FTTWH - Taking a Hiatus

Hello to all you sound horse warriors!

I'm taking a hiatus from the FTTWH blog for a while.  I will still post on the FTTWH Facebook page since it's easy, but blogging is taking up time I need to use for other endeavors.  Doesn't mean I'll be gone for good--just won't be blogging for awhile.

I recommend spending time online at the below Facebook pages and websites where you can learn more about how to help end this travesty in our world.

But first, an anonymous poem sent to me.  (Click for a larger view.)  I am keeping this here to remind everyone why we're still fighting and why we need to push harder than ever to get the PAST Act passed.

Websites:
Billy Go Boy
All American Walking Horse Alliance
Stop Soring
Humane Society of the United States - Tennessee Walking Horses
Friends of Sound Horses
National Walking Horse Association
World Walking Horse Association

Facebook Pages & Groups:
Billygoboy
All American Walking Horse Alliance
Humane Society of the United States
Honors Dishonored
Voters who Approve of HR 1518/S 1406
Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH)
World Walking Horse Association

HOW YOU CAN HELP - A Gentle Reminder

Well, perhaps not so gentle...but in any case....

If you're bored this weekend--too hot to go outside, too boring inside--please take a few minutes to make that phone call, write an email, or send a fax so it's on their desk Monday morning bright and early.  Or plan to visit your Congressperson in person, and call on Monday to make an appointment.

The list of the current non-sponsors of the PAST Act is in the sidebar on the right of this blog!

And...

THE WALK ON WASHINGTON IS NEXT WEDNESDAY!

Please show your support and send them a few dollars or be present at the event.  More information can be found on the All American Walking Horse Alliance website.

ALL donations support press releases, transportation, horse boarding, flyers and hard copy information, news coverage, and other issues that need to be paid for.  None of the volunteers for the WOW are paid for their time.  So please consider a donation!

All American Walking Horse Alliance Website

NEWS and HOW YOU CAN HELP - House Reps List is Finished, TWHBEA Crap, and More from the Walk on Washington

Thanks to my friends and lots of hard work, we have finished the list of House Republicans who have not co-sponsored the PAST Act yet.  Republican support is supposedly more important to the Speaker of the House to bring it to the floor, which is why we haven't done a Democrats list.  So we need everyone to jump on their House Republicans to get this sucker to the floor!  I'm sure you'll see names in the list that are lost causes...but then again, sometimes it takes just one comment or one important fact that will get that person to listen.

Of note: The ranking House Democrat Collin Peterson, who is on the Agricultural Committee, has co-sponsored the PAST Act.  Click here to read why this is so important.

HOUSE - CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF FILE

SENATE - CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF FILE

Next, TWHBEA held its yearly board meetings over Memorial Day weekend.  Sadly, the entire Executive Committee meeting was spent making changes to the by-laws so that they have a Pat Stout Clause and a Christy Lantis Clause (THEIR WORDS, not joking on this) to keep the Lickers on the board and EC and to keep the members from having a say.  They also changed it to force members to support the Big Lick horse, whether or not they want to.

The details for what went down are on Billy Go Boy's website at this link.  Please read this and realize what is truly going on here.

But here's the kicker, folks: they are going to post the entire by-laws as a yes or no vote.  They won't do what all other organizations across the globe do, which is allow members to vote on each change.  No, they want to make sure no one is allowed to actually have a say in what they truly want to see within TWHBEA.

IF YOU ARE A MEMBER, PLEASE VOTE A RESOUNDING NO TO THESE CHANGES.  They are going to not only hurt you as a member, but also continue to support soring and force YOU to support soring as well.  Do you really want your hard-earned money used to support animal abuse?

Once you've voted, PLEASE don't renew your membership.  In my opinion, TWHBEA has had it's time in the spotlight and now needs to die.  They will not change, that is for certain.  They enjoy soring, they enjoy their money, they enjoy trying to protect a way of life that has truly gone the way of the dodo.  Aside from soring, the Big Lick just is not popular anymore.  Let's let them kill TWHBEA on their own.  Don't give them your money anymore so they can fail.

If you are concerned about registering your horse, there are other options such as NWHA, WWHA, the Heritage Society and the Canadian TWH registry.  The breed will not go extinct as we all know there are hundreds of people out there breeding flat shod, quality horses.  Don't let TWHBEA's vice grip on the registry sway you.  Find another venue to spend your money on.  TWHBEA is no longer worth your time or anyone else's.

Next, the Walk on Washington is still scheduled for June 18th!  It will be at 1 pm and will take place in front of the Capitol Reflecting Pool on 3rd Street Southwest on Union Square.  The All American Walking Horse Alliance needs our help financially to pay for this endeavor.  The monies go toward paying fees and for permits to be able to this, as well as travel costs for the participants and horses.  If you'd like to donate, please visit their website here: http://www.walkinghorsealliance.com/

Of course, the Lickers are spreading lies that this is some kind of marketing ploy...like they don't participate in marketing ploys themselves.  But it's okay if they do them, just not anyone else.  The Walk on Washington, however, is not a marketing ploy.  It is truly to educate the public about the horses and let our Congresspersons see sound, happy TWHs in action, so to speak.  This is a great opportunity for anyone to learn more about what's happening and why we need the PAST Act passed.  So if you're in the area, please join them and show your support for the PAST Act!

NEWS - All American Walking Horse Alliance Ready to Walk On Washington

***EDITED 5-19-14***
SENATE LIST HAS BEEN UPDATED!
Please check out our sidebar for the link to the list of Senators who haven't co-sponsored the PAST Act yet.

We are still working on the Representatives list.  It will be finished soon!

A brand new alliance of sound horse supporters, owners, breeders, and exhibitors has come up with a phenomenal new way to educate our Congresspersons and the public to the plight of the TWH.

Introducing the All American Walking Horse Alliance

Click here for their Facebook page.

The All American Walking Horse Alliance is a brand new grassroots organization that have scheduled to perform a Walk on Washington.  On June 18, 2014, six to eight sound, well-trained and wonderful representatives of the TWH breed along with many supporters of the sound horse will make their way to Union Square Park on Capitol Hill.  The rally will be peaceful and will exhibit the horses as they truly should be showcased in the United States of America.

Roy Exum wrote a great piece on this event that explains everything, so I'll let him be your guide for this.  Click here to read it.

AAWHA does need our help.  There are lots of financial issues to consider, such as fees for permits, housing for the horses, and other such issues.  From their Facebook page:

Or buy a magnet:

Folks, this is truly a remarkable and game-changing event.  This is something that cannot be duplicated by those who are in opposition of the PAST Act.  Real horses showcasing their natural talents, available for our Congresspersons and other local taxpayers will help raise awareness and show how easy and important it is to get the PAST Act passed.  My congratulations and sincere thanks to those who have made this amazing endeavor.  Change is here, and we will see and end to the atrocity of soring.

LIST OF NON-COSPONSORS OF THE PAST ACT - SENATE

With the help of a good friend, I've been able to put together the list of Congresspersons who have not signed on to the PAST Act yet!

First is the Senate list.  I will update this post with House list soon!

Some important notes:

All of the addresses are the same building, city, and zip.  Check the footer of the file for the information.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LIST OF SUPPORTERS OF AND ENDORSEMENTS FOR THE PAST ACT!  This list will help you convince your Congresspersons why we need the PAST Act to be supported.  Be sure to mention the supports in your state directly!

Point out that the PAST Act is at no cost to the taxpayer.  Note that while those who do not support the PAST Act complain that jobs will be lost, let them know that the PAST Act only punishes the owners, trainers, breeders and exhibitors who use the tools of the trade to abuse horses.  Also point out that the industry has been allowed to police itself for over 40 years and still has not stopped soring and in fact encourages and rewards it.

Contact your Congressperson every week, every day if you have to!  The PAST Act will pass, but only with your help and enthusiasm!

