Oops We Goofed
The joyful smiling face in the small photo in the upper right corner of Page 95 in the New England Regional coverage of our August 19th issue is actually Daisy Beisler. We are very sorry Daisy and keep those smiles coming.
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Updates on the Aurora horse farm case
UPDATE, AUGUST 19: Beth Hoskins was arraigned last night in Town of Aurora Court on an additional count of animal cruelty, bringing the total to 125 counts. The additional charge was placed after the SPCA received information from Katherine Fitzgerald of Springville Veterinary Associates regarding a horse that needed to be euthanized in November, "...suffering miserably" after being neglected. The following article appeared in the Buffalo News and on BuffaloNews.com today:
Horse Farm Owner Faces New Charge
By Mary B. Pasciak
From BuffaloNews.com
Aurora horse farm owner Beth Lynne Hoskins was arraigned Wednesday in Aurora Town Court on her 125th count of animal cruelty, after a veterinarian who worked for her came forward saying a horse had to be euthanized on the farm last year due to neglect.
The veterinarian went further, blasting the "severely unsanitary and inhumane" conditions on the farm.
"Beth Hoskins should not be allowed to own any animals due to the fact that she is completely unable to provide even the most basic standard of care for them," Katherine Fitzgerald of Springville Veterinary Associates said in a deposition.
In the deposition taken Tuesday, Fitzgerald said she got a call from Hoskins on Nov. 26, 2009 -- Thanksgiving Day -- about a horse with an eye injury. When Fitzgerald arrived, Hoskins told her that another horse, Misty, was on the ground in another barn and unable to get up.
Misty was so weak that she could not raise her head, even after the veterinarian tried to help several times, Fitzgerald said.
"This horse has been neglected, left in unsanitary, unhealthful conditions, left without food, water, proper medical treatment and care to the point of severe emaciation and the need for immediate euthanasia to end her suffering," Fitzgerald said in her deposition.
Outside the courtroom, Hoskins' lawyers, Barry N. Covert and George V.C. Muscato, questioned why the veterinarian waited so long to come forward with her concerns, especially after the much-publicized seizure of more than 70 horses from Hoskins in March.
"Are you kidding me -- nine months later, she's claiming something happened? This is the bottom of the barrel, as far as we're concerned," Muscato said. "The medical records we've seen certainly don't support this."
This is the first charge against Hoskins involving an animal that died. Until Wednesday, all of Hoskins' charges involved horses and cats the SPCA Serving Erie County seized in March.
Hoskins said the day Misty was euthanized was "the saddest day of my life." She attributed the horse's condition to old age -- the horse was about 25 years old -- and complications from a hip injury the horse suffered before Hoskins bought it in 2004.
"It's sad, but it's part of the normal life cycle of horses," Hoskins said.
Barbara S. Carr, executive director of the SPCA, was quick to differ. "Just because you're old doesn't mean you're thin, dehydrated or weak," said Carr, who attended the court proceeding. "This animal suffered miserably and subsequently died. This is pretty damning -- from her own vet."
Fitzgerald said in her deposition that the horse Hoskins initially called her about last November, Electra, had an eye injury as much as a week old. Because the injury had gone untreated so long, she said, the horse had only minimal vision in that eye.
When she found Electra in the barn, Fitzgerald said, she had to struggle to open the stall door because the stall was filled with "several feet" of manure. The horse was rarely handled and had never been haltered or halter-broken, she said in the deposition. Hoskins was not able to touch the horse -- not an unusual situation on that farm, Fitzgerald said in her deposition.
"When dealing with Beth Hoskins and her horses for the past three years, it was apparent that she is unable to handle the majority of them, and she acts afraid of many of them. She is unable to care for the number of animals on her farm, and she insists on continuing to acquire more animals unnecessarily," the veterinarian said in the deposition.
Hoskins pleaded not guilty on Wednesday; she already has pleaded not guilty to the 10 animal cruelty counts that were filed against her in May and the 114 additional counts in July.
In March, the SPCA seized 73 horses and 53 cats from her farm. A house cat and a barn cat were returned to Hoskins, who signed away ownership of 41 of the cats. They have since been adopted. Of the remaining 10 cats, one died, Carr said. Hoskins has not tried to reclaim the other nine cats, Carr said.
