The Unwanted Horse Coalition has initiated a program called “Operation Gelding,” which will provide funds and materials to assist organizations, associations, and events seeking to sponsor clinics to which horse owners can bring stallions to be castrated.
A number of associations have sponsored such clinics. UHC officials said they want to help more organizations, associations, and events get involved in the effort, which is being funded by a special gift from the American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation and the UHC; both organizations have donated seed money to get the program started.
“The coalition has focused on raising awareness about the unwanted issue for the first few years of its existence,” AAEP executive director David Foley said. “We are now able to start offering some tangible programs that help address the problem. Hopefully this will be the first of many.”
The UHC, which is expanding its program offerings, 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.
“The impetus for these clinics is that the castration of a stallion will help prevent over-breeding and produce a gentler horse that is more rideable, more trainable, and more saleable, allowing them to be used in several careers,” HHC chairman Dr. Doug Corey said. “With the inauguration of this program, the UHC will become more directly involved in helping horses.”
More information is available at http://www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org.