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.
Anna embodies the spirit of caring for life in animals and all sentient beings. Her course was an awakening for me. Anna’s knowledge of horses, their needs and the relationship to the human soul is beyond explanation. I’m grateful for her help in introducing me to Reiki and its power in touching the lives of horses and humans. This was a true eye-opener for someone who was not previously comfortable with the super-natural.
George S.
There is a saying: “God made physicians to heal the body. He made horses to heal the soul.” I say he made Anna Twinney to deepen our connection to horses and ourselves. My week with Anna in her course, Healing Horses at the Bitterroot Ranch exceeded my expectations. She brought me closer to horses than I ever dreamed possible. And from the bottom of my heart, I am grateful!
Debbie M.
Homecoming. That is the word that pops into my head when asked to describe this week. Of all the clinics I have done with Anna, this is the one where I finally feel a sense of belonging. There were no frustrations within myself, no temper tantrums. There was just ease and, again, belonging. And as if the feeling wasn’t enough, during both of the attunements, I saw two of the symbols, they appeared, having never seen them before. The book, it is tattooed on my shoulder, near my clavicle -almost two years ago, a month after my divorce. It is my symbol for new beginning, a new chapter, and a re-write of my story. Our shoulders, like a pedestal, holding up our heads. That book tattooed on my pedestal/shoulders, all confirmations that I am right where I’m supposed to be. Thank you, Anna. Thank you, Bitterroot. Thank you to all of the horses. Thank you. With all love.
Jennifer L.
I’m not sure if I didn’t believe in Reiki, energy, or spiritual healing, if I was just skeptical, or if I was simply lacking information, but it was not a part of my life and I truthfully didn’t think that it could be… and then I attended a clinic with Anna and my interest was sparked. Now, having completed this course, I recognize Reiki as the most transformative and powerful healing modality that I have ever experienced. The feedback is undeniable and so inspiring; it truly knocked the wind out of me at times. I feel incredible gratitude for all that this week has offered, how connected I feel with my energy and spirituality, and that I can offer such profound healing to myself, loved one, and the horses. I feel connected to who I am, what my purpose is, and how much I am capable of. I am inspired by eye-opening experiences, in which the horses responded to work that I did with them and in which I was able to identify where someone who I never met needed healing. I leave this week feeling renewed, inspired, and proud – proud of all proved to myself, all I’ve done for the horses, and all I know I can offer in the future. I am now Reiki I & II certified – and I believe in all the love and light that I can offer. My life feels full.
Emily C.
I came to Bitterroot to run away from home and I ran back into the people and horses I needed to be with me. I came fully expecting not to be able to do Reiki and amazed that I have a whole new experience with the world and with the horses.
Linda W.
The workshop represented the ideal opportunity to learn and connect to Reiki in a stunning setting combined with the liberty work and equine Reiki introduction, it gave me an opportunity to enhance my connection to horses in a very unique way. Anna was the ideal professional, both personally and through her unique experience, to gain an introduction or further your connection to the horse. Thank you, Anna, and to the horses at Bitterroot Ranch, for a magical experience into a new way of thinking, feeling and being.
Lachlan H.
This week was soo much more than I ever could have thought! And in the BEST WAY! I not only grew in my relationship with horses (way more than I thought I even could) but with myself! I grew so much this week! I wasn’t expecting that at all! Thank you!!! I definitely will be looking at more clinics in the future!
Maddie L.
This is my second time doing Anna’s seminars. She is so amazing. She inspires me to be able to help my horses understand and gain confidence. Her demonstrations also teach me so many things horses are trying to communicate. She truly is like an angel on earth.
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.
Based on the Chakra energy system and Anna’s International Energy Healing for Horses workshops, this beautiful banner puts all the information you’ll need to remember right at your fingertips when doing energy or other kinds of healing work with your horses.
At a size of 2′ x 3′, it is the perfect fit for any wall, inside or out. Put it in the barn, classroom, office, tack room, trailer, or anywhere else you need it. And since it is made of tough, flexible, 18oz. vinyl and reinforced with metal grommets, this banner will last for years!
The Banner gives you all the details on the 8 major centers, including:
Location
Color
Intention / Focus
Corresponding Healing Essential Oil
Corresponding Musical Note
Corresponding Frequency
Corresponding Gemstone
It also includes a list of the Signs of Imbalances to watch for and the corresponding energy center to focus on for their healing.
Want more? Don’t forget to sing up for our Newsletter, Diary of a Horse Whisperer and get all of the action, information and deals sent straight to you!
Join us for a healing retreat you won’t soon forget! Expand your knowledge of your horsemanship as it applies to the healing art of Reiki as you become ROTH attuned while you relax and rejuvenate in one of the most naturally beautiful places in the world!
Denmark is a special place that is also near and dear to my heart. I have a ROTH Certified Trainer who lives and works there and also a very special soul from the Animal Communication Mentorship Program who calls Denmark home. In addition to them, we drew a wonderfully intuitive crowd who hold the same mission of helping the animals and giving a voice to the voiceless.
