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Friend of Horses - Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana
WASHINGTON. (Laudrieu) – U.S. Senator Mary , D-La., today joined the call for a better federal plan for the treatment of wild horses and an end to the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) unnecessary wild horse roundups.
The international March for Mustangs, a public protest against the inhumane treatment of wild horses, took place today in four cities across the globe: London, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. Led by celebrity activist, Wendie Malick, in Washington, D.C., the protest comes in reaction to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar’s attempts to persuade Congress to provide more than $42 million to move animals from the West to the East.
“I have repeatedly called for an end to these inhumane roundups until a more sufficient plan is set in place by the BLM,”said Sen. Landrieu. “There is a civilized way that we can handle these horses, by providing for their adoption or their relocation to a sanctuary. But the cruel and horrific roundups, such as the recent Calico roundup that resulted in painful injury and even death for some horses, cannot continue.”
Last year, Sen. Landrieu fought to protect wild horses by championing language in the Interior Appropriations Bill to prohibit the BLM from using taxpayer dollars for the destruction of healthy, unadopted horses and burros. At Sen. Landrieu’s urging, the Senate directed BLM to develop a new comprehensive long-term plan for wild horse populations by September 30, 2010.
Sen. Landrieu also supported language that encouraged all federal agencies that use horses to acquire a wild horse from the BLM prior to seeking another supplier. In addition, Sen. Landrieu supports the BLM developing an expedited process for providing wild horses to local and state police forces.
As a result of the recent 40-day BLM Calico Roundup, at least 79 mustangs have died and nearly 40 females have aborted their late term foals in the Fallon, Nevada holding pens—where the death toll rises daily as a result of the winter roundup.
Currently, the wild horse and burro population in the United States is about 69,000, and there are 36,000 horses in short-term and long-term BLM holding facilities.
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Categories: Horse News
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
Way too many in holding pens for no apparent reason.
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Senator Landrieu, with all respect….they ALREADY HAVE SANCTUARIES!
All the mustangs and burros need is unfettered access to the lands that Congress and Nixon gave them in 1971 AND an end to human consumption horse slaughter.
A bill, resolution, whatever needs to be introduced IMMEDIATELY to (1) suspend all round-ups, (2) independent census of remaining mustangs and burros in holding and roaming, and (3) a completely new plan that emphasizes the continuous roaming of these equines with as little interference as possible, minimal removal with humane process and transparency, adoptions that are verifiable with the equines as the priority with regard to science, AUMs, HMAs, Advisory Boards with equine advocates (not mining, ag, forestry heavy interests),etc.
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Denise – EXCELLENT! Thanks for putting this into exact points.
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Well said Denise! I am with you!!
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Senator Senator Landrieu is back on the case, and that’s a good thing. I don’t believe she will fully address the BLM WH&BP until after the September 30th Long Term Plan has been issued and hearings held. Again, she has to follow protocols. But she can keep speaking out to remind Senators of the importance of resolving the issue, as well as dealing with the bills languishing in Senate committees.
We must find other Senators to get on board with BLM WH&B issues. Some may directly support the horses, but we also need convince others to question the entire BLM WH&BP “management”/”mismanagement” policies and practices re: legality of holding, animal cruelty, costs to the taxpayer, etc.
The President could certainly still call for a moritorium, but, with Salaczar whispering in his ear about all the mineral wealth and energy potential on the HMAs, I think he’s accepted the current BLM approach as the way to go. And he’s being pulled in so many different directions on “human” issues that I don’t think the wild ones will be a priority until he’s been convinced of the value ($$) of a new plan.
We have to keep pressing on numerous fronts, and, unfortunately, be patient when we are all so very impatient.
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Thanks to Senator Landrieu for keeping up the fight.
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One thing I really get tired of seeing is that 69,000 number. There is NOT that many horses left in the wild. While we now have some 40,000 in holding, my best estimate after tracking round ups in NV the last 4 years, there maybe 8,000 if we are lucky. NV has 75% of all wild ones left in the wild.
It’s no mistake BLM and Cattoors halted the round up before they got their target of 2,500. They just aren’t out there! We need an actual aireal cenus and it needs to be done now!
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I wonder where this article was published – if we could find that out we could post not likely the 30,000 horses left in the wild that BLM continues to tell. Plus we do not really know that there are 36,000 in holding. Some have suspected that is one reason for the push for roundups, which coincidentally are not keeping very good tabs, is to fill up holding before Obamas transparency kicks in and someone askes where have they gone? Slaughter? BLM emplyees have supposedly been caught making these deals under the table in the past?
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I agree. Especially at Calico, we desperately need a census of just how many horses are left so we can immediately counter the BLM’s claims while it’s still on people’s minds.
