DuPage poised to approve horse retirement policy

A policy that would ensure "the humane retirement" of horses belonging to the DuPage County Forest Preserve District is expected to be approved next week.

Forest preserve commissioners on Tuesday reviewed the proposed policy, which outlines what could happen to horses that are retired from Danada Equestrian Center in Wheaton and Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago.

After the planning session, forest preserve President Joseph Cantore said he expects the board to formally adopt the policy next week.

"We all talked about it, and I think everybody is pretty satisfied with the way it worked out," Cantore said.

If approved, the plan would allow four options for retiring horses. They are:

• Adoption to qualified individuals as long as "the welfare, dignity and safety interests of the horse are fulfilled through the adoption."

• Conveyance to a local government or nonprofit group "that shares the ethical stewardship practices of the district."

• Euthanasia by licensed veterinarian, but only "in the case of extreme medical circumstances."

• Retention of ownership by the district. In that case, the district would continue to provide for the horse's health, safety, and well-being. The animal, meanwhile, would do "purposeful activities" that support the district's mission and programs.

Currently, there are seven draft horses actively being used at Kline Creek. Danada has 19 horses, including two retired draft horses.

The proposed retirement policy is the product of multiple meetings officials had with volunteers, consultants and current and former employees.

While more a dozen retirement options were considered, officials said, there was "consensus support" for the four-part plan because it serves the best interest of the district and its horses.

Naperville resident Jane Muklewicz, who previously raised concerns about how district horses were treated, praised the proposed policy during Tuesday's meeting.

"The four options proposed are the most humane and equitable and offer positive futures for the district horses," Muklewicz told the board.

She said the crucial next step will be the establishment of specific guidelines.

"These guidelines are of significant importance in ensuring that the policy is administered in a manner that is fair and humane," Muklewicz said. "Weak guidelines would defeat the overall integrity of the policy."