About EHWA

EHWA was founded in 2010 by a group of like-minded veterinarians who daily experience the stress placed on equines and the environments in which they live. EHWA President, Frank Dwayne Marcum, DVM of Versailles, Kentucky is a veterinarian, researcher and successful entrepenuer. Along with Dr. Marcum the founding veterinarians of EHWA include Doug Byars, DVM; Mike Cavey, DVM; and Norm Umphenhour, DVM. 

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The first initiative of EHWA was the idea of a state appointed body, the Kentucky Equine Health and Welfare Council, which quickly gained support as House Bill 398 and passed in the 2010 session of the Kentucy General Assembly in a near unanious vote of both House and Senate. HB 398 became law in April 2010 and created the Equine Health and Welfare Council under the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the first of it's kind in U.S. history. Now in a combined efffort with the state governement, the EHWA works to improve the welfare of the horse by sharing the burden of responsiblity. This can only be achieved through immediate fiscal responsibility with future commitments to education and support of research.​

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EHWA along with its members, partners and through its seat on the Equine Health and Welfare Council will: 

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• ​Identify issues adversely affecting the treatment of equines and identify solutions through legislative or regulatory action.

• Promote research to improve equine health

• Improve the quality and oversight of horse rescue and retirement operations

• Act as an intermediary between government and the public

• Act as a principal fundraising body for both the government council and private endeavors related to the needs of the horse

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