SENATE: CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF FILE

If you have trouble with this file or find any mistakes, feel free to email me at forthetnwalkinghorse@gmail.com.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING SAVE THE HORSE!

VIDEO, NEWS and HOW YOU CAN HELP - Bills, Bills, Bills; Video From Discussion With Sound Horse Leaders; FTTWH Is Now On Twitter & More

Well, we all know about the PAST Act.  But has anyone else heard about the PAID Act?

Okay, it's not really called the PAID Act, but we'd like to think that's what it's called:

Thanks to the Voters Who Approve of HR 1518/s 1406 FB page

Be sure to let the Congresspersons on this page know that we need them to reconsider their support and help stop abuse, not support those who condone and participate in it.

Most of you probably already know that Marsha Blackburn, paid Congressperson of the TWH industry (she was given $70,000 in donations at the Celebration last year) put together her own version of changes to the HPA.  Here's a good explanation from Thehorse.com (click for article):

On Feb. 26, U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced HR 4098, or the Horse Protection Amendments Act of 2014. Blackburn's bill would create one horse industry organization (HIO) to manage shows where Tennessee Walking Horses would be exhibited. Under HR 4098, that HIO would be composed of equine veterinarians and industry experts who would develop and implement protocols, guidelines, testing policies, and inspection policies for the industry. Under the legislation, these industry experts would be drawn from states most impacted by the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. The bill also requires that testing used during horse inspections be done “though objective, science-based methods and protocols,” and preserves the oversight structure between the Walking Horse industry and the USDA. The bill does not forbid trainers from using metal chains, or stacks and pads used in performance packages.

While this sounds all happy and dandy, it actually puts the industry right where they want to be.  It would give them one HIO, which the industry has already established by putting together the IIS, or ISS, or some other such crap...honestly, I can't keep track of it anymore.  Somehow SHOW is not defunct, or PSHA is...???  Seriously, more alphabet soup.  At any rate, having one HIO that will be run by the abusers puts those foxes at the front door of the hen house to usher other foxes right on in.

Plus, in requiring "objective, science-based methods and protocols," this buys them time to find ways to escape detection.  Objective and science-based methods are already available and tests have already been done.  The Industry just ignores it because it scientifically shows that the horses are still being sored.  (See refusing to release swabbing results of 2012 Celebration; general ignorance of Dr. Turner's six-year thermography study and the results.)

A few days ago, Lamar Alexander -- who strangely, had co-sponsored both the PAID Act AND the PAST Act -- released a more detailed PAID Act that just adds on some useless penalties and expresses that only veterinarians should inspect horses.  Which, with the USDA, they already do.  Another good explanation of the bill from Thehorse.com (click for article):

On April 1 Alexander, along with senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), introduced legislation modifying HR 4098 bill to require the HIO created in Blackburn's bill contract with “equine veterinary experts”; those experts would advise the HIO on the methods of testing for banned substances and about the interpretation of test results. Alexander's bill also creates a 30-day suspension of horses found to be sore for the first time; penalties rise to 90-day suspensions for each subsequent offense. Finally, the bill would establishe a 4-year term limit for anyone who serves on the HIO board of directors.

So, we need your help yet again!  Please OPPOSE both of these bills on POPVOX.  Click here for HR 4098 and click here for S 2913.  REMEMBER: These two bills need to be OPPOSED!

Next, here's a great video from The Tennessean Editorial Board with supporters of the PAST Act talking about why it's necessary.  Former Senator Joe Tydings, who authored the original HPA, Donna Benefield, and Attorney Clant Seay provide wonderful insight.  Click here for Billy Go Boy's post about it.

We have also started an FTTWH Twitter account!  Our goal is to tweet about important information that our Congresspersons need to know about soring and supporting the PAST Act.  http://twitter.com/FortheTWH and @FortheTWH.  Please follow us and retweet so we can get the word out and get as much support as we can!

I also want to announce that I'm not going to be posting on this blog as much for awhile.  I have some other pressing work to take care of.  But the FTTWH Facebook page and FTTWH Twitter account will still run as it's an easy place to share and give out information.  I also HIGHLY recommend following Billy Go Boy's website for lots of great up-to-date information.

So, to keep up with who's supporting the PAST Act and who we still need to contact, go to Govtrack.us to keep an eye on those who are supporting it.

House Support: HR 1518

Senate Support: S 1406

Key things the Congresspersons will want to know:

1.  This will be at no cost to the taxpayer to pass and implement as the funds for the HPA are already established.
2.  The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American Association for Equine Practitioners (AAEP), the American Horse Council (AHC and largest lobbyists in DC for horse-related issues), and Veterinary Medical Associations across the U.S. are in full support of the PAST Act.  Click here for the list of endorsements from across the United States.
3.  The Industry has not been and never will correctly police themselves as HPA violations continue to pile up each year.  The time has come for the USDA to take over inspections and for the tools used to sore horses to be gone from the show ring.

THANK YOU to everyone for all your hard work!

HOW YOU CAN HELP - THUNDERCLAP FOR THE PAST ACT!

Thanks Billy Go Boy, for telling me about this!  THUNDERCLAP is a way to get our message to Congress in one feel swoop!  I figured I'll just plagiarize borrow BGB's instructions for how to use THUNDERCLAP.

WE NEED YOU TO DO THIS NOW - ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT BEFORE THE THUNDERCLAP IS BROADCAST!

Nephew Eugene says there’s something new on the internet called THUNDERCLAP.

https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/9743-pass-the-past-act-end-soring?locale=en

THUNDERCLAP is so People who believe in a Cause can join together through Social Media and send a one time message on a particular day. It doesn’t cost anything to use.  And nobody will contact you.  It is strictly a way for people to deliver a message all at once – like a clap of thunder.   The PAST ACT is supported by The American Horse Council, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the Humane Society Groups, and  the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The Cause:  Pass The PAST ACT = End Soring

Nephew Eugene thinks THUNDERCLAP will dramatically get the message out to U. S. Representatives and U. S. Senators to pass the PAST ACT.   THUNDERCLAP is a one time deal.  It will deliver one message that one day and that is it. 

The one day is March 24, 2014.

The beauty of THUNDERCLAP is everyone can join together and you can use Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr to deliver the message.  You can use all three which will give the message even more impact.   To make this work,  100s of people,  hopefully 1000s,  need to join  in order that this one THUNDERCLAP message will be delivered to your Representatives and Senators on Monday, March 24, 2014.

If you have FACEBOOK,  TWITTER or TUMBLR,  you can use  THUNDERCLAP.

The message:  ”Congress, pass the PAST ACT to end soring!   #PASTforHorses 

Here’s what you do:

• Click on this Link:    https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/9743-pass-the-past-act-end-soring?locale=en
• Click on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr - you can do all three -
• Choose the ones you want to use – On Facebook you can personalize a message you want to send.  You can do all three.
• Whether you chose Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr, Thunderclap will automatically post the message about the PAST Act, with the link for your contacts to reach their own legislators, on your page for you on the day of action! – It will ask you for your address so you can send it to your Representative and Senator.
• That’s it – On March 24, 2014,   the THUNDERCLAP will be delivered!!!
• And all your Friends on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr can join in sending the message if they choose to do so.
• The KEY is to join NOW in order to have TONS of people delivering the Lightning and THUNDERCLAP on March 24, 2014.
• Please do it.

BREAKING NEWS! WE HAVE MAJORITY SPONSORSHIP OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE!

268 U.S. Representatives co-sponsor the PAST Act – 62%

51 U. S. Senators co-sponsor the PAST Act – 51%

BUT...THIS DOES NOT MEAN THE FIGHT IS OVER.

The PAST Act still has to go through the regular process of becoming a law, which gives me an excuse to post this old blast from the past:

Within the next couple of weeks, the Senate is going to hear information about the PAST Act.  They originally had it scheduled for March 5, and then March 12, but weather has been a problem.  So we still need to keep contacting them.

