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This week’s eNews: Take action to protect the North Lander Complex wild mustangs!

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

We wanted to share some recent updates about roundups, a happy ending for a few rescued burros, and actions you can take to help protect Wyoming’s wild horses from further danger. Read on and see how you can help to protect these cherished animals. >>

Speak Up For the North Lander Complex Wild Horses


Photo by Kimerlee Curyl

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently released an Environmental Assessment on a management plan for the North Lander Complex in Wyoming. The proposed action would reduce the wild horse population from 2,000 to 320, skew the sex ratio to 60/40 in favor of stallions, castrate 95% of the captured males, insert unproven IUDs into a portion of the mares captured and administer an experimental fertility control vaccine GonaCon to all mares slated to be released.

The plan threatens the long-term sustainability of this iconic Wyoming wild mustang herd. Please take action to protect the wild herds of the North Lander Complex. >>

TAKE ACTION

 

Death Toll Surges in Aftermath of Wyoming Checkerboard Roundup

Nearly 50 federally-protected wild mustangs died in the aftermath of the government’s recent roundup of the Great Divide Basin wild horses of Wyoming. The BLM officially reported the deaths of six mustangs following the roundup, which took place from October 5, 2021 to November 7, 2021, but didn’t release any information regarding the deaths of animals once they were removed from the range.

Under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, AWHC was able to obtain records that an additional 43 wild horses from the Great Divide Basin died or were euthanized while in holding just 90 days after the roundup. The Wyoming Checkerboard roundup was the largest on record by the BLM, with more than 3,500 animals permanently removed from the range.

Four other wild horse herds were removed during the operation, and we expect to see significantly higher death rates as those records come in. The BLM has announced more of such operations across the West for 2022, with plans to remove an unprecedented number of horses. Learn more here. >>

LEARN MORE

 

AWHC & AWI Partner in Homes for Horses Coalition Initiative


Photo by Kimerlee Curyl

In an effort to permanently put an end to horse slaughter, AWHC has partnered with the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) as a sponsoring organization of the Homes for Horses Coalition. The Homes for Horses Coalition (HHC) is a national initiative made up of more than 520 member organizations with the ultimate goal of ending horse slaughter and all other forms of equine abuse for good.

Through this initiative, AWHC joins AWI in supporting the boots-on-the-ground rescues by providing advocacy leadership to address the root causes of the problem while providing resources to strengthen the nonprofits doing heroic jobs to help horses in need.

Right now, AWHC continues to push for the passage of the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act in Congress, which would permanently prevent horse slaughter plants from opening in the U.S. and stop the export of horses, burros, and donkeys for slaughter. Learn more here. >>

LEARN MORE

 

Four Rescued Burros Find Their Forever Home at Montgomery Creek Ranch

AWHC’s Rescue Fund helps us to fuel rescue missions across the country. From orphaned or injured foals on Nevada’s Virginia Range to mustangs and burros in kill pens — your support helps us save the lives of these treasured animals when they desperately need our help. Recently, we coordinated the rescue of 4 BLM-branded burros from a kill pen in the Midwest. AWHC Board President and owner of Montgomery Creek Ranch Wild Horse Sanctuary, Ellie Phipps Price agreed to take them in.

When rescued, the burros were in very rough shape — three of these innocent animals had open wounds all over their bodies from a hot brand. The older white burro has a fallen crest, meaning his neck muscle hangs over to the side. They spent a few weeks at a quarantine shelter to treat their wounds and get them healthy enough for transport. Finally, they were healthy enough to go to Montgomery Creek Ranch where they will continue to heal and be prepped for adoption.

READ MORE

Thanks for all you continue to do to protect wild horses and burros, Erica!

— AWHC Team

LAST CHANCE!! Renew Your 2022 AWHC Support TODAY >>

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

We have big plans for 2022!

We’re continuing our fight in the courts, in the field, and on the Hill to protect America’s wild horses and burros in 2022 and for years to come. 

We’re so grateful to have you alongside us in the fight to protect our wild herds. If you haven’t already, will you renew your support as an AWHC member to help fuel our fight for wild horses and burros in 2022? Tomorrow marks the end of the month, so renew your support now, before it’s too late!

