Attendees worked in small groups during the Summit to examine the causes of unwanted horses and the approaches to dealing with this segment of the equine population. Also discussed were the groups within the industry who can play a direct role in solving the problem. At the end of the Summit participants reached complete consensus on the following key action steps:

• The formation of a national steering committee to direct efforts on behalf of unwanted horses. • Working groups to be formed as part of this body to work on specific issues such as education, funding and rescue/retirement facility standards.

“This is an ongoing effort that will take the active participation of the entire horse industry to be successful,” said Scott E. Palmer, VMD, 2005 AAEP president. “The Summit was our first step and we’re encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment of those who participated.”

Groups that continue to be involved with this effort will next begin the organizational process with the intent of holding another face-to-face meeting by late summer. For a copy of the Unwanted Horse Summit report, visit the Press Room of www.aaep.org or contact Sally Baker in the AAEP office at sbaker@aaep.org or 859-233-0147.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its over 8,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.
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