Forty horses have been returned to Hoskins, by order of State Supreme Court Justice Joseph R. Glownia. The other 33 remain in the care of the SPCA, at a cost of $825 a day. The SPCA has spent $300,000 caring for Hoskins' horses, Carr said.
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Oops We Goofed
In the coverage of Connecticut Morgan we referred to MEM Just Alike as a smooth young gelding but she is in fact a mare. Our sincere apologies go to owner, Debra Stockwell that we referred to as Alice Stockwell.
In our coverage of Michigan All Morgan it was incorrectly reported that the trainer for Let's Get Byzy was John & Belle Hufferd of Triumph Stables. Let's Get Byzy is trained by Leah Borders of Chances Stables.
In the coverage of Gold Cup we listed the owner of Merriehill Stonewall Will as Tyler Hufferd. Linda Church is the owner of this Classic Pleasure Driving Junior Exhibitor Champion.
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Morgan Weanling Gala Show Entries Due July 15th
Organizers of the Morgan Weanling Gala want to remind owners and handlers that their entries to compete in this year’s class held at the New England Regional, July 29th, 2010 are due by July 15th.
“This is a change in our program made to enable the show office and organizers more time to verify eligibility and complete promotional material.” stated chairman Larry Bolen. $250 and a completed show entry form should be sent to Secretary, Linda Burke. Entries made after the deadline will be charged a post entry fee of $125 and refunds will be made with a vet’s certificate. All rules are available in the prize list or at www.morganweanlinggala.com.
Foals born this year by the following stallions are encouraged to compete for the largest purse offered for weanlings: Astronomicallee, Beethoven, Bellerophon, Bocelli, Born To Boogie, Cartier, CCR’s Outrajus Corajus, Centerpiece, Century Nightmusic, Dragonsmeade Axios, Dragonsmeade Icon, Favorite Son, Fifth Avenue Flaire, Hollybrook Stage Rage, JW That Special Flaire, KDS Star Wars, Man In Motion, Minion Millennium, Mizrahi, Stonecroft Trilogy, SYP High Definition, Tara’s Firewalker, and Town Assets.
“Watching the foals compete at New England is always so exciting and rewarding. We are anticipating a great class this year and appreciate the gracious support of the New England Show Committee. “ Bolen concluded.
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Correction
In our Vermont Spring Classic coverage we stated that Taylor River led the Reserve Grand Champion Stallion, Aljaks Brite Lights when in fact it was Shawn Amazeen of Amazeen Stables for owners Margaret and Laura Foley.
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Dated May 25, 2010
Erie County Update: Beth Hoskins, Eden Farm, Charged with Multiple Counts of Cruelty
On May 14, investigators from the SPCA Serving Erie County charged Beth Hoskins with 10 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty after 73 horses, 53 cats and four dogs were found living in deplorable conditions on her Erie County farm. She faces up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine, per count.
“These are definitely some very serious charges,” says Jeff Eyre, ASPCA’s Northeast Director of Field Investigations and Response. “But it’s important to remember that each animal involved was a life that was abused.”
According to Eyre, the Team’s next step is to prepare a report that documents the poor physical conditions the equines were found in, as well as their deplorable living conditions, and follows the improvements they have made since rescue.
While Hoskins’ attorney maintains his client’s innocence, the accused is scheduled for arraignment on May 26 in Aurora town court. To date, the total cost of the investigation, including animal care, has exceeded $110,000.
Last Friday, May 14, investigators from the SPCA Serving Erie County (NY) charged Beth Hoskins with 10 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty after 73 horses, 53 cats and four dogs were found living in deplorable conditions on her Erie County, NY, farm. She faces up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine per count. While Hoskins’ attorney maintains his client’s innocence, the accused is scheduled for arraignment on May 26 in Aurora Town Court. To date, the total cost of the investigation, including animal care, has exceeded $110,000.
“These are some very serious charges,” says Jeff Eyre, the ASPCA’s Northeast Director of Field Investigations and Response. “It’s important to remember that each animal involved was abused.”