RENEW YOUR 2022 SUPPORT

Thanks for standing with us,

— AWHC Team

You voted, so here it is (!!) 

Introducing our OFFICIAL 2022 American Wild Horse Campaign Member Card:

We have so much in store for 2022. Not only are we continuing our fight on the Hill, in the courts, and in the field — we’re also working on a number of groundbreaking new initiatives — all in the name of keeping wild horses and burros in the wild where they belong.

Will you renew your support as an AWHC member to help fuel our fight for wild horses and burros in 2022?

We’re laser-focused on the fight to preserve the freedom of our wild mustangs and burros. That means in 2022, we are … proving through our PZP program on Nevada’s Virginia Range that humane in the wild management works … expanding our investigative team to uncover abuse and hold the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) accountable … continuing our lawsuit against the BLM’s Adoption Incentive Program that’s sending horses and burros to slaughter … working with a prestigious university to make roundup violations enforceable by law … and so much more!!

But to have the means necessary to protect our cherished wild horses and burros for generations to come, we need your help. Will you renew your support as an AWHC member today to help fuel our fight in 2022?

RENEW YOUR 2022 SUPPORT

Thank you for your support of our wild herds.

— American Wild Horse Campaign

Announcing our newest initiative to protect wild horses and burros from slaughter >>

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Today, we are so excited to share with you our next initiative in our fight to protect horses and burros — both wild and domestic — from slaughter!

Despite their federal protection, wild horses and burros continue to face the ever-present threat of brutal helicopter roundups — a tragic result of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) mismanaged Wild Horse and Burro Program. Once captured, these innocent animals are stripped of their freedom and forced into holding, many entering the slaughter pipeline. 

In an effort to permanently put an end to horse slaughter, we have partnered with the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) as a sponsoring organization of the Homes for Horses Coalition! 

The Homes for Horses Coalition (HHC) is a national initiative made up of more than 520 member organizations with the ultimate goal of ending horse slaughter and all other forms of equine abuse for good.

Each year, tens of thousands of American horses and burros are exported for slaughter to Mexico and Canada for human consumption in foreign markets. And as we exposed last year through our investigative work, the BLM’s Adoption Incentive Program is placing “truckloads” of our iconic wild horses and burros in imminent danger of becoming victims of the brutal industry.

The BLM’s proposed roundups are only accelerating, and as a result, an increasing number of federally protected wild mustangs and burros are expected to enter the pipeline in the coming years. 

Through our new role with HHC, we’ll be joining AWI in supporting the boots-on-the-ground rescues by providing advocacy leadership and resources to strengthen the nonprofits doing heroic jobs to help horses in need.

HHC is the only network of its kind in the nation, and we couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this important effort. It’s time to end horse slaughter once and for all. Are you with us?

Stay tuned for more updates and announcements from the coalition!

— American Wild Horse Campaign

ACTION NEEDED: Tell your U.S. Rep to vote YES on the Carter-Fitzpatrick Amendment to the INVEST Act!

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

In the last week, there has been some important wild horse news that we wanted to make sure you didn’t miss! 

Urgent: Contact Your Rep to Stop Horse Slaughter

Right now, in the House of Representatives, we have an opportunity to stop horse slaughter through the INVEST Act. This Act is a large government infrastructure bill that may also give us an opportunity to stop the transport of horses and burros across the border to slaughter. It goes up for a vote next week! 

We need you to contact your Representative right now and tell them to vote YES on the Carter-Fitzpatrick Amendment!

TAKE ACTION

 

We’re Challenging the BLM’s Wild Burro Eradication Plan

Last week, AWHC attorneys filed a legal challenge to the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) burro eradication plan, which calls for the roundup and removal of all of the burros in three California Herd Areas (HAs).

In it, we charge that the agency violated federal law by not considering the newly-published science that documented the key benefits of these very burros to their ecosystems, which includes well digging in the arid desert. The new science even went so far as to call wild burros “ecosystem engineers!”

LEARN MORE

 

Sierra Club Adopts Friendly Wild Horse Policy

The Sierra Club, the nation’s leading environmental organization, recently updated its wild horse and burro policy. This policy had not been changed in 40 years and it called for the elimination of wild horses and burros from key habitats.