The Lickers had gone to DC for the March 5 meeting, but obviously that didn't work out.  However, know that they are going to do whatever they can, even throw money around and bully others, to get what they want.  SO KEEP CALLING AND WRITING TO YOUR CONGRESSPERSONS!  If yours has already co-sponsored, tell them THANK YOU and to keep their decision solid.

Many of you probably already know that Marsha Blackburn, one of the number one enemies of the horse, has tried to put together a bill to counter the PAST Act.  She only has about ten helpers on this, and the Tennessean newspaper put out a scathing editorial titled "Rep. Ed Whitfield's walking horse legislation would end soring; Rep. Marsha Blackburn's would enable it."  Click here to read this excellent article.

Plus, we still have some powerful allies on our side.  Pricilla Presley has ben visiting DC along with our sound horse warriors, and Carrie Underwood retweeted the above Tennesseean editorial, reaching thousands of her followers.

I am still working on the transcript for the thermography webinar, but I'm having computer problems and it's kind of getting done in spurts.  I did make this new image, though, so feel free to pass it around!  (Click for a larger view.)  You will get tons of news from Billy Go Boy's website, so keep heading on over there.

At this point, the light a the end of the tunnel is very bright.  We WILL get the PAST Act passed, and it's because of the continued hard work of all of you who want to save the horse that we will get there!  So keep your letters, emails and phone calls flowing!

HOW YOU CAN HELP - KEEP CONTACTING YOUR CONGRESSPERSONS! And Here's Something You Can Give to Them!

I know, I keep pushing this, but folks, we HAVE to work hard on this.  GET OUT THERE AND GET YOUR CALLS, LETTERS, AND EMAILS IN.  Knock on doors if you have to!  Get petitions going!  We can't let the sore side use their money and connections to continue to be allowed to abuse horses.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK ON MORE INFORMATION!

And while you're at it, feel free to send this around to them as well!  Scientific proof that the stacks NEED to be gone because they do cause damage, whether the horse is sored or not.  Share it wherever you like, on Facebook, in forums, wherever you think someone will pay attention.  This is a slide and direct transcription from the January 17 webinar.

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSPERSONS! - AND - COMING SOON - USDA Webinar Transcribed With Screenshots

Things are moving along great in Congress as far as getting the PAST Act passed.  BUT THIS IS NO TIME TO SLACK!  You can check out Billy Go Boy's site for a play-by-play of what is going on.  (I'll let BGB do all the hard work for me.)

We still need everyone to PLEASE contact your constituents.  KNOW that the Lickers are desperate and are pulling their own strings.  Just because someone has co-sponsored the Act does not mean that they can't change their mind.  They are in Washington, DC and are fighting to keep the abused horse in the ring.  They have gotten Marsha Blackburn to put together an alternative to the PAST Act.  The alternative does nothing to help the horse, of course.  All it does is call for a single HIO.  Of course, the industry wants this--it will help them keep all the trainers, owners, exhibitors, etc. under their thumb.

The Lickers are trying to pool their resources and start a new HIO called the Independent Inspection Services LLC so it will be in place to go along with Marsha's alternative.  As the Church Lady would say, "How conveeeeenient."  It is of course going to be run by the same HPA violators and sore horse supporters that SHOW, PSHA, NHSC, and all the other corrupt HIOs have been run by.

WE CAN'T LET THIS HAPPEN.

So, here's a list of the current co-sponsors of the PAST Act.

Here's the list of people who haven't co-sponsored.  I know some of these folks have signed on since this list was made, so please take the time to compare it to the current co-sponsors list so you will know if your constituent has 

Here are the instructions for how to contact the constituents.

I also found this online...And I found it hilarious.

Guess when your ship is sinking, you'll grasp at any life preserver you can.  This also shows how when people complain about you, it means you're doing something right.  What's even funnier: this post got no comments and only two likes on Facebook.  Tee hee!  I really like the kittehs on there.  I own a black cat myself, since according to the Lickers, I'm a Satanic paganistic witch. (Wish I was a witch...I can think of some spells I'd like to put on some folks in Congress!)

My point here was to use the local cemetery OR the local library's address and zip code to get through the online blocks that Congresspersons have on their pages.  For example, they will ask for your address and/or zip code, and if you're out of their area they won't let you get the contact information or email the person you're trying to get a hold of.  So using a local address can get you past the computer block so your email will end up in their inbox.

Overall, I'm currently transcribing and creating a document with screenshots of the USDA thermography webinar that occurred on January 17, 2014.  So it will be coming soon.  For now, here's an important point made during the seminar (click to make it larger).  Keep your eyes peeled for the webinar document!

NEWS - What??? TWHBEA Continues to Baffle and Confuse in Attempts to Dupe the Public

IT's just gotten laughable now.  Seriously.  TWHBEA, we all know you support the sored horse.  We know you are against anything that tells the truth.

In their latest attempts at fantasy land pretending, David Williams, the TWHBEA VP for the Breeders and on the Executive Committee, and former manager of the failed Waterfall Farms, where they attempted to dupe the public as to what was going on by using Monty Roberts as their poster boy, made this little gem.  (Click to see a larger version.)

Here's the explanation of this map.

To TWHBEA directors:

Attached is a map and data showing the actual support of the PAST Act by TWHBEA members.

The data used was that collected and accounted for by Cook and Company the accounting firm hired by Pat Stout to process their poll results.

Using their data, only 15% of TWHBEA members residing in the U.S. are on record supporting the PAST Act.

There are only 7 states in which the majority of their TWHBEA membership is in support of the PAST Act.

Those 7 states comprise less than 1% of the total TWHBEA membership.

There are others who would like us and our membership to believe otherwise, but a only a very small percentage of TWHBEA members are in favor of the PAST Act.

Feel free to share.

David W. Williams

My reaction:

I honestly don't understand this.  I really don't.  I mean, I'm no math whiz, but this makes NO SENSE.  They are assuming that anyone who DIDN'T vote in the Stout Poll is AGAINST the PAST Act.  Seriously?  THAT'S what you came up with?  David Williams, are you TRULY that daft?

And as far as the State of Arizona goes, and using THEIR logic...

Gosh!  That was some hard math to do there!  Yessiree!

Next, the Enforcement Committee, made up of mostly Lickers, no less, has come up with this report concerning their "investigation" against Pat Stout's actions.  Click here for the report.  There is a lot of rhetoric and false accusations, nothing concrete.  In their list of findings, they go on hearsay that Jennie Jackson said Pat Stout didn't have an anonymous donor.  They also say that the picture of the horses on the ballot are of horses going to slaughter.  What difference does that make?

They talk about not violating the Code of Conduct.  Clearly, their Code of Conduct is interpreted differently by the sore horse group than it is by the rest of the world.  Plus

This is my favorite part of the report:

Their purported poll was not a poll at all.  It was a "push poll" or an attempt to sway the opinion of anyone who read it.  It advocated a specific political position, and sought support for that position.  While everyone has the right to advocate a political position, no one has the right to mislead the members of this association or the public about the position of the association.  This is especially true for directors and officers.

Here's my interpretation of this paragraph.

Their purported poll was not a poll at all.  A single question with a YES or NO answer isn't a poll, but it WOULD be a poll if we had put it out there.  It was a "push poll" or an attempt to sway the opinion of anyone who read it.  We don't like that the postcard said the horses need our help because we're not for the welfare of the horse.  It advocated a specific political position, and sought support for that position.  While everyone has the right to advocate a political position except for those who are for the sound horse, no one has the right to mislead the members of this association or the public about the position of the association except for us by putting out false statements and lying to the public about soring, like with the above referenced map.  This is especially true for directors and officers.

