Horse Business Spoken Here

Comments

• Politics and Horses

  As an acutal rescue sanctuary operator, my days are more than full and am often tempted to push aside requests to write, FAX or call members of Congress on various issues that impact horses because the care and keep of those under my stewardship (36) leaves very little time to sit down at my computer. However, when people like Laura Allen of the Animal Law Coaliton, who ride point for us on these matters, ask for help, I some how make the time. We can't complain about government action or inaction if we don't participate in the system, no matter how fruitless it may seem at times. Those of us who do the actual rescue are on the frontlines of horse welfare and it is only right that we stand up and be counted when given the opportunity. What happens to horses is not a theory for us, it is our daily reality. Thanks for running this article, Maryr!

  Posted by Allen Warren, Horse Harbor Foundation November 08, 2011 09:31:05

• The "other side of our message"

  I am a bit puzzled about Lynn Baber's comment referring to the "other side" of our message. I assume she is a fan of Senator Baucus and that she is implying we are politically biased. In fact, we care only about a politician's support of equine welfare.
  
  For example, we invited senators and representatives from both sides of the aisle to speak at the IEC.
  
  Ed Whitfield (R-KY) gave a memorable talk. He was the sponsor of our legislation the one and only year it got a vote in the house. He let us use his office as a base during the run up to the vote and got us passes to see the actual vote. It never got heard in the Senate unfortunately.
  
  We gave the award for legislative accomplishment (2011) to Jim Moran (D-VA) for his fight to keep defunding language in the Ag budget earlier this year.
  
  We received a wonderful letter of appreciation from Dan Burton (R-ID). He is a fantastic friend of the horses. And Senator Landrieu's (D-VA) aid Elizabeth Weiner gave a presentation on her behalf.
  
  We have always enjoyed bi-partisan support and we cherish every one of them more than they can know. However, we don't intend to play sweet with people who have sold out to the dark side.

  Posted by John Holland November 07, 2011 21:53:15

• The other side of the story...

  Good basic commentary on how politics works. Unfortunately the bottom line in politics is power. Money is important but is really just a vehicle to deliver power. Any issue has two sides, as do most horse issues. The number one problem facing us is that of unwanted horses. National issues of transportation and licensure flow from that problem.
  
  Politically speaking, the money is on one side and horse lovers with common sense are on the other side. In a perfect world we would meet in the middle -- but this is not a perfect world.
  
  Bottom line: The horse world is no different from any other. Political power is used to further one's own opinion which always differs from that of someone else. Like some material published by the Equine Welfare Alliance, if you examine the "other side" of their message it is quite revealing... Read their release dated 9-14-11 posted on this site, "Senator Baucus dons his horse slaughter suicide vest."
  
  Fanaticism makes for ugly words, most of which have nothing to do with reality.

  Posted by Lynn Baber November 07, 2011 08:10:32

• Your voice does count

  Great article, Lisa. One person can make a difference. So many assume political action only comes from money (campaign donations). Honestly, I've found quite the opposite to be true in my rural community. Many serve because they're passionate about being a voice for a minority and are interested in giving back. But, as you state, no legislator has the time to read the tomes produced as bills these days, let alone research issues they're not familiar with. A single constituent (I'll vary with you here a bit on the 2 makes a priority) can alert a politician about a problem they may have never considered. Doing this in an informed and supportive way (give them what they need to argue the case) can lead to law (or not - most laws proposed tend to do more harm than good where the horse industry, or business in general, is concerned). Thanks so much for covering this one. Let's hope it makes more realize they can make a huge difference with little time.

  Posted by Nanette Levin November 05, 2011 21:34:58