The USA Equestrian Trust is pleased to announce that IRS-registered equine nonprofit organizations now have two opportunities to submit grant applications. Applications for financial grants to be funded in 2012 are due May 7 or Oct. 8 at 5:00 p.m. EST. 

In 2011, the Trust’s board was pleased to grant nearly $200,000 to ten applicants. Past recipients of grants include those doing equine health research, land conservation, and educational programs. The Trust welcomes applications for need-based and means-tested worthy equine projects and encourages applicants to detail those in their applications.

Funding available for grants includes approximately $70,000 reserved for hunter/jumper nonprofit programs and activities in the states of California and Nevada. Applicants for this fund should make clear their intention to apply for funds available from this specific reserve.

Among the Trust’s 2011 grant recipients was the Morris Animal Foundation, which received a grant of $10,000 for researchers at the University of Massachusetts who are focusing on ways to treat equine laminitis. The grant was used to help develop more targeted therapeutic drugs that could slow and/or prevent laminar tissue damage in horses. Morris Animal Foundation CEO/President David Haworth, DVM, PhD,said, "Morris Animal Foundation is thankful for the continued support from USA Equestrian Trust. It’s partnerships like this that help us work to give horses longer, healthier lives