"To make it safer, don't race the horses, don't train them, then they'll live good lives out on the farm," Big Brown trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. said.

"But you have to train them for races, you have to run them and that's where the problems start to set in. They have to be asked to run and sometimes in a particular minute, they're asked to run when they're not ready to give it and then it hurts."

While Big Brown's bid to become the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years will certainly gain momentum in the next couple of weeks, Eight Belles and the sight of fans crying in the stands remained a focal point Sunday.

"Filly's Death Casts Shadow over Kentucky Derby," read The New York Times.

"Tragedy mars Kentucky Derby as the only filly dies after race," the Los Angeles Times' Web site said.

Churchill Downs officials were unsure whether there had been a fatality in the Kentucky Derby. Superintendent Butch Lehr said there hadn't been one in his 41 years at the track.

The death of Eight Belles may have been rare because it occurred well after the finish line, but it's just the latest trauma to happen at a major race on national television.

Two years ago, Derby winner Barbaro shattered his right rear leg at the start of the Preakness, with more than 100,000 people gasping at the site of the undefeated colt in distress as he was led into an equine ambulance. Barbaro was euthanized eight months later after developing laminitis as a result of the injuries.

"It's difficult to accept, and we don't have all the answers," Scott Palmer, VMD, Dipl. ABVP, a veterinarian who helped attend to Barbaro on the track at Pimlico, said Sunday. "It's shocking to see something like that."

Now, there are more questions about track safety.

Barbaro's demise helped push forward the installation of synthetic surfaces to replace traditional dirt tracks at several tracks, including Keeneland, Santa Anita, Arlington Park, Hollywood Park, Golden Gate Fields, Del Mar, Turfway and Presque Isle. A new on-track injury reporting program seems to indicate the surface is having the desired effect.

Reports by veterinarians at 34 tracks across the country between June 2007 and early this year showed synthetic tracks averaged 1.47 fatalities per 1,000 starts, compared with 2.03 fatalities per 1,000 starts for horses that ran on dirt. (Read more about the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit.)

But not everyone is convinced.

"This is a very big issue and needs to be discussed," two-time Derby winning trainer Nick Zito said. "You're changing the whole game. Big Brown ran on dirt yesterday, he's going for history. You can't tell me the Polytrack is history. It's not yet, there isn't enough data yet."

That's not saying Zito and other horsemen are not interested in making racetracks safer for both horses and jockeys.

"If you told me, 'Look, we have a device that these horses can run on pillows and never get hurt the rest of lives,' I'd say, 'Where do I sign?'" Zito said. "There's injuries on the Polytrack, too. Now you see why I'm saying it's a big issue."

While catastrophic injuries always have been a part of racing, there has been more of an outcry lately calling for drastic action.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) issued a statement Sunday calling for the suspension of Eight Belles jockey Gabriel Saez. The group also asked for the "revocation of the second place prize."

Saez was riding in his first Kentucky Derby when Eight Belles broke both front ankles while galloping out a quarter-mile past the finish line.

"What we really want to know, did he feel anything along the way?" PETA spokeswoman Kathy Guillermo said. "If he didn't then we can probably blame the fact that they're allowed to whip the horses mercilessly."

A call to the jockeys' room at Delaware Park, where Saez raced on Sunday, went unanswered.

The Kentucky state racing stewards make decisions on suspensions, but there is no racing at Churchill Downs until Wednesday. At that time, the stewards could review a tape of the race if a formal request is made.

Eight Belles trainer Larry Jones disputed any suggestion that his horse had no business taking on the boys.

"It wasn't that, it wasn't the distance, it wasn't a big bumping match for her, she never got touched," he said. "She passed all those questions ... with flying colors. The race was over, all we had to do was pull up, come back and be happy. It just didn't happen."

On Sunday morning, Jones stood next to his Kentucky Oaks-winning filly, Proud Spell, receiving condolences from friends and fellow trainers.

"Got here at 5 a.m.," Jones said. "Got to go on. It's hard, but it's what we do."

Just then, Barbaro's trainer Michael Matz drove past Jones' barn stopped his car and rolled down the window. On Friday, Matz watched another one of his horses, Chelokee, suffer a life-threatening injury in the Alysheba Stakes. He had just returned from Lexington, where the horse was set for surgery Monday to fuse his injured ankle.

