Tag: 2017
Boise BLM wild horse adoptions on hold due to equine distemper | KBOI
Members of the public interested in adopting a wild horse or burro should contact the BLM Boise District Office at (208) 384-3300 to provide their contact information.
BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) – The Bureau of Land Management has temporarily suspended wild horse and burro adoptions at the Boise BLM Wild Horse Corrals due to strangles, or equine distemper, in several horses.
Strangles is an upper respiratory tract infection in horses and although usually not fatal, is highly contagious.
While the symptomatic horses are quarantined and being treated by a veterinarian, the BLM has decided to close the corrals to adoptions and public visitors as a precaution until further notice.
“Our priority is the safety of the horses at our facility and the potential of the disease being transmitted to privately-owned horses,” said Raul Trevino, BLM Boise Corral Manager. “We just don’t want to take any chances while we wait for the disease to run its course. As soon as it is safe to do so, we will resume adoptions.”
Horses showing sickness were first observed on May 17.
Lab results later confirmed the presence of strangles in one horse, with six others being symptomatic.
All of these horses are presently stable or showing signs of improvement.
Strangles cases are not rare and have happened at other private and wild horse facilities throughout the country.
Members of the public interested in adopting a wild horse or burro should contact the BLM Boise District Office at (208) 384-3300 to provide their contact information.
They will be contacted to schedule an appointment after the corral reopens for adoptions.
For more information, contact the Boise District Office at (208) 384-3300.
Source: Boise BLM wild horse adoptions on hold due to equine distemper | KBOI
Third New Moon of Spring
Gemini New Moon ~ Astrorisa Moon Forecaster
Written by Iya Olusoga ~ Bisi Ade
Thursday
May 25, 2017
Gemini New Moon 4° in House 8
Sun in Gemini 4° in House 8
3:44 PM EDT
Planetary Energies
Moon (Osupa / Yemoja),Sun (Orun / Orunmila, Olofi), Mercury (Esu-Elegbara), Mars (Ogun), Saturn (Obaluaiye), Uranus (Sango), Pluto (Oya), and Venus (Oshun).
Themes:
Duality, balance, conflict, reflection, development, effort, business growth, initiative, self control, delays, freedom from anxiety, a sense of purpose, and “knowing whether it’s black or red”.
Welcoming the New Moon (Osupa Titun) of Gemini, the archetype of both Ibeji and Esu. This forecasts runs from May 25th – June 22,2017.
This new moon brings with it expressions related to thought, mental clarity, confusion and discernment. We, for the next 28 days will focus much of our mental attention on forms of personal opportunities and the need to be sure of the best direction to take. It is through our ability to connect to our higher self that clear and sure answers come. This is the moon time to be aware and clear of what and who we are identifying and associating with. It is also a good idea to check one’s natal chart to determine where the signs Cancer, Gemini, Aries, and Aquarius are positioned, and what sign Mars resides in.
Some people will notice they and others are dialoguing a lot about what they want to receive, acquire, or achieve. We’re all thinking-thinking-and thinking some more, “is the glass 1/2 empty or 1/2 full”?
This overthinking or desire to have, can lead us towards impulsive decisions only if we’re not aware of what emotions / desires are triggering the thoughts in our heads.
This is also a moon time of “goading followers and unscrupulous leaders” those in positions of authority may set false agendas, and each of us must decide if those set agendas are relevant enough to accept and follow. Unfortunately, some people will be too enthralled to care about relevancy, thus becoming “blind followers.” This example is related to the Uranus expression, thus unexpected changes within our luck and opportunities will be happening. Uranus 26° in Aries in House 7.
The Yoruba say, the oldest Ibeji (twins) is kehinde (the 2nd born), and taiwo (the 1st born) comes to taste the world, then reports back to kehinde, Thus kehinde learns about the good and bitterness of aiye (world) from taiwo, and (kehinde) becomes wiser. We can use that analogy and apply it to the lunar messages for this moon time. We must turn back (inward) towards our higher self, which has learned all the mistakes and techniques which makes it the wiser. Through reconnecting to our higher self , our spiritual self, we also then become the wiser, knowing what “to taste” and if it’s safe to “enter the world.”
