Racing Arabians…there is no finer animal on this earth! For over 40 years, I have dedicated my life to breeding and raising these magnificent equine. It is my love, my passion. The foundation of my program was Mosca de Washoe-registration #38236, one of the few sons of the immortal *Mohacz to breed on. A racing sire of national merit and acclaim who received his due at the Darley awards in 1992, and was rated 9th in the nation for his ‘get on the track’, beginning in 1980.
Mosca de Washoe, 1966-1993
It hasn’t been easy. I managed to keep my program going through a repeated IRS attack; a debilitating car accident that left me disabled with ruptured disks in my back and neck; poisoning of my herd which resulted in the death and/or sterilization of over 25 stallions, mares and foals–including Mosca de Washoe himself–by revengeful neighbors who wanted our property; to, now, where I find myself in a situation I cannot fight alone.
After spending years searching, my wife and I finally found a property we could move our remaining horses to continue the breeding program and be happy. The herd consists of 10 mares of first and second generation Mosca de Washoe, 2 first generation studs, 4 second generation colts and 2 geldings. The herd was recuperating, slowly-very slowly, from the damage done by our previous neighbor, when Shasta County California Animal Control began to harass me. If you have had any dealings with your local Animal Control department, you soon realize the personnel knows little about equine and even less about health compromised horses, let alone Arabs being brought back to health after years of assault. In their minds, all horses need to look like an over-weight Quarterhorse!
After a couple of weeks of harassing phone calls and visits in January 2008, the Shasta County Animal Control swooped in, without a proper adherence to my due process, and unlawfully confiscated my entire herd…without benefit to educate them or correct any whatever supposed violations that were alleged. They have now charged my wife and me with multiple counts of animal cruelty (but not for all the horses, just a select few). This is something that is so far from the truth, it would be laughable if it wasn’t so serious. I had 6 tons of good quality hay in the barn. When the ‘authorities’ tested for worms, etc., they found none.
If am unable to beat this, the Mosca de Washoe line will be lost forever! As I previously said, these government workers do not have the insight, nor would they care, as to the significance of this bloodline to the Arabian Racing world. I will do anything and everything to retain and nuture this important bloodline.
But I need your help to do that. If I do not defeat these erroneous charges, the horses and bloodline will be gone. I have found an attorney who is not only well versed in animal law in California, but, also, has been extremely successful in cases very similar to ours. It will cost money, money we don’t have right now. More importantly, we need resources to be able to test (using saved mane hair, and other sources) for drugs and poisons that were administered to these fine animals.
I am imploring you, for the Mosca de Washoe bloodline to, in whatever way you can, come to my aid. If you can donate funds, be it $10 or $10,000, you will be in our hearts forever. If you know someone who can help us, please pass that along to us…we will be forever gratefull. If you can pre-purchase a foal or breeding–wonderful!!!
It’s time for the community of Arabian Racing to unite and come to the aid of a fellow breeder. I know times are tough, which is one reason this most recent attack was done to me, but we are all–each and every one of you–vunerable to the whims of these government agencies…don’t think you’re not. It starts when someone you’ve met, live next to or have done business with decides to ‘get you’. Anyone who has any type of animal has a vunerability that is susceptible to compliants, no matter how invalid or irrational the complaint may be, lodged to the government against you. This must stop!
Please donate today, and pass this message along to someone who can help.
Thank you!
Brent Painter
