Guest guest Posted March 8, 2004 Report Share Posted March 8, 2004 Dear Maharajas and Prabhus, Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Just recently an incident concerning Padayatra America in Alachua was brought to our attention. It concerns a situation that could have concluded in bodily injury or death to devotees, non devotees and the Padayatra horses. We have answered the concerned letter below, and considering the seriousness of the incident, have asked further questions. We greatly appreciate the austerities that the prabhus of Padyatra America are undergoing to perform their service but there are certain legal, medical, teamster qualifying requirements that should be met so Srila Prabhupada's house is not put in jeopardy by accidents and/or careless behavior. Also included at the end of the letter is Standard 7, Traveling and Preaching Programs, of ISKCON Law 507 The Minimum Cow Protection Standards. This is for your further information as to what is considered safe in such programs. For a short time there was an exchange on the cow conference ( therefore the cow conference is a receiver) about the use of horses instead of oxen for Padayatra America. Below the answer to the concerned letter is just two of the cow conference exchanges which contain a couple of relevant points.One point is that there is no reply from the devotee in charge of Padayatra America to the concern of laws and diseases. In transporting animals from state to state you are required to abide by state laws for bringing animals into the state. These laws are mostly about health considerations.Are these being met? When ISCOWP traveled with oxen to do Rathayatra festivals as well as non devotee events we carried a Insurance policy of $1,000,000 for property and liability. This is standard to be able to do anything in a public place. The Festival Of India also carries their own insurance policy. The policy that we had allowed other parties to be added to the policy for whatever days we were in their zone and participating in their Festival/event. Depending on the state(California was the toughest), there was always additional parties added to our policy so that if anyone got hurt by the oxen or property damaged then the Dept of Parks and recreation(for example) was also covered on our insurance policy. My additional questions are: Does Padayatra America have their program covered by an Insurance Policy? Is this Padayatra America authorized by ISKCON to travel and preach on behalf of ISKCON? What branch of ISKCON has given the authorization and who has made sure that all necessary legal and medical procedures will be met by the Prabhus operating the daily activities of this Padayatra? I am looking forward to the timely reply of responsible parties. Thank you. Your servant, Balabhadra das ISKCON Ministry for Cow Protection and Agriculture Dear Ganesa Prabhu, PAMHO. AGTSP. When > I arrived, I noticed that both the Clydesdales (horses) pulling Gaura > Nitai were drenched in sweat. They looked very tired and perhaps it was > because they had already walked at least 15 miles from the Alachua farm, > into Gainesville. What was the temperature and humidity ? After walking from Alachua what was the rest period for the horses before starting the Harinama with the devotees? Were the horses given shade and water? > Many times during the kirtana, the horses and the kirtana party were only > separated by about 12-18 inches and many women and children walked > alongside the team. It appeared that there were no 'wheel guards', to > keep people away from the feet of the horses and the wheels of the cart. > It is important that a safe distance be maintained between big animals and people. As you have now seen big animals can move very fast and in an unpredictable manner. Carts should also have wheel guards just as a matter of common sense safety. > I had been in the kirtana for about 30 minutes, when I turned again and > saw one of the team, about 6 feet from the kirtana party, with his tongue > hanging quite far out of his mouth and straining severely. (S)he looked > extremely exhausted and 'emotionally' very stressed. Being engaged in the > kirtana I assumed that the horses caregiver/driver was aware of the > situation and knew how to handle them. About 15 minutes later he stopped > them and placed a bucket which I assumed was water for them, in front of > them. At this time the kirtana party was about 50 feet from them. > When working animals have their tongues hanging out like this it is called PULLING THEIR TONGUES. It is an indication that the animal is in a heat stressed condition and should immediately be taken out of the work mode. The animal should be given shade and after cooling down some what the animal can be given water. After a race horse goes through its training it is always" hot walked" before being given water. When the tongue is pulled the animal should be allowed to rest for several hours and maybe for the rest of the day depending on the condition of the animal. Suddenly and for no apparent reason at the time, the team bolted and > started running wildly out of control, towards the kirtana revelers. The > driver was trying to stop them, very unsuccessfully. Somehow, Krsna in > their hearts directed the team away from the devotees and they smashed > into a large vehicle which was stopped on the opposite side of the road, > along with much traffic. The 'hanging-tongued' horse and the cart had hit > the side of the car very heavily and everyone was completely stunned, but > somehow the cart was wedged into the car, thus preventing