Now, the new policy calls for scientific and humane in-the-wild management, including removal of livestock before horses, predator protection, and the use of fertility control! We are so excited to work with the organization to protect wild horses and burros on public lands in the future.

LEARN MORE

 

Lawmakers, Advocates Push to End BLM Wild Horse Adoption Incentives

Recently, AWHC’s Executive Director, Suzanne Roy, and wild horse champion, U.S. Representative Dina Titus were interviewed on a Las Vegas NPR affiliate, KNPR, about the BLM’s failed Adoption Incentive Program (AIP).

In this 25 minute segment, they cover what the AIP is, it’s disatorious effects, how lawmakers are calling for its end, and what a better solution is for our wild horses and burros! The riveting interview is not one you want to miss!

LISTEN NOW

Thank you for your support,

—The AWHC Team

We have a wild horse champion headed to the Interior

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

News & Alerts

Here is your latest news on all things wild horses and burros!

Wild Horse Champion Haaland Heads to Interior Department

On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will hold a confirmation hearing to consider the nomination of New Mexico Representative Deb Haaland for secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Secretary-designate Haaland would be the first Native American to head this department that oversees more than 450 million acres of public land in the nation.

AWHC has had the pleasure of working with Secretary-designate Haaland in Congress. As chair of the Public Lands Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee, she has worked to reform the inhumane and expensive federal wild horse roundup program by supporting humane solutions, such as PZP fertility control, and has opposed the brutal surgical sterilization procedures the BLM continues to pursue.

Because Secretary-designate Haaland is a champion of protecting our public lands and the wild animals that inhabit them, her nomination faces stiff opposition from the oil/gas, mining, and livestock industries. So, today, we’re asking everyone who cares about wild horses and burros and our public lands to take just a moment to call your Senators in support of her confirmation.

Please call Senator Michael Bennet at (202) 224-5852 and Senator John Hickenlooper at (202) 224-5941

You can say,  “Hello, I am a constituent of Senator [Name] and I am calling to ask that they please support the confirmation of Deb Haaland* for Interior Secretary. Her leadership is necessary to protect our nation’s public lands and natural resources, including our federally-protected wild horses and burros. Thank you.” *pronounced like the country, Holland.

Then, follow up your call with a message! >> Take Action <<

New BLM Wild Horse and Burros Advisory Board Member Called Wild Horses a ‘Protein Source’

Speaking of a new Interior Department, former Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and his illegally serving Bureau of Land Management (BLM) director William Perry Pendley will go down in history as the worst stewards of our nation’s public lands. The past four years have seen an unrelenting assault on the environment, wildlife, and America’s wild horses and burros.

Before they left town, Bernhardt and Pendley appointed Beaver County, Utah Commissioner Tammy Pearson to represent the “public interest” on the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board. Pearson is a flagrantly corrupt choice for this position. A 40-year public lands rancher whose allotments are in wild horse Herd Management Areas in Utah, Pearson has lobbied and testified for wild horse roundups and in favor of horse slaughter.

She discounts the strong opinion of the American public against the slaughter of wild and domestic horses as “romanticizing” an animal that the “whole rest of the world” considers a “protein source.” In her 2017 testimony before the Utah legislature, she blamed horses for all the damage in the areas where her cattle graze and claimed that wild horses there were suffering from overpopulation and starvation. You can listen to her testimony below.

AWHC opposes this unscrupulous appointment and believes it violates a conflict of interest provision under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, so we’re taking action. We’ll keep you posted and in the meantime, be sure to check out our Op-ed about her appointment, published yesterday in the Grand Junction Sentinel. >> Read More <<

We’re Fighting for Humane Management With Science

Instead of the unscientific approach of mass helicopter roundups, humanely managing wild horses requires a more sophisticated method that relies on fieldwork and on-the-ground knowledge of the horse or burro populations a particular BLM district is managing.

AWHC aims to harness science and technology to advance the goal of humane management of these iconic animals. AWHC already runs the largest humane wild horse fertility control program in the world. Now we’re excited to be partnering with WildMe, a non-profit that builds open software and artificial intelligence for the conservation community with the goal of protecting at-risk species.

