St. Augustine Horse Drawn Carriage Protests

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I'm not going to say much about this one. One, because you all already know where I stand and two, I think the article pretty much says it all.

The midday sun beat down Sunday on protesters who lined a St. Augustine street while holding signs calling for a ban of horse-drawn carriages, a long-time staple of the historic city's tourism industry.

But protesters said while they want a ban, they believe the most achievable goal would be for the city to enact a law setting standards aimed at protecting the health of the horses.

City officials have been drawing up possible changes to the ordinance for horse-drawn carriages.

"I don't think they [city officials] will ban carriage horses, but they can at least pass something that so the horses are not suffering so badly," said Carla Wilson, Central Florida coordinator for the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida. "I think St. Augustine needs to get with the program and follow other cities that have made compassionate choices for the horses."

The protest, which has occurred in past summers in St. Augustine, met a differing viewpoint from John Capp Jr., who said he drives a carriage for Country Carriages, one of the carriage companies in the city.

Looking out for the horses

He approached the protesters, who stood along Menendez Avenue near Castillo de San Marcos, and told them his employer loves horses and maintains policies that protect the animals.

He said Country Carriages didn't have any carriages in action around noon Sunday because it was too hot.

In an interview, Capp said the horses like pulling the carriages and when he selects a horse, all the horses vie for attention to be picked for the assignment.

Capp said the horses work in shifts, such as 9 a.m. to about 3 p.m., at which time another horse comes in for the second part of the day. He said they get regular breaks for water and if the heat index exceeds 103 to 105, the horses go off duty.

The heat index uses a formula to measure what heat feels like when humidity is added to the actual temperature. The National Weather Service will issue alerts for people when the heat index is forecast to exceed 105 to 110 degrees for two straight days.

Some protesters said if the company has policies for safeguarding the horses, there should be no problem in writing those into city law.

The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida wants to restrict summertime carriage rides to after 5 p.m. in the summer. limit the time horses work and require "an adequate amount of clean, fresh water."

Capp said whether that's needed is an issue for owners of the business and city leaders to decide. He said the protest was "kind of comical" and the group's time would be better spent helping animals affected by the Gulf oil spill. He said the carriages give visitors a way to learn about St. Augustine.

"It's a history lesson with class," he said. "It would be a sad day if they took the carriages away."

This Week in Horse Racing

Devil May Care Returns in Mother Goose

Devil May Care returned in style to capture the G1 Mother Goose at Belmont in her first start since finishing tenth as the only filly in this year's Kentucky Derby. Straight out of the gate, Katy Now secured the lead and set fast fractions in her stakes debut. Connie and Michael stalked the pace a length behind in second. Devil May Care settled in third on the far outside, staying out of trouble. Ailalea trailed in fourth with slow-breaking Biofuel just in behind her. There was no change in the positions as the field of five moved down the backstretch and into the far turn. At the top of the lane, Devil May Care cruised up on the outside to challenge Katy Now and secure the lead, moving to an easy length victory. Connie and Michael dropped back to fourth at the top of the lane, but re-rallied to take second. Biofuel closed well on the outside and took third.

Shadowbdancing Scores in This Year's Cornhusker

Shadowbdancing captured the G2 Cornhusker Handicap by a length after finishing second in the same race last year. It was the 5-year-old's first graded stakes victory. Shadowbdancing broke third and settled there on the outside early in the race. He moved up three wide on the far turn, dueled briefly with Racing Bran, and then pulled away to drift in and win by a length. Racing Bran broke quickly and secured the lead going into the first turn, setting moderate fractions. He gave way to Shadowbdancing but held on for second. Golden Yank was far back in the field early on, but rallied on the outside to finish a driving third.

Concord Point Dominates and Sets Track Record in Iowa Derby

Concord Point cruised to an 8 1/2-length victory in the G3 Iowa Derby, setting a new track record of 1:40.37 in his first graded stakes victory. The former track record was 1:40.82, set by Excessivepleasure on July 5, 2003. Concord Point broke from the far outside post and settled in second just behind pacesetter, Forestry Type. He moved up to pressure into the far turn and then stole the lead, drawing away and never looking back. Thiskyhasnolimit was far back in the strung-out field of six early on, but rallied into the far turn. He was taken wide by Winslow Homer in the far turn, but moved up to take second. Winslow Homer was third in behind Concord Point early on, moved wide into the turn, and held on to take third.

Seeking the Title Grabs Iowa Oaks

Seeking the Title swung to the outside and rallied to win by a half-length in the G3 Iowa Derby. It was Seeking the Title's first graded stakes win and came after a couple of rough races for the mare. She dropped jockey Kent Desormeaux in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes May 14 and finished sixth after an extremely wide efford in the Acorn Stakes June 5. It was her first win since breaking her maiden back in February. Seeking the Title broke first out of the gate and shuffled back, settling in fourth on the ral in the backstretch. She moved up on the rail into the far turn, pulled hard to the outside entering the stretch, and rallied quickly to match up with Harissa and pull away at the wire to win. Harissa was fast out of the gate and second on the outside going into the first turn. She moved up into the far turn, dueling with All Due Respect into the backstretch and pulled away, but didn't have enough to hold off Seeking the Title. All Due Respect broke third and moved up on the outside to take the lead by a length going into the turn, setting moderate fractions. She continued on the lead through the backstretch and the far turn, but gave way to Harissa and faded to third in the stretch.

Just Louise Hot in Debutante

Three fillies looked to be very special in the G3 Debutante won by Just Louise in the final jump at the wire. The two-year-old filly is now undefeated in two starts. Salty Strike dueled on the inside with Big Sweets early on setting blazing hot fractions. Just Louise was behind them in third with Tristanme four or five lengths back in fourth. Just Louise moved up to challenge entering the turn while Tristanme made her move on the outside. Big Sweets faded fast, but Salty Strike held on to duel as Just Louise took the lead into the turn. It looked like Salty Strike would draw away to win in the stretch, but Just Louise came back on to win by a neck at the wire. Tristanme rallied quickly in deep stretch, gaining with every stride, but ran out of ground and finished second. Salty Strike gave way for third. It was seven and three-quarter lengths back to Internet Cafe in fourth.

