by Fran Jurga | 12 June 2009 | The Jurga Report

Yesterday this blog broached the subject of the need for low-cost castration of colts and ungelded older horses as one way to help reduce the burgeoning horse population.

Today I read about new programs launched in Kentucky and North Carolina that might be inspirational to other states or organizations.

The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) program is funded by SoHo (Save Our Horses), a tax-deductible fund to support KHC Health & Welfare offerings. Eligible applicants may work directly with local veterinarians to schedule services. After service completion, the veterinarians are directly paid a portion of fees (up to $100 per horse not to exceed $250 per household for multiple horses).

In April, the Kentucky Horse Council offered a low-cost geld clinic in partnership with Morehead State University (MSU), which was also funded by SOHO.

More information including requirements, limitations, and a program application are available online at www.kentuckyhorse.org

The robust “Stallion to Gelding Support” effort in North Carolina, known as “SGS”, has been launched to directly decrease the number of stallions who may intentionally or accidentally produce foals this year. In this way, this program is slightly different from the Kentucky plan.

SGS is particularly aimed at pasture breeding, and owners who run stallions with mares, while not intentionally breeding or selectively combining stallions and mares. Anyone in this situation is eligible for free gelding, as is anyone who has been using a stallion for breeding but who cannot afford a veterinarian’s charge for gelding.

Hearing about these programs is like a breath of fresh air. The North Carolina fund is accepting donations, and it is worthy of support–and imitation. A companion program for low-cost euthanasia and burial or disposal would be another giant leap forward.

Click here?to read our story on a low-cost euthanasia plan initiative trial launched in 2008 in Northern California.