"Sorry, Larry," Matz said.

"I know you know what it's like, thank you," Jones said. "How's yours doin'?"

"Doing good, they're going to operate tomorrow," Matz said.

Dutrow was still basking in Big Brown's victory, well aware that an injury can strike at any time.

"No matter what happens, you're always going to see horses break down on the track," he said. "That is part of this game. It's a very sad part of the game, but you have to go through it.

"For people coming out to the track and seeing that, it's got to make them think, 'Man, why would I want to go out there and see that happen to a horse?'" he said. "It's got to be very disappointing to anyone who loves horses."

Best wishes for Big Brown in the Preakness. May they all run safely.

EXTRA THURSDAY 5/08 NATIONAL TARGET LIST (HAHS)

Today's extra HAHS List now posted below and at this DB Thread:

http://forums.delphiforums.com/alexbrown/messages?msg=23431.1

Stress the importance of cosponsorship & getting S 311/HR 503 to a vote.

Heads-Up - per Daryl Smoliak's feedback/request: Ask the Sens who may support (plan to vote for) S 311 but don't want to cosponsor, to send a brief "letter of support" to Sen Mary Landrieu, sponsor of the Senate Bill. Similarly - ask Reps in that position re HR 503, to send such a "letter of support" to Rep. Janice D. Schakowsky, sponsor of the House Bill.

Here's something to add to ALL your contacts please - and the 800 numbers for your convenience on all calls.

IMO - convey the website vetsforequinewelfare.org to all your contacts - to counteract the position of the 2 big vet ass'ns. Links to VEW's two 2007 antislaughter releases and their recently-released 2008 WHITE PAPER are in the DB Thread noted above.

Use these DC 800 numbers and ask for the legislators by name (or ask for extension, last 5 numbers of each legislator's office phone).

800-828-0498

800-828-1887

800-614-2803

You know the drill - don't address this list until AFTER you have followed today's ABR/AAHS Strategy and the instructions of your Group Leader (and if you don't have one, get one, or become one!) - contact our intrepid State Group co-ordinator, Stephanie Breaux sbreaux1@verizon.net

AND use the CURRENT/NEW Talking Points from ABR Strategy when contacting this extra HAHS list as well as when contacting the ABR daily lists.

1. Let [the legislators] know that two of the slaughter houses in this country are closed permanently [since January], and the third (Cavel) has lost their appeal and [is now also closed]. It is URGENT that we now get this legislation passed to STOP THE TRANSPORT of horses to Canada and Mexico. It's VERY important that you stress the cruel and inhumane way these horses are transported. Now is the time to focus on the fact that closing down our slaughter houses is NOT enough but that we must pass this FEDERAL legislation to stop the transport of American horses for slaughter.

2. Let your Senators know that we NEED them as co-sponsors for S311 to get this on the calendar and to the floor for a vote.

3. Tell your Congressman that we need their cosponsorship for HR503 to get this bill out of committee and to the floor for a vote.

4. Dispel the "unwanted" horse theory. Read John Holland's information for more talking points.

5. Closing of all three slaughter houses in the United States helps to reinforce our efforts. We can now dispel the idea that American jobs will be lost due to the end of slaughter. Only Mexico and Canada will now profit from OUR horses being slaughtered!! This is a very important point and one that you should all make when talking to your legislators.

Rhetorial Question Du Jour:
ANY EXTRA TIME/ENERGY/PASSION FOR THE HORSES?
Here is today's (Thursday 5/08/08) extra National Target List from HAHS (Humanity Against Horse Slaughter). These legislators are targeted by other groups on specific days, so our voices add to the impact.

Don't forget to mention S 311 (Senators) & HR 503 (Representatives); ask them to cosponsor - and please use the Talking Points from the ABR Strategy (posted above), reasons why to support the end of horse slaughter and export for slaughter NOW.

Changed Circumstances call for a Fresh Look with an Open Mind. The closure of Cavel is a HUGE changed circumstance.

PLEASE NOTE: Per the ongoing ABR national strategy "...[I]t is important when you make your calls, you request they support and VOTE YES for ANY legislative measure that will ban horse slaughter and export for slaughter. In addition to the Daily Call List, please contact your own senators and representative with this message."

adding this CAVEAT from recent ABR Strategy:

"Remember…….these calls are to gain co-sponsors and support for HR503 and S311. As difficult as it is, please concentrate on the transport of the horses to slaughter more than the conditions in Mexico. We can’t let anyone who is not well informed come to the conclusion that it would be better to have the plants in this country because of the conditions in Mexico."

