NEWS

The USPA Board of Governors have approved a new Equine Disaster Relief Program for 2018.

The program was developed to provide lifesaving and life changing assistance to horses in immediate need. Our purpose is to have a nominal monetary reserve fund available for the aid of distressed polo ponies in emergency situations where there is no other immediate means to provide urgent care, feed or supplies. There are three categories of support available to all USPA Members:

• Catastrophic Scenarios: Fund will be available to provide immediate equine lifesaving monetary assistance contribution to horses in an emergency care situation. This disbursement may be made after evaluation of the imminent need at the sole discretion of the USPA authority such as the Equine Welfare Committee (EWC), Board of Governors (BOG) or the Executive Branch (EB).

• Underfed or Neglect Complaint: The fund may be used to provide a last chance solution to aid distressed ponies being denied basic needs for survival (understanding the USPA and EWC in no manner condones the mistreatment or care of any horse for any reason). In the case of an animal welfare complaint or investigation, this fund is meant to provide feed, supplies or veterinary assistance in an extreme situation especially in circumstances that warrant a fear that the horses may be moved or hidden without rectifying the situation. This portion of the fund must meet strict policy guidelines and enforcement. Monies, if any will be paid directly to vendors only and not to individual owners or caretakers. A restitution requirement and membership suspension to USPA members may be implemented if deemed warranted. A time limit to remedy and monitor the situation will be enforced. The EWC Chairman and USPA authority will set forth conditions on a case by case basis.

• Disaster Relief: The Fund may provide partial reimbursement of expenses incurred to rescue, relocate, transport, and feed displaced ponies due to natural disasters such as fire, flood, earthquake, sinkhole, hurricane, etc. All reimbursements must be requested in writing with receipts provided and will be subject to review and approval. These funds are only to be used to cover expenses incurred as a result of the disaster situation and are not to be used to provide any temporary loss of income caused by the disaster. A specific Disaster Relief form provided by the EWC must be used to request these funds.

To apply for funding through this program please use the Equine Disaster Relief Application. Any questions about the program can be sent to equinewelfare@uspolo.org.