STRATEGY WEEK OF APRIL 27 TO END HORSE SLAUGHTER

THIS MESSAGE WAS SENT BY SHELLEY ABRAMS TO ALL OF THE MEMBERS THAT BELONG TO "AMERICANS AGAINST HORSE SLAUGHTER" ON FACEBOOK......

Hello American's against Horse Slaughter!

We're still holding at 120 cosponsors for HR503 and 16 cosponsors for S727. Although we realize that Congress has been very busy working on improving our economy, we must keep "The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act" a hot issue in D.C.

We must do all that we can to help ensure passage of HR503 and S727 to end horse slaughter in America and the transport of our horses across our borders to Canada and Mexico for slaughter.

Please call your own U.S. Representative and your two U.S. Senators and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 503 and S.727. Once you have finished calling your own Representatives, and have the time to help more, please focus on the lists below. Both lists represent past cosponsors of HR6598 and S.311 and will help us gain swift support for our bills. Thanks for all of your help.

Target List For H.R.6598 (House Bill)
Rep Brown, Corrine [FL-3] - Phone: 202-225-0123 Fax: 202-225-2256
Rep Cleaver, Emanuel [MO-5] - Phone: 202-225-4535 Fax: 202-225-4403
Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] - Phone: 202-225-4755 Fax: 202-225-4886
Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] - Phone: 202-225-2861 Fax: 202-225-6791
Rep Giffords, Gabrielle [AZ-8] - Phone: 202-225-2542 Fax: 202-225-0378
Rep Johnson, Eddie [TX-30] - Phone: 202-225-8885 Fax: 202-226-1477
Rep Johnson, Henry C.[GA-4] - Phone: 202-225-1605 Fax: 202-226-0691
Rep McCollum, Betty [MN-4] - Phone: 202-225-6631 Fax: 202-225-1968
Rep Mollohan, Alan B. [WV-1] - Phone: 202-225-4172 Fax: 202-225-7564
Rep Norton, Eleanor [DC] - Phone: 202-225-8050 Fax: 202-225-3002
Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. [NJ-6] - Phone: 202-225-4671 Fax: 202-225-9665
Rep Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [NJ-8] - Phone: 202-225-5751 Fax: 202-225-5782
Rep Roybal-Allard, [CA-34] - Phone: 202-225-1766 Fax: 202-226-0350
Rep Schmidt, Jean [OH-2] - Phone: 202-225-3164 Fax: 202-225-1992
Rep Tierney, John F. [MA-6] - Phone: 202-225-8020 Fax: 202-225-5915
Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] - Phone: 202-225-5936 Fax: 202-225-1018
Rep Tsongas, Niki [MA-5] - Phone: 202-225-3411 Fax: 202-226-0771
Rep Welch, Peter [VT] - Phone: 202-225-4115 Fax: 202-225-5974
Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] - Phone: 202-225-2452 Fax: 202-225-2455
Rep Wittman, Robert J. [VA-1] - Phone: 202-225-4261 Fax: 202-225-4382

Target List for S.727 (Senate Bill)
Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] - Tel: (202) 224-6361 Fax: (202) 224-2126
Sen Bayh, Evan [IN] - Tel: (202) 224-5623 Fax: (202) 228-1377
Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] - Tel: (202) 224-2315 Fax: (202) 228-6321
Sen Cantwell, Maria [WA] - Tel: 202-224-3441 Fax: 202-228-0514
Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT] - Tel: (202) 224-2823 Fax: (202) 224-1083
Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] - Tel: (202) 224-2152 Fax: (202) 228-0400
Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] - Tel: (202) 224-3841 Fax: (202) 228-3954
Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] - Tel: (202) 224-3934 Fax: (202) 224-6747
Sen Mikulski, Barbara A. [MD] - Tel: (202) 224-4654 Fax: (202) 224-8858
Sen Murkowski, Lisa [AK] - Tel: (202) 224-6665 Fax: (202) 224-5301
Sen Reed, Jack [RI] - Tel: (202) 224-4642 Fax: (202) 224-4680
Sen Rockefeller, John D. [WV] - Tel: (202) 224-6472 Fax: (202) 224-7665
Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] - Tel: (202) 224-5141 Fax: (202) 228-0776
Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] - Tel: (202) 224-6542 Fax: (202) 228-3027
Sen Snowe, Olympia J. [ME] - Tel: (202) 224-5344 Fax: (202) 224-1946
Sen Specter, Arlen [PA] - Tel: (202) 224-4254 Fax: (202) 228-1229
Sen Stabenow, Debbie [MI] - Tel: (202) 224-4822 Fax: (202) 228-0325
e-mail: senator@stabenow.senate.gov
Sen Whitehouse, Sheldon [RI] - Tel: (202) 224-2921 Fax: (202) 228-6362

