KATONAH, NY – The American Saddlebred Legacy Foundation, New Mexico Horse Rescue and Oregon Horse Rescue have been selected to each receive a $10,000 Be Mine training grant from The Right Horse Initiative, a program of the WaterShed Animal Fund. At the beginning of February, The Right Horse Initiative announced an open invitation to all equine welfare organizations to apply for three $10,000 grants to be used for training of adoptable equines.

“Lack of training can be a major barrier to adoption for thousands of good horses each year. Adoption organizations often face challenges providing training due to inadequate funding.” says Christy Counts, President of The Right Horse Initiative.

The American Saddlebred Legacy Foundation has seen a rise in young, un-started horses falling at-risk and requiring transition assistance. With the grant, they will hire a part time trainer to give young horses a correct foundation to excel in any discipline, ultimately preparing them for their next homes.

The New Mexico Horse Rescue operates out of Walkin in Circles Ranch, Inc in Edgewood, NM. The Be Mine Training Grant will fund an assistant trainer to work with volunteers to culminate in a training competition. At the competition’s end they will graduate 20-25 confident, successful volunteer horse handlers to show 20-30 well-mannered, safe horses ready to find their right homes.

The Oregon Horse Rescue will launch the Second Chance Seniors program, providing training to up to 14 horses currently considered sanctuary residents that require groundwork and in-hand skills to become ready for adoption. Many of these horses require special care due to physical limitations or age but could be excellent candidates for adoption into private homes with the right training.

About The Right Horse

The Right Horse Initiative is a collective of industry professionals and equine welfare advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition through a dialogue of kindness and respect. Through collaboration with over 50 industry and adoption partners, The Right Horse is able to innovate new and better adoption standards and practices. Together, the goal is to shatter the stigma and reframe the conversation around equine adoption in order to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To learn more, visit www.therighthorse.org.