Tens of thousands of horses go "unwanted" in the U.S. each year. Who is responsible for them?
WE ARE!
The Unwanted Horse Coalition was organized to promote awareness and education about the issues involved in owning a horse and the long-term responsibilities of owners to their horses.
We all must learn to Own Responsibly. What does that mean?
1. It means that you understand and consider all options available to your horse before it becomes unwanted, including retirement, adoption, donation and alternative programs and uses.
2. It means you don't use up your horse so that I is unable to do something else.
3. It means you support adoption, retirement, and retraining facilities with time, money and aid.
4. It means that you consider end-of-life decisions, including veterinary decisions, euthanasia, and disposal, before you buy or breed.
5. It means you have a responsibility to work with your federal, state, and local officials to ensure there are viable options available to dispose of horses
6. It means that if you are an organization, sales company, or service provider in the industry, you point out these responsibilities to newcomers.
7. It means that the industry must continues to work together to make progress on this problem.
That's what it means to own responsibly!
For more information about this issue, your responsibilities, and available options, visit the Unwanted Horse Coalition online at: www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org.
Please continue to check the North Carolina Horse Council website for continuing information on the Unwanted Horse.