What's odd here is that there is no action taken.  Their conclusions are just that: conclusions.  They don't put forth any "punishment."  (Although in my honest opinion, being kicked out of TWHBEA for not supporting the sored horse would be a badge of honor.)  They did send Pat Stout a letter saying they have suspended her privileges with TWHBEA until she "cooperates" and sends them the information they are demanding of her.  Click here for the letter.

The list of the Enforcement Committee members:

Thomas Kakassy, Chairman (multiple HPA violator, BL supporter)
Everett (Butch) Allen (HPA violator, BL supporter)
Denise Bader-Keyser (flip-flops between being sound or sore, BL supporter, husband has HPA violation)
Ann King (multiple HPA violator)
Curt Rosemann (Arizona residents voted him out of the Arizona rep position because he does not support the PAST Act and therefore does not support the Arizona members' best interests)
Denise Rowland (multiple HPA violator, VERY well known for supporting the sored horse and for her lawsuit against the USDA that she lost concerning soring horses)
Jeff Tanner (BL supporter)
Nicole Tolle
Margo Urad (HPA violator, BL supporter)
Kim Widner

From the TWHBEA Code of Conduct Standards:
“No person shall knowingly … engage in any practice which has the effect of corrupting the integrity of the Association … or otherwise engage in an unethical practice in any situation involving a Tennessee Walking Horse or any matter in which this Association has an interest.”

You know, if this isn't a conflict of interest, then I TRULY do not know what is.

Here's the bottom line, folks: TWHBEA doesn't care about the sound horse; they only care about their pocketbooks.  It's pathetic that they can't see the forest for the trees, and it's gotten to a point where they are so transparent in their lies and cover-up attempts that it's just laughable.  They are the laughing stock of the horse world for a reason.  They KNOW they are doing wrong, and yet they persist in making themselves look like fools.  Don't they realize that they are truly ruining the breed for everyone but their tiny circle of sore horse supporters and animal abusers?

I have a request: to everyone who is a sound horse person--a REAL sound horse person, as in you support the PAST Act as it is--please do not renew your membership next year.  Don't give these people any more money.  They absolutely are not going to make any changes, or if they do, it's going to be too late.  They work hard at keeping the sound horse people from speaking up and won't listen to them.  We've seen hints and glimmers of hope here and there, but they have always jumped up to keep abusing animals.  Look at Tracy Boyd--he's been bullied back into the fold.  So let them fail.  Let them die their death.  The registry can be started anew by someone else; the horses that are truly sound aren't going to stop being sold or promoted.  Let's allow them to kill themselves, and let's hit them hard by not giving them any more of our money or our time.  Thanks for being for the horse, everyone!

HOW YOU CAN HELP - Contact the TWHBEA Executive Committee Today at Walt Chism's Request

As we continue through January of The Year of the Horse, our work continues to end the horrific practice of soring.  Recently, Walt Chism, the Senior Vice President of TWHBEA, asked this on a TWH Facebook page.

Some but not all of you may not be aware that I am serving as Senior VP of TWHBEA. I and the rest of the Executive Committee would be interested in your views and suggestions for a better breed registry. I did suggest at the EC meeting Friday that TWHBEA organize at least 4 multi-day flat shod horse shows across the country for this year. That idea came from a fellow member and trainer.

So, let's let him know!

First of all, as far as I know, breed registries don't hold shows...?  Isn't that all TWHBEA is: They're JUST a registry?  But I digress....

Many of the emails that have been sent to the Executive Committee end up in a catch-all email inbox and don't get read by those who need to read them.  So we put together this list for you.  Email away--let TWHBEA know that yes, flat shod shows would be great, more focus on what the members want, and more focus on getting rid of soring!

Walt Chism - chsmtrl@hotmail.com

Rob Cornelius, Past President - rtcbwc@yahoo.com

Ford Gates, Performance Horse Vice President - fordgates@yahoo.com

Dr. Linda Montgomery, Training/Equine Welfare Vice President - drlindamont@bellsouth.net

Christy Lantis, Administrative/Fiscal/Audit Vice President - clicketycn@aol.com

Sherry White, Member at Large Youth Vice President - whiteegrhorses@hotmail.com

Ashley Wadsworth, Marketing Vice President - awadsworth@bellsouth.net

Tom Kakassy, Member at Large Bylaws/Enforcement Vice President - thomaskakassy@carolinarr.com

Jessica Hleback, Pleasure Horse Vice President - jhlebak@ncsu.edu

Steve Smith, President - sssmith@haurysmith.com

Denise Bader-Keyser, Germany, Owners/Exhibitors/International Vice President - denisebader@twhb.de

David Williams, Breeders Vice President - dwilliams32563@hotmail.com

Loren Sanderson, Secretary - lsanderson@twhbea.com

Tracy Boyd, EC Director - tboyd@twhbea.com

NEWS, ARTICLES and HOW YOU CAN HELP - Christmas for the Tennessee Walking Horse Continues Into the New Year

DON'T FORGET:

GET YOUR LETTERS IN TO THE CONGRESSMEN WHO HAVEN'T CO-SPONSORED

THE PAST ACT YET!

Click here for our post with the list!

I am amazed, simply amazed at the hard work and dedication of the sound horse people in the past year of 2013.  December turned out to be a wonderful month for the TWH, and the gifts just keep on giving.  I was actually going to put together a timeline of what happened, but good ol' Billy Go Boy did it for me!  Here's a quick rundown of the timeline, and you can read it directly here.  I have added links to the confessions so everyone can read them.

January

• Midnight Sun statue leaves the TWHBEA building.
• Kentucky After Christmas Sale is inspected by IWHA; no stacked horses show up.

February

• David Howard forces WHTA trainers to join PSHA.

March

• PSHA attempts to tell the USDA on short notice they will be the HIO at the Trainers Show.  USDA says no.  Lots of empty seats at the show.
• PSHA Chair Terry Dotson, Jeffrey Howard, Mickey McCormick and Lobbyist Jeff Speaks meet for 15 minutes with U. S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and promise to clean up soring.

April

• Blount County SPCA/USDA obtain search warrant and raid Larry Joe Wheelon's Barn in Maryville, Tennessee.  Wheelon is arrested a few days later, and 19 horses are seized.

May

• TWHBEA Executive Committee votes 7 – 4 to endorse HR 1518,  the PAST Act.  
• TWHBEA Directors refuse to ratify Executive Committee endorsement of HR 1518.
• TWHBEA President Tracy Boyd issues his statement endorsing the PAST Act.  Boyd is later fired from Baskin-Irby Construction.

June

• TWHBEA CEO Ron Thomas takes early retirement.
• TWHBEA hires Tracy Boyd to replace Ron Thomas.
• Former TWHBEA President Marty Irby starts campaigning for HR 1518.

