Horsepower, Inc.,

01/16/2026

Last week the following article, FBI Wiretaps, Illegal Drugs and Dead Horses, was published outlining the ongoing abuses of horses, particularly standardbred harness race horses here in New York. This is despite many watchdog and advocacy organizations working for years to end or, at a bare minimum, curb such injurious and often heinous practices in the racing industry.

Over the course of the last several years, the New York State legislature has passed and the Governor has signed into law, several statutes (of which have been referred to by national advocacy groups as the strongest in the nation) to stop the sale or transfer of horses for the purposes of slaughter and to hold auction houses accountable for attempting to participate in such sales. What New York has not done is fund the laws that they so often receive credit for passing which, from the outside appear to “lead the way in the protection of equines.”

Despite collective continued advocacy for implementation, we have proof positive (vis a vis FDA documentation) showing that kill buyers continue to use NY State as a thoroughfare to transport horses to Canada for Slaughter. 99 percent of these horses are Standardbred horses (identifiable by tattoo or freeze brand) and New York has been turning a blind eye to the blatant offenders.

The State Troopers who are required to implement the laws are between a rock and a hard place. If they stop a tractor trailer full of horses bound for slaughter, they have no designated holding facilities. We have asked the Governor’s administration for meager funds to provide such facilities for several years. To date, no funds have been forthcoming.

We have shared the FDA documents clearly indicating hundreds of standardbred harness horses are being moved through NY to Canada for slaughter. We have asked the Attorney General’s office to prosecute the offenders, and we are told it is not within their jurisdiction to do so. So, while we have passed laws…we have not enforced them once!

Meanwhile, as articulated in the article first referenced, the state continues to provide subsidies to the industry to the tune of $250 MILLION ANNUALLY, while both the state and the industry continue to ignore where many of these horses end up…on a slaughter truck, heading up I-87 to Canada.

Cut to this week, when the Governor’s representative told a FOCUS journalist Governor Hochul and Lawmakers Call for Consequences… | New York Focus she “has zero tolerance for rule breaking…” Well, to that we say, Governor, you needn’t look far in this industry for rule breaking and total disregard for the statutes you’ve already enacted to protect these very animals.

Earlier this year, after meeting with the legislative leaders in the horse racing space, and the governor’s team while they worked on the upcoming budget proposal, we, along with numerous advocates and rescues across the state, asked for funding that would effectively implement the laws they signed into effect HORSEPOWER And Other Statewide Advocates Continues to Push Legislature and Hochul Administration for Funding — HORSEPOWER. We left said meetings with no commitments that implementation of these laws or the safety and care of these horses would be prioritized in the upcoming Executive’s Budget Proposal but given the recent exposures and the Governor’s current ire at the industry, we hope we are pleasantly surprised when we see her proposal rolled out next week.

In the meantime, we will continue to call on the administration and the legislature to allocate the meager funds necessary to implement our own state's laws. It seems a reasonable request to shave a million dollars off of the $250 million this industry is receiving through subsidies since they continue to use such funding to injure and kill horses and feed the slaughter pipeline. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

Karin Spencer,

Founder

HORSEPOWER, INC

https://nysfocus.com/2026/01/07/horse-racing-new-york-illegal-drugs-dopers

https://nysfocus.com/2026/01/16/horse-doping-investigation-hochul-lawmakers-fbi

https://horsepwr.org/media/horsepower-and-other-statewide-advocates-continues-to-push-legislature-and-hochul-administration-for-funding

Our Team The founders of HORSEPOWER have united to use their experience in the fields of advocacy, coalition building, education, policy reform and organizing to build a presence for equine welfare in our political arenas. Meet Our Team

06/30/2025

CALL OF THE WILD CALL TO ACTION!!!!

Egregious threats to our nation's wild horses and burros in the Big Ugly Bill winding its way through Washington, we wanted to highlight two of the most disturbing provisions:
25% cut to the BLM's Wild Horses and Burros Program and no prohibition against outright killing or selling healthy horses in the program. It's a page taken out of the Project 2025 playbook. This would put at risk of death the 64,000 wild horses currently held by the BLM and Forest Service. Simply put, this would be a disaster in the making for wild horses and burros currently incarcerated by our government.

Mandated sale of over 250 million acres of federally owned public land across 11 western states to private interests. Much of the land is home to what is left of the wild horses and burros left in this country. Again, simply a disaster.

