National Horse Day took on very special meaning for horse-loving New Yorkers Wednesday when Governor Kathy Hochul signed bills A5109/S2163B, banning the slaughter of horses for human and animal consumption in, through, and from New York State. We, along with countless other New York residents, had been anxiously waiting for this day ever since both bills passed through the chambers of the New York State Legislature in June. As we headed into mid-December, we hoped that the governor would sign this life-saving legislation on December 13th in celebration of National Horse Day, and she did!
Sponsored by Deborah Glick in the NYS Assembly and Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. in the Senate, the timing and opportunity to finally get a bill like this passed was heightened greatly because the chairs of the Agriculture Committees in both chambers, Senator Michelle Hinchey and Assemblymember Donna Lupardo, allowed the bills to pass out of their respective committees and come to the floors of the Senate and Assembly for a vote.
Those of us who have been fighting to end horse slaughter for decades saw the conditions that existed in New York as a moment in time when something momentous for horses could finally happen in this state. We join the vast majority of New Yorkers in profusely thanking Governor Kathy Hochul for signing this historic legislation. We also express our deepest gratitude to the bills’ sponsors, Assemblymember Glick and Senator Addabbo, and all of the lawmakers, advocates, activists, organizations, and the many NYS residents who worked hard to make this happen. For Assemblymember Deborah Glick, this victory was a long time coming.
“Horses are beautiful animals entwined with our nation’s history,” Glick said. “I have worked for 19 years with advocates to prohibit the buying, selling, and transportation of horses for the purposes of slaughter in New York, and I applaud Governor Hochul for signing this critical humane legislation, finally giving these cherished animals the protection they deserve.”
Now that the bill is law, the next step is to ensure that it is enforced as soon as it takes effect so that equines in this state are no longer sent to slaughter by shipping them across state lines or over the Canadian border for that purpose. Also, major efforts to stop trucks and trailers carrying slaughter-bound equines from other states through New York into Canada must be enforced. The success of this legislation now lies in the hands of law enforcement. Sue McDonough, a retired 30-year veteran of the New York State Police and a former president of the NYS Humane Association, has dedicated many years to helping train law enforcement officers in understanding and enforcing New York’s cruelty laws.
“Although this law (section 385) will reside in the Agriculture & Markets Laws, it will be the job of the police, mainly the State Police, to enforce it since they patrol the major interstates. It’s the responsibility of police officers to enforce all of the laws that apply to animal cruelty in New York State (Art. 26-371),” said McDonough.
We at Equine Advocates will now turn our focus to calling for the federal bill introduced as the SAFE Act to be amended. As of now, the bill only bans the slaughter of horses for human consumption in the U.S. and for export. It does not protect horses from being slaughtered for zoo/pet food and other secondary markets. Amending the bill would accomplish what the New York law achieves, which is to ban this repugnant and un-American practice entirely by prohibiting the slaughter of horses for both human and animal consumption nationally.
I believe the lesson learned from what happened in New York is that a total horse slaughter ban for both human and animal consumption can be achieved. It is time for the Doubting Thomases to step aside. It can and should be done!
I am so proud of New York for setting the gold standard for anti-horse slaughter legislation in the nation. New York’s example can now be used as a model for federal legislation banning the slaughter of America’s horses once and for all.
“I got in touch with Anna, a mentor of mine in Animal communication as well as Equine Reiki from long ago; I would see if she would talk to Desi, see if I was missing anything, and of course, she did. It was the conversation that took me out of my pity party for me and Des, and got me doing what I needed to do to get him into a better situation.”
So much change has happened for me over the past 2 years. My husbands health prompted us to leave Colorado and go to sea level. That simple twist of fate brought us to Florida from Colorado. It changed my life drastically. From being busy schooling 3-4 horses a day and giving as many lessons as I wanted to fit in, to being horseless and having no local students. There was also a decision to leave my Colorado horse behind; I felt with his weather preferences and minimal IR, it was in his best interest to stay in Colorado, which made the move even harder.
