In its largest round of grant funding to date, USA Equestrian Trust has awarded nearly $240,000 to 11 equine nonprofits that applied by the first of the foundation’s two 2012 application deadlines. The $239,780 in grants is an increase of 21% compared to 2011. That mirrored the continued dramatic jump in interest in the Trust’s grants program, which saw applications rise 38%.

The Trust’s leadership approved an expansion of the program earlier this year, offering a second grant application period for the first time in the foundation’s history. Equine nonprofits have until October 8 to submit applications for consideration using the Trust’s online application form available at www.trusthorses.org.

Several horse health and industry organizations received grants during the first round of funding distribution, including:

• The American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation, Inc., was awarded $10,000 for its Laminitis Research Project that unites veterinarians and horse owners in a collaborative effort to uncover new information about causes, prevention, and treatment of the debilitating disease.
• CANTER of Pennsylvania was awarded $1,500 to offer three $500 educational scholarships for United States Pony Club riders who are residents of Pennsylvania and compete with retired Thoroughbreds. The organization’s goal is to further develop the skills of riders and their off-the-track Thoroughbreds through the assistance of professional trainers and other educational opportunities.
• The Conservation Trust for Florida, Inc., applied for $8,000 to host a one-day workshop for attorneys, appraisers, and accountants on land conservation options and conservation easements. The organization’s goal is protecting horse farms and the horse farm lifestyle for future generations by educating landowners about conservation methods and by assisting them in protecting their land.
• The Morris Animal Foundation received $10,000 for research into equine herpesvirus, a devastating disease that can cause abortions and severe neurological diseases.
• The United States Equestrian Federation Equine Health Research Fund was awarded $46,190 for research into orthopedic diseases and recurrent airway obstruction.

Other nonprofit organizations that received funding include the American Driving Society, Inc, the American Morgan Horse Association, the American Saddlebred Horse Association, the New York Horse Park, Inc., the Sacramento Hunter Jumper Association, and the United States Pony Club, Inc