Man Charged with Horrific Animal Cruelty

Story [Small pictures. This is the first case that's made me cry in years.]

Deputies in St. Francis County discovered a disturbing case of animal cruelty. Some of the images seen are disturbing.

A starving horse was found covered in motor oil on private property near the town of Colt.

Everett Woods, Jr. was booked into jail on felony animal cruelty charges but according to police, Woods claimed he had no knowledge of the six year old horse, found in gruesome conditions on the family property.

Sheriff Bobby May says "the animal was literally cooking. The skin was coming off the horse", the horse, named "Blaze" had to be put down.

Deputies reported finding a malnourished dog on the property as well, along with a dozen puppies.

They survived. Everett Woods Sr. was also is expected to be charged on cruelty charges. Both father and son appear in court Monday morning.

If you didn't do it, then who did? It's days like today I kind of miss the days when a man could be hung for horse theft.

Man Given 30 Days After Shooting Father's Horse

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A Conner man pleaded guilty Thursday to shooting his father's horse following an argument in February.

In return for the guilty plea, felony charges of assault with a weapon and criminal mischief were dropped against 36-year-old Jalen Ore Elliott.

Elliott's father, Olen, told Ravalli County District Judge James Haynes Thursday that his son "just had a bad day and didn't know what he was doing" when he used a .45-caliber handgun to shoot an 8-year-old horse in the neck.

Everyone has bad days! We don't all go out and shoot horses! Ways to deal with a bad day = Have a beer. Read a book. Watch TV. Relax. Watch a movie. Talk to someone. Punch a wall.

Running outside with a handgun and shooting a horse is not on that list. Not only is that cruelty to animals, it's also stupid, irresponsible, and dangerous. He knew exactly what he was doing. If someone ran outside with a handgun right now and shot a woman, they couldn't say "I had a bad day and I didn't know what I was doing" and get away with it.

"He told me several times that he's sorry," Olen Elliott said.

And this improves the situation how exactly?

Court records originally said Elliott threatened his father and another man with the handgun after he shot the horse. Elliott allegedly told the hired man he would shoot his father and burn down his barn if law enforcement was called.
Deputy County Attorney Bill Fulbright provided the court with photographs of the dead horse that showed the bullet wound in its neck and the blood trail it made following the shooting.

"You don't shoot an animal in the middle of the neck if you want it to die quickly," Fulbright said. "This was just an act of cruelty ... there was no reason for it except that he was angry at the time."

You don't shoot an animal period. Okay, I'll take that back, there are extenuating circumstances when I've heard of people shooting horses. But that was because the horse was severely injured and a vet couldn't get out in time.

Haynes followed Fulbright's sentencing recommendation of one year in the Ravalli County Detention Center with all suspended but 30 days. Elliott was also fined $300.

Elliott was given credit for the 14 days he had already served.

At the end of the hearing, Elliott told the judge he would not see him again.

"I did it," Elliott said. "I shot the horse ... I don't have a criminal record and you'll never have a problem with me again. This whole thing scared me to death. I'm sorry."

Elliot was taken into custody immediately following the hearing to begin serving the remaining 16 days.

Florida Man Charged with Animal Cruelty

Story [Video does have pictures of Jitterbug.]

A few months ago, "Jitterbug" the horse was 500 pounds underweight, with hooves breaking off, mane overgrown, with his upper teeth worn down to nothing.

Ronelle Moore of Charlotte County Animal Control says "Jitterbug" was rescued after an anonymous tip led them to John Roth's house in Punta Gorda. "His feet were so severe at that point, we were concerned as far as his survival based on his feet alone," Moore said.

Roth admitted, he didn't have the money to care for "Jitterbug" and couldn't remember the last time he or his other two horses had seen a vet. He said their only source of water was a pond. "Jitterbug" was taken away and Roth was given an order to provide care for his other animals. He was also arrested and charged with two counts of animal cruelty.

After some much-needed care, "Jitterbug" is now a horse rescue facility where he'll spend the rest of his life. While he still has more weight to gain, Moore says he's back to "horseing around."

Animal Control will periodically check on Roth's other animals. However, based on what happens with his charges, he could ultimately lose custody.

And he most definitely should. He's obviously proven that he can't take care of them. Who knows how long it'll be before they get called back for the other two.

Men Plead Guilty to Mustang Murders

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Two men changed their pleas Wednesday and acknowledged that they shot and killed five wild mustangs in Nevada in a case that flooded U.S. prosecutors with thousands of e-mails from around the world expressing outrage at the slaughter.

Todd Davis, 45, admitted in federal court in Reno that he and Joshua Keathley, 36, had been drinking and used "poor judgment" when they shot the horses with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle in November near the Nevada-California line.

Poor judgment is getting drunk and driving your car into a tree. Poor judgment is trying to ride your bike over a ramp, flipping it, and breaking your leg. Poor judgment is not killing five horses.

Prosecutors said they offered no plea bargain and intend to seek the maximum penalty of one year in jail and $100,000 fine for each at the sentencing set for Sept. 14.

Here's hoping this is one case that actually goes right.

"We'd been drinking a little," Davis said. "We saw some horses and used poor judgment and shot a few of them."

Why were they drunk in the middle of nowhere? Why did they even have a gun while they were drunk in the middle of nowhere?

Keathley said the two were looking for places to do some trapping when they came across the horses in the rugged high-desert rangeland on the edge of the Sierra Nevada.

Is that legal out there? Must be.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sue Fahami said they shot into a herd of eight to 10 horses and watched at least four fall to their deaths.

