The Appalachian Horse Project, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3,) partners with Eastern Kentucky officials, landowners, horsemen and animal lovers to ensure that the traditional practice of free-roaming horses continues in a responsible manner, and that any herds of unowned horses are managed to a sustainable, healthy level. AHP enables these horses to create jobs in Eastern Kentucky by offering horse tours, equine therapy, and equine job preparation.
CURRENT PROGRAMS
Guided tours for the public by knowledgable local tour guides. Tours also include education on the Eastern Kentucky culture and history.
Rescue operations to help injured or skinny horses, partnering with local Animal Control Officers.
Registering the rescued horses on Kentucky State Veterinarian’s website, and looking for their owners. Many horses are owned but many are not.
Deworming horses that allow us to get close
Gelding owned stallions with plans to geld unowned stallions in the near future.
Foster and then adoption of horses which have been picked up for any reason, and have not been claimed by an owner.
Additional plans for the future include:
Equine Therapy (Late 2024) for those recovering from substance abuse.
Equine Job Preparation (Summer 2024)
Barn visits where guests learn about horse behavior and how to put on a halter, groom and lead a horse. (Grants being applied for to build this barn.)
Location
We work in multiple counties. The largest herd of horses is in Breathitt County, where we drop hay in dry summer months and in the winter, and check on horses weekly to look for injuries or overly skinny horses. There is also a large herd in Harlan County which we have supplied winter hay to, and we respond to any calls for help in seven other counties.
We do not have an office but work out of our homes. Our official organization address is in Hindman, Kentucky (Knott County).
Tours start at a location in Jackson, KY on Route 15.