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PS – hey Sue Cattoor and BLM and public lands cattle ranchers – we know you are reading these – catch the “Helicopter Assisted Horse Deaths” phrase? How does that fit? Feel a little itchy and tight and uncomfortable? It should!
Time to start thinking of new careers, changing your lifestyles. I’ve had to, along with millions of other taxpayers. And you are expecting that we are going to keep supporting you all to continue to commit these horrendous acts of animal cruelty? Hogwash!
It is past time to reinstate the intent and the land designatied by Congress and put into law by President Nixon in 1971 to protect the free roaming status of the American Wild Horse and Burro on public lands, whether BLM, USFS, USF&W, Parks, State or Federal, whatever. Move those cattle off!
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All I am trying to say is that Senator Landrieu’s efforts are important, but if the statement from the original post is quoted correctly, she is misinformed… we don’t need sanctuaries, we already have them and want them maintained and fully utilized for the equines on those granted lands. Why does this continually get lost in the debate shuffle (from Paulson to BLM…they don’t need to have ANOTHER land…they have it already if BLM will uphold the law and we insist that they go the same). 100 HMAs already zeroed out? Hmmm…something is going on.
Yes, I understand that Congress told BLM to come up with some answers and a new plan, but in the interim BLM is accelerating roundups in anticipation of the probable results (or lack there of) of BLMs presentation, GAO reports and the paucity of census numbers based on population. And more importantly, Congress is currently considering their budget appropriations that includes funding for lands outside of the 1971 Act. If Congress approves the purchase of Mid-west, Eastern lands it is tantamount to passive acceptance of Salazar’s plan.
Not one dime, not one more dime until they unscrew this cluster f-bomb.
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Of course there’s something going on. That something is a cash-strapped, energy strapped country with countless “human” challenges. The government is polarized and frantic – moving from crisis to crisis at a pace that guarantees a whole lot of bad decision-making.
The vast majority of people in Congress don’t know a thing about horses, wild or otherwise. They understand pets, but horses aren’t pets. If they’re paying the least bit of attention to the wild horse issue, their primary concerns are the millions of dollars flying out the window to maintain the horses in holding, the “feral” wild horses ruining the environment, or wild horses standing in the way of lucrative natural resource development.
To them, Salaczar’s language is appealing and persuasive – “managing”, “protecting “, “preserves”, “tourism”, etc. Calculated words intended to convince them he’s doing what’s best for the horses and the public. By supporting him they get to have “feel good” moment – they’re helping to “preserve” a piece of America’s heritage.
Remember when, after Katrina, President Bush said, “Brownie, your doin’ a hellava job!”, and had absolutely no idea that “Brownie” was totally screwing up? It’s the same with Salaczar. He has the President and the majority of Congress convinced he’s “doin’ a helluva job”. He’s a rancher, and they’re not. He knows all about horses, and they don’t. He’s spoon-feeding them what they want to hear, and they’re lapping it up like hungry puppies.
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Yes, Linda. We use all those words, too, and they have a different meaning. The public is wading through DOI/BLM spin all the time. When CNN came through this Thursday it will have hit some wondering Americans hard. This is an ugly situation and the government gag and added lies and the apparent death of transparency for expediency has not been fully realized by the shrinking press. If it were not for the breadth of horse people spread across the country this would have stayed a small issue. But coupled with the anti horse slaughter issues, that also threaten wild horses and burros, this is anything but small. The people in the UK and Europe and other distant places that we are hearing from have realized what this comes down to; American Integrity and Honor for the Wild Horses in the Disappearing West. This ugly attempt to destroy American Symbols for Freedom and Wildness is backfiring in the faces of the most powerful men in our government. I say those symbols will outlive and outlast those men. Using violent cruelty and abuse on our wild horses and burros has made America gasp. Again. mar
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RE: Remember when, after Katrina, President Bush said, “Brownie, your doin’ a hellava job!”, and had absolutely no idea that “Brownie” was totally screwing up? It’s the same with Salaczar. He has the President and the majority of Congress convinced he’s “doin’ a helluva job”. He’s a rancher, and they’re not. He knows all about horses, and they don’t. He’s spoon-feeding them what they want to hear, and they’re lapping it up like hungry puppies.
Linda, YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT ON!
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I think there are those that want the horses that are in holding to be in better conditions. Pickens plan would put many back in a Nevada sanctuary rather than across the country. My thinking is return the public land taken away and let the horses lose back where they came from. I think that is what you are saying?
