| 1. | Horse Learning and Behaviour | | | Non-invasive scientific research into the thinking and learning abilities of horses, also public education based on this research to improve horse welfare.
www.equineresearch.org |
| 2. | Premarin Farms | | | Welfare issues associated with the treatment of pregnant mares on farms used to produce the hormone replacement therapy drug Premarin. Contacts, links and information about the farms and Premarin itself.
www.geocities.com |
| 3. | Horse Slaughter | | | Political action committee which promotes the protection of US horses against slaughter for human consumption abroad. Member list, alerts on relevant legislation, and information on how to join.
www.hoofpac.com |
| 5. | North American Equine Ranching Information Council | | | NAERIC represents ranchers involved in the collection of pregnant mares' urine (PMU). Presents a positive slant to the Premarin debate, including that the horses are managed according to strict welfare guidelines.
www.naeric.org |
| 6. | Carriage Horses | | | A PETA factsheet outlining the poor working conditions for carriage horses - loads too heavy, ill-fitting harness, long hours of work in sometimes extreme weather conditions, lameness and ill-health are common, housing and general care often inadequate.
www.peta.org |
| 7. | Horse Racing: A Losing Bet | | | A PETA factsheet exposing the cruelties inherent to horse racing, including breakdown and injuries, drugs, whips and spurs, and husbandry that infringes basic welfare.
www.peta.org |
| 8. | Bullfighting: A Tradition of Tragedy | | | PETA factsheet explaining that the bulls are not the only victims. The blindfolded and often surgically muted picadors' horses are frequently knocked down and gored so badly they are disemboweled.
www.peta.org |
| 9. | Equine Production and Performance (USDA 1997) | | | Discussion papers on horse welfare issues including soring, competition injuries, transport and slaughter, carriage horses, premarin farms, feral horse control, also highlights care and management practices detrimental to welfare.
www.nalusda.gov |
| 10. | Horse Slaughter: An American Disgrace | | | An Equine Advocates Inc site arguing for an end to the brutal and inhumane horse slaughter industry in America. Presents many facts and figures.
www.equineadvocates.com |
| 11. | The Premarin (PMU) Industry | | | This Equine Advocates Inc site points out that the production of Premarin has cost the lives of over a million horses. It provides related facts and figures and in-depth information on proven synthetic alternatives to Premarin.
www.equineadvocates.com |
| 13. | Welfare of equids ever-evolving | | | AVMA (Feb 2000) article presenting the veterinary viewpoint on accelarated improvements in horse welfare - discusses natural horsemanship, horse slaughter and transport issues, premarin farms, rodeos, carriage horses, racing.
www.avma.org |
| 14. | Dead on Arrival | | | British RSPCA report (1999) on the plight of horses transported for slaughter in Europe. It is one of 200 publications produced by the RSPCA to educate and inform people about animal welfare.
www.rspca.org.uk |
| 15. | Save the Horses | | | Details the 1998 California Equine Council campaign that led to the passing of an Act making horse slaughter for human consumption illegal in California. Includes the comments of many celebrity supporters.
www.savethehorses.com |
| 16. | American Horse Defense Fund | | | Facilitates the protection, conservation and humane treatment of all equids through education, advocacy and litigation. Current campaigns include horse slaughter, Premarin, wild horses, soring, abuse.
www.ahdf.org |
| 17. | Hooved Animal Rescue and Protection Society | | | Founded and run by Donna Ewing, HARPS focuses on rescue, rehabilitation, education, and legislation to protect horses and other hooved animals in the United States. Based in Barrington, Illinois. Emailed newsletter and online horse care resources.
www.harpsonline.org |
| 18. | The Last Wild Mustangs | | | Details of the hunting and abuse of Western Canadas wild horses and information on how to help protect them.
members.shaw.ca |
| 19. | National Equine Disaster Relief | | | Provides emergency help and advice for horses caught in natural disasters, also a state-by-state listing of people able to take in animals facing evacuation. Excellent links to disaster planning sites and how to minimise risks to animals.
www.kersur.net |
| 21. | The Bitless Bridle | | | Informative site on a new type of bitless bridle which is more humane and effective than a hackamore or bosal. Includes scientific articles on the pathophysiology and behavioural problems caused by bits.
www.bitlessbridle.com |
| 22. | Restricting Grazing | | | Lists situations where roughage may need to be restricted but points out the welfare negatives, particularly the development of gastric ulcers and stable vices. Explains how to make an Edinburgh ball, a ball of tightly compressed hay which takes a long time to eat.
