Hiya, FsOB! May each of you have a safe and productive day. Gotta run, I slept in a little later than usual this AM. Peace, RMH

Morning skritches to the BBH, Sir JH, Gorgeous George, Belle, KeyKey, Genny, Sky and the rest of the charming crew of Heavenly Equines!

For them:

STRATEGY FOR WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 1

Although Congress has now recessed until September 8, Legislative Aides are still there to take your calls. Until further notice, the strategy will be to continue to gain co-sponsors for HR6598 and the plan is to start with those co-sponsors of HR503. A list is on the DB and the Wiki with their names and we are asking that they are only called by constituents. Please do not call the names in red because they are already on board. If your Representative is already a co-sponsor of HR6598, the best way to help is to reach out and find constituents in other districts. We now have 46 committments which is great!! They cannot not be added to the official co-sponsor list until session resumes.

There is still a very small window of time to try to see your representatives while they are in their home district. Many will be out on the campaign trail so should be easy to find. Below is a Fact Sheet for you to hand out if you do get the chance to see them.

http://www.hsus.org/web-files/PDF/legislation/110_equinecruelty_hr6598.pdf

Remember, this list will be friends of the anti slaughter legislation and there is no reason to go into detail. We've been asked to make sure they know that HR6598 , the Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equity Cruelty Act of 2008 is taking the Title 18 approach to end horse slaughter and has been introduced by Representative John Conyers, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. It is not necessary to answer complicated questions or try to explain the bill. Sometimes "less is more"!!

Although the paperwork cannot be done to co-sponsor while they are not in session, we will update this list periodically as commitments are received by the proper people in DC. When their name goes red, there is no reason to call again.

You have have done a fabulous job of setting the groundwork and it seems that we're off to the right start. We have been advised that our grassroots efforts have made a tremendous impact and YOU ALL are the reason. It is important that we now follow directions and stay focused on what has been requested of us.

Our mission is to GO RED!!!!

We are BARBARO'S VOICE..let it be heard!!!!

Thanks,
Shelley and Deb
AMERICANS AGAINST HORSE SLAUGHTER

Posted by: ShelleyA at September 1, 2008 11:52 PM

Cheers,
Friar Tuck

Good Morning Everyone,

On the Rescue Board, Spring Creek Horse Rescue in Colorado is trying desperately to save 19 yearlings that are on a lot to be shipped to Mexico (they have been able to save a few so far; they are down to 19 now - $100 per each baby)

For photos and info see "SCHR-YEARLINGS in need in DURANGO, CO"

thank you for anything you can do.

HERE'S JOE FROM WEDS: YESTERDAY GOT TERRIBLE IN THE BEAT OF A HEART///SO I JUST SHUT DOWN. MORE LATER:
*****************************************************
Wednesday, September 3rd... The rush is on. I told you about a large thoroughbred breeding farm shutting down in October, and once again readers of Tbfriends are there to help. There are 16 available pregnant mares, and so far 7 have new homes. There are 11 yearlings, and so far 8 have new homes. Foals born in 2008 have yet to be weaned. There are 6 babies who are spoken for, and 6 who are still available. Transportation was scheduled for the first week of October, but plans have changed. Because of your response horses will begin going to their new homes this week.

From the same ranch there are horses of racing age. 2,3, and 4 year olds. Some have been to the track, and some are not even broke to ride. There are 15 horses of racing age, and so far 5 have been spoken for.

There are two thoroughbred stallions, and they will come to Tbfriends for castration. We will then evaluate, and hopefully find both a new place to live.

Your support is more than we ever hoped for. Thank you very much for helping these horses.

With each family, or young person, who takes a sight unseen thoroughbred from either a foreclosure or a going out of business ranch, there is a story. I have been sharing many of these stories with you, and will continue to do so.

Thanksgiving coming soon, a time to be thankful. And boy are we ever.

The other day I mentioned Rowan, 13 years old and she lives in Davis. Cathy and I are lucky enough to come in contact with the most amazing kids. When Rowan was 10 she and her 6 friends began making chocolate. So good it had to be packaged. The Yummy Dummy Chocolate Factory came to life. In the beginning the 7 girls were making 60 or 70 chocolate bars a month. Now they are producing 600 to 700 bars, and they were able to buy new equipment. The girls sell their chocolate bars at Farmers Market. Also at a wine store in Davis.

The girls have been featured on the television show California Heartland. And in newspapers.

Each of the 7 girls gets to take a portion of their profits and give it to charity. Rowan chose Tbfriends. We used her money to buy special supplements for our skinny gelding Cope.

