Grants for Equine Rescues

They don't have to be lame or old. Many horses fall between the cracks because of financial hardship, poor training, cruelty, uncaring owners and numerous other reasons. Equine rescues take on the task of nursing sick horses back to health, rehabilitating cruelty cases, training unwanted horses so they may have a new career or giving sanctuary to those that aren't adoptable. None of this is cheap, and many equine rescues depend on grants to continue to save horses.
  1. Thoroughbred Charities of America

    • This charity's mission is fundraising for retirement, retraining and rehabilitation of thoroughbred racehorses once their racing careers are finished. According to its website, the organization has only one paid employee and is able to distribute 96 percent of its contributions to approximately 200 nonprofit equine rescue and welfare groups. The board of directors consists of professionals in the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry. To apply for a grant, send federal tax status information, along with the charity's veterinary form, which must be completed by a veterinarian and a letter from the veterinarian on their own stationery stating they have been the attending vet for the organization for a least one year. Applications are reviewed between January and April of the year in which they are granted, and are distributed by June.

      Thoroughbred Charities of America

      P.O. Box 910668

      Lexington, KY 40591

      859-276-4989

      thoroughbredcharities.org

    ASPCA Equine Fund

    • Henry Bergh was inspired to found the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) after seeing a carriage horse beaten. Now the ASPCA Equine Fund helps equine welfare organizations with grant money to continue their work. Grants range from $500 to $3,000 and cannot be more than 10 percent of a 501(c) 3 organization's operating budgets. Funding for hay, veterinary care and feed are limited to large seizures of equines by the applicable agency. When more than 24 horses are seized, an organization may apply for an emergency grant of $5,000 to $10,000. Grant money is not provided for start-up organizations. According to its website, "Most ASPCA Equine Fund grants will be awarded to those organizations whose focus and expertise is concentrated on reducing the suffering of horses, mules and donkeys that have been abandoned or cruelly treated." Letters of inquiry for grants may be submitted online only.

      aspcapro.org

    New Jersey Horse Council

    • Members of this state horse council can contribute to their horse rescue fund, and equine rescue organizations based in New Jersey may apply for grants. Funds have also been sent to nationwide equine rescue efforts, such as horses affected in the Gulf Coast by Hurricane Katrina. Past grant recipients include Mylestone Equine Rescue, Phillipsburg, Helping Hearts Equine Rescue, Millstone Township, and the New Jersey chapter of the national Rerun organization for former thoroughbred racehorses.

      New Jersey Horse Council

      25 Beth Drive

      Moorestown NJ 08057

      856-231-0771

      njhorsecouncil.com