Can You Make A Horse Smile? You Bet! Here's How...

"It's hard to imagine why anyone would be in favor of sending horses across our borders for slaughter", said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President. "yet, tens of thousands of horses are victims of abuse and neglect each year and there are just under 20,000 horses still being shipped across our borders for slaughter."

NO HORSE should be subjected to this inhumane fate. There are solutions within our reach for America's horses that need a lifeline. Programs providing equine-assisted therapeutic services offer limitless career opportunities, in addition to grass roots recreational and competitive roles, for horses in transition.

"Horses are living, breathing, feeling partners - not commodities - and their welfare must come first," said Valerie Angeli, EQUUS Foundation Vice President. "We are asking all horse lovers to take the pledge here to show solidarity in support of America's horses - that America's horses enhance our lives and need our protection!"

• I understand that horses, donkeys and mules (collectively referred to as horses) are strong and powerful creatures but they are also vulnerable and dependent on human beings for their care and welfare.
• I believe that all horses should be treated with dignity and never put in a position where they may suffer abuse or neglect.
• I believe that no horse should ever be sold, transferred, released, or otherwise placed into possession of any person or organization that would cause or allow the horse to be sold at auction for slaughter.
• I believe that all horses should experience a humane and painless end of life after all reasonable treatment options have been explored.
• I will be a friend and voice for horses that need me and advocate for equine welfare in whatever way I am able.

We need more success stories like Teddy!

Teddy, a 14-year-old Standardbred, was tagged for meat and destined for slaughter when Cheryl Olsten learned of his plight. Without hesitation, Olsten, the owner of Lafitte De Muze, the EQUUS Foundation's first Equine Ambassador, posted his bail, and there began Teddy's recovery. Read more about Teddy's "Rescue to Recovery" Story here.

 "We believe that the best way to help these horses is to provide viable alternatives to owners when they cannot, or no longer wish to, care for their horses," continued Coakley. "To this end, we will be focusing specifically on identifying and supporting local and regional safety net programs, such as hay banks, emergency funds, veterinarian help, gelding clinics, owner-to-owner equine placement services, and end-of-life care, as well as increasing ways to connect horses in transition with individuals and organizations seeking horses."

 With your help, we hope to build consensus within the equine industry to embrace solutions for equines in transition other than shipping them across our borders for slaughter. We are asking all horse lovers to speak up and take the pledge!

 You can help keep America's horses safe by taking the #HorseProtector Pledge here.