"There has been great public interest in this case. And it's not just in Washoe County, not just in Nevada, not just in the United States," she said. "We've received e-mails from all over the world."

The men were charged in January with "maliciously causing the death of a wild horse" after the U.S Bureau of Land Management offered a $10,000 reward and the Humane Society of the United States added $2,500 for any information leading to criminal convictions in the case.

Some horse protection advocates had criticized the government's decision to charge the two men with only one horse's death. Fahami said that was due in part to the inability to determine which man shot which horse.

So instead of charging them both with one horse death, how about we charge them both with two each? Or, we could charge them with five each. Stand by and watch the other guy do it and you're just as guilty as he is.

Paragallo Freed and Appealing

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Released from jail on $10,000 bail while his lawyers appeal to a higher court. I hope the higher court throws him back down and sticks him with a bigger sentence, but that's just me. He was in jail for about a month before posting bail.

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board has scheduled a June 24 hearing to decide what action to take against the breeder and owner, according to the Times-Union.

The board could ban Paragallo from all New York Thoroughbred tracks and fine him up to $5,000 for each charge, the newspaper reported.

Backyard Barn Dispute in Kokomo

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Sounds like someone complaining just to complain. It's one horse. As long as she keeps the barn clean and disposes properly of the manure, why does it matter?

I don't know what the economy is like in Indiana, but if it's anything like it is up here your property values would not drop $20,000 because your only neighbor has a horse.

This Week in Horse Racing

I Want Revenge is Back!

I Want Revenge, last year's morning line favorite for the Kentucky Derby until he was scratched the morning of the race, is back in training. Only hours before the Derby, it was discovered that Revenge had a filling in his front ankle and the injury was eventually determined to be significant ligament damage. It was doubted that the then three-year-old colt would ever race again. After being laid off for nearly ten months Revenge has made an almost miraculous recovery. If all goes well, I Want Revenge could go to the G2 Suburban Handicap at Belmont July 3 for his return to racing.

Paddy O'Prado Returns with Style in Colonial Turf

Following his third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby and sixth-place finish in the Preakness, Paddy O'Prado returned to the turf for a three-length victory in the G2 Colonial Turf Cup. Two Notch Road broke fast on the outside and sprinted to a two-length lead with Workin for Hops chasing back in second. Paddy O'Prado settled in fourth on the rail for much of the race. Late in the final turn he angled out to run three-wide and claimed the lead in the stretch, drawing away from dueling Two Notch Road and Workin for Hops. Workin for Hops drew away for second and Two Notch Road managed to hold on for third.

Afleet Express Flies to Pegasus Win

A son of Afleet Alex, Afleet Express claimed the lead and swept to a 1 3/4-length win in the G3 Pegasus Stakes in his stakes debut. Jackson Bend, favorite and third-place Preakness starter, finished fifth in the field of six. Fellow Preakness starter Schoolyard Dreams faded to last. Jackson Bend and Schoolyard Dreams dueled through the early going, setting slow fractions. Afleet Express relaxed in third with Afleet Again on his outside, and Soaring Empire and Nacho Friend in behind him. Three lengths covered the field in the early going. Jackson Bend took control in the far turn, but both horses faded in the stretch. Afleet Alex moved three-wide coming out of the turn and took control, holding on to win. Afleet Again and Soaring Empire rallied, but couldn't catch him, finishing second and third.

Golden Itiz Nabs Affirmed

Golden Itiz ran down Skipshot in the final strides to claim his stakes debut in the G3 Affirmed Handicap by a half-length. It was the colt's third consecutive victory after coming off a 11 1/4-length romp in an optional claiming allowance. Skipshot broke from the rail and angled toward the middle of the track going into the turn, forcing Golden Itiz and Ranger Heartley very wide. Ranger Heartley moved up to set a fast pace, Skipshot chased in second, and Golden Itiz settled for third. Skipshot moved up in the final turn to duel for the lead heading home. Ranger Heartley gave way in mid-stretch. Golden Itiz and Alphie's Bet both came with a powerful rally on the outside. Golden Itiz edged out a tiring Skipshot for the win. Alphie's Bet ran out of track and had to settle for third by a length after rallying from last.

Lady Shakespeare Sweeps By Three Rivals to Take New York

Lady Shakespeare rolled from last to first to claim a 2 3/4 length victory in the G2 New York Stakes over Belmont's turf. Seven horses were entered in the race, but Nehantic Kid and Sweet and Flawless scratched. Gozzip Girl stumbled badly at the break and threw Ramon Domingez to the ground, leaving only four horses. Dominguez walked off the course under his own power. Daveron claimed the early lead by two lengths right out of the gate and set slow early fractions. Ave settled on the inside in escond, Changing Skies was on the outside in third. Lady Shakespeare trailed the field in last. There was no change in the order through the backstretch and coming out of the final turn. Daveron held onto the lead as Ave edged up on the outside of her. Changing Skies and Lady Shakespeare continued to trail, making their moves. The four of them formed a line going into the stretch, but Lady Shakespeare swept by them all to win by two and a half. Changing Skies nabbed second and Ave faded slightly for third.

Shared Account Runs Down Pacesetter to Nab All Along

Shared Account posted a one-length victory in the G3 All Along Stakes. It was the four-year-old maare's first win of the year and her second stakes overall. Tizaqueena broke quickly and claimed her position on the lead out of the gate to set a steady pace. Casablanca Smile moved up on the outside to take second. Shared Account settled on the inside with Dynaslew a length back in fourth. Seven lengths covered the field into the backstretch. Turning for home, Tizaqueena battled to hold onto the lead as the rest of the field made their moves. Outside of her was Chile-bred Casablanca Smile and Shared Account. On the inside was Blind Date, behind early on but moved up along the rail to challenge. Into the final furlong Tizaqueena, Casablanca Smile and Shared Account battled for the lead. Shared Account found another gear and drew away to the win. Dynaslew made a late move between horses to challenge for second in a three-way photo. Dynaslew won the photo for second, a nose in front of Tizaqueena and Casablanca who dead-heated for third.

