Declan Stands up for Horses

This is a video I made as part of my fight to end horse slaughter.  I am hoping that people will share it all over!  Let me know what you think and if you like it  :-)  Thanks mom for all the help!!  ~Declan

The Eighty-Dollar Champion

Here is a video about an inspiring story which shows you that when a horse becomes unusable to you, that slaughter is NOT a necessary choice.  It's the story of Harry de Leyer and a horse he would name Smowman which he rescued from the back of a slaughterhouse bound truck.  Harry bought him for only $80.00 because he saw a spark in his eye while Snowman was on the truck.  Harry trained the old plow horse to be one of the best show jumpers ever, in the world.  This is the story of "the Flying Dutchman".  The author, "Elizabeth Letts's message is simple: Never give up, even when the obstacles seem sky-high.  There is something extraordinary in all of us."  ~Declan

24 Babies Saved From Slaughter in Oregon

Please consider adopting one of theses beautiful babies who were saved from slaughter.  This one Humane Society in Oregon has already saved 2000 horses over the last 9 years - that's a LOT!  Horses do NOT need to end up in a slaughter house, they can go to people who really want them and will love them!!  ~Declan

24 Baby Horses Saved From Slaughter, 

Malnourishment In Oregon (VIDEO)

Posted: 02/23/12 07:10 PM ET  |  Updated: 02/23/12 08:18 PM EST

For the first time in their young lives, 24 baby horses from Oregon will be receiving the care and nutrition they need thanks to the efforts of rescue workers who purchased them at or en route to auctions where they were likely to have been sold to slaughterhouses, ABC 10 News Sacramento reports.

According to a press release issued by the Horse Plus Humane Society, the 24 young horses were purchased by rescue workers after being transporting from a ranch in Oregon to an auction in Turlock, Calif. From there, rescue workers believe the horses would have been transported to Mexico and slaughtered for human consumption.

Tawnee Preisner of the Horse Plus Humane Society told ABC 10 that members of the California-based rescue organization traveled to an auction on Saturday and paid as little as $50 each for the horses. Additional horses were purchased on Monday from an interstate transporter.

Preisner told the station that rescue workers can easily tell which horses are destined for the slaughterhouse based on how much they are being sold for, with prices for slaughterhouse horses typically set at around 22 cents per pound.

Speaking with KHSL-TV, Preisner said the foals, ranging in age from eight months to one-year-old, were in poor condition and had likely never been properly fed or cared for by ranchers.

"That's rewarding seeing life come back into their eyes, seeing their spirits returning to them and see that life isn't all about being hard and rough," Preisner told KHSL-TV. "There's actually a good side. And they're experiencing that now."

Now recuperating at the Horse Plus Humane Society, workers are busy seeking new homes for the young horses. The organization has lowered the price of adoption to $100 for approved families, and is also looking for donations to help feed and medicate the animals as they recover.

Sadly, the case follows a number of recent incidents of reported cruelty to horses.

In October 2011, a Northern California man was arrested and charged with 30 accounts of animal cruelty after rescue workers found the remains of 28 horses and two dogs on his ranch, where they also discovered methamphetamine and marijuana.

Years earlier, a couple discovered a graveyard of skeletons surrounded by50 starving horses eating each others' ponytails to survive. In response, the couple founded the Red Bucket Equine Rescue to help prevent such incidents in the future.

Those wishing to make donations can visit the Horse Plus Humane's Society's website.

It's Official! Letter Writing Party Hosted by the NHSPCA

It's official!  Here's the flyer for my letter writing party.  I am so so so excited I can not wait for the party!  I think the flyer came out super awesome!  I think I will get lots and lots of letters at the party!  I sure hope this works!

People have been asking how they can help me get to Washington DC, so my mom set up a PayPal account that you can make a contribution to if you would like to help.  I also will be donating any proceeds to the NHSPCA "SOS Fund" to help New Hampshire's horses.

