HORSE PROTECTION
          ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA

        A Non-Profit, Tax Exempt 501(C)(3) Horse Welfare Organization
 

ABOUT HPAF

The roots of HPAF began when HPAF founder, Morgan Silver became aware of horse abuse in Miami Dade County in 1987. Morgan reported starving rental horses to the "proper" authorities. A police department and animal agency replied that the horses were fine and that there was no problem. As a horse professional, Morgan knew that these horses were indeed in serious condition. With the help of the Hialeah Police Department, the horse rental was shut down and 15 horses were seized. Morgan cared for eight of these horses for the next six months pending the outcome of the case when the horses were adopted to new homes.

After discovering corruption within horse rescue groups, Morgan felt that a reputable horse welfare agency was needed in Florida. In April of 1990 HPAF was incorporated. For the first years HPAF housed horses in the backyards belonging to generous people in the Kendall area of Miami.

On August 24th 1992 life as we knew it changed when Hurricane Andrew hit South Dade. The Redland and Homestead areas, home to thousands of horses  was decimated. Barns were leveled, homes were completely destroyed and no fences were left standing. The area literally looked as if it had been hit by a bomb. Horses and livestock roamed freely, some survived days in canals, unable to get out on their own.

Robbie's Feed and Supply generously allowed the use of their property as a holding facility for the loose and stray horses and six weeks of rescue began. 180 horses were brought to the compound by volunteers who caught them as they wandered the area.

Volunteers transported injured horses to a triage hospital set up at the Tropical Park Equestrian Center. Veterinarians, vet students and countless volunteers cared for horses injured in the storm.

In October 1992 HPAF moved the homeless horses who had owners and horses relinquished by their owners to the vacant Doral Equestrian Center near the airport. Over the next 3 years HPAF moved to numerous facilities.

In 1996 HPAF had  no  money and was ready to fold. We were called to pick up a palomino mare, Sandy, who had been abandoned in South Dade. An appeal was made through an article in the Miami Herald and the public responded. Hundreds of horse and animal lovers saved HPAF.

With the new support in 1997 HPAF was able to lease it's first real farm, 9 acres in Homestead. For the next couple of years HPAF continued to grow, helping horses throughout Florida.

FACILITIES

In 2001, through the generosity of a very special person, HPAF moved to a farm in Marion County, Florida's Horse Capital. HPAF has a long term lease on 150 acres of high quality grazing land. The farm has a small covered arena, a storage building, a four stall barn and a pole barn.

HPAF is located in beautiful Northwest Marion County, near the historic towns of Micanopy and McIntosh. 150 acres of lush grass provides excellent nutrition and a peaceful environment for the horses.

RESCUE

Many of the horses that come to HPAF are malnourished, which is what comes to mind with "rescue". However, helping underfed and neglected horses is only a small part of what HPAF does.

Malnourished and starving horses receive proper nutrition and care to bring them back a healthy state. Then the real work begins. Almost every horse requires training or retraining. For those of you familiar with dog rescue, one of the main reasons that dogs are relinquished or abandoned is for behavioral issues. In  other words, lack of training. The same is true in horses, only more so. When many people have a 1000 pound animal that they cannot control, they get rid of it or let it sit out in a field. Because the horse is not trained, it is not useful or enjoyable for the owner. These horses get passed around from owner to owner, ending up neglected or worse. Training is a central part of the rehabilitation for  horses that come to HPAF. All have been mishandled, physically abused, or in  many cases, have never received any training whatsoever.

NATURAL HORSE TRAINING

Principals of natural horsemanship are used in training the horses that come to HPAF. 

HOLISTIC CARE

Acupuncture, chiropractic and homeopathy are part of the health care provided for the horses.

Veterinarians caring for the horses at HPAF include:

      Dr. Marilyn Maler DVM

      Dr. Gerald Wessner DMV

      Dr. Ted Specht DVM

      Dr. Tom Lane DVM

HOOF CARE

The horses at HPAF are all shoeless and are trimmed under the guidance of Dr. KC LaPierre and               IIEP student April Dahl.

ADOPTION PROGRAM

The goal of the Adoption Program is to place each horse in a permanent home suited to the needs of the individual horse. Adoptions are in the state of Florida only and are on home owner property only. Grass pasture, shelter and safe fencing are required. 

Permanent ownership of horse remains with HPAF and no horse may be bred, sold or given away.  Adopters must send in a photo of their horse twice a year, in January and in August and unannounced visits are also made to the home.

The goal is for the horse to have a permanent home for the rest of his or her life. A place where they can be safe and cared for without ever being neglected or passed  from person to person ever again.

SPONSORSHIP

Our Sponsorship Program allows you to completely or partially sponsor a horse. All levels of support are available.

VOLUNTEERS and Working students

There are many aspects to running a horse rescue organization. It takes the dedication of volunteers doing horse care, farm maintenance, education, networking, and  fund raising to keep HPAF going. Everyone can help.

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FINANCIAL DONATION

HPAF receives no state or federal funding and exists only through donations.

^{HPAF welcomes your check or , as well as gifts of real estate, stocks, bonds, annuities, and any other form of financial investment. Your donations make it possible for HPAF to continue the work of protecting and saving horses. Please include Horse Protection Association in your will.}

PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FLORIDA STATUTE 496.411, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED:  A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF  CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING (800) 435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.  REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA. Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services registration #: SC-02543. Percentage of each contribution retained by any professional solicitor: Zero%. Percentage of each contribution that is received by this organization: 100%.