There is young Sara who also lives in Davis, and all by herself Sara saved the life of an older paint mare. With the help of friends and family, Sara was able to raise $400.00. The mare is now at a boarding stable in Davis, and Tbfriends will help with placing her in a lifetime home.

There is young Britt from Sacramento, and she convinced her mom they must help 5 hungry horses living in a field with junky cars. Mom received permission from the owner, and so twice a day Britt would bring food. This was in June. Almost 3 months later, and the 5 horses have rebounded well. The junky old cars have been removed. Britt and her friends helped put up a new fence. Now when motorists drive by they can say oh look at those beautiful horses.

On Sunday Britt and her mom were in our driveway. They brought us 5 bags of Equine Senior. Britt wants to spend the rest of her life rescuing horses. Just like Rowan, Britt is also 13.

Enjoy your 87 degree Wednesday, and be sure to hug your horses.

Joe

An anonymous donor has saved the yearlings!

THANK YOU SO MUCH, ANGEL ON EARTH!!!!!

Two YEARS ago, the Village--aided by my $^%#$% neighbor on one side--blew GCNY into the Village. Apparently they have now totally decided against allowing ANY non-profit groups from functioning in the Village/

We talked, petitioned, protested, had candlight vigils, stirred up the press--who were totally on our side, lotsa of politicial cartoons about how the Village had no heart for animals in need...

(A cat rescue group is also implicated in all this BTW

Anyhow. I have been careful and cautious and keeping each turd picked up as fast as I can and I now use Sweet PDZ granules. which are amazing, and it will apparently not be enough.
There was the Code Officer;

Too many greyhounds dogs, no rescue groups to be run in the Village, blah, blah., blah. I referred him to our attorney. smell of urine was the biggie.

So now i have to back to war with the village again. ANd I am off to the shrink in an hour or so, with a new cause for anxiety attacks on my plate.
I have no idea what will happen. It won't happen fast though...if they go by their usual anal retentive pace.

So keep us in prayer., I will NOT give up this work, but fixing this house to sell or rent and finding about where i can have over 10 greyhounds...I need an angel, for sure..

Lub you guys, thanks for all the sweet messages public and private. So many people have been where i am now... vis a vis the abuse issues rearing their ugly heads...I know I am not alone, but to be reminded is a blessing.

Will keep you updated. Gotta call my Congressmann,
wash my hair and get down to this appointment.

Oh BTW: we have a lovely, older feisty Dutch attny to whom I referred the nice Code Officer. (he was nice...)

so we shall just put one foot down in front of anohter and try very hard to take it day by day...

xxoo:j
COURAGE TO ME!

Morning everyone...silly question. Is there there anything IO have to do to join FOB?

###
Brent if your here your a Fan of Barbaro and some one who is fighting to stop horse slaughter. So welcome our new FOB!! Glad your with us!

##
Brent where are you? What state, please be in AL. LOL! Just kidding. But your state leader will be looking for some help in making calls.

###
Jonna
YES day by day and brick by brick my friend! Your always in my prayers.

YEARLINGS RESCUE - posting from Diane at Spring Creek Horse Rescue in Colorado:

"Thank You EVERYONE that bumped- donated-supported this effort!!!!!

"We now need donations for shots, castrations, junior feed, & lots of hay to get them 'fat & adoptable.'
These horses are ALL for adoption, - monthly sponsors would be wonderful, until they find homes. It is a lot of extra mouths to feed- but with everyones help they are now safe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Diane-SCHR"

Thanks for the welcome!! I am actually in Milton, Ontario. About 30 minutes west of Woodbine.

Good Morning Gang.

WOW! (((Anonymous Donor))) of the 19 yearlings rescue.

Hi Brent.

####
Brent so happy your here.
Alex has this posted at the top of this page.
For Canadians: Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Call to Action. All the info you need will be there.
But if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Do you know Alex?

###
FG good news about the Yearlings!

Everyone welcome Brent to ABR, Alex Brown Racing!

Alex, it is a good thing you didn't fall off in front of the boss. :-D

I just listened to your interview. "The betrayal of slaughter is certainly not appropriate." It certainly isn't. Thanks for all that you do.

Good morning, all.
Prep for me at school here. I am preparing to say hello to all my fellow FOB!

Some WONDERFUL news here today, including the anonymous savior of those 19 yearlings. I'm almost in tears over that one. Thank you, whoever you are!

Welcome to Brent!

###
Jonna, what town are you in? Can we help?

Welcome Brent!

Gang, should we try to get Alex on the TODAY Show? We can email them to the attention of Jill Rappaport, a horsewoman herself since she was 6 years old. Recently, one of her dogs passed away and we spoke of that issue here.