the team from > moving any further. They were still trying rather wildly to move, but by > Krsna's mercy no devotees (and especially children), had been hurt. Part of the problem when a team bolts is the noise made by the cart or whatever implement is behind the team. As the team runs the noise from the cart scares them and makes them think that something is chasing them. Because they cannot turn around to see what it is that is causing the noise they keep running until the cart is destroyed and no longer makes noise, or they just stop from total exhaustion or they are stopped by an immovable object. In this case they were stopped rather quickly by an immovable object. Krsna's mercy. Were there any injuries to animals or humans? What was the condition of the large vehicle and cart? When the horses finally were settled down what was done with them? > My own limited perspective in witnessing this event was/is that, > 1. surely the driver/caregiver should have known that his team of > extremely, strong horses COULD do such a thing at any given moment and > thus there should always have been ample space (100 meters?) between the > horses and the devotees. And knowing such a thing, there should have been > precautions taken by him and the temple authorities, to prevent harm from > coming to any person. There were no real safety precautions that I could > see, especially since the horses were able to brush up against us in the > kirtana. The first question is of the qualification of the teamster? What is his history working with horses? Is he a qualified ,experienced teamster? Its one thing to work with animals in an agricultural setting, but to have big animals around people and automobiles in a parade setting is a big responsibility for the teamster. I have received more information from the devotees that the actual cause of the horses bolting was that the teamster/driver was trying to cool down the horses. I was told that he took the "bits" out of the horses mouths and offered them a bucket of water. The horses did not drink so the driver splashed the bucket of water on the back of the horses and that this cold water hitting the hot horses is what spooked them and caused them to bolt. When I traveled with oxen doing the Rathayatras we always led the procession. One reason was that out in front if I needed to move away from the procession with the oxen I could do so as I was not boxed in. Another reason was that the oxen(bullocks) represent Dharma, which in the case of the horses does not apply. 2. If he did NOT know his team was capable of this then he (and the > temple authorities) certainly should not have risked such a venture. > 3. No children should have been on such a cart. What is the qualification of the teamster? What is the history of his horses? How long have they been working together and in what conditions? One would think that parents would be asking these questions before putting their young children on the cart. I would assume that among the parents of Alachua yatra that these will be standard questions in the future. > 4. The cart should have been in front of the procession with the devotees > behind. This is the safest. This dangerous situation could not have occurred if oxen had been used > instead of horses because there is no way they could react and run as > quickly and as wildly as the clydesdales did. It could have happened with oxen. I have seen teams run from inexperienced teamsters. The general rule of thumb is that the team is only as good as the teamster. Your servant, Balabhadra das ISKCON Ministry for Cow Protection and Agriculture Text PAMHO:7771935 (66 lines) Internet: "Noma Petroff" <npetroff (AT) bowdoin (DOT) edu> 30-Jan-04 14:41 (09:41 -0500) Kalavatidevi108 (AT) aol (DOT) com Cc: Cow (Protection and related issues) [6652] Reference: Text PAMHO:7771741 by Kalavatidevi108 (AT) aol (DOT) com Padayatra - oxen or horses? --------------------------- One more consideration is that dairy farmers and beef farmers are becoming more and more aware of many diseases (such as Johnne's disease, hoof and mouth disease, etc.) which can be transferred between cattle. Thus, their decision to use horses could be based on the fact that there are probably fewer USDA restrictions these days for moving horses across state lines than there would be for oxen. Why not ask them about whether this aspect was partly influential in their decision to use horses? Please report back to us. I'm sure the rest of us would be interested to know. your servant, Hare Krsna dasi (Text PAMHO:7771935) ------ Text PAMHO:7785591 (93 lines) Internet: Kalavatidevi108 (AT) aol (DOT) com 03-Feb-04 00:02 (19:02 -0500) Cow (Protection and related issues) [6685] Comment: Text PAMHO:7785660 by Internet: Noma Petroff Fwd: Padayatra america --------------------------- Hare Krishna everyone. I just received this very nice reply from Padayatra America. I had written them regarding their use of horses instead of oxen. Interestingly, the prabhu doesn't even mention laws or diseases, but explains many other practical reasons, as to the reasoning behind the decision to use horses. ------------------------------ Mon, 2 Feb 2004 12:45:29 -0500 (GMT-05:00) gauranga <padayatra (AT) earthlink (DOT) net> gauranga <padayatra (AT) earthlink (DOT) net> kalavatidevi108 (AT) aol (DOT) com Padayatra america dEAR kalavati devi matalli Please accept my humble obeisances all glories to SRila Prabhupada yes, the local padaytars are doing very nice SRi SRi Nitai gourasundar-Lord Nrshimhadev are inspiring so many devotes every week [between 80 to 100]; we will be