(Edited press release)

Five equine organizations joined together this week to provide 6,500 bales of hay to nearly 800 horses in Vermilion Parish, La., that were affected by Hurricane Rita. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation, and the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association (LVMA) Equine Committee Foundation combined financial resources to donate approximately $59,000 to the relief effort. The Equine Health Studies Program (EHSP) at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and the Blue Devils Horse Platoon (BDHP) at the Walker Army Reserve Center in Grand Rapids, Mich., located the hay and coordinated delivery and distribution.

“Similar to the actual hurricane rescue operations last year, we were initially contacted and informed of the need by horse owners and volunteers in the area,” said Rustin Moore, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, director of the EHSP and president of the LVMA Equine Committee Foundation.”Once we had a clear understanding of the situation we simply worked together to find a solution. It has been amazing to see the number of groups that were willing to come forward with either monetary assistance or through their own efforts to see this shipment of hay come to fruition.”

Shannon Gonsoulin, DVM, of New Iberia, La., Phil Deville, DVM, of Abbeville, LA, and Vermillion Parish Agriculture Extension Agent Andrew Granger were instrumental in assessing needs and will assist in coordinating the distribution of donated hay, feed and vaccines. Tetanus and encephalitis vaccines have been purchased with funds from the LVMA’s Dr. Walter J. Ernst, Jr. Veterinary Memorial Foundation and distributed to Deville for administration to Vermilion horses