I have a link to an expose' on the horse racing industry's waste removal. Everyone wants a great/successful race horse and in order to get it they over breed. Whatever doesn't show promise is sent for slaughter. It costs $60 - $150 to euthanize a horse, and they can get about $300 at slaughter.
I have a couple objections. Actually I have many objections when we talk of horse competitions for $$$$. That in itself leads to overbreeding and flooding the market, necessitating the need for slaughter. They can't all be placed, and not all abused/neglected animals can be saved. This practice is done with all breeds, organizations and backyard pets. Everyone thinks if their horse has the 'parts' it should be bred. Responsible breeding practices with access to 'culls' for pleasure riding placement would be the best solution.
Horse slaughter itself doesn't have to be a horrible demise. However, the enthusiastic efforts of rescue groups have put the cart before the horse so to speak. They have pushed for and won the eradication of all slaughter in the US where they would have had a say in the proceedures. Now all horses bound for slaughter go to Mexico and Canada. Yes the transport/conditions are horrible, but the horse wasn't a backyard pet. It was treated as meat on fast legs and in relation its demise is swift. Some methods are better than others, and some horses can suffer acutely for up to a half hour. Once the horse is gone it is best to use it all, because he gave his all.
So, my objections: Over/irresponsible breeding, and the callous owner who after the horse is deemed non - productive seeks to squeeze out a few more $$ from the horse and sells it for food instead of putting it down or offering to donate the animal.
So, there it is. My opinion. There are 2 videos at this link. If this doesn't work - I can forward the link to you. I had to clean this one up.
http://www.americansagainsthorseslaughter.com/index.php/site/bryant-gumbel-investigates-the-slaughter-of-thoroughbred-horses-for-profit/
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Cabbages
Hey Fam,
I saw this Cabbage Patch thing as a bit of your kids' heritage. Their parents old clothes, treasures from my heart. I can understand if they feel a bit out of place, or if the kids are too young, or are they even necessary. Do what you want with them, I had fun putting them together for you. Poor Mel - I am still figuring yours out. Leah has a girl - should I give her a boy? If I give a girl to both, who gets the 'sleeping bag'? What of Chris' clothes I saved? Do I use our favorite sleeper? You can see the terrible stress I am under! LOL! Some day when you least expect it - there will be a strange box at your door ...
I saw this Cabbage Patch thing as a bit of your kids' heritage. Their parents old clothes, treasures from my heart. I can understand if they feel a bit out of place, or if the kids are too young, or are they even necessary. Do what you want with them, I had fun putting them together for you. Poor Mel - I am still figuring yours out. Leah has a girl - should I give her a boy? If I give a girl to both, who gets the 'sleeping bag'? What of Chris' clothes I saved? Do I use our favorite sleeper? You can see the terrible stress I am under! LOL! Some day when you least expect it - there will be a strange box at your door ...
Just Sunday
Hi All,
Just another Sunday. Thanks for the help with my slideshow - I will have to have you hod my hand and walk me through it. I think it looks great on Mel's Blog. Maybe if Dad really retires ...
We had the Grands over for dinner tonight. I like having a 'Family Dinner'. Rae is pretty killer at Perudo and Racko. We will have to find at least 1 we can beat her at.
Tomorrow is Memorial Day and we plan to see the Indiana Jones movie. I have heard both good and bad reviews on it, so I guess we will go and clear up the confusion. I want to see the Narnia movie too.
Dad says he is suffering from 'Senioritis" actually it is closer to being accurate than when he was in school. He was looking through the want ads today and found a job he wants to apply for. I reminded that he will need to take time off in August, maybe he should wait. Well, if he can't make the trip - I am open to bribery! ;} Anyway, he is really looking forward to retiring. Of course if I work for another 6 years at $20,000/ year I will be able to collect Social Security. Zounds, this is all new stuff for the 'Old Ones'.
