HETTINGER: A MAN WHO LOVED HORSES
He was tireless and passionate about ending slaughter. He talked about it, wrote about it, did something about it. He was a man of words and of action. And he put his money where his mouth was.
Of all the things John Hettinger ever said or wrote about horse slaughter, there is one paragraph that has stayed with me. It came from an article he wrote in 2003 and asked me to publish in the Bloodhorse.
Fast cows without horns? That line got me. Until then, I was ambivalent about slaughter, because I considered horses “livestock,” which, technically, they are. But that simple but brilliant observation taught me there are different kinds of livestock – the kind that are bred and raised for human consumption, and the kind that are bred and raised for sport, but end up in the food chain by unfortunate circumstances.
Thank you, Mr. Hettinger, for helping me finally understand what was so clear to you.
The following press release about John Hettinger comes from the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Please consider a donation to TRF, Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation, Blue Horse Charities or to any of the many other worthy equine welfare organizations in his memory. – Ray Paulick
"We at the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation are deeply saddened by the loss of John Hettinger," TRF Executive Director Diana Pikulski said. "John was among the most loyal and honorable people I have ever known. He was the Thoroughbreds strongest advocate and he took action to back his convictions. The TRF was honored to have his huge support and presence as a director. John personified our mission and made us a stronger, better organization and we are honored to continue his efforts on behalf of our equine athletes.
"John created a sanctuary at Akindale, his family farm, where hundreds of thoroughbreds saved from the slaughter pens were given a home. The TRF started the first Thoroughbred retraining center in the country at the Exceller Farm, the use of which was donated to the TRF by Mr. Hettinger. John also created Blue Horse Charities to raise money from thoroughbred horses sales to fund thoroughbred adoption agencies.
"It did not matter who he rubbed the wrong way in his effort to have the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act passed by the U.S. Congress. John always said that his best friends all had four legs."
In 2000, his efforts on behalf of retired horses were recognized by the industry, which awarded him a Special Eclipse Award.
"There are two things that flourish in the dark—mushrooms and horse slaughter," Hettinger once said. "Most people don’t know it’s going on. We must deny them the darkness."
Hettinger was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the New York Racing Association and Chairman Emeritus of the Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation. Racing under the name of Akindale Farm, Hettinger campaigned such stakes-winning horses as Chase the Dream, Genuine Regret, Jazzing Around, Lady DAccord, Move It Now, Prospectors Flag, Up Like Thunder and Virgo Libra. Akindale also stood such stallions as DAccord, Personal Flag, Stacked Pack and Sir Wimborne.
Hettinger’s big horse was Warfie, who he said gave him his biggest thrill as an owner when she won the Long Island Handicap in 1989.
He was also the majority owner of the Fasig-Tipton sales company until it was sold earlier this year to Dubai-based Synergy Investments Ltd.
Tags: akindale farm, american horse slaughter prevention act, anti-slaughter, blue horse charities, diana pikulski, eclipse award, exceller, exceller farm, fasig-tipton, grayson jockey club research foundation, horse slaughter, john hettinger, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, thoroughbred retirement foundation, trf
September 7th, 2008 at 11:10 am
A great and terrible loss for the horses in our industry. It’s too bad he didn’t have more influence with those at the top of this game.
Who will take his place? I hope Dan Pride, as the leader of Fasig Tipton will honor Mr. Hettinger’s belief that Fasig should give back a portion of profits to this very important and central issue.
September 7th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
There may be someone to take Mr. Hettingers place, however he can never be replaced. He above all stood tall and stong for the horses and his many colleagues did not have the class he did. If the other very rich in racing would do an eight of what Mr. Hettinger did to save horses from slaughter we would not have the problem . The greed in the racing industry is so strong and those who can make a difference , don’t.
September 8th, 2008 at 9:39 am
God Bless Mr. John Hettinger. I learned about the horse slaughter business earlier this year and it disgusts me that humans can murder a beautiful animal as a horse. I have discussed the matter with the Vets in my area and I am ashamed to reveal that they support horse slaughter. I TOTALLY disagree!! If you can’t afford to feed and care for your horses, PLEASE contact The Humane Soc. as there are organizations in our country set up to help horses in need. Horse Slaughter is INHUMANE….We the Horse Lovers Need to Stand Up for the Horses Sake, and Support Bill: HR 6598 Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008.
The HSUS documented the cruelty and abuse when investigators followed “killer buyers†transporting horses thousands of miles from auctions to feedlots to interstate highways. They also documented a barbaric method of slaughter on a kill floor in Juarez, Mexico. Thousands of horses are stabbed with short knives, a method that leaves them paralyzed and unable to breathe. The animals are still conscious as they are hoisted up by a chain and their throats slit.
For Futher Reading on Horse Slaughter:
http://www.alexbrownracing.com/wiki/index.php/Horse_slaughter#Current_Strategy
Thank You Ray for addressing this issue! I’m sure many people are naive, and think the horse slaughter is performed humanely.
September 8th, 2008 at 10:40 am
John had a great way of putting things in perspective and this is an important thing for racing as it tries to remold its public perception. On the opinion of the AAEP to keep slaughtering horses because there may be horses left abandoned and neglected, he said: “they’re argument is to kill horses because they are potential victims of future unlawful neglect. This makes no sense. Instead, we have to enforce the laws.”
September 8th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
One of the few good men that have EVER come out of or have represented Pawling, New York.
What a shame it was that he never really had a champion, which he most certainly deserved.
But you don’t need one when you are one.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:48 am
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September 24th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
he was a great man who always put what he stood for before his own life, He fought it out to the end-