MARCH 2023
"The Engine": HorsePower E-Newsletter (Vol. 2)
Educate. Engage. Advocate.
|
|
A Message from Our Founder, Karin Carreau
Note from the Chair
Since we last updated you, the HORSEPWR Team has been quite busy monitoring the implementation of the newly enacted anti-slaughter law, busy educating the legislature further on equine welfare, drafting new legislative language, and working to advance our priority bills.
With regard to implementation of the 2022 enacted anti-slaughter law, we have concerns. As you may be aware, the new law was tested in September of 2022 when, after several years of an estate probate, 44 Thoroughbreds were sent to the Unadilla Auction house.
Despite our calls (and that of the original bill sponsors) for increased surveillance from the Agriculture and Markets Agency (tasked with implementation of the law), little was done from an administrative position to assure these equines didn’t land in the hands of kill buyers.
The Thoroughbred industry was the group to step up, show up, and outbid kill buyers over and over again. To say the state’s lack of action was disappointing, is an understatement. However, it has informed us where the law needs strengthening and as such, we are in active discussions with the sponsors to amend the current law, giving it more teeth.
Laws are only as good as their enforcement and often, one law is only the beginning of a process of monitoring and augmenting. Stay tuned for updates on more work related to this issue and a heartfelt thank you to those who played a vital role in saving these equines and reporting back to us from ground zero. This kind of work takes a village.
Be well and be The Engine - the horses are counting on us!
Karin Carreau
Founder
|
|
2023 HorsePower Priorities
|
|
|
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MARCH 2023:
S.1677/ A.3552 is a bill that will amend the Agriculture and Markets law to substantially update the fines for selling disabled horses, mules, and donkeys at auctions. Every year, thousands of horse auctions are held in the United States, attracting farmers, ranchers, pleasure-horse owners, riding stable operators, and unfortunately - slaughterhouse buyers. The equines run the gamete between healthy young thoroughbreds to broken-down old mules. The healthy ones may be fortunate enough to be purchased as inexpensive riding horses and ponies. However, some are too old, sick, lame, or neglected to be worked in any manner within this state without violating the State law against cruelty to animals. As a result, many of these horses become victims of killer buyers. Horse auctions should not be dumping grounds for unwanted, abused, and neglected animals just because their owners refuse or are unable to provide necessary vet care or humane euthanasia as required by law. Presently, it is a violation for auctioneers to accept abused or neglected horses. However, the existing penalty, which is a fine of $5 does not outweigh the financial benefit that these facilities receive by accepting these animals for sale to killer buyers. The fine has not been updated since 1965. This bill, once passed and enacted, will increase such fines up to $1,000 and affix misdemeanor penalties.
S.2163 /A.5109 Amends the Agriculture and Markets Law to prohibit any person from slaughtering a horse where such person knows or has reason to know that such horse will be used for human or animal consumption; the bill also prohibits any person from possessing, selling, importing, a horse or horseflesh if such person knows or should have known that any part of such horse or horseflesh will be used for human or animal consumption. Once enacted, violations will be considered misdemeanor and punishable by fines of not more than $1,000 per each horse for an individual and up to $2,500 per each horse for a corporation, association or entity found guilty for the first violation. Subsequent violations are subject to increasing fines of up to $5,000. Passage and enactment of this bill will augment the original anti-slaughter law in that it will assist the state police stopping vehicles headed to the border for purposes of slaughter. It is very difficult for such officers to determine the difference between thoroughbred/standardbreds and all other breeds.
|
|
While our work at HORSEPOWER is primarily fueled by the passion of its board members and volunteers, donations are very welcome and will be 100 percent spent on education and advocacy efforts to protect our equines and the barns that serve them. Will you join us? click here to donate today!
|
|
HorsePower Sponsors the 2022 Hudson Valley Hunter Pace Series:
|
|
HORSEPOWER offers a hearty congratulations to Candida Ellis for winning the entire Hunter Pace Series. Hooray!!!
|
|
Cheryl Rings, JJ Massaro and Rebecca Chartier - Hudson Valley Hunter Pace Riders for Team HORSEPOWER
|
|
Introducing HorsePower Ambassador: LORI NICOLA
HORSEPOWER’s most recent sponsored rider, Lori Nicola, 39 has been riding since the age of 5 years old and as such has competed in local gymkhanas and 4H shows as a child and then moved on to have a lot of success in the Hunter/Jumpers ring.
She currently owns 2 geldings.
Fergus, is a full of personality 12 year old chestnut Appendix that she has had for 5 years and had many experiences with from jumping, hunter pacing, and most recently, western ranch to barrel racing. Last year the pair won the 3D buckle in their barrel racing series after only a short time competing. Lori describes Fergus as an incredibly fun horse to ride but they’ve recently slowed down a lot due to some arthritis.
Lori’s new guy, Stan Lee has also taken to barrel racing. He is a 13 year old registered dark bay Quarter Horse and while she has only owned him for a short time, they are getting to know each other quickly and already doing well at the races. They have some big goals and are hoping to bring home another buckle this year.
HORSEPOWER, Inc., is a very proud sponsor and asks our followers to cheer them on as well! !
Check out Lori, Fergus and Stan Lee on YouTube
|
|
Let your Representatives know you care about these issues.
|
|
Tell Us About Yourself: Do you currently own a horse in New York?
|
|
|
|
HORSEPOWER is a not-for-profit (501c3) organization, founded in 2020 for the purpose of assuring the safety and well-being of equines, and the people who care fo them, through education, awareness, advocacy and allies. We rely on grant-funding and private donations to continue our work protecting our equine friends as well as the barns and people who care for them. If you are as passionate as we are about the welfare of our equine friends, please consider becoming a patron of our organization to support our legislative and educational initiatives. Every gift makes an impact. The horses are counting on us.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|