My letter that I will be sending to all the board members of the AQHA:
AQHA
Attn: Steve Stevens
P.O. Box 200
Amarillo, Tx 79168
March 18, 2004
A Retirement Program for Quarter Horses no longer used for shows or performance
Dear Steve Stevens,
The Horseman's Journal Spring 2004 reported that in Arizona, a committee was
formed by Arizona Racing commissioner Michael Napier. This committee will be
responsible for establishing a program for retired race horses in Arizona. The
committee asks "the Arizona HBPA directors to approve a $1.00 per start
voluntary charitable contribution be withheld from horsemen's accounts. This
issue has been brought to the membership at two HBPA general meetings, where it
has received overwhelming support each time."
I request that a similar idea shall be brought forth the board of directors of
the AQHA and discussed and a solution to be found. When I go to the AQHA
website, as for example the "Customer Service Center" page, I can
nowhere find a link for "How-to ... find a retirement opportunity for my QH".
I am sure that a great association as the AQHA is capable of keeping up with the
Thoroughbred Racing Association and Arizona's HBPA and put together a great
program to retire Quarter Horses or find them new good homes in alternative to
slaughter.
As Horseman's Journal Winter 2003 reported "Napier formed the committee
because he believes that we have a responsibility to the horses and the industry
to take care of our retired racehorses. He was surprised to find out that in
Arizona, it is the individual trainers and owners who find homes for their
horses coming off the track, often just by networking. He was also surprised
that there is not a more structured method, or even an agency, devoted to
finding those horses new homes." The AQHA has show, performance and race
horses and should feel the same.
My friends and I are currently discouraged to re-join the AQHA due to your
pronounced support of horse slaughter for human consumption. We would like for
you to put more effort into finding alternatives and providing a retirement
program instead of using your time defending an inhumane stand. I am a Barrel
Racer owning two QHs and I bred one colt several years ago. My gelding is a
retired ex-race horse of the QH track and my mare enjoys retirement on our
ranch. Not all owners/horses are this lucky, but your organization should be
able to assist them in finding homes for horses which paid their dues in the
show ring. Until your organization takes that step we find no motivation to join
again.
There is a reason why most slaughtered horses are QHs. I believe it is a tragedy
for this great breed of horses!
I hope you take my words to heart and seriously think about a program such as
the mentioned above. Good luck in your efforts and I will continue observing the
activities of the AQHA in this regard closely.