WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United Horse Coalition (UHC), a program of the American Horse Council (AHC), recently announced the creation of a new safety net program called Farrier Direct in conjunction with the American Farriers Association (AFA) and the American Society for the Prevention of the Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
This safety net program is intended to help keep horses in their homes when their owners encounter hardship. Farrier care is among the top unaffordable services during personal crises, such as job loss, divorce, illness or natural disaster. When owners cannot afford farrier care, equine welfare is compromised. Horses often end up in pain, lame—even surrendered or abandoned.
Farrier Direct is designed to help farriers support owners experiencing temporary hardships and keep horses healthy in their homes. Farriers who are AFA members determine client eligibility on life circumstances. Farriers can complete an interest form here to become enrolled in the program. Once enrolled, they can be reimbursed for up to $300 per horse.
A new avenue
“This program was created out of a need for resources to keep horses with their owners. Regular farrier care is essential, and everyone needs help sometime,” says Kelsey Buckley, Farrier Direct program manager. “Offering a new avenue to support owners in need helps keep horses healthy and helps prevent them from being surrendered.”
Martha Jones, executive director of the American Farrier’s Association, adds, “As Kelsey mentioned, everyone needs help sometimes, and we are truly grateful to the UHC and ASPCA for allowing AFA members the opportunity to help their clients in need. Farriers see their clients more frequently, typically, than the veterinarian—and they’re in the perfect spot to be able to help in crisis. It is our hope that Farrier Direct will be as impactful and meaningful to owners as the long-standing Vet Direct program.”
Other resources
UHC offers a variety of safety net programs to assist owners facing crisis. The UHC’s Equine Resource Database is a free, publicly accessible tool. It is designed to connect horse owners with services such as hay banks, veterinary assistance, euthanasia and aftercare. Now also included: resources for temporary emergency equine housing for domestic violence survivors.
Visit the database to learn more: https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/equine-resource-database/.
To find out more about Farrier Direct and enrollment, visit https://americanfarriers.org/page/farrier-direct-safety-net or email Kelsey Buckley at [email protected].
About the American Farrier’s Association
With members across the United States and in several countries, the AFA exists to further the professional development of farriers. It also provides leadership and resources for the benefit of the farrier industry, and to improve the welfare of the horse through continuing farrier education.
About the United Horse Coalition
The UHC 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. It seeks to provide information for existing and prospective owners, breeders, sellers and horse organizations regarding the long-term responsibilities of owning and caring for horses The UHC also focuses on the opportunities available for these horses.
About the American Horse Council
The AHC is the trusted voice of the equine industry in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to advocate for the health and welfare of the horse, as well as the economic and legislative interests of the equine industry.