Our goal is to develop an algorithm that will identify individual horses from photographs, something that will greatly enhance the efficiency of our fertility control efforts while providing a mechanism for accurate censusing and tracking of wild herds, using citizen science for the collection of data.

Currently, our Virginia Range fertility control program volunteers identify horses manually by photograph, based on our extensive database of more than 3,000 horses cataloged by color, markings, social affiliation, location and any other identifying features. It’s a method that works, as evidenced by our record of delivering over 3,000 fertility control treatments in less than two years. However, it is time-consuming. Having an algorithm that allows a volunteer to take a photo, run it through the software and come up with the data file on that specific horse will make the process of identifying mares in need of PZP treatment much faster – something our volunteers — who are often in the field under punishing weather conditions – will greatly appreciate!

The research should be complete by June and we should know at that time whether the algorithm (PIE) being tested will work for horses. We’ll keep you posted. >> Learn More <<

Donate 

ARTIE IS SAFE AND READY TO START HIS LIFE – MEANWHILE – NO TIME TO REST! – NURSERY 911 AND A TRIP BACK EAST?

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The following is from Chilly Pepper – Miracle Mustang:

YOU saved Artie!!!! Artie is with me in Shingletown and hopefully headed to NV soon.

Sadly, we are currently in a “Nursery 911”. Baby season is fast approaching, and although we have started to set up the nursery in Toppenish, we are devastatingly far behind. We need more shelter, more panels, Foal Lac Powder, Foal Lac Pellets, grain, medical supplies, shavings, hay for the babies, and the list is endless.When that phone rings, it is go time, and we won’t have time to do anything but provide critical care.

This year has been a nightmare of non-stop emergencies in the middle of another emergency. We need your help right away to get this nursery ready, and we need to fence in more space for the Devil’s Garden horses we have to “babysit” in NV.

We are praying a local rescue will step up to at least help with the Yakima foals.

For now it is Chilly Pepper – Mama Mel’s Urgent Care Nursery and the folks we work with to help place the babies. We cannot do this alone. It is way too much, and we are being called for more and more babies in NV.

Matt and I will be delivering 12 of the Devil’s Garden horses to the east coast. This was Matts gig, but we simply cannot mix newly gelded studs, with very pregnant mares. I don’t mind doing the work, but we need to raise funds for fuel, travel etc.

These are the wild horses being sold for $1 each – YES, ONE DOLLAR EACH and sold in lots of 34 horses? Hmmmm, sounds like a slaughter truck load to me.

So between delivering the kids that are being adopted in Idaho, bringing home the 11 that are still at Mama Mel’s, and getting the nursery ready in WA, we will be picking up the 12, then babysitting them until they can be transported back east, and doing our general baby season prep. SO FAR THERE IS ZERO FUNDING FOR my truck and trailer to get back East, expand the fencing, and to hire someone to take care of the ranch while we are gone.

We need more panels to put up appropriate fencing for the Devil’s Garden kids, so they can hang out at Chilly Pepper until we can safely transport them. We also need funds to feed the 12, and remember, 6 of them are heavily pregnant mares, and really enjoy their feed lol.

Artie is safe. He definitely has a long way to go though. His lil hoofers are horrible, and he needs to be gelded immediately. He is an 11 year old stallion who was much loved, spoiled rotten and knows basically nothing except that he wants his own way. He kicks and bites if asked to do something he doesn’t like or understand, but underneath it all, I believe he has heart of gold. I, of course, am madly in love with him :)

Sweetheart and Star Fire are hanging in there. Star Fire is still barely here, but we are hopeful that day by day she will improve and she will be able to have a wonderful life. Her spine is still all jacked up, so we are going day by day with lots of prayers. Back in Golconda, two more horses left for their new homes. I am so grateful to have folks who can do whatever it is that needs done!

We truly need your help to prep for baby season. The numbers have the potential to be astronomical, and we need a safe place, the right supplies and to be ready for these little ones. We have seen as many as 30 orphans from one catcher in a single day.

Please help us “git ‘er done”!

You can go to gofundmel

You can go to Paypal

if you would like to help these horses.

                                                                                  ->You can donate via check at:

Chilly Pepper – Miracle Mustang,

PO Box # 190

Golconda, NV 89414

You can also donate via credit card by calling Palomino at 530-339-1458.

