Howdy Folks,
Languishing in Federal bureaucratic bogs and quicksand is the
bill that would end the slaughter of American horses forever. The Safeguard
American Food Export (S.A.F.E.) Act, has sat untouched now for almost a year.
Horse lover and advocate, Robynne Catheron is mounting a
personal and extraordinary effort to raise awareness of, and help pass the S.A.F.E.
Act. She is setting out on a 1,150 mile "RIDE FOR THEIR LIVES" along
the American Discovery Trail from Cincinnati, Ohio
to Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware starting April 20, 2014. She'll be taking
two horses; George is her own horse, and Sampson who is on loan to her from the
woman who rescued him from a killpen awaiting slaughter.
A happy Sampson all recovered and loving life! |
Sampson was a Big Lick
"Performance" horse, his lower legs sored, his hooves padded and
chained, and dumped at auction by an owner who no longer found him useful. "Sampson
is hoping to find his forever home during this ride. Anyone interested in meeting
Sampson (or any of us) please contact me on Facebook." Robynne said.
"The S.A.F.E. Act (H.R.1094, S.541) will not only
protect American horses from the nightmare of slaughter, it will prevent toxic
horse meat from being shipped overseas for human consumption. Horses in the
United States are not raised as food animals. They are routinely given drugs
for parasite control, pain, and certain medical conditions that typical food
animals are not given. For example, phenylbutazone, or "Bute," a
common equine pain reliever and anti-inflammatory, is highly toxic to human
bone marrow." Explains Robynne.
Robynne's plans for RIDE FOR THEIR LIVES began several years
ago as feelings of helplessness, frustration and sorrow overwhelmed her for
America's young and healthy horses being sent to slaughter. "I needed to
do something significant to spread the message that slaughter is never an
option, whether in abattoirs in Canada and Mexico, or in cattle rendering
plants on American soil. I have extensive information to share about horse
slaughter, sent to me by several experts in the
field. Much of it is the result of undercover investigations." Robynne
explained.
George and Robynne rollin' along |
As she rides the thousand miles she'll spread the word of
the stuck-in-place S.A.F.E Act and not only raise awareness, but shine the
light on the horrors innocent horses face in the overcrowded trucks, pens and brutal slaughterhouses. Her youngest granddaughter, Chelsea, will be gathering with
Robynne each night for dinner, and to feed the horses. She'll also be
coordinating with media a few days before arriving at each town, so that
maximum exposure will be achieved.
This RIDE FOR THEIR LIVES is a wonderful thing. Horses and
their people everywhere thank you, Robynne, George and Sampson!
Join them on Facebook HERE – and follow their route. Robynne
invites you to join them in camp, or along the trail. Have a look HERE at her fundraiser
page.
Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry
I am so honored that you chose my upcoming ride as a Feature Friday post. God bless you, Dutch, and thank you from the bottom of my heart. With support like yours we'll get this bill passed in no time!
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