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Operation Gelding Receives Grant to Expand Program

logoThe Unwanted Horse Coalition received a grant from the AAEP Foundation for Operation Gelding.The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation has awarded the Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC) a grant of $10,000 to support expansion of the Operation Gelding program.

Operation Gelding provides funds and materials to help groups nationwide organize low-and no-cost clinics for owners who might not otherwise be able to afford to have their stallions castrated by a certified veterinarian.

“By gelding a stallion, the UHC aims to prevent unintentional and overbreeding, thereby reducing the number of unwanted foals,” said UHC Chairman Dr. Doug Corey. “Castration will produce a calmer horse that is more ridable, trainable, salable and adoptable, which means he will have a better chance of living a long life as a ‘wanted’ horse in a second or third career.”

The UHC approved an expansion of the program this past June, which will increase funding from $50 to $100 per horse gelded and offer a voucher option to help those with transportation or other issues. These changes will go into effect January 1, 2017, however, funding is still available for clinics in 2016.

“Not only do we plan to offer double funding to host clinics, but we want to double the number of horses gelded last year; a lofty goal indeed,” shared UHC Director Jennifer Purcell. “Funding for Operation Gelding comes solely from donations and grants like this one from the AAEP Foundation. We are grateful for AAEP’s continued support of the UHC’s programs. They were one of the founding members of the Coalition 11 years ago, and remain actively involved today.”

Since its inception in 2010, Operation Gelding has supported 107 clinics in 29 states, resulting in the castration of 1,348 stallions, and the reduction of many more unwanted foals.

To learn more about supporting the Operation Gelding program and preventing horses from becoming unwanted, contact Jennifer Purcell at [email protected] or visit www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org