www.thehorse.com |
| 23. | Gastric Ulcers | | | Explains why the high incidence of gastric ulcers in racehorses and performance horses is a sign of poor welfare practices. Investigates training methods, feeding, transport, stabling and other management factors which contribute.
www.thehorse.com |
| 24. | The Swedish Animal Welfare Society for Horses | | | Outlines the many different ways this society works to improve the welfare of horses - educates horse owners and offers support where necessary, assists and advises authorities, operates shelter facilities.
www.angelfire.com |
| 25. | Double Deck Horse Transport Banned | | | Article from the Animal News Center (Oct 2001) on the passing of legislation making it illegal to transport horses in double deck vehicles in Pennsylvania.
www.anc.org |
| 26. | Positive Reinforcement Taught to Horse Trainers | | | Animal News Center (Sep 2001) article on the promotion of positive reinforcement and clicker training as more humane methods in the horse training courses offered to the public by the University of California and the University of Pennsylvania veterinary schools.
www.anc.org |
| 28. | Training Mythunderstandings | | | Ongoing series of training articles from Meredith Manor showing how using horse logic rather than human logic achieves an improved end result while also promoting better equine welfare.
www.meredithmanor.com |
| 29. | Traumatised horses | | | Case studies from Herdword on the successful rehabilitation of mentally stressed, psychologically damaged, emotionally disturbed and physically injured horses.
www.herdword.co.nz |
| 30. | Welfare of Horses in Research Institutions | | | Insightful information on care and handling methods that safeguard welfare and improve research data validity, based on understanding the species-typical behaviour of horses. Covers housing, exercise, grooming, feed and water, environmental enrichment devices.
www.awionline.org |
| 31. | The Strasser System of Hoofcare | | | An ILPH press release (March 2001) warning about some dangers of using the Strasser system of hoofcare. Arguments for and against, opinions of farriers, vets and welfarists, also links to related sites.
www.hoofcare.com |
| 32. | Horse Tripping | | | In Defense of Animals factsheet on the cruel sport of horse tripping, still practised at larger Mexican-style rodeos and as backyard entertainment. Includes description and history, strategies for getting it banned and contact information.
www.idausa.org |
| 33. | What is Natural Hoofcare? | | | Describes a natural system of hoofcare which extends to the whole horse, including no stabling or rugging. The method advocated by Dr Hiltrud Strasser allows horses to perform barefoot in any discipline to their welfare advantage. Strasser books for sale and links to related sites.
www.thehorseshoof.com |
| 35. | Horse Illustrated Library | | | Series of articles mostly demonstrating how a poor understanding of natural behaviour can lead to handling problems and other welfare concerns in all horse disciplines and management situations.
www.animalnetwork.com |
| 36. | UK Racing Injuries Seminar Report 2001 | | | Training strategies that decrease the incidence of racetrack injuries. Examines key factors such as duration and intensity of fast work, age of horses, biomechanical soundness, surface conditions.
www.hoofcare.com |
| 37. | Horse Health and Welfare: Codes and Guidelines | | | Victorian government site covering general welfare codes of practice for horses, also shelter requirements, bush racing, land transport, agistment contracts.
www.equinecentre.com.au |
| 38. | wildmustang.org | | | This site seeks the ethical treatment of wild horses and burros. Links to government and governmental agencies who have authority to make necessary changes to protect these animals are listed.
www.wildmustang.org |
| 39. | Australian Racing Industry Welfare Guidelines | | | Adapted from recommendations by the International Group of Specialist Racing Veterinarians, these guidelines cover all aspects of racing, from the initial preparation of horses to their retirement.
www.racingnsw.com.au |
| 40. | Ending the Cruel Practice of Horse Slaughter | | | Animal Welfare Institute article (2002) that truly exposes the cruelty of the horse slaughter industry. Written by John Hettinger, a Trustee of the New York Racing Association, who has pushed tirelessly for a ban on the industry.
www.awionline.org |
| 41. | Animal Aid takes on The Jockey Club | | | 2002 press release detailing a meeting agreed to by Animal Aid to discuss horse welfare, in return for The Jockey Club giving consideration to pledging five million pounds a year for the care of racehorses in retirement. Links to related information.
www.animalaid.org.uk |
| 42. | Rodeo Animal Welfare | | | National Senior Pro Rodeo Association article refuting many of the claims made about welfare infringements and cruelty to horses, cattle and calves used in rodeo sports.
