The Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund was established in 2005 to assist people within the Arabian horse community during times of unexpected catastrophes, such as barn fires, accidents resulting in significant financial burden, unexpected illnesses, acts of nature, and the like. While not meant to be a replacement for insurance or a long term aid plan, the fund is designed to be a “bridging” fund for the period of time immediately following an unexpected crisis, to assist people as they cope to adjust to the unexpected turn of events.
Generally, assistance is granted for a short period of time for specific bills, which are paid directly to the vendor owed by the fund, to protect both donors and recipients alike. The fund is governed by six industry-involved people and is funded completely through donations. In 2014, Frank Hennessey began this endowment fund under with the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County, which will ensure the long–term viability of a fund that has been crucial to hundreds of people since its inception.