What will the USDA say to this?

Oh, I'm sure they'll say they can test for this and assure the safety of the American food supply. Right

From thehorse.com

http://www.thehorse.com/articles/32890/researchers-find-em-toxoplasma-gondii-em-in-horsemeat

After all the publicized concern about the presence of phenylbutazone (Bute) in horsemeat, researchers now fear the meat could also carry the organism that causes toxoplasmosis—a potentially deadly human disease. Recent study results suggest that up to 15% of horses in Brazilian slaughterhouses and 30.5% of those in southwest China could be infected with Toxoplasma gondii.

From Monica C. to BLM re: conditions in short term holding

Monica's response posted below is in support of the following opinion in the Nov. 11, 2013 Denver Post
http://blogs.denverpost.com/opinion/2013/11/11/blm-must-reconsider-its-policies-on-wild-horses/42058/

Inquiry on Equine Welfare Standards for BLM / Shelter for Holding

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By MONIKA COURTNEYEvergreen, Colorado

November 11, 2013

The life [the horses] lead now is misery, boredom, loneliness and agony. We as humans have a duty to engage not only to further our own agendas and deeds... but to engage and give our time and ability to those who suffer at our hands, and improve their existence.

The horses in holding suffer. To claim otherwise is inexcusably denying the truth and their perspective, the real understanding of their nature and needs, riding down the usual minimalist path, influenced by agendas.

Dear Ms. Stull,

I attended the workshop in Reno. I was told by the HSUS that you are preparing a much anticipated "comprehensive animal welfare program" for BLM horses in holding. This was said to be released in October.

As some advocates have visited PVC, I got reports that there are a few small structures over sick pens. That is a good start. The media is inquiring on the welfare standards, and I am wondering where we stand with that.

Winter is coming. Still, the majority of horses in the pens have no provision of any form of shelter. While you recommend this very element in your Code of Standards for horses in CA, the lack of shelter or giving the former free roaming animals at least a choice thereof, as they have in the wild and seek out when able - is concerning. I remember the photos of past years' brutal winter storms affecting young and older horses in holding, they were not pretty.

Any creature seeks comfort. In the wild they do. This has been observed. We need not depend on "studies" to dispute logic but apply common sense and what is humane and doable. To deprive all horses in holding but sick ones of any form of protection, whether it is wind, snow drifts, icy blizzards or hot sun, is cruel. It is not reflecting 21st century values. While we all strive for a more humane on the range management with a management approach other than permanent ovariectomies - those trapped in holding deserve better.

Coming from a country where standards are very high, I would think America can set a standard that mirrors not political correctness, but humane handling/management. The current circumstances are not that. Horses need to choose what is good for them. When given that opportunity, they seek it out. It is their nature. To deprive them of this inborn need, is the human force that embeds their existence into suffering and boredom. PVC is prime example.

I hope you can develop a recommendation that includes the above thought process. The animals deserve care that fits their needs. To having been stripped from their range, put in barren feed lot pens and being deprived from their freedom and families, is enough punishment. To further deprive them from any sort of protection/stimulation is shameful and inhumane.

Until I learned the truth, I always thought highly of equine affairs in this country. It is ugly and at the same time alienating. A country boasting with high intellectual commitments... yet lacking up to date innovation conforming to the needs of those they oversee with our tax funds; is insultingly ironic.

I can imagine BLM put the reins on you. I know how these selective partnerships work. Yet, I am asking you to do your best to enable these horses a life that is endurable beyond bare survival. The life they lead now is misery, boredom, loneliness and agony. We as humans have a duty to engage not only to further our own agendas and deeds... but to engage and give our time and ability to those who suffer at our hands, and improve their existence.

The horses in holding suffer. To claim otherwise is inexcusably denying the truth and their perspective, the real understanding of their nature and needs, riding down the usual minimalist path, influenced by agendas.

I ask that you please do your part to improve their lives. And please update me on your welfare program progress - I would appreciate it, and hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Monika Courtney

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No mustangs lost at SD LTH facilities during October 4th storm.

And it only took three weeks to get an answer!

