American Wild Horse Crisis

There are 10,000 more horses and burros in the wild than their habitat can support, according to the Bureau of Land Management. 
But, the agency says, there will soon be little they can do about it. 
The overpopulation problem is now putting a big strain on the agency as it tries to figure out how to keep the spiraling population from harming the ecosystem. 

The current conundrum can be traced in part to 1971. At the time, Congress passed the Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, which tasked BLM with preserving the wild animals in the 10 western states where they roamed. As with any grazing animal, though, the absence of predators caused the population to boom. After their numbers doubled in five years, Congress passed the Federal Land Policy and Management Act which made BLM responsible for keeping wild horse and burro populations in check. 

Fran Ackley, who runs BLM's Wild Horse Program holding facility in Canon City, Colo., said that since there are no predators, federal officials "act as predators in that we remove horses (from the wild)." This, he said, "kind of serves as a similar act in controlling the population." 

Rounded up animals are placed in long- and short-term holding facilities and put up for adoption. Adoptions, however, especially in the recent recession, have been far lower than the number of horses taken off the range. The result is that there are now some 50,000 "wild" horses and burros in BLM holding facilities around the West. 

That's compared with roughly 37,000 currently in the wild, a number BLM says is 10,000 more than it should be. The agency says room in its holding facilities will reach capacity this year. 

"The growth rate 'in the wild' is about 20 percent," Ackley explained. "So that means we're going to have another 7,400 horses this summer after foaling season. And right now it looks like we cannot remove all of them, maybe between 5,000 and 6,000 animals." 

Each coming year, the population in the wild will increase, and if something isn't done, the BLM will be unable to remove any of them, according to Ackley. "If we don't manage them they're going to eat themselves out of house and home and destroy the habitat that supports -- not only them but, you know, endangered species, other plant and animal species and wildlife." 

Currently the Wild Horse and Bureau Program spends about $50 million a year just to feed the animals held in captivity. That's around 70 percent of its annual budget, and horses in captivity live up to 25 years. When it comes to other grazing animals like deer, elk and bison, hunting acts as a substitute for natural predation. Hunting horses, though, is prohibited. 

And while horse meat is consumed by humans in much of the world, selling any of the horses to slaughter houses is a public relations nightmare the Bureau is determined to avoid. 

"We'd like to see reproduction targeted as part of a solution," said Karen Herman, owner and operator of the Sky Mountain Wild Horse Sanctuary near Santa Fe, N.M. She said it's obvious to everyone the current system for managing wild horses is broken. "I think we need to be much more creative and innovative, and I think PZP is a science-based solution that's also ecologically and economically sound." 

PZP, porcine zona pellucida, is a birth control drug that can last up to two years. Longer lasting fertility drugs are being developed. Herman has been involved in PZP trials in the Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico where mares are darted in the wild to inject the drug. 

"It limits their reproduction so they can stay free, they can be wild." Herman said. "And yet their numbers aren't exceeding the capacity that the land can hold. There's 20 years of data that shows it's totally safe, it's 90 percent effective (and) it doesn't change their family behavior, their social behavior." 
Many wild horse advocates oppose fertility control but Herman says the alternatives of roundup or overpopulation are far less attractive. "There's nothing humane about starvation -- it's a long, cruel, slow death. I respect other peoples' right to their perspective. Mine is that we have the means to help horses stay healthy and free. Why not use it?" 

Ackley also feels that PZP is promising and points out that the BLM is also conducting trials. He agrees, though, that fertility control is only part of the solution. 

"I'm going to guess there's in the neighborhood of 15 to 20 herds that we can actually do that: approach the horses on foot with a dart gun and put the drug into them. But you know, in Utah, Wyoming, California and Nevada, their horses are a lot more wild ... so that's really not practical in those populations." 

Recently, Kathleen Mussetter came to the BLM Canon City holding facility to adopt one of the mustangs removed from the wild. "They're just so amazing. Just completely honest," she said. 

Mussetter said she also worries about what will happen to the mustangs still roaming wild. "They reproduce out there, but the range is not reproducing. So I believe the BLM is kind of between a rock and a hard place. They're trying to do the right thing for the horses but what can you do? It's hard for a horse lover, it's a hard subject."


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/03/26/american-west-running-out-room-for-wild-horses/#ixzz2OhZfV1Ec

For more information on all things horses, as well as horse riding in Crieff, make sure you check out Crieff Hydro Hotel's Riding Centre Website at http://hydroriding.com/.

Horse Passports not effective enough

More work needs to be done to track horses
 properly says RSPCA

The recent supermarket Horse Meat Scandal has rocked the Equestrian Community. As more stringent measures are being called for in an attempt to monitor the illegal and inhumane treatment of Horses for the food trade, animal rights charity RSPCA says it is concerned about the usefulness of the horse passport system, which aims to keep track of horses for disease control.
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It has found that three quarters of the horses they take in do not have passports and are not microchipped, which is a legal requirement.
A lack of enforcement means that owners don't keep passports updated.

This makes it much more difficult to track down those responsible if there are concerns about horses' welfare.

