The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has announced that in 2014 its Equine Fund awarded more than $1.1 million in grants to support 169 equine rescues and sanctuaries across the country.

The grant money supported several areas of equine welfare including emergency food grants, training scholarships, a new nationwide contest held on the ASPCA’s "Help a Horse Day," and the Rescuing Racers Initiative (which aids in the rescue and rehabilitation of retired racehorses).

“Racehorses are just as susceptible as other horses to being sent to livestock auctions and then on to the slaughterhouse, when their racing days are over,” said Jacque Schultz, senior director of the ASPCA Equine Fund. “The ASPCA is grateful to our special supporters who enable us to keep these horses safe by providing assistance to equine rescues who transition ex-racers out of the racing stable and into new homes in someone’s show barn or farm paddock.”

In 2014, more than 80 equine rescue groups held events in 32 states to raise awareness about equine protection for ASPCA Help a Horse Day, celebrated annually on April 26