Thursday 5/08 Extra HAHS List -

Prior HS History - new Reps. elected in Nov. 2006 or recently in special elections. The votes on HR 249 of those who were then in Congress, are shown below.

IMO - THANK those who voted YES on HR 249, and remind that 249 only applies to WILD equines and we still need HR 503 for the rest of them and to end export.

IOWA (2nd part)
Representative Dave Loebsack (Y)
Fax: 202-226-0757 Phone: 202-225-6576
1513 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1502

NEBRASKA
Representative Adrian Smith (N)
Fax: 202-225-0207 Phone: 202-225-6435
503 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2703

NEVADA
Representative Dean Heller (Y)
Fax: 202-225-5679 Phone: 202-225-6155
1023 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2802

NORTH CAROLINA
Representative Heath Shuler (Y)
Fax: 202-226-6422 Phone: 202-225-6401
512 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3311

OHIO
Representative Robert E. Latta (Not in office when HR 249 was voted on. Sworn in Dec. 13, 2007; won special election for the year remaining in the term of the late U.S. Rep. Paul Gillmor (R., Ohio).)
Fax: 202-225-1985 Phone: 202-225-6405
1203 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3505

IF you're done with today's ABR/AAHS Instructions & State directions & the above list and STILL want to do more - you can go to post 2 of the DB thread noted above, for a good alternate target list of Senators compiled by AWI/SAPL.

Pls email me potlucky@sbcglobal.net re specific details re your HAHS contacts, such as what concerns an aide may have expressed, whether you were told the legislator "supports" the bill, did they tell you they only consider input from constitutents, or that he/she doesn't cosponsor due to a committee or leadership position, anything like that. I will make sure our strategy experts are duly advised; this kind of feedback factors into future plans.

THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR THE HORSES! Go get 'em.

LIVING PROOF OF THE LIVING TRUTH

Hope Peace Love Music & RESPECT - CJ the craziest catlady (Blackie's Mother Forever & Shona's Aunt) in Hammond IN, f/k/a CJ of T Bar J (Elgin IL)

A HORSE PRAYER ,
Give me time to know what you want of me. I don’t understand your words.
2. Don’t be angry with me when I do not understand. I have only you to explain things to me.
3. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I understand your voice.
4. Be aware that however you treat me I will not forget it.
5. Keep me safe from harm, because I am no longer wild and able to know my enemies.
6. Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could crush the bones in your hand and hooves that could kill you. But, I choose not to use them.
7. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if I am well or if something may be bothering me.
8. My life is likely to last 20 to 30 years. Please make sure that I am taken care of because I cannot care for myself.
9. Go with me on difficult journeys. Don’t say “I can’t stand to watch it,” or “let it happen in my abscense.” Everything is easier for me if you are there.
10. Place your trust in me and I will trust you.
diane / pa

FOB $1-$5 Alive Drive

We have raised over $700 so far for rescued horses in a little over 2 weeks. That is wonderful! Please remember that small donations of $1-$5 dollars is all we are asking for, but all donations are welcome.

Our next rescue horse in need is Jessie, at Strawberry Mountain, who has a large vet bill. We are going to donate $100 to help on it.

Remember $1.50 to $6.00 paypal to take care of the fees. Here is the website which has a paypal link for donations:

http://www.strawberrymountainmustangs.com/

If you have problems with the paypal link, the paypal address is:

admin@strawberrymountainmustangs.com

And here is the snail mail address:

Strawberry Mountain Mustangs

PO Box 2133

Roseburg, Oregon 97470

Remember collectively we can make a difference for a horse at a rescue.

Thanks to everyone for making this a success. Remember every buck helps. Your pocket change is welcome here.

Please report your donations on the FOB $1-$5 Alive Drive thread on the discussion forum.

We need $20 more.

Thanks,

Margie

####Sandra...how's Chief doing today?

FOB $1-$5 Alive Drive

We have raised over $800 so far for rescued horses in close to 3 weeks. That is wonderful! Please remember that small donations of $1-$5 dollars is all we are asking for, but all donations are welcome.

