Equine
In historic move, Churchill Downs suspends racing after 12 horses die at the track
On June 2, Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby, suspended horse racing upon the recommendation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority after 12 horses died in a span of a few weeks at the track. Just 10 days prior the Authority finally . . .
There is simply no way to make horse slaughter humane
Horses are celebrated in America for their beauty and athleticism, yet they are also sometimes viewed as expendable commodities. Even though horse slaughter has not occurred on U.S. soil since 2007, horses across the U.S. are still being sold and sent to slaughter abroad when . . .
Breaking: U.S. Congress has new chance to stop horse soring
In 1970, the U.S. Congress passed the Horse Protection Act to end the cruel practice of horse soring, which is the use of caustic chemicals, chains, weighted shoes, hard objects, cutting and other painful techniques to force horses to perform the artificial, high-stepping gait known . . .
For horses in the Kentucky Derby, change can’t come soon enough
Update 5/8/23: A total of seven horses died at Churchill Downs in the days leading up to and on the day of the Kentucky Derby, and five horses were scratched. In light of these facts, it is shocking that the race was even run. Lives . . .
Breaking: New anti-doping program is good news for racehorses
Today marks a critical turning point for thoroughbred racehorse safety, and it comes just in time for the upcoming Triple Crown season. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority just launched its Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program, ushering in a new era of safety and welfare . . .
Exploring the rich, overlooked history of Black animal activism
I recently wrote about how all people, no matter their circumstances, have an inherent connection with animals. The composition of the animal protection movement, however, has not always reflected everyone’s voice. Recently our staff had the pleasure of hearing historian Paula Tarankow, who holds a . . .
Giving thanks with Helen the turkey
This year for Thanksgiving, I’m in Texas at our expansive animal sanctuary, Black Beauty Ranch. Founded in 1979, Black Beauty Ranch is home to nearly 650 rescued animals. Some came from slaughterhouses or research laboratories or cases of extreme neglect. Others came from roadside zoos or were . . .
As the House votes to stop soring of horses, it’s PAST time
On the House floor Monday night, the House of Representatives voted 304 to 111 to pass the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act into law. With just a few weeks remaining in the 117th Congress, getting a vote in the Senate will take some effort. . . .
How we work to save animals (part 1): Behind-the-scenes
If you follow our stories here on this blog or on our social platforms or email lists, you are probably familiar with the central calling that keeps us working day after day: to stand up and fight for all animals who are suffering. You’ve probably . . .
Victory in court for horses who need protection from cruel practice of ‘soring’
Some really good news from a federal courtroom on a fight we’ve long been waging for horses: Last Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the United States Department of Agriculture had unlawfully withdrawn a 2017 rule designed . . .
Animal-friendly ways to celebrate July 4 (Hint: It’s not fireworks)
Anyone with pets knows that our furry family members can become so frightened by exploding fireworks that they do anything to escape the noise, whether it’s hiding in the bathtub, or something more desperate (and dangerous), such as breaking through windows or door screens. At . . .
‘Aggressive’ horse from Assateague Island arrives at our sanctuary
Our sanctuary in Texas, Black Beauty Ranch, plays an extremely important and inspiring role for animals who have nowhere left to go. Take Chip, the horse who arrived at Black Beauty this week from Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland. He had to be removed . . .
