In The News

Emergency Hay Assistance for Horses Emergency hay assistance is available to horse owners who have lost a job or had a medical emergency within the past 6 months. If you or someone you know may benefit from this program, please click here to download the application. Or go directly to the website: www.EquineProtectionFund.org. Emergency hay assistance is designed to keep horses healthy and with their families. This program was made possible, in part, by a grant from The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

AHC Seeks to Document Equestrian Access Issues on Public Land July 24, 2009 — The American Horse Council has launched a new effort to collect information on access issues equestrians are experiencing on federal lands. The center piece of this effort is an online form equestrians can use to report their personal experiences regarding trails and federal lands that have been closed to them or other access issues. Americans who use horses and pack stock enjoy a unique experience when they ride on trails and public lands. It is an experience that ties them to the “pioneer” era and provides not only a way to connect with America ’s vast and unique natural resources but a link with America ’s history and traditions. It is an experience that cannot be enjoyed without a trail system, trailhead access and areas for camping. It is an experience that Americans enjoyed even before there was a national park system and an experience they want to continue. Unfortunately, equestrians are seeing an increasing loss of access through trail restrictions, trail closures, and use restrictions. Riders and stock users are being excluded from areas that they have historically traveled through and indeed first opened up. It is a loss of opportunities for riders, families, persons with disabilities, school groups and others. There seems to be a management environment less open to these traditional forms of use. Sometimes restrictions on equestrian use are done intentionally through management plans that reduce, restrict or eliminate horses, horse facilities, camping or grazing restrictions, cross-country travel restrictions or closures. Sometimes the restrictions are indirect though a lack of trail maintenance, or over regulation, or lack of services to the public like facilities that provide saddle and pack animals or parking for horse trailers. In order to better combat this disturbing trend the AHC is asking equestrians to document examples of trails or entire areas that have been closed to equestrians on federal land (National Forest Service, National Parks Service, and Bureau of Land Management, etc). The AHC is seeking all relevant information concerning these closures such as the reason for the loss of access, details concerning any public process that was involved and the history of equestrian use on the closed trail or area. The AHC is also interested in examples of attempts to bar equestrian access that have been defeated. “The reduction of trails, trail heads and the closure of public lands to horses and pack animals is a continuing problem for equestrians. However, there is no centralized, comprehensive database that documents any loss of access and even fewer specific examples,” said AHC President Jay Hickey. “We hope by giving equestrians a place to report their experiences we can get a better picture of the problem and use that information to fix it.” The AHC is asking all recreational riders to visit the AHC website and report any access issues they have had using this electronic form www.horsecouncil.org/survey.php. This will be a permanent feature of the AHC website. State Equine Transport Requirements Available Online Edited Press Release for US Rider December 21 2009 — Since equine transportation regulations vary from state to state, USRider is providing up-to-date information regarding equine transportation on a state-by-state basis at www.usrider.org/EquestrianMotorPlan.html. The site provides the details on all the states' equine transportation regulations, including Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, EIA and vesicular stomatitis requirements, as well as contact information for each state veterinarian. The site is available to anyone traveling with horses, both USRider members and nonmembers. It includes safety bulletins, equine trailer safety tips, a pre-trip checklist, and more. Designed for those who travel with horses, USRider provides emergency roadside assistance and towing services, along with other travel-related benefits geared especially toward horse owners. Not pleasant, but sometimes necessary Humane Society of the United States Releases List of Humane Options for Disposal of Equines Posted: Monday, August 17, 2009 The Humane Society of the United States released a national list of humane resources for horse owners making end-of-life arrangements for their equine companions. "Providing a humane, dignified death for your horse is simply responsible horse ownership," said Keith Dane, The Humane Society of the United States' director of equine protection. "No one likes to think about the death of a beloved companion, but planning ahead is key to understanding your options. This resource list gives horse owners the information they need to plan effectively." The list at http://www.hsus.org/horses_equines/resources/ (Clicking NM in the state list doesn't work; use the scroll bar) includes state-by-state information on low-cost euthanasia programs, equine crematories, horse cemeteries, rendering facilities and landfills. State agriculture and veterinary contacts and state regulations are also included. Below is the New Mexico information. A recent survey of equine veterinarians and carcass disposal service providers indicated it costs about $300 for humane euthanasia and carcass disposal. In most parts of the country, this cost is equal to or less than the cost of one month's care. With proper care, horses can live well into their 20s and 30s. The latest available data shows there are more than 9 million horses in the United States, making this resource a valuable tool for the millions of Americans involved with horses. New Mexico State Veterinarian: Dr. David E. Fly, dave.fly@state.nm.us  USDA Cooperative Extension Service: www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/ State Regulations: Deceased Animal Disposal Laws: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 77-3-4. Dead animals; disposal The bodies of all dead animals shall be buried, burned or disposed of by the owners as provided by regulations of the board. Euthanasia Programs: New Mexico Veterinary Diagnostics Services   700 Camino De Salud NE   Albuquerque, NM 87106   505-841-2576 http://128.123.206.6/animal-and-plant-protection/veterinary-diagnostic-services Equine Crematory Services: Ashes to Ashes Pet Cremation (serves the Continental U.S.)   22331 590th Street   Pomeroy, IA 50575   712-358-2600  www.ncn.net/~scottdev Memorial Pet Care (serves the Continental U.S.) 654 E. King Street Meridian, ID 83642 208-887-7669 www.memorialpetcare.com Rendering/Carcass Disposal: New Mexico Services 4124 Broadway Boulevard SE Albuquerque, NM 08710-5420 505-877-6789 Landfills that Accept Equine Carcasses: * Waste Management® accepts equine carcasses at some but not all locations. To find out if your local Waste Management location will take horses, please contact them: www.wm.com; 800-963-4776