The AHC’s National Welfare Code of Practice continues to garner support from the horse community. The Welfare Code outlines in generic terms what it means for an organization to be committed to the responsible breeding, training, care, use, enjoyment, transport, and retirement of horses. Many associations have undertaken studies, reviews, and initiatives that show their commitment to the welfare of their horses. This generic code is simply a continuation of that effort.
The latest groups to support the National Welfare Code include the Arabian Horse Association, Florida Thoroughbred Breeder’s and Owner’s Association, League of Agricultural and Equine Centers, Master of Foxhounds Association, Pinto Horse Association of America, The Pyramid Society, U.S. Dressage Federation, and U.S. Equestrian Drill Team.
They join ten other national groups that have already endorsed the Welfare Code. They include the: American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Endurance Ride Conference, American Paint Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association, Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, National Cutting Horse Association, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, U.S. Equestrian Federation, and U.S. Trotting Association.
“We are pleased with the positive feedback and continued interest we have received from a broad spectrum of equine organizations since the Welfare Code of Practice was announced this past November,” said AHC President Jay Hickey. “This latest round of endorsements further demonstrates to the public the industry’s unified commitment to the welfare and safety of horses, and we hope to build upon this momentum to bring in as many organizations as possible to further reinforce the industry’s commitment to safety, health, care and welfare of all horses.”
The Code is not intended to replace or pre-empt any activities, rules, or regulations specific to any segment of the industry. Rather it is another indication to the public, the media, federal and state officials, and the horse community that the equine industry “Puts the Horse First.”
To view the complete Welfare Code of Practice please visit the AHC website at: https://www.horsecouncil.org/newsroom.php. |
Washington, DC – April 27, 2010. The Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC) announces the launch of an additional resources page on the UHC’s website. This new page, entitled Additional Resources, gives horse owners and horse care facilities a bank of informative websites they can utilize in many different situations when dealing with unwanted horses or poor financial situations.
The new resources page will help aid in the UHC’s mission in educating horse owners on owning responsibly. Sections with links to useful programs such as haybanks and feedbanks, vaccination, gelding and euthanasia clinics are included, as well as sites on equine welfare grants. These links will provide valuable information, which will prove beneficial to horse owners and horse care facilities and in turn, will help many horses in need. The new page can be found under the already existing resources section, under Additional Resources at the UHC website: www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org.
“With many horse owners and horse care facilities in difficult financial situations, the UHC found creating an additional resources page with links to important programs, clinics, and grant sites to be a top priority, “said Ericka Caslin, director of the UHC. “The UHC receives many daily calls and e-mails with questions about programs, grants, vaccinations clinics, and haybanks. We felt that compiling a list of sites and links with important information for people to use and pass along would be extremely advantageous.”
Additional Resources will be updated regularly with new sites as options become available. If you have a site you feel would be a significant addition to the new section, please e-mail it to Ericka Caslin, UHC Director, at ecaslin@horsecouncil.org. For more information about the Unwanted Horse Coalition, its goals and its missions, please call 202-296-4031 or visit www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org.
The Unwanted Horse Coalition
The mission of the Unwanted Horse Coalition is to reduce the number of unwanted horses and improve their welfare through education and the efforts of organizations committed to the health, safety and responsible care and disposition of these horses. The UHC grew out of the Unwanted Horse Summit, which was organized by the American Association of Equine Practitioners and held in conjunction with the American Horse Council’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C., in April 2005. The summit was held to bring key stakeholders together to start a dialogue on the unwanted horse in America. Its purpose was to develop consensus on the most effective way to work together to address the issue. In June 2006, the UHC was folded into the AHC and now operates under its auspices. |