The new property we found was nice. It would certainly be horsey heaven at some point. I was without horses to care for several months for the first time in over 50yrs, which was certainly strange. As we put up fences and got the pole barn organized, I browsed the for sale columns, forums, fb pages, rescues, sale barns, and auctions looking for another partner, preferably two. I had no idea what I wanted to pursue. I realized that I did not want to start a horse anymore, and would rather find a horse that would be able to just go out and do some clinics and trails. Competition was not out of the question, although unlikely that I will re-enter that arena; something a bit older could fit the bill nicely. In spite of my dressage, evening and Arabian show past was more open to having a western horse and learning some ranch work stuff and things that I had never investigated in the past.
What I found in all my searching is that once you have the perfect horse(s), it is very hard to find something to fill their shoes; this could even be why I resorted to looking into horses that were experienced in other disciplines, to keep myself from comparing, unfairly.
Finally, at a horse sale, months later, in November, I met a Nebraska cowboy that had brought some horses down to Fl with him to sell. He had a horse that I was very interested in but he went through the sale for many thousands more than I had to spend. Afterwards, he told me that he had another horse at the ranch he was working at while he was in Fl and he brought him to my place for me to try the next day.
A very handsome, short, compact red dun QH stepped out of the trailer and left me wondering if I could change my standards of having a tall horse for a short one and a QH instead of an Arab type. Truthfully, seeing his short stature (I am 5’10” and have been riding mostly 15.2-16h horses) I only hopped on him to be gracious to the cowboys efforts bringing him to me to try.
Once aboard, I was brought back to my childhood first horse, Pilot. This horse was fun, had a great handle on him and just made me smile. I could not remember when I had FUN in the equation. It was always about rehab, riding better, helping the horse with better balance, etc, but this was fun. Looking at him with regular eyes in normal situations like ads or sales barns, he would have been a horse that I would have passed by, but somehow I was looking at him with heart/reiki eyes and I felt that he just belonged with me and it brought back a blast from the past that I had not felt in decades. Minutes later, he was mine.
Things did not go smoothly, initially. He got a foot abscess within a couple weeks of being here, probably due to the wet grass and more tropical climate. He was hard to catch in my huge horse heaven fields. I would spend close to a half an hour at first to catch him.
Once caught, he was a total prince and very polite. He was not sure of being fussed over, either; it seemed like he would have rather just had me give him a job u/saddle and get on with it. But I could not ride him with the healing abscess. So I spent several months just working on ground conversations. He did not need ground work, but he needed to know he could trust me, so I would just work with him in hand; asking him to stay at the end of the lead or line and then ask him to come to me by just using energy through my solar plexus to invite him to me.
He was confused at first, but he got very good at this and I saw his eyes go from glazed over to bright and interested. These types of exercises were a super suggestion from another horsemen/communicator, Kim that I had contacted about a foster horse of mine.
It was going so well I was hoping that once he knew that he could have an opinion or say in the conversation, that I would still be able to ride him! Because sometimes we can create more than we bargained for when we are open to let conventional training methods go and instead work on having a true partnership where there can be mutual consent and not one way submission. (Kinda like when we say we wish they could talk and when they do, we want them to quiet down.) Submission and obedience is what this horse was used to dealing with from his riders and I wanted more for the both of us.
As the abscess healed, and we got back to riding, it was even better than he had been before. He no longer felt that ‘game’, shoot me out of a canon feeling, but was relaxed and willing to take suggestions without over responding. He even put up with me putting my dressage tack on him. I felt we were beginning to be a real team. His red dun coat was shining and almost looked iridescent in the sun.
Around Mar to April, it all changed. His hair on his face, neck, tail and belly were going bald and he was extremely itchy. The bugs, specifically the noseeums were out in full force. They did not really bother the other horses, though, so I was unsure that they were the issue.
No amount or type of bug spray helped. A bug sheet was out of the question as he would tear it up scratching. I had to put my truck on my gooseneck trailer as he would tear his back open itching on the gooseneck hitch that was out in the field. He would roll on the ground and do an inch-worm crawl to scratch his belly.
I talked to several vets and they gave me shampoos, creams and supplements to try with him. Nothing worked. I decided to have him allergy tested and I found some things that I was giving him to help, he was actually allergic to, so I had to pull those from his diet.