Broodmare, Safely Kept, Pensioned

The now 24-year-old mare Safely Kept has been pensioned from broodmare duties after she produced her last foal, an Empire Maker filly, May 17. She is the dam of ten foals including eight winners from nine starters including stakes winners Contrast and Peace Chant, both graded stakes-placed. She is also the granddam of stakes winner Welcome Home. As a racehorse, Safely Kept won 24 of her 31 races and earned $2,194,206. Twenty-two of her wins were in stakes. She ran second in the Breeders' Cup Sprint. Safely Kept won a race for the ages in the 1990 Breeders' Cup Sprint. She took a demanding lead right out of the gate and hooked up with English invader Dayjur in the stretch. The two dueled, both refusing to give in throughout the stretch. Dayjur started to draw away until he tried to jump a shadow and Safely Kept swept by him to win by a neck.

Battle Plan Retires

Battle Plan has been returned from racing because of a torn suspensory tendon in his right front leg that occurred during his second-place effort in the G1 Stephen Foster Handicap. The stallion is five years old. He missed nearly all of last season because of a hairline fracture of his cannon bone, but was undefeated in three starts in 2010 including the G2 New Orlands Handicap in his stakes debut. He retires with four wins from six starts. Breeding plans are undecided.

More Ken Salazar's Wild Horse Plan

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While his department's handling of the oil-slick crisis in the Gulf continues to draw scathing criticism and political blowback, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has another ecological headache brewing out west over his wild-horse program. And judging from a public workshop held on the issue in Denver today, it's only going to get worse.

Hold on a second. The people responsible for handling the oil spill in the Gulf are also responsible for what happens to the mustangs?

Declaring that the Bureau of Land Management's 40-year effort to protect and manage wild horses and burros on public lands had been ineffective, last year Sheriff Ken unveiled the Salazar Initiative, a $100-million proposal for aggressive population control that includes fertility drugs and relocating thousands of excess horses to pastures and "preserves" in the Midwest and East.

But so far the plan has only generated more controversial round-ups and acrimony from wild-horse activists, who distrust BLM's motives and competence.

In an attempt to win support for the Salazar plan, BLM's National Wild Horse and Advisory Board held a public workshop at the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Denver, drawing participants from across the country. But the conversation among grazing interests, horse lovers, conservation agencies, lawmakers and others, while mostly cordial, also illustrated just how complex the problem is--and how impotent the feds have been in devising decades of management strategies that simply haven't worked.

The BLM plan to designate "treasured herds" in order to attract ecotourists, for example, was met with skepticism by all sides. Some questioned whether that meant undesignated herds would suffer or if such status could be conveyed without changes in the 1971 law extending protection to wild horses and burros. The costly plan to develop preserves for rounded-up horses also raised more questions than answers; while the current system has placed almost as many horses in long-term holding pens (at astronomical expense) as the 38,000 still on the range, most of the folks at the workshop suspect the cash to acquire and develop preserves would be better spent improving BLM's current rangelands.

By far the sorest point, though, is the battle over what constitutes a "sustainable" herd. The BLM is intent on more round-ups and fertility control in order to avoid a nightmare scenario; one official projected that, unless aggressively managed, the herds would swell to 76,000 horses in another four years, requiring a 16,000-horse roundup every year just to keep at that level.

And what did they use to figure out that one? Anyone want to test that several times to see if they're in the ballpark? Anyone?

But activists contend that the BLM has exacerbated the population problem by disrupting herds, removing older stallions and leaving their "harems" vulnerable to younger "bachelor" mustangs; in other words, bad management has led to more overpopulation than no management. Many insisted on the need for more public input, better research, and fewer roundups in order for existing herds to remain genetically viable.

Still, Salazar and the BLM have a clock ticking--and a plan that has to be presented to Congress soon that will transform the huge cash drain that's the wild mustang program into some kind of ecotourism incentive plan. That's a tall order for any agency already dealing with the staggering economic and ecological impacts of the BP disaster--and for activists, who realize their mighty symbol of wild America has little cash value when up against the multiuse demands on public lands.

"The horses don't make anyone any money," one audience member noted. "But they mean a lot to us."

Horse Wins Man vs Horse Marathon

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The hills were alive with the sound of hoofbeats, both horse and human, on Saturday, June 12th, as the 31st annual Man V Horse Marathon erupted with more than 650 runners.

Six hundred donned athletic shoes for the rough-terrain endurance race, while the rest wore horseshoes or bare hooves.

Twenty-four miles later, Welsh primary school teacher Llinos Jones (24) and her horse Sly Dai reigned triumphant, having completed the mountainous race course in two hours, seven minutes and four seconds to win.

Kenyan runner Haggai Chep, the nearest finisher on foot (rather than hoof) came in about ten minutes later.

The Man V Horse Marathon, an annual tradition in Central Wales, actually began as a notion hatched in the Neuadd Arms Hotel and Brewery Pub in Llanwrtyd Wells, known as “the smallest town in Britain.”

Gordon Green, then the landlord and proprietor of the Neuadd Arms, heard two pub patrons arguing about whether a man might beat a horse in a long-distance race. The Man V Horse Marathon concept was born.

The first Man V Horse Marathon was held in June 1980.

Although equines usually beat humans in the traditional race, runners have beat horses twice in the Man V Horse Marathon in Llanwrtyd Wells. In 2007, runner Florian Holzinger won the race, and in 2004, runner Huw Lobb came in first.

Texas A&M Clones Horse

Now, I try to stay as far away as possible from talking on cloning because it's something a lot of me (including me) feel extremely strong about. But I read this article and couldn't stop myself.

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Researchers at Texas A&M University have delivered the first clone of a horse using a live mare's egg cells.