Our next drive saddens all of us. It is in honor of the life of Twinkle Toes and in his memory. When his name was put on the list, there was hope that he could be helped. But the x-rays showed that he could not be helped except by giving him a loving release from pain. Last week he was lovingly given that help and is now with Barbaro. But this drive will still take place in hope of helping another horse at Founder Rehab in his honor and in his memory.
So in memory of the sweet pony who won our hearts, lets help another.

Remember we want your pocket change. Small donation of $ to $5 are Welcomed and NEEDED.

But if you use Paypal, the least you can give is $1.50 to take care of all the fees. $1.50 to $6.00 is all we are asking for, but all donations of any size are welcome. We have a long list of rescues and it continues to grow.

To donate in the memory of Twinkle Toes at Founder Rehab use this email address for Paypal :

donations@founder-rehab.com

For snail mail:

The Founder Rehabilitation Ranch

4190 Leon Drive

Clayton, CA 94517

If you only have a buck to spare, please know that your buck is welcome. It can help a horse in honor of Twinkle Toes.

Please report your donations on the FOB $1-$5 Alive Drive thread on the discussion forum.

We need $100.

Thank-you.

Margie

I know that Anne would not mind that I posted this little reply from a note I wrote her the other day. I told her the FoBs were right behind her and the family and I hoped she took comfort in that.

This was her answer:
"I hope you don't really feel that the FOBs love and support means 'nothing'....you all have been the most consistent support and encouragement in my life and I dont think I could have even gotten to today if it hadnt been for you all.
I love you all with such a deep love that I cant express it. What you can do is to continue to pray and continue to believe with all your hearts that Erin can make it through this and live on to a lovely and beautiful life that she deserves.
Anne"

Please keep praying for this tough family.

####
Margie, I love this drive you are doing. Sorry if I haven't said that yet. I'm under the weather, and when I'm not, I'm busy! NO REST FOR THE WICKED. I never did understand that one!

####
jonna,

Thank you so much for posting that. I'm glad Anne knows the FOB are here for them.

I'm going to try to get some rest.

Love to all.

####
PS. Thanks to Margie, Dee, and Robyn for your kind thoughts. Sorry if I missed anybody.

Thank you, Jonna.

Healing for Erin and all who need it.

(The good people from KF are the best.)

jonna,
I will make a special donation this Saturday at SCR in Erin's name.

((((((((((((((((renee)))))))))))))))))))))))))
thanks, you sweetie, you. Time to make the donuts...

with B&J yummy

####
Margie..yes thank you for what you are doing for the rescues.

Barb....get feeling better.

Joanna...any news on Tracey, Belle, Georgia, and the others?

Jerri...we are watching?????

Renee...you hug those babies for us.

Jen and Susan..and Daryl...thank you...wishing you much success in Missouri...

ALL OF YOU FOBS...THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD, EARNEST WORK....

Goodnight you Beautiful Bay....

We love you...we miss you...a true winner on the track....and always a winner in our hearts.

Goodnight Family/Fans of Barbaro

PLEASE FAX, EMAIL...CALL...CALL, FAX, EMAIL!!!

Someday...we can sit back...and just watch all of the horses enjoying themselves in the sunshine and green pastures...with no worry...no worry of horse slaughter, no worry going across the borders...abuse, neglect.

Please remember and help our rescues, our Fallen Angels, the ones suffering human or animal, our wildlife, and our loving family.

Have a nice evening.

###
Goodnight Alex.
Goodnight Tim and Fair Hill.
Our precious Fallen Angels...we are marching forward.

####
I wish there was someway we could set up destinations so that when someone needed hay, grains, etc...it would be a food bank for them...and like I mentioned...when they had excess of hay, etc...they go pay back for someone else...wishing...

I know gas prices are going to get even higher...and these people need help to take care of their horses, animals, and themselves...

thank you.

Fren SylverSky's EIGHT BELLES Tribute is one of the most beautiful, heartfelt pieces I have ever read.

Find it on the DB. It hope it will also soon be posted here, (with her permission, of course.)

Hearts will heal. EIGHT BELLES has begun the work of her legacy.

Your FOB Fren, O

joan,
I have to hug them tight for all of you, me and them. Sounds like great therapy after a hard tough week. I can smell them already. ahhhhhh peace.

