MOST COMMON

In the Guardian section, the STATEMENT OF GOALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS, has not been updated since last year. Please update your answer and include your 2020 accomplishments.

In the Guardian section, the EQUINE ASSISTED SERVICES CENSUS has not been completed.

FINANCIAL REPORTING - As per our instructions, the IRS Form 990 uploaded in the Guardian information must match the year of the IRS Form 990 uploaded on Guidestar. GuideStar uploads an organization's 990 when it has been received from the IRS; in the interim, it is necessary for you to upload your most recently filed 990 to match what you uploaded in your Guardian profile. The last filed 990 displayed on GuideStar is from yyyy.

INSTRUCTIONS:
To upload your most recently filed 990 on your GuideStar profile, log into GuideStar at this link - https://www.guidestar.org/Account/Login.
Once logged in, click Update Nonprofit Profile on the top.
Click EDIT under your organization's name.
Scroll down to FINANCIALS.
Follow the online instructions to upload your Form 990/Form 990-EZ/Form 990-N.
Click PUBLISH at the top right.

Please verify that your most recently filed IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ is displayed on your GuideStar public profile.
Log into GuideStar at this link - https://www.guidestar.org/Account/Login.
Once logged in, enter your organization's name in the search field.
Click your organization's name.
Your organization's public profile will be displayed.
Scroll down on the right and click 'Show Forms 990' to verify that the uploaded document is displayed.

GOVERNANCE – You state that your organization does not carry Directors and Officers Liability Insurance. Please include an explanation in the space provided as to why your organization does not carry D&O insurance.

MANAGEMENT – We noted the following. Please include in the comment field under GOVERNANCE an explanation of what steps are taken to ensure knowledge of the background of staff/volunteers that may impact the safety of your clients and your horses:
Staff Recruitment, Screening and Training processes, including employees and independent contractors:
Not Checked:
Prospective staff/independent contractors must provide in writing if they have ever been convicted of a felony, convicted of a sexual offense, or convicted for animal cruelty or neglect
Staff and/or contractors are required to undergo a Background Check
Volunteer Recruitment, Screening and Training processes:
Not Checked:
Prospective volunteers must provide in writing if they have ever been convicted of a felony, convicted of a sexual offense, or convicted for animal cruelty or neglect
Every volunteer is required to undergo a Background Check

POLICIES: INTAKE, ASSESSMENT & TRAINING – You state that the horses are not quarantined on arrival. Please include an explanation why horses are not quarantined in the comment field in the Intake section.

The use of the Henneke Body Condition Score is addressed in the two sections below. Please include an explanation in the comment field under Intake why the HBCS is not used or if another method of assessment is used.

INTAKE, ASSESSMENT & TRAINING -
Question: Following arrival of the equine at the facility, the following is performed:
Not Checked: A Henneke Body Conditioning Score is assigned

FACILITY – EQUINE CARE -
Question: Our organization has the following policies and procedures in place pertaining to the ongoing assessment of horses in its care:
Not Checked:
Horses are assigned a Henneke Body Condition score upon arrival at the facility
The Henneke Body Condition score is updated monthly
The Henneke Body Condition score is updated annually
The Henneke Body Condition score is updated with each visit by the veterinarian

FACILITIES: MANAGEMENT - You state that your organization owns the facility where programs are conducted, but you are not reporting any fixed assets on your Pro Forma 990/990-EZ. Please correct the answers to the applicable questions in this section. If your organization owns the facility, then you will need to re-file your 990-EZ and let us know when it has been re-filed for us to proceed with the evaluation.

FACILITIES - MANAGEMENT:
Please specify the amount that the owner receives from the organization for the use of the facility:
Question: If not owned, please provide the details as to what services are provided by the owner and if and how the owner is compensated; please provide the specific amount that the owner receives for services provided. Please also include what services at the facility are the responsibility of the organization.
Current Answer: There are no services that are provided by the Lessor, however they assist us on a regular basis. We only pay for our own utilities. There is no charge for the use of the land. The improvements made to the facilities serve as our payment.

FACILITIES - GROUNDS:
You state that electric fencing is used and electric wires or tape fence are visibly marked. Please upload photos showing the electric fencing.

POLICIES: POLICIES: REHOMING
Inconsistent answers:
Question:
Our organization has the following re-homing (adoption/purchase) policies and procedures in place:
Current Answer:
Our organization does not re-home horses under any circumstances; our organization retains custody of our horses and ensures care of the horses for their lifetimes.
Question:
Our organization has the following policies and procedures related to horses that need to be retired, are no longer able to contribute to the mission of the organization, and/or are no longer manageable:
Horses may be found suitable homes by our organization.
You will need to uncheck 'Our organization does not re-home horses', answer all the applicable questions, and upload a Re-homing agreement. If you do not currently have a re-homing agreement, you will need to create one. If you need assistance, we will direct you to the re-homing agreements of other charities similar to yours.