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MISSION/EDUCATION

All The Kings Horses Equine Rescue is a 501 (c) (3) animal welfare organization incorporated in the State of Connecticut. We are dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and placement of equines in need; assisting equines in situations of neglect, abuse or threat of slaughter. To educate the public regarding the standards of care required to maintain an equine as a riding partner and/or companion animal in a humane manner.

All The Kings Horses Equine Rescue was founded in May of 2010 by Mary Santagata. Mary reside in CT with her three rescues, June, Blue, and JJ.

pictured above from left to right: June, Mary, and Blue

Statements from Veterinarians on horse slaughter:

"Why would the AAEP and AVMA support such an industry? Have they considered the inevitable suffering that the current situation brings about as opposed to the hypothetical suffering that these horses endure if they live?"

- Nicholas H. Dodman, DVM, Diplomate ACVA and ACVB

"From the time a horse is picked up by the killer buyer he is meat on the hoof, and that is the way he is treated. In a journey which can take days, or occasionally weeks, he is jammed into trucks, often where he cannot even stand, and left to fend for himself among a load of other terrified horses. Some of these horses actually have fractures and are in great pain. USDA regulations state that they can go 28 hours without food and water (bad enough) and even this is unenforceable. When the horse reaches the slaughterhouse, death is by captive bolt, and if anyone thinks this always works the first time, we have a film they should see. As a veterinarian I realize the inevitability of euthanasia in certain cases, but to equate the slaughter process with humane euthanasia is the height of hypocrisy."

- John K. Griggs, DVM

"As a veterinarian, I believe that it is my responsibility to treat all of my patients in a humane manner. Looking at the condition of slaughter-bound horses in the videos and photographs taken by journalists, investigators and welfare personnel (over many years), I could never explain to a client or to a child what is humane about their transport, and I would certainly never recommend this avenue of disposing of a horse to a client. If I cannot support these practices to my clients as being humane, how can I stand up as a professional and present them to the public as such?"

- Nena J. Winand, DVM, PhD

"I would like to impress upon you that the AVMA and AAEP may represent me by profession, but they do not represent me on this issue and until they can show you polling of their membership reflecting it, please do not believe that their governing bodies represent the views of the people they claim to either. Accordingly, I urge you to support HR 503 in any and every way you can!!!! Thank You!!!!"

- Kerry Zeigler, VMD

Review of Horse Slaughter Footage

Bouvry Exports in Fort Macleod, Alberta; and

Viande Richelieu in Massueville, Quebec

by

Dr. Debi Zimmermann B.Sc (Zoology), D.V.M.

INTRODUCTION

Dr. Debi Zimmrmann B. Sc (Zoology), D.V.M. assessment follows a comprehensive review of video footage filmed in early 2010, representing a random day’s operation at two Canadian horse slaughterhouse facilities; Bouvry Exports in Fort Macleod, Alberta, and Viande Richelieu Inc. in Massueville Quebec. During the periods reviewed, 187 horses were processed at Bouvry Exports, and 100 horses at Viande Richelieu.

Dr. Debi Zimmermann B.Sc (Zoology), D.V.M. conclusion is as follows:

There is no doubt in my mind, that the horses passing through these slaughterhouses are experiencing fear. According to Temple Grandin, Doctor of Animal Sciences, consultant to the livestock industry in animal behavior, and slaughterhouse design expert, fear is a very painful emotion of all animals. In addition to this psychological pain, these horses also suffered physically in numerous ways. These included slips and falls, fractures, numerous mis-shots with some horses requiring a second or even third bullet; some horses regaining consciousness before or while being suspended by one leg, and/or when their throats were being slashed: excessive traumatization during assembly; excessive whippings of their bodies and across their faces (Richelieu), and excessive use of electric prods (Richelieu). It is my opinion, the horse processing plants at Bouvry Exports in Fort Macleod Alberta, and Viande Richelieu Inc. in Massueville Québec, currently do not properly address the idiosyncrasies relating to the behavior of this species, nor the dramatic variations in size of equids they process. The horses involved are not consistently rendered insensible, as shooters are seldom able to adhere to proper protocols for euthanasia by firearm. This is due to a combination of horse factors, and human factors. The numerous acts of willful abuse are also of grave concern in the treatment of these sentient and non-aggressive animals. It also appears that poor facility design poses inherent dangers to not only horses, but to plant personnel as well. As a result of current slaughterhouse industry practises, horses must endure unacceptable levels of suffering, both emotionally and physically. As this is an issue of cruelty, it deserves immediate attention, along with a moratorium on all similar facilities in the interim.

Debi Zimmermann B.Sc (Zoology), D.V.M.

April 16, 2010

PREMARIN INFORMATION

What is Premarin?…as the name implies, Premarin is a conjugated estrogen product extracted from PREGNANT MARES URINE - hence Pre mar in. It is manufactured by Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, Inc. and is most commonly prescribed for estrogen replacement therapy to relieve hormonal deficiency symptoms associated with menopause. It also is sold under the name Prempro.

There are an estimated 500 PMU farms in North America, with the vast majority located in the prairie provences of Western Canada. About 30 PMU farms exist in North Dakota and Minnesota. Almost all PMU farms are under an exclusive contract with Wyeth-Ayerst.

The mares are kept in deplorable conditions. They enter collection barns in September and remain until March or April. Each mare is kept tethered in a narrow stall with a rubber cup positioned over her vulva to collect the urine flow. The cup is held in place by overhead supports and a partial body harness. The tether and collection apparatus greatly restrict movement and the mare is unable to turn around or take more than a step or two in any direction. If the tether is too short, she may even be unable to lie down comfortably.

Reliable estimates indicate there are at least 50,000 production mares on PMU farms accounting for the annual birth of approximately 40,000 offspring. The byproducts of Premarin production are the foals born to these unfortunate mares. The foals are allowed to nurse and be with their mothers for only three to four months - instead of the normal six-month period. When the time comes for the mares to return to the collection barns, the farmers dispose of surplus foals. Thousands of foals are sent to unsheltered feedlots until they reach a desirable market weight and then they are slaughtered and their carcasses are shipped to Europe and Asia for human consumption.

The conditions the mares and foals are kept in are horrendous. Inspection reports document a number of significant problems - confinement for six months of their 11-month pregnancy, no exercise, no interaction with other horses, inadequate bedding, no grooming and the feet are usually neglected. They are even denied adequate water to keep the urine in a more concentrated stage and, therefore, reduce shipping costs of the urine.

I urge you to share this information with anyone you know who is either on Premarin or is thinking of using a hormone replacement drug. There are many, many drugs on the market that are either synthetic or plant based which give the same results as Premarin. Premarin is the only drug that is animal based.