Jerri says when you all go to bed and close your eyes I will have a suprise for you. They do that, I think they are very private.

(((((((((((((((((joan))))))))))))))))))

####

the same to you Renee....FRIEND.

I'll be here for a short while after I send this. Just think of the Legacy that Barbaro started now Eight Belles beside him. The power of the horse and the power of the people who stand beside them has made such an impact. We should feel so proud and the others who have contributed. Finally the horses are being seen as important and for the animals they are their precious safety...finally.

Have a great evening, we are making a big difference and we are being heard. It sure feels good. Red, White and Barbaro! We have a voice.

Barbaro,
Sweet Spirit, you have made a difference you beautiful colt. I love you!

"With proceeds from the sales [of Eight Belles wristbands], the Maryland-based non-profit will rescue one or more Thoroughbreds in honor of the filly." Huh? That's all? What am I missing that this doesn't make sense to me?

####
jONNA...HAVE YOU HEARD ANY MORE NEWS ON BELLE, TRACEY, GEORGIA AND THE REST????

JERRI...WE ARE KEEPING WATCH...SWEET ONE.

HI ALEX & SUPERFECTA, (I THINK SUPERFECTA IS POSTING TODAY, UNLESS THAT IS OLD?). HOPE EVERYONE IS HAVING A GOOD DAY, MY INBOX (LUVBARBARO) WAS FLOODED AGAIN WITH EIGHT BELLES ARTICLES, INFO ETC... I AM HAPPY TO SEE RICK PORTER IS RAISING MONEY FOR A RESCUE GROUP. I HAVE MY BARBARO (FROM LAURA) CARD ADDRESSED AND READY TO GO OUT FOR LARRY JONES, I'LL TRY AND SEND RICK PORTER ONE TOO. :>)

SUPERFECTA, YOU MADE A VERY GOOD POINT!! WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF TRIPLE CROWN SEASON AND WE VERY WELL COULD HAVE THE FIRST TRIPLE CROWN WINNER IN 30 YEARS. LETS HOPE FOR THE BEST!! :>)

I'M SURE IT'S ALREADY BEEN POSTED ABOVE, I DIDN'T READ ALL THE POSTS -- I'VE BEEN HAVING SOME BAD HEADACHES THE PAST FEW DAYS. ANYWAY, JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU ALL GOT THE EMAIL ABOUT MAY 12 ON HBO - THE HORSE SLAUGHTER SHOW. - IT WAS FORWARDED FROM JOHN H. SHELLEY PROBABLY POSTED IT. :>)

LOVE,
CHERYL
:>)

Catherine,

I think they just mean they will rescue as many as the sale of the wrist bands brings in. The wrist bands are just $5/each. It will take many wrist bands.

I think it's important for everyone to know that Rick Porter has helped to rescue horses in the past. Actually, he rescued the two horses that were rescued with Nickname (Boxcar's rescue).

STRATEGY FOR FRIDAY MAY 9

Back by popular demand.....FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY. This is the day that you can go back over your lists and make that extra call to those that you feel are getting close.

Since we are targeting Reps, we specifically need help gathering the names of those Reps who you feel are close to cosponsoring HR503. Once we have this information, we can target this list and possibly see a quicker conversion for support. Please email all info on this directly to us through the DB on ABR.

Right now we have a tremendous amount of momentum. We must keep that going and not let up. For the present time, we will be targeting Representatives. The number of co-sponsors that we need is 218. We currently have 201. This is very achievable based on feedback we’ve been getting.

Please mention Americans Against Horse Slaughter and remind them that we are a non funded, grassroots group of people from across the country brought together for the sole purpose of passing this legislation. It is important that they know we have NO OTHER agenda.

Remember, "WE ARE BARBARO'S VOICE"...let it be heard!!

Thanks again for all that you do and have a great weekend and a Happy Mother’s Day

Shelley and Debra
Americans Against Horse Slaughter

Horse Slaughter on HBO

This is a message posted on the DB.

The drugs are the first of many things that need to change.
Also, I am skeptical as to the owners concern of their horses when some of these horses are owned by conglomerats and have a corporation that is condidered the owner. Also, of what concern is a horse that is insured? What does horse insurance cover these days? I would be interested in hearing the opinion of some of the insurance companies on what or how the situation (pay off?)was handled on Eight Belles policy. Maybe is is hard to be concerned about your investment if the investment is covered by insurance. Anyone out there in the business of insurancing race horses like Belles?

