If you give this a read, you will find that it covers many kinds of shoeing and action devices that are used on more than just the “Big Lick” horses; some of it also extends to Morgans and American Saddlebreds, for example. Personally, I am thrilled for anything that ceases the artificiality, and the attendant issues, and will ultimately allow these breeds to be presented in all of their natural beauty.
Your thoughts?
No need to “reinvent the wheel.” Go here:
G.
This release from the ASHA came out today. Rather than seek to protect the horses, and simply allow the USDA to level the playing field, and protect the welfare of the horses, they are fighting to keep their entrenched, archaic and unreasonable view of how horses can be treated, in place.
The idea that there is “no Veterinary science” that supports this act is beyond ridiculous, and the USDA is being supported in this by the AAEP.
PLEASE! Help support the welfare of these wonderful horses, and reach out to the USDA to support the removal of these methods and devices for horses…
The ASHA Press Release reads as follows:
"This proposed rule by the United States Department of Agriculture that would eliminate the use of any pad, action device or hoof bands as well as eliminate all self-regulation would have devastating impacts. The demands on horse show management will be costly and create an abundance of unnecessary work on the part of show management and the exhibitors.
As members of the American Saddlebred Horse Association or even an interested party here is what you can do to support the cause.
Submit a comment on the web site and oppose the rule. You must let the USDA know the impacts of the rule as it pertains to you. We can’t stress enough the importance of doing this. There are literally thousands of people in our sport that will be affected and we need each and every one of you to respond at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketD...PHIS-2011-0009.
Next, there is a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, September 9 at the USDA Headquarters in Riverdale, MD, as well as a virtual meeting to be held Thursday, September 15 at 5:00 EDT. Any interested person may appear and be heard in person, by attorney or by other another representative. For the virtual hearing, any person may call in to be heard.
Written statements may be submitted and will be made part of the hearing record. A transcript of the public hearings will be placed in the rulemaking record and will be available for public inspection. Registration is required to speak at the public hearing and can be accomplished by registering with the presiding officer 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the hearing. Persons who wish to speak will be asked to sign in with their name and organization to establish a record for the hearing. Anyone who reads a statement is asked to provide two copies to the presiding officer at the hearing.
When submitting your comment or speaking at the hearing you don’t have to have an elaborate speech, but need to focus on the impact the rule has with you. For example, if you are a:
TRAINER – how many employees you have, how the rule will impact your business, the effect it will have on your household income and the loss you will suffer as a result. You should also request a representative from every vendor you buy from to also submit a comment talking about the impact of the loss of your business on their business.
OWNER – how many horses you own, their current value and what the value will be if the rule goes into effect constituting the illegal taking of that value by the USDA with zero regard for veterinary science that proves no relationship between pads, action devices and hoof bands and soring. You can also speak to the real estate you own that is specifically tied to your involvement in the horse industry.
BREEDER – how many broodmares you own, how many stallions you own and if you own a breeding operation, how many employees you have and how your operation will be impacted by the rule.
HORSE SHOW MANAGEMENT – speak to the value your horse show brings to the community where it is held and the charities that you benefit and with the rule how difficult it will be to have a horse show, have horses participate and how the new rules are making it too difficult and cost prohibitive to have a horse show and thus the loss to the community and charities. We have many shows that donate thousands and thousands of dollars to worthy causes.
FARRIER – how many employees you have, how the rule will affect your business, the effect it will have on your household income and the loss you will suffer as a result.
VETERINARIANS – how many employees you have, the impact of the American Saddlebred on your practice and the loss of revenue to your practice. You should also be able to speak professionally to the prohibition of the equipment (pads and bands) and how it is unrelated to soring.
ELECTED OFFICIALS – speak to the value of the American Saddlebred to horse shows in your area, the tax revenue received as a result of the American Saddlebred and the use of the American Saddlebred to help civic clubs and charities and the valuable work they do.
BUSINESS OWNER – speak to the impact of the American Saddlebred, the owners, the trainers and all the spectators to your business and how you would be affected if the American Saddlebred show horse went away.
If you have any questions regarding this process please contact ASHA Executive Director Bill Whitley or President Bob Funkhouser.
WE NEED YOUR VOICE and HELP!!!"
IT is the HORSES who need your VOICES and HELP…please do NOT let them down!
