October 2, 2009
Helping Homeless Horses
The welfare of our nation's horses is a top priority
The HSUS
Each year, through no fault of their own, thousands of horses find themselves without homes. Some are seized by law enforcement as part of cruelty or neglect cases; others have owners who cannot provide competent care and still others find themselves in the pipeline to brutal deaths at foreign-owned slaughter plants. The majority of these horses are young, healthy animals that, given the chance, could go on to lead happy, productive lives with new owners.
The more than 500 equine rescues and sanctuaries across the country provide a vital and needed service to these horses. While sanctuaries provide a permanent home for horses for the remainder of their lives, rescues take horses in, rehabilitate them and adopt them into loving homes. Each year, these organizations aid thousands of horses by assisting law enforcement with prosecuting equine cruelty cases; educating the public about responsible horse ownership; matching horse owners with new equine companions and providing permanent sanctuary for those who need it.
How Does The HSUS Help?
The HSUS is an integral part of the nation's horse welfare community, working across numerous fronts each day to aid at-risk horses; support the horse welfare organizations and heighten awareness of the plight of these horses among horse owners, the media and general public. Through a unique collaboration with world-renowned natural horsemanship trainers Pat and Linda Parelli, The HSUS has put rescued horses in the spotlight at seven events across the country, exposing these highly adoptable horses thousands of horse enthusiasts and resulting in several horses finding new homes.
At our two sanctuaries—The Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in TX and the Duchess Sanctuary in OR—we provide direct care and permanent sanctuary to more than 800 equines. A new initiative at Black Beauty Ranch--The Doris Day Horse Adoption Center--- will offer horse rehabilitation and adoption services, enabling us to assist even more deserving equines. Our emergency services team is always at the ready to respond to large scale neglect or seizure cases, as they did this Spring when 200 neglected Mustangs were found on a ranch in Alliance, Nebraska.
In 2007, The HSUS co-founded the Homes for Horses Coalition, the nation's premier professional organization for the equine welfare community. Dedicated to ending horse slaughter and increasing collaboration and professionalism across the equine rescue community, the coalition offers its members exclusive benefits such as world-class training at its annual conference and access to a lending library of natural horsemanship materials, donated by Pat and Linda Parelli. Requirements for membership include 501-C3 status and voluntary compliance with the HSUS/AWI Basic Guidelines for Operating an Equine Rescue or Retirement Facility.
Currently, we are collaborating with the Global Federation of Equine Sanctuaries to develop an accreditation program for equine rescues and sanctuaries. When completed, the GFAS program will provide a national standard of horse care and management for equine rescues and serve as a valuable resource for horse owners and others who are interested in becoming involved with a horse rescue: whether through donating time or funds; adopting or relinquishing a horse; or looking for guidance in starting a new facility. Until GFAS is fully operational, The HSUS will continue to maintain a national database of horse rescues to assist interested parties in locating horse rescues in their community.
Our work to aid at-risk horses represents only one component of The HSUS' equine protection work. We also work to fight equine cruelty such as the slaughter of American horses for human consumption abroad and the soring of Tennessee Walking Horses for certain shows. Through our Horses: Companions for Life program we educate current, new and potential horse owners about responsible horse ownership and how to provide humane care for horses at all stages of their lives.