July

• Loyd  Black is selected Interim TWHBEA President.
• Celebration confiscates TWHBEA’s building on Celebration grounds.
• Celebration refuses to give TWHBEA show records.
• Jackie McConnell sentenced in Somerville, Tennessee – fined $25,000.00 and sentenced to one year house arrest, five years monitored probation and not being able to own, train, board, or have any dealings with horses for the next 20 years.
• Fayette County Assistant District Attorney  Mark Davidson files action to confiscate Floyd and Beverly Sherman's horses seized at Jackie McConnell’s.
• U. S. Judge Terry Means upholds the USDA Mandatory Minimum Penalties in a Summary Judgement in Fort Worth, Texas.
• David L. Howard announces $931,000 in losses to the Celebration over five years and that SHOW HIO in debt for $560,000.
• HSUS gives $1,000 to sponsor the TWHBEA World Versatility Show - the first time in history HSUS has ever supported a horse show of any kind.
• Sound Horse Advocate Donna Benefield, W.Ron Dehaven, AVMA CEO; FOSH President Teresa Bippen and Gaited Horse Clinician Gary Lane meet for one hour with U. S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

August

• Preliminary Hearing for Larry Joe Wheelon is held, and the charges are dismissed on a technicality.  Wheelon is found neither guilty nor innocent.
• Outraged Blount County citizens start Petition Drive for the Blount County D.A. to take the case to Grand Jury.
• Celebration officials David L Howard and John T. Bobo accept the Mandatory Minimum Penalties for the Celebration.
• Pat Stout asks the Executive Director about polling TWHBEA members on HR 1518, and she is told that is not a good idea and don’t bring it up.
• PSHA Chair Terry Dotson gets two horses turned down sore the first night of Celebration, one being Honors, the "shoe-in" for winning the WGC.  Dotson argues with a USDA VMO.
• Honors is turned down for two scar rules and barely misses getting a two-footer sore violation.  The visibly upset crowd voices displeasure and leaves the Celebration in an uproar.
• Terry Dotson resigns as PSHA Chair, packs up horses and leaves during the Celebration.
• On Friday, August 30, SHOW HIO finds 0 of 138 inspections while the USDA finds 10 of 75.
• SHOW HIO finds 30 HPA violations for the entire show.  USDA spot checks horses and finds 70 HPA violations.
• Celebration attendance is the lowest it has been in years, a decline from 162,176 attendees from 2004 for Saturday night to 95,400 in 2013.

September

• TWHBEA VP of Horse Shows Pat Stout decides to poll the TWHBEA members on the HR 1518/S1406 legislation with funds donated by a private party.
• 6,950 postcard ballots are mailed to TWHBEA members.
• TWHBEA members rally to vote in sound horse supporters to the Board of Directors.

October

• TWHBEA President Loyd Black abruptly resigns.
• HR 1518 Poll votes are counted.  26% of the members responded.  63% of TWHBEA members who responded voted YES for passage of HR 1518/S1406 PAST Act; 37% voted NO.
• Board of Directors votes are tallied.  Many sound horse directors are voted in, but not enough to vote for a sound Executive Committee and Officers.

November

• University of Tennessee Homecoming game features flat shod natural gaited Tennessee Walking Horse.  Caroline Emery rides Amazing Grace, Cat Dye, Trainer, Winchester, Tennessee.
• Full color ad announcing the results of the poll runs in Sunday edition of The Tennessean, paid for by Concerned Citizens Against Horse Soring.
• Congressional Hearing before House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee concerning the PAST Act.  Invited witnesses testify before the Congressional panel with supporters and opposers in attendance.
• The Tennessean Newspaper criticizes Tennessee U. S. Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker and the Congressional delegation (except Rep. Steve Cohen) for remaining silent on the PAST Act.
• Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) hires Marty Irby as Agriculture Legislative Aide.
• Celebration SHOW HIO resigns from being an HIO.

December

• Blount County, Tennessee Grand Jury indicts Larry Joe Wheelon and three alleged co-conspirators on 19 counts aggravated animal cruelty charges. All are afforded the presumption of innocence.
• California TWHBEA members represented by attorneys Fran Cole and Patricia Kryder, King & Ballow, petition TWHBEA under Tennessee law for removal of Christy Lantis as California Director.
• TWHBEA  Executive Committee dismisses all matters regarding Pat Stout.
• Nominating Committee doesn't even consider a sound horse panel for the Executive Committee and Officers.  Steve Smith is voted in as President after lying that he has never received an HPA violation ticket.
• Discussion regarding HR 1518/S1406 Poll dominates TWHBEA members meeting.  Everett “Butch” Allen makes a motion for the Enforcement Committee to revisit the HR 1518 Poll matter.
• U. S. Senator John Thune (R-SD) co-sponsors S.1406.  Thune is the ranking Republican on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee to which S. 1406 has been referred. He is Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference and number three man in the Senate Republican leadership.
• Clay Harlin publicly provides his experiences facing the reality of soring and his vision for the Tennessee Walking Horse breed.
• Trainer Carl Bledsoe publicly tells the truths of soring.
• John C. Haffner, DVM, Horse Science Faculty at MTSU publicly provides a hands on narrative of Big Lick soring culture.
• Responding to Texas Director Allen’s Motion, Pat Stout's attorney, Clant M. Seay, releases the Greg Cook, CPA, Cook and Co., Detailed Breakdown, State by State and Region, along with a graphic of a color map of the United States indicating support and non-support for the PAST Act. (included below).
• Priscilla Presley notifies Celebration that the Graceland Challenge Trophy will be rescinded over the continued soring and “inhumane treatment” of horses at The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.
• California attorney and former TWHBEA Director Fran Cole persists in representing California TWHBEA groups efforts to have removal vote on Director Christy Lantis to be done by secret written ballot.
• TWHBEA Senior VP Walt Chism denies California TWHBEA members the right to vote on Lantis removal by secret written ballot and engages in internet discussion with Directors regarding TWHBEA’s legal position.
• TWHBEA President Steve Smith responds to “internet Chatter” and writes a letter to TWHBEA directors.  He lectures them on being involved in “squabble” that is wasting TWHBEA resources, and promises to “promote our breed to new heights”.

Then today, Eric Gray, a former TWH farrier, came out with a letter about pressure shoeing and how it works.  Click here to read it.  From his letter:

First a little history: when you pulled shoes back in the mid 90s, back before the machines, it wasn’t uncommon to find a half of a halter ring sitting behind the white line and in front of the frog of a horse that had been trimmed with a shaved down, flat sole.  I’ve personally found all sorts of things on big lick horses between the top of the nail pad and the bottom of the hoof, things like strings of quarters glued together, heel springs with bouncy balls melted on to the area of the frog, nail pads that were ground down at the edges but domed at the center and hammer shims of metal including steel.  Flat shod horses weren’t immune to the problem, either. Tall beads of weld around the inside toe area of the surface of the foot caused painful sole pressure and there were other tricks as well.

Melted?  MELTED???  I am just shaking my head at that.  I know I shouldn't be, but I am constantly shocked at the lengths people will go to to torture animals.

But what's most shocking is this:

I have seen horses left standing in crossties overnight, days before a show to keep them from lying down and escaping the pressure in their feet.  I once arrived at a barn in the early morning to find a horse dead, still hanging from the crossties. The autopsy revealed stress colic due to unexplainable circumstances.

I used to keep a list of horses that were listed in the Voice magazines that had died due to colic.  They weren't exactly old horses, either.  It just seemed suspicious to me since it seemed several horses died each month from colic.  What are the people in Tennessee doing that these horses keep dying of colic?  I wish I had kept that list.

Some huge news from Graceland also hit the computer screen.  Priscilla Presley, Elvis Presley's wife, came out and will be taking back the trophy she and Elvis donated to the Celebration.  Click here to read the story.

Here is the Lickers' response:

"'Cillia, get me another six, a set of peppers, and a tie down"

"I am a big licker to the core baby..."

This was posted on the Walking Horse Chat.  It was a rolling gif, so photos were taken of it.  I cannot believe how cruel some people can be.  I'm sure Ms. Presley was looked upon fondly by them.  Now they are going to treat her like garbage.  My take is that if you don't agree with their twisted need to torture animals for fun and profit, then you're blacklisted and must be attacked.  I imagine that if even Phil from Duck Dynasty publicly said soring is cruel and needs to stop, he'd suddenly be torn to pieces as well.

Even better (or worse): this is a COPYRIGHTED image, so basically Tommy Williams, the owner of the WHC, is going to be in a lot of trouble once this information gets out.  (Photo is copyright Authentic Brands Group.)

As stated before, Attorney Clant Seay released information regarding the PAST Act Poll along with an excellent graphic to show how the PAST Act is viewed across the United States.  Here's the graphic.

