[Coolcatz30]

This is a letter I wrote in desperation looking for help. I sent it out to the media, horse organizations and tribal members. I am still looking for help. I am trying to get the word out about this situation. If you have heard of or had personal experience from going to Havasupai please let me know. With help of horse enthusiasts I hope to make a change in the neglect and abuse practices by this reservation.


I am not sure who to contact regarding my experience this past week. I took a trip to the Havasupai Falls Indian Reservation in Arizona's Grand
Canyon.
I was appalled and disgusted by the treatment of the pack horses and mules. Their condition was horrifying. I saw open sores with blood and oozing
puss from the packs they carried. I saw foundered horses being beaten to move quickly up the 12 mile trail. I saw a horse with a fresh eye injury,
this animals eye was gone and had white puss pouring out. Not only all this but some animals where so thin with every bone showing. There where baby
horses trying desperately to keep up with there working mother, following them up the 12 miles trail in the heat of the day. I can go on and on. I just
need to get this off my chest. Is there anyone who regulates or monitors this horrific cruelty of these animals.
I know the indian people need to make a living but at what expense? These animals are desperate and know one seems to care. I cant even sleep now because of what I saw.
I am a horse owner myself and just cant believe nobody has ever done something about this. The tourists who use these animals for their pleasure should be ashamed. To me this is an embarrassment to a very well known tourist attraction. This is not a third world country this is the USA where we should not have such cruelty. At this point in time I have no intentions of ever returning to Havasupai and I plan to tell everyone I know or meet to do the same. It is very sad for me because Havasupai Falls are a beautiful place and I will miss ever going back.
I also wanted to say that I believe there is a liability issue, when I was hiking down the trail the unsafe way the horses and mules gallop past could easily cause personal injury to a hiker. At times the handlers were nowhere to be seen. I actually was injured when I fell because of the trail conditions. I had to watch out for the pack animals so I would not get run off the trail.
I have sent this letter to local media for feedback as well as to several local humane societies, PETA and horse abuse organizations.
Thank you for the opportunity to vent my frustration and anger.

[arabgirl15]

Wow. That is.. sad.

One thing though.. PETA. PETA is a no-no. PETA is bad. Over all the "goodness" and how they "save animal" bull that they preach about.. they are a very bad organization.

[Jess!]

I agree, PETA is bad. Don't go to them.

However, I think you did right in sending that letter to news groups, etc.

[Coolcatz30]

If PETA is so bad then who do you recommend? No other organization has shown any interest in helping.

[arabgirl15]

Senators. Honestly, I am not much help at organizations. But just, PETA is not a good organization. They say they help animals, while they abuse and even kill them.

Originally Posted by Coolcatz30

If PETA is so bad then who do you recommend? No other organization has shown any interest in helping.

[Coolcatz30]

Its an Indian reservation. The only way to impact them is financially. Tourists must stop using the animals. I blame the tourist for not speaking out loudly against this neglect. I have been told because its an indian reservation the government can not tell them what to do. So again I am so frustrated.

In a perfect world I would like to organize a humanitarian group to go down and educate the people about how to care for their animals. Maybe get assistance from horse vets to do free vacinations or treatment. I know this is a long shot but I am determined to get something done.

[arabgirl15]

I would still check into it. Just because you are Indian should not be an excuse for animal abuse.

Originally Posted by Coolcatz30

Its an Indian reservation. The only way to impact them is financially. Tourists must stop using the animals. I blame the tourist for not speaking out loudly against this neglect. I have been told because its an indian reservation the government can not tell them what to do. So again I am so frustrated.

In a perfect world I would like to organize a humanitarian group to go down and educate the people about how to care for their animals. Maybe get assistance from horse vets to do free vacinations or treatment. I know this is a long shot but I am determined to get something done.

That is an excellent goal and I wish you the best!

[Sandra-A1]

BEFORE you called other organizations....
You should have first have contacted a member of the Tribal Council and politely discuss any concerns for the horses that you saw with one of them.
That would have been the logical place to start.

Havasupai Tribal Council
Supai, AZ 86435
Tel: 928-448-2731
Tribe's Web Site: http://www.havasupaitribe.com/

[Coolcatz30]

Originally Posted by Sandra-A1

BEFORE you called other organizations....
You should have first have contacted a member of the Tribal Council and politely discuss any concerns for the horses that you saw with one of them.
That would have been the logical place to start.

Havasupai Tribal Council
Supai, AZ 86435
Tel: 928-448-2731
Tribe's Web Site: http://www.havasupaitribe.com/

I have spoken to the tribal council and I am in constant contact with one of their representatives. I found out this has been an ongoing complaint for over 10 years. They just have not made any changes and say they need more involvement from people. What the rep says is he needs letters from visitors and concerned citizens stating this is unexceptable and the horses and mules need proper care. That way the tribal council will take action. My rep says they just have ignored all the complaints because they rather use their money somewhere else. If I can get pressure from a bunch of organization then things will change.

I do appreciate the feedback though. Keep it coming, I am running out of steam....

[Blistering Winds]

Send the letters, because from my understanding, Indian Reservations have like this loophole, the law can't touch them. They can hang a horse upside down by his hocks live on the property, and the US police, rescue, judges, don't have ANYTHING they can do about it.

Write letters about what you saw. If you can get pictures, the more the merrier.

Send copies to the councel so they know you are serious. Their laws can be pretty darn strict and their punishments NASTY compared to ours. Depending on the tribe and counsel.

Many tribes regard the horse as a sacred animal to this day. Others........never have, never will.