ABOUT US Part III

SMALL VICTORIES

We intervene and advocate on behalf of horses in one way or another every working day through the diligence of our highly skilled and knowledgeable staff and volunteers.

We are gratified to say that these efforts typically yield a victory in some small way.  Of course, there is so much more that needs to be done, and know that this requires larger and more structured efforts.

This is where the Int'l Fund for Horses truly shines, for we are uniquely creative, very well organized, focused on our intentions, and extremely driven to succeed.

 
RECENT TRIUMPH

The Int'l Fund for horses has been successful this year in alerting EU officials of the drug violations resulting in the export of adulterated horse meat from North America for human consumption in its member countries.

Slow to respond at first, our persistence moved them to mandate a six-month quarantine on horses intended for slaughter in Canada and Mexico, who have not been specifically bred for that purpose, to go into effect in about 6 months. This includes all of the thousands of American horses butchered each year across our borders, a number that has increased dramatically since the closure of horse slaughter plants in the U.S.

BIG WINS

Here are a few examples of what we have achieved.  They will give you an idea of what we do, how we do it and how successful we are.

  • With Texans for Horses, organized a grassroots campaign that helped defeat a bill in the Texas state legislature that would have legalized horse slaughter for human consumption.

  • Created and conducted a Horseshoes for Congress campaign where we mailed actual horseshoes to members of the U.S. House of Representatives on behalf of their constituents.  The project  was responsible for winning at least 80 of the 227 co-sponsors of H.R. 857, The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.

  • Collaborated in a billboard and internet advertising campaign with other animal welfare groups and raised awareness in the U.S. and Canada about the inhumane conditions of pregnant mares milked for their urine for use in the manufacture of hormone replacement therapy drugs for the treatment of symptoms of menopause, and potential dangers to women.

  • Negotiated, won and set up an infor-mational table concerning horse slaughter for human consumption at the 2004 Breeders Cup Championship Races at Lone Star Park in Texas, where two horse slaughter plants were operating just a few miles away, butchering Thoroughbreds.  We raised awareness of thousands of Texans plus racegoers from across the country and the world.  We were the only horse welfare group allowed any forum.

  • Conceived and co-founded the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition who are winning major battles against the slaughter of horses for human consumption.

  • Successfully filed Motions of Inter-vention in over 300 criminal abuse and neglect cases, preventing the horses  confiscated  from going to auction where they were in danger of going to slaughter, getting the horses placed in sanctuaries where they were rehabilitated and adopted into caring homes.

  • Appeared on local radio and television programs, becoming the "go to" organization on horse welfare issues generally, and specifically, horse slaughter for human consumption, abuse of Premarin(R) mares and the slaughter of their foals, horse tripping, horse fighting and the drugging of racehorses.

  • Promoted the use of the revolutionary process of image motion digitizing to the moving picture industry whereby actual horses are not used, thereby eliminating risk of injury and death.

  • Collaborated with a Washington state based animal welfare organization in a successful grassroots campaign against the Omak Suicide Race where a majority of its longstanding major sponsors publicly withdrew their support, and to date, have not returned.

  • Brought to public attention the fact that British horses were not just being transported to European countries for the purposes of slaughter for human consumption, but being butchered for their meat right there at home. This was hotly denied by the government.  Our exposure triggered an outcry which we have developed into a movement to bring it to an end.
  • Designed and carried out a calculated and effective campaign to persuade major television networks to cease airing Premarin(R) commercials. This included a peaceful demonstration outside CBS Headquarters in New York, featuring a rescue horse cast off by the industry, while pressuring their affiliate stations throughout the country with phone calls, letters and walk in complaints. Other major networks quickly followed suit.

  • During Hurricane Katrina, networked to assist in evacuating horses to safety, and transporting feed, dry hay, supplies and medical supplies to the Gulf Coast area following the storm.

  • Successfully intervened and negotiated with officials of the Serb and Croatian governments on behalf of Lipizzaner stallions, trapped in a dispute between the two countries over who should have care and control over them, leaving the horses to starve to death with no veterinary care.

  • Tipped off by inside connections,  defeated a bill that had been quietly introduced in the Illinois state legislature that would have made horse tripping legal once again.

  • Exposed the cruelties of horse fighting in the Philippines and participating Asian countries,  garnering headlines in major European newspapers and magazines, bringing it to the public's attention around the world.
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