The success of the fifth annual Hawaii Island Humane Society Hawaii Horse Expo has earned nearly $20,000 to the HIHS Horse Rescue Fund.
The success of the fifth annual Hawaii Island Humane Society Hawaii Horse Expo has earned nearly $20,000 to the HIHS Horse Rescue Fund.
The event also benefited the Paniolo Preservation Society, which saw improvements made to Pukalani Stables, carried out by Horse Expo organizers.
The Hawaii Horse Expo was held in August at the Paniolo Heritage Center, which is located at Pukalani Stables in Waimea.
Over the past five years, funds raised during the Horse Expo for the HIHS Horse Rescue Fund have meant the establishment of a first-class equine holding facility at the Hawaii Island Humane Society Waimea Shelter. The staff has developed a protocol for post-rescue care, resulting in one of the best equine rescue programs in the nation. In 2012 alone, 24 horses and one donkey passed through the gates.
of HIHS.
The core of the Hawaii Horse Expo is to provide horse owners and enthusiasts the opportunity to learn from world-renowned experts in a variety of equine-related disciplines.
As expressed by one attendee, “We really appreciate [the Expo] helping us horse lovers learn more about what to do and what not to do. We brought our whole crew down this year to enjoy the experience. We all picked up helpful hints that will make our job easier and make it easier for the horses to understand what we want.”
“Education promotes responsible animal ownership,” said Jones. “Most people try to do the best they know how. Our goal is to educate and to inspire horse owners to always do the right thing. We may not be able to change the world, but together, through our example, we can make it a better place for horses.”
The Hawaii Horse Expo also included the presentation of the third annual Mana Award by the HIHS and Veterinary Associates to Dick Solmssen, who founded and has been director of the Hawaii Preparatory Academy horse program for the past 50 years.
Expo clinicians and presenters included Janice Baxter, Dr. Brady Bergin, Linda Tellington-Jones, Dr. Daniel King, Rick Lamb, Dr. Robert Miller, Susanella Nobel, Charles Wilhelm, Richard Winters, Sarah Winters and Dr. Lisa Wood. Visit HawaiiHorseExpo.com or HIHS.org.
HIHS Executive Director Donna Whitaker said the mission of the Hawaii Island Humane Society is “to promote respect for all animals, prevent cruelty to animals, eliminate pet overpopulation and enhance the bond between humans and animals.”
HIHS holds a contract with the County of Hawaii to enforce certain animal-related laws and it offers 24-hour service for injured animals and other animal emergencies, humane education classes, low-cost spay and neuter services, lost and found assistance, microchipping and more. Learn more at HIHS.org or call 329-1175.