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03/06/08
Top 10 Ways to Help Horses
There was a time, before the automobile, when horses were essential to our nation’s prosperity and development. Humans depended on horses far more than they depended on us, but no one was looking out for their welfare. The creation of the ASPCA in 1866 sought to remedy that, and we’ve been advocating for horses ever since.
Today, many Americans have never had the opportunity to interact with a horse—but while these noble animals may be out of sight for some, they are never “out of mind” for us. We are proud of our roots and successes, and regard the horse not only as an extremely intelligent, sensitive animal, but as an American icon.
Whether your home is a 50-acre farm or a 50th-floor apartment, you can help horses! Here’s how:
1. Be Their Voice
The best way to help horses is to Be Their Voice in our nation’s courts and halls of power. Your vote is your greatest weapon against injustice. Make sure you are registered to vote, and actively support legislation that protects and preserves populations and living standards of equines both domestic and wild. At the ASPCA, we are doing our best to make it easy for you to participate in the legal process through our Lobby for Animals section. Sign up today to receive targeted, location-based alerts that inform you how and when you can help America’s horses. It’s easy, it’s free and it’s important!
2. Lead by Example
If you care about horses, make your actions consistent with your words—they speak just as loudly! Don't support or attend cruel activities, including:
- Exhibitions or events that are known to employ cruel training practices, such as “soring” or excessive drugs to achieve results
- Unnatural “animal acts,” such as high-diving horses
- Rodeo events that don’t promote respect for animals and humane care and transport.
3. Be an Informed Consumer
Some products actually are made from horses—and some, like the drug Premarin, are created through their suffering. Your spending dollar is a weapon—use it wisely!
Premarin is a hormone-replacement drug prescribed to thousands of American women every year. The “magic ingredient” in Premarin is the urine of pregnant mares. Mares used in the production of conjugated estrogens are at risk for abrasions, leg swelling, excessive boredom, stress, and an early death, due to the conditions under which they are kept. If your doctor thinks you should try Premarin, please first consult with him or her about other available treatments in order to make an informed, safe, effective and ethical choice.
4. Share—and Wear—Your Knowledge!
Please spread the word! Not everyone is aware of what happens to race horses after their days of competing are over, or where Premarin comes from. You can help expand awareness by engaging friends and family in discussion, sending free ASPCA eCards , or just rocking a cool t-shirt!
5. Support the ASPCA Equine Fund
The ASPCA Equine Fund awards substantial grants to organizations that make life better for horses. Organizations involved in horse protection and rescue can apply for one of these grants, and we award many different kinds of groups four times a year. In 2007, we hope to distribute 0,000 through the ASPCA Equine Fund. If you want your dollars to go straight to equine causes, you can make your donation directly to this program.
6. Volunteer
As anyone involved in an equine rescue group can tell you, there’s no gift more valuable than time. Find a local group with a mission you believe in, and volunteer. Helping horses doesn’t have to mean manual labor in a barn. Talk to the group about how you can apply your special talents to its cause. Maybe they need a graphic designer to whip up a new logo, a writer to help publish a newsletter, someone handy to make minor repairs, a photography enthusiast to take pictures for the group’s website, a good talker to staff an information table at an event …. You get the idea!
7. Report Cruelty
If you witness an act of cruelty to a horse, don’t keep it to yourself. Any cruelty shown to this animal can be an indicator of cruelty to other species—including humans. If you’re not sure whom to contact, please read our Report Animal Cruelty page as a first step.
8. Protect the American Wild Horse
The ASPCA recognizes that America’s wild horses and burros occupy a special place in our history and deserve to be protected. Please support federal and local legislation by writing emails, letters or postcards to your representatives.
9. Keep Your Companion Horse Safe & Healthy
If you are lucky enough to own a horse, you already know the importance of maintaining his or her health through regular veterinary care. But did you know that horses are very social animals, and that their emotional well-being is a big factor in their overall health? Behaviorists recommend getting your horse a buddy—equines don’t like to be on their own. A horse or another equid, such as a burro or a donkey, makes the very best “best friend,” but we’ve known goats to work out well, too.
Other ways to keep your horse safe and healthy:
- Guard against theft. Some horses are stolen and sold to slaughter. In fact, after California outlawed horse slaughter, the number of reported horse thefts dropped dramatically.
- Be prepared in case of disaster. Every horse should accept being caught, haltered, led and loaded on a trailer—this could save his life. You may also want to set up an emergency phone tree with other horse owners nearby. A communication plan will prove invaluable if you, or they, need to evacuate animals or share resources like trailers and pastures.
10. Plan Ahead For Your Horse's Care
Changes in your health, your horse’s health or your financial situation are just a few of the reasons why you might need to find a new home for your horse one day. It’s a good idea to research your options ahead of time. You also should think about providing for your horse with a pet trust, and let your loved ones and family know what has been done to ensure a happy, healthy future for your horse.
Copyright © 2008 The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Reprinted with permission of the ASPCA. All Rights Reserved.
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