For those of you who never attempted a USEF PRC, let me share with you that there is no real road map. And, with regard to assistance, that isn’t easily found, either. After dancing around with calls and emails, I finally sent this letter to USEF. And still, as of now, no response- from a membership organization. Your membership fees, at work…
November 15, 2016
Ms. Chrystine Tauber
President
United States Equestrian Federation
IN RE: PRC on Tail Alteration dated 6.1.16
VIA EMAIL
Dear Ms. Tauber:
I am currently a member of the United States Equestrian Federation. I have been a member at various times over the years when I was competing my horses at USEF recognized competitions. I am also an owner of American Saddlebreds, all of whom, currently are sport horses. I have bred and raised American Saddlebred show horses, as well as sport horses, for over 40 years. However, during this time, I have also competed other breeds in the hunter, jumper, driving, and dressage arenas, from Arabians, to Warmbloods.
On June 1, 2016, I filed a Proposed Rule Change, “PRC”, under the General Rules category, and more specifically under “prohibited practices”, for the purpose of eliminating tail alteration in all breeds and disciplines governed by USEF. While these practices may be focused primarily on horses like American Saddlebreds, Hackneys, and Morgans, other breeds, such as Arabians and Paso Finos are also affected, and the hunter, dressage and reining disciplines may also have issues which would be defined as “tail alterations”. These include having tails deadened by injection. Therefore, any breed would be prohibited from altering the tails of their equines under the General Rules of USEF.
The American Association of Equine Practitioners, “AAEP”, published a position paper on tail alteration in May of 2015. To summarize, AAEP stands four square against tail alteration of any kind. This position aligns them with other organizations such as FEI, AVMA, CVBA and animal welfare groups. A copy of the AAEP document is attached. In point of fact, there isn’t a single professional Veterinary organization, or animal welfare group, that supports equine tail alteration. Naturally, this does beg the question: how can USEF, an organization committed to equine welfare, even tacitly support these practices?
I have never filed a PRC before, and winding my way through the process was daunting, in the respect that finding a primer directing members on the process eluded me. As such, the initial draft was fraught with typos, and other issues.
Following my submission, Ms. ***, of USEF, was kind enough to contact me, and arrange for a telephone conference call, with Jennifer Mellenkamp, also of USEF. During this conversation, which took place in late June, we discussed a number of topics relevant to my PRC. I found Ms. *** to be most helpful, and sincere, although it was clear that she, as an owner of
American Saddlebred show horses, was unsure as to my concerns. I am attaching a letter that I emailed to Ms. ***, following this initial conversation.
On October 7, 2016, at Ms. ***'s request, she and I had a second conversation about the PRC. During this conversation, several areas of conflict became clear;
• Ms. *** asked why the penalty for a first offense, in the PRC, was so severe. I offered that the PRC was structured with penalties that are exactly those which have been previously approved by the USEF for the Arabian division.
• Ms. *** mentioned that another member of the American Saddlebred world, Ms. Donna Pettry-Smith, would be submitting another PRC, also about tail alteration.
• Ms. *** asked whether I had contacted the American Saddlebred Horse Association, which I am a member of, regarding the submission of a PRC on tail alteration.
• Ms. *** questioned why I had filed the PRC under general rules, rather than the American Saddlebred rules.
I am attaching a letter I sent to Ms. *** pursuant to this conversation. As of this date, I have not had a response, although the letter very specifically requests clarification and assistance.
My concern, at this juncture, is that it is clear to me that Ms. ***'s intentions are supportive of the continuation of this practice in open support of the American Saddlebred show horse world. My PRC addresses all breeds and disciplines, the most obvious tail alterations are undoubtedly on the breeds I mentioned previously; American Saddlebreds, Hackneys and Morgans.
While I was always extremely clear that passing a PRC that tackled these issues would be arduous, it has become apparent that though the discussions Ms. *** has had with others, regarding this issue, she is not capable of viewing this PRC with the clarity of one who is not directly affected by it.
I believe that it the responsibility of USEF to first, and foremost, act with the welfare of horses and ponies as their priority. Obviously, if entities such as AAEP, and more, have found the practice of tail alteration to be completely unacceptable, I am at a loss as to why USEF would continue to allow such practices to continue, willfully. Further, the clock is ticking insofar as other groups moving to make such practices as equine tail alteration illegal practices of an embarrassing past. The USEF has the choice of being part of the solution to curing this problem, or being part of the problem that allows it to continue.
I would very much appreciate it if you could review my letter of November 1, 2016, and that I could have a response to my questions and concerns as noted in that correspondence.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Julie Lynn Andrew
CC: William J. Moroney
Sonya Keating
Sarah Gilbert
Jennifer Mellenkamp
Lori Nelson
Emily Pratt