The group, led by Dr. Katrin Hinrichs, took a biopsy of skin cells from the horse to be cloned. DNA was put into the egg cells, called oocytes, recovered from a live mare. Viable embryos were developed and sent to Hartman Equine Reproduction Center, an embryo transfer facility in Texas.

The cloned horse is named Marc, a Lippizan stallion. The owner wanted a horse just like him, but couldn't find one.

Horses are not robots. Horses are not chairs. You will NEVER find another horse exactly like him. I'm not even entirely sure why you'd want one. If you came up to me and offered me a horse that was exactly like Lady, I'd run away. Because even if the horse looks like her, it's not her.

Dr. Hinrichs' lab is noted for achieving the first cloned foal in North America. The lab has produced twelve cloned foals in the last three years.

Hinrichs noted that while the clone (named Mouse) is truly an identical twin to the original horse, Marc, that there will be differences as the foal grows due to environmental influences.

So basically people trying to create horses that are exactly like a horse they loved is a complete waste of time and money because what they get is a horse that looks exactly like that horse on the outside, but isn't the same on the inside.

Hoskins Continues to Fight for Animals

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The owner of a horse farm, raided by the SPCA was back in court Monday night fighting for her animals.

Beth Hoskins faces 10-counts of animal cruelty in connection with 130 animals that were taken from her horse ranch back in March.

The SPCA seized 73 horses, 53 cats and four dogs after reports that the animals were living in filthy conditions.

The SPCA asked the judge to set bond in the case. The money would be used cover the animals' care and medical expenses.

"It's not our donors responsibility to take care of someone else's animals so the law in NYS provides the ability for an agency like the SPCA to request a bond through the courts," says Barbara Carr, from the SPCA.

Hoskins says her animals were cared for properly and claims they were seized illegally. A bond hearing will be set for a later date.

1. I'm pretty sure she's a hoarder.

2. If you took care of your animals properly, prove it. *is a broken record*

Kip Deville

Kip Deville
(May 3, 2003 - June 11, 2010)

Kip Deville was a gray stallion by Kipling out of Klondike Katie. Kip Deville started his racing career in his home state of Oklahoma with an easy wire-to-wire win in a Remington Park maiden. He then went on to finish fifth in the Centennial over turf for the first time. He switched back to dirt and moved to Sam Houston Race Park and closed out his two-year-old season with a second place in an allowance race.

Kip Deville moved from Mike Neatherlin's barn to trainer Paul Duhon for his first start at three. He lead throughout the mile and a sixteenth optional claimer, but faded to finish third. After that race, he was moved back to Mike Neatherlin's barn. He switched to the turf for the second time and dominated an allowance by seven lengths, once again going wire-to-wire. He then stole the Texas Heritage by a length and a half over the dirt. He moved to Oaklawn Park for the G3 Rebel, but faded from second to finish a distant ninth. He switched back to turf and rebounded nicely, winning an ungraded stakes going in his preferred wire-to-wire fashion to score by four lengths. He once again switched barns to Richard Dutrow. Kip stayed on the turf for the Colonial Turf Cup where he set the pace, but faded to finish second by three and a quarter lengths to Showing Up. He then went on to set the pace in the G2 Vadby Stakes, but also faded to sixth. He stalked in the pace in the G3 Kent Breeders' Cup, but finished fifth. He returned in the Brystation and once again stalked the pace, but this time he was the one in front as he crossed the line. He finished sixth in the G1 Hollywood Derby and first in the G3 Sir Beau Fort.

At four, Kip Deville returned better than ever. He won his first start of the year, the G1 Frank E. Kilroe Handicap by a quarter length. He then went on to win the G2 Maker's Mark Mile Stakes for the first time. He finished a disappointing sixth in the G1 Shoemakers Mile and eighth in the G2 Californian. He switched back to turf to finish third in the G3 Oceanport. He was nipped in the lane by a length by Shakespeare in the G1 Woodbine Mile. He closed out his year with a win by a length in the Breeders' Cup Mile. He was named Oklahoma state-bred Horse of the Year, Older Horse, and Turf Runner for his 2007 racing season.

In 2008, the now five-year-old stallion returned for four races. He repeated his G1 Maker's Mark Mile victory, won the G3 Pokers Handicap, was outclassed and finished fifth in the Woodbine Mile, and finished second to Goldikova in his attempt at a second Breeders' Cup Mile victory. Once again he was named Oklahoma state-bred Horse of the Year, Older Horse, and Turf Runner.

In 2009, Kip Deville kicked off his racing season with a victory in the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap. It was the six-year-old's last trip to the winner's circle. He then switched to Rick Dutrow, Jr's barn for one race, the Dubai Duty Free, in which he finished tenth before moving back to Richard Dutrow's barn. He finished fourth in the G3 Poker Handicap and eighth in the Fourstardave before being retired after a bout of colic. Kip retired with a record of 12-4-2 in 29 starts and $3,325,489 in earnings.

Following two colic surgeries, Kip Deville was diagnosed with laminitis at Rood and Riddle Equine Clinic. He was reported given a 20% chance of survival with the complication of laminitis on top of the colic, but in early March it was announced that things were looking up and Kip might be leaving Rood and Riddle to continue treatment in another facility. Unfortunately that day never came and Kip took a turn for the worst. He was euthanized June 11th after suffering severe setbacks.

RIP Kip Deville. You were always one of my favorite sprinters. You will be missed.

SHE DID IT!!!!

ZENYATTA DID IT! SEVENTEEN STRAIGHT VICTORIES!!! I'm literally shaking right now. I thought St Trinians had her beat there in the stretch but she came up with those giant strides to get her.

Greatest. Mare. Ever. If there was ever any doubt in my mind, it's not there now.

And the Debate Continues...

It's another BLM post.