The account is: dg4horses@hotmail.com

Thank you Mom and Dad for helping and supporting me the whole time.  ~Declan

Here is the flyer:

Through Children's Eyes

Here's an article that a woman named Jo-Claire Corcoran wrote about the Children's Letter Writing Campaign for RT Fitch's blog.  Jo-Claire is a Representative from the Equine Welfare Alliance (EWA) and she is who asked me to go to Washington DC.  ~Declan

Through Children’s Eyes

Posted: February 22, 2012 by R.T. Fitch in Horse News, Horse Slaughter
Tags: broken promises, Child, Equine Welfare Alliance, heart of a child, Horse, Horse Slaughter

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Guest OpEd by Jo-Claire Corcoran of the Equine Welfare Alliance

The Purity of Their Vision Speaks to our Souls

copyright Marcy Leonard

There comes a time when we, as adults, need to take a few steps back and look at the world through the eyes of our children.

Our life prejudices, at times, prevent us from recognizing there are lessons to be learned from those who are able to see without the fetters of blinders.  In many aspects of life, as adults, we see things from a jaded perspective, colored by many things: inherent greed, mistrust, fear and broken promises.  This is not to say we should don our rose colored glasses.  For a moment let us not only look, but see with the trust, love, honesty and compassion we find to be inherent in children.

Far too many discount our children’s ability to understand complex issues – because of their inability to lose their blinders.  They are disconnected from the world around them, except that which encompasses their immediate surroundings and comfort.

This is most apparent in regards to the issue of horse slaughter.  Horse slaughter has been a contentious issue for several years, but was brought to the forefront in November, 2011 when the House of Representatives was forced to pass an Ag Appropriations bill without the important Moran Amendment intact – an amendment which specifically defunded USDA inspectors for horse slaughter.  The President had no recourse but to sign the bill, or risk a government shutdown.  The passage of this bill effectively allows for the inspection of horse meat to resume in the US, thus changing the landscape.

Out of the developments in November of 2011, a movement blossomed – a movement that is giving our children a vehicle for their voices to be heard.

The Million Horse March – Children’s Letter Writing Campaign to save America’s horses is a project which was born in the heart of a child…a child which sees the insanity which has taken over a small portion of this country who wants to slaughter our horses for food.  Not to benefit horses or feed the poor and starving but the few, the wealthy in other countries.  To our children, it’s simple and is best described in a letter sent to one of the children participating in the project:

“I commend Declan on his bravery to standup and support horses. If it is so obvious to our children how is it not registering to the so called grown ups? If you really think about it Declan and his friends from Children4Horses are not just trying to save the animals but us as well.”

The children participating in this project are from all over the country who have come together to shout out to the Congress, the President and to the Country, something is wrong and we want to make it right.  They understand, our horses are more than livestock, they are our partners, our companions, our pets. They are a symbol of beauty and power, majesty and freedom.  The children see the inhumanity of the process and understand it is wrong to send meat that isn’t safe to children in other countries to eat.  Why can’t those adults see this simple fact?

Here is an adult who “gets it” – and the children, their actions and words, were the catalyst:

Woman in IL, “Although I receive regular emails regarding a myriad of animal rights causes, I was shaken from apathy by the recent actions of a young, idealistic boy named Declan Gregg, who is actively seeking support for S.1176/H.R. 2966….i want to encourage Declan and the many other children who still believe that together we can make a difference….Declan is taking action that I myself want to but don’t because I get pulled away by seemingly other pressing issues.”

Along with the woman in Illinois, the majority of the people in this country get it.  The question is, will our Congressional representatives get it?

As clichéd as it sounds, our children are our future.  Do we want them to grow up to be unprepared, apathetic and unable to think critically – disengaged in the processes (political and otherwise) that affect all our lives?  Or do we want them to grow up to be strong, decisive individuals, capable of affecting positive change through meaningful thought and action?

Saving Horses from Slaughter - Greenland Boy Blogs, Testifies Before Legislature

Here is the newspaper article in the Fosters Daily Democrat today.  It's on the front page!!  I am NOT going to give up fighting for our horses and I hope you won't either!  ~Declan

Saving horses from slaughter: Greenland boy blogs, testifies before Legislature about why practice must be halted

By LAURENNE RAMSDELL lramsdell@fosters.com As posted on Fosters.com

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

EJ Hersom/Staff photographer Declan Gregg reacts to feeding a horse at the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Click here to view Foster's prints for sale

GREENLAND — Nine-year-old Declan Gregg is on a mission to save as many horses from reaching the slaughter houses as he possibly can.

