Heaven Can Wait - Equine Sanctuary for Healing and Learning |
|
|
LATEST NEWS SUBSCRIBEVOLUNTEERWe are always looking for energetic people to help us with feeding, grooming, etc.» Volunteer Now  BECOME A FAN Equine Abuse
When you turn over the lead line of your beloved horse to a stranger, do you know what will become of it?
People believe that since horse slaughter bans and laws protecting certain animal rights have recently been enacted, horses are safe from cruelty and abuse. This is not the case! There isn’t enough law enforcement in this country (much less this county) to keep up with the misuse of horses and donkeys, from sending them without food or water to be slaughtered violently in foreign lands to using them in backyards for illegal “charro” rodeos where they are subjected to the nauseating torture called horse tripping. Because we have been asked so many times, by curious friends and acquaintances, we will briefly tell you about horse tripping. It involves several men on horseback chasing a loose horse around a small arena, repeatedly roping it by the front (and sometimes hind) legs and jerking it violently off its feet. This bone-snapping, tendon-splitting, joint-dislocating sadism is performed until the horse can no longer stand, at which time it is dragged away, alive, and usually killed outside the arena. Most disturbing of all – children are often brought to these events and encouraged to enjoy them as “sport.” It doesn’t take a fancy arena to hold a charro rodeo. A sandy riverbed will do, with a few portable fence panels to keep the victim from escaping. It can be done in a hollow between hills on a private ranch, difficult to see except from the air. It is always severely damaging and likely fatal to the tripped horse. For this reason, cheap or free, lame, injured, untamed, neglected, abused, stolen, abandoned and/or unwanted animals are sought. There is a great call for them, and now, with so many people having to “reduce their herds,” the supply is finally almost equal to the demand. And that is why we must ask, "Do you know what will happen to your horse once you turn over its lead line to someone else?" If you have knowledge of abusive horse activities, even if you think they are legal, contact someone. Call the Humane Society of the United States (202-452-1100), the ASPCA (212/876-7700), the local Sheriff (SLO County Sheriff 805/781-4550) or police department, the county Animal Control, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (day or night if local authorities are unresponsive, call 757/622-7382 then dial 2), the Animal Welfare Institute (703/836-4300), Horse Emergency Evacuation Team (805/343-5525), Heaven Can Wait (805/368-5702) or any other animal welfare association. You can do so anonymously, but please do so. We are all willing to help stop horse and donkey abuse.
WARNING - THESE IMAGES ARE GRAPHIC.
There are websites where you can, unfortunately, see videos of horse tripping:
You can also access information on this shameful, cowardly activity at:
ASPCA:
Peta:
Animal Welfare Institute: But please consider donating to a worthy horse/equine rescue in your area. There are several struggling to remain open and active and even a small amount will make a difference. The cost of a cup of Starbucks a day could mean life for a horse left to starve in an open field, or a mare given away to the first taker at a livestock auction because she is too lame to ride any longer. We owe this to our faithful equine friends who have so willingly given all they have to give for us, simply for the asking. |