Plonk: Derby drugs
By Jeremy Plonk
Special to ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: May 6, 2008, 8:07 PM ET
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Thoroughbred racing may finally have its Triple Crown winner, but it's not what anyone wanted.

The convicted drug offenders have now swept racing's Holy Grail. First, Steve Asmussen's Curlin captured the 2007 Preakness, followed three weeks later by Todd Pletcher's Rags to Riches in the Belmont Stakes. Had you ran those two races in January of 2007, the classic-winning trainers would have been Scott Blasi and Anthony Sciametta. Why? Asmussen and Pletcher opened the year banned from training as they sat out suspensions for medication violations. And now comes the poster child for questionable-character trainers, Rick Dutrow, with his Kentucky Derby 134-winning Big Brown. Dutrow spent a good chunk of 2006 banned from the racetrack and his own barn, leaving the "official" training duties to assistant Juan Rodriguez.

The inmates officially are running the asylum.

Insular and insecure racing officials, fans and pundits cringe at the first mention of negativity toward the game, fearing bad publicity could push the teeter-totter that is horse racing completely off the public charts. When outside media-types make their annual cup-of-coffee visits to the racetrack and come away with negative stories, it's dismissed as salacious media coverage and people who don't get the game.

As a person who has worked the bulk of my professional life in and around the racing industry, and could read the Daily Racing Form before my first schoolbook, I'm here to tell you that even I am sick of it.

I pride myself on being very objective in terms of historical hysteria. Often, you'll find my writing and personal comments cautionary toward others to not jump to conclusions; that the grass was not necessarily greener in the old days, or on the other side; and that today's 24-7 media coverage can grossly overstate something that was once a local story into a national epidemic. And, believe me; I recognize that underhanded tactics have been a part of horse racing since the first gallopers.

But racing's biggest current paydays continue to go to the same crowd: those who share time on the "rulings" list almost as much as the national leaderboard.

In the past year alone, the roll call of A-list race victories from recent, convicted medication violators include the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont Stakes and Dubai World Cup, as well as the Breeders' Cup Classic, Turf, Mile, Filly & Mare Turf, Filly & Mare Sprint and Juvenile Turf (a race Nownownow won for an assistant trainer while skipper Patrick Biancone was suspended for possession of cobra venom in his barn).

The last three Horse of the Year winners, Saint Liam (Dutrow), Invasor (Kiaran McLauglin) and Curlin (Asmussen), all saw their trainers serve medication-based suspensions within a year of winning their industry-leading hardware.

Big Brown's part-owner IEAH Stable is a syndicate (group partnership) headed by Michael Iavarone. They have had a meteoric run in the past few years in the racing game behind, no doubt, hard work and intelligent decisions. But they also carry a cloud of question since it was their horse, A One Rocket, who was the focus of a federal indictment that included racehorse doping (via "milkshake") and organized crime. Their former trainer, Greg Martin, pled guilty and IEAH moved their horses elsewhere following his racetrack ban. Let me be clear that IEAH was not implicated in the fiasco, but we're often judged in life's court of public opinion by the company and friends we keep.

This is not to be the squeaky wheel or a Monday-Morning Quarterback and complain. Nor is it any sort of angst from a gambler who lost money and is looking for a sounding board. It's about an industry looking itself in the mirror and owning up to itself before it's too late.

The downward spiral only figures to worsen before it gets better. Imagine being a rival trainer, watching those you know who have cut corners garner all the money and limelight, without being caught. What tremendous temptation and incentive it must be to keep up with the Joneses. Let's not be too altruistic and pure here. Few, if any, horsemen these days are running on hay, oats and water. But there's a big difference between feed supplements and legal race-day meds versus painkillers and nerve agents.

For whom the Belle tolls
Meanwhile, racing cannot continue to cling to its "unfortunate part of the game" answer when it comes to catastrophic breakdowns in nationally televised races. The Eight Belles tragedy follows well-known horses like Barbaro, George Washington and Pine Island in recent years, all who met their maker following sickening national TV sagas.