You can click on the map to make it larger, but here's the rundown of the percentages. These are based on the 26% of members who responded to the PAST Act Poll.  Green states are the states that voted for the PAST Act.  Pink states are those that voted against it, and blue states are evenly divided between yes and no.  The percentages below are pro-YES.  I think it's pretty clear where the population of the United States that are TWH owners/breeders/trainers/exhibitors/riders stands.

Alabama - 39%
Alaska - 100%
Arizona - 100%
Arkansas - 53%
California - 79%
Colorado - 100%
Connecticut - 100%
Delaware - 100%
Florida - 89%
Georgia - 48%
Hawaii - No votes
Idaho - 86%
Illinois - 82%
Indiana - 100%
Iowa - 82%
Kansas - 100%
Kentucky - 43%
Louisiana - 70%
Maine - 100%
Maryland - 87%
Massachusetts - 100%
Michigan - 95%
Minnesota - 90%
Mississippi - 42%
Missouri - 63%
Montana - 100%
Nebraska - 100%
Nevada - 100%
New Hampshire - 100%
New Jersey - 100%
New Mexico - 100%
New York - 100%
North Carolina - 48%
North Dakota -100%
Ohio - 67%
Oklahoma - 90%
Oregon - 80%
Pennsylvania - 94%
Rhode Island - 100%
South Carolina - 51%
South Dakota - 100%
Tennessee - 32%
Texas - 78%
Utah - 82%
Vermont - 100%
Virginia - 67%
Washington - 81%
West Virginia - 74%
Wisconsin - 84%
Wyoming - 100%

Finally, this showed up in my inbox.

You can click on the picture to make it larger so you can read it.  From what I see, we're looking at quite the witch hunt here.  From what I understand, Marty Irby went to BL barns as the TWHBEA President, and if people welcomed him on their property, there isn't much that they can do about it now.  It's not like Marty ran around reporting who's soring horses; otherwise we'd be seeing a lot more raids going on.  Again, the WHTA has something up their sleeve to distract from what the real problem is: TO END SORING.  This is how they deal with soring: attack and "get" anyone who no longer agrees with it and is standing up against it.  If they were this bullheaded about ending soring, it would have stopped 40 years ago.

I want to thank each and every one of you who has helped out in the fight to save the horses.  Whether it's  phone call, a vote, a letter, an email, signing a petition, sharing information, it doesn't take much to keep our work going and to keep the abuse in the spotlight.  In 2014, The Year of the Horse, I believe we WILL see the PAST Act pass, and we will see a solid beginning to the end of soring for good!

HOW YOU CAN HELP - Current List of House and Senate Members Who Are Not Co-Sponsors of the PAST Act

I received this really well written list of the current House and Senate members who are not signed on as co-sponsors for the PAST Act.  I've included it as a PDF file so you can download it and use it.  This list is dated as of 12-18-13, so some of these folks might have already signed on at the time of this post.  But at least we can still work with them and ask them to co-sponsor the Act.

Click here for the list.

We are learning that phone calls and faxes are the best way to contact these folks.  So please go to www.senate.gov or www.house.gov and choose the search feature in the upper right corner.  If it won't let you contact someone due to your location, find the city's local library or cemetery and use their address so you can get your letter in to the constituent.

Right now the Senate and House will be closed for the holidays, but writing and calling is still a good way to fill in your time between waiting for the food to be ready to come out of the oven and setting the table!  They will have full fax machines and message boxes when they come in from people supporting the horse and the PAST Act!

Thanks to all, and I hope everyone gets some time with family and friends this holiday season.  Extra love and carrots to all the horses, too!

HOW YOU CAN HELP - An Amazing Letter to Send to Your Senators

This letter by Carl Bledsoe was sent to Congressman Whitfield concerning soring and how it's still rampant.  He points out some amazing truths about why this practice is still going on.  He also talks about how getting rid of the BL horse in his barn has created some amazing new ventures for him.  We need to point this out to our Congresspersons: getting rid of the BL won't devastate the industry; in fact, it will help it!

Carl said to spread this letter far and wide and to send it along with your emails and letters to your Senators to express how important passing the PAST Act is.

It is also VERY important to keep contacting Senators and Reps who are already on the bill.  I found out there are people working from the inside to stop this, so we need to thank those who have already co-sponsored the bill and tell them why we need them to stick with it.

Check out our previous post for some of the Senators that need to be contacted, but remember: we need to work with all of them!

**********

Dear Sir:

My name is Carl Bledsoe. I'm writing this letter to you regarding the soring problem within the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry. I was a second generation Tennessee Walking Horse trainer ("was" being the key word) licensed through the Walking Horse Trainers Association, license #88035. I have not renewed my license in the last year and a half. I live in small town about and 1.5 hours north of Atlanta. I grew up in the industry, being the son of a trainer as well, and I feel that I can share a perspective from the inside.

About five years ago, it became abundantly clear to me that the training methods used on our breed for show purposes was completely wrong. Growing up in the industry, it was common place to use these methods to prepare these horses for competition and/or sale. I've seen and have used every sort of caustic agent that can be used to enhance and to achieve the "big lick" gait. It excited me to see one sit down on his hocks and step up against the chains and "reach" and now I realize that the horse was put in a great deal of pain, physically and emotionally, and it was simply struggling to move. It sickens me now to realize the difference. There is no way physically possible for these horses to perform this desired "big lick" without the following:

*chemicals - Mustard oil, Croton oil, lamp oil, Kerosene, diesel fuel, Amoco white gas, hand cleaner, Dawn dish detergent, Iodine, Ether, baby oil, Scarlet oil, Castor oil, Glycerin, W-D 40 (my personal favorite) or a combination of these chemicals

*pressure shoeing (upon request, I can explain in detail)

The industry will argue the point that they are 98% compliant simply because they are still able to pass inspection due to the fact that the soring is done several days prior to competition while ignoring the fact that the soring still took place. That's why I believe the only way to eliminate the pain inflicted on the horses and end the abuse is to remove the "packages and chains". This group of people is conditioned to believing that there is a difference between a "show ready" horse versus a "sore horse". Also, many owners pretend that they are unaware of the abuse because they are not present when it takes place.

Along with soring horses for competition, I have also been a party to pay offs in the show arena and the inspection arena as well. These accusations will be hard to prove, although they do exist.

I've been at a cross roads with whether or not I should share my story for the last three years. I've been very hesitant because of the long arm of retaliation within the industry. I finally made the decision this spring to remove all performance horses from my barn and no longer train horses with any shoes other than keg shoes. This was a difficult decision because not only was it my only means of income, it was also a huge part of my life as I had always known it. It's amazing at the number of friendships lost when you decide to take a stand for what's right. I choose the horse in this situation. With that being said, I'm happier now than I've ever been. I now work with all breeds and disciplines and I am now able to enjoy my job by helping others learn to communicate with their horses rather than intimidate them.

Should you need to speak with me regarding any of the above state information, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be glad to assist you in any way possible with this effort.

Respectfully,

Carl Bledsoe

HOW YOU CAN HELP and NEWS - We're On The Right Track; Priscilla Presley Helps Support the PAST Act

We're moving right along in seeing more and more Congresspersons supporting the PAST Act.  We're now up to 245 via GovTrack.

Click here to the link to the bill on GovTrack.  Click "show" under the co-sponsors section to see the list of supporters.

Thanks to one of our sound horse warrior's dedication, here's a list of Senators that we can contact that will be people who can help us with co-sponsorships.  This list is meant as a guide only--it doesn't mean to not contact other Senators who haven't co-sponsored yet.

Senators with a * scored high on the HSLF (Humane Society Legislation Fund) score card at 50 or more.

If a Senator has a WFC (Welfare Committee) behind their name, it means they belong to the Senate sub-committee, were the Bill is right now.

If a Senator has another name after theirs, it means that other Senator from that state has already co-sponsored the Bill.  Let the Senator you contact know the other Senator from his/her state supports this bill.