www.seniorrodeo.com |
| 43. | Argentine Committee of Welfare and Protection of the Horse | | | Argentine Equine Veterinary Association group that works to improve horse welfare through education. Projects include communicating with horses, improving land transport conditions, dealing with emergencies, combating abuse, carriage horses.
www.vidaecuestre.com.ar |
| 44. | Horse Ulcer | | | Story from the Australian ABC TV program Catalyst on the high incidence of gastric ulcers in racehorses and pinpoints lack of roughage as the main cause of this serious welfare problem. Veterinarians Dr Leanne Beggs and Dr John Walker are interviewed.
www.abc.net.au |
| 45. | Benefits of horse urine | | | June, 2002 story from the Australian ABC TV program Landline on a humane, free-range method of PMU farming, in which urine is collected from pregnant mares for the production of oestrogens and related hormones for the pharmaceutical industry.
www.abc.net.au |
| 46. | Safe Trailer Campaign | | | Blue Cross campaign highlighting the dangers facing horses through poorly maintained trailers. A downloadable leaflet offers practical guidance on trailer safety.
www.bluecross.org.uk |
| 47. | HorseMates! | | | A database where ownership as well as physical, behavioural and health details of any horse can be entered free. Designed to protect and enhance the welfare of horses and ponies when they are sold on.
www.horsemates.com |
| 48. | Emergency Euthanasia | | | UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine article on when to make the euthanasia decision and how to carry it out as humanely and quickly as possible in the absence of a veterinarian.
www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu |
| 49. | The Home of Rest for Horses | | | The Charity looks after up to 120 retired horses, ponies and donkeys from all walks of life including the police, army and Riding for the Disabled. Also provides equine welfare grants. Chilterns, Buckinghamshire.
www.homeofrestforhorses.co.uk |
| 50. | Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land | | | SHADH provides care for abandoned and abused donkeys and mules and works to raise awareness and develop education programs to reduce the cruel treatment of these animals throughout Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
www.safehaven4donkeys.org |
| 51. | FOSH - Friends Of Sound Horses | | | This American-based organisation takes an activist role against the soring of Tennessee Walking Horses, also promotes education and training in the humane care, training, and treatment of all gaited horses.
www.friendsofsoundhorses.org |
| 52. | Carriage Horse Regulation Addresses Humidity | | | The government of Charleston, South Carolina has enacted a new regulation requiring humidity as well as temperature to be taken into consideration when deciding whether carriage horses should be made to continue working.
www.anc.org |
| 54. | North American Alliance Against Equine Slaughter | | | Alliance of organizations in the United States and Canada devoted to ending the slaughter of horses and other equines through effective legislation at the state, provincial, and national levels in both countries.
www.end-horse-slaughter.com |
| 55. | Premarin and PMU Info Page | | | Contains information about the treatment of horses on the PMU farms where pregnant mares urine is collected for the production of Premarin.
www.premarin.org |
| 56. | Being taken for a ride | | | Very comprehensive and well researched factsheet from Animal Aid examining all aspects of the use of horse-drawn vehicles for tourism, with emphasis on the horse welfare issues involved.
www.animalaid.org.uk |
| 57. | World Equine Organisation | | | WEO uses investigation, research, training and communication to improve the welfare of equines and the people who depend on them for their livelihood, particularly in developing countries. Details of current training programs in Afghanistan, Tunisia, Romania, Portugal.
www.weo.org |
| 58. | Help Horses - Resource Links | | | A listing of useful links outlining ways to help horses in abuse situations, including those requiring rescue or refuge. Includes anti-slaughter petition, free classifieds and web site design.
www.helphorses.com |
| 59. | Welfare | | | Welfare initiatives, role of veterinary officer, horse welfare FAQ and medical update. From the regulatory authority for horseracing in the UK.
www.thejockeyclub.co.uk |
| 60. | PMU Foal Quest | | | An excellent source of facts about Premarin farms, including that the majority are well managed and the mares well treated, also that far fewer foals go to slaughter than is generally thought. Foal Quest assists in finding homes for the foals.
www.pmufoalquest.com |
| 61. | Just Say Whoa!! To Horse Slaughter | | | Information on the horse slaughter industry, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act - HR857, the two remaining slaughter houses in Texas, ways to help stop horse slaughter and related links.
www.justsaywhoa.org |
| 62. | The Fund for Horses | | | Texas-based organisation whose mission is to promote and safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of all horses, whether captive or in the wild.
www.fund4horses.org |
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