FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2012
Contact: Kim Mosiman, Sound Equine Options
503-663-1515
18 Horses and 1 Pony Seized by Law Enforcement in Klickitat County, Washington
White Salmon, WA-Eighteen horses and one pony were seized from a Shagya Arabian breeding operation based on alleged allegations of unsanitary and unsafe confinement. The horses are now in the physical possession of Sound Equine Options and Columbia Gorge Equine Network’s foster program. The two groups have partnered to support this rescue effort. The horses are in immediate need of alfalfa hay, grass hay, salt, veterinary attention, and farrier care. The estimated cost of care for the first 2 months is approximately $8,000. Many of the horses are in need of veterinary evaluation, care, and farrier work which creates an immediate need for financial support.
“We appreciate the diligence of the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Department in pursuing this case,” said Kim Mosiman, of Sound Equine Options. “Animal neglect should not be tolerated in any community and we are very thankful Klickitat County has made that known.”
Sound Equine Options (SEO) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. SEO exists solely through donations and supporter contributions. Your donations directly support these programs and help reduce the suffering of horses in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington. To make a tax-deductible contribution to the care of these horses visit: www.soundequineoptions.org/donate.html
Columbia Gorge Equine Network (CGEN) was recently formed in the Columbia River Gorge as a sister organization to SEO. To make a tax-deductible contribution to the care of these horses, please visit CGEN’s Facebook page at: facebook.com/pages/Columbia-Gorge-Equine-Network/317778141567379
Contributions made at either site go into the same 501 (c) (3) fund for care of the Shagya Rescue Effort.
Sound Equine Options wishes to extend a big thank you to Jane Varley and her Full Moon Farm crew for thier tireless efforts in collecting, cleaning, pricing, hauling and selling our used tack donations. This fundraiser is what keeps our program running! Thank You!!
Mochey is a 3 year old Quarab gelding with excellent ground manners and has been started under saddle.
He was recently kicked in the pasture by another horse causing an extreme eye injury which required surgery to remove one eye. He is now fully recovered and in the care of SEO while we search for a good home for a good horse!
Mochey will soon be working with a trainer. If someone would like to adopt him, they would be welcome to work with him during this time!
Please stop by the SEO booth at the Canby Tack Sale this Saturday October 15th. Our booth will be in the main arena. The majority of our annual funds come from your tack donations and sales so please see if we have something you cant live without!
A huge thank you to all of the members of The Valley View Riders that put a lot of hard work into a trail ride benefiting Sound Equine Options. They raised $4500 that will all go to help horses in need this winter!
This is a great example of local, responsible and caring horse owners stepping up and helping out local horses! We could not do it without supporters like you!!
Shasta was briefly trained for racing but was deemed too small (14.3 H) and thereafter became a pet. She has gone through training at three different barns but never ridden much afterwards. She has a really good disposition but tends to be a little testing on the halter if she has not been handled regularly. Owners willing to give her away if they can find good home for her. If interested please contact SEO adoption coordinator Kelly Burke at kburke@canby.com.
Nominated by: Dr. Keith Sides
The Animal Welfare Award recognizes a veterinarian who has demonstrated outstanding compassion and/or developed programs that have been for the welfare of animals.
In Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington, the number of unwanted horses not receiving essential care sadly exceeds the resources available to assist them. Although we are absent of scientific data on how many of these horses are in need, research and work with local animal control officers indicate numbers are on the rise.
In 2009, Dr. Scott Hansen, owner of Columbia Equine Hospital in Gresham, was deeply concerned about the health and welfare of horses in his community. He thought long and hard about what he could do to reach out and lend a helping hand – to provide both horses and people in need with some relief, necessary care, and understanding and compassion during a painful and difficult time.
With support from his practice team and colleagues who shared his concern, Dr. Hansen established Sound Equine Options, a nonprofit, charitable organization dedicated to strengthening the safety net for horses that desperately need options that give them the dignity and respect these wonderful animals deserve.
As part of its mission, Sound Equine Options has established a fund to help reduce the immediate suffering of horses with necessary veterinary care. For equine owners experiencing severe financial challenges and with horses that have compromised health, Dr. Hansen and his colleagues have also conducted humane euthanasia clinics – ending the suffering of horses through a peaceful death at no cost to the owner.
Promoting and supporting equine foster homes and rescues is yet another endeavor Sound Equine Options is developing. This is a veterinary-based program to inspect and certify quality rescues and foster homes for horses in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington.
It was the suffering of horses that fueled Dr. Hansen to take action. And it is his human touch that has extended a hand to the four-footed and two-footed in need.
Horse owners facing financial hardship are invited to participate in a Free Horse Health Fair on Sunday March 27th. The event is hosted by Sherwood Forest Stables, and is being underwritten by the Oregon Hay Bank and Sound Equine Options.
This event features veterinary exams, vaccinations, de-wormer and hoof care, all at little or no cost to qualifying participants. The professionals providing the services are either donating or drastically discounting their time as an acknowledgment of the hardship some horse owners are facing in providing for their animals during challenging economic conditions.
Horses will visit a series of "stations" in the arena, each with a different professional. After finishing at each station, the horse will progress to the next, until the animal has visited all the stations its owner wishes.
Owners wishing to participate should call Sound Equine Option members Bonnie (503)-310-5052 or Debby at 503-699-0300, to set an appointment. Appointments will be first come, first served, and scheduled in thirty-minute increments. Limit two horses per owner. NO DROP INS ALLOWED.
Oregon Hay Bank Program Administrator, Julie Fritz, stated that this is one of several health fairs held in Oregon by various equine welfare organizations. "Horse owners were grateful to be able to get their animals the care they needed, and at little to no cost. We knew that there was a real need for another event in the Portland Metro area and we're looking forward to providing services to more horses and the people who care for them."
No stallions or pregnant mares permitted. No dogs allowed please.