Manifesto
Each year, thousands of good equines find themselves in transition of career or ownership. And each year, a number of these equine end up at risk of inhumane treatment. It’s time for all of us to come together and play a role in changing their story and fate.
Misperception and misinformation hinder equine adoption. When prospective owners purchase through the sales market, they unknowingly pass over thousands of adoptable equines who are ready candidates and just the equine they are looking for. Most horse owners care most about finding a horse, donkey or mule who fits their needs and dreams, and would readily consider adoption if given the chance. As equine owners, we understand the significance of finding the right horse. By working together as an industry, we’re poised to make these joyful, life-changing connections through adoption the new norm rather than a rarity.
The ASPCA Right Horse program rallies and unifies the support of horse industry professionals and equine welfare advocates. Rather than dwelling on divisive issues or letting emotion overshadow the need for urgent action, we lead the industry toward positive solutions and celebrate stories of successful equine adoption and ownership. We’re moving things forward through a dialogue of kindness and respect, and are working together to improve the lives of horses in transition.
We are the voice of pragmatism and honesty. We understand that horses, donkeys and mules can have several chapters to their stories, and that’s okay. We meet this challenge without judgment. We want to provide safe transitions for those equines as they move between careers. We recognize the great work so many people in the industry are doing on behalf of adoptable equines — and support them in these efforts. It’s about doing what is best for our equines and helping the community see the real value of rescuing equines in need. It’s about making sure shelters and rescues have the capacity to take in and adopt out every at-risk horse so that no horse suffers.
Every horse is not the right horse for every person. But we believe there is a right horse for every person. By working together, we can all help facilitate the right matches. It starts by coming together to reframe the conversation. This is not just about horses. It’s about celebrating the right match between one right horse and one right human. It’s a new and better way of doing things that works for people and works for horses. It’s about doing what is best for our horses and helping the community see the real value of rescuing equines in need.
We are good people for good horses.