EVEN TAKING 10 MINUTES OUT OF YOUR TIME CAN MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE TO OUR HORSES! THEY NEED US AND THEY NEED OUR VOICES TO BE HEARD FOR THEM. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND TAKING THE TIME TO HELP OUT IN THE FIGHT FOR STOPPING HORSE SLAUGHTER.....

Are you doing all you can to make this world a better place to live in?

STATE UPHOLDS BAN ON HORSE SLAUGHTER HOUSES IN ILLINOIS!

Dear Friends, It looks like we won this battle for now! Thanks for all of your hard work and your dedication to help defeat the opposition. Stay tuned for further strategy to help pass the Federal Bill. For those of you who have not learned yet, The Senate introduced S727, The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act!

Finally... enjoy the read (courtesy of cbs2chicago.com)

State Upholds Ban On Horse Slaughter houses

Slaughter house Used To Operate In DeKalb SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- The Illinois House has rejected a push to overturn the state's ban on slaughtering horses for meat. Lawmakers approved the ban two years ago to shut down a slaughter house in DeKalb. But critics say it had the unintended consequence of increasing cruelty to horses. They say that without an affordable way to dispose of unwanted horses, some owners are neglecting or even abandoning their animals. Other owners are sending horses to Mexico, where they may not be slaughtered in a humane way. The legislation would have allowed horses to be slaughtered in Illinois so they could be sold as food overseas. The measure was failing 50-67 Wednesday when the sponsor halted the vote. This message was sent by:

Americans Against Horse Slaughter
1551 Willow Pond Dr.
Yardley, PA 19067

THIS IS A MESSAGE FROM ME: AFTER VIEWING THE LIVE FEED IN THE DEBATE OF ILLINOIS AND IT'S REPRESENTATIVES TRYING TO DECIDE WHICH WAY TO VOTE ON BILL HB583. I HAVE COME TO REALIZE ONE THING, NOT ALL THE REPRESENTATIVES KNOW A LOT ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH HORSE SLAUGHTER AND HOW BRUTAL THE PROCESS IS, WHETHER IT'S HERE IN THE STATES OR IT IS IN OTHER COUNTRIES. THEY DON'T KNOW THAT HORSES BEING SLAUGHTERED HAVE A MORE HORRIFYING PROCESS FROM START TO FINISH. FROM THEIR RIDE IN THE TRUCKS, BEING TORCHURED BY SOME TRUCK HALERS TAKEN THEM TO THEIR DESTINATION, LACK OF WATER AND FOOD, NOT TO MENTION THE NEGLECT, ABUSE AND MISTREATMENT OF HORSES ON FEEDLOTS, WAITING TO GO TO SLAUGHTER. THESE REPRESENTATIVES HAVE TO BE TOLD THE TRUTHS OF HORSE SLAUGHTER, NOT FALSE FACTS GIVEN BY THEIR COLLEAGE REP. SACIA. SINCE HORSE SLAUGHTER WAS SHUTDOWN IN 2007 IN THE UNITED STATES, FACTS SHOW LESS ABUSE, NEGLECT AND THEFT OF HORSES IN THE UNITED STATES. IF PEOPLE WERE HELD MORE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CARE OF THEIR HORSES AND MADE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS IN THE CARE OF THEIR HORSES, THEN MAYBE THE PROBLEM WILL EVENTUALLY BE CORRECTED AND HORSE SLAUGHTER WON'T BE AN EXCUSE TO EXIST. HORSE SLAUGHTER IS NOT THE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEMS WE FACE WITH OUR HORSES, IT'S SOME OF THE IRRESPONSIBLE OWNERS AND LARGE ORGANIZATIONS THAT IS THE PROBLEM. THE ONE THING WE ARE UP AGAINST IS OVER-BREDING OF LARGE ORGANIZATIONS WHO ENCOURAGE OVER-BREDING AND ARE LINING THE POCKETS OF OUR CONGRESSMEN/WOMEN AND SENATORS TO KEEP HORSE SLAUGHTER IN EXISTANCE, IN ORDER FOR THEM TO HAVE AN OUTLET OF THE OVER-BREDING OF HORSES AND JUST DISCARD THE ONES THAT ARE NOT WANTED BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH. SO BY ENDING HORSE SLAUGHTER IN THIS COUNTRY AND FROM BEING SENT OUT TO OTHER COUNTRIES, IT WILL HOLD PRIVATE OWNERS AND LARGE ORGANIZATIONS MORE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INPUT ON THIS SUBJECT OR ANY IDEAS ON HOW TO SOLVE THE ISSUE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO MAKE A COMMENT HERE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN AND SUPPORT!

