Bend’s Equine Outreach receives ASPCA grant

Equine Outreach, Inc., announced Wednesday that they have been awarded a $20,000 grant from the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) to help with the construction costs of a multi-use barn.

The construction will include med pens for critical care for long-term rehabilitation efforts, a year-round indoor round pen for training and adoption, and a covered venue for facilitating their proud partnership with the Oregon State University Vet Tech program, Best Care, Abilitree, CO Memory Care Center, Whispering Wind, Bend School system, Oregon Youth Challenge, Bend Parks and Recreation and many other wonderful people who care for the animals at Equine Outreach.

The grant was issued as part of the ASPCA Rescuing Racers Initiative, which aids in the rescue and rehabilitation of retired racehorses to save them from slaughter, repurposing the horses for other areas of the equine world, and giving them a new lease on life for events or pleasure riding.

“We are pleased to award Equine Outreach this grant from the ASPCA Rescuing Racers Initiative in order to expand their capacity to provide improved circumstances for the many thoroughbreds that find refuge in their care,” said Jacque Schultz, senior director of the ASPCA Equine Fund. “Horses have been central to the ASPCA’s work since our founding and we are happy to assist Equine Outreach in their efforts to save more horses.”

“We are deeply honored by the generosity of the ASPCA,” said Joan Steelhammer, founder of Equine Outreach, Inc. “To be recognized and supported by the ASPCA, one of the most prestigious and honored non-profits in the country, is validation for everything we have worked for over the last 10+ years. We have a long way to go to finish out the interior of the barn, but we will get it done inch by inch.”

Since 2002, Joan Steelhammer, Gary Everett, and the dedicated volunteers of EOI have been rescuing horses from all over Central Oregon and beyond, including 35 Thoroughbreds, known as the Powell Butte Thoroughbreds, seized as part of a well known cruelty case in Jefferson County in 2012. The feed and care of the former racehorses costs the organization upwards of $75,000 per year.

To help raise the barn, donate, sponsor or adopt one of these amazing horses please visit www.equineoutreach.com.