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A former U.S. Bureau of Land Management director has endorsed a proposed wild-horse preserve in Nevada, saying it makes more sense than Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's plan to send mustangs to the Midwest.

Jim Baca, who served under President Bill Clinton in 1993 and 1994, said horses should remain in the West to spare the cost of land purchases and leases associated with government-funded, long-term holding facilities in the Midwest. He noted the West has abundant BLM-managed land.

"It doesn't make sense to send them to the Midwest when you already own the land you already need," Baca told The Associated Press on Friday. "The BLM should try something different. What they do now doesn't work and has never worked."

The animals were gathered during a recent government roundup in the Calico Mountains Complex, which is located near the ranch about 160 miles north of Reno. The mustangs currently are being held in Fallon, where they're being prepared for adoption or transfer to pastures in the Midwest.

Horse preserves in Nevada proposed by activist Madeleine Pickens and an Elko County ranch were earlier deemed not viable by the government.

Deemed not viable why?? Don't tell me it can't be done, tell me WHY it can't be done. Preferably using unbiased resources as facts.

BLM spokesman Tom Gorey said the latest proposal has surfaced as his agency begins seeking public comment for a new direction in its national wild horse and burro program.

The agency now is "refining specifics" for Salazar's plan to send thousands of mustangs that roam the West to preserves in the Midwest and East, he said. Salazar maintains the plan is needed to protect horse herds and native wildlife and the rangelands that support them.

Where are they going to go?? The East isn't anything like the West. I've never actually visited the West, but I do know what it's like out there and it's nothing like it is out here.

Supporters hope most of the horses can later be released back to the adjoining range after improvements to it such as "horse-proofing" of natural water sources. They also hope some of Kudrna's grazing allotments on the range can be converted for use by horses instead of livestock.

What does horse-proofing of natural water sources mean exactly? And how much does that cost? Is it actually going to solve anything or is this just a pet project?

"This would be a whole new way of doing things. It's worth a shot, it really is," Baca said. "I think it'll be cheaper for the taxpayer. But whether it's politically feasible, that's absolutely the problem."

Activists complain the BLM is managing the land for the benefit of ranchers and other users at the expense of horse herds.

He said the BLM plans to gather about 11,500 horses and burros from the range during the fiscal year that ends Oct. 1. The agency estimates more than 38,000 horses and burros roam the range in 10 Western states, with roughly half in Nevada. About 35,000 horses and burros are being held in government facilities.

Baca, who recently retired as state natural resource trustee in New Mexico, said he shares the BLM's concern over exploding horse numbers and supports birth control efforts to keep them in check.

Lone Star Horses Test Positive for Disease

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Two horses at Lone Star Park have tested positive for Equine Piroplasmosis, a tick-borne disease caused by parasites that affects horses, donkeys, mules, and zebras. In addition, a third horse that left Lone Star and had been shipped to New Mexico also tested positive for the disease.

According to officials at the Texas track, one of the horses, Seven Shooter, is trained by 2010 leading trainer Bret Calhoun, while another, Street Positioning, is trained by Kevin Favre. Brian House trains the horse that left for New Mexico.

As a result, horses in Calhoun’s barn, as well as Favre’s and House’s horses, have been restricted from racing and training with other horses by the Texas Animal Health Commission, whose representative, Bobby Crozier, is on the grounds at Lone Star.

“While we work toward resolution of the problem, we don’t anticipate any disruption in our racing schedule, which runs through July 18. We are also in discussions to make some adjustments in our daily training schedule to allow the quarantined horses access to the track for morning workouts.”

Though Equine Piroplasmosis is primarily transmitted to horses by ticks, the blood-borne disease has been spread mechanically from animal to animal by contaminated needles. Once infected, an equine can take seven to 22 days to show signs of illness.

Cases of Equine Piroplasmosis can be mild or acute, depending on the virulence of the parasite. Acutely affected equines can have fever, anemia, jaundiced mucous membranes, swollen abdomens, and labored breathing. Equine Piroplasmosis can also cause roughened hair coats, constipation, and colic.

In its milder form, Equine Piroplasmosis causes equines to appear weak and show lack of appetite.

More than a Dozen Saddles Stolen from Tennessee Barn

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A group of horse enthusiasts is offering a reward to anyone who finds more than a dozen saddles that were reportedly stolen overnight Friday from Cooper Creek Barn.

Nicole Foster, one of the horse owners who had two saddles stolen, said someone took the saddles in the early morning hours Saturday or late Friday night from the barn.

Foster’s saddles were locked up and the alleged thief cut the cable and lock they were attached to and also took the lock.

Foster’s saddles alone were valued at about $2,000 and between 13 and 15 saddles were taken.

I'm not sure why you'd even have a $2,000 saddle in a tack room, but okay. Hope they find them all!

The winner of 2010 Belmont IS...

DROSSELMEYER!

Belmont Contenders

Twelve horses will go to the post tonight. Let's take a look at who they are.

1. Dave in Dixie
Trained by John Sadler. By Dixie Union out of Risk. He hasn't won a race since his maiden last fall. He was second in the G2 Robert B. Lewis, sixth in the G2 San Felipe, and fifth in the G3 Illinois Derby.

2. Spangled Star
Trained by Rick Dutrow. By Distorted Humor out of Spangled. Third in the G3 Withers last out.

3. Uptowncharlybrown
Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin. By Limehouse out of La Iluminada. Third in the G3 Sam F. Davis and G2 Coolmore Lexington Stakes last out.

4. Make Music for Me
Trained by Alexis Barba. By Bernstein out of Miss Cheers. Fourth in the Kentucky Derby last out. Won the Pasadena Stakes and sixth in the G1 Bluegrass Stakes earlier this year.

5. Fly Down
Trained by Nick Zito. By Mineshaft out of Queen Randi. Finished ninth in the G2 Louisiana Derby. Impressive last-to-first Dwyer winner last out.

