MEMORANDUM

To: AHC Members

From: American Horse Council

Re: Unwanted Horse Coalition Study

Date: November 24, 2008

The Unwanted Horse Coalition’s nationwide study has been kicked-off. The UHC operates under the umbrella of the American Horse Council. You should be receiving materials from Stephens & Associates directly about the study and about how you, your members and others can participate. If you haven’t received such materials, please contact us and we will provide it.

The first step is an online survey that anyone can take by going to http://survey.ictgroup.com/uhcsurvey/ . Stephens, an independent research firm, developed the questionnaire and is hosting the online survey site.

This survey information has been sent to all AHC member organizations and others explaining how people can take the survey and participate. The goal of this survey is to get the input, observations, opinions and suggestions from anyone involved with horses and this issue.

As you know, currently there are few documented facts about the accurate number of unwanted horses. We hope the Study on Contributing Factors Surrounding the Unwanted Horse Issue will be instrumental in filling factual gaps with actual data on:

• Awareness of the unwanted horse problem and perceived trends in recent years
• Level of concern
• Factors contributing to the problem
• Direct and in-direct experience with the issue
• Actions taken by owners
• Expectations about responsibility and assistance
• Solutions

Phase I of the study is the online survey of people most affected by and involved with the issue of the unwanted horse. Stephens will also tabulate and analyze responses and provide a full report.

The message now is to get as many people as possible to fill out the survey.