There have been some legal eagles and some reports from IDA on the blogs that indicate that BLM is not breaking the law, as the original 1971 Act has been so manipulated by legislation over the years that it is not even recognizable any more. To further the issue the new laws apparently give BLM the power to remove excess horses. However BLM sees fit to interpret that they are REQUIRED to remove excess horses to justify the actions they are taking. And of course we all know BLM just makes up numbers regarding excess horses. Hopefully the lawsuit will shake some of this out and we can only hope that will be in the favor of the wild horses.
But you are correct, I also believe that part of the acceleration is that they know their days are numbered and Cattoor and Cook must soak up as much $ as possible now.
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Have you seen Elye’s pics (from Sue Cattoor, no less) of La Belle, she was a grand old horse, the first mare shot at the roundup. She should have been given a chance. None of the older horses should have been trucked off their range but left to live out their days.
I have been to Terri Farley’s and read how an unprotected new born was euthanized after John Neill claimed to have diagnosed, without a vet, a broken femur. The foal had been laying on the ground with it’s mother standing and moving about it in a very protective manner. The Sunday Observer’s saw this foal and called and remained concerned. Neill says the foal was euthanized by injection, also without a vet present.
If the Pregnant Mares would be respected enough to be separated from the other mares where they could give birth with less crowding and curiosity this would not have happened. This is more evidence of inhumane conditions that anyone else would be sited for by the law. How many foals are being born?? Elyse says they are being born daily but are they surviving these conditions??
I have seen aggressive mares run down and bite newborns when their births occurred in corrals of unseparated mares. The situation is unnatural and cruel. This must be stopped. mar
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I was wondering if Senator Landrieu was referring to the Picken’s proposed sanctuary for the ones already in long term holding. If there are any that is…
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That was my immediate take, not an endorsement of the Salazoos.
Ideally they would be returned to public lands but then cattle leases would have to be broken and payment of loss of land value – what a tangled mess! I wonder though if that would be less expensive or maybe break even to the Salazoo plans? Way over my head – maybe congress will look into that.
I was gald to see the post on the DOI Ideas page about an investigation of wild horse benefits to the land – Linda, I think that was your post along the lines of wild fire control – very close to my heart having spent 25 years working in fire prevention.
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Denise, We Know this and we will keep telling everyone, Bring the horses home to their ranges and keep them where they belong on their lands. This is best for the wild ones and for the nation and the tax payer, too.
There is so little time. The roundups this summer must be stopped. We need to use our creativity and heart to do this. I want to know what we need to do that will help EVEN MORE. mar
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I believe that we must ask Mr. Obama for an Executive Order suspending the round-ups and all transfers (adoptions/slaughter sales) until the info requested by Congress comes forward in September from DOI/BLM.
The restructuring of a new plan will take time, but can’t get off the ground without a verifiable (with independent observers) census of mustangs/burros in holding and still free-roaming.
Until we get those requirements addressed AND satisfied, we will never get a handle on the BLM covert ops or an end to mustang/burro abuse.
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From a wildlife management point of view a moratorium is long term (not a short term fix) and should allow time to do studies, make management changes and see new criteria in place and operating. !0 years is a nice length for a moratorium because it will see the changes in place and operating and that is what we want. It is a big deal and should be seen as one… but we must push for this and see it through. We need to show we can offer alternatives and new long term goals for creating an entire new and interactive, Western
wild horse range that this nation can enjoy. mar
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They originated here and were forced to leave. The strong came back in the bellies of ships the weak thrown overboard. They conquered the first Americans, plowed the fields, moved the goods and people. They gained us our freedom, from the British, freed the slaves. Two million went off to WWl, 200 came back. They stared in rodeo’s, movies, fed our dogs. A grateful country gave them some bad lands and weeds for building this place. It’s been a 500 year long journey and they became the most rugged creatures on gods earth. The very symbols of our freedom. Our President more then any man alive should be outraged. Once gone they will never be back. How can it all be taken from them and us by one man?
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The horse created the golden era of the plains tribes and made them strong adversaries when the white Europeans became hungry for gold and new lands. The horse did not conquer the tribes, the sheer number of whites and guns did. Sorry, I had to say that… mar
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The government at that time decided two critical approaches of attack on the Native Americans:
(1) wipe out the bison; and,
(2) wipe out their ponies.
Seems the US Government is still playing that same old song.
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Yes, that is how it was done. There are may places where the ponies were all shot to contain tribal people. mar
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Forgot to add…remove and restrict the Native Peoples unrestricted movement.
Put them on a concentration camp. just like our equines.
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Forgive me for being so one sided. I have the ultimate respect for native Americans however I feel if they had partnered with the horse initially they would have sailed to Europe and conquered it. Horses were vital up until 100 years ago, and I’m wondering what future we will have without them or oil in the next 100 years.