Are you doing all you can to make this world a better place to live in?

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION THAT WILL BE SENT TO THE GOVERNOR OF MONTANA ASKING HIM TO VETO THE BILL HB418! URGE HIM NOT TO SIGN THE BILL!

FOREIGN COUNTRIES ARE BUILDING HORSE SLAUGHTER PLANTS IN THE US AND NOT BEING RESPONSIBLE TO PAY ANY TAXES. THEY ARE TAKING OUR PRECIOUS HORSES FROM US AND HAVING THEM SLAUGHTERED FOR FOOD FOR THEIR OWN COUNTRIES. WE NEED TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND DEMAND THAT THE GOVERNOR OF MONTANA VETO THE BILL HB418, THAT WILL ALLOW THESE FOREIGN COMPANIES TO BUILD THEIR PLANTS HERE AND SLAUGHTER OUR HORSES!! HOW MUCH LONGER ARE WE GOING TO LET THE FOREIGN COUNTRIES TAKE OVER OUR COUNTRY?! WE NEED TO PROTECT WHAT IS OURS, AND WE NEED TO PROTECT THE ANIMALS THAT DON'T HAVE A VOICE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND SPEAK UP FOR THEMSELVES!

This was filmed in Montana on March 22, 2009. Please call the Governor of Montana at this number: (406)444-3111. You can do this regardless of whether you are a Montana resident. If the bill becomes law, Montana could become the first state to reintroduce Horse Slaughter since the last US-based slaughter house closed down in 2007. It will also set back any momentum we have gained at the Federal level. Please sign the petition below by copy/paste the link below. Thank you so much for your support. The 2 minutes it takes to make this call will make a world of difference to every single horse out there that doesn't have a voice.



http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/319413487


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URGENT! RACE HORSES NEED HOME - WILL BE GOING TO KILL AUCTION, THEY WILL BE BOUGHT BY KILLER BUYERS! PLEASE HELP THESE PRECIOUS HORSES!

TB Racehorses going to Kill Auction, need Homes ASAP!!!!

The horses listed below are in danger of going to auction in Sugar Creek, OH on Monday. They will most certainly sell direct to kill if a private buyer is not found ASAP! None of these horses have injuries that would prevent them from being trained and worked in another discipline. All horses are located at or near the Mountaineer Race Track which is in WV. If you are interested or can help any of these horses, please contact Crystal at the number listed below.

LIST OF RACE HORSES IN DANGER OF GOING TO SLAUGHTER:

CANTER listings are below, if the photo links don't work....go to http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.canterusa.org%2Fmidatlantic%2Ftrainerowned_mtr.htm to see pictures.

Three Urgent Geldings at Mountaineer!: Saturday, March 21, 2009, 10:55 AM
These three horses are very urgent. The trainer has already made arrangements to ship them out. The trainer can no longer lay the one up listed at $1,000, he will take $300.00 OBO on ANY of these horses. Please forward to anybody who may be interested.

THESE 3 HORSES MUST GO ASAP. Arrangement have already been made to ship these 3 horse out. Will take $300 for each of them.



He Ran So Fast: 3 year old 16hh bay gelding. Trainer has only had him three weeks, he raced Saturday coming back off on his right front. He's a well behaved horse, trainer says he hasn't found anything wrong with his personality yet. Asking $600/OBO
CONTACT: Crystal (304)-374-7134



I've Got To Go: 3 year old 16.1hh bay gelding. Has a tendon injury and is a little hot from stall rest, nice horse with a cute head. Trainer will lay him up if he doesn't sell. Asking $1000 firm. (no longer asking $1000. $300 or OBO)
CONTACT: Crystal (304)-374-7134



Super Nitro: 5 year ol 15.23hh chestnut gelding. Very stocky. He has a little bit of an old knee, is racing sound on it, trainer just needs to cut back on horses. Nitro can be a little strong while at the track but is safe and kind. Needs to go! Asking $600/obo.

