Unwanted Horse Coalition Updates
(2016)
Unwanted Horse Coalition Website The Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC) is excited to announce the launch of its new website. In addition to general information about the UHC and the unwanted horse issue, the site also features membership and donation information for those looking to contribute to the UHC’s mission. Like the old website, the new site offers links to additional resources such as feed and haybanks, gelding and health care voucher programs, and grant-making organizations. One notable change to the site is that the UHC will no longer be providing listings to individual equine rescue and retirement facilities. Instead, the site provides links to A Home for Every Horse, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries—all organizations which list several hundred accredited equine care facilities on their own websites. Finally, a feature new to the site is a page dedicated exclusively to Operation Gelding. On this page you will find information on Operation Gelding and how to host a clinic; clinic forms (including a live funding application that can be filled out from the website and submitted directly to the UHC director); and a current clinic schedule.
Operation Gelding The UHC’s Operation Gelding program continues to assist people who wish to castrate their stallions. Now in its fifth year, the program has assisted in funding the castrations of 1,171 stallions at 96 clinics in 33 states. So far this year, Operation Gelding has assisted in castrating 93 horses in 7 clinics across the country. These included clinics at veterinary schools, such as Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in College Station, Texas, and at veterinary clinics, such as Lee Veterinary Clinic in Hawley, Minnesota. Clinics were also held at equine rescues around the country, including Community Equine Outreach of Eastern Washington in Mesa, Washington, and Hope in the Valley Equine Rescue and Sanctuary in Wichita, Kansas.
Operation Gelding is able to continue thanks to the support of the American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation, Zoetis, and the UHC. Proceeds from the sales of Dr. Jennifer Williams’ book, How to Start and Run a Rescue, and Ellen Harvey’s book, Standardbred Old Friends, also help fund the Operation Gelding program. Books can be purchased on the UHC website: www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org
Operation Gelding provides funds and materials to assist organizations and associations that wish to host low-cost or free clinics in which horse owners can have their stallions castrated by a certified veterinarian. The impetus for these clinics is that the castration of a stallion will help prevent overbreeding, in turn reducing the number of unwanted horses. Castrations also produce a gentler horse that is more rideable, trainable, and saleable, allowing them to be used in several careers. The UHC provides the information and forms necessary to conduct a clinic, along with seed money to defray the costs. Funds of $50 per horse gelded with a $1,000 maximum will be awarded to participating groups once in a 12-month period. There are currently four clinics on the schedule and we expect to add more clinics to the roster throughout the end of the year. Our goal is to reach 1,200 horses by the start of 2016. To see a current clinic schedule, visit our website or Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @Unwanted_Horse.