As such, we, HORSEPOWER, Inc, are working in collaboration with Equine Advocates and other advocates across the nation to mount a national call-in day tomorrow, July 1. PLEASE SEE BELOW LINK FOR EASY PARTICIAPTION DIRECTIVES AND PLEASE DO SHARE WITH YOUR NETWORKS!!!

https://horsepwr.org/media/the-call-of-the-wild

12/12/2024

HORSEPWR.ORG AND OTHER EQUINE WELFARE ORGS CALLING ON GOVERNOR TO SIGN ENFORCEMENT BILL.

https://horsepwr.org/media/horsepwr-and-other-statewide-equine-welfare-orgs-call-for-enforcement-bill-to-be-signed

December 1, 2024 Honorable Kathleen Hochul Governor State of New York New York State Capitol Bldg. Albany, NY 12224   Dear Governor Hochul, We, the undersigned, implore the Governor to sign A.6947 / S.6796 which will require signage be posted at auction houses regarding the new law

09/23/2024

Important info about our horses and our health. EEE case confirmed in NY.

For Immediate Release: 9/23/2024
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES STATEWIDE ACTION FOLLOWING CONFIRMED CASE OF EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS

New York’s First Human Case of EEE Since 2015 in Ulster County Has Died

State Issues Declaration of Imminent Threat to Public Health and Urges New Yorkers to Follow Recommendations to Reduce Risk of Mosquito-Borne Illness

Governor Activated Multiple Agencies and Increased Coordination Between State and Local Health Officials

Measures Include Mosquito Spraying, More Insect Repellent for Visitors at State Parks and Campgrounds, and Greater Outreach to Residents


Governor Kathy Hochul today announced statewide actions to protect public health following reports that the first human case of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in New York since 2015 has died. The case, which was confirmed in Ulster County on September 20 by the State Health Department’s Wadsworth Center, is being investigated by the Ulster County Department of Health.

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued a Declaration of an Imminent Threat to Public Health for EEE. The Declaration unlocks State resources to help support EEE prevention response and activities by local health departments – including ongoing mosquito spraying efforts – from September 30 to November 30, 2024.

Immediately after the case of EEE was confirmed the Governor activated multiple State agencies – including the Department of Health, Department of Environmental Conservation, and Parks Department – in a robust, coordinated response to expand access to insect repellent at State parks and campgrounds, increase public outreach and urge New Yorkers to follow recommendations to reduce risk of mosquito-borne illness.

“Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority,” Governor Hochul said. “Following the first confirmed human case of EEE, my administration took statewide action to help protect communities – and with today’s declaration we’re making more State resources available to local departments to support their public health response. We’ve been informed this patient has passed away from EEE, we extend our sympathies and our hearts go out to their family.”

The State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is making mosquito repellent available to park visitors at park offices, visitor centers and campground offices. State Parks is placing signage at Parks and Historic Sites to raise awareness of EEE and consulted with local health departments in affected areas about limiting park hours and camping availability during hours of peak mosquito activity.

Additionally, DEC is posting signage at DEC facilities, campgrounds, popular Hudson Valley trailheads, environmental education centers, and other State lands to raise awareness about EEE. DEC and State Parks are also alerting patrons with campground reservations about preventative measure they can take to avoid mosquito bites. DOH, DEC and State Parks are also launching a social media campaign to raise awareness of EEE and other mosquito-transferred pathogens and steps to avoid mosquito bites, including using repellent, covering exposed areas of skin, and avoiding outdoor activity at dawn and dusk.

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Eastern equine encephalitis is different this year. While we normally see these mosquitoes in two to three counties each year, this year they have been in 15 counties so far, and scattered all over New York State. This life-threatening mosquito-borne disease has no commercially available human vaccine and must be taken seriously. Mosquitoes, once a nuisance, are now a threat. I urge all New Yorkers to prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellents, wearing long-sleeved clothing and removing free-standing water near their homes. Fall is officially here, but mosquitoes will be around until we see multiple nights of below freezing temperatures.”

State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, "We encourage park visitors and outdoor enthusiasts to become familiar with the risks of EEE and to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. We will continue to coordinate with the state Department of Health and local public health agencies on any additional recommended steps to address this issue.”

State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “Eastern equine encephalitis is a serious concern, especially for those spending time outdoors enjoying the fall weather. DEC will continue to closely coordinate with our State and local partners to help ensure New Yorkers are aware of the risks and the precautions they can take to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses.”

The recent human case in New York State was identified by the Wadsworth Center. Other states, including Massachusetts, Vermont, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Wisconsin and New Hampshire, have also reported human EEE cases this year. Eighteen cases of EEE have been in identified in horses across 12 counties in New York State this year.

