Unwanted Horse Coalition website seeks listing of facilities accepting horses

The Unwanted Horse Coalition is asking facilities that will accept and/or place horses to list themselves on the UHC website (www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org).

"This is an important step for the coalition," said Dr. Tom Lenz, UHC chairman. "We have received many inquiries not only from horse owners who are seeking retirement homes or second careers for their horses, but also from people who are interested in adopting a horse or volunteering at equine placement organizations. We expect that this online directory will furnish valuable information to all these people and in so doing be good for the horses."

The coalition hopes that its website will be another important bridge between people who are seeking alternatives for their horses and the many facilities that will accept them. Such facilities include rescue, retirement and retraining facilities; therapeutic riding programs; colleges and universities; police and military organizations; public stables; and government and park service programs.

"If you are a facility that will help with the care, training and use of these horses, we hope you will sign on," said Katy Carter, UHC coordinator. "The UHC has organized its website so that these facilities can list themselves."

Any facility that wishes to be listed can go to the UHC website and complete a brief questionnaire. To complete the questionnaire or view the facilities in the directory, go to www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org, click Resources, follow the link to Facilities that Accept Horses and fill out the short questionnaire. Facilities will be listed by state. The information sought is intended to advise horse owners about what type of facility it is, contact information, whether it is tax exempt, year founded, horse capacity, number of staff and whether it follows the "Care Guidelines for Rescue and Retirement Facilities," published by the American Association of Equine Practitioners. A facility will also be able to describe itself and spell out its purpose and philosophy.

"We want as many facilities listed as possible, large and small, all breeds and purposes, those with a formal structure and those without," said Dr. Lenz. "Just because a facility is small or not tax-exempt doesn't mean it is not a good facility. There are plenty of horses who need care, training and use. We want to make horse owners aware of the big facilities that may have farms in several states and the smaller facilities that may serve a local area. They all have a place in this effort."

The UHC website also has a series of questions that owners may consider when trying to decide on a facility, program or second use for their horse. "Sometimes people just don't understand what facilities do and what questions they should ask," said Carter. "We hope this will help them and their horse in a difficult time." The coalition also hopes that this website listing will match people who want a horse or want to help with the care and training of unwanted horses with the facilities that have horses and need help.

The UHC is a broad alliance of equine organizations that have joined together under the American Horse Council to reduce the numbers of unwanted horses and help horse owners understand the various options, services and assistance available to them when they are considering what to do with a horse they can no longer care for.

The coalition's website has information on the issue of the unwanted horse along with an ever-expanding resource section dedicated to educational materials and news articles. A brochure highlighting the coalition and its activities is available online along with a hand book entitled "Own Responsibly: Guidance for Current and Potential Horse Owners from the Unwanted Horse Coalition." Both can be downloaded for use.

The Unwanted Horse Coalition, a broad alliance of equine organizations that have joined together under the American Horse Council, is concerned that some horses may slip through the various safety nets within the equine industry. Too many owners are unaware of, or do not give enough thought to, the available options, services and assistance available in the industry to help them ensure that their horse has caring and humane support throughout its life.

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Date: 11/12/07