CONTACT: Crystal (304)-374-7134

IF YOU'RE NOT INTERESTED IN ANY OF THESE HORSES OR IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE ROOM OR FINANCES, PLEASE HELP BY FINDING SOMEONE WHO MAY BE ABLE TO TAKE THESE 3 RACEHORSES INTO THEIR HOME. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND HELP!


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ILLEGAL HORSE SLAUGHTER HAPPENING IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA! MIAMI FLORIDA TO BE EXACT!

With today's fight to end horse slaughter, I just learned new news that there is a black market in Florida for horse meat. There are people steeling horses from owners and butchering them in fields, on the side of the road and even in their own stalls where the horses are kept by their owners. This is happening at night and authorities still haven't made any arrests. They are saying that they can't prove if it is being done by the horse's owners or by poachers. This is the most horrifying thing I have ever heard of and these people (poachers) have to be stopped!! Please help me by spreading the word and maybe if we all come together, we can put a stop to this from happening ever again. Please visit this site to read and view the slideshow on what's happening to these racehorses and privately owned horses. I have to warn you that the slide show does have some graphic seens, but I watched it anyway. It has given me this fire inside to put a stop to this!!! I plan on calling President Barack Obama and informing him of this activity. I WILL DO ANYTHING TO SEE THIS TREATMENT AND BUTCHERING OF HORSES COME TO AN END ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!

Please Copy/Paste this URL and view the slideshow to the left:
http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/weird/From-Race-Horse-To-Main-Course.html

This is what the news posted about these findings:


These Lucky Horses were saved in a raid of a slaughter house in Miami

FROM RACE HORSE TO MAIN COURSE

Horses are being poached and slaughtered for their meat on the black market
By JEFF BURNSIDE and TODD WRIGHT

The story sounds like the summary of a bad horror flick. Dozens of horses disappearing in the dead of night only to be found stripped of skin and meat on a roadside. Other horses are discovered butchered in their stables by mortified owners.

But the culprit isn't some half-wolf, half-man abomination that preys on thoroughbreds during the full moon.

They are poachers from Miami's black market who sell the horses' meat, which is a popular delicacy among new arrivals from other countries to the area. The horse meat can go for as much as $20 per pound and based on the number of bloody horse remains and meat-stripped carcasses found on the side of dirt roads and in stables across Miami-Dade, harvesting horses for meat is a lucrative business.

The sale of horse meat for human consumption is illegal in the U.S., but that hasn't stopped the meat from being in high demand by natives of the Caribbean, Cuba and other European countries who crave horse cuisine.

Some U.S. cattle ranchers have worked around the law by exporting horses to Mexico or Canada, where killing horses for dinner is legal.

Fostering some of the boom in slaughterhouses has been the horse-racing industry and some owners of race horses. Some discard a horse after it's out-lived its racing life or is injured. They are usually sold to the first person who offers a few bucks for the animal, as was the case for Freedom's Flight, a horse rescued during a raid at a Miami area slaughterhouse.

"Freedom's Flight would have definitely ended up on someone's plate. Absolutely. And we've seen it too many times," said Richard Cuoto, who volunteers for the South Florida Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Freedom's Flight's blood line includes Secretariat and Seattle Slew, two of the greatest thoroughbreds of all-time. But his wealthy owner, Herman Heinlein, gave the horse to a handler after it broke a leg in a race at Gulfstream Park. The handler, Marian Brill, sold Freedom's Flight for $500, but refuses to say to whom. Police believe Freedom's Flight eventually ended up at a pony ride show before he wound up at the slaughterhouse.

"I've already told you, I can't and I won't," she said in an interview with NBC6.

Freedom's Flight's saga and salvation is the exception to the rule, animal rights advocates said. Other race horses have had a less than ceremonial retirement.

The real horror may be that no arrests have been made in the deaths. Authorities claim it would be hard to charge someone with a crime because it's difficult to tell if a horse found butchered on the side of the road was killed by a poacher or an owner.

