National Riding Stables Horse Rescue announced today that it had received a grant through the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign for free vaccinations for twenty of its rescued horses. “These free vaccinations will protect our precious horses from diseases such as West Nile Virus, Equine Encephalitis, tetanus, and rabies,” said Terry Latschar.
The Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign is a non-profit, joint effort between the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and Merck Animal Health that provides healthcare assistance to the overburdened equine rescues and retirement facilities that rehabilitate, revitalize, and re-home America’s unwanted horses. Through the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign, qualifying equine rescue and retirement facilities can receive complimentary equine vaccines for horses in their care, protecting the horses’ health and making them more adoptable.
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) was founded in 1954 to direct the focus of equine veterinary medicine. Today, the AAEP represents nearly 9,300 veterinarians and veterinary students in 61 countries. Dr. Sarah Link of Link Veterinary Associates, Union Bridge, Maryland, who provides veterinary care for the horses at National Riding Stables Horse Rescue, is a member.
“We are delighted to announce that, with Dr. Link’s assistance, we have been awarded 20 sets of vaccines for our rescued horses,” said John Latschar. Although Merck Animal Health does not release the monetary value of these vaccines, we can assure you that this award is several thousand dollars.”
National Riding Stables Horse Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded by John and Terry Latschar in 2018. Since then, they have rescued and rehabilitated 44 horses and adopted 16 to permanent retirement homes. Currently, 26 horses reside at the stables; 13 are used for guided horseback tours of the Gettysburg Battlefield, and 13 are retired and waiting to be adopted by a loving family.