Bureau of Land Management - Nevada replied to your comment on their photo. Bureau of Land Management - Nevada wrote: "@Lisa Sorry for the delay in responding to your question. The BLM did not have any horses lost during the Oct. 4 storm in South Dakota. The storm was east and south of our facilities."

Navajo horse roundups, Ben Shelly, and the lies people tell.

http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/horse-slaughter-continues-in-the-west-102413

South Dakota needs our help.

There are two LTH centers for wild horses in South Dakota as well.

10/22/2013: I have asked the BLM for an update on these two holding centers many times during the past ten days. They have ignored all my requests for a status report.

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/blog/the-little-medicine-hat/

New opening at HSUS for wildlife protection director

Please no crazy wild horse advocates need apply. No namby-pamby applicants needed either. We need a good, solid, credible voice for wild horses in this job, someone who won't back down nor act without logic or facts. (Something wild horses advocates are almost always guilty of doing). If you know anyone who qualifies, please ask them to apply.

Wild Horse & Burro Program Director, Wildlife Protection

in which HSUS is involved; provide guidance to HSUS staff on HSUS policy, strategy and rationale on various wild horse and burro related issues; seek out media opportunities; initiate and respond to media requests relating to legislation, cruelty and other wild horse and burro protection issues; assist in efforts to develop membership and funding potential for the wild horse and burro protection program. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in related field along with five years of experience, and demonstrated interest in, wild horse and burro protection and related federal, state and local laws and policies is highly desired. Strong knowledge of equine issues and immunocontraception preferred. 

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation’s largest animal advocacy organization, is seeking a Wild Horse and Burro Program Director for its Wildlife Protection department.  The main responsibility of this position is to promote and advance the protection, humane treatment and management of wild horses and burros on private, state and federal lands. Other duties include, but are not limited to: manage and direct existing staff working on wild and burro work; develop and implement a public information campaign for wild horse and burro advocates, concerned citizens and others to educate interested parties on the program and the HSUS’s vision for wild horse and burro management in the U.S.; organize, coordinate, and lead wild horse and burro protection coalitions, working groups, etc., 

Do nothing Congress puts horse slaughter back in play

The writing is on the wall. Republicans will hold government spending and the new appropriations bill hostage in their attempts to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act and not enact any new Appropriations bills.

Conrad Burns was right when, in an article from a month or more ago, he was quoted as saying he doubted the Ag Appropriations bill would pass and that Congress would vote on a continuing resolution that would keep the 2012 Appropriations bill in play (the one with the de-funding of USDA inspectors in horse slaughter plants language removed).

This is just what Valley Meats in NM is counting on should the current lawsuit against them by HSUS and Front Range be dismissed or should our side lose in court. We have until the end of October to lobby Congress to pass the new bills or we could see horses being slaughtered in New Mexico in November.

http://news.yahoo.com/u-republicans-seek-obamacare-delay-debt-limit-hike-142043324--business.html

By David Lawder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Floating a strategy for thwarting "Obamacare" in autumn fiscal debates, House Republican leaders on Tuesday pledged to demand a one-year delay to the health reform law in any deal to raise the federal debt limit.

They also unveiled a strategy to withhold money to implement Obamacare in connection with a stop-gap funding measure that would keep government agencies open from October 1 to December 15."

And this came in an email from my Arkansas Senator John Boozman:  

Federal Spending: The fiscal year begins October 1^st and Congress hasn’t passed appropriations bills so we have to rely on passing a continuing resolution to fund the government. We will work to rein in spending and reduce the cost of government so we can continue to provide the necessary services and continue our efforts to cut back on wasteful programs that are abusing taxpayer dollars.

What he means is that no appropriations bill will pass until and unless they are able to de-fund or repeal The Affordable Health Care Act (Obamacare). 

In the meantime, our anti-slaughter leaders are at yet another worthless conference when they should be exhorting us to call and demand that our government be funded and that the people's representatives do their DAMN jobs.

Navajo Medicine People Speak Out against Horse slaughter

http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2013/08/navajo-medicine-people-oppose-horse.html