During This Moon Time
Gemini Moon / Sagittarius shadow side
Some people will notice a heightened awareness of reasoning happening for them, and others will become aware of the need to pay closer attention to their situation, though it may be challenging to do so. This moon time calls for a balancing between our emotions and our mental skills.
During this moon time creative mental exploration is in overdrive; there’s an enormous amount of Venus energy flowing. Yet this creative Venus/ Oshun is a bit afflicted being semi-square to both Moon and Sun. This means during this time Venus enhances the Uranus in Aries expression of “goading followers and unscrupulous leaders” because this Venus transit lessens some people’s will power.
For others this Venus transit causes internal creative conflicts, those who experience the scrutiny of others may give too much credence to their critics’ opinions, thus lessening their own value regarding their own work and ideas.
During this moon time some will travel more than they’ve previously done for the past 2 months. If we’re not mentally traveling, then there is physical traveling.
During this moon time, laziness can become an all-embracing issue. Due to mental and emotional exhaustion. Others at this time may choose to take a creative time out i.e secluding themselves to paint, draw, do yoga etc.
Others at this time may be drawn to water, having longer bath-shower time, going to the beach or lake, visiting water spas, receiving water massages etc. The mid-heaven (house 10) for this moon time is 14° Cancer, and we will be balancing the elemental energies of both water/ emotions (house 10) and air / mentality (Libra in house 1; sun-moon Gemini in house 8).
During this time some people will also fall in love with love, as they are connecting to another form of ”following” but again their connection is influenced by the position of Cancer. Then there are those who feel inspired to follow a new or once forgotten dream, connecting to the energies of ideas and idealism.
The Sagittarius shadow aspect of this moon time inspires us on some level to inquire or to be ready to discard something. To identify what possibly has left us feeling empty or unsatisfied about something. It compels us to either become courageous or to recognize a need to be mentally courageous and to go after what we want.
Important Dates:
June 3, 2017, Sun 13° Gemini / Moon 4° Libra, pushes our collective consciousness towards clearly understanding our moral positions and to hold firmly to it, though that stance will be challenged. This is a day when many people can lose their direction, their faith, and their moral compass breaks. This day is a day that points towards a “weakening of one’s own Spirit.” This is when the message of being swayed by others (those in authority) reaches its strongest influence. Here we must be careful not to aggressively say what is on our minds without careful deliberation. Rebellious acts aren’t favored, and there’s a strong indication of bad natured people coming into the picture.
June 12, 2017, Sun 21° Gemini, Moon 22° Capricorn, for many this is the date that will determine if what they’ve worked hard to achieve becomes their reality. It’s a date laden with fragility, the scale can tip in either direction, and how well we previously handled the strong Cancer 14° in house 10, the house of vocations, will show its results now. This day can also bring a confusing vibration with it, causing some to place their wants before theirs and other’s needs, thus be ready for someone to ”drop the ball.”
Maneuvering
through this Gemini Moon towards blessings (ire)
1. Eboleri, or rogations for clarity of thought and level-headedness.
2. Receive a personal reading.
3. Check in with the oracle before June 12th regarding any work you’d like to accomplish. Find out if anything, what can be done to maximize your success.
4. Good moon time to focus on resolving legal issues, and to attend to any outstanding legal matters, including completing paperwork.
5. Before striking out on a new path, determine if it is a relevant move.
6. Meditation can bring powerful visions and clarity now. Moon will be in Gemini May 25-26 and part of May 27th.
7. Be mindful what you are thinking and saying, we can manifest much by way of mental and audible energy (thoughts and words of power).
8. Bring emotions under control. Be careful of behaviors of reckless abandonment.
9. When satisfying the wishes of others do so from a position of stern authority aka don’t get suckered.
10. Avoid giving into emotional fear, avoid looking for comfort, and love in the wrong places.
11. Honor your skills, and follow your Ori.
Have a mentally clear, creative, and productive New Moon!
