CAMPAIGN NEWS

Short answer:  A bill becomes law in Ohio through a multi-step legislative process involving the Ohio House, Ohio Senate, committees, votes, and the Governor — and animal cruelty bills often stall because of exemptions, enforcement gaps, and lack of public pressure at key stages. That’s it. That’s the answer most people are looking for. But if you care about Ohio animal cruelty laws, equine protection, or why horses and livestock keep falling through legal loopholes, the real

Because Compassion Exists — but the System Fails to Use It The answer is simple: Ohio does not lack compassion. Ohio lacks a system that knows how to use it. People across the state care deeply about horses. They report abuse. They try to help. They speak up. But too often, nothing happens. Horses continue to suffer not because people do not care, but because the Ohio animal welfare system is broken, uneven, and unable to act when it matters most. This article explains why ho

The answer is simple: our laws and tracking systems are failing to protect them , and cases like the Silbaugh horse-neglect saga and the Pure Gold Stables tragedy prove it. Ten years after the Silbaugh cases, horses continue to suffer because neglect and abuse often result in light sentences and minimal accountability . As an advocacy group dedicated to equine welfare, we’ve seen firsthand how the system allows repeat offenders to evade meaningful consequences, leaving innoce

Ohio Horses First was started for one simple reason: horses do not have a voice in the legislative process, but we do.

I've seen just about every type of human tragedy imaginable. But nothing prepares you for walking onto a property and seeing a horse standing in mud up to its fetlocks, ribs pushing through its skin, eyes dull the way only a starving horse’s eyes become dull. A dog in that condition would send shockwaves through an entire county. A cat left without food or vet care would make headlines. But a horse? In Ohio, too often the system shrugs. Not because people don’t care. But beca

Columbiana County, Ohio — 12.03.25  — Attorney David E. Wenger a horse owner,  and a local equine veterinarian met today with State Representative Monica Robb Blasdel (R-79)  to address critical shortcomings in Ohio’s criminal animal-cruelty statutes, specifically those involving horses. The discussion centered on the criminal reforms contained in the proposed Equine Partner Protection Act of 2025 , a bill designed to finally bring Ohio’s equine-cruelty penalties in line with

As a lifelong horse person, this issue cuts deep. We know the relationship we build with a horse isn’t a “livestock” bond—it’s a partnership based on communication, trust, and heart. But the story of what happened recently at Pure Gold Stables in Salem, Ohio is a harsh reminder that our laws haven’t caught up with the reality of modern horsemanship. This isn’t about blame—it’s about responsibility, reform, and making sure no horse ever suffers in silence again. The Story from

Short answer:  Horses deserve to be recognized as companions , not livestock.Right now, Ohio law still lumps them in with cows, pigs, and goats. That one classification— livestock —means that when a horse is neglected or abused, the penalties are weaker, and humane agents often can’t act as quickly. For those of us who live and breathe horses, that feels wrong. We know they aren’t “farm equipment.” They’re our partners. We build relationships with them based on communication,

Spread the Word. Amplify the Movement. Protect Ohio’s Horses. This toolkit gives you everything you need to advocate online for the Equine Protection Act of 2025 . Whether you’re a horse owner, advocate, or ally — your posts can change hearts and  policy. Pre-Written Posts You can copy, paste, and post these anywhere (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, Threads, etc.). Feel free to personalize! General Awareness Ohio’s horses deserve dignity, safety, and protection. That’s why I