ANIMAL WELFARE ASSURANCE TASK FORCE MEETS

Protecting the American Quarter Horse listed as top priority

The American Quarter Horse Journal, October 15, 2008 – The American Quarter Horse Association’s Animal Welfare Assurance Task Force met September 16-17 inAmarillo to discuss issues facing the industry and ways to continue protecting the American Quarter Horse and other equines.

Gathering members from all aspects of the industry brought a wealth of knowledge and experience together in order to ensure many views were represented. Members of the task force included veterinarians, industry leaders, trainers, representatives from equine organizations and individuals representing racing, showing and recreational riding. Clark Bradley; Dave Brian; Joe Carter; Doug Corey, D.V.M.; Eleanor Green, D.V.M.; Jim Helzer; Connie Hill; Bill Horton; Paul Jones; Nancy Goodman McIlwraith, D.V.M.; Scott Myers, D.V.M.; Tammy Pate; Carol Rose; Bennie Sargent; Dorvan Solberg; Johnny Trotter; Sandy Vaughn and Rick Weaver served on the task force.

Established in 1940 to record and preserve the pedigrees of the American Quarter Horse, AQHA also has worked to actively protect the welfare and integrity of the American Quarter Horse. The welfare of the American Quarter Horse and all other animals is paramount to all other considerations at AQHA. Over the years, stringent rules and guidelines have been established to protect the breed. The Association’s welfare policy statement is outlined in its Handbook of Rules & Regulations. As a continuation of those efforts, the Animal Welfare Assurance Task Force is working to educate AQHA members and the general public on animal welfare issues and identify and eliminate any inhumane training practices.

“The integrity and welfare of the American Quarter Horse is vital to every member, and protecting these great animals from harm is very important to AQHA,” said Bill Brewer, AQHA Executive Vice President. “American Quarter Horses provide joy to millions of people worldwide and they deserve our best when it comes to their care. The responsibility of caring for the American Quarter Horse should always be our top priority.”

The task force focused on racing, showing, breeding and genetic defects. Recommendations from the two-day meeting will be presented to the AQHA Executive Committee for review and implementation.

To read AQHA’s position on animal welfare, see page 9 of the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules & Regulations, or visithttp://www.aqha.com/association/registration/pdf/policystatement_08.pdf.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.