6. Ice Box
Trained by Nick Zito. By Pulpit out of Spice Island. Finished a fast-closing second in the Kentucky Derby last out. Finished fifth in the G2 Fountain of Youth and won the G1 Florida Derby.

7. Drosselmeyer
Trained by William Mott. By Distorted Humor out of Golden Ballet. Fourth in the G2 Risen Star, third in the G2 Louisiana Derby, and second in the G2 Dwyer.

8. Game on Dude
Trained by Bob Baffert. By Awesome Again out of Worldly Pleasure. Won G3 Lone Star Derby last out. Seventh in the G1 Florida Derby and fifth in the G3 Derby Trial.

9. Stately Victor
Trained by Mike Maker. By Ghostzapper out Collect the Cash. Finished eighth in the Kentucky Derby last out. Impressive upset winner in the G1 Blue Grass Stakes. Has never won over the dirt.

10. Stay Put
Trained by Steve Margolis. By Broken Vow out of O. K. Mom. Won an optional claiming allowance at Churchill Downs on Derby day last out. Fifth in the G2 Risen Star and G2 Louisiana Derby.

11. First Dude
Trained by Dale Romans. By Stephen Got Even out of Run Sarah Run. Second in the Preakness last out. Fifth in the G1 Florida Derby and third in the G1 Blue Grass.

12. Interactif
Trained by Todd Pletcher. By Broken vow out of Broad Pennant. Fourth in the G1 Blue Grass last out. Hasn't raced on dirt since first two starts last July when he broke his maiden and finished eighth in the G2 Sanford.

And that's the field! Going to be a very interesting race, I think. =D Especially since the solid majority of the field are closers. Curious to find out who's going to be on the front end this time. Someone's going to have to step up and be just off the pace. I have theories, only time will tell if I'm going to be right.

Hoskins Asks for Return of Horses

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Beth Lynne Hoskins, the Aurora horse farm owner facing 10 counts of animal cruelty in connection with 130 total animals seized in March by the SPCA Serving Erie County, maintained her innocence Wednesday.

Hoskins stood before Aurora Town Justice Douglas W. Marky as her attorney, George V.C. Muscato, entered a not-guilty plea to all 10 misdemeanor counts under the state Agriculture & Markets Law.

Her attorneys are seeking to have the civil case dismissed and most of the 73 horses returned to Hoskins. The 10 counts stem from evidence gathered on seven of the horses and three cats.

Um...how about...NO.

Outside the courtroom, Hoskins spoke about the significance of the 73 Morgan horses that were taken from her Eden Farms on Emery Road. When the search warrant was executed, 53 cats and four dogs also were seized.

"Besides God and my daughter, those horses are my life," Hoskins said. "I never, in my wildest imagination, could imagine this happening to me."

They always say that! If they're your life, prove it and take care of them.

Her attorneys described her as a phenomenal Morgan horse breeder, trainer and rider with 35 years of experience. The horses are valued at $1.6 million to $2 million, said her other attorney, Barry Covert.

Valued by who exactly? Is this taking their current condition and the economy into account? Because I'm hard-pressed to imagine any horse that doesn't race being worth $2 million. Big-name show winners maybe. Also hoarder does not equal breeder.

But SPCA officials have a different version of the story, insisting that it goes far beyond alleged neglect and care of the horses.

SPCA Executive Director Barbara Carr says it wasn't just unacceptable conditions in two horse barns, but also involved an outdoor shed housing 53 cats, and also Hoskins' home.

Carr said that East Aurora police had to contact Child Protective Services because of the condition of the home, and it had to be cleaned up before Hoskins and her daughter were allowed to return.

Four dogs, one house cat and an outdoor barn cat have since been returned to Hoskins. Carr said Hoskins signed over 43 cats to the agency.

"[The defense] did not ask for the cats back, just the 66 horses," Carr said. "They don't give a whit about those poor, tortured cats."

Cats aren't worth much to a lot of people. I can say from experience you can easily go from one cat to thirty in a year.

Meanwhile, SPCA officials said they have been contacted by 10 people from around the country, claiming they own some of the horses that Hoskins had at her farm. Some third parties are saying their horses were on loan to Hoskins to breed, and now ownership has to be verified, the agency said.

"We have ample evidence about the condition of the horses seized and the condition of the property," said SPCA attorney Alan Donatelli, who is handling the civil part of the case.

He pointed to serious hoof problems, dehydration and malnourishment of the horses, with no evidence of any farrier care for months, severe skin problems, antisocial behavior and horses standing in 2- to 3-foot piles of manure. Hoskins' home also was condemned at the time, he said.

"It was a terrible over-reaction on behalf of the SPCA. They should have left the horses there," said Muscato. "What they did with this case is unconscionable. They're our horses, so give them back to us."

It's a terrible under-reaction on your part. Those horses were not being cared for. If I found a child locked up in a room full of muck, would you expect me to just leave them there? If she really cared for them, where's the proof? Farrier bills, vet bills, feed bills, bedding bills, proof that they've actually been properly cared for. Words are easy. Right now I could argue that my house is spotless. Doesn't make it true.

The criminal part of the case is expected to remain in Aurora, while the civil case will likely be heard in State Supreme Court. The next Aurora court date was tentatively set for 4 p.m. June 14.

Florida Horse Protection Bill Signing

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The Florida Horse Protection Bill, Chapter 2010-87 of Florida Statutes becomes effective July 1, 2010 increasing penalties from a misdemeanor to a felony and now criminalizing the butchering of horses for commercial and personal uses.

The minimum sentence will be one year in prison and a $3500 fine for each offense.

The bill has been a legislative priority this year after more than 22 horses were found mutilated in the Miami-Dade area of South Florida. Representative Luis Garcia sponsored the measure, and the bill has come to be known as the Ivonne Rodriquez Horse Protection Act.

