Ky. offers vouchers for stallion castration

Lexington, Ky.

-- The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) is offering incentives for stallion castration in an effort to address the neglected horse issue in the state.

Essie Rogers, KHC director of education and welfare, says neglected horses have been a problem in Kentucky that the Council has been working on for a number of years.

"Oftentimes, what we see are horse owners unable to control their horse population," she says. "They don't have the facilities to separate stallions from mares."

The stallion castration incentive program gives qualifying Kentucky horse owners vouchers payable to the servicing veterinarian on castrations. Those who show financial need may be eligible for up to $100 per horse or $250 per family for multiple horses. The horse owner is responsible for excess charges. "We're trying to be proactive," Rogers says.

This is the first time the program has been offered and 25 vouchers are available.

The program is meant to help responsible owners afford gelding services and thereby reduce the number of neglected horses.

"We want to encourage breeding with a purpose only, as opposed to breeding because owners cannot separate the stallions and the mares," she says.The unwanted, neglected horse issue is not unique to Kentucky, as droughts and economic changes have hit the U.S. all over, Rogers notes.

And for those owners who are trying to do the right thing, but lack financial resources, this program may help.

For more information or an application, e-mail info@kentuckyhorse.org or call (859)367-0509.