We often receive testimonials from people who have joined our tribe and who are thriving. This one from Denmark was particularly touching:
“Suddenly one day, I found this beautiful present in my mail – so thoughtful – from “Anna and crew”.
I was deeply touched in my heart and soul. So precisely caught the essence of both me and where and how I live – the trees, the lake, connectedness with nature – my love for all our animal companions. Being with you, Anna, and the group, as well as staying in contact with your precious partners at home. Thank you! I truly enjoyed the week in Denmark with the most amazing group of people, going through the ups and downs – challenges on the journey – sharing laughs and tears with all you wonderful people. Not only during the live week in Denmark, though. I am so grateful for being on this journey with all you lovely people here in the group, too. Some dear friendships for now several years, some new – all equally precious and valued. Adding the most amazing people and animals, who share so willingly of their love, wisdom, and expertise – Anna, Vin, Joseph, Lacey, Safia, X, Honey, Aria, Sage, Hermes, Goldie, Maverick – and the endless wisdom of Grace, Merlin, and Oliver from the other side, as well as all the newcomers – the sheep etc. etc….. I could go on… a big thank you from the deepest of my heart. I feel so seen and loved. Much love and big hugs for all of you of all kinds on both sides.” – Bente 💕💚💙💜
The ROTH Equine Chakra Banner made it to Denmark and Beyond!
2020 in Denmark finds itself hosting three ROTH events. Join us for the Holistic Horse Day where we Demystify the Round Pen, explore Animal Communication and introduce Muscle Testing so the horses can show us exactly how we can best support them best. Then we have Energy Healing for Horses as we make an inquiry into the ancient art of Reiki Healing, look at the location and balancing of chakras, and so much more! And those are just my first two days there!
I finish up my time at Nyt Hesteliv delving deeper into Animal Communication and the various facets thereof. We spend 6 days covering the most sought-after topics in animal communication, including conversations with Rescue Animals and Behavior Modification.
The magic awaits us. Can you hear it calling?
For information on any of these three clinics, contact:
I conclude my tour of Denmark teaching something I absolutely love: the Language of the Horse at Liberty. We explore the Language of Equus, all aspects of Liberty, and we even bring in Life Lessons at the end, where the horses get to shine as the teachers once again. When we are silent, they speak to our hearts and minds in ways unforetold.
While I am an American citizen and the U.S. is very much my home, the land from which my heart springs is actually the UK. However, my time in England was divided between my childhood and early adult years with a portion of my life during which I lived in Germany. Germany is where I first had real access to horses, and where I learned so much of my early horsemanship technique. But the natural horsemanship methods kept calling me to the west, and so I went. Still, this country feels like home to me, and I make an annual effort to return to it and the people there to bring back what it is I originally came to America to learn.
Annually I travel through Europe after visiting the UK, where I return to Germany and often make a stop-off in Denmark. Animal Communication paves the way for exceptional horsemanship clinics in which there is no line where one begins and the other ends. We incorporate them both, equally, along with energy healing, of course!
As I look forward it seems as though it’s nearly time to return, but for now, we bring you memories from this past year’s accomplishments and memories from my travels abroad.
Animal Communication in the UK is always sure to provide a wonderful time. The horses and indeed the rest of the animals are deeply connected to the land there, where sheep and horses roam green fields together, and their shepherd dogs oversee their safety.
This much hard work during the day requires some respite in the afternoons. And just as the “man-cave” is a phenomenon in the U.S., we found a charming location with a similar theme available to the ladies on the clinic.
Helping Rhinos One
Talk at a Time
The next time I set foot in the UK, I will be featured as a keynote speaker for the Animal Energy World Conference. Join us at the link below for details on the three-day event or join me there for either of the days I will be speaking! In 2020, this conference will be supporting Helping Rhinos, a species that has nearly met its demise at the hands of human greed. We hope to support the Rhinos, to bring attention to their cause, and to restore them to their rightful stature as one of Africa’s most majestic land mammals.
Anna has been featured in many international magazines, even some in France, but we are excited to announce her inclusion in Cheval Pratique’s November 2019 Issue.
They cover Anna’s passions, particularly her unique approach to Natural Horsemanship that includes the telepathic and energetic components, her dedication to the Mustangs and the plight of wild horses the world over, and her ability to use Animal Communication to give a voice to the voiceless.
Called to the pasture at 5 am, I found my beloved mare flat out in unusual circumstances. She was being watched over by her companion and herd leader, Dillon, the Mustang. Clearly distressed and in discomfort, the mare was troubled and refused to eat even her favorite mash. Despite gut sounds, the diagnosis was unclear, and just hours later she was treated by the veterinarian for suspected colic, only there was no improvement for a prolonged period. Goldie continued to refuse her food and declined all placed in front of her, pawing on the ground as she remained withdrawn. Friend of the family, Dr. Rachel Heart, followed the call of this precious mare and offered to visit. This visit changed the lives of Goldie, her daughter, Dahlia, the herd, and all those watching, for they were about to witness a major miracle!
ROTH ~ Blog 