This was the end of the story! Now my question is, "Even if it was the owner that did it, shouldn't they be arrested as well?" Miami police can't just say, "we don't know who did, therefore there's nothing we can do about it." BULL SHIT!! They need to start trying harder to catch these people!! And if the people of Miami Florida start making noise to these police and demand them to do something more, believe me, they will have no choice but to do something! So everyone in Florida and around the Country, PLEASE LET'S MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD!!!!


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JAGUAR HOPE - RIP - 4/15/98 TO 3/18/09

JAGUAR HOPE AND HIS LOVING OWNER WENDY UZELAC

I wanted to post this in honor of a friend of mine Wendy Uzelac, who had to euthanize her best friend and companion "Jaguar Hope", who was injured in his paddock do to an accident. Wendy is morning a loss of a true friend today, and I hope this post will bring a smile to her face, as she has so many fond memories of a horse that gave her everything and asked for nothing in return. The love they shared is unmeasureable and you can see it in the photo above. This is for you Wendy and in rememberance of Jaguar Hope. Here is Jaguar Hope's story, by Wendy Uzelac.

This is a race in 2005 where my horse Jaguar Hope makes a great move on the inside to win his race.


Jaguar Hopes First Lesson 1 Year out of Horse Racing


Jaguar Hope an 11 yr old retired thoroughbred race horse beginning to learn the fine points of dressage.


Turkoman out of Enduring Hope. He retired from racing on August 7th, 2007 on a good note. This is Wendy's first ride on him since he came off the track.


Wendy's too sexy horse, Jaguar Hope. A 9 yr old Thoroughbred gelding by Turkoman out of Enduring Hope.


This is a story Wendy wrote about how her and Jag first met and became companions. It's inspiring for all to read. Jaguar will be forever in Wendy's heart and in all of his fans as well. I'm definitely one of his fans! Please read her story below and view the slideshow of this beautiful and classy horse "Jaguar Hope" may God be with you now, for you will be terribly missed.

"JAGUAR HOPE'S STORY" by Wendy Uzelac (Owner of Jag)
I acquired Jag a few months after I saw him race at Great Lakes Downs. He didn't run well but there was something about him that I just had to ask if the owner was ready to retire him from racing. I wrote a letter to his owner and got him a couple months later. He's a dream come true for me.

These are posts I made after I had seen Jag run in a race and sent a letter to his owner/trainer in 2007

7/30/07 I received some great news! I had written a trainer about one of his horses that he owns. I asked him to consider me when he retired his horse Jaguar Hope. He's a nine year old gelding (grandson of Alydar) that's still racing at Great Lakes Downs. The trainer was very happy to hear from me and called me right away. I had visited the horse since the first time I had seen him. He's absolutely stunning. I have another championship to work in a couple of weeks therefore the plan is for me to pick him in August. Here are a couple of photos I took of Jaguar Hope when I first fell in love with him:




And here is a photo slide show of his first day in turnout. He was very interested in the horses in the paddock next door. Copy/Paste the link below to view the slideshow.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wendy_u/sets/72157601283730508/show/

8/20/07 - I've had Jag for a few weeks now and he's just awesome. He's adjusted well to his new surroundings although he seems to be a little bit studdish - calling out to the girls often. He seems most attracted to the very pretty Paso Fino in the paddock closest to him. He must like latino women :) Although he calls out to the girls, he's otherwise a complete gentleman to handle. Extremely friendly, a lovely nicker for food and treats and has the best ground manners of any horse i've ever been around.

I admit, I made a small mistake with his shoes. I had him go barefoot in back. this was a little too much for this race horses tendons and his back ankles swelled up something ugly. No heat, no pulse, just swelling. So back on went the shoes and amazingly, the swelling is just about gone in 24 hours! Race horses run with such low heels and long toes. it's really something. It'll take some time but my farrier and I will try to build up his heels as best we can and maybe we can get those back shoes off down the road. I'm not holding my breath though. My other ex racer can never go barefoot...

As soon as his tendons are back to normal with an extra day or two thrown in for good measure, I'll try him out in the arena. I can tell you already that he long reins and longe's quite nicely!

