Kentucky Horse Council Launches Emergency Veterinary Assistance Program to Support Equine Welfare

In an effort to help even more horses in need, the Kentucky Horse Council has announced the launch of an Emergency Veterinary Assistance Program under its Save Our Horses (SOHO) Fund banner. The KHC Emergency Veterinary Assistance Program was created to ensure that horse owners facing financial instability can offer care from a licensed veterinarian to a horse that is experiencing a medical emergency. This program is specifically reserved for cases of immediate welfare need, where urgent veterinary care is required to prevent suffering or loss of life.

Funds are restricted to emergency stabilization, wound care and acute medical management only, including things like medical colic, laminitis, lacerations, wounds, neurologic conditions and eye issues, among others. Funds are not eligible to be used on routine care, chronic condition management or major surgical interventions.

"The Kentucky Horse Council is pleased to announce a new SOHO program to the list of ways in which we aim to support Kentucky equids in need," says Dr. Page Mauk, Associate Veterinarian with Lexington Equine Medical Group, a Kentucky Horse Council board member, and Chair of the KHC Health and Welfare committee. "The new KHC Emergency Assistance Program offers financial assistance toward emergency veterinary services. We all know that horses have a way of creating a crisis at the most inopportune times. We hope this program will remove the financial blockade that prevents some horse owners from seeking the veterinary assistance they need when the unexpected happens."

"This initiative expands upon the KHC's existing welfare programs, which include hay and feed assistance, gelding assistance, transportation assistance to horses being relinquished to an adoption or rescue organization, and euthanasia assistance," says KHC Executive Director Sarah E. Coleman. "This program further solidifies KHC's role as the primary advocate for horses in Kentucky."

To be eligible for the program, horse owners must demonstrate a genuine financial need and be residents of Kentucky; the horse must have an immediate welfare need. Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, with funds paid directly to the attending veterinarian to ensure transparency and immediate impact.

For more information on the Emergency Veterinary Assistance Program, including how to apply or how to donate to the fund, please visit kentuckyhorse.org or call 859-367-0509.