The Devil is in the Details as BLM again removes thirsty wild horses due to “emergency” in the Antelope Valley HMA in Nevada | Straight from the Horse’s Heart
Antelope Valley grazing allotments (2008)
Before you read BLM’s version of this “emergency” below, be sure to read Cindy MacDonald’s 2008 article “The Devil’s in the Details” on American Herds Blogspot. We have to wonder how many acres of public lands that the “private land owner” (mentioned by the BLM below) uses to graze their own private livestock, since it seems the entire HMA is used for livestock grazing. The BLM seems to be giving the public the same ongoing bullshit (literally). – Debbie
“traditionally the wild horses spend the summers in Antelope then migrate to Antelope Valley for the winter ~ except the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) strung up a new fence up on Hwy 93 effectively trapping the horses and in one area, completely cut them off from any water at all.
Speaking to BLMs Kyle Hansen in the Ely Field Office, Mr. Hansen explained range conditions were so bad due to drought that it “looked like an atom bomb went off” and provided photos as evidence of the dust bowl conditions the wild horses would be forced to try and survive in over the winter in if they were not immediately removed.
He also stated compounding the problem was a local rancher who had allowed wild horses to drink water from his property for years but finally “had enough”, fenced the area and now the horses that remained would probably die of thirst.” – Cindy MacDonald
Source: BLM
2017 Antelope Valley Emergency Wild Horse Gather
Progress as of Monday, May 22, 2017
Purpose of Gather:
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Elko District, Wells Field Office, in coordination with the BLM Ely District will begin a wild horse water bait trap gather to remove wild horses on private lands near the Boone Spring Area. The gather is taking place due to a request from a private land owner to remove the excess wild horses.
Details of Gather:
BLM plans to humanely gather approximately 60 wild horses through the use of a water bait trap.
Public Observation:
Because of the nature of the water gather method, wild horses are reluctant to approach the trap site when there is too much activity. In addition, the gather operations are being conducted on private land. Therefore, only essential gather operation personnel will be allowed at the gather site during operations.
Adoption Information:
The wild horses removed from the range will be transported to the Indian Lakes Off-Range Corral in Fallon, NV to be prepared for the BLM’s Adoption Program. Learn more about how to adopt a wild horse or burro from the BLM.
Background:
This gather will attempt to remove excess wild horses from private land near the Boone Spring area of the Antelope Valley Herd Management Area. The private land owner has requested removal of the horses. The Antelope Valley HMA has an Appropriate Management Level (AML) of 155-259 adult wild horses. As of March 1, 2016, the BLM estimated the population at 1,013 wild horses (not including foals born this year). The BLM Wells Field Office has determined that even though there has been above average amounts of precipitation this winter and spring, there are still no known water sources in the area for wild horses to obtain water later this spring and summer. Learn more about the Antelope Valley HMA.
er later this spring and summer. Learn more about the Antelope Valley HMA.
Wild horse trained as therapy horse in running for international award | Straight from the Horse’s Heart
SOURCE: postregister.com
Steve Drippon displays affection to Rooster; loving a special horse. Jerry Slagle / for the Post Register
SALMON — A horse named Rooster is an equine without equal if you ask the volunteers and staff at Whitewater Therapeutic and Recreational Riding Association.
The Salmon-based association offers horseback experiences to riders of all ages whose challenges can include everything from a physical disability to a psychological trauma.
In the decades since the accredited nonprofit was founded, dozens of horses have been either selected or donated for the purpose of providing equine therapy but few have gained the profile and elicited the adoration of Rooster.
Whitewater workers say Rooster has all the mannerisms of a courtly gentleman even though he once was a wild horse from the Challis area before adoption through a U.S. Bureau of Land Management program.
“I’ve dealt with a lot of good horses but Rooster has a special place in my heart,” said Joyce Scott, Whitewater’s executive director. “He’s an elegant and powerful horse who personifies peace and calmness. Everyone who rides him falls a little bit in love with him.”
In a first for Whitewater, Rooster has been nominated in the regional round of a contest for therapy horse of the year with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International.
