A little bit about the history of

the horse in America:

From day one, the noble equine has been man's partner in his quest to tame the "New World". This magnificent beast has carried man into battle, plowed his fields, pulled his wagons across the frontier and helped to create the United States of America.

With the advent of the automobile, however, the horse's place was destined to change. He became man's companion, and as such man created new ways in which to showcase his talents. Horse Shows and Races were two ways in which man was to enjoy his "new-found" friend. People began to simply saddle up and ride for the sheer enjoyment of it, and thus, the "trail horse" was born.

What Is Memory Ride 2002?

For many, many years an industry thrived, unnoticed, on the practices of many horse breeders who were in search of that "perfect" specimen. Vast numbers of horses which were deemed "unworthy" by certain standards wound up being slaughtered for meat. It was merely ten or so years ago that this industry was uncovered and exposed to the general public. Many horse owners, even, knew nothing about what was happening to so many animals.

Horses, like dogs and cats, are man's friends, his companions. In this country, we do not allow our pets to be slaughtered for human consumption by law, and we should not allow our horses to be killed for this purpose, either. We do not eat horsemeat in the United States of America -- all of the horsemeat rendered in the four equine slaughterhouses in this country is sent abroad. In fact, all of these slaughterhouses are foreign owned as well. In 1998 alone, there were 72,120 American horses killed to feed the wealthy in foreign countries. Contrary to popular opinion, horsemeat does not feed the poor, but is considered an expensive delicacy.

In April of 1999, a small group of dedicated horse lovers forged a plan to eventually hold cross country trail rides "in memory" of those horses who cannot be saved, those already sent to slaughter.

Memory Ride 2002 will be a ride across Southern California, where groups of riders will spread the word about the atrocities suffered by horses at the hands of the "killers". We ask that each rider donate one dollar into a fund that will be used to assist legitimate equine rescue organizations and efforts to enact legislation which prohibits the slaughter of horses. These groups of riders will carry with them a scroll with the names of those who have donated to this noble cause.

Riders will embark upon this journey from the High Desert of California, the first state in the union to pass a law prohibiting the sale of horses for slaughter as well as the transportation out of state for the purposes of slaughter. To find out more about California's Proposition 6, click here. The ride will end in the desert near Blythe, California -- and travel along what once was the "torture trail" down which horses were taken from the Golden State to their deaths in Texas slaughterhouses.

What can you do to help?

The first thing you can do if you wish to help slaughterbound horses is volunteer for Memory Ride 2002. We will need literally dozens of volunteers across the country in various positions to help this event become a success. We are in need of Area Coordinators (who will help to organize riders in their areas, plan trail routes, contact the media and coordinate volunteers - plus lots more!), media liasons, people to secure corporate sponsorships and many, many more equally important positions. If you wish to offer your assistance, please contact Stacy Nichols, Memory Ride National Chairperson, as soon as possible.

To View The Ride Route Map For 2002, Click Here

If You Live In A State Where Memory Ride 2002 Will Not Go, Click Here

© 2001 - Memory Ride Foundation - all rights reserved