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Frank, Yes, if you listen to the 2012ers we may soon wish we still had 2 million or three times that many wild horses to become our mode of travel! They are the four wheel drives of the equine world. And if I read the sotries of the breeds correclty only the Arab could get us around as well in the wild. Domestic horses, at least in Az deserts without human intervention have already proven to be weaklings in comparison to mustangs.
I liked your other comment about charging the Bastille, made me chuckle at the image, but in reality not so funny.
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Frank, Many horse people are asking that question these days… mar
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Think we need to form a cavalry and charge the Bastille.
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Lord of all Horses stands up for the Wild Mustangs
Escaped horses recently running through a San Diego suburb inspired many an onlooker with the surprise of majestic animals running wild and free.
Like the movies in which I starred, there’s a story of epic proportions going on right now, as wild Mustangs fight for their right to live free. The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management has already rounded up hundreds of thousands of these iconic horses, with the goal of leaving only 12,000 roaming free. Based on scientifically unsubstantiated claims of not enough food or water for the number of horses remaining free, the BLM has ironically at the same time increased for-profit cattle grazing by a whopping 300%, upping the number of cattle to horses 200 to 1.
Adding insult to injury, the BLM’s Wild Horse Adoption program has been largely a failure, partly due to the fear and intimidation-based trauma the horses experience during grueling, frightening, sometimes deadly helicopter roundups. All the horses experience psychological trauma and a negative association with man, making training after adoption difficult for experienced trainers, let alone the average horse enthusiast. The net result is 10’s of thousands of traumatized, human-shy horses (currently numbered at 36,000 captured) requiring permanent containment and care in artificial warehouse-like facilities.
A blatant obliteration of an iconic national treasure, these round-ups and subsequent long-term warehousing of captured Mustangs are a frivolous, unconscionable waste of taxpayer money. Reports are $53 million spent last year, with $90+ million projected annually to fund proposed preserves.
So put the ‘kind’ back in mankind and let the Mustangs live their lives wild and free. People fell in love with me as I ran across the plain responding to Gandalf the Wizard’s call. Lets let them see my cousins running free for generations to come.
Blanco, The Worlds Most Famous Movie Star Horse
Shadowfax in the Lord of The Rings movie trilogy
You can contace me via my owner:
Cynthia Royal, Equine Behaviorist
http://www.RoyalEquineAcademy.com
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What a wonderful piece! May I forward it to friends?
May I add the cost of the cattle grazing on public lands – a whopping 123 million dollars annually in direct welfare rancher’s subsidies, and according to the CATO Institute 500 million dollars a year as of 1995 in direct and indirect costs to our society for a failed socialist program. All the while, according to USDA, most beef raised in USA is EXPORTED for PROFIT. We get to eat mostly IMPORTED beef from, I am told, South America. A socialist program to benefit large for profit corporations who are the major grazers of cattle on Public Lands, how does this make sense? Not only the weirdest socialist program I’ve ever encountered, but environmentally corrupt to be shipping all this beef round. And since only 2% of all beef raised in USA is on Public Lands by only a few people being employed in comparison how does it make sense to continue a program at such a tremendous cost in removing and maintaining the wild horses for this purpose? I’m not even sure if CATO included the cost of the helicopter contractors who do the roundups or the other costs associated with the entire BLM Wild Horse and Burro program.
And what if we added the benefits the horses provide for free that otherwise require costly human intervention? Such as: eating dead winter wildfire fuel thus reducing the severity of spring and summer wildfires; eating cheat grass before it seeds; passing native grass seeds through their digestive system while roaming the ranges up to 20 miles or more a day thus reseeding the forage for all wildlife; cutting through winter frozen water supplies so that other wildlife can drink; and then upon their demise becoming food for other wildlife to flourish. This list could go on and on.
If a study could be done as the bird watchers have done on financial and employment benefits to society, such as tourism, book publishing, movie sales, etc, etc. They even included a breakdown of postage stamp industry jobs created and sales. Have there been any postage stamps with wild horses?
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PS I neglected to say that my goal has been only to remove welfare ranching from the lands intended by the 1971 Free Roaming Wild Horse and Burro legislation.
However, the longer this occupies my mind, especially in this economy as one of the newly jobless the more inclined I am to trash the entire welfare ranching scheme.
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This is a press release from the Senate office so feel free. Even original works are free for rebloging as long as credit to the author is given.
It’s all about getting the message out.
Sent from R.T.’s iPhone
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It is a disgrace to America that its last remnant wild horses and burros are being further eliminated from the wild and based on lies and distortions. We must restore these animals where they belong, in the wild, and where they contribute so much that is truly positive to the ecosystem and to the quality of all our lives. This is something right for a change, not more dense attitudes and misguided policies and actions, not more blind and destructive tradition for its own sake, like maintaining the livestock industry in the arid West!
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