Lexington, Kentucky—In an ongoing effort to support equine welfare, US Equestrian is unveiling a new, free feature for recorded horses called Lifetime Care Contacts. This program allows USEF members to add themselves to a horse’s USEF record, signifying that if the horse is ever in need of financial assistance or a home, they would be contacted.  

“We understand that many breeders, owners, athletes and grooms care deeply for the horses who have touched their lives and want to be there for them if they should ever fall on hard times down the road,” Bill Moroney, CEO of US Equestrian, said. “We had media and member inquiries about such a system last year and realized this is a way we can help.”

The Lifetime Care Contact feature is free to use; however, you must be a US Equestrian member or have a free fan account to add yourself to a horse’s record. This is because horse data is part of the membership section of US Equestrian’s website, but this feature will be accessible at no cost to users.  

To add yourself as a Lifetime Care Contact to a horse’s USEF record, visit the Lifetime Care tile in your USEF dashboard and search for the horse you’re looking for using the horse’s recorded name or USEF number. Then, click the button prompting you to add your contact information to that horse’s list. At the bottom of the page, you’ll see a list of horses for whom you’re listed as the Lifetime Care Contact.

How to Help Horses in Need

If you discover a horse in need and want to see if they have a Lifetime Care Contact on file, you will need a USEF membership or free fan account to access our Horse Search function. Visit the Lifetime Care tile on your member dashboard and use the horse’s recorded name or microchip number to locate the horse you’re seeking care for. You will be prompted to verify you’re assisting the horse and can then request an email with that horse’s Lifetime Care Contact information. 

“US Equestrian isn’t positioned to require anyone to reach out to a horse’s Lifetime Care Contact,” Moroney noted. “But we are in a position to make it easier for a horse in need to be connected with someone who has expressed interest in helping them.”

The Lifetime Care system is designed as a safety net for horses, and its use is voluntary. US Equestrian is unable to require that someone consult a Lifetime Care contact before moving, selling or transferring a horse. The goal of the feature is to facilitate connections as needed, but this program can only be as effective as the scope of its use. US Equestrian encourages members to utilize this free feature to make this equine safety net as robust as possible. 

Click here to learn more about this program and for a list of frequently asked questions.