Give Health & Purpose to a Neglected Horse

A Letter From The President

As I sit and reflect on this last year, I realize how far we have come from where we began. Overall, it has been a very good year.
2013 started with 41 horses in our care. Of these horses, 23 had been involved in a court case since 2012 and were not released into our ownership until June of 2013. As the year progressed we took in an additional 66 horses. Of these horses, 24 were financially supported by the Oregon Humane Society. A total of 43 hors-es came to us though complaints made to law enforcement or seizures. The remainder of the horses came from owner surrenders and other rescues. Through a new collaboration with The Pongo Fund we were able to help a group of once domesticated but now abandoned horses in Wheeler County.
Along with our on-going relationships with the Oregon Humane Society and law enforcement in the following counties: , Klickitat, Clackamas, Multnomah & Columbia, in 2013 we added new working relationships with the following groups:
Wasco County Sheriff
Curry County Sheriff
The Pongo Fund
City of Damascus Code Enforcement
All Animal Care & Rescue Fund
During the course of the year we successfully adopted out 34 horses and only 2 returns. We believe strongly that our training program is directly responsible for such a high adoption success rate. We are gratified to see how this investment in the horses’ training helps them become solid, trusting, loving horses that good owners will take care of and cherish forever.
In order to maintain the quality of care for the horses as well as improve our communication with our volun-teers, foster homes and donors we now use Paddock Pro. This online horse management system allows us to track horse locations, information, photos and medical histories. We also implemented the use of Donor Perfect to better track gifts and donors.
Our largest fundraising projects in 2013 included a Ride to Provide Horse Show in May; a Ride to Provide Trail Ride in July; two used tack sales; and a Poker for Ponies dinner, silent auction and poker tournament in November. We will be continuing and growing each of these events in 2014.
SEO initiated a Barn Volunteer Program at Eagle Creek Equestrian Center, where at least 7 of our horses are housed at any given time. These horses are in various stages of training and the volunteers learn how to safely work around the horses and help teach each horse ground manners, as well as groom them and clean stalls. Having the horses exposed to several different people’s handling and teaching proves extremely beneficial to the horses.
Sound Equine Options’ growth has been matched by the need for our resources. Fortunately for all, more people are becoming aware of what we do and are joining in as volunteers and donors. We have become a strong, respected organization in the community, providing services that no other local organization offers. This is a huge cooperative effort that I hope in which each of our supporters takes pride. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of horses!
Elisabeth Wolff - President