~ Letter to the Observer: ‘Abducting’ horses diminishes way of life ~ BY: Betty J. Pritchard The last straw for me is that a most famous and loved “white band” of 12 horses was abducted and taken by the Livestock Board with the intent of taking them to slaughter. Editor: I would like to express my feelings about the abduction of many, and now I say most all, of a very unique herd of wild horses, the Placitas horses. Yes, they are indeed wild horses that live in family units. Ten years ago when I celebrated my 70th birthday, a friend invited me to his home where I saw a band of wild horses for the first time in Placitas. The lead mare led the family across the way, followed by the stallion protector. These horses have, for years, provided a “way of life” for most Placitas residents and for other people like me who love to see horses living free like the horses that totally evolved only in North America. As an artist, I find these horses very inspirational, colors never seen before — for example, the black and red. Professional photographers like David Cramer, Lynne Pomeranz and many others,have enjoyed seeing and documenting the many antics of wild horse behavior. Poets and writers have told their stories. “A way of life,” which has been and still is treasured. Even after lengthy meetings this summer, Placitas residents all agreed on one thing: No Placitas horse should go to slaughter. The last straw for me is that a most famous and loved “white band” of 12 horses was abducted and taken by the Livestock Board with the intent of taking them to slaughter. A beautiful baby black foal died during the transport, and the famous white stallion, documented by David Cramer in his photograph “Expectant,” which shows the stallion tenderly comforting the white mare shortly before the mare gave birth, was gelded in preparation for slaughter even before being sent to the auction. I hold all the people who are causing these atrocities accountable. They are not only taking away an important part of one’s daily life in Placitas, they are stealing from the next generations. Betty J. Pritchard Bernalillo, NM Note: The foal presumed dead is alive, Brownie. All horses were rescued by WHOA and Placitas Animal Rescue AFTER having been maliciously sold to a known KILL BUYER, rather then sold to the rescue. Placitans quickly raised a large $$$$ offer for the horses to the kill buyer and got them back. The foal was only 4 DAYS OLD when seized and forced into the trailer w/ the others and hauled to the notorious SW Livestock Auction, then hauled all over the state w/ the kill buyer and back, before finally being rescued. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY KILLED THAT FOAL. Great letter Betty!!
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 11:27:28 +0000
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