Gelding Project offers free horse castration clinic for Minnesota horses

April 26, 2010

Animal Humane Society, in partnership with the Minnesota Horse Welfare Coalition and the Minnesota Horse Council, are offering a free, one-day horse castration clinic on May 15, 2010, at the Isanti County Fairgrounds in Cambridge, Minn. through the Gelding Project. The goal of the clinic is to reduce the number of unwanted horses in Minnesota. The unwanted horse is the single biggest welfare issue facing the horse industry today.

The clinic is the second in a series of clinics that will take place in different regions of Minnesota through the Minnesota Horse Welfare Coalition’s Gelding Project. The project was launched in 2009 by the coalition, of which AHS is a part, in cooperation with the Minnesota Association of Equine Practitioners. Its goal is to educate horse owners on the care of their horses by providing assistance and education to current and potential horse owners and law enforcement. The Minnesota Horse Council provided a grant for the project.

Individuals who qualify to bring a horse(s) to the free clinic are from certified equine rescues or stallion owners who can’t afford the cost of gelding, have been invited to participate by their veterinarian or have been referred by the AHS Humane Investigations team. Jack (male donkey) owners are also eligible.

Stallions must be halter broke with two descended testicles and be in good health. Colts must be at least four months old. All stallions must be in good health and be held off feed for 12 hours prior to the procedure. Procedures will be performed by University of Minnesota veterinary students under close supervision of area veterinarians.

Interested equine rescues and stallion owners can contact Krishona Martinson with University of Minnesota Extension at (612) 625-6776, or krishona@umn.edu, for more information on the application process. Castrations must be scheduled in advance.

For more information on the Minnesota Horse Welfare Coalition and the Gelding Project, click here.

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