abuse | Horse Racing Free Tips

Assistant Starter Handed Six-Month Ban By Zia Park Stewards

Assistant starter Ramon Alvarez has been ruled off for six months at Zia Park, reports the Thoroughbred Daily News, for open-handed slaps to the head of a filly in the starting gate.

The incident occurred during race four on Oct. 20, when Alvarez was responsible for Javys Brown Sugar. The Quarter Horse filly dropped her head several times in the gate, and Alvarez responded by hitting her face four times with his open hand.

“The bottom line is, this type of behavior against our horses will not be tolerated,” said Izzy Trejo, the executive director of the New Mexico Racing Commission, in an email to the TDN. “It's people like this in our industry that just pound that nail deeper into the coffin as others work diligently in trying to keep the industry afloat.”

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

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EQUUS Foundation Awards Over $500,000 In Grants In 2020

The EQUUS Foundation announced today the award of over $500,000 in grants, including awards of new and gently used riding apparel, valued at $240,000, to individual riders in need, scholastic riding programs, pony clubs, equestrian camp programs and equine charities through The Rider's Closet program.

Primary support is awarded to equine charities nationwide that save and re-home increasing numbers of horses from abuse, neglect, and slaughter and charities that partner with horses to improve the well-being of people through the Foundation's Transparency Awards program. The EQUUS Foundation awarded small grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 to 160 charities that earned the EQUUS Foundation Guardian Seal of Transparency by completing the EQUUS Foundation's comprehensive and unique verification process.

EQUUS Foundation Horse Whisperers are a select group of donors who have an extraordinary kinship with horses. The EQUUS Foundation Board of Directors selects those charities from among the grant recipients that best align with the interests of the Horse Whisperers to be recognized with a Horse Whisperer Award.

2019 EQUUS Foundation Grant Awards

“Through engaging passionate supporters, collaboration, and maximizing the talents of equine charities nationwide, we will be able to ensure a humane and sustainable environment for America's horses now and in the future,” said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President.

Horse Whisperer Perpetual Awards

Michele E. Arnhold Memorial Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2008 by the family of Michele E. Arnhold in memory of her life-long passion, her pursuit of excellence, and her commitment and contribution to the equestrian sport.
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc., Old Lyme, CT

Daniel D. Barkan Memorial Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2013 by the family of Daniel D. Barkan, a quiet philanthropist and gentleman, in memory of his life-long love of horses.
Brook Hill Farm, Forest, VA

Horse Whisperer Annual Awards

Emma and Georgina Bloomberg Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2019 in honor of Emma and Georgina Bloomberg.
Omega Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, Airville, PA

Gore Family Memorial Foundation Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2020 by the EQUUS Foundation in honor of the Gore Family's commitment to equine rescue and equine assisted activities and therapies.
Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, Inc., Dover Plains, NY
Saving Horses, Inc., Encinitas, CA

Jackson Family Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2020 by the EQUUS Foundation in honor of the Jackson Family's commitment to horse welfare.
Gerda's Equine Rescue, Inc., West Townshend, VT
The Equus Effect, Sharon, CT

Mighty Nice Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2018 by Caroline Moran in recognition of 2017 Horse Stars Hall of Fame Inductee Mighty Nice owned by HnD Group, which was formed in memory of the late Bruce Duchossois, who owned Mighty Nice before his passing in 2014.
Secretariat Center, Lexington, KY

Newstead Foundation Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2019 by the EQUUS Foundation in recognition of the long-standing dedication of the Newstead Foundation and the Firestone Family to safeguarding of comfort and dignity of horses throughout their lives.
Project Horse Empowerment Center, Great Falls, VA
Sprout Therapeutic Riding and Education Center, Aldie, VA

Richard L. Parish Memorial Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2014 by the family of Richard L. Parish in recognition of his leadership and dedication for over 45 years to the causes supported by the Richard Laurence Parish Foundation.
Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding, John's Island, SC
Green Chimneys Children's Services, Brewster, NY
Mitchell Farm Equine Retirement, Salem, CT

Lafitte De Muze Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2018 by Cheryl Olsten in the name of her horse, Lafitte De Muze, to protect America's horses at risk for abuse and neglect, and to inspire others who experience the joy of horses to help ensure that all horses live in comfort and with dignity throughout their lives.
Colorado Horse Rescue, Longmont, CO
This Old Horse, Inc., Hastings, MN

Split Rock Farm/Bobbie & Derek Braun Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2020 by the EQUUS Foundation in honor of dedication of the Braun Family and Split Rock Farm to powerful impact of horses in our lives.
Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Inc., Petaluma, CA

Weisberg Family Foundation Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2018 by the Weisberg Family Foundation, a private philanthropic organization with a passion for serving horses, children and veterans.
Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, Inc (SMART), Bradenton, FL
Horsepower, Inc., High Point, NC

Grant recipients from the last three years can be viewed here.

Annual Bluebonnet Horse Expo Going Virtual In October

Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society recently announced that they're taking their annual Bluebonnet Horse Expo virtual for 2020. The online event will be held October 10 through the 18.

“This will be our fourteenth Bluebonnet Horse Expo and while we look forward to seeing everyone each year, we also want to keep the public safe. We didn't want to cancel the Expo because of the pandemic, so we decided to go virtual instead,” says Bluebonnet's Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Williams.

The event, which is an educational event, fundraiser for Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society and adoption event for the rescue is normally held in the Austin, Texas, area. This year, however, the event will be online so horse lovers from anywhere in the world can participate!

Those who purchase a ticket will get access to video presentations by horse trainers and other equine professionals as well as live online Q&A sessions with some of the presenters. Topics will cover a wide range of themes including training, behavior and equine health.

There will also be an online auction, an online/virtual horse show, and video introductions to the horses living at the rescue's many foster homes. The rescue will also conduct a fundraiser during the Expo to help raise funds to care for formerly abused, abandoned and neglected horses.

Horses will be available for adoption to approved adopters throughout Texas for half-price during the entire month of October.

The Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge, a competition in which professional trainers and amateur horsemen and women work with a rescue horse for four months, will still take place in person, but attendance will be limited to pre-approved adopters. The rescue plans to livestream the Challenge competition on its Facebook page on October 17.

Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society is a non-profit organization that helps rescue horses, ponies, mules, and donkeys from negligent and abusive owners. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the rescue to cancel one fundraiser and donations are down for the rescue this year, so it is hopes that the Expo and donation drive will raise some of the funds necessary to help horses throughout the next year.

Tickets are available here.

There are still sponsorship opportunities available, and the organization needs donations of horse equipment and farm/ranch/western themed art-work, jewelry and home décor for the live auction. All donations are tax deductible.

For more information, click here or call 888-542-5163.

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New Zealand’s Animal Welfare Laws Strengthened; Horses Offered Additional Protection

New Zealand has passed new regulations in an effort to strengthen the country's animal welfare system. These regulations cover a variety of animals and procedures, as well as denote who can perform surgical procedures and under what circumstances.

Equine castrations may only be done by a veterinarian or a veterinary student under direct supervision of a vet, and the horse must be given pain medication. Failure to comply can result in fines up to $5,000.

Striking a horse on its head is a new offense that carries a fine of up to $1,500. Failure to provide a horse that is tied with food, water, shade and shelter from extreme weather conditions can carry a fine of up to $900. Any equipment that injures the horse, or prevents it from eating or drinking, is now also a punishable offense.

These regulations become law in August, but will not be enforced until May 9, 2021. Some offenses carry fines and possible convictions. In instances where the horses are severely impacted, prosecution would fall under the Animal Welfare Act, which carries more substantial penalties.