With 2022 behind us, we want to take a moment to thank all the individuals and organizations who helped make 2022 a great success and share our 2022 Annual Report. We are proud of what we have achieved. Going forward, in celebration of our 20th Anniversary this year, we have made some resolutions – promises we aim to keep – with your continued support.
The EQUUS Foundation was born from love of the equestrian sport and the critical need to provide care to horses after their sport careers are over. We awarded our first grants in 2003 to seven equine charities based in Connecticut and the metropolitan New York area.
Now in our 20th year, we support hundreds of equine charities nationwide. In 2022, we announced a landmark expansion in the direction of the EQUUS Foundation as not only a grant maker, but also an accrediting body with the establishment of the EQUUS Foundation Mentor Accreditation program.
During our 2022 fiscal year that ended in August, we were able to impact the lives of over 6,000 horses through our programs and grant awards. While this represents an increase of over 1,000 horses from 2021, there are still over 20,000 horses being shipped across our borders for slaughter.
This year, we will publish a study of the equine welfare and business practices of our Guardian and Mentor charities. The study will include an estimation of the capability needed to accommodate slaughter-bound equines now and in the future – whether or not our borders are closed to equines transported for slaughter.
We aim to build consensus within the equine industry to embrace solutions for equines in transition other than shipping them across our borders for slaughter.
Another serious issue affecting all industry, including the equine industry, is the shortage of skilled labor, including equine veterinarians.
In 2023, to encourage the pursuit of careers in the equine industry, the EQUUS Foundation will award a minimum of $10,000 in scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000 to students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate equine studies programs at the educational institutions on the EQUUS Foundation Equine Education Network, a unique database of over 400 academic equine programs in addition to over 600 equine athletic programs. We are specifically seeking sponsors to increase the amount of scholarships to be awarded annually.
We will continue to educate the public on the positive impact of horses through collaborative storytelling and to seek common ground by improving communications — communication among charities, communication within the equine industry and communication with the public at large.
We deeply appreciate the generosity of the individuals and organizations that support the EQUUS Foundation and hope you will join us to celebrate our 20th Anniversary. It is only by engaging passionate supporters and through collaboration that we are able to accomplish our mission.
Join us in Wellington on March 26 to celebrate our 20th Anniversary and honor
McLain Ward, the inaugural recipient of the EQUUS Foundation Spirit Award
RSVP equusfoundation.org/spirit
Learn more about us at equusfoundation.org
ABOUT EQUUS FOUNDATION: The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, is the only national animal welfare charity in the United States 100% dedicated to protecting America’s horses from peril and strengthening the bond between people and horses. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: mail@equusfoundation.org, Website: www.equusfoundation.org.
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Contact: Lynn Coakley
mail@equusfoundation.org
203-259-1550