LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Equine
Advocates on February 27, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those individuals and organizations who would faithfully
dedicate themselves to the care and protection of animals; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 20th Anniversary of Equine Advocates, to be celebrated on
Saturday, February 27, 2016; and
WHEREAS, In 1996, Susan Wagner founded Equine Advocates, a national
non-profit equine protection organization after rescuing her first
horse, Gandalf, from slaughter; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable organization strives to rescue, protect and
prevent the abuse of horses through education, investigation, rescue
operations, the dissemination of information to the public and the coop-
eration of a horse sanctuary for slaughter-bound, abused and neglected
horses; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its 20 years of service, Equine Advocates has
rescued thousands of equines, including horses, ponies, donkeys and
mules from slaughter, abuse and neglect; and
WHEREAS, In 2004, Susan Wagner and her incredible staff at Equine
Advocates, established Equine Advocates Rescue and Sanctuary, a 140-acre
facility located in upstate New York from which it now operates; and
WHEREAS, Equine Advocates Rescue and Sanctuary has truly become a
haven for horses; it is an equine village where horses get to live out
their lives in a natural environment which allows them to socialize with
each other; and
WHEREAS, Currently, 85 equines reside at Equine Advocates Rescue and
Sanctuary, receiving lots of tender loving care; most of these wonderful
animals were slaughter-bound and/or came from abusive situations and
have earned their retirement at the sanctuary; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, Equine Advocates Rescue and Sanctuary proudly opened
its Humane Education Center where they welcome groups and individuals of
all ages from many different parts of the country to learn about equine
issues, responsible horse guardianship, humane horse handling, natural
horsemanship, and many other important subjects which affect the welfare
of our equine friends; and
WHEREAS, The staff always stresses the importance of people taking
responsibility for the equines under their care, ensuring them a safe
and kind existence during their lives and a peaceful, dignified experi-
ence in death; and
WHEREAS, The Humane Education Programs offered at the sanctuary are
continually expanding; they offer tours and present lectures and classes
on a variety of equine-related subjects and issues; in addition, they
have held Symposiums on Equine Cruelty for law enforcement where experts
discussed how to recognize abuse/neglect cases and how to effectively
enforce the cruelty laws; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, in the outdoor arena right outside the Education
Center, staff members hold lecture demonstrations and also allow visi-
tors, especially young children, to meet some of their more gentle hors-
es such as Dolly and Queen; and
WHEREAS, Equine Advocates Rescue and Sanctuary produced its first
children's book for young children, entitled, DO HORSES SLEEP STANDING
UP? written by their Development Director, Karen Wagner; this educa-
tional book features many of the horses who live at the sanctuary; and

WHEREAS, In 2013, The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS),
the only globally recognized organization providing standards for iden-
tifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Accredited status to
Equine Advocates Rescue and Sanctuary; one year later, it was one of
only 42 organizations to be awarded Accredited status by the Thorough-
bred Aftercare Alliance (TAA); and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Equine Advocates is also an award-winning organ-
ization, honored by the New York State Humane Association and the
Thoroughbred Charities of America for excellence in equine protection
and rescue work, including numerous multi-horse rescue operations; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, Equine Advocates has focused both on
horse rescue and advocacy, exposing the cruel horse slaughter and preg-
nant mares' urine (PMU) industries and other forms of equine abuse; and
WHEREAS, Since 2006, Equine Advocates has focused on teaching humane
equine practices to horse owners and young people, in particular,
because they are the future horse owners of America; and
WHEREAS, The staff at Equine Advocates has originated and participated
in many televised and print undercover investigations which have taken
it across the United States and Canada to expose horse slaughter
auctions, horse slaughterhouses, the tragic fate of most camp horses,
the abusive treatment of many mules, buggy horses and work horses by
some Amish farmers, the unhappy lives of PMU mares, the urban carriage
horse trade and other informative reports exposing equine abuse and
other forms of exploitation; and
WHEREAS, The success of Equine Advocates is in direct correlation to
the efforts of its dedicated staff and volunteers, whose involvement is,
and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an
unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in
all endeavors on behalf of this institution and the animals it serves;
and
WHEREAS, Under the illustrious guidance of President Susan Wagner,
Equine Advocates will continue to provide the best possible service to
its diverse equine community for many years to come; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Equine Advocates on February 27,
2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
.SO DOC S R3619 RESO TEXT 2015
smitted to Susan Wagner, President, Equine Advocates.