[QUOTE=ASB Stars;8792499]
If you give this a read, you will find that it covers many kinds of shoeing and action devices that are used on more than just the “Big Lick” horses; some of it also extends to Morgans and American Saddlebreds, for example. Personally, I am thrilled for anything that ceases the artificiality, and the attendant issues, and will ultimately allow these breeds to be presented in all of their natural beauty.
Your thoughts?
My thoughts, if the HSUS or any satellite organization of theirs is involved, read the fine print very carefully, ten times and ten more times again, because you never know what unintended consequences some of what may be inserted in there may contain that later we will be sorry was sneaked past everyone as “just horse welfare”, when it was really furthering more animal rights extremist goals.
That is what happened in the infamous “horse slaughter bill” of 2007, that when read carefully, was intended to make horse ownership much harder for all.
That is why so many were against it, over 200 horse industry groups were against that bill with those provisions, “AS WRITTEN” into that bill by the HSUS…
Telling that so those that are not familiar why some may not want to support certain bills if animal rights extremists are involved understand that all that glitters is not gold with them.
While every one decent human is against abuses, lets be sure that, in the zeal to stop abuses, we don’t let the fox in to guard the henhouse.
Maybe this is a nice, clear bill anyone can support, maybe not.
Just be sure you know what is in there before deciding, don’t take ANYONE’S word for what is in there.
The OP did post the link to the full text of the bill; anyone can read each and every word for themselves, unfiltered through any special interests, and decide what parts, if any, to support or reject. Then do write your own federal lawmakers, as well as those who put the bill forward and heads of committees that will hear arguments about it. Formal written comments are considered.
[QUOTE=coloredhorse;8807469]
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/07/26/2016-17648/horse-protection-licensing-of-designated-qualified-persons-and-other-amendments#page-49131
The OP did post the link to the full text of the bill; anyone can read each and every word for themselves, unfiltered through any special interests, and decide what parts, if any, to support or reject. Then do write your own federal lawmakers, as well as those who put the bill forward and heads of committees that will hear arguments about it. Formal written comments are considered.[/QUOTE]
Right, read it carefully, think about the consequences of every word, what it means for everyone, before deciding is that is what makes sense to support and what not and, more importantly, WHY.
How are you all interpreting the “any pad”?
Would that include a simple leather pad or frog support oads?
I will be interested to see how they approach theraputic pads. It appears, at least at first blush, that anything that is stacked (multiple pads) and banded is precluded. I am fine with that, put a single pad, a pour in pad, or a degree pad, for horses with various issues, needs to be permitted.
The no pads and wedges could be a problem. There are many horses in therapeutic pads or wedges that need to stay in them, but strictly written as is, would seem illegal. I think the intent is, as said above, to dissallow stacked pads and other large pads. There needs to be an allowance for a certain height and veterinary discretion. What about the foal that needs toe extensions? This says that’s not allowed.
At a horse show. Not at home, where that foal would be.
[QUOTE=Kolsch;8807652]
How are you all interpreting the “any pad”?
Would that include a simple leather pad or frog support oads?[/QUOTE]
Did you read alternative discussion? This was fully covered.
G.
I have used chains on horses with propriaceptive issues, to help them be more conscious of where their feet were. However, this was for walking exercises.
I have no question that the usual set of chains, used to work show horses, sting or smart a bit when they smack down on the leg.
In addition, I have seen countless show horses with contracted heels because of the angles that their feet are kept on, even without stacks. This is obviously NOT healthy- it doesn’t encourage blood flow into the area, and can go on to cause collateral issues.
I am not going to defend the ASB people for not having a better understanding of the biomechanics of this issue. They talk to blacksmiths and Vets who are simply NOT going to tell them anything that they do not want to hear. Unfortunately, this is all to the detriment of the horses.
The USDA needs to get this passed. Those who are trying to make a case about losing income, etc., are simply attempting to create a major issue that they believe defends their position. it doesn’t. Leveling the playing field by taking all of this crap off of the horses simply means that the trainers will need to do a better job to achieve the result that they wish to have. Naturally talented horses will still have the greatest value, and the show ring standards will have to factor in the new paradigm.
Not confusing, and it is deeply discouraging to see the ASHA circling the wagons, yet again.
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