Shocking Image Strikes at core of AWP problem

I doubt if you're going to make much with a picture like that on a T-shirt. I think your hearts are in the right place but you seem a bit radical. What parent would buy a t-shirt for their daughters or sons to wear with that on it, even if it is for a "cause"?

Maybe ....omit the picture and use WELCOME TO MAINE WHERE ANIMAL WELFARE MAKE $$$$$$ AND SIT ON THERE A#$%$#$ AND DO NOTHING!!!!

I guess you are right when you are talking radical. Radical means arising from a root or source; drastic; extreme. The t-shirt is drastic/extreme. More support monies would be realized if you had shown just the mare. In public, children don't need to see that illustration. They have not been exposed to that type of thing unless they are from a farm. A child can easily have nightmares from this type of thing. Thus, alienating them and the parents. Do you want that?

I'm totally bewildered by the reality brick wall that that you've hit. I'm working on compromise and enlightenment here. Your definition of radical to be "arising from a root or source; drastic, extreme". The root is AWP. The extreme is what "we" have had to resort to, due to inaction on the state's/AWP behalf. We are not torching buildings, picketing the state house (yet), converging on the lawns of those who are ineffectual. We have played by the rules, in thoughtful and deliberate fashion, and it has gotten us NOWHERE! The time came to bump it up a notch. I reiterate, the t-shirt is reality. This isn't the only mare that has met this fate. Nor is her baby. Wanna hear the story of the mare who watched her foal get eaten by coyotes? Children DO need to see this and ask questions as to WHY this is allowed to continue! The children are our horse guardians of the future. You don't have to be a farm kid to love horses and care about their welfare. I wasn't. As far as Rockin' T goes, that IS a safe haven for countless equines over the years, that have been shunned by AWP. Have you ever been there? Met Janet? If not, I suggest you stop by and hear some stories that would rock you back on your heels. Rockin' T would have saved this mare but was denied. Everytime both of you post, I say I'm not going to reply, because you are so totally clueless and not worth my time. Then I remember that others are reading this and I am compelled to set the record straight. Your unawareness does nothing to help the crisis that Maine horses are facing.

I know this T-shirt is grahphic but it states a very sad truth and reality. And it's not stopping it's getting worse because in this state the animal welfare laws are not enforced when it comes to horses and livestock. That is reality. As for "nightmares" children these days get exposed to a lot worse than this t-shirt just by watching television commercials. It's real,it's out there, the reason it's out there is because too many want to be ostriches and bury their heads in the sand instead of stepping up and enforcing the laws. Janet has been trying to get the laws enforced for more years than I can remember right at this point and nothing has changed in the regard to laws applying to the welfare of horses and livestock in this state in 20 years! Toot the horn all you want about our great laws they aren't worth the paper they are printed on if AWP and law enforcement won't enforce them.

I agree it is hard to set the story straight when the facts are miscontrued. I disagree on the fact that a person is not worth my time just because there is a difference of opinion.

I will never forget the day that I brought Sam home from the "hell" that was his life....the life of pain and misery that continued far longer than it had to because our AWP personnel either had no idea what they were looking at when they were there OR they swept him under the rug like they've done time and time again over the years. Sam died needlessly at the hands of many who had their own agendas and because of that he suffered. I will never forget the relief that he had while here, if even for a very short period of time, and "I" sleep well at night knowing that I did everything that I could do for him after so many others did nothing. It's time for a change.....

Starving and neglected horses are on the rise and everyone, not just horselovers should be appalled. I am torn by the picture on this t-shirt. While it is necessary for people to know the extent of the reality it will of course also turn some people away, no doubt about it. Is it worth the price? Undoubtedly. People have stood by time and time again waiting for Animal Welfare to step in and protect the horses. Horses are still dying so it seems that the current system is broken. In order for it to be fixed, one has to first admit it is broken. It seems in order for that to be recognized you have to stand up and shout...in large numbers. I would say that the picture on that shirt certainly stands up and shouts. The situation has arrived at this level of "in your face" due to continued inaction of the state of Maine to save horses. If the laws that govern the AW are what's interfering in the job, then we, as horse owners and lovers need to shout until someone agrees to sponsor a bill to change how business is done here in the state of Maine. Will this T-shirt help in that endeavor? I'm not sure. I think it will cause people to migrate to a this side or that side stance, which won't be helpful for the horses. Certainly, by all of us banding together and letting our collective voices be heard by our government representatives that the time has arrived for action, only then, with the power of numbers, will action be taken. Keeping seperate in small groups and being loud here and there isn't enough. It takes more than a few outraged people, it takes organization, planning and time to force change, a good change, a lasting change. We all need to remember that we all have a common goal, none of us want another horse to suffer for one more minute. Do you want to be the loudest and only voice heard? Or do you want the power of numbers across this state of many people complaining to their ACO's, Legislators, State Rep.'s, friends, the public, etc.??? I think we all know through experience that it's through the outcry of many that you accomplish change. Ghandi didn't accomplish what he did alone....and neither will we. Better to fight together.

i feel the tee shirt is reality of what is going on in the world not just maine but i do have to say i have seen my share of animal abuse and ran a small out of pocket rescue here .and my children would ask mom why is this horse so thin or why is it all banged up my kids have seen first hand what man has done to animals and im glad they have i do not regret one moment of it the kids are the horses future and all animals future if everyone put blinders on where would all this be? horses, animals dying all over the place and our kids looking the other way cause there parents did my daughter would freak if we did not stop to help a animal on the side of the road even a turtle im glad my kids eyes are open and my children would wear those tee shirts and not have nightmares it is the real world we live in as sad as it sounds and my kids are living in it and will be right beside the janets of the world to help where they can cause that is the way i raised them to be to care and not look away when things are bad to jump in and help and im very proud of them .im sure a few wont agree with this but thats ok cause i dont agree with some of the things people do either .