This next week is going to be busy. Monday is filled, Tuesday I work at the warehouse and do my VT, Wendesday I take a group of boys to Cub Camp on Mt. Lemmon [snowed there last Thursday], Thursday I head to Apache Junction to look at a horse a friend wants to buy, Friday is open so far. Yea, it is tough with a life so busy. I am lovin it.
I got my flights for the cruise, and for the trip to Ohio. If Steve opens his email I could get the particulars to the Eastern Kids. I will be gone all month from my Sunday School class. I'll miss the kids, but I am sure I'll survive.
Well that is all that is fit to post.
XXOO ya'll!
Just another Sunday. Thanks for the help with my slideshow - I will have to have you hod my hand and walk me through it. I think it looks great on Mel's Blog. Maybe if Dad really retires ...
We had the Grands over for dinner tonight. I like having a 'Family Dinner'. Rae is pretty killer at Perudo and Racko. We will have to find at least 1 we can beat her at.
Tomorrow is Memorial Day and we plan to see the Indiana Jones movie. I have heard both good and bad reviews on it, so I guess we will go and clear up the confusion. I want to see the Narnia movie too.
Dad says he is suffering from 'Senioritis" actually it is closer to being accurate than when he was in school. He was looking through the want ads today and found a job he wants to apply for. I reminded that he will need to take time off in August, maybe he should wait. Well, if he can't make the trip - I am open to bribery! ;} Anyway, he is really looking forward to retiring. Of course if I work for another 6 years at $20,000/ year I will be able to collect Social Security. Zounds, this is all new stuff for the 'Old Ones'.
This next week is going to be busy. Monday is filled, Tuesday I work at the warehouse and do my VT, Wendesday I take a group of boys to Cub Camp on Mt. Lemmon [snowed there last Thursday], Thursday I head to Apache Junction to look at a horse a friend wants to buy, Friday is open so far. Yea, it is tough with a life so busy. I am lovin it.
I got my flights for the cruise, and for the trip to Ohio. If Steve opens his email I could get the particulars to the Eastern Kids. I will be gone all month from my Sunday School class. I'll miss the kids, but I am sure I'll survive.
Well that is all that is fit to post.
XXOO ya'll!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Another day
Halloo all,
Just another day in the the life of Desert Rats. I have been having great fun going through closets and cupboards and finding treasures. I found the box with all the kid's baby clothes. I have these vintage Cabbage Patch dolls and I have them sitting out and every time I walk by I choose a doll for one of the grand babies. It is a big decision to get the right doll for the babies! Then once I have finally decided on the doll I go to the treasures box and find what that particular doll needs to wear. After I have it just right I send off the doll. I know - get a life. Hey, I am retired, I can do this. Anyway - when you have darling grandbabies - you have to have just the right treasures for them!
Molly has been having a nice week. There is a pair of quail that lay their eggs in one of my plant pots. Every year Molly helps herself to the smorgasbord. It is a hoot to see her standing on her hind legs, top half hidden by plants, and coming back with an egg held gently in her mouth - until she eats it. I try to discourage the quail from nesting here, but they think it is the garden of Eden. So far their reproductive success is zero. Better she eat the eggs than the chicks.
Dad has been working like crazy. Retirement is sounding like a good option now. The sooner the better.
It is over 100 in the shade at noon today. If you don't get out early - it is too hot to ride. sigh. I have a new med for my blood pressure and it makes my BP perfect, except I can't wake up until 10. Already too hot to do anything outside - except wallow in the pool. I can get up - but mentally I am still asleep. Don't want to drive that way.
I also had my hands x rayed - 'significant osteoarthritis'. Now tell me something new. I am going to check into the 'rooster comb' shots. A series of 3 shots that seem to have long term beneficial effects. Pain reduction and in some - cartilage regeneration. Supposed to be good for 6+ months, but my friend is going on 2 years pain free after 1 series of shots.