NO MATTER HOW BIG OR HOW SMALL – WE SAVE THEM ALL!

SAVING GOD’S CRITTERS – FOUR FEET AT A TIME

Chilly Pepper – Miracle Mustang, WIN Project – Rescue & Rehab

We are now part of the WIN Organization

WIN (WILD HORSES IN NEED) is a 501c3 IRS EIN 55-0882407_

Help us end horse slaughter and other news

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

News & Alerts

Act Now: Help Us End Horse Slaughter in 2019

Last year, approximately 80,000 American horses were trucked to Canada and Mexico, where they were brutally slaughtered for human consumption in foreign countries. These horses suffer long journeys without adequate food, water or rest, to slaughter plants across the border, where they meet a terrifying end. It’s time to end this unspeakable cruelty in 2019. Support the SAFE Act to ban the slaughter of American horses by taking action today.

 

Sales for California Wild Horses Continue, Lawsuit Postponed Until Spring

Two months ago, the U.S. Forest Service completed its roundup and removal of 932 horses from the Devil’s Garden Wild Horse Territory (DGWHT) in the Modoc National Forest near Alturas, CA. AWHC has teamed up with the Animal Legal Defense Fund to file suit to stop the sale for slaughter of these federally-protected horses for slaughter. We’re also sponsoring state legislation to strengthen slaughter protections for all California horses. Read the latest about the horses and our efforts to help them below.

 

BLM to Begin the Roundup of Pine Nut Wild Horses

The first roundup of 2019 is set to begin Thursday in the Pine Nut Herd Management Area (HMA) outside of Carson City, Nevada. The BLM is scheduled to remove approximately 575 wild horses from the 95,000-acre HMA. This roundup continues the BLM’s inhumane and fiscally unsound approach to wild horse management. AWHC will be onsite to document the roundup and will provide daily reports from the frontlines. Learn more about the HMA and the upcoming roundup.

 

Two big steps to protect California’s wild horses

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Last month, 932 wild horses were rounded up by the U.S. Forest Service in the Devil’s Garden Wild Horse Territory in California – with a portion to be sold for $1 a piece, by the truckload, with no limitation on slaughter.

We can’t let this happen. Our team has been working around the clock to save these horses from slaughter. Now, we have two big updates:

  • On Tuesday, California Assemblymember Todd Gloria (D-San Diego) introduced legislation to protect the state’s wild and domestic horses from slaughter. We’re working closely with his office to create and pass a strong bill to accomplish this goal.
  • Last week, our legal team filed a motion for preliminary injunctionin federal court to block the Forest Service’s slaughter plan, which clearly violates state and federal law. We’re asking the court to prohibit the government from selling horses without limitation, which it currently plans to start on January 15.

We are doing everything possible to protect our wild horses from slaughter. But we need your help to carry on this critically important work.

Can you donate $50, $100 or more to support our efforts?

Thanks for helping us defend California’s horses. We’ll keep you updated on this breaking situation.

Thanks,

Suzanne

CHILLY PEPPER RECEIVED ANOTHER URGENT CALL – MORE MARES & FOALS, & A FAMILY OF 6 – CAN WE SAVE THEM FROM SLAUGHTER –

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The following is from Chilly Pepper – Miracle Mustang:

Hi all,

I have to write this from the heart, as there is no other way for me to share the truth. We had great success and saved 3 moms with their babies. We also saved 7 weanlings, 6 of whom are in horrific shape. They are starving and could easily be called a hot mess. However, the next phase is starting for them. They are being treated and are now enjoying good food and a chance to relax.

Sadly, we lost our beautiful “My Heart’s Desire”. She had a freak accident and snapped her leg, much like my femur did. She ripped her femoral artery and sadly baby passed with her very quickly. We did everything we could, but Mom and Baby left this earth together. It was still so much better for them than slaughter, and mama knew lots of love and tenderness. But that does not help when your heart is in a million pieces.

We are not even home yet, and we received a 911 EMERGENCY CALL. I am sitting in my girlfriend’s living room writing this as I don’t have time to drive the rest of the way home before we send this out.

We got called about a family of six, and we have only hours to say yes, save them or no, we can’t help them and they will ship straight to slaughter.

