Back in November, the United Horse Coalition (UHC) hosted a membership drive as a reminder that each organization in our industry, no matter their capacity, or mission, can support horses that are at-risk or in transition.
New members (or returning after more than two years) joining as a registered 501c3 rescue or sanctuary at the Non-Profit Membership level, were entered into win a gift card for $250 from Sherwin Williams. The winner was Animal Guardians Horse Rescue, Inc., based in Simi Valley, California.
Animal Guardians Horse Rescue, Inc., (AGHR) is a 501(c)3 Public Nonprofit Charity Organization for Equine Welfare that provides sanctuary to local senior equines in need, while connecting their southern California community through purpose and service. The group is not only now a proud member of the UHC, but also members of the Homes For Horses Coalition, the ASPCA Horse Action Team, and the Humane Society of the United States Safe Stalls Network.
The mission of AGHR is to develop programs to enhance horse-human relationships and teach safe and savvy connections to help horses and humans find their best futures together. They serve as a Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernadino County Animal Services / Animal Care & Control Equine Adoptions Partner. Ninety percent of their horses come from county shelters where they were saved from abuse, neglect, and abandonment, or relinquished for “special needs”.
“We rarely adopt our horses out, but we do find permanent loving homes for a few select younger equines each year,” says Deborah Green-Dellvon, executive director and founder of AGHR. “We are deeply grateful for the generous donation from the United Horse Coalition!”
What can a rescue do with a Sherwin Williams gift card? So many rescues and sanctuaries need a fresh coat of paint—whether to protect the pasture fencing from chewers or to brighten up the barn to prepare for open houses. The UHC understands that often, cosmetic things are last on the list, but sometimes desperately needed.
“The UHC relies solely on our membership fees to continue the work we do,” says Ashley Harkins, director of the UHC. “The support through memberships with the United Horse Coalition is critical to ensure the viability of the valuable resources we provide to the equine industry as a whole.”
The UHC is a neutral entity and broad alliance of equine organizations that have joined together under the American Horse Council to educate, advocate, and collaborate industry wide on solutions to the issues that surround our nations at-risk horses and those in transition. The work that UHC does ensures that every horse owner has access to the resources they need to keep their horse(s) safe at home should they fall on hard times, or barring that, help provide options to rehome their horse responsibly, ensuring that no horse need be put in a situation where they become at-risk. In addition to these essential resources, the UHC provides free presentations and educational materials to current and prospective equine owners on responsible horse ownership and breeding, estate planning, preparing for euthanasia and aftercare, responsible rehoming options, and more.
Memberships and donations are accepted year-round, but the group understands the push for year-end tax deductions and strongly encourages support for the UHC’s efforts for 2024. A donation push is now happening for the UHC, where donors are eligible for rewards:
- $25 receives access to the UHC’s Responsible Owner Newsletter
- $50 receives the UHC Responsible Owner Newsletter, plus a “I am a Responsible Owner bumper” sticker
- $100 or more receives the newsletter, bumper sticker and an ultrasoft UHC t-shirt
Donations can be made online any time: https://unitedhorsecoalition.weblinkconnect.com/atlas/forms/donation/5
In supporting the UHC, you support providing resources and responsible options for horse owners who need our help the most, while helping to keep our industry alive and well. Memberships help to provide resources to horse owners, who may even belong to your own clientele, member base or organization. The resources that UHC offers are free and are critical to ensuring the wellbeing of horses (and their owners) across every discipline throughout the entire equine industry.
The UHC is also home to the UHC Equine Resource Database, as well as the Equine Welfare Data Collective–a collaboration that accumulates, analyzes, and reports data to enhance programming for transitioning and at-risk equines. The data found in the EWDC reports help us as an industry to have a better understanding of the true nature of what is really happening out there, not just anecdotally. This data is used to drive positive change and help organizations to improve their effectiveness across the industry to make lasting forward movement for at-risk equines and those in transition.
Membership levels are offered for a variety of groups. To become a United Horse Coalition member organization: https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/become-a-member/
The United Horse Coalition is a broad alliance of equine organizations that have joined together under the American Horse Council to educate the horse industry about the issues facing horses at-risk or in transition. We seek to provide information for existing and prospective owners, breeders, sellers, and horse organizations regarding the long-term responsibilities of owning and caring for horses, as well as focusing on the opportunities available for these horses. Learn more at unitedhorsecoalition.org
About the American Horse Council
As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities.
United Horse Coalition
Contact: Ashley Harkins
Phone: 202.296.4031
UHC@horsecouncil.org