Let's see -oh yes! I know you are dying to hear about my horses. Legs is doing really well. He is finally getting the idea that if he tries to blast back to the barn he has to work harder. I stop his forward progression and do turns, yield the front, yield the rear, and all sorts of horrible things. When he walks - i leave him alone. He really tries hard. Cali got the sharp end of a fight in the corral and has a hole in her leg. Apparently the skin split and no muscle was involved but she doesn't like the daily scrubbing. I use preemie diapers cut in half and taped on as a bandaid. It probably could use a stitch or two but I use Wonder Dust on it which causes it to heal from the deep layers first. That way it is harder for infection to set in.
Well, I am off to do dishes, floors, and glue the roof back down. This afternoon I get to scrub a cranky mare. Ah the joys of retirement!
Much love to all!
Just another day in the the life of Desert Rats. I have been having great fun going through closets and cupboards and finding treasures. I found the box with all the kid's baby clothes. I have these vintage Cabbage Patch dolls and I have them sitting out and every time I walk by I choose a doll for one of the grand babies. It is a big decision to get the right doll for the babies! Then once I have finally decided on the doll I go to the treasures box and find what that particular doll needs to wear. After I have it just right I send off the doll. I know - get a life. Hey, I am retired, I can do this. Anyway - when you have darling grandbabies - you have to have just the right treasures for them!
Molly has been having a nice week. There is a pair of quail that lay their eggs in one of my plant pots. Every year Molly helps herself to the smorgasbord. It is a hoot to see her standing on her hind legs, top half hidden by plants, and coming back with an egg held gently in her mouth - until she eats it. I try to discourage the quail from nesting here, but they think it is the garden of Eden. So far their reproductive success is zero. Better she eat the eggs than the chicks.
Dad has been working like crazy. Retirement is sounding like a good option now. The sooner the better.
It is over 100 in the shade at noon today. If you don't get out early - it is too hot to ride. sigh. I have a new med for my blood pressure and it makes my BP perfect, except I can't wake up until 10. Already too hot to do anything outside - except wallow in the pool. I can get up - but mentally I am still asleep. Don't want to drive that way.
I also had my hands x rayed - 'significant osteoarthritis'. Now tell me something new. I am going to check into the 'rooster comb' shots. A series of 3 shots that seem to have long term beneficial effects. Pain reduction and in some - cartilage regeneration. Supposed to be good for 6+ months, but my friend is going on 2 years pain free after 1 series of shots.
Let's see -oh yes! I know you are dying to hear about my horses. Legs is doing really well. He is finally getting the idea that if he tries to blast back to the barn he has to work harder. I stop his forward progression and do turns, yield the front, yield the rear, and all sorts of horrible things. When he walks - i leave him alone. He really tries hard. Cali got the sharp end of a fight in the corral and has a hole in her leg. Apparently the skin split and no muscle was involved but she doesn't like the daily scrubbing. I use preemie diapers cut in half and taped on as a bandaid. It probably could use a stitch or two but I use Wonder Dust on it which causes it to heal from the deep layers first. That way it is harder for infection to set in.
Well, I am off to do dishes, floors, and glue the roof back down. This afternoon I get to scrub a cranky mare. Ah the joys of retirement!
Much love to all!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
A First Time for Everything
Well, OK I'll take the plunge. Dad and I have signed up for our "Anniversary Cruise" and guess what - it will actually be on our anniversary! We are planning to visit the Washington B's on our way out. {OK?} I voted for visiting on the trip home, but was overruled. sigh. We will cruise up for 7 days and then take 7 days in the interior, including the Arctic Circle! I am pretty excited. I wonder if I'll be able to sleep in the land of the midnight sun???? The flight back to Tucson from Anchorage is 9 hours!
Dad leaves Monday for LA. I hear he heads to Texas for a day next week. Keep collecting those flight miles, Dear!
Don't know what to post pictures of ... new entertainment center?
I'll work on the rest later.
Peace in the pasture!
Dad leaves Monday for LA. I hear he heads to Texas for a day next week. Keep collecting those flight miles, Dear!
Don't know what to post pictures of ... new entertainment center?
I'll work on the rest later.
Peace in the pasture!
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