Here is the email that I sent out. Sorry I don't know of 5000 other members. Just me and my husband...let's see if any others will join in.
Please try to find out if there are any answers to these questions that were submitted to AMHA President, Michael Want, officers and directors. We, as members are trying to understand what is going on and why it is going on with the bottom of the withers rule and how it is going to effect us if this rule is put in place. We especially would like to know what the committee who researched this rule change decided as to the effect that the rule would make overall. We would like to hear back about this subject.
Lois A. Simons & Joseph W. Simons
AMHA Members
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To: AMHA President, Michael Want, officers and directors:
The following concerns and questions are presented involving the implementation of the newly ratified amendment to Article XI, Section 4, which will change the way an AMHA horse is measured from the last hairs of the mane to the base of the withers if implemented on January 1, 2009.
1. Did the staff review this amendment as required in the flow chart for rule change, for the Economic Impact, Computer Programming Requirements, Office Administration Requirements, and Legal/Liability Implications? Did the Board of Directors review the office staff's impact report and approve it?
2. Was proper notification given to the entire membership of this proposed amendment with clear explanation that it would change the procedure of a thirty year old rule in the way an AMHA Miniature Horse would be measured, and would change the Standard of Perfection? How was this official notification published to each member of the Association?
3. What formal training was given or will be given to the people that will be approved to measure horses at all shows?
4. What type of training or instruction will be given to the AMHA members in order for them to correctly measure their horses at the base of the withers for registration certificates?
5. It seems to be of greatest concern to most members as where to find the actual "spot" exactly where the base of the withers is located. This spot is not visible and can only be felt. There is a great variation in the determining the location of this spot, and will cause many problems and a lot of controversy between exhibitors, trainers, and the people measuring the horses. How do you intend to handle this problem?
6. Was any type of study or research done in measuring a number of horses at the base of the withers as opposed to the last hairs of the mane to determine differences in the height of the horses before the amendment was submitted for a vote? What were the findings? Did the horses measure taller or shorter?
7. Many members trying very hard to find the actual "spot" have already found that the majority of their horses measured at the base of the withers were shorter by a half an inch, and sometimes more, than measurements at the last hairs of the mane. The registration certificates on all permanently registered horses whose measurements differ from their current registration certificate will have to be corrected, as they would be making a false statement about the horse if the papers are not corrected. Will AMHA correct and issue new registration certificates to the owners of these horses at AMHA's expense?
8. What will AMHA do about horses that measured oversized at OVER 34 inches tall at the last hairs of the mane and had their papers revoked, but now will measure 34 inches tall or less at the base of the withers? Will these horses be allowed to be reinstated? Will they have to pay a reinstatement fee?
9. Knowing that a bylaw amendment has been presented to be voted on at the 2009 Annual Meeting to change the measuring point for an AMHA Miniature Horse to the top of the withers, what will AMHA do if this amendment is passed? Will any reinstatement fees paid be refunded to the owners of the horses who then have their registration revoked again?
10. Will horses that are hardshipped measuring 34 inches or less after the base of the withers bylaw is implemented be remeasured at the top of the withers should that amendment pass next year? Will their hardshipped fees be refunded, and their registration certificates be revoked, if they measure over 34 inches tall?
11. What will the impact be to the Association in their efforts to develop an International market for AMHA horses now if they are measured at the base of the withers? This was discussed at the meeting by Wayne Hipsley, AMHA facilitator, who stated that when he and the President recently spent three weeks traveling in International countries, the most important request they were given was to measure AMHA horses at the top of the withers. Will AMHA continue to spend money trying to develop an International market now?
12. What impact will the new amendment have on the integrity of the AMHA and the credibility of the registry when, because there is strong member support for using the worldwide, top-of-the-withers standard, it is very possible that the point of measurement may(again?) be changed from one point to another within the next few years? What then?
What impact will its implementation have on the acceptance of AMHA within the wider horse world/market, at a time when AMHA is stating that it is moving to become a 'breed' registry, not simply a height registry?
We believe that most AMHA members do not feel that a foundation cornerstone of their organization should be changed, unless for the most compelling of reasons. This change appears to be looking to find a way to 'just be different', or to in fact allow taller horses into the Association while maintaining a pretense that the Standard has in no way been altered.
Most importantly, will AMHA enforce the rules and bylaws of the Association and revoke papers on horses that do not meet the requirements of an AMHA horse as 34 inches tall or less?
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I repeat - the questions to this letter was never answered - So why is it always said to contact your directors with your concerns. They were and the QUESTIONS WERE TOTALLY IGNORED BY THE DIRECTORS AND PRESIDENT OF AMHA!!!
Oh, I did contact one Director with MY concerns and questions.. was told that they have NO ANSWERS to the questions.. Is this not a BIG ENOUGH REASON to THROW OUT the RULE that ALLOWES BIGGER HORSES INTO AMHA??? !!!
I do hope AMHA directors and others that attend the June meeting use their GIVEN powers and throw the rule out, keeping it at LAST HAIR ON MANE....
I also truly feel there was not enough RESEARCH and THOUGHT on what the Base of the Rule would do to AMHA if it becomes rule this January.
Here is what I have gathered from the letter send to ALL Directors and President of AMHA that was NOT answered to the group that presented it on behalf of the many, many members that wish the rule be rescinded...”
