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Unwanted horse summit
Meeting Report Unwanted Horse Summit
T
he report outlining the work of those who participated in the nation’s first Unwanted Horse Summit is now available from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). The summit was hosted on April 19, 2005, in Washington, DC, by the AAEP with the purpose of identifying longterm solutions designed to improve the quality of life of unwanted horses. Over 25 equine industry organizations and individuals participated. Attendees worked in small groups during the summit to examine the causes of unwanted horses and the approaches to dealing with this segment of the equine population. Also discussed were the groups within the industry that can play a direct role in solving the problem. At the end of the summit, participants reached complete consensus on the following key action steps: • The formation of a national steering committee to direct efforts on behalf of unwanted horses. • Working groups to be formed as part of this body to work on specific issues such as education, funding, and rescue/retirement facility standards. “This is an ambitious and ongoing effort that will take the active participation of the entire horse industry to be successful,” said Scott E. Palmer, VMD, 2005 AAEP president. “The summit was our first step, and we’re encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment of those who participated.” Groups that continue to be involved with this effort will next begin the organizational process with the intent of holding another face-to-face meeting by late summer. For a copy of the Unwanted Horse Summit report, visit the Press Room of www.aaep.org or contact Sally Baker in the AAEP office at [email protected] or 859-233-0147. Over 25 equine industry organizations and one US congressman participated in the nation’s first Unwanted Horse Summit on Tuesday, April 19, 2005, in Washington, DC. Hosted by the AAEP, the summit
0737-0806/$ - see front matter © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2005.06.010
300
served as a catalyst for identifying long-term solutions designed to improve the quality of life of unwanted horses. “While participants came to the table with divergent views on many aspects of the issue, they were able to reach a remarkable degree of consensus,” said Scott E. Palmer, 2005 AAEP president. “Everyone focused on the welfare of the horse.” Discussion surrounded the factors that contribute to unwanted horses as well as the approaches to addressing the problem. Summit participants recommended as the next step the formation of a national steering committee dedicated to addressing issues affecting unwanted horses. Working groups to tackle specific areas, such as horse owner education, will also be developed as part of this effort. A summary report of the summit’s discussions, prepared by the meeting’s professional facilitator, will be released by the AAEP at the end of April. Summit participants expressed their desire to remain committed to the process, and the AAEP will help facilitate the group’s future work on the issue, said Palmer. “The unwanted horse problem cannot be solved by any one segment of the industry. The goal is to get as many people and organizations involved as possible.” In addition, an educational session held as part of the American Horse Council’s annual meeting preceded the summit and provided an overview of issues affecting the unwanted horse population. Participants in the April 19 summit represented breed groups, sport and discipline organizations, rescue and retirement facilities, veterinary associations, and welfare groups. In addition to the AAEP, the following groups and individuals participated: • American Horse Protection Association • American Paint Horse Association • American Quarter Horse Association • American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals • American Veterinary Medical Association • Bureau of Land Management • Carriage Operators of North America • Day’s End Farm Horse Rescue
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
July 2005
• • • • • •
Hooved Animal Humane Society Pennell Hopkins (humane officer)—Pennsylvania SPCA Humane Society of the United States The Jockey Club Daniel Manzanares (executive director)—New Mexico Livestock Board National HBPA
Volume 25, Number 7
• • • • • •
North American Equine Ranching Information Council North American Riding for the Handicapped Association Oak Tree Racing Association Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Standardbred Retirement Foundation State Horse Council Advisory Committee
301
T
he report outlining the work of those who participated in the nation’s first Unwanted Horse Summit is now available from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). The summit was hosted on April 19, 2005, in Washington, DC, by the AAEP with the purpose of identifying longterm solutions designed to improve the quality of life of unwanted horses. Over 25 equine industry organizations and individuals participated. Attendees worked in small groups during the summit to examine the causes of unwanted horses and the approaches to dealing with this segment of the equine population. Also discussed were the groups within the industry that can play a direct role in solving the problem. At the end of the summit, participants reached complete consensus on the following key action steps: • The formation of a national steering committee to direct efforts on behalf of unwanted horses. • Working groups to be formed as part of this body to work on specific issues such as education, funding, and rescue/retirement facility standards. “This is an ambitious and ongoing effort that will take the active participation of the entire horse industry to be successful,” said Scott E. Palmer, VMD, 2005 AAEP president. “The summit was our first step, and we’re encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment of those who participated.” Groups that continue to be involved with this effort will next begin the organizational process with the intent of holding another face-to-face meeting by late summer. For a copy of the Unwanted Horse Summit report, visit the Press Room of www.aaep.org or contact Sally Baker in the AAEP office at [email protected] or 859-233-0147. Over 25 equine industry organizations and one US congressman participated in the nation’s first Unwanted Horse Summit on Tuesday, April 19, 2005, in Washington, DC. Hosted by the AAEP, the summit
0737-0806/$ - see front matter © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2005.06.010
300
served as a catalyst for identifying long-term solutions designed to improve the quality of life of unwanted horses. “While participants came to the table with divergent views on many aspects of the issue, they were able to reach a remarkable degree of consensus,” said Scott E. Palmer, 2005 AAEP president. “Everyone focused on the welfare of the horse.” Discussion surrounded the factors that contribute to unwanted horses as well as the approaches to addressing the problem. Summit participants recommended as the next step the formation of a national steering committee dedicated to addressing issues affecting unwanted horses. Working groups to tackle specific areas, such as horse owner education, will also be developed as part of this effort. A summary report of the summit’s discussions, prepared by the meeting’s professional facilitator, will be released by the AAEP at the end of April. Summit participants expressed their desire to remain committed to the process, and the AAEP will help facilitate the group’s future work on the issue, said Palmer. “The unwanted horse problem cannot be solved by any one segment of the industry. The goal is to get as many people and organizations involved as possible.” In addition, an educational session held as part of the American Horse Council’s annual meeting preceded the summit and provided an overview of issues affecting the unwanted horse population. Participants in the April 19 summit represented breed groups, sport and discipline organizations, rescue and retirement facilities, veterinary associations, and welfare groups. In addition to the AAEP, the following groups and individuals participated: • American Horse Protection Association • American Paint Horse Association • American Quarter Horse Association • American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals • American Veterinary Medical Association • Bureau of Land Management • Carriage Operators of North America • Day’s End Farm Horse Rescue
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
July 2005
• • • • • •
Hooved Animal Humane Society Pennell Hopkins (humane officer)—Pennsylvania SPCA Humane Society of the United States The Jockey Club Daniel Manzanares (executive director)—New Mexico Livestock Board National HBPA
Volume 25, Number 7
• • • • • •
North American Equine Ranching Information Council North American Riding for the Handicapped Association Oak Tree Racing Association Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Standardbred Retirement Foundation State Horse Council Advisory Committee
301