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The Unwanted Horse Coalition has been operating for over 7
years under the auspices of the American Horse Council and is under the
direction of Ericka Caslin. Its mission is to reduce the number of unwanted horses and
to improve their welfare through education and the efforts of organizations
committed to the health, safety, and responsible care and disposition of these
horses. Through the UHC website, strong committees, educational materials
(brochures, flyers, handbooks, surveys, and books) hands-on projects directly
benefitting horses and horse owners, and a constant e-news summary the UHC's
mission continues to hold fast.
The UHC has been working on many different projects in 2013. In 2014 we will
continue to improve and build upon our current programs while brainstorming new
ideas and forming new, important partnerships that will help the welfare of
unwanted horses. We will also continue to educate the public about unwanted horses,
owning responsibly, and breeding responsibly.
For questions about the UHC or how you can get involved, contact UHC
Director, Ericka Caslin at ecaslin@horsecouncil.org or call the office
at 202-296-4031.
A Glimpse of 2013
for the Unwanted Horse Coalition:
- The UHC's
Operation Gelding Program continues to be an industry role model for
castration clinics and castration clinic grant programs. The program has
aided in the castration of 849 stallions in 28 states since its inception
in September 2010. Thanks to the AAEP Foundation, the USEF, and Zoetis, we
have been able to fund the program through the fall.
- The UHC is a
partner in The Equine Network's A Home for Every Horse program (AHFEH).
AHFEH is a universal website where rescues may list their horses
available for adoption. The service is free and available to all 501 (c)(3)
registered facilities (www.ahomeforeveryhorse.com) The website was
launched in November, 2011. Current program stats: more than 1,000 adoptable
horses are currently listed on the website and there are more than 500
rescues participating. AHFEH sponsor, Purina, gave over $150,000 worth of
free feed to participating rescues. Weatherbeeta, another sponsor of
AHFEH, has a special AHFEH blanket and is donating them to rescue horses
in need. AHFEH Facebook page
currently has over 8,000 'likes'.
- The UHC is
still distributing Dr. Jennifer Williams' book How to Start and Run a Rescue. The book is $20, which includes
shipping and all proceeds go to our Operation Gelding grant program. This
book is an indispensable resource that offers practical and
insightful advice to those who are interested in starting a rescue or
those who may already have a rescue, but may need help improving upon
their business. The book covers topics such as formation of a nonprofit,
fundraising, public relations and marketing, networking, formulating
policies, successful bookkeeping, and much more. Dr. Williams discusses
the complex issues involved in founding a rescue, long-term management,
and improving upon a currently existing rescue.
- The UHC website (www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org) still provides
information for horse owners and lovers alike. We currently have a list of over
700 facilities that accept horses listed on our site, all categorized by state.
We also have a growing directory of resources for horse owners in need. We have
lists of available grants, haybanks/feedbanks, castration clinics, vaccination
and veterinary grant programs, free equine classified websites, and more.
- The UHC has a variety of materials at the public's
disposal from brochures and flyers, to surveys and handbooks. These materials
are all available for free download on the UHC website. If you'd like any of
these materials in hard copy, contact UHC director, Ericka Caslin at ecaslin@horsecouncil.org or call the office
at 202-296-4031.
- The UHC committee chairs will begin to discuss
updating UHC materials, hosting UHC webinars, and UHC regional meetings. To
stay up to date on UHC news and information, join the UHC Media Roundup by
e-mailing ecaslin@horsecouncil.org and requesting to
join our e-mail list.
Current UHC Members
American
Assn. of Equine Practitioners
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American
Paint Horse Association
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American
Quarter Horse Association
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American
Veterinary Medical Association
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Animal
Welfare Council
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Arabian
Horse Association
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Bayer
Animal Health
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California
Retirement Management Account
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Carriage
Operators of North America
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Kentucky
Equine Humane Center
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Maryland
Horse Breeders
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Masters
of Foxhounds Association
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Merck
Animal Health
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Minnesota
Horse Council
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New
Vocations
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National
Thoroughbred Racing Association
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Oak
Tree Racing Association
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Professional
Rodeo Cowboys' Association
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The
Equine Network
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The
Equus Foundation
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The
Jockey Club
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The
National H.B.P.A., Inc.
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United
States Dressage Federation
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United
States Equestrian Federation
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United
States Polo Association
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United
States Trotting Association
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United
States Hunter Jumper Association
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