Eyre was one of several members of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team deployed this past March to assist in what has been declared the largest farm animal rescue in the area. For more than two months, the team oversaw the sheltering and care of the horses recovered from the scene. By April 30, all of the remaining horses had been transported to new foster homes. "We achieved our goal to rehabilitate these horses, both physically and behaviorally," reports Eyre. "These are now happy horses, and I could not have asked for a better ending."
To read more about this case and the charges filed against Beth Hoskins, visit ASPCA Raids and Investigations page.
Dated May 25, 2010 - Email to The Morgan Connection
Ms. Hoskins is scheduled to appear in court for the first time tomorrow, May 26, 5:30pm.
To answer questions about why there were only 10 counts of animal cruelty: We were strongly urged by the ADA with whom we are working to pick the horses and cats in the very worst shape and limit the charges to 10 or fewer, then allow these 10 to represent all the animals that were a part of this case. In no way does this lead to a potential implication that there was only alleged cruelty committed to 10 animals....rather, these 10 are representative of all the animals.
To charge someone with numerous (more than 100) counts of animal cruelty (in this case, 130, which would be one count per animal) is traditionally considered somewhat self-indulgent on the part of the charging agency, and in the past, courts have not looked kindly upon this action. The time and effort that would be spent in the courts on 130 individual counts is unimaginable, and we could not take the chance that the entire case would be dismissed.
This doesn't even include the time and expense that would be put into preparing 130 individual counts for court addressing. Sadly, we are in the middle of many cruelty cases each month, and we wouldn't be prepared to go to court for years on this one particular alleged cruelty incident if we were to work up 130 individual "cases." We would be extremely remiss in fulfilling our responsibility to these animals if we allowed this case to go that long simply to make a point.
I hope that answers some of the justifiable concerns of your readers. Again, please feel free to contact me with further questions!
Gina Browning
Director of Public Relations
SPCA Serving Erie County
205 Ensminger Road
Tonawanda, NY 14150
The History of the Situation
On March 16, under the authority and request of the SPCA Serving Erie County (NY) members of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team were dispatched to assist in the sheltering management and care of 73 horses seized from what is believed to be the area's largest farm animal rescue ever. The animals were found living in deplorable and extremely unsanitary conditions on a farm in East Aurora, NY (about 20 miles southeast of Buffalo).
Jeff Eyre, the Northeast Director of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team, was sent to the scene with other ASPCA staff skilled in horse handling. Over the past eight weeks, the group has played a vital role in helping to feed, water and clean the animals. More importantly, the team has spent time nurturing the horses, helping them to rebuild their broken spirits. On April 30, the mission came to a close, as the remaining horses were transported to new foster homes.
“Our on-site response is complete,” says Jeff. “We achieved our goal to rehabilitate these horses, both physically and behaviorally. These are now happy horses, and I could not have asked for a better ending.”
The following is a series of field reports from Jeff on the ground in Erie County.
Field Report #1
03-26-2010
Attended an early morning briefing with team leaders to set up a swing shift for the day to day operations—this will cover the early morning feeding and medications. Our goal today is to finish barn and stall improvements, provide handling for a vet visit and move or separate the horses.
After the meeting, we provided food and water for the horses, improved the stalls and cleared an area for the intake of new supplies and equipment. Later, we unloaded two tractor trailers full of supplies. We also created a staff office and site command center for operations planning and evidence organization.
A special event…this afternoon we watched as ASPCAs Logistic Manager Joel Lopez handled a newborn horse, moving him from one stall to another—great job!
Field Report #2
03-27-2010
We were briefed in-route to the shelter in order to make our 8:00 A.M. shift.
We completed the erection of a fence to secure the area around the barns and set up a rental to supplement the Gator, an all-terrain vehicle, for use around the barns. Oil was changed in the Gator.
Moved another young horse without incident.
Field Report #3
03-28-2010
We now report directly to the shelter to start our shifts at 8:00 A.M.—briefing is now covered during lunch breaks for updates and new changes.
Repaired front of stalls in small barn and began lead walking and lunging some of the horses within the fenced area—hopefully tomorrow we can erect a round pen.
I am amazed….at any given time I can look at someone here and they are smiling. The amount of physical work required to care for a horse is intense. But the joy a horse gets in a clean stall—they sniff, snort and roll just because! It can only make you smile. I am very, very proud of our team. More tomorrow…
Field Report #4
03-29-2010
Today was a full day of cleaning and improving the barn for the horses. We added another Gator vehicle with a power lift for cleaning and moving supplies.