in alachua till march then if Their Lordship bless us continuo towar New talavama - Mexico. why horses insted of oxens; there is few reason, after doing reserch in UNiversities , talking with devortes,padayatras lideres fron previous experiences , and expet in the mater, we come to the conclution that oxen- american breeds are not good for work in tropical-hot weather as will be most of the time where Padayatra will be[south usa , mexico centro and south of america]; the only breed that can tolerate higth temperatures is braman[from india] thier constitution is cientificatly diferent that all other breeds, for exemplo they can perspirate by the skin as horses do , the rest of breed only perspirate by the tongh-MOUTH wich don't allow them to recuperate as quick in hot wether; so here in America was not posible to find bramans with training [ our priority is to go out to preach insted of spend 3 years training and oxen] ; in the other hand horses can tolerate much better higth temperatures ; another reason is the shooing[put shoes in their feets] of the oxens is very dificult because the oxen can not stand in 3 legs therefore you need to trow them to the floor which meens a lot o dificulties, also the oxen have a very thin hoof-wall in comparation whit horses meening that thier hoof-wall will be quicker deteriorate in a hard surface work[as we do 15 to 20 miles a day]; devotes of previous experience in USa and south America have a lot of bad experience with this two point[hot wheater and shoes].; in the other hand horses if you teach them to trust you they will stand in three legs[oxens NEVER will do this] for long time meaning you do the job in a smooth way ; so after 1200 miles -1950 km we have not doubt that this was and exelent desition, Their Lordship choose Kana- Balaji Das[devotes-horses] to do this novel service ;this team of hhorse-devotes, have been working every day in temperatures betwen 35 F till 110 F with out problem , their hoof are very good and their disposition to travel is greet!! they LOve to serve This Sankirtan Mission!!! the more important reason for this success .. senior Vaisnavas blees us!! meaning that the LOrd; Si Sri Nitay Gourasundar and Lrd Nrshimha chosse them to do this service. please keep us in your prayers!! your servant in Prabhupada's padayatra Avadhuta Siromani d HARE KRSNA PS/ IF YOU NEED ANYTHING ELSE ..PLEASE WRITE TO US!1 i (Text PAMHO:7785591) ------ VII TRAVELING AND PREACHING PROGRAMS (Such programs represent ISKCON to the public. If there is an unfortunate incident it is ISKCON that can be sued and attacked, not the individuals handling the animals.) Recommended • 1) Before traveling, all oxen must be well trained with a proven working reliability by an experienced teamster. • 2) All cows and calves involved must be trained to voice commands and/or halter broken. • 3) All local laws of health, safety and insurance must be followed. • 4) All animals in such programs must have had previous experience in the association of people so as to not be in a state of shock when taken to be viewed by a crowd. • 5) The health, safety and general well-being of all animals and people in such programs and people observing such programs takes priority over achieving inappropriate daily distance or preaching goals. • 6) There must be fair and considerate treatment of any uncooperative animal. • 7) Oxen should be handled by experienced teamsters only.# • 8) Cows, calves should be handled by persons approved by the primary cowherd. They should have had some previous experience caring for the animal. • 9) Daily health check of all animals. A sick animal is one which is: noticeably unwell, has temperature, not eating, or diseased. Appropriate remedial measures must be taken. • 10) Transported Oxen must be well-provided at all times with the following: a) Sufficient space to lie down and rest. b) Sufficient ventilation, sunlight and protection from bad weather. c) Legally safe & secure transport facilities (doors closed while traveling, vehicles and/or trailers must be a in well maintained condition). d) Sufficient food, water, and vegetarian salt. e) Sufficient exercise by being un-trailered at night and when not traveling. f) Daily brushing. • 11) Walking Oxen In addition to all the above: a) Appropriate and timely foot care (including shoeing, when needed). b) Extra rest time and health care. c) Their load must be appropriate to their strength power, health, and age, and approved by an experienced teamster. d) Legs and feet of walking oxen should be given special attention during health check. • 12) On a monthly basis, the oxen should have a complete health examination by a local government or approved veterinarian. • 13) Short concise records of health and temperament of the oxen, local land conditions, weather, distances traveled, and public interest shown to the oxen should be kept on a daily basis. Permitted • 1) If the person handling the oxen is not an experienced teamster he must be in training and under the strict supervision of an experienced teamster. Not Allowed • 1) Training programs consisting of only 1 to 7 days previous to beginning traveling. • 2) Failure to provide sufficient supervision of public access to the cows, resulting in abuse to the cows. • 3) Initiating a traveling preaching program with bullocks without sufficient provision for a suitable place for retirement and cowherd care. • 4) Failure to provide animals the recommended and permitted. Visit us at: www.iscowp.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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