I started the 9month allergy shot protocol where shots started at every other day and worked up to a month apart. They are to help him build an immunity to all the offending issues but more than likely would not help this year. I tried more supplements like spirulina and milk thistle. I researched regularly and tried more things. I even tried Protandim NRF2(reduces oxidative stress) If any of them helped, it was not obvious.
During this time, I could only ride him a week here or there as the bugs would cause so much itching, he could not think straight. I had been trying things for a year and was thinking that winter here would help him so I would be able to find a better solution for him this spring. It was not.
In fact, it was as bad or worse than it had been. I knew it was becoming more and more evident that life in Florida, for him, was going to have to end. But I had hit a wall. How could I let go of this horse that jelled so well with me? But how could I not let him get somewhere that he could feel normal again? I could see his misery daily and there was nothing I could do to help him here; and I had to try one last thing.
I got in touch with Anna, a mentor of mine in Animal communication as well as Equine Reiki from long ago; I would see if she would talk to Desi, see if I was missing anything, and of course, she did. It was the conversation that took me out of my pity party for me and Des, and got me doing what I needed to do to get him into a better situation.
Desi understood my dilemma and fortunately did not hold it against me. He knew that I had been trying to help him. He even called me an intuitive experienced horseman…which I found to be quite a compliment since being of a certain age (long in the tooth) I can suffer from anxiety and wondered how much my horse sense was being affected by that.
Anna spent much time and effort being sure of where he may need to go and what he would like. Somewhere in Colorado or south of it. Someone that would ride him in the open and do long trails with him. A woman with no more than 2-3horses.
I was concerned that no one would want to take a chance on a horse from another state that I had not currently been able to ride. There would be no pre purchase rides and the only videos I had were 3-4 months old. Anna gently told me that this would not be a problem;just make an ad that came from my heart. I did just that and answered numerous inquiries with a couple real interested parties.
And I did something else; I put the plea out into the universe~asked whatever guardian angels or protectors of horses that may be out there to please help find Desi a home, and to guide me through finding him the right fit.
Within a week, Desi had a new partner. Fortunately, my presence in Colorado is still felt and a trainer/acquaintance of mine from Colorado fell in love with his ad, and thought she had a lady that would be perfect for him. She had two aged Spanish mustangs and had been looking in rescues to find a younger horse to continue riding with and she thought Desi would fit the bill. A couple days of exchanging info and videos he was hers. In a few more days, he is headed to Colorado for cold weather and snow at 8500′ elevation.
What a relief it was to see pictures of Desi with his new mom and to get some updates on how they are faring together. She feels that I represented him perfectly and plans to get to know him and get their relationship built over the next few months so they are ready to roll when spring comes.
How did this happen? I still have to pinch myself over this whole ordeal. I have been in the horse business for years and rarely does anything go without a snag.
I believe it was the power of intention, starting with me trying to help this horse, to asking for Anna’s help when I needed someone impartial but whose foremost intention is to represent what is best for the horse from the messages she received. I believe by this process, all three of us were working with our higher selves and that allowed the divine to answer and guide the way through our hearts, which now included the buyers heart.
This horse may have only been with me for seasons, but he is the reason that for the rest of my lifetime I will remember how all things are connected, and how interestingly he came into my life. Was I to be the catalyst for him to get where he should be?, Or was he the catalyst for me to gain even more clarity of how all things are connected? Thank you Anna, for being a part of this process of connecting a few more hearts together.
Received from Kids Saving the Rainforest: We had a very sad situation yesterday, Bouche, our scarlet macaw died. We don’t know how or why, maybe your class can help. He was found in his enclosure.
Dearest Jennifer,
We send our condolences for this great loss to you and all who loved and continue to love Bouche. No passing is ever easy, no matter the situation or the circumstances and he will have been a treasured member of the Kids Saving the Rainforest family.
As our class connects there will be many beautiful messages and moments coming your way, for Bouche comes through to me right away upon connection. There is no waiting but instead he appears and is ready to share. Such vibrant colors to his feathers, such a bright spirit, an observant fellow and communicative individual. Bouche shares his vibrancy, with colors and long feathers, a bright eye, and engagement. He feels more domesticated than he would wild and seems to appreciate not only the humans in his life but those who may pass-by.
