Horse Slaughter Summit 2011: A Comprehensive Overview

Horse Slaughter Summit 2011: Dispatch #1

Opening Reception: Monday, January 3, 2011

Approximately 60-70 people attended the informal opening featuring Trent Loos, rancher and radio host, along with conference organizers Sue Wallis and Dave Duquette.

Loos began his remarks by discussing his work against the humane farming initiative, Prop 2 in California, and the necessity of gestation crates for pigs and cages for chickens. He emphasized the need to communicate in a way that bridges the gap between resource providers and consumers.

He noted the challenges faced by the horse slaughter industry and the importance of adjusting their language to help the public understand the issues andsolutions.

Loos shared that during his trip to Las Vegas, he asked ten people about their views on horse slaughter for food; nine opposed it, believing horses should be treated differently thanlivestock. This highlighted the communication challenge they face.

Loos referred to slaughter plants as “harvest facilities,” contrasting them with Al Capone's actions, stating, “Harvesting is taking life for improving another life.”

He recounted a protest in Illinois where he expected 200 attendees, but only five showed up, noting the reception crowd was “the biggest in ten years,” crediting Sue Wallis.

Loos emphasized the need forsolutions, criticizing the gathering of wild horses for long-term holding as inadequate.

He concluded by stating that the fight would be won one person at a time, adding that receiving death threats indicated significant effort.

Sue Wallis stated that United Horsemen was grassroots, with no financial backing, and announced the winner of a Dodge Truck giveaway, noting the raffle didn't generate profit.

Following some poetry and music, Bennie “Blue Thunder” LeBeau from the Eastern Shoshone spoke about horses representing freedom and the Eastern Shoshone advocating for Mother Nature and the Web of Life. He referenced Chief Seattle and sang an honor song.

Information tables included Fairlea Ranch, Nevada People forAnimal Welfare(NvPAW), the Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition, Guardians of Oregon’s Wild Horses, and a Colorado land conservation district.

Horse Slaughter Summit 2011: Dispatch #2

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

150 to 200 people attended the first full day of the conference. Highlights included a keynote by former Congressman Charlie Stenholm, a talk byBLMdirector Bob Abbey, and presentations by Native American tribes.

Stenholm outlined an aggressive lobbying strategy, predicting that barriers to U.S. slaughter plants would be removed by the newCongress. He emphasized horse welfare but revealed his goal to restore “the salvage value of the product.”

BLMdirector Bob Abbey reaffirmed the place of American wild horses on public lands and stated that “slaughter is not an option.” He supported on-the-range management and public involvement in monitoring herds.

Karen Sussman praised Abbey's speech as the most positive for wild horses in her 30 years ofadvocacy.

Abbey defended reports onBLM’sroundups, criticized as biased, and expressed displeasure with a CNN series onBLMroundups.

Tribal representatives spoke about wild horses using rancher language, blaming them for ecosystem collapse and advocating for slaughter plants.

Horse Slaughter Summit 2011: Dispatch #3

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Attendance ranged between 120-150. The morning focused on anti-animal rights rhetoric, targeting HSUS. Presenters included Dennis Foster and Frank Losey, who encouraged complaints against HSUS.

Mindy Patterson discussed legislative efforts to overturn Prop B, highlighting urban areas' support foranimal welfareissues.

Karen Falen criticized environmental groups' litigation tactics and encouraged ranchers to challenge regulations.

Temple Grandin discussed alternatives to slaughter and emphasized the need for continuous monitoring ofanimal welfare.

Ed Butcher outlined a plan for restoring the horse industry, including a market for U.S. horsemeat in China.

Jason Smith of the Warm Springs Tribe mentioned a feasibility study for a slaughter plant on reservation land.

Sue Wallis emphasized creating a sustainable model for addressing unwanted horses, focusing on domestic horses.

Horse Slaughter Summit 2011: Dispatch #4

Thursday, January 6, 2011

J.D. Alexander of the National Cattleman’s Association expressed solidarity with the pro-horse slaughter crowd, emphasizing the importance of professional lobbying.

Alexander discussed the lack of rendering opportunities and the costs associated with disposing of dead stock.

Gary Moyer, a Colorado conservation district representative, advocated for the removal of excess wild horses byBLM.

Bill desBarres of the Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada acknowledged thatBLMhorses are processed in Canadian plants.

G.B. Oliver of the Paragon Foundation emphasized property rights and the importance of truth inadvocacy.

Sue Wallis concluded with plans for a coalition to support horse interests and mentioned efforts to reinstate federal inspections of slaughter plants.