MED fifth grader and horse enthusiast Skylar Blass was at the NYS Capitol last week visiting lawmakers to advocate for a law to protect horses. Skylar is a Pony Power Advocate with Horsepower, an equine advocacy group that has been seeking a bill to ban the slaughter of horses in NY. Skylar has been instrumental in bringing Horsepower’s Pony Power program to fruition, giving a voice for young equine enthusiasts to advocate for their beloved horses. And advocate she did last week! While in Albany, she met with Senator Joseph Addabbo (bill sponsor and chair of Racing and Wagering Committee), Assemblymember Deborah Glick (bill sponsor and chair of Environmental Committee), Assemblymember Donna Lupardo (chair of Agriculture Committee), Senator Michelle Hinchey (chair of Agriculture Committee and Skylar’s representative in the Senate), and Assemblymember Didi Barrett (Skylar’s representative in the Assembly). Her efforts were not in vain as last week both the Assembly and Senate passed a bill to prohibit the slaughter of all equines for human or animal consumption. Go Skylar!