First Draft of a Need Statement for Habitat for Horses

This is a hypothetical first draft of a need statement for Habitat for Horses, an organization that has tentatively agreed to allow me to work with them. I have not actually spoken with the organization about this specific idea.

When Marco was seized by Habitat for Horses, his ribs, hips, and spine protruded from his lice-infested skin, and his remaining teeth were loose from scavenging for tree bark to survive. He was lame from overgrown, neglected hooves, and his intenstines were infested with worms. And he was the lucky one. When Habitat for Horses found Marco, he was still being kept in the same pasture as the half-buried, charred carcas of a pregnant mare who bled to death from the owner’s attempt at a backyard cesarian.

The Animal Welfare Institute estimates that one horse is slaughtered in America every five minutes. Over 5,500 horses have already been brutally destroyed this January alone. People often perpetuate the myth that only old, broken-down, or useless horses are sent to slaughter; in fact, 92.3 percent of horses arriving at slaughter plants in this country in recent years were deemed to be in "good" condition, according to the US Department of Agriculture's Guidelines for Handling and Transporting Equines to Slaughter. Horse slaughter plants make a greater profit off of fatter, healthier animals. And slaughter does not even account for the thousands of horses that are neglected and mistreated by abusive, negligent, or just plain ignorant owners each year.

An overwhelming majority of American voters (at least 70%, according to a national poll), support a federal ban on the sale of horses for slaughter or human consumption. A stronger federal solution would help, but action needs to be taken now to protect these vulnerable creatures from slaughter, and from cruelty at home.

Habitat for Horses is an established non-profit equine rescue organization in Hitchcock, Texas. Habitat for Horses currently houses approximately 40 – 50 horses on site, and cares for over 250 horses at foster locations. Habitat for Horses has rescued and rehabilitated over 350 horses just within the past year. Habitat for Horses already has some corporate sponsors in Purina, Dupont, and Southern States, and has a capable and well-trained team of volunteers who assist with the daily care and upkeep required for sick, injured horses and a large equine facility.

Habitat for Horses currently engages in several outreach programs to bring rescued program horses to schools, churches, retirement homes, and hospitals for educational purposes. Habitat for Horses would like to take a step towards providing even more community involvement and support by creating a long-standing program to bring troubled or at-risk youth together with equines from similar situations. Horses are already widely used in rehabilitation programs for children and adults with physical impairments, and their unconditional, trusting natures can be used to reach children with hidden hurts. Habitat for Horses already has many willing and eager volunteers and staff; however, we are seeking funding to undertake the training necessary to begin a program working with at-risk youth. We are requesting funding in the amount of $2000 from your organization to train our volunteers and develop this outreach program.