It’s likely he has more than one place he was kept over the time you had him live with you there. Outside amongst nature on natural-colored branches by a walkway to greet passers-by. Fresh fruit a favorite part of his diet. Being recognized and acknowledged a must. While he would have been outside by the path, he will have had a second place to call home too. A place with size to move around with large feet and claws intact and a mobile beak he certainly describes how he could get around. Fresh water, climbing activities, and items to play with, around and on, would be part of the activities he had come to appreciate.
No matter where he would find himself in or outside Bouche felt safe. Safe with the outdoors, safe with the handlers, the vets, the guests, the wildlife…ultimately safety was recognized. Like a hidden village in the rainforest, KSRF had become his home. Silent from traffic and yet full of jungle noises. Nature was part of it all. Space between the enclosures, fresh air, occasional breeze, and some weather changes, but ultimately a pretty steady climate he called home.
He describes his love of the place…perhaps he had come to visit in the/a center or would have seen himself to be able to come inside with a place made for him for his versatility and socializing was a part of who he was. Although he hasn’t approached flying much, it was a brief moment where he shared flying to a tree, I don’t believe he had that ability all along. Coming here was a big part of his life, a part he treasured.
The enclosure was safe. The doors could shut, not necessarily would all lock on the property, but shut they can. Some wooden slides to close, some metal clasps, some locked, some would just close, he shows them all. Safe all the same. No mention of threatening wildlife in the neighborhood and no sign of left open enclosures, broken into areas, breach of safety (as he puts it), no animals alerted of such, no animals showed it the next day either with unusual behavior, no signs of feathers on the ground while he shows himself found just there. The environment had stayed the same, no drastic changes all around. No change of food, no changes in general. A routine day in paradise.
He once appreciated interactions with people, likely some “games” and possibly training with food. He acknowledges a special female volunteer who appreciated him and his talents. There could have been more…he would embrace it all as though it were yesterday. A place of observation. A place he could see the comings and goings, a primary place ~ high up and visible with lots of activity ~ even entry and exit location. Nothing goes by him.
Age it would not be, neither a loss of appetite. No shock or surprise, no scaring. No accident, no mistake. No medical mishap. No wrong choice. No poisoning. No act by man. While people would go about their business, he knew he was appreciated. What? He hears you wonder. And while his outer appearance is colorful and bright he indicates an internal matter. No pain, no discomfort. No suffering. A sudden passing he shares…a place of no return. Even if he had been found earlier, he doesn’t believe he could have been helped. He had wished to go on, for there were many years ahead. His life cut short unexpectedly. He reassures there is nothing to worry about. There truly aren’t too many other birds that are currently being supported there. “Rescued” he was and so he puts it. Much wildlife about…but nothing contagious. This he believed came from inside.
In memory, he envisions a plaque with his name on it by his climbing frame to remember him by. Not the caged enclosure, the outside place where people first enter. You would speak to him clearly with a smile on your face…partial to wearing earth-tone shorts, putting your blond hair in a ponytail while having a recognizable smile on your face. Even if lost in thoughts you would remember to speak to him or acknowledge…he remembers you fondly for all you have given him and all you do. He gained as much freedom as you could offer here…wonder no more. While many stood out for their needs, their species, their circumstances, some did not. And while many were not birds, he did stand out..he stayed. This was home.
While he may not have been able to soar high, if there was anywhere to be in the world he would have chosen exactly where he was. Rest assured he soars high and is expanding his wings. In gratitude.
May our message support you and those involved in providing some answers, messages, and peace.