What do you think???

today@msnbc.com

Joe at TB Friends

FOB going to Woodine

##
Brent you may like to go meet some other FOB's, Alex will be there!

Debbie,

That would be great. I will definately head to Woodbine Sunday.

btw...just sent a lengthy letter to my MP asking for his support and assitance in getting slaughter ended her in Canada. I did not realize how bad it is here. I hate so many things about our govt and this country in the things they do and let happen.

See many of you Sunday

Brent

Debbie,

That would be great. I will definately head to Woodbine Sunday.

btw...just sent a lengthy letter to my MP asking for his support and assitance in getting slaughter ended her in Canada. I did not realize how bad it is here. I hate so many things about our govt and this country in the things they do and let happen.

See many of you Sunday

Brent

####Requesting a little help here, please. On the DB there is a 25yo horse (Blaze) who needs to get to his sanctuary home in New Hampshire. This has been touch and go in trying to find this location.
Stacy(Cody Hollow)is providing transport and needs $200 in gas to help out. Stacy is the person that brought the pony to visit with Erin Brennan a while back.
Things have finally fallen into place with the help of Beth of NEER and we just need to raise the gas money and $100 to get Blaze started on his feed when he first arrives. The sanctuary where he is going is just starting up and can use a little help when Blaze first arrives.
Please go to the DB and see thread ....25yo needs home in Penna....
Any donation would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks to everyone for helping this horse get to his new home.
Ellie az.

####
Thanks Brent, Tell all the FOB's at Woodbine hello from a Alabama FOB, I was so wishing to meet Alex at the last celebration. I have yet to meet him. One day Alex! Have fun all.

Later

###Hi Brent, welcome to ABR. I am in Brampton and will be going to Woodbine on Sunday. Shelley will be posting on the forum as well. It will be good to meet fellow FOB's.

Judy

Welcome aboard, Brent. It's great to have you here.

Calling all angels!

Please help Blaze if you can! His ride to freedom leaves today!

"FREE 25 Yr QH in PA needs home ASAP"

thank you.

##
Correction: Blaze's ride is leaving tomorrow.

They need gas money, and some money for grain. Please help Blaze get to his new home!

BRENT, welcome to the family!!!

God bless the anonymous angel who saved the CO yearlings...this is why we ALL need to win the lottery!

####
Congratulations for saving those beautiful babies.

please let us help Blaze...
please let us help for food, grain, for those babies.

and...Jonna...we are with you.....courage.

and FOBS....thank you for everything you do.

Lava Man to reside at Old Friends

WHY CAN'T THEY JUST SELL THE OLDER , RETIRED RACES HORSES TO PEOPLE THAT WOULD REALLY WANT A HORSE... STOP OVER BREEDING THEM... IF THE RACING INDUSTRY WASN'T SOO MONEY HUNGRY WITH THEIR HEADS UP YOU KNOW WERE.. AND REALLY CARED ABOUT THOSE HORSES THAT WON THEM ALL KIND OF MONEY $$ , THEY WOULDN'T JUST DUMP THEM WHEN THEY GET TOO OLD OR TOO SLOW TO RACE AND MAKE MONEY... THEY REALLY NEED TO CLEAN UP THEIR ACT.. THIS KIND OF THING THAT HAPPENED TO LIGHTS ON BROADWAY SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ALLOWED TO BEGIN WITH!!! HOW MANY OTHER HORSES AND WHAT PRICE THEY HAVE TO PAY ... FORTUNATELY THEIR ARE CARING PEOPLE THAT CAN HELP... GOD BLESS THEM AND GOD BLESS ALL WHO WATCH OVER OUR BELOVED ANIMAL FRIENDS. / I USED TO ENJOY HORSE RACING, BUT AFTER HEARING ALL OF THIS , I'M TURNED OFF BY IT.. IT'S JUST ANOTHER MONEY RACKET -CROOKED, GREEDY PEOPLE.. THAT NEED TO BE STOPPED... CLEAN UP RACING!! /diane

Curlin to start in Jockey Club Gold Cup

####
Please help Blaze....he has a home...now he needs funds for his ride to a loving home.

and....hay, grains, etc....to feed the 19 babies.

and.....all of the other rescues that need us....please help.

PLEASE CALL, FAX, EMAIL....SEPT 8 IS AROUND THE CORNER.

AND....REMEMBER TO KEEP THE CANDLES GLOWING FOR BARBARO AND HIS FRENS....PLEASE.