Over the past few months, Declan's interest in horses has grown dramatically after being exposed to the methods used to slaughter horses throughout the United States.

"I thought it was mean and gross that they would do that stuff to them," Declan told Foster's.

After studying both sides of the slaughtering industry, reading information on the Internet that represented those opposed to the killing of such animals and those who use the horse meat in the packaging industry, Declan said he decided to spread the word.

"My mom asked me if I wanted to do a blog, and I said yes," he said.

Declan's blog, www.children4horses.blogspot.com, provides readers with links to various equine related websites, information about legislation related to the meat packaging industry, pictures and video clips.

Stacie Gregg, the boy's mother, said his blog has been viewed by more than 2,000 readers in 16 different countries.

But the 9-year-old's efforts to publicize the inhumane nature in which horses are being killed has exceeded blogging.

In mid-January, Declan testified for the cause in front of a packed house at the state capitol in Concord.

"I was a little nervous because I had never done anything like that before," said Declan.

Gregg, an avid horse lover as well, said she was informed of a bill going through the Legislature that was geared toward meat packaging inspections. House Bill 1446 was proposed to be amended in order to include a sentence that excludes horse meat from inspection, processing and sales.

Declan testified before the members of the House Environment and Agriculture Committee, pleading with them to steer clear of any and all legislation that would allow horses to be harmed.

"Horses are not treated fairly," said Declan during his testimony. "What did they do to you to be killed this way? Is freedom too much to ask?"

Declan went on to explain that when he watches video and looks at pictures where horses are slaughtered in cruel ways, he said he looks into their eyes and see the most hurt and scared eyes he has ever seen.

"I love horses and I hope this cruel way to kill horses stops for good, and I hope you do, too," concluded the nine-year-old.

Gregg said her son's testimony was well received by many who attended the jam-packed hearing on HB 1446.

"I was so proud of him for standing up for what he truly believes in," she said. "This was something he really wanted to do."

Again, Declan's efforts to keep horses out of slaughter houses continued.

Gregg said she heard of a program called the Million Horse March through an equine organization she is involved with. The campaign asks that children write letters to members of the U.S. Congress and Senate about what horses mean to them and why it is so important that they be protected.

"I was looking for ways to really get him involved in the process, and I thought this was a perfect fit," said Gregg.

Declan has been working over the past two months to collect as many letters for the campaign as he can get his hands on. He has pleaded with readers through his blog to send him a letter or mail them to the campaign directly, and he has also met with area Girl Scout troops and 4-H clubs asking for their help as well.

Not long after her begun collecting letters for the Million Horse March, campaign representatives asked Declan if he would like to accompany them to Washington, D.C., to attend a meeting of the Congress and Senate where they will discuss a bill that would prohibit horse slaughter from happening in the United States. The bill, HR 2966, would also make it illegal to ship horses to other countries to be slaughtered.

"When I asked him if he wanted to go to D.C. to speak, he was literally jumping all around he was so excited," said Gregg.

Declan told Foster's that he wanted to visit the nation's capital while members of Congress discussed this matter because he wanted to be another voice that could help save horses from such an inhumane fate.

On March 27, Declan will travel with his mother and representatives of the Million Horse March campaign to present the letters.

"Adults have even told me they are inspired by what he's doing," said Gregg. "He's gotten a great response and he's really doing well at raising awareness."

One day when Declan was recently paying a visit to his favorite horse, Scarlet, at the N.H. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Stratham while his mother was volunteering in the stables, he was informed the SPCA has decided to help him with his efforts.

On March 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the SPCA on Portsmouth Avenue will host a letter-writing party where guests can take the time to fill out a letter for Declan to take with him to D.C.

Having already collected nearly two dozen letters, Declan said he is hoping the letter-writing party will bring him to his goal of collecting at least 115 letters by the time he goes to the capital.

To support Declan's campaign, send letters and drawings opposing horse slaughter to PO Box 614, Greenland, NH 03840.

