The Right Horse Initiative has helped more than 2,600 equines find homes in its first year as an official program of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Established in 2016, The Right Horse Initiative merged with the ASPCA in November 2019 and remains focused on massively increasing the number of successful horse adoptions in the U.S. and improving the number of positive outcomes for horses in transition as they move from one home, career, or owner to the next.

“In just one year, the ASPCA’s Right Horse Initiative has made a tremendous impact in the effort to help at-risk horses by bringing together leading voices from the equine community to focus on our shared cause,” said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA president and CEO. “This kind of collaboration is critical to ensuring horses in transition are protected and find life-saving opportunities in new homes and careers nationwide.”

Through its online adoption platform, My Right Horse, the initiative has helped its adoption partners connect with compassionate individuals across the country who are stepping up to provide loving homes for horses in transition. As shelters and rescues face new challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Right Horse partner organizations continue to work swiftly to match the horses in their care with foster and adoptive families, working to place 20% more horses in 2020 than the previous year.

“Despite challenges resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, adoption and industry partners of the Right Horse Initiative have made incredible strides in their respective communities and corners of the equine industry by helping thousands of horses find homes, providing critical resources and raising awareness of equine adoption,” said Emily Weiss, PhD, Cert. AAB, vice president of ASPCA Equine Welfare. “The power of the Right Horse Initiative lies in our partners, and together we will continue to improve the lives of countless more horses