Hope for horses in need

NOT-for-profit Project Hope Horse Welfare Victoria has received a significant Equine Rehabilitation Grant from the State Government.

With 174 horses in care across Victoria and 407 members, the charity has been given $55,000 to aid their education and training work, and equine rehabilitation programs.

President Kathryn Wren said the money will be spent on engagement events planned for January 2022 in Smythesdale, where there is a strong equine community and accommodating infrastructure at the Woady Yaloak Equestrian Centre.

“This provides an ideal forum for engaging with the local community and stakeholders to provide equine rescue and rehabilitation,” she said.

“We’ll be conducting an open day to showcase our work and provide information on horse welfare, rescue and rehabilitation. This will be followed by a horse representative training day.

“Volunteers interested in becoming a rep will be trained in all legalities, required activities, health and safety, and managing vicarious trauma. Participants of a horse training day will learn about horse behaviours and how to rehabilitate a horse that has experienced trauma.”

Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas said the State Government is proud to support rehabilitation and rehoming for horses in need.

“These grants will provide better animal welfare outcomes and more education and training, while rehabilitating more horses to give animals a second chance at life,” she said.

“This money will be used by Project Hope volunteers to continue to educate horse owners, and others, about the importance of caring properly for horses.

“Horses need particular care, attention, space, and can be more expensive to look after properly. The volunteers work so hard to care for horses that have been abandoned or neglected.”