Friesian Horse Club Of Southern California

06/18/2025

Dear Friends,

We urgently need your support. Yesterday, we assisted law enforcement with an animal welfare investigation in Townsend, VT, which led to the seizure of 39 horses. It was an incredibly long and emotional day, requiring a massive team effort.

Many of you know that we regularly assist law enforcement, and care for and house animals seized in cruelty cases, but you might not realize that every aspect of our assistance in these efforts—from the initial investigation to long-term horse care for those that remain at our organization, is entirely funded by the Dorset Equine Rescue. There is no government or state funding for animal welfare organizations in this work. We are so greatful to the other organizations who have partnered with us and offered to take in horses from this case.

These operations are complex and unpredictable. We often don’t know how many animals will need help until we are on-site, making planning and resource allocation a challenge. Costs include transportation, veterinary care, medications, farrier services, feed, and housing—expenses that quickly add up, especially when horses are in severe condition.

We have become a critical partner in these vital efforts to help remove horses from neglectful situations. However, the financial strain of these cases often lasts months or even years, as legal processes prevent us from adopting out the animals during that time.

Today, we need your help to cover the costs of this crucial rescue mission. Your donation will directly support transportation, emergency medical care, staff time, feed, and the ongoing needs of these horses.

We’ve made a promise to law enforcement and, most importantly, to these horses. With your generosity, we can honor that commitment and ensure these animals receive the care they desperately need.

Please consider making a donation today to help us meet this urgent need. Together, we can make a profound difference in their lives.

Donations can be made here:

https://dorsetequinerescue.networkforgood.com/projects/60596-donate-now

Or by mailing a check here:
The Dorset Equine Rescue
P.O. Box 92
East Dorset, VT 05253

Thank you for standing with us as we continue to rescue horses in need!

06/10/2025

📢 NEEDED: HAIR SAMPLES FROM FRIESIANS WITH MEGAESOPHAGUS‼️‼️

We are seeking hair samples from purebred Friesian horses with suspected or confirmed megaesophagus as we work towards a reliable genetic test. Please note: samples are for research purposes only, not commercial testing. Owners will not receive a result or interpretation of the analysis.

✅ Purebred Friesian horse
✅ Suspected megaesophagus
✅ Confirmed megaesophagus
✅ Pulled hair sample (includes root bulb where DNA is located)
✅ Worldwide - we can receive samples from any country
⚠️ Deceased Friesians - ONLY if the hair was pulled (not cut)
❌ Cut hair samples (hair root bulb must be attached)
❌ Crossbred Friesians
❌ Other breeds

Confidentiality is assured. Please consider sending a sample! 🙏

Hair Sample Submission Form:https://www.fenwayfoundation.com/_files/ugd/588c21_2fd2e11b3c434b87aba130f9dfb9ed2c.pdf

Learn more about megaesophagus in Friesian Horses: https://www.fenwayfoundation.com/megaesophagus

05/29/2025

Our Website has been updated with the 2025 KFPS\FHANA Friesian Horse Inspection information and Entry Form. We hope to see you and your Friesians in attendance!

04/25/2025

𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫’𝐬 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬


Hello fellow FHANA members,

This week has been productive at the FHANA office in Lexington. We have made significant progress in various areas, including the processing and mailing out of registration papers, BBook II registrations, awards, inspection results, and inspection logistics.

The FHANA office has undergone a thorough cleaning, a new desk has been installed for the Executive Director, office furniture has been rearranged, and obsolete computer equipment has been removed. A newly donated desktop computer and monitor have been set up.

To round out the updates to the office, we are pleased to announce a new Executive Director, Joshua Wenger, has been onboarded. Mr. Wenger formally was offered the position yesterday and he has accepted the offer.

Mr. Wenger underwent a series of interviews, background checks, office on-boarding, and was introduced to the FHANA office and staff on Wednesday. He brings extensive management experience from the US Army and a wealth of knowledge about our Friesian horses. Mr. Wenger will commence his work on May 6, 2025, and will be employed full-time at the FHANA office.

Regrettably, Katie Wenger (our FHANA Board Secretary) will be stepping down from the Board to mitigate any potential conflicts of interest.

In the past week, we have implemented several new policies and procedures:

* A new employee handbook

* A travel policy for FHANA employees and members seeking reimbursement

* A new Credit Card Policy

* Expense claims forms

* Travel forms

* Sample contracts for vendors

* Streamlined payment process for vendors

* Streamlined accounting software management

We have also engaged a CPA firm to assist us in aligning and revising the Chart of Accounts. The first draft of the revised Chart of Accounts will be completed tomorrow, followed by a meeting between the CPA and members of the Board.

We have completed and mailed all inspection reports, linear scoring sheets, as of last Friday. If you do not have them, please contact the office or your regional representative. We continue to process BBook II registrations, with approximately 70 applications currently under review. These registrations present challenges due to the high number of incomplete or missing DNA information, which necessitates verification with the University of Kentucky, EQUIS, and the KFPS. This process typically takes 2-3 hours per application, assuming all necessary information is available.

We have implemented several updates to the FHANA website, including new webinars, 2025 documents, and data.

Earlier this month, the Awards Committee held a virtual awards ceremony to recognize participants and winners. We will announce the accomplishments and winners within the next week. The awards are currently being prepared at the FHANA office and will be distributed within the next week.

We extend our gratitude to all members for their patience and support during this transition. The Board has dedicated significant effort to these initiatives, and we remain committed to improving our relationship with the membership.

Thank you,

Respectfully,

Your Board of Directors

03/23/2025

03/22/2025

💥𝟐 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊𝐒 𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐧!!!💥

Come see:

🔥Alwin 469 Sport Pref AAA
🔥Tsjalle 454 Sport Elite Pref AAA
🔥Omer 493 Sport AA
🔥Thorben 466 Sport Elite AAA
🔥Wybren 464 Sport AA
🔥Izaäk BP Ster 83 Homozygous Pinto Stallion

And more!!!

On 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟱𝘁𝗵, 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝟭𝟬𝗮𝗺-𝟮𝗽𝗺! Don’t miss your chance to see our collection of breeding excellence at Black Pearl Friesians LLC!!!

Also!

💥𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 Petra Zeelen 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟲💥

This is a unique opportunity! We decided to open up the stables for people who want to take the opportunity to come over after the open house and participate in a clinic with Petra Zeelen on preparing your horse for the Keuring, ground work for young horses or a dressage lesson.

For more information:
📧www.bpfriesians.com
📲📞815-871-1111

03/08/2025

Late yesterday afternoon the FHANA Board of Directors learned that on March 7, 2025 around 5:30pm EST, our Executive Director, Mr. Khari Ryder was Indicted on felony embezzlement charges in the state of Virginia where he was previously employed. Mr Ryder joined FHANA in August 2024 as our executive director. Mr. Ryder has been suspended from conducting any FHANA duties until further notice. The FHANA president has called for a special board meeting at which time a plan will be established to move forward. We can assure the members of this organization that this is a serious matter and we are working through this. We will keep the membership posted as information develops.
In the meantime, please refrain from contacting Mr. Ryder. The administrative staff will continue functioning at the FHANA office. Please bear with us as we move forward.

Signed: FHANA Board of Directors

03/03/2025

03/01/2025