The issue of animal cruelty is a problem faced by every state in the nation.  The issue of equine cruelty is especially onerous to those of us in the equine industry.

In 2018 the Virginia Horse Council held its first Equine Cruelty Forum. The purpose of the forum was to examine the causes of equine cruelty, to determine what steps can be taken to reduce equine cruelty, and what resources are available to combat the cruelty issue.

Attendees at the original meeting included

• • • animal control officers
    • equine rescue group administrators
    • a VASART representative
    • veterinarian’s office
    • a representative of the Virginia Alliance of Animal Shelters
    • president of the Virginia Quarter Horse Association
    • former president of the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association,
    • the Executive Director of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association
    • the President, Vice President, and Educational Chair of the Virginia Horse Council, and
    • the program director for the Virginia Horse Industry Board

This meeting represented the first time that all these groups were brought together in a joint meeting and were afforded the opportunity to learn what part each group plays in resolving the cruelty equation.