Warmly, Anna
RESPONSE:
You are spot on Anna! I also saw that he passed quickly and easily and showed his gratitude to us all
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We unraveled a horse’s past today…not through horsemanship handling instead through animal communication. What we discovered would have taken me a while to have assessed, but instead it came straight from the horse’s mouth. He shared his two sides; that of a pocket “pony” and the contrast of the debilitating fear that he is overcome by on occasions ~ where he cannot trust himself or rely on himself and therefore would not be in a position to support a rider. With incredible reactions, not thought out, and no coping skills to respond he could spin, spook, back-up and be so fast that not many could ride during those moments. His body would take over, with no space for his mind to think. It felt like PTS, without particular standard triggers, but instead unfamiliar circumstances or unexpected circumstances that would startle him to bring on such a reaction. 90% of the time he is that puppy dog, relaxed, kind and capable, straight forward happy and unconcerned. In controlled situations there would be no matter for concern and arena riding would work. He appreciates repetition, structure even and has had some exposure, although remains somewhat innocent with a dominant side. Difficult for most trainers to discern for not all situations would display or bring this behavior forward making him unpredictable. A Western approach, with understanding is the way to go. In the past he would have experienced a trainer that persisted, even “nagged” him during a time of fear thus unleashing adrenaline he could not handle creating an individual so reactive that few could muster. A common approach to talk at a horse and not with a horse, common to create a system and technique vs listening and adapting. Common to push on and push through, common to raise the pain with the stick. Most will hold the horse tapping them with a stick to “encourage” them to go over an object, not realizing when to stop, when to pause, and when to change their methods. Not knowing how much pressure its causing, as they seek the end result. Or even consider that this may be classed as invasive, abusive or damaging and violating. Its all in the eye of the receiver… Most horses can and will adjust and adapt, giving in, giving up, accepting and acknowledging the style, while others will be deemed dangerous as they are not able to comprehend and process and thus “resist”. His personality and past required another kind of training to support his needs. Scared and not able to let go, he held onto this piece of his past within his body ~ like so many people do too. Some by choice as it defines them, some out of necessity and some not knowing how to release. He just knew he held on..for that time he would need to leave…It was within him, lodged deep down even if it no longer served him, he could not truly know that and even if he did his body held on tightly. Now he would most benefit from a person who rides out as part of their job, an individual who could integrate him into their day. Not “train” him, but instead include him into their activities and with it give him a chance to explore, experience and learn..without pressure of 30,60 or 90 days. Ride him with understanding and kindness, not reprimand and have to be “right”…not kick, beat or insist..show him another way. Not everyone is up to the task and not everyone has the environment conducive. He would then progress and just maybe be in a position to let the past go and trust in himself more. Meanwhile light hearted training, tricks, interactions and enjoyment is the way to continue forward and thus he can release the past and pave the way for a future that accepts him no matter who he is…just like we ask from our human partners..acceptance. And that he has at the place he calls home:)
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Pictured below: Anna with EQUAL Barn Manager, Tommy, who could double for the voice of Morgan Freeman!
I found myself amongst a new group of people today and an unfamiliar culture who had never experienced telepathic communication with horses. I took another leap of faith as I closed my eyes and gave a voice to one of the horses. There would be no turning back. I was hoping for something a little more mellow than what we had just experienced in our last energy experiential learning session. Having just watched a horse be triggered to what seemed to be PTSD. She was a little different from the others and drew attention through her sadness. In just seconds she revealed the ins and outs of the organization. Eager to share her concerns and in turn her wishes. She listed all ensuring no leaf was left unturned. I thought she may have been more guarded having seen her eye, but she chose to show up fully. When asked to describe specific staff she gave concise descriptions matching each one – her discernment undeniable and astounding. The hot walker was not for her but she asked to be included on the jockeys riding list instead of being left out despite her leg condition. She named her preferred riders spoke of her bit and style of riding. Her suggestions for stall drainage design were remarkable and matched those for the farrier. In support of the curriculum, she brought forward ideas to move forward. She explained her need to examine and trust future trailers while she didn’t feel she had a loading issue since it was A matter of caution since the accident. This and more came out of our time together painting a thorough picture and shedding light on all aspects, staff queries and suggestions. Out of the mouth of the horse we solved mysteries. In turn, her emotions were displayed throughout as she finally leaped with joy and released tension through running and play. And all because the organization was open and willing to hear. I applaud them for inviting me to visit and receive maybe more than they had envisioned their horse training would be. This isn’t simply any natural horsemanship training this is the uniqueness of ROTH training. It’s unparalleled.