" My horse had been tied to a palm tree and slaughtered. This is something that has to be stopped," wrote Rodriquez in 2009 about the slaughter of her personal horse Geronimo.

Representative Maria Sachs ( D-Delray Beach) spoke in favor of the bill and told about breaking the hearts of children when their ponies were butchered. Miami Republican Senator Alex Villalobo sadly told the story of a friend who found her beloved horse chopped to pieces in a nearby forest.

The new bill will also protect polo ponies as a result of the deaths of 21 horses belonging to the Lechuza Caracas team from Venezuela that died from overdoses of an incorrectly mixed vitamin supplement. The new law requires substances used to be administered by a qualified equine veterinarian.

*celebrates* Now we'll just have to wait and see if they actually enforce it or not.

Three Horses, One Jockey Inducted into Hall of Fame

Azeri, Best Pal, and Point Given, plus jockey, Randy Romero, were voted into the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame. There were ten finalists on this year's ballot: mares Open Mind, Safely Kept, and Sky Beauty; jockey Alex Solis; and trainers Gary Jones and Robert Wheeler.

Azeri was foaled May 6, 1998 by Jade Hunter, out of Zodiac Miss. She won 17 of her 24 starts including 10 Grade I. Her racing career kicked off November 1, 2001 when she won a six-furlong maiden.

At four in 2002, Azeri dominated. She won the G1 Breeders' Cup Distaff, G1 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap, G1 Apple Blossom Handicap for the first time, G1 Milady Breeders' Cup Handicap, G1 Vanity Handicap, G2 Clement L. Hirsch Handicap, G2 Lady's Secret Breeders' Cup Handicap, and finished second in the G2 La Canada Stakes. She received Horse of the Year and Champion Older Mare honors for her four-year-old season. She was the first mare to receive Horse of the Year honors without facing down the colts.

At five, Azeri returned to take the G1 Apple Blossom Handicap for the second time, G1 Milady Breeders' Cup Handicap, G1 Vanity Handicap, G2 Clement L. Hirsch Handicap, and finish second in the G2 Lady's Secret Breeders' Cup Handicap. She received Champion Older Mare honors for the second time that year. Going for her win in the Lady's Secret at Santa Anita, she suffered a tendon injury and continued to run on for a second place finish. It was believed that she would not race again. She was laid off with the hope that she would return the next year.

And return she did. Six months after her injury, Azeri romped to her third consecutive Apple Blossom Handicap win, a feat no other filly had ever accomplished. She went on to lose her next three races, including the Met Mile where she took on the colts for the first time, and once again her racing career was in question. But she went on to the Go for Wand Handicap where she faced multiple grade I winner, Sightseek. They came to the top of the stretch together, but when they hit the wire, Azeri was two lengths in front. She was the early favorite for the 2004 Breeders' Cup Distaff, but instead went to the Classic and ran fifth.

She retired from racing in December 2004 after her Classic loss. She was barren after her first attempted breeding to Storm Cat in 2005, but delivered a chestnut cold by A.P. Indy in 2007. That colt, a very rare foal by two Horse of the Year winners, is Take Control who won his first race, a maiden, in December 2009.

She delivered a Giant's Causeway foal in 2008 and a Ghostzapper (who ironically enough was the horse that beat her in the Classic) in 2009. She was sold to Japan ownership in fall 2009.

Point Given is a now twelve-year-old stallion by Thunder Gulch out of Turkos Turn. At two, he won the G3 Kentucky Cup Juvenile and G1 CashCall Futurity. He finished second to AP Valentine in the G1 Champagne and Macho Uno in the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

At three, he lost only one race, probably the most important of his career. He began his Triple Crown campaign with wins in the G2 San Felipe and G1 Santa Anita Derby. The Kentucky Derby was the one mark on an otherwise spotless career. Point Given was sixth early on, staying four or five wide and out of trouble throughout the race while Songandaprayer made Derby history by setting record fractions for the half and three-quarter mile. The chestnut colt moved up as they went around the final turn and tried to rally between horses with Congaree but was overtaken by the rush of closers and faded to fifth. Point Given came away from his Derby loss with a vengeance, winning his next four races. He redeemed himself in the Preakness where he broke last from the far outside post and stayed on the outside going three and four wide throughout the race. He was near the back of the pack early on and picked off horses one by one through the backstretch. He surged up entering the final turn to move up to the third. Coming into the backstretch, Point Given took the lead, dueled briefly with Congaree and drew away to win by almost two. He then went on to absolutely dominate in the Belmont. He broke from hsi customary outside post and went up to settle in third throughout. He made his move heading for the far turn, claimed a two-length lead going into the turn, and then drew away in the homestretch to an eleven length victory. He closed out his racing career with wins in the G1 Haskell Invitational and G1 Travers Stakes. One week after his Travers victory, he was discovered to have a strained tendon that ended his racing career.

He stands at stud at Three Chimneys Farm.

Bullying Suspected in West Virginia Horse Death

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Monongalia County authorities are investigating the death of a horse after classmates of its owner had threatened to kill the animal.

Monongalia County Sheriff Al Kisner says an autopsy is set to determine how the horse died, but a veterinarian indicated it appears the animal had been shot.

Beth Hartley is the mother of a student at Clay-Battelle High School and says school bullies have tormented her daughter for months and threatened to kill her horse and cat.

Hartley says her daughter had to miss more than a week of classes in the past few months because of the bullying but is currently attending school.

The county school district also is investigating.

I could go on and on and on about this for several hours so I'll try to keep it short. Once again we prove that our school system is immensely screwed up. Let's see if I can figure out how this'll go.

1. They'll find out that it was, in fact, a classmate of the poor girl.

2. The classmate will somehow manage to get off with what amounts to a slap on the wrist, grow up, and never change.

All right, who's going to step up, take responsibility and change this crap? Because I'll tell you one thing right now: it's not going to be the teachers. Because even if they did want to do something, they don't have the power anymore.