Initially, trainer Larry Jones said he was not inclined to run fillies against the boys. As time progressed, owner Rick Porter and Jones caught Derby fever. I do not claim that Eight Belles was lame before the Derby; I have no earthly capability of doing so. But I did find several red flags as a handicapper that made me think this trip could be her undoing. What a fantastic filly she was to have run second in the Kentucky Derby. Simply saying "it's an unfortunate part of the game" is a short-shrift approach that does not do this hard-trying horse justice.

The truth of the matter is, and I wrote about it on multiple occasions in terms of handicapping the Derby, Eight Belles had a history of bad acting in her past races, gallops and workouts, tossing her head around and ducking in and out. While I am by no means a horseman, nor do I claim to be, it's almost universally spoken by horsemen that horses will tell you when something may be wrong. This kind of erratic motion often is due to physical inadequacies on one side of the horse's frame or the other.

Complete autopsy reports should be public knowledge as to any clues to the reasons why this might have happened. Maybe there's nothing to it; let's hope. But if there is anything questionable, everyone involved from the horsemen to the fans would be better off knowing. I wholeheartedly want to find out that everything was on the up and up. But I also don't want to go through life irresponsibly assuming so.

Standing along the rail wondering why the cheaters can't be beat and why so many of the game's most-talented stars are dying on the racetrack can't go on much longer. At least not for me; and I hardly rate as an activist or a tree-hugger, but rather as a racing die-hard. Unfortunately, that ship already has sailed for most of the game's would-be fringe fans.

Jeremy Plonk has been an ESPN.com contributing columnist since 2000. You can E-mail him about this topic or anything racing-related at Jeremy@horseplayerpro.com.

Karen Macmanus - Dallas, Texas

####
Wonderful article, Karen M.

I will order a couple of Eight Belles wristbands. Maybe her owner and trainer weren't or were the best. I don't feel that's relevant to this--because a horse rescue will get the funds and that is good.


Also please join the few of us that have bothered reading my thread at the db for a memorial service Sat afternoon/evening for Eight Belles. Feel free to include any other animal that you want to include.


I ask only that during those moments we refrain from any bashing of her connections. This is not the time or the place. This is for Eight Belles.


Sincerely

So glad to see Mid Atlantic Horse Rescue will receive donations in honor and memory of Eight Belles. I had the pleasure of meeting Bev when I went to a New Holland auction with Shelley A, and am confident Bev and MAHR will make those contributions go as far as they can for TBs in need.

I have been amazed at the number of people at my workplace who have contacted me about the Derby. All expressed sadness at the tragedy, but some asked good questions and were open to hearing more about horses in general. Since many of our employees are spread out over the US (and one of my team lives in England), it has been a real opportunity to engage others in the horse slaughter issue. You never know which voice or how many may make the difference.

Regarding racing, as many of you have done, I have written to various industry leaders in what I hope is a respectful but earnest way, asking for them not to let business as usual be the answer. I believe that Eight Belles will have a dramatic impact on the improvement of horse racing and horse/rider welfare. I am so sorry she died. But I know that many will work to see to it that her life has meaning and influence going well beyond her short time on this earth.

One of our "homeboys" is running today:

Snifters Spirit is entered to run today at LONE STAR PARK
Your comments for this horse were: Originally owned by FOB, LynWins, but later claimed away. Now we watch, and pray for Snifters Spirit.

Race: 1 Distance: One And One Sixteenth Miles Surface: Dirt Age: 4 Sex: Gelding
Race Type: Claiming Purse: $7500
Jockey: Martin Escobar
Trainer: Andrew Konkoly

Race conditions: (PLUS UP TO $600 Open ATB) FOR TEXAS ACCREDITED THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. Three Year Olds, 116 lbs.; Older, 122 lbs. Claiming Price $10,000.
Last Raced: 04/20/2008 at LONE STAR PARK in Race 4
Finish Position: 4th
Last Reported Workouts:
02/24/2008-SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK-Five Furlongs-Dirt Fast-1.04:40 Handily
11/10/2007-RETAMA PARK-Three Furlongs-Dirt Fast-36:60 Handily
10/12/2007-RETAMA PARK-Four Furlongs-Dirt Fast-50:20 Breezing

God Speed SNIFTERS SPIRIT!

Fren Lyn, we have not forgotten your boy.

Your FOB Fren, O

Nice article about Nicanor. Thanks for posting, Alex.

