$10,000 toward $50,000 goal to geld 500 horses
(Washington, DC) – The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation has awarded the Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC) a grant of $10,000 to support expansion of the Operation Gelding program.
Operation Gelding provides funds and materials to help groups nationwide organize low-and no-cost clinics for owners who might not otherwise be able to afford to have their stallions castrated by a certified veterinarian.
“By gelding a stallion, the UHC aims to prevent unintentional and overbreeding, thereby reducing the number of unwanted foals,” says Dr. Doug Corey, UHC Chairman. “Castration will produce a calmer horse that is more ridable, trainable, salable, and adoptable, which means he will have a better chance of living a long life as a ‘wanted’ horse in a second or third career.”
The UHC approved an expansion of the program this past June, which will increase funding from $50 to $100 per horse gelded and offer a voucher option to help those with transportation or other issues. These changes will go into effect January 1, 2017; however, funding is still available for clinics in 2016.
“Not only do we plan to offer double funding to hosts clinics, but we want to double the number of horses gelded last year; a lofty goal indeed,” shares UHC Director, Jennifer Purcell. “Funding for Operation Gelding comes solely from donations and grants like this one from the AAEP Foundation. We are grateful for AAEP’s continued support of the UHC’s programs. They were one of the founding members of the Coalition eleven years ago, and remain actively involved today.”
Since its inception in 2010, Operation Gelding has supported 107 clinics in 29 states, resulting in the castration of 1348 stallions, and the reduction of many more unwanted foals.
To help the UHC prevent horses from becoming unwanted, consider supporting the Operation Gelding program by hosting a clinic in your area or sending a tax-deductible contribution to the American Horse Council Foundation. Contact Jennifer Purcell at [email protected] or visit the UHC website (www.unwantedhorsecoalition.
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