Fleet of Angels, an organization that is supporting equestrians in the wake of the California wildfires, has received $60,000 from the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Equine Disaster Relief Fund and $25,000 from the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation for its efforts. Although the fires have been contained, many horses have not been able to return home because their stables have burned to the ground or suffered tremendous damage.
“Our goal is to keep horses safe and in good care so they can stay with their loving families and equine friends, giving their owners more time to regroup, repair and start to recover from devastating situations. By providing a combination of grants and services, Fleet of Angels provides qualified applicants’ horses with what they need to stay safe and healthy during temporary challenges,” said a statement from the group.
The USEF grant will assist providing feed, critical supplies and vet care funding assistance for between 800 and 1,000 displaced horses at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center and other locations that have been impacted. USEF funding also is still helping horses in areas affected by last year’s hurricanes in the East.
For its part, the team at the USET Foundation “believes in the importance of community support during times of crisis, and these wildfires have posed significant challenges for Southern California horses and their owners,” said foundation executive director Bonnie Jenkins.
USEF also awarded a $40,000 grant to the Foundation for Pierce College Wildfire Response. The funds will be used for feeding and watering horses currently stabled at their facility in Woodland Hills, Calif. At the peak of the wildfires, 245 horses were living on their grounds. As an evacuation site that is maintained and ready year-round to provide shelter for horses in times of need, the Pierce College Equestrian Center has been of service to the surrounding equestrian community for several decades.
“It is with generous donations, like the ones the members and community at U.S. Equestrian are providing, that we will be able to continue to provide top quality housing and care to horses in need,” said Marcie Sakadijan, the college’s farm manager.
With the grant, several large tanks will be purchased to provide water to animals housed in areas with limited water access, while water and feed tubs, mucking tools and equipment, and water hoses can be replaced.
Developed in 2005 during the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund helps ensure horses’ safety and well-being. Since its inception, the fund has now distributed more than $800,000 to help with disaster recovery and preparedness for horses including but not limited to hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, blizzards, and fires.
“The devastation left behind by the wildfires in Los Angeles is unfathomable. But whenever there are tragedies like these, there are also countless people who are doing great work to help their communities. Fleet of Angels and the Pierce College Equine Center are doing incredible work in helping horses displaced by these fires,” stated USEF CEO Bill Moroney.
With the wildfires still ablaze in certain parts of Los Angeles, USEF will continue to evaluate opportunities to invest in organizations that are working directly to help horses and horse owners affected by the disaster.
Those who wish to donate may visit https://www.usef.org/donate and choose the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund in the drop-down menu. For more information about wildfire relief for the Southern California equestrian community, please visit: www.FleetOfAngels.org. For more information about the USET Foundation, visit www.uset.org .