EJ Hersom/Staff photographer Declan Gregg feeds hay to a horse at the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Stratham on Monday. Click here to view Foster's prints for sale

EJ Hersom/Staff photographer Declan Gregg greets a horse at the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Stratham on Monday. Click here to view Foster's prints for sale

EJ Hersom/Staff photographer Declan Gregg pats a horse at the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Stratham on Monday. Click here to view Foster's prints for sale

Declan Interviewed by the Foster's Daily Democrat

Yesterday I was interviewed by the Fosters Daily Democrat newspaper at the NHSPCA!  It was exciting and my Mom said I rocked!  I also got to have my pictures taken with a horse that I really like, Scarlet!  After that I went and talked to 2 Girl Scout troops!  They wrote letters and drew pictures for me too!  Yesterday was really fun and I feel like I made a huge difference.  I am very proud of myself!!!  I also had a meeting  with the Manager of Humane Education Programs who is helping me put my event together at the NHSPCA.  We have a lot of great ideas and things we are getting ready for the party.  I hope a LOT of kids come to help me get letters for my trip!

Don't forget that if you can't make it to my Letter Writing Party in March 18th that you can send me your letters at:

Declan Gregg C/O Children4Horses

PO Box 614

Greenland, NH 03840

Adults can make a difference too!  PLEASE call your Representatives in your state and ask them to co-sponsor and support H.R. 2966 and S.1176!  ~Declan

Horses in Space

Here are two pictures of horses in space that I think are really cool and I wanted to share them with you.  They are really amazing!

The first two pictures are of the Horsehead Nebula which is part of the Orion Nebula. 

Horsehead Nebula taken by the Hubble Space Telescope

Horsehead Nebula taken by the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope in Hawaii

The next picture is of the Great Dark Horse Nebula.  It's called the dark horse because it looks like the outline of a horse and looks dark against the stars and star clouds behind it.  

I think God is against horse slaughter too because he put horses in space for everybody to see!  ~Declan

Letter Examples From Two Sisters :-)

Here are great examples of letters from two sisters that show you how ALL children can write letters for the Children's Letter Writing Campaign!!  They are talking about the same horses, but each wrote and drew letters that are very different and show their age difference.  Please write or draw whatever you want about horses.  It can be poems, letters about your experience with horses, why they are special to you or even just draw me a picture!

I need letters and drawings by March 17, 2012 so I have enough time to get them organized to take with me to Washington DC.  Send letters to:

C/O Children 4 Horses

PO Box 614

Greenland, NH 03840

Next week I will be speaking to two Girl Scout troops (2nd and 4th grade) and hopefully a 4-H Club too. Keep your eyes open for my new posts!!  ~Declan

Front

Back

How Hungry Is Polly

Shel Silverstein is awesome - he's a favorite poet of mine.  If I had to guess, he was a big animal lover.  In his book called, "Everything On It" (complied from poems never seen before and published 12 years after he passed away), I found this poem and think it's super funny!!  ~Declan

How Hungry Is Polly

"I'm so hungry I could eat a horse,"

Said Polly in the park.

Ol' Dobbin, grazin' nearby,

Overheard her rude remark.

He shook his mane and pawed the ground, 

He raised his noble head, 

He snorted and looked down at her, 

And this is what he said:

"I've been ridden, I've been driven,

I've been raced around a track, 

I've been photographed with little

Whiny kiddies on my back.

I've pulled wagons through the winter, 

I've pulled sleighs and I've pulled sleds,

I've pulled plows in sticky summers

With flies buzzin' 'round my head.

I've been whipped and I've been beaten,

I've been called such-and-such - 

But to think of being eaten, 

Well, that really is too much!

And when I get insulted,

My appetite runs wild, 

And now I feel so hungry, 

I could eat a child."

~Shel Silverstein

Former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott Stands Up for Horses

Preventing horse slaughter - a personal evolution

By Former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) - 02/14/12 12:36 PM ET

A few years ago, when I was still serving in the Senate, I was asked to support legislation that would ban the practice of slaughtering horses for human consumption. My initial reaction was cool to the notion that the federal government should be mandating or telling owners of these horses what they can or cannot do with their animals. However, my initial instincts on such a policy were outweighed by the personal and practical experience that horse owners brought to my attention, including my son, Chet. 