THANKS DEBBIE LA: BUT HERE IS JOE FOR THE PRESENTLY BRAIN DEAD:
*********************************************
Thursday, September 4th...
I am going to give you a break from stories about ranches out of business. Feed lots. Race tracks. Every couple of months I like to share with you questions from readers. Here we go:

Question: There is so much going on at your ranch. Yet you only write 5 or 6 paragraphs on your website. How do you decide what to write about?

Answer: The other day while making coffee, I thought I am going to write about young Julia this morning. And how Julia loves her thoroughbred gelding Wyatt. But I ended up not writing a word about Julia. Between loading pictures and graining the barns and writing a paragraph and graining the mare motel, I often lose concentration. Someday soon I will tell you about young Julia.

Question: Who is your favorite horse on your ranch?

Answer: All of em. (how is that for a politically correct response?)

Question: My best friend adopted a horse from you two weeks ago, and she gave permission to show her picture on your website. I check everyday, and she is never there.

Answer: We are having major problems with our new Kodak program. Your best friend will be posted soon, I promise. Links will also be updated.

Question: I recently paid good money for a thoroughbred who they said was well trained. I am so frustrated with this horse. Can you direct me to a trainer in my area? I want someone honest and hard working.

Answer: (we sent this girl and her horse to an honest and hard working trainer.) Tbfriends has spent years discovering the best event trainers and riding instructors in Northern California. A good chance we know of someone in your area.

Question: I bought a mare who orginally came from your ranch five years ago. She was a race horse. Do you have her registration papers?

Answer: Nope. We seldom get papers.

Question: There is a horse rescue ranch outside of San Francisco that went out of business. I drove by and all the horses are gone. Most were thoroughbreds. Do you know what happened to their horses?

Answer: Yes. The horses are safe.

Question: My friend got a horse from you, then she gave him to her neighbor. Does this make you angry?

Answer: Nope. I have no control over the actions of others.

Question: How long have you and Cathy been together?

Answer: Since 1983. 25 years. Cathy is the best thing to happen in my life. (I wonder if she will read Tbfriends today?)

Question: Do you eat meat?

Answer: Just fish, and sometimes chicken.

Question: Who is your all time favorite race horse?

Answer: I got to stand next to Unbridled while he was being saddled. The most beautiful horse ever born. I was also able to pet Lost In The Fog before he died. What a hunk. I love Secretariat. Alysheba. And Sunday Silence.

Question: How many times has your big nose been broken?

Answer: Gee, thanks so much for bringing this to light. The answer is five.

Question: My favorite is when you show kids who love horses. Just how many kids come to your ranch?

Answer: A whole bunch.

Question: You obvisouly have lots of friends. Do you also have lots of enemies?

Answer: A whole bunch.

Question: Can you come to New Mexico? I am afraid for horses who live across the street. They are very skinny.

Answer: (Animal Control has responded.)

Question: I am 8 years old. My dad says I can have a horse when I turn 13. Will Tbfriends still be around?

Answer: Sure. Cathy and I recently had birthdays. We enjoyed a feast at our favorite restaurant in Sacramento. Between the two of us we are 109. We figure to last until 140. I will be feeding over 100 horses with my cane. Reruns of Law And Order still on every channel. American Idol in their 27th season. Allison Martino will be president of the United States. Pony Boy still bossing me around...

Joe

LAVA MAN, dear old fren, you are going to an absolutely wonderful home and I envy anyone close enough to visit you.

Happy retirement ~ you are one very special horse!

BRAVO, ALEX! This was my first opportunity to hear your radio interview, and I was thrilled to hear your emphasis on (a) the barbarism of slaughter and (b) tracks who do provide good retirement programs and (c) the fact that horses CAN be retrained for other careers!

Any angels out there?

We are trying to raise gas money tonight to get Blaze to his new home tomorrow - if anyone can help it would be appreciated (need $135 for gas money)

Hiya, FsOB! Alex, my goodness, I get so anxious when I read about your close calls. Please take care, you are our guru. What awesome news that Lava Man is going to Old Friends in October! Now I really DO want to go back to KY next year for a visit, following Barbaro's interment at Churchill. I'd love to meet Lava Man in person.

Wishing each of you ACN! Peace, RMH

#### To Janice in FLA, may you, Denny, and all our FsOB in eastern FLA and the Carolinas (including D'Anne) be safe as Hanna approaches.
To Jonna, please know that the FsOB are with you every step of the way, every day. I second your "courage" note.
Welcome to Brent up in Milton, Ontario! Nice to see your note today. The "Barbaro Nation" spans many continents and we welcome you to our ranks.
To Laurie H.: How is our Bart doing? I hope that Ms. Montego's colic subsided fully. ####

Great news about Lava Man!!