RSPCA equine co-ordinator Cathy Hyde, said:  "The passport system is failing and a shocking 75 per cent of horses coming into RSPCA care are not microchipped. 

"Horses can change hands for a small amount of money and end up in the hands of irresponsible owners and traders."
They are calling on the Government to take the issue more seriously.

Top 5 Songs About Horses

Riding, and caring for your horses can provide one of life's greatest joys, but it's not just the simple interaction with horses and ponies themselves that can bring great happiness, fun and entertainment to horses owners and equine enthusiasts alike.

It's the culture surrounding horses that also lends a greater meaning and an enormous sense of wonder and awe, particularly through movies, art and music. Horses, and horse riding have been an important part of human culture for centuries and their importance is not lost today. This can be seen in many ways, particularly in contemporary music over the last few decades, with many artists looking to these powerful four-legged icons for inspiration. 

It doesn't take much more than a few clicks to see the horsey influence in various songs and albums, but we've decided to make it a little easier for you and have compiled some of our favourite horse-themed songs from over the years!

Enjoy!

1. Johnny Cash - Tenessee Stud

2. KT Tunstall - Black Horse and the Cherry Tree

3. America - A Horse with No Name

4. The Osmonds - Crazy Horses

5. And Last but not least, this stone cold classic from The Rolling Stones - Wild Horses!! 

Badminton Horse Trials 2013

Competition Season is soon to be upon us, and what a season of horse riding it promises to be! 

Among many fantastic, and vital, dates on the horse show calendar is the annual Badminton Horse Trials. Nothing to do with rackets or shuttlecocks, the Badminton Horse Trials get their name from their location in the beautiful English country surrounds of Badminton, Gloucester.

This year's Horse Trials take place from Thursday 2nd-Monday 6th May and are sure to be full beyond measure of thrills and equine athleticism; among the highest quality of which in the UK, if not, the World. 

From Dressage and Show Jumping to Cross Country, some of the finest riders today will take their place in the arena to strut their stuff atop some of the most impressive and beautiful horses on the competitive circuit. 

SO, be sure not to miss out and get over to the official Badminton Horse Trials 2013 website for tickets and information. 

Cross-country Equestrian Jumping

When it comes to Horse Riding and competitions, there is a lot to take in, and  lots of different ways to get involved and demonstrate your skills behind the reins. So we thought we'd give you a quick run-down of the basics of Eventing.

In the Equestrian Sport of Eventing, there are various different practical components involved, each one tailored to test a different skill set. Cross country equestrian jumping is an endurance test, and is one of the three phases of eventing.

The object is to prove the speed, endurance and jumping ability of a cross-country horse when he is well trained and brought to the peak of condition. At the same time, it demonstrates the rider's knowledge of pace and the use of this horse across country.


A cross-country course is usually between 2.75 to 4 miles long; comprising between twenty-four and thirty-six fixed and solid obstacles. Most X-country courses are made to look 'natural', so featured obstacles can include all those that might be found if riding across the countryside, including water, trees, logs, ditches, and banks; and obstacles or compulsory pathways are flagged (a red flag on the right and a white on the left, with a black mark on the red flag if an obstacle is optional).

Cross-country courses for eventing are held outdoors through fields and wooded areas and the terrain is unique for each course, depending on the location, meaning that some courses, depending on the country and natural terrain can range from predominantly flat land to steep, and often strenuous hills.

Good course designers might use the natural terrain of a cross country course to either help an inexperienced horse or rider at a lower level easily prepare for an obstacle, or create a more difficult challenge for more experienced competitors. 

Get a head start at The Pony Club

Join The Pony Club and join in the Fun!
Photo: Donkey Sanctuary Press

We Know There's nothing more memorable than the first time you get up on a horse and have your first horse-back ride. The feel of being on top of that saddle and viewing your surroundings from a perspective you've never seen before, sharing your journey with a trusting four-legged friend - it's truly magical, and is perhaps one of the main reasons many riders continue to ride for the rest of their lives, it's really that addictive. 

Like most activities, it's very beneficial and arguably much more exciting to experience them at a young age which is why groups such as The Pony Club, are so valuable, allowing youngsters to get involved in Pony Riding at a young age and learn the skills, freedom and fun involved in horse and pony riding. 

With lessons, resources and information accessible via over 345 branches and 600 centres in the UK alone, The Pony Club is a great way to get started. So what are you waiting for?! Head over to the Official Pony Club site to see how you can get involved at a centre near you!!

For all your pony-riding equipment needs, be sure to check out the TicTac Equestrian Store too!

Plaiting Horses Hair

If you're anything like us, you'll know how nice it is to get fixed up and looking smart for a competition. It's a lot of fun to get dressed up and preen yourself so that you will be a genuine head-turner when out in the arena.

But it's not just humans that can benefit from getting scrubbed up and sporting a nice new hairdo. Horses like to get done up too, and take it from us... they scrub up just as well as the riders!

Plaiting your horses mane and tail is just one way to make them look beautiful, and believe it or not, it's not as difficult as it might look, as shown in this informative video: 

For more information on how to deck yourself out in the finest threads for show riding, or even just out in the field, go to TicTac Equestrian