LauraLeigh Farms

I would love to see you and the kids! Please give them hugs for me. Please tell Kim that she is welcome to come visit anytime. I would love to see her.

Thank you! A very, merry Christmas to you, Ms. P!

Our best wishes for a blessed Christmas.

We still have two openings for the Christmas horsemanship day camp. We have reduced the price to $125 for the week and there are a few discount flyers at Rodney's BBQ in New Hope for an additional $25 off!

What an awesome tradition!

My dad read the nativity story from the Book of Luke to us so many times that I had it memorized by the time I was 7. We had a light blue ornament with Silent Night written on it in silver glitter. It was always the first to go on the tree. Thanks to the OP for bringing back cherished memories to share.

My favorite Christmas was when I was four. I got a doll that walked. She was almost as tall as I was. There was something very magical about that Christmas. I can still remember how the new doll, the tree and the fruit, nuts and candy in my stocking smelled and the sound of my parent's voices.

It's a good thing you kept it to yourself. You could have been tried as an adult for that one!

Prayers going up for your mom and your family.

Spay and neuter!

Before the U.S. slaughter houses were closed, many of the stolen horses that were located were found at a slaughter house. Fortunately, some before it was too late. A thief that plans to sell your horse by the pound doesn't care about it's pedigree or performance record. My father always told me that there are two kinds of horse people; good and bad.

The bulletins that I have received on stolen horses usually indicate that the fencing was cut and the horses removed. It's going to take a lot more than a lock to keep thieves out. I have had locks and surveilance cameras for years. I have still had items stolen. The addition of 3 guard dogs has helped but we will be taking additional measures to protect our horses.

My concern is not for the humane slaughter of unwanted animals. It is for the hundreds of horses that will be stolen from their owners and sold for slaughter. What I saw in Alabama was an industry that had watch dog agencies "turning their heads" to neglect and abuse. But it was good for the economy; until it wasn't.

Start with an increase in breeders and go from there. I lived in Birmingham when they legalized horse racing. I also saw what happened afterward.

I have 3 horses here that the owners could no longer keep. One came from an equine rescue that operates solely on public contributions. Many horse owners have been hit hard by the current economy. For some, sending their horses to a rescue facility was the only way they could be sure that their animals would be fed.

Horses are a precocial species and learn 7 to 10 times faster than humans. On a personal note, I find them more intelligent than a lot of the people I have encountered. Having owned horses for over 50 years, I can assure you that my perception of them is not anthropomorphic.

In the past, it has been illegal to sell horse meat for human consumption in this country. Want to see a lot more backyard breeders pop up? Make it legal to breed horses for slaughter. You won't solve a problem. You will just create a bigger one. The moral side of this issue is the only thing that has kept the monster at bay until now.

Ranchers who want to graze their cattle on public lands have always had an issue with wild horses. The BLM has been rounding up mustangs by the thousands for the past couple of years. This whole thing smells of yet another government controlled market funded by tax payers.

Beef, pork, chicken, etc... are raised for human consumption. Horses are not. While the drugs given to these animals are questionable, certain drugs given to horses can kill you.

Do you think a horse thief is going to inform the slaughter house that the horse he/she is selling may or may not have been given certain drugs in it's lifetime? Do you think he/she knows or cares? Will you trust a government employee to check all the meat to make sure it's safe for you and your family?

There is an organization known as Net Posse that helps track down stolen horses. While U.S. slaughter houses were in operation, many stolen horses were tracked to these facilities. Some after it was too late. I would post information on one of the drugs but people should do their own research. We should know what we're advocating.

As a horse owner, I now have to be more concerned with security around my farm to prevent theft of my animals. Anyone interested in eating horse meat should read up on the effects on humans of certain drugs given routinely to horses. The only thing standing between you and possible death is a government inspector. Bon Appetit!

A LauraLeigh Farms' gift certificate for our December 26 - 30 horsemanship camp makes a great stocking stuffer for the horse lover in your family. The camp is open to children from 6 to 16. The hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Take advantage of our discounted price of $150 now through December 10th. Please send a PM, if you would like additional information. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

LauraLeigh Farms is located in New Hope close to Mt. Tabor Park.

Monday is now full but we have a couple of openings for Tuesday and Wednesday!