Please click on the video link to watch Matahari’s Session
Below you will find Anna’s powerful tale of a horse who experienced something that most of us wish and pray that we never have to, and the miracle that ensued on behalf of the horse and the students of that year’s HHC. But first, a note from our partner in publication:
Dear Readers,
As announced last issue: The Horse’s Hoof is in a big shift during 2020 – as we celebrate our 20th anniversary with our final 3 quarterly publication issues! Of course, nothing prepared me for the bigger event: the worldwide pandemic which has affected everyone’s lives! My heart goes out to everyone who is experiencing hardship and difficulties; please stay healthy and safe, and we will all get through this extraordinary event together! I hope you are enjoying some extra quiet time, and to lift your spirits with some horsey cheer, The Horse’s Hoof new spring issue is bursting into blooms!
Sign up today for THH ALL ACCESS PASS – 80 issues for only $25.00! Get this latest issue, plus ALL the others!!! No coupon needed, just renew or subscribe, and this is your only option!
Sign up for THH All-Access Pass and you will receive: https://www.thehorseshoof.com/ • All 80 Issues* of The Horse’s Hoof Magazine provided as downloadable High and Low Res PDF files. Access every issue from one handy page, including a table of contents listing for every issue; easily search keywords to find articles and authors. *Issue 79 & 80 to be released during 2020. • FREE BONUS: Membership to Hoof Help Online, the educational website of James & Yvonne Welz, representing their personal methodology for trimming, hoof care and horse care. You will receive 3 months FREE access to Hoof Help Online website ($60 value). You will receive a code that will allow you to begin your membership at any time during 2020. https://www.hoofhelponline.com/ • FREE BONUS: Hoof Help Online Forum Facebook Group. Once you have signed up on Hoof Help Online, you can request to join this group. Keep in touch with James & Yvonne Welz, as well as others that are as passionate about healthy hooves as you are. This is a friendly, drama-free group!
Published by our great friends in Natural Equine Hoof Care, The Horse’s Hoof, learn about Ledger, a rescue horse who experienced Animal Communication and Reiki Healing as his final horse/human interaction on this earth.
If the animals are calling and you are listening, you won’t want to miss out on my Animal Communication LIVE Mentorship Program in 2020. This program is comprehensive, jam-packed full of resources to answer all of your questions about becoming an animal communicator yourself. If you can’t dream of any other life, this program is for you!
“Ok so my question would be how does the ‘sloth’ know when he will be better? Humans can’t even judge that like, ‘oh I will be recovered fully in a year ???’ So do animals have that ability to self-analyze or is there denial involved (wishful thinking) that he wants to believe he will get better? But it was really impressive to say the least. Thanks”
~David Trueslayor
Anna’s Response:
“Through the decades of talking with animals, there have been many times when I ask myself this same question. It’s the inquisitive mind that allows us to explore beyond the norm and to realize there is so much we have yet to discover. It never ceases to amaze me what the animals pick up from our conversations, our intentions, and even our minds. There are things they know about us that we don’t always realize about ourselves. I believe that some animals are able to tell when and how their bodies are healing. They can sense their well-being and even recite aspects of conversations they have overheard from the veterinarians. There will be times when they are able to stay out of their own way and connect with a higher power, maybe their higher self or spiritual side. It’s refreshing to know they feel, watch, even monitor their healing and can tell us things about their well-being to confirm scientific studies and results. Often it’s much like us, through a conversation we can support the professional field to piece together symptoms and signs and I do believe that is much of what occurs as a whole..while the exceptions keep us exploring different answers.”
For details on how you can join us for the Animal Communication Live Mentorship program in 2020, email Lacey@reachouttohorses.com.
Watch our most successful Wild Animal Consultation Video with Jungle the Skunk, reaching over 11K people to date!
International Animal Communicator, Anna, pays a visit to Kids Saving the Rainforest, in Costa Rica, to speak with Jungle the Skunk. Through their conversation, Anna hopes to help with her rehabilitation and possible release back to the wild.
ROTH ~ Blog 