Read the rest of this article HERE.
Gemini New Moon, 5-25-2017 | starsbydesign
By Stars By Design
Source: Gemini New Moon, 5-25-2017 | starsbydesign
Gemini New Moon, 5-25-2017
A lovely grand fire trine is forming during the sun and moon’s passage through Gemini, and should make for swift and satisfying communications. The North Node in Leo, Uranus in Aries, and Saturn in Sagittarius are all in accordance. We flow smoothly from place to place, transmitting ideas and being readily understood, our messages are clear and understandable. Contracts are exchanged, agreements struck, and moving from place to place and enjoying the novel and the new comes easy and carefree. All these things under the auspices of Gemini and Mercury should find favor.
That’s not to say this moon does not have its share of complications — as with everything, we have some harder aspects to deal with, but I know with my business and financial interests firmly rooted in audio and creative writing, I’ll be sure to initiate projects to give them that extra oomph! Especially with Mercury in Taurus, Taurus will make your projects long lasting and unlike Geminis often flighty tendency to move on to the new interesting flavor of the moment, Taurus has the steam and endurance to see things through to the end. This is a boon to work that requires both an initiatory spirit and a need for refining and crafting.
Now that we’ve highlighted the good, let’s look at the not so good.
Pushy Venus at 19 degrees of Aries may indicate a fast and furious romance that goes against the grain of more conservative and cautious Capricorn, where Pluto at 19 degrees squares. Capricorn is going to want to iron out the details and Pluto isn’t going to give up control or stop digging for the underlying meaning of things. Add in Black Moon Lillith in Sagittarius at 11 degrees, who is squared by Neptune at 14 degrees of Pisces, and it suggests that romances initiated under this moon are going to be plagued by both the benefits and the downsides of magnetic sexuality — sometimes, we rush in to satisfy pleasure without considering the consequences. This act-now think-later attitude will certainly yield an affair to remember given the Venus in Aries heat, and the Lillith in Sagittarius magnetism, where Saturn is struggling to keep a lid on the happy-go-lucky archer. Those squares to Pluto and Neptune, though, suggest all the sticky complications of a love affair gone wrong, an extra marital affair, infidelity, power struggles, and all the lying such situations tend to generate. Of course, this might also figure in more than only love, but also money.
If these squares with their clashing energy weren’t potent enough, we have further semi-squares, creating aftershocks and stall points that are less easily resolved.
In particular, Venus in Aries semi-square the Gemini sun and moon, and Mercury in Taurus semi-square Mars in Gemini, also suggest, in spite of the burning power of this Grand Fire Trine, we may encounter that what course of action we decide upon under this new moon now creates a domino effect of unforeseen consequences; projects which begin with great promise might not complete to schedule, but bear this in mind — this is not necessarily a negative! Consider that a writer, initiating a creative project, might end up going through steep and rigorous edits, all of which give the sensation of spinning wheels in a rut, but which, over the course of months, bears a great deal of fruit in the form of awards or recognition, or increased pay. Use this Grand Fire Trine well!
I advise anyone to take on the qualities of Mercury and be ready to think on your feet to counter the difficult aspects of the semi-squares.
Less palatable is the opposition forming between Mars in Gemini and Saturn in Sagittarius. We might have to face up to responsibilities for our quick words or decisions, or deal with clashes with authority figures and arguments that spring up around them. This may be the case where you know you’re right, but someone who holds power refuses to acknowledge they are in the wrong, and it costs you. This is the time for swallowing your pride and picking your battles, and you may have to choose diplomacy over valor.
Lastly, a Taurus Mercury inconjunct Jupiter in Libra might have us sticking to our guns when we should be compromising with our friends or in our relationships, and as a result, we don’t quite see eye to eye. Taurean inflexibility will not smooth things over in your personal life, as fluid Mercury is better when he exerts his mercurial spirit. Be willing to bend to influence, for if you cannot bend, the inconjunct might force you to break! Be generous with your spirit and your words to and these should blend nicely with the Grand Fire Trine and help you sidestep the less desirable effects of the inconjunct.