There is a mom with a teeny tiny new baby, (and if we can’t save the family, we will be heading up to pick up an orphan.) The stallion, who has worked so hard to take care of his family is the most likely to ship. CHILLY PEPPER is literally his ONLY chance to live. There are 3 heavily pregnant mares that finish up this family. Again, I cannot bear to think of these babies being born in a stuffed trailer heading to slaughter. If Mom gives birth during the trip due to the stress, they will be brutally trampled and not have a chance of surviving the trip. IF they make it through the trip, they will be tossed alive on to the slaughter floor. I am sorry this is so brutal, but it is the simple truth.

The trapper is literally at the site loading them in his trailer. We are working with folks in WA to try and find a place for them to land, at least long enough for us to raise enough money to save them. Chilly Pepper cannot take on a bunch of adult horses, but as we are the only ones who can take on a stallion, if we can save them all we will figure that out. He doesn’t deserve to be murdered just because he is a stud.

PHONE JUST RANG AGAIN – IN ADDITION, WE NEED TO pick up 2 mares and foals as well as an undetermined number of orphans this next week, IF we can raise enough funds to purchase, vet and transport this next group. Y’all did awesome this last time and saved 15 horses from facing slaughter.

SO PLEASE HELP US SAVE THESE LIVES IF YOU CAN, AND SHARE FAR AND WIDE SO FOLKS CAN HELP US “GIT ‘ER DONE!

Below, the Family of 6, – who’s fate is still in the air, and that is just the beginning, and during the time it took me to write this, the number has already increased by a minimum of 4 more on top of that and the week is just starting………

WE COULD EASILY HAVE UPWARDS OF 20 BABIES WITH ONLY HOURS NOTICE.

If you want to help You can go to You Caring – to help us keep saving lives..

You can go to Paypal

if you would like to help these horses.

You can donate via check at Chilly Pepper – Miracle Mustang, P.O. Box 190 Golconda, NV 89414

You can also donate via credit card by calling Palomino at 530-339-1458.

NO MATTER HOW BIG OR HOW SMALL – WE SAVE THEM ALL!

SAVING GOD’S CRITTERS – FOUR FEET AT A TIME

Chilly Pepper – Miracle Mustang, WIN Project – Rescue & Rehab

Senate Committee Approves USDA Appropriations Bill

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The following post is from the American Horse Council.

Yesterday,  the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version of the FY 2017Agriculture Appropriations bill. T his bill provides funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the 2017 fiscal year ( October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017).  The bill contains several provisions that impact the horse industry, including the so-called “horse slaughter defunding provision,” funding for  USDA equine health activities and enforcement of the Horse Protection Act.

FY 2016 House USDA Appropriations 

Horse Slaughter

Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) offered an amendment to prohibit funding for USDA inspections at U.S. horse slaughter facilities that was  adopted by a voice vote. This prohibition will  prevent horse slaughter facilities from operating in the U.S. if this bill is signed into law.

Currently, No horse slaughter facilities are operating in the U.S and a prohibition  on funding for inspectors at such facilities from last year’s FY 2016 USDA bill is in effect until September 30, 2016 . If that prohibition expires, USDA will be required to provide inspectors and horse slaughter facilities if any were to  open.

A similar defunding  amendment was adopted by the House Appropriations Committee when it approved the House version of the USDA appropriations bill.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Equine Health 

The bill would provide $939 million for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). APHIS is the USDA agency responsible for protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural health, including responding to contagious equine disease outbreaks.        Funding for Equine, Cervid, and Small Rumi ant health would be set at $19.7 million, this is a $200,000 increase over FY 2015.

Horse Protection Act

The bill provides $706,000  for enforcement of the Horse Protection Act a $9,000 increase over FY 2016 funding.

The bill must now be approved by the full Senate.

 

Big Day on Capitol Hill for America’s Horses

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The following post comes from the American Wild Horse Preservation.

AWHP horsesOn Tuesday, April 19, America’s horses scored two significant victories on Capitol Hill. By a 25-23 vote, the House Appropriations Committee adopted an amendment to prohibit the expenditure of U.S. tax dollars on horse slaughter. And later that day, the U.S. Senate voted to adopt an amendment to the Energy Policy Modernization Act to protect the Corolla wild horses of North Carolina’s Outer Banks by ensuring the genetic viability of this historic herd of colonial Spanish mustangs. Both victories are testimony to the growing strength of the grassroots base of support for America’s horses — both domestic and wild — and the power of the people to overcome the special interests that lobby for horse slaughter and the eradication of wild horses on our public lands.. 