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a rare but severe viral disease spread by infected mosquitoes that can affect people and horses. People of all ages are susceptible to infection, but people over 50 and younger than 15 are at a high risk of acquiring the virus.

While most people bitten by an infected mosquito will not develop symptoms, severe cases may begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills and vomiting. The illness may then progress into disorientation, seizures, encephalitis and coma. Approximately a third of patients who develop EEE die, while many patients who survive EEE experience neurologic impairment.

There is no commercially available human vaccine for EEE and the best protection is to prevent mosquito bites.

The following precautions are recommended to reduce the risk of infection from EEE and other mosquito-borne illnesses:

Consider wearing long sleeves and tucking pants into socks and shirts into pants when outdoors at dusk or dawn, the time of day when mosquitoes are most active.
Use insect repellents containing DEET. Be sure to follow the insect repellent label directions. Children should not handle repellents directly. Instead, adults should apply repellents to their hands first and then gently spread them on the child's exposed skin. Avoid applying directly to children's hands. After returning indoors, wash your child's treated skin and clothing with soap and water or bathe the child.
Make sure there are screens in the windows and doors of the home. Make sure the screens are free of rips, tears and holes.
Eliminate all standing water in yards and around the home and property where mosquitoes can breed, including plastic containers, pool covers, wading pools, ceramic pots, clogged drainpipes and wheelbarrows. Also, change water in bird baths twice a week.

For more information about EEE, go to DOH’s website.

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09/19/2024

https://capitolpressroom.org/2024/09/18/strengthening-new-yorks-equine-slaughter-restrictions/

04/11/2024

Effective Date!!

Advocates are urging police to enforce a new NY law banning the slaughter of all equines for consumption.

12/13/2023

https://www.timesunion.com/state/article/hochul-signs-law-banning-slaughter-equines-food-18551982.php

A second bill signed by the governor increases penalties for auctioneers who sell sick or injured equines

12/13/2023

Thank You Governor Hochul for signing landmark legislation to protect equines on today, the National Day of the Horse.

We are beyond proud and excited that NY is now considered a national leader in equine welfare.

And many thanks to our bill sponsors, Senator Joe Addabbo, and Assembly members Gary Pretlow and Deborah Glick.

See our Press Release Here:

HORSEPOWER People Organizing for the Well-being of Equines and their Rights     ON NATIONAL DAY OF THE HORSE, GOVERNOR HOCHUL SIGNS HORSEPOWERS' PRIORITY LEGISLATION TO PREVENT EQUINE CRUELTY   Legislation S.2163B/A.5109A Prohibits the Slaughter of Ho

12/12/2023

Call to Action on the Eve of National Day of the Horse

Advocates call upon the Governor to sign two pieces of equine welfare legislation.

HORSEPOWER People Organizing for the Well-being of Equines and their Rights   Contact: Karin Carreau, Chair   HORSEPOWER, INC.             518-339-0765 ALBANY, NY: December

11/30/2023

Holiday Gift Raffle — HORSEPOWER

Purchase Ticket Here https://horsepwr.org/store-2

Looking for the perfect gift for the horse lover in your life? LOOK no further.

In the spirit of giving, HorsePower is offering an amazing opportunity to win a professional photo shoot of your favorite rider and their horse!

Participate our holiday gift raffle for a chance to win an equine photo session with renowned photographer Caroline DiBacco (see examples of her work here) C DiBacco Photography (photoshelter.com)

Not only will you have the chance to give a unique and memorable gift but you'll also be supporting HorsePower, a registered 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of horses.

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to give back and capture beautiful memories with your equine companion. Visit our online store where each ticket purchased is one entry into the HorsePower 2023 drawing on Christmas Eve Day.

Is a non-profit organization working to assure the safety and wellbeing of equines through education

11/03/2023

https://wgna.com/police-pregnant-horse-shot-and-killed-in-upstate-reward-offered/?fbclid=IwAR0Ya34TkhVCtMqNQCurxzeuoPAmTO5wE1ySyU6hZWApQr7kVaLi3EyKYeA_aem_Ac-2-zk3WX_p0xCnZ2KB6AqwO2Y4atbtIgVmxIR6g9x269GLJRMYFq5wRdTB6xn8zwc

Police are looking for the person(s) responsible for a heinous crime after they found a 15-year-old pregnant mare dead from a gunshot wound this week.

10/20/2023

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