Let us put the issues in perspective. We need to make sure all horse welfare issues are addressed and enforced. We do not need a law, dictated by animal rights doctrine, that will cause horses more suffering and take away our rights to manage and care for them." The second issue Mr. Foster alerted us to was the Puppy Protection Act, PPA, S 1478, an amendment to the Farm Bill. This bill is backed by the Humane Society of the United States. Mr. Foster and the MFHA office have been working with Senator Warner's office, the AKC and Mr. Foster's Washington Ad hoc Committee. If this amendment passes, all hunts would have to comply with much stricter standards of socialization and breeding. Hunt kennels would be subject to inspection by the USDA. Concerning the Puppy Protection Act, Mr. Foster states,"The Puppy Protection Act is another animal rights wolf in sheep's clothing. It extends the Federal Government's authority allowing them to regulate breeding programs and sets standards for the socialization of puppies (an impossible task). If passed, it will be a huge win for animal rights because it allows them to manipulate socialization and breeding. In the past, the government could only regulate care and health issues. This sets a new precedent that would require the government to enforce breeding and socialization standards set by animal rights groups and federal agencies with no input from breeders or owners." These topics are included in our Newsletter because if they are considered important issues at the national level of our organization, then you should be aware of them also. If you wish to learn more, feel free to contact the MFHA office at Morven Park, PO Box 2420, Leesburg, Virginia 20177. Telephone 703-771-7442. Our Own Cover Girl Vicky Greer, First Impressions Photography, has put the Red Rock Hounds on the cover of the 2003 MFHA Foxhunting calender with her photograph of Lynn and hounds crossing the river at Maryann Healy's Broken Heart ranch. Congratulations Vicky, and THANKS! See Vicky's photo and order your calendar at: www.millwoodhouse.com /millwood4.html

Subscribing Membership The MFHA is now in their second year of Subscribing Membership. Their mission is to promote and preserve hunting and recreational pursuits with hounds, dogs and horses and to protect countryside values. Last year, sixteen people from our hunt coughed up the $35.00 to become Subscribing Members of the MFHA. This is not good enough. Consider the following: -Sixty-five percent of Americans live in urban areas -Hunting with hounds has already been banned in Scotland - The top 12 animal rights organizations (including the Humane Society of the United States and the ASPCA) in the US received $170,000,000 in contributions in 1999 alone. None of that money went to habitat acquisition or wildlife conservation. -Over 20,000 mounted foxhunters received Covertside in 2002. Less than 2300 were subscribing members of the MFHA. -Last year the MFHA and the United States Sportsman's Alliance (USSA) beat back an attempt to stop hunting with hounds in Iowa. Nevada could be next. PLEASE CONTACT THE MFHA TODAY AND BECOME A SUBSCRIBING MEMBER. IT COSTS MONEY TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO FEEL THE FREEDOM OF HUNTING WITH THE RED ROCK HOUNDS. SUPPORT YOUR SPORT. CALL 703 771 7442 OR LOG ON AT MFHA.COM West Nile Virus Update www.aphis.usda.gov/oa /wnv/wnvstats.html As of August 26, 2002 the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reports confirmed illness due to West Nile Virus in 1,424 horses in 28 states. Of concern to us are the recent confirmations of positive reports in horses in Montana, New Mexico, Wyoming, Colorado, and Texas. There have been no confirmed cases in California or Nevada. West Nile Virus is carried by birds. Horses are infected when a mosquito bites an infected bird and subsequently bites a horse. While most infected horses DO NOT become ill, mortality is high (about 30%) in horses which do. There is NO EVIDENCE that disease can be transmitted from horse to horse or horse to human. There is an equine vaccine against West Nile Virus. An initial injection is followed by a booster 2-3 weeks later. It is recommended that all horses in Nevada and California be vaccinated against West Nile Virus no later than spring of 2003. Owners of horses living in wet areas with significant mosquito populations should consider vaccinating their horses as soon as possible.