Due to the rainy weather conditions, the area is full of water and mud—we have decided to keep all horses in.
Today we received three more horses from the case; there are now 69 horses on site, four are being held at the SPCA.
Field Report #5
03-30-2010
Josh Burkhart, our farrier, arrived today to repair and shape the horses’ hooves—the majority of the horses here need work done, some extensive.
Evidence of their poor hoof care was documented for prosecution purposes—including bagging all hoof trimmings and photographing the work being done.
Field Report #6
03-31-2010
New team members arrived this morning and we explained to them the procedures and barn setup. With the additional staff, we have improved our scheduling by having a half-day shift start at 7:30 A.M. to cover feedings, and a full-day shift beginning at 8:00 A.M. to cover the remaining work.
We received approval for the arena and round pen for exercise. The round pen will arrive tomorrow and arena was created or “fluffed” today.
Our farrier was here for a second day, working in the barns. Kristen Limbert, our Operation Manager, worked with him, handling the horses and obtaining evidence.
Overall, the team is making progress with the horses, and with each other. We are becoming more active and effective, we are also sleeping better…as we are finally able to enjoy watching the horses heal and change for the better.
A good day for all…
Field Report #7
04-07-2010
The horses’ health and spirits have vastly improved—they are now allowing us to approach and handle them with greater ease. As their strength improves, so does their intake of food and water. We have recently adjusted their feedings to meet their new daily requirements— approximately 60 bales of hay are being fed a day!
Cleaning and repairing the stalls is a common chore. We just surpassed 80 tons of stall fill—that’s not including the 70 bales of wood shavings used a day for bedding. It’s certainly not uncommon to see at least six wheel barrows, two all-terrain vehicles and multiple hay forks clicking away at any given moment. Cleaning and caring for these animals is an every day, all-day chore—and really what this whole situation is about. With 69 horses to care for, you really do need a team this large.
Final Field Report
04-07-2010
We just finished loading the last seven mares onto the trailer—they will be making the hour drive to their new foster home. A total of 69 horses have been relocated to new homes over the past few weeks, and this group was our last haul. It has been through the great efforts of our team—including members of the ASPCA, American Humane Association, Days End and the SPCA of Erie County—that the moves went smoothly and all of the horses were rehomed without incident or injury.
Overall, our response has dramatically improved the lives of these animal victims—physically, behaviorally and mentally. I can remember the first days after rescue, when the horses would react to us with horror and fear. They were emaciated, dirty and their manes full of tangles and mats. Today, these healthy animals can be gently walked with a halter lead and approach humans with interest and affection. I have spent more than a month working with these abused and broken animals and have watched them recover little by little each day. I can now only describe my final goodbye as moving.
It was during the morning feeding—when my favorite sound of the horses munching hay filled the air. As I approached each stall, a head would appear, and I would receive a gentle nuzzle from a nose. There were no flared eyes, no ears pulled back, no pinning against the stall walls—these horses were at peace. They were comfortable in their surroundings and with me. At the end of this journey, I know that these are happy horses with enriched lives—and I could not have asked for a better farewell.
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Bluegrass Morgan Classic Sponsorship Information
Dear Morgan Enthusiasts,
We are excited to establish the new BLUEGRASS MORGAN CLASSIC in Lexington at the Kentucky Horse Park, July 7-11, 2010.
The show will be a five day show starting with the in hand on Wednesday evening. Performance classes will begin on Thursday morning with two sessions per day, Sunday will have one session in the morning. Larry Bolen will be judging the Stallions in hand, Specialties in hand, Park, English Pleasure, Pleasure Driving, Classis Pleasure Saddle, Classic Pleasure Driving and Saddleseat Equitation. Cindy Mugnier will be judging Mares and Gelding in hand, Hunt Pleasure, Western Pleasure, Carriage, Road Hack, Western Seat Equitation, Hunt Seat Equitation, Lead line and Adult Walk Trot.
On July 9th will be the cutting ceremony for the Morgan Pavilion.
What a great venue we have to show the thousands of visitors at the park how wonderful our Morgan horses are.