California - Barbara Boxer* (D) 202-224-3553, senator@boxer.senate.gov

California -Diane Feinstein* (D) 202-224-3841, senator@feinstein.gov

Hawaii - Mazie Hirono (D)* 202-224-3934 Brian Schatz has signed.

Iowa - Chuck Grassley (R) 202-224-3744 chuck_grassley@grassley.senate.gov  WFC

(email could also be chuck-grassley@grassley.senate.gov or chuck grassley@grassley.senate.gov)

Iowa - Tom Harkin (D) 202-224-3254

Idaho - James Risch (R) 202-224-2752  Mike Crapo has signed.

Indiana - Daniel Coats (R) 202-224-5623

Indiana - Joe Donnally (D) 202-224-4814

Kansas - Jerry Moran (R) 202-224-6521

Kansas - Pat Robert (R) 202-224-4774

Maine - Angus King (I) 202-224-5334  Susan Collins has signed.

Michigan - Debbie Stabenow* (D) 202-224-4822 senator@stebenow.senate.gov Carl Levin has signed.

Montana - Max Baucus (D) 202-224-5721 max@baucus.senate.gov

Maryland - Barbara Mikulski (D) senator@mikulski.senate.gov 

Nebraska - Deb Fisher (R) 202-224-6551

Nebraska - Mike Johanns (R) 202-224-4224  WFC

New Hampshire - Jeanne Shaheen (D) 202-224-2841  Kelly Ayotte has signed.

New Jersey - Cory Booker* (D) 202-224-3224  Robert Menendez has signed.

New Mexico Tom Udall* (D) 202-224-6621  Martin Heinrick has signed.

New York Charles Schumer* (D) 202-224-6542  Gillibrand has signed.

Pennsylvania - Robert Casy (D) 202-224-6324  WFC

Rhode Island - Jack Reed* (D) 202-224-4642 jack@reed.senate.gov

Wisconsin - Ron Johnson (D) 202-224-5323  Tammy Baldwin has signed.

In other news, Priscilla Presley, wife of the King, Elvis Presley, has also asked that we support the PAST Act.  Elvis used to own TWHs, and he did have a horse that was stacked and shown (not by him).  However, as far as I understand, once they found out what was truly going on, they went to solely flat shod horses.  Since Elvis's death, at least one TWH has always been kept at Graceland in honor of his love for the breed.  So I'm sure Ms. Presley knows a lot about the inner workings of what goes on with these people and certainly what happens to the horses.

Click here for Priscilla Presley's Facebook page and her calls for action.

Keep it up, folks...we're on the right track!

WE NEED YOUR HELP - New Facebook Page Needs Support!

Hello friends.  A new Facebook page has cropped up, and I swear FTTWH didn't make it!  This is a great page where you can show your support of the PAST Act by "liking" the page.  You can also keep up on soring issues and learn how to better contact your Congresspersons and get involved.

Click here for the Voters Who Approve of HR 1518/S 1406 Page

In honor of the late Nelson Mandela.  I believe he would've supporting the PAST Act, too.

HOW YOU CAN HELP - CALL TO ACTION UPDATE!

REMINDER!!!

Monday, November 11 is Veterans' Day

so PLEASE get your letters in to the E&C Sub-Committee by Tuesday morning!

See the below post for who to send to with contact information.

Remember:

Calls and faxes work best.

Be short and to the point.

Be kind and courteous; make friends with the person on the other line

so they will be sure to give your request to the Congressperson.

Back your information up with facts.

Here is a link to the current supporters of the PAST Act.
Please add the following groups to the Horse Organizations section:
Carolina Walkers, Inc. (South Carolina)
Delaware Equine Council
Minnesota Horse Council

You can also note that the new World Walking Horse Assocation is also for the PAST Act,
although they have not added themselves to the list yet.
(More about WWHA after November 13th.)

We can do this!  WE CAN SAVE THE HORSE!

HOW YOU CAN HELP - A CALL TO ACTION! NOV 13TH DEADLINE

Well everyone, we have our work cut out for us now.  On November 13th, the PAST Act will be heard by the Energy and Commerce Sub-Committee.  We are past the 218 mark of co-sponsors needed to get the Act to the floor, so now we need the E&C Sub-Committee to take it to the Senate.

We have a serious problem: Marsha Blackburn has pretty much been paid by the Big Lick industry to keep the PAST Act from passing.  They had a special dinner for her at the Celebration and presented her with about $70,000.  Now I don't see Blackburn as much more than one of the typical money hungry liars that we have in Congress after watching this video.

However, if she gets her claws in, then we are back to square one.

This is the time for us to push, and PUSH HARD.

Here are the folks we need to push on.  FAXES AND PHONE CALLS WORK BEST.  And it's best to contact the DC office over the state office, but I've provided numbers for both.  There are free fax websites online--I personally use gotfreefax.com.  Your local Walmart or Target might have faxing capabilities as well, and all Office Maxes have faxing available.

Also, please go to this website to get the list of current co-sponsors.  If you don't see your State Rep or Senator on the list, then get after them!

Make your letter and phone call short and sweet.  Give recent facts: that of the 26% of TWHBEA members who voted, 63% voted in favor of the PAST Act.  In comparison, 35% voted in the BOD elections.  Explain that Wheelon was NOT found innocent, and that the case my be reintroduced to the Tennessee Grand Jury.  Point out that soring is now a felony in Tennessee, and that the Industry has proven they cannot police themselves.  And most importantly: this will cost our government no money to instigate the PAST Act.  You can refer them to this blog if you need to.

Mo Brooks (R-AL)
1230 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-4801, Fax: (202) 225-4392
Huntsville Office - Phone: (256) 551-0190, Fax: (256) 551-0194
Decatur Office - Phone: (256) 355-9400, Fax: (256) 355-9406
Shoals Office - Phone: (256) 718-5155, Fax: (256) 718-5156
Website: http://brooks.house.gov/

Martha Roby (R-AL)
428 Cannon HOB, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-2901, Fax: (202) 225-8913
Andalusia Office - Phone: (334) 428-1129, Fax: (334) 222-3342
Dothan Office - Phone: (334) 794-9680, Fax: (334) 671-1480
Montgomery Office - Phone: (334) 277-9113, Fax: (334) 277-8534
Website: http://roby.house.gov/

Mike Rogers (R-AL)
324 Cannon House Office Bldg, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-3261, Fax: (202) 226-8485
Anniston Office - Phone: (256) 236-5655, Fax: (256) 237-9203
Opelika Office - Phone: (334) 745-6221, Fax: (334) 742-0109
Website: http://mike-rogers.house.gov/

Terri Sewell (D-AL)
1133 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-2665, Fax: (202) 226-9567
Birmingham Office - Phone: (205) 254-1960, Fax: (205) 254-1974
Demopolis Office - Phone: (334) 287-0860, Fax: (334) 877-4489
Livingston Office - Phone: (205) 652-5834, Fax: (205) 652-5935
Marion Office - Phone: (334)683-2157, Fax: (334) 683-2201
Montgomery Office - Phone: (334) 262-1919, Fax: (334) 262-1921
Selma Office - Phone: (334) 877-4414, Fax: (334) 877-4489
Tuscaloosa Office - Phone: (205) 752-5380, Fax: (205) 752-5899
Website: http://sewell.house.gov/

Ami Bera, MD (D-CA)
1408 Longworth House Office Bldg, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-5716, Fax: (202) 226-1298
Rancho Cordova Office - Phone: (916) 635-0505, Fax: (916) 635-0514
Website: http://bera.house.gov/

Ken Calvert (R-CA)
2269 Rayburn Bldg, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-1986, Fax: (202) 225-2004
Corona Office - Phone: (951) 277-0042, Fax: (951) 277-0420
Website: http://calvert.house.gov/

