KHC Launches Year-End Campaign with $7,500 Matching Gift to Support Kentucky’s Horses

As 2025 comes to a close, the Kentucky Horse Council is reflecting on a year marked by growing needs across the Commonwealth. From unusually early requests for hay and feed assistance to increased demands on first responders handling equine emergencies, it has been a year that reaffirmed just how vital KHC’s programs are for protecting Kentucky’s horses and supporting their owners.

In recognition of these urgent needs, a matching opportunity of $7,500 has been made available to strengthen the impact of year-end donations. This match effectively doubles every contribution, ensuring that donor gifts go further in providing direct assistance to horses in crisis and expanding the training capacity needed to protect equine lives across the Commonwealth.

What the Match Will Support

Funds raised through this effort will directly strengthen two urgent areas of need:

1. Replenishing the Save Our Horses (SOHO) Fund

The SOHO Fund is the backbone of KHC’s statewide welfare response. It allows the KHC to:

• Provide emergency hay and feed to horses in crisis

• Transport surrendered equines to adoption or rescue partners

• Humanely euthanize suffering horses for owners who could not otherwise afford the service

This year, extreme weather patterns and economic pressures caused a surge in requests months earlier than usual, quickly depleting resources. This matching opportunity will help rebuild the fund ahead of winter—the most critical season for assistance.

2. Purchasing a Training Trailer for Large Animal Emergency Rescue (LAER)

To better equip Kentucky’s first responders, the KHC plans to purchase a two-horse bumper pull trailer for statewide training sessions. This specialized trailer will allow responders to practice realistic accident scenarios—such as overturned or embankment-placed trailers—so they can safely and efficiently extract horses during life-threatening emergencies.

Recognizing that not every county has the budget for continuing education, the KHC also covers registration fees for county and state employees, emergency responders, and fire personnel to ensure all communities have access to this essential training.

Why This Matters

The SOHO Fund and KHC’s emergency training programs saves equine lives, supports struggling owners, and strengthens Kentucky’s statewide readiness when disaster strikes. These programs have become models that other equine organizations across the nation strive to emulate.

How to Help

With the $7,500 match now active, every dollar donated goes twice as far—supporting vulnerable horses and equipping first responders with the tools and training they need.

Click here to give today and double your impact for Kentucky’s horses.