AAEP Foundation Helps Continue Operation Gelding Program

Thanks to a generous donation from the American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation [AAEP], The Unwanted Horse Coalition [UHC] is able to continue its Operation Gelding program. The Operation Gelding program provides funds and materials to assist organizations, associations and events that wish to sponsor clinics to which horse owners can bring their stallions to be castrated. Since the program was initiated in September 2010, Operation Gelding has assisted in gelding 489 stallions and has provided $24,450 in grant money to organizations that have hosted Operation Gelding castration clinics.

“The UHC is pleased to announce that the AAEP Foundation will be donating $15,000 to the Operation Gelding program to help continue this important effort and aid in the castration of 300 additional stallions. With this charitable donation, the AAEP is dedicated to making a positive impact on unwanted horses and the entire equine industry,” said Dr. Douglas Corey, Chairman of the UHC.

The UHC will provide 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 groups once a year. Assistance will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis, subject to available resources. Organizations can apply by filling out the Operation Gelding Funding Form provided by the UHC. Funds will be awarded once the clinic is complete and a veterinary statement is provided. Any organization, association or event can participate in the UHC’s Operation Gelding program, the UHC wants to involve as many groups as possible.

“The American Association of Equine Practitioners, through our Foundation, is once again very pleased to be a part of the UHC”s Operation Gelding Program. It is very encouraging to see so many organizations throughout the industry hosting clinics and working together to help horses in need,” said David Foley, AAEP Executive Director.

Ericka Caslin, UHC Director, said, “We are so thankful to be able to continue this important nationwide program, thanks to the generosity of the AAEP.”

In addition to Operation Gelding, the UHC is offering the resourceful guidebook, How to Start and Run a Rescue, written by Dr. Jennifer Williams of Lone Star Equine Rescue and Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society, for the low cost of $20 including shipping and handling. All of the proceeds from the sales of the book will go directly to the Operation Gelding program.

How to Start and Run a Rescue 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, formulating policies, successful bookkeeping, and much more. Dr. Williams discusses the complex issues involved in founding a rescue, longterm management, and improving upon a currently existing rescue.

Upcoming Operation Gelding clinics will be held in the fall in New Mexico, Michigan, Washington, Oklahoma, and Maryland.

For more information on Operation Gelding or how to purchase How to Start and Run a Rescue please contact Ericka Caslin, UHC director, at ecaslin@horsecouncil.org or 202-296-4031. Visit the UHC website at: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.