Thank you to Representatives Sam Farr (D-CA) and Charlie Dent (R-PA) for working to protect horses from brutal slaughter, and to North Carolina Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis and Congressman Walter Jones for their dedication to protecting the Corolla wild horses. A sincere “Thanks” to everyone who called and wrote their Representatives and Senators on these two issues. Both of these victories are important examples of how our calls and letters can and do make a difference for our wild horses and burros.

Congress Approves Omnibus Bill

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The following update is from an The American Horse Council 

AHCCongress has passed an omnibus appropriations bill, which will fund the government through September 30, 2016, was passed by Congress.  This bill is a package that includes all 12 of the FY 2016 appropriations bills, and will fund government agencies and programs until the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2016.

The omnibus bill contains several provisions that impact the horse industry, including reforms to the H-2B temporary guest worker program, the U.S. Department Agriculture (USDA) FY 2016 appropriations bill, defunding of horse slaughter, and reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

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H-2B Temporary Worker Program

The bill includes several beneficial provisions relating to the H-2B temporary, non-agricultural worker program and would roll back some of the most onerous provisions of a 2015 H-2B rule.  The AHC has been working to ensure these provisions were included in the omnibus bill.    These provisions will make the H-2B program less burdensome for employers, including those in the horse industry to use. The bill will do the following:

  • Exempt H-2B returning workers from the 66,000 annual cap;
  • Require wages to be based on the job category and experience level required, rather than an artificially inflated median wage;
  • Clearly define seasonal as ten months, as opposed to the nine months in the 2015 H-2B rule;
  • Prevent the Department of Labor (DOL) from implementing the provisions of the 2015 H-2B rule related to corresponding employment and the ¾ guarantee of work days; and
  • Prevent DOL from implementing the new and burdensome DOL enforcement scheme in the 2015 H-2B rule related to audits and the Certifying Officer (CO) assisted recruitment.

These provisions will make the H-2B program easier to use and were supported by the AHC.

FY 2015 USDA Appropriations

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Equine Health

The bill appropriates $898 million for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). APHIS is the USDA agency responsible for protecting the U.S. equine industry and responding to contagious equine disease outbreaks.   Funding for Equine, Cervid, and Small Rumiant health is set at $19.5 million, the same as FY 2015.

Horse Slaughter 

The bill includes language that prohibits USDA from using any funds to provide inspectors at meat processing facilities that slaughter horses, continuing a block that begin in 2005, except for a brief period in 2012 and 2013

No horse slaughter facilities are operating in the U.S. and this bill would effectively prevent any such facility from opening until September 30, 2016.

The language was included in the omnibus bill because the Senate Appropriations Committee adopted an amendment that prohibited funding for inspectors at horse slaughter facilities when they debated and approved their respective version of the FY 2016 USDA appropriations bill.  The Senate amendment was offered in committee by Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and passed by a voice vote.

Horse Protection Act

The bill provides $697,000 for enforcement of the Horse Protection Act (HPA), the same as FY 2015. The HPA was enacted in 1970 to prevent the soring of horses, primarily Tennessee Walking Horses.

Because soring continues to be a problem in the “big lick” segment of the Walking Horse industry, the AHC has been working to pass the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (PAST Act) (S.1121/ H.R.3268). The PAST act would strengthen the HPA and end this cruel practice.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund

The bill will also reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) for three years with funding of $450 million for the coming FY 2016, a nearly 50 percent increase over the previous level.

The program, which expired on October 1, 2015, provides funds and matching grants to federal, state and local governments for the acquisition of land and water for recreation and the protection of natural resources.  The LWCF program benefits recreational riders by providing increased recreational opportunities.

Wild Horses and Burros

The omnibus bill also includes a provision that would prohibit the Bureau of Land Management from euthanizing healthy wild horses in its care or from selling wild horses or burros that results in their being processed into commercial products.

The bill is expected to be signed by the President shortly.

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