11/7/08 - It's funny to read this now as my Toby, my other ex racer has been barefoot in back all summer and Jag's feet haven't had issues although he's still been in shoes. I'm hopeful I can have him barefoot in back this winter. Walking in snow and ice will be much easier for him that way. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

2/1/09 - now it's really funny because both Toby and Jag are completely barefoot this winter. both are doing well. Jag does stock up in his legs if he is kept in due to bad weather but he's not sore nor lame. He's really doing well and his hooves are stronger than when I first got him! So happy am I!

Here is Wendy's final message on Jaguar Hope:

I have some news to share that has shattered my very being tonight. Jaguar Hope had to be put down due to a horrific leg injury from a freak accident in his paddock. He dislocated his back left fetlock joint to where the cannon bone came through the front of the leg. It was horrific to see and no hope of saving him.

He was put down with me by his side and all my friends nearby. He was calm and proud right to the end as if giving the world his final "look of eagles". He was as amazing in his life as he was meeting his death. So very brave.

He gave me some of the best thrills of my life and he helped me fulfill so many of my dreams. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I will miss him. But I am so very grateful that he did enter my life and that I had what short time I did have with him.

I love you Jag...

Jaguar Hope
4/15/98 - 3/18/09

Here is a finaly video that Wendy made of Jag, may he rest in peace. Jag and Wendy were fortunate to have found each other. Wendy will say that Jag helped her live her dreams and was her one true love companion. In reality, Wendy was a blessing to Jaguar Hope as well, she gave him the love and freedom to be a horse. He was able to role in the snow and grass, he was able to run and play and just be a horse. He found true love and happiness with Wendy, and I'm sure that is a gift that any horse would ask for. You will see how happy he truly was in the following video:


Stories like this will show people how horses can make an incredible impact on our lives. Every horse has a story, and EVERY horse deserves a second chance at being something great. There is no such thing as a horse that is unwanted or useless, all they need is love, respect and kindness. Their love is always unconditional....

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A HORSES POWER OF HEALING - A GIFT THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN BY GOD

Horsepower Therapy

March 16, 2009
Luisa D'Amato
RECORD STAFF

WATERLOO

There's something about horses that brings powerful healing to women with addictions, a Wilfrid Laurier University social work professor discovered.

Shoshana Pollack studied women with addictions who were already receiving counselling, in a study that is soon to be published. The women spent time with horses at stables near Toronto for 12 sessions, each lasting 90 minutes.

As they spent time with the horses, the women "experienced profound healing and growth . . . in ways they couldn't have experienced through talking therapy (talking to a counsellor)," Pollack said.

"There's something unique and special that working with the horses can bring to a person's healing."

The women didn't ride the horses, nor did they groom them, feed them or clean their stables, Pollack said. They just spent time with them, using them to learn more about themselves, she said.

It's called "equine-assisted psychotherapy."

There are just a couple of similar programs across Canada and the only other one for women is in an aboriginal healing lodge in Saskatchewan.

Pollack said horses are very sensitive to the environment around them. So, for example, when one woman was agitated and upset, she noticed that the horses would walk away from her.

"What she took from that was an awareness that her moods have a strong impact on the people around her," Pollack said.

When the woman tried to become calm again through deep breathing, and feel a gentle energy in herself, the horses would approach her once more.

"That kind of experience is so powerful in the moment," Pollack said.

Shame is something a lot of these women must face, and the horses can help with that too.

One woman was able to whisper a secret to one of the horses.

"She was able to share with them some things she couldn't share in individual or group therapy for fear of being judged," said Pollack. "It was between the horse and her. The horse wouldn't judge her."

The woman felt free, after that, Pollack said. "She was able to move into a place of self-forgiveness."

Pollack is the author of a study that urges better support for women who are released from prison. Nearly all the women she studied also had addiction problems.

She said her recent study with the horses showed that "it's a magical relationship that occurs."

"My dream is that we begin to find a way to allow women at Grand Valley (the federal women's prison in Kitchener) to participate in such a program."

ldamato@therecord.com



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UPDATE ON GUINNESS-THE MISSING HORSE

Guinness has been found and appears to be sound. Patrick, the owner, is in the process of being reunited with him. The only problem is, his new owners have ownership over him, so Patrick has to go through paperwork to try and get him back. But we thank God for Guinness's safety and wellbeing, it could have been a different outcome. Thank you to everyone for your concerns and help with Guinness. :)



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