Jeff Denham (R-CA)
1730 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-4540, Fax: (202) 225-3402
Modesto Office - Phone: (209) 579-5458, Fax: (209) 579-5028
Website: http://denham.house.gov/

Darrell Issa (R-CA)
2347 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC - Phone: 202-225-3906, Fax: 202-225-3303
Vista Office - Phone: 760-599-5000, Fax: 760-599-1178
Orange County Office- Phone: 949-281-2449, Fax: 760-599-1178
Website: http://issa.house.gov/

Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) *Majority Whip (3rd in command)
2421 Rayburn House Office Bldg, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-2915, Fax: (202) 225-2908
Bakersfield Office - Phone: (661) 327-3611, Fax: (661) 637-0867
Website: http://kevinmccarthy.house.gov/

Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)
2313 Rayburn House, Washington, D.C. - Phone: (202) 225-5755, Fax: (202) 225-4085
Wesley Chapel Office - Phone: 813-501-4942, Fax: 813-501-4944
Tarpon Springs Office - Phone: 727-940-5860, Fax: 727-940-5861
New Port Richey Office - Phone: 727-232-2921, Fax: 727-232-2923
Website: http://bilirakis.house.gov/

Rich Nugent (R-FL)
1727 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-1002, Fax: (202) 226-6559
Citrus County, Inverness Office - Phone: 352-341-2354, Fax: 352-341-2316
Hernando County, Spring Hill Office - Phone: 352-684-4446, Fax: 352-684-4484
Marion County, Ocala Office - Phone: 352-351-1670, Fax: 352-689-4621
Sumter County, The Village Office - Phone: 352-689-4684, Fax: 352-689-4621
Website: http://nugent.house.gov/

Sanford Bishop (D-GA)
2429 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-3631, Fax: (202) 225-2203
Albany Office - Phone: (229) 439-8067, Fax: (229) 436-2099
Columbus Office- Phone: (706) 320-9477, Fax: (706) 320-9479
Macon Office - Phone: (478) 803-2631, Fax: (478) 803-2637
Website: http://bishop.house.gov/

Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) *Youngest member of Congress and very vocal.
502 Cannon House Office Bldg, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-4906, Fax: (202) 225-4987
Honolulu District Office - Phone: (808) 541-1986, Fax: (808) 538-0233
Website: http://gabbard.house.gov/

Rodney Davis (R-IL)
1740 Longworth House Office Bldg, Washington, DC - Phone: 202.225.2371, Fax: 202.226.0791
Champaign District Office - Phone: 217.403.4690, Fax: 217.403.4691
Decatur District Office - Phone: 217.791.6224, Fax: 217.791.6168
Normal District Office - Phone: 309.252.8834
Taylorville District Office - Phone: 217.824.5117, Fax: 217.824.5121
Website: http://rodneydavis.house.gov/

Pete Roskam (R-IL)
227 Cannon House Office Bldg, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-4561, Fax: (202) 225-1166
Barrington Satellite Office - Phone: (847) 656-6354
West Chicago District Office - Phone: (630) 232-0006, Fax: (630) 232-7393
Website: http://roskam.house.gov/

Brett Guthrie (R-KY) *Bombard - Close with Rep Marsha Blackburn
308 Cannon H.O.B., Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-3501, Fax: (202) 226-2019
Warren County Regional Office - Phone: (270) 842-9896, Fax: (270) 842-9081
Website: http://guthrie.house.gov/

Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
1131 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-3901, Fax: (202) 225-7313
Baton Rouge District Office - Phone: (225) 929-7711, Fax: (225) 929-7688
Livingston District Office - Phone: (225) 686-4413, Fax: (225) 929-7688
Thibodaux District Office - Phone: (985) 447-1662
Website: http://cassidy.house.gov/

Gregg Harper (R-MS)
307 Cannon HOB, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-5031, Fax: (202) 225-5797
Brookhaven Office - Phone: (601) 823-3400, Fax: (601) 823-5512
Meridian Office - Phone: (601) 693-6681, Fax: (601) 693-1801
Pearl Office - Phone: (601) 932-2410, Fax: (601) 932-4647
Starkville Office - Phone: (662) 324-0007, Fax: (662) 324-0033
Website: http://harper.house.gov/

Alan Nunnellee (R-MS)
1427 Longworth House Office Bldg, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-4306, Fax: (202) 225-3549
Columbus District Office - Phone: (662) 327-0748, Fax: (662) 328-5982
Hernando District Office - Phone: (662) 449-3090, Fax: (662) 449-4836
Tupelo District Office - Phone: (662) 841-8808, Fax: (662) 841-8845
Website: http://nunnelee.house.gov/

Vicki Hartzler (R-MO) *Bombard - Close with Rep Marsha Blackburn
1023 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-2876, Fax: (202) 225-0148
Columbia Office - Phone: (573) 442-9311, Fax: (573) 442-9309
Harrisonville Office - Phone: 816-884-3411, Fax: 816-884-3163
Sedalia Office - Phone: (573) 442-9311
Website: http://hartzler.house.gov/

Billy Long (R-MO) *Bombard - Has lots of sore horse people in his district
1541 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC - Phone: 202-225-6536, Fax: 202-225-5604
Springfield Office - Phone: 417-889-1800, Fax: 417-889-4915
Joplin Office - Phone: 417.781.1041, Fax: 417.781.2832
Website: http://long.house.gov/

George Holding (R-NC)
507 Cannon House Office Bldg, Washington, DC - Phone: 202-225-3032
Fremont Office - Phone: 919-440-5247
Raleigh Office - Phone: 919-782-4400, Fax: 919-782-4490
Website: http://holding.house.gov/

Jimmy Duncan (R-TN) *Bombard - close to sore horse people
2207 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-5435, Fax: (202) 225-6440
Knoxville Office - Phone: (865) 523-3772, Fax: (865) 544-0728
Maryville Office - Phone: (865) 984-5464, Fax: (865) 984-0521
Website: http://duncan.house.gov/

Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA) *Highest ranking female Republican in the House
203 Cannon House Office Bldg, Washington, D.C. - Phone: 202-225-2006, Fax: 202-225-3392
Colville Office - Phone: 509-684-3481, Fax: 509-353-2412
Spokane Office - Phone: 509-353-2374, Fax: 509-353-2412
Walla Walla Office - Phone: 509-529-9358, Fax: 509-353-2412
Website: http://mcmorris.house.gov/

Pete Sessions (R-TX)
2233 Rayburn House Office Bldg, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-2231, Fax: (202) 225-5878
Dallas Office - Phone: (972) 392-0505, Fax: (972) 392-0615
Website: http://sessions.house.gov/

Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN)
230 Cannon HOB, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-3271, Fax: (202) 225-3494
Athens Office - Phone: 423-745-4671, Fax: 423-745-6025
Chattanooga Office - Phone: (423) 756-2342, Fax: (423) 756-6613
Oak Ridge Office - Phone: (865) 576-1976, Fax: (865) 576-3221
Website: http://fleischmann.house.gov/

Scott DeJarlais (R-TN) *His district is Shelbyville but he's running against Jim Tracy. Unfortunately this guy is shady...
413 Cannon HOB, Washington, DC - Phone: (202) 225-6831, Fax: (202) 226-5172
Cleveland Office - Phone: (423) 472-7500, Fax: (423) 472-7800
Murfreesboro Office - Phone: (615) 896-1986, Fax: (615) 896-8218
Winchester Office - Phone: (931) 962-3180, Fax: (931) 962-3435
Website: http://desjarlais.house.gov/

Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
217 Cannon House Office Bldg, Washington, D.C. - Phone: (202) 225-2811, Fax: (202) 225-3004
Clarksville Office - Phone: (931) 503-0391, Fax: (931) 503-0393
Franklin Office - Phone: (615) 591-5161, Fax: (615) 599-2916

Website: http://blackburn.house.gov/