We need your support to make this show a success thru sponsorship, advertising and entries. Attached is the sponsorship form, we welcome any support, Please consider sponsoring.
Please feel free to contact Belle Hufferd at 260-672-2721 or hufferd@aol.comSponsorship Chairperson or myself Martha Edwards 248-207-9444 or brynmarmorgans@comcast.net if you have any questions.
To be included in the program Sponsorships must be received by June 1st, 2010.
SPONSORSHIP FORM
Submitted by Martha Edwards
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Grand National & World Championship Morgan Show Reining Judge Change
Show manager Fred Nava has announced that due to unforeseen circumstances Marc Wagman will be unable to judge the Reining Division at the 2010 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse show. Ms. Flis Sassela has accepted the assignment to judge in Wagmans absence. For more information contact show manager Fred Nava at fnava1@verizon.net
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New England Morgan Horse Show Judge Change
John Whalen will be unable to judge the New England Morgan Horse. Renee Lavery will be taking his place. Renee will be judging Geldings In Hand, Park Saddle, Pleasure Driving, Classic Pleasure Saddle, Saddle Seat Equitation, Saddle Seat Equitation Leadline and Walk/Trot, Futurity. For more information contact show manager Fred Nava at fnava1@verizon.net
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The Sacred Band - Written by Chris & Janet Morris
The Sacred Band of Thebes lives on, a world away, in this mythic epic of love in war in ancient times. In 338 BCE, during the Battle of Chaeronea that results in the massacre of the Sacred Band of Thebes, Tempus and his Stepson cavalry rescue twenty three pairs of Theban Sacred Banders, paired brothers and lovers, to fight on other days. These forty-six Thebans, whose bones will never lie in the mass grave that holds their two hundred and fifty-four brothers, join with the immortalized Tempus and his Sacred Band of Stepsons, consummate ancient cavalry fighters, to make new lives in a faraway land and fight the battle of their dreams where gods walk the earth, ghosts take the field, and the angry Fates demand their due.
Kindle version available here.
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73 horses (predominantly Morgans) seized by the SPCA from Eden Farm - Owned by Beth Lynne Hoskins. March 2010.
The Connection is following this situation and will be printing an update in its next issue.
Meantime if you have any information regarding the horses in this herd - previous ownership information should include color, identifying marks, sex, age, etc., then please help. We have provided the SPCA with all info we have in our files. The SPCA needs this input!
Email your information to jeffe@aspca.org but ONLY about the horses. Stay focused folks! We'll keep you updated. You can also read about this on aspca.org and local Buffalo TV/Newspapers. Go Google to find links.
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Morgans Make Bid For U.S. Team
A four-in-hand team of black Morgan geldings, owned by Alan and Maureen Aulson, are one step closer to their bid of making team to represent the United States at the World Equestrian Games (WEG), a first in the Morgan breed!
The combined driving four-in-hand team of Nordby Coalie's Duke, Nordby Coalie's Coal Dust, and the full brothers Nordby Shadow's Sam Spade and Nordby Shadow's Rocky have put in solid performances at three driving events in Florida this year, which were all selection trials for WEG. The team is expertly driven by David Saunders. At the first competition of the year, Little Everglades International, Saunders finished in fourth place and was the third-place American. At the Sunshine State Combined Driving Event in February, he was third overall, and at the Live Oak International in March, he was fifth overall, out of 14 competitors. Currently, the team is sixth in the four-in-hand rankings, dated March 30. The World Equestrian Games will take place in Lexington, Kentucky, September 25-October 10 and is the first time they will be held in the United States.
While only three drivers will make the United States Team, there is a possibility an additional six drivers may be able to compete at WEG as individuals. This is dependant on the number of European teams that will participate. The U.S. team is slated to be announced by the first week in September.
For more information on Saunders and the Morgan pairs or to make a contribution to support their efforts, please contact MorganDrivingTeamUSA@gmail.com and visit www.blackprong.com/team. You can also become a fan of the Team on Facebook by visiting their fanpages: Morgans to the WEG and USA Morgan Driving Team.
Submitted by AMHA
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Morgan Pavilion Progress at Kentucky Horse Park
For a YouTube experience: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brgdLb6CXAI
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