GOOD NEWS FRIDAY sponsored by Liberation Farm: HORSE AID LIVE!

By Ray Paulick
The plight of retired Thoroughbreds and other unwanted horses has really been in the spotlight this past week. The two-day Welfare and Safety Summit of the Racehorse devoted a public panel and private discussions sharing ideas and solutions to the problem. The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation announced the hiring of Larry Taylor as chief executive officer to manage what is the oldest and largest Thoroughbred retirement operation in the world, a move that allows longtime TRF executive Diana Pikulski the chance to devote full-time to critical funding issues. Thoroughbred Charities of America announced distribution of $860,672 in grants to various equine industry causes, with more than half of the funding going to horse rescue, retirement and adoption agencies. And the Unwanted Horse Coalition, a collaborative effort of many organizations across the spectrum of the horse industry, elected a new chairman in veterinarian Doug Corey and expanded its goals and commitment to working toward a solution to the growing problem of the unwanted or neglected horse.

There is one common theme at every meeting of every organization dealing with the issue of horse rescue and retirement: money.

Cyndi Greathouse, who has served as development director for the Kentucky Equine Humane Center, recognizes the problem and has stepped forward with something she thinks will help lead to a solution: a unique concept called Horse Live Aid, a pass-through funding organization created to benefit horses of all breeds throughout the United States.

Based on the concept of Farm Aid, established 25 years ago by musicians Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young to assist American farmers facing foreclosure on their properties, Horse Live Aid plans to stage at least one major benefit concert every year as well as other musical events at smaller venues around the country. Click here to learn more about Horse Live Aid.

Greathouse has the support of a diverse group of individuals serving as directors and advisors, led by Katy North Lamonica of Darley America, who is the organization’s president. Rick Dees, the well-known disc jockey and host of the No. 1 syndicated radio show, "The Weekly Top 40 Countdown” (and owner of a large Kentucky farm) is among those on the advisory board. Actor D.W. Moffett of NBC’s "Friday Night Lights” is also advising the group. "Horses are an American icon and a part of our country’s rich history,” he said in a statement.

Greathouse said Horse Aid Live is working toward a 2011 major spring concert in Kentucky, the details for which are still being worked out. "We don’t want this to be just one concert a year,” she said. "We’ll have large concerts and smaller events in more intimate settings, but we are more into creating awareness for the charity and making sure that every breed is involved and represented. We do need funding for the artists that will provide the entertainment and the concert venues won’t be free. But there are many people stepping up to help and advise us on the best way to get this done.”

The goal of Horse Aid Live will be to have funds available for distribution by the end of 2011. Grant applications will be available on the Horse Aid Live website.

"Right now we are just looking for an awareness that this organization has started and is trying to build support throughout every facet of the horse industry. We want everybody involved, and it will be totally inclusive and non-political.” Greathouse anticipates getting support from many non-traditional sources and individuals who are not part of the horse industry but who believe the horse is an important part of America’s heritage.

"Horse Aid Live will be a celebration of the horse."

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