Now let's see the AQHA do this...

The Thoroughbred industry at least seems to realize that slaughter is a national shame and the people involved have the good sense to be embarrassed about it and want it to change.

Magna Entertainment Corp. - Media Release Last update: 10:31 a.m. EDT Oct. 10, 2008 MECA 1.23, -0.12, -8.9%) (CA:MEC.A: news, chart, profile) announced today that it has recently formally adopted a company-wide policy promoting the humane treatment of racehorses. Under the policy, any trainer or owner stabling at an MEC facility who directly or indirectly participates in the transport of a horse from an MEC facility to either a slaughterhouse or an auction house engaged in selling horses for slaughter will be prohibited from having stalls at any MEC facility. The policy also applies to any actions related to the transport of a horse from an MEC facility where the ultimate intended result is the horse's slaughter. Ron Charles, Chief Operating Officer of MEC and President of Santa Anita Park, commented: "MEC is extremely pleased to formally adopt a policy to further encourage the humane treatment of racehorses. We intend this to be one in a series of steps that will be taken in an effort to protect our equine athletes. Consistent with the long-standing vision of Frank Stronach and management at our racetracks, the policy signifies the Company's strong intent to deal only with those trainers and owners who have the welfare of racehorses as their primary concern." Frank Stronach, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MEC commented, "Since the inception of MEC, we have taken care to protect the health and safety of customers, workers and equine athletes participating in activities at all of our facilities. The goal of the policy is to forewarn industry participants who participate in the slaughter of racehorses that they are not welcome at any of our facilities across the country. I hope other racetrack owners formally adopt similar policies". MEC, North America's largest owner and operator of horse racetracks, based on revenue, develops, owns and operates horse racetracks and related pari-mutuel wagering operations, including off-track betting facilities. MEC also develops, owns and operates casinos in conjunction with its racetracks where permitted by law. MEC owns and operates AmTote International, Inc., a provider of totalisator services to the pari-mutuel industry, XpressBet(R), a national Internet and telephone account wagering system, as well as MagnaBet(TM) internationally. Pursuant to joint ventures, MEC has a fifty percent interest in HorseRacing TV(R), a 24-hour horse racing television network, and TrackNet Media Group LLC, a content management company formed for distribution of the full breadth of MEC's horse racing content.

SOURCE Magna Entertainment Corp. Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

Now, sure, I know that some of these slimebuckets are going to pass horses around faster than a hot potato and try to "hide the trail" to the kill buyer. But still, this helps. It helps a lot because is threatens to hit them where they live - their wallet. If you want to change anything in the world, look for the money. Anybody will tell you that, because it's true! It's like big corporations that only stepped up their waste disposal standards to become environmentally friendly when the fines and penalties for not doing so became too great. Now we're asking the horse industry to do the same thing. It's a process, but we're getting there!

In honor of that very good news, today's Friday Featured Rescue is Alicia Claire, a 19 year old Thoroughbred mare rescued by Second Chance Ranch in Elma, Washington. Alicia showed up early this year at the Skagit County Auction, the sort of place where twenty year old mares go one place - the kill buyer's truck. She got no bids, but a girl agreed to take her after the sale. When the girl's mother found out, she hit the roof. Again, the mare was homeless - and now she was colicking. The auction called the Mount Vernon Police, who in a shocking display of good sense usually reserved for people with horse experience, called a vet who got Alicia back on track. In the meantime, Katie at SCR heard out it and asked the original owner to sign her over - which he did, gratefully. I admit that if I had space, I would tell Katie to bring this mare over - she is exactly what I like to rescue. But I don't, and if you do, I'd love to see her go to a forever home. If you don't either, but think she's as adorable as I do, SCR would appreciate your donations!