I especially like this quote, which I see you have already done!

"I'm very glad he's with Michael and Peter, and especially glad he's owned by the Jacksons," Stephens said. "They haven't put any pressure on the horse as far as expectations are concerned; they're laid-back and low-key, and I know they'll do the right thing by him."

FOB $1-$5 Alive Drive

We have raised over $800 so far for rescued horses in close to 3 weeks. That is wonderful! Please remember that small donations of $1-$5 dollars is all we are asking for, but all donations are welcome.

Our next drive saddens all of us. It is in honor of the life of Twinkle Toes and in his memory. When his name was put on the list, there was hope that he could be helped. But the x-rays showed that he could not be helped except by giving him a loving release from pain. Last week he was lovingly given that help and is now with Barbaro. But this drive will still take place in hope of helping another horse at Founder Rehab in his honor and in his memory.
So in memory of the sweet pony who won our hearts, lets help another.

Remember we want your pocket change. Small donation of $ to $5 are Welcomed and NEEDED.

But if you use Paypal, the least you can give is $1.50 to take care of all the fees. $1.50 to $6.00 is all we are asking for, but all donations of any size are welcome. We have a long list of rescues and it continues to grow.

To donate in the memory of Twinkle Toes at Founder Rehab use this email address for Paypal :

donations@founder-rehab.com

For snail mail:

The Founder Rehabilitation Ranch

4190 Leon Drive

Clayton, CA 94517

If you only have a buck to spare, please know that your buck is welcome. It can help a horse in honor of Twinkle Toes.

Please report your donations on the FOB $1-$5 Alive Drive thread on the discussion forum.

We need $75.

Thank-you.

Margie

Eight Bells for Eight Belles

Please sign this petition to honor Eight Belles at the next Kentucky Derby.

what the heck did "jenna" type above? alex...?

well, it's gone already@! :-)

never mind! ty!

WOW! Another good article, Alex, about the welfare organizations. Listen to this:

“I think they have to be taken seriously in the climate that is Washington, D.C.,” Means said. “They have increased their efforts; we’ve seen that in the horse slaughter issue."

Good stuff.

btw, i just signed the petition for eight belles, and also passed to everyone at work(a bunch of people at a college) :-)

that would be so nice in her memory.

Still time to guess Jerri's Kid's Birthday! Winner gets a one of a kind keepsake box with VERY SPECIAL PICTURES OF MOM AND BABY,

Guess Jerri's Baby's B'day

Eight Belles: You will never be forgotten. You are all class and all heart. Please know that many many TB's will be safer because of you. You and Barbaro fighting for track safety and responsiblity for retired TB's are truly a force to be reckoned with. You are both champions who never settled for less than giving your all to win the race. Your fans will work hard to win these races in your honor and memory.

Lisa in Colorado

SNIFTERS SPIRIT came in fourth, again. He and the other horses all came home safe. No one was claimed out of this race. Wheeeew, anothersafe race for SS, and some treats in the barn tonight!

Sweet dreams, Dear Boy. I'm sure that your old mom, LynWins still often thinks of you...and at least one FOB does too.

Your Fren, O

Hiya, FsOB! Alex, thanks for the article about Nicanor. It's always a treat to read about Bobbey's little brother. It was nice to see that Rick Porter is dedicating the proceeds of the bracelets to MidAtlantic Horse Rescue. Everyone, please have a good night! Peace, RMH

Alex, I tried to follow all your links above. There is SO much to read out there! I'm still not done. Thanks for posting all of it. I honestly believe something good, or maybe several somethings good will come out of that precious filly's death.

God Speed Eight Belles.

Thank you, Alex.

My sentiments echo BarbAZ, Alex

Sending love this evening to that one I who is ever present in my thoughts ... Barbaro.

MHR is selling great looking wristlets that say
STOP THE PMU INDUSTRY For Nellie and Lil Angel.

Only $5.00...remember after we kill HS, we go after the frakki PMU ghouls.

And yes, Jerri and Apple are still hanging in there.
As Stephanie's husband Rob would say, NO NEW HORSE FOR YEWWWWWWW!!!

Eight Belles so clear in my mind...if only, if only. Feel so much like I did after Barbaro was injured...but with him, there was hope.

Courage: j

No update on Erin, yet. I will post if I an still awake!