An avid horseman, Chet is active in the horse industry and had rescued several horses from a “killer buyer” — one who buys horses from sometimes unsuspecting owners and then sells them to slaughterhouses. My son retrained and sold those horses to become champion polo ponies. His experience showed me that live, active horses support an important infrastructure of jobs and economies in the United States. A live horse needs to be fed, groomed and trained, as well as receive vet care, among other things. This in turn creates and maintains a viable and enduring way of life in rural America. The sale of horses to killer-buyers in fact generates very little profit for the seller while simultaneously choking off the demand for the goods and services that other buyers would create.

I was proud to become a co-sponsor of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act and strongly support its enactment into law. Notwithstanding my personal evolution in seeking a ban to the practice of slaughtering horses for human consumption and the interstate transportation thereof, which the legislation would do, I support this legislation for three compelling reasons: Banning horse slaughter would save taxpayers millions of dollars every year, as it would eliminate a wasteful federal program that only serves to benefit a handful of foreign-owned companies; it would help foster and promote sustainable jobs in rural America; and it would end the needless suffering of more than 100,000 American horses each year, which are hauled across the United States to slaughter houses in Mexico and Canada to supply so‐called “high‐end” restaurants in France and Belgium.
 

Recently the proponents of the horse slaughter industry, who have been vigorously opposing the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, seized on a report by the Government Accountability Office that made flawed claims, based on flawed evidence, about there now being “too many horses,” which are starving to death and subsequently depressing horse prices. None of this is true. Unfortunately, in the ensuing confusion Congress enacted H.R. 2112, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012, which removed a long‐standing prohibition on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ability to inspect horses bound for slaughter, thus allowing for the resumption of horse slaughter in the United States — and the expenditure of federal tax dollars on a program that will benefit only foreign interests, not rural America.

Horse slaughter proponents further claim that slaughter exists because there are too many unwanted horses, but fail to point out that even when horse slaughter was allowed in the United States, a large number of horses from Canada were imported annually to a horse slaughter facility in Illinois. If we had too many horses, why did that facility need to import them?

I spent my entire political career working to reduce federal spending, shrink the size of the government, and promote American jobs. Supporting the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act fits all of those key goals while also helping reduce unnecessary animal suffering. For myself, the horse industry, and the majority of Americans who support a ban on horse slaughter, passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act is a win‐win issue for America.

Lott is senior counsel at the law firm Patton Boggs LLP and former Senate majority leader.

My First Letter Against Horse Slaughter!!!!!!!!!!!

Today I got my first letter from someone who read the article about me on Sunday!  I am so excited and surprised!  I googled my name and lots of links came up to the article in lots of different places!  I am so glad because now I feel like I am making a real difference and raising awareness about horse slaughter and how cruel it is to the horses.  There have been lots of comments on the article, my blog and on different web pages and blogs where they put a link to my article.  The comments make me feel like I am being listened to and helped by other people.  The comments have been really encouraging and make me feel like I need to do even more to help the horses.  People have been saying how inspired they are by me and proud of me for using my voice to speak up and raise awareness about something people don't like to talk about.  I have gotten lots of great ideas for my letter writing party too!!

Yesterday I was at soccer and my little brother spotted my article being read by someone and he told my Mom.  The woman started talking to me and told her daughter who I was and all about how I am trying to save the horses and about my letter writing party at the NHSPCA in March.  The daughter said she would paint rocks for me to sell so I can raise funds!  I am really excited!

I can't believe how many different places the article is being talked about!  I have had people view this blog from as far away as Finland, Taiwan, Japan, Ukraine, Switzerland, Germany, the UK, Canada, Aruba, Australia, Russia and Argentina as well as all over our country!

PLEASE help flood my mailbox with letters for me to bring to Washington DC to tell our government that we care about our horses in this country!!

As someone has said to me....

MAY THE FORCE OF THE HORSE BE WITH YOU!!

Here are just some of the many comments I have been receiving on other blogs, Face Book pages/walls and different web pages.  I hope they make you feel as happy as they make me!!  ~Declan

**This is fantastic Declan! What a hero for our horses!!

**Declan…you are truly an inspiration! I truly hope that your voice and message resonates throughout Washington D.C. like no others before you. As R.T. would say, “May the Force of the Horse be with You”.