A Mustang murder mystery in northern Nevada – Tuesday’s Horse
WILD HORSES NEVADA (Warning: Graphic Image) — On May 10, 2017, Tuesday’s Horse received an email from the Professor and Chair of the Geological and Environmental Sciences Department of a California University stating he was leading a student field trip in Northumberland Canyon south of Austin, Nevada the previous weekend and they discovered the following:
We came across six horse carcasses, all missing their heads. This was very disturbing to the students and I am trying to figure out what happened. Was there planned culling of wild horses? Why would the heads be removed?
The Professor had not been able to reach the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) so reached out to us for assistance.
At long last I tracked down the right BLM office thanks to the coordinates the Professor provided.
After several email exchanges and a few phone calls with a BLM agent in that office, we made little progress figuring out what had happened to these Mustangs or why.
Here is a summary of those exchanges:
• It is highly likely these Mustangs were shot and killed. Although rare in the area, other wild horses have been shot and killed and left on the side of the road in much the same manner.
• The heads were either removed by trophy hunters or for use in local rituals. It is also possible someone discovered the carcasses and removed the skulls much later and cleaned them to use as relics. The heads are not missing because of scavengers.
• Due to the vastness and remoteness of the area it is close to impossible to find any witnesses. Investigators often have to rely on hearsay such as “someone bragging” about the kill.
My BLM contact agreed to talk with other field agents plus get in touch with the U.S. Forestry Service for their input.
A few days later my BLM contact reconnected to tell me that wild horses killed in suspicious circumstances do fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forestry Service and they would determine whether or not to investigate.
An agent of the U.S. Forestry Service contacted me with the following:
• They had discovered carcasses like these the previous year, perhaps even as early as Spring 2016, and they were “probably the same ones”.
• Due to the condition of the carcasses and the amount of time elapsed they have little to nothing to go on and did not feel it warranted the time and expense of an investigation. No one offered an explanation why they took no action at the time they first found the dead horses other than “it’s too hard”.
• They have come across dead Mustangs before where they suspected foul play and occasionally seen heads removed like this.
• The missing heads were not the result of scavenging.
It was never quite clear to me when coming across something like this, how they determine when it is worth investigating and when it is not.
The BLM and USFS were not the only ones. I also contacted a noted investigative reporter who also declined.
So Now What?
The agents I dealt with were responsive. Perhaps it ended the way it did with me at the direction of higher ups.
Yet wait a minute. Any way you look at it, murdering a Mustang is a federal crime. Murdering six. Leaving the six dead horses at the side of the same road. Removing their heads. Surely that warrants at least some looking into.
Something must be done or these murders, even if only committed sporadically, will continue.
I offered a reward for the arrest and conviction of these Mustang Murderers. The response?
I appreciate knowing about the reward and I will see how that might be promoted.
End of story? I thought so until a few minutes ago. We’ll let you know. Stay tuned.
Source: A Mustang murder mystery in northern Nevada – Tuesday’s Horse
Special Report: KPVI Investigates Cyanide traps and the USDA | Straight from the Horse’s Heart
story by Magdala Louissaint as broadcast/published on KPVI.com
“This is not the first time the USDA had a run in with the Gate City…”
It’s almost been two months since a Pocatello family lost their dog and almost their son to a cyanide trap set 300 yards behind their house. Since then the USDA says they’ve taken all the traps out of the Gem state. But that hasn’t changed anything to investigators who say they were never notified of the deadly chemical, meant to kill predators, planted around Bannock County.
The incident began in the Buckskin area back in March. Canyon Mansfield says, “I panicked and sprinted down to get my mom.” The 14-year-old and his dog Kasey were 300 yards away from their house. He describes, “Suddenly there’s like a pop and then orange gas spews out.” The Mansfield family dog died and they almost lost their son as well. Theresa Mansfield, Canyon’s mother says, “We didn’t want to believe it was from Cyanide poisoning, but deep down it scared the crap out of us.”