**Declan is an amazing young man and I am so proud to have him as my friend. It makes me very, very angry that people supporting horse slaughter say children have no right to voice their opinion. Declan and the other children who are speaking out against the horror inflicted on our horses will grow up to be concerned and informed citizens, which is what all of us should strive to be. Too many adults are sitting by doing absolutely nothing, thinking "somebody else will take care of this". Horse slaughter never is and never will be humane, whether it is in this country or elsewhere.
  
**Declan. What an amazing child you are. I know when you speak your concerns will show in your voice and will be sincere. You are an inspiration for all children to follow. Our four legged equines cannot speak for themselves and to have one so young speak for them is truly a love that cannot be measured by any means. All of us that love these animals will be with you when you are in Washington D.C. and we will remain committed as you are to save all of these beautiful animals. May God go with you and help you to win the fight for our beautiful horses and burros. And as tzfitch said above, “May the Force of the Horse be with You”... God Bless you for what you are doing and we will be the victor for these beautiful animals. 

**You Go Declan Godspeed to you Iam behind you 100%...Be our and the Horses voice!!!!!!xoxoxo

**So very proud of this young man and his parental guidance! To learn now that his voice counts is an important lesson in life and ensures he will continue to make a difference in righting the wrongs of our Nation. Hats off to this family and to Dedan! I have no doubt you will accomplish great things in your life time! May God always walk beside you Declan!  

**Power to the kids ! Thank you Declan !! Your compassion is contagious and I hope your actions will inspire many others across this nation – you show great leadership and that is what makes you special – dealing with a complex issue that needs exposure and the truth to come out against a profit-driven propaganda where of course animals are exploited once again: horse slaughter, a most predatory, brutal industry.

**Declan, I am so proud of you and to have you fighting for all horses everywhere. You are now a Horse Warrior!! ... I will be sending requests to others to write letters for you to bring to D.C. and have a great time expressing your view and strong stand against the cruel, brutal and inhumane act of horse slaughter. Hey, we could also use your strong will and powerful voice to help save our wild horses and burros from continuous cruel roundups by helicopter, to be put into holding pens across the U.S. or ending up in slaughter. There are close to 50,000 mustangs in government holding pens. Thanks for all your hard work, Declan and go get em'!!!!

**Stacie: You as his mom teach your son the values he can be proud of. Education is the sole tool and young people are the next leaders (or crooks) – so it is imperative we teach them the reality, and influence them with our views... I hope Declan will inspire hundreds more...

**Thank you young sir for taking on this noble cause. If many more of us could step out on our beliefs we could accomplish great things. Keep up the good work. The horses are lucky to have you.

**...As for Declan Gregg. Bravo to this young man. He is representing the youth of America in a most extraordinary way. He should be congratulated for his determination to right a wrong.

**Declan...you are truly an inspiration to horse lovers everywhere. We have turned into such a 'throw away society' and horses, unfortunately, are caught in the middle of this mentality as are many other species. As a society, we need to take a pro-active stance and thwart the overbreeding. Let's fix it on the front end so there is nothing to take care of on the back end.

**So heartwarming to see our children making a stand on a subject that shouldn't be a controversial issue given the facts. Wonderful that our children have passion and if it takes their voices to turn congress to sit up and take notice then let them roar and be heard. Horse slaughter must be stopped for our U.S.and Canadian horses. Children all over America are showing that we have a future generation that we should be extremely proud of, that we should never underestimate.

**Thank you for doing this article. It restores my faith that there are kids out there who do care about something. Maybe it will inspire others to take action as well. If there are other kids and young adults who care about horses being kept safe and not being slaughtered, please take a few minutes to visit Declans blog. It will show you were to start and how you can help. This is a topic that has been kept quiet for far too long. Inadvertent or not, our lawmakers have written a law in NH that allows the horse next door to become dinner at your local eatery...A 9 year old gets it, why cant the grown ups? 

**THIS YOUNG MAN IS DOING WHAT ALL AMERICANS SHOULD BE DOING AND HE SHOULD BE CONGRATULATED FOR TAKING ON THE UNDERBELLY OF THE EQUINE INDUSTRY.  BRAVO TO DECLAN.  HOPEFULLY OTHERS WILL TAKE NOTE OF THIS AND REALIZE THEY SHOULD BE STEPPING UP INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR THE YOUTH OF THIS COUNTRY TO SHOW THE ADULTS WHAT IS RIGHT.