The Cyanide trap was placed on BLM land with no warnings in sight. Investigators found a second trap not far from the first. Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielsen says, “We’re not Alaska. There are wilderness places where people go. I don’t care what the purpose is. If it’s endangering public it shouldn’t be there.”
Since the death of Kasey there’s been a worldwide outcry. The Bannock County’s Sheriff’s office has launched their investigation. The city has also stepped in. In March Pocatello’s Mayor Brian Blad wrote a letter to the USDA asking them to stop manufacturing Cyanide Traps, or M-44’s, in the city. Since then the agency reached out to the mayor. He says he toured the facility, learned about their safety precautions and products “They’re going to continue to do their practice until congress acts,” said Blad.
This is not the first time the USDA had a run in with the Gate City. Seven years ago the agency was responsible for illegally setting “Quick Kill” traps, meant for Rock chucks within city limits. Obtained by KPVI in an incident report by Pocatello’s animal control, an elderly woman called them after finding a cat trapped alive in a “quick kill” trap or Conibear trap in her backyard. She admitted to the city she requested the traps from the USDA. She says at least three cats had been killed before and they were removed by the local USDA representative Todd Sullivan. Sullivan is the same man involved in the Mansfield investigation. In 2010 the charges against Sullivan were dismissed by a federal judge.
The city and USDA came to an agreement that they would not place Conibear traps in Pocatello without notifying the city first. The USDA declined to speak to KPVI on camera, but gave us a written statement answering our questions. They told us, the incident involving the Mansfield Dog is still under investigation and can’t comment. But claimed they had “107 M-44’s set on 16 properties in the state and all have been removed.” Our request to tour the Pocatello manufacturing facility was denied, they say because of security concerns.
The agency tells us the Pocatello location has been manufacturing M-44 deceives since 1969. And also handles, “Gas cartridges for fumigating rodent burrows, rodent grain baits…, predator lures, and repackages other products such as order control products and animal immobilization drugs.”
The sheriff’s investigation is now left in the hands of county prosecutors to find if any state laws were violated. In the meantime, the sheriff says this to residents, “We now have to be aware of our surroundings. If there is something that is out there that is not part of… leave it alone, leave it alone,” Nielsen said.
Source: Special Report: KPVI Investigates Cyanide traps and the USDA | Straight from the Horse’s Heart
A Festival of Books – Natalie J Case
I have a confession to make. I have never been to a book festival or convention or other celebration of books. Not as a reader, certainly not as a writer. Some of the reasons for this are fundamental issues of who I am, namely the agoraphobic part of who I am. Large crowds, even mediocre crowds in small spaces make me sweat, palpitate, hyperventilate and ultimately need to leave quickly unless I do an awful lot of prep work first.
So, when I show up on Sunday, June 4th at Civic Center Park in Berkeley, California, I will be attending my first event.
The Bay Area Book Festival is in it’s third year, and while I’d love to be able to attend some of the talks and such on Saturday, I have other obligations. But come Sunday morning, I will load up my cart with books and a table cloth (reminder to self, get a tablecloth), my tablet and credit cart doohicky plus a bunch of water and snacks for the day, and I will BART myself into Berkeley and find my assigned place in the park for the day.
Of course, I hope to sell enough books to break even on the day, but beyond that, my hope is that I can keep my agoraphobic anxiety down and that I get to meet new folks, talk about my books and other books. I’d love to meet readers who are passionate about what they read and love. I’d also love to meet fellow authors who are passionate about what they write and love.
If it isn’t too much to hope for, I’m going to hope that some of my friends and family come out to see me too. It isn’t every day an author gets to do their first event like this…and if I’m being truthful, maybe having someone watch my table for a bit while I look around would be awesome too.
So, if you’re somewhere in the San Francisco Bay area and fancy some book loving come Sunday, June 4th, you should hope on BART and take yourself to the Berkeley Civic Center station. The park is just a short walk away.
I won’t be too hard to find. I’ll be the author with green hair, probably wearing a fedora or other hat, and possibly a Star Wars shirt, depending on my mood. Come Say HI!
Paths I Walk 
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