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Taking the Reins (#2519)
GUARDIAN REVIEW AND APPROVAL
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GFAS REVIEW PROCESS 
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GFAS Review Process of equine charities seeking either our Member or Guardian designation last updated on November 3, 2021:
1-When the EQUUS Foundation receives an inquiry from a charity that has not previously been reviewed by GFAS, the EQUUS Foundation will email GFAS requesting any background information or concerns to share with the EQUUS Foundation about the charity.
2- When the EQUUS Foundation receives a completed submission from a new charity – or a previously reviewed charity that has undergone significant changes which would impact the prior GFAS review:
NOTES:
Member Submission: Submission information, veterinary assessment, and re-homing agreement if applicable.
Guardian Submission: Submission information, veterinary assessment, re-homing agreement if applicable, financial info, and equine census.
1-When the EQUUS Foundation receives an inquiry from a charity that has not previously been reviewed by GFAS, the EQUUS Foundation will email GFAS requesting any background information or concerns to share with the EQUUS Foundation about the charity.
2- When the EQUUS Foundation receives a completed submission from a new charity – or a previously reviewed charity that has undergone significant changes which would impact the prior GFAS review:
a. EQUUS Foundation will email GFAS a packet of information on the equine charity, to include the submission information and the applicable supporting information depending on whether the charity is seeking the Member or the Guardian designation for GFAS to conduct a review – see NOTES below.
b. GFAS will email EQUUS Foundation with the review of eligibility to apply to GFAS including any background information and concerns.
c. EQUUS Foundation will determine if the equine charity will be required to receive GFAS Verification/Accreditation in order to proceed, and if so, notify the charity and copy GFAS.
d. For required charities, GFAS will provide the organization with a login to continue and bypass the step to have the organization pay the application fee.
e. GFAS will submit an invoice to the EQUUS Foundation to cover the application fee according to the table under NOTES below.
f. GFAS will keep EQUUS Foundation updated on the process, which can take from 3 months to 1 year, during which, GFAS will schedule a site visit, and update the EQUUS Foundation on the status of each application referred to GFAS by the EQUUS Foundation at least every six months and/or when the organization has received verification or accreditation process and/or when the applicant withdraws the application.
g. GFAS will provide EQUUS Foundation with the GFAS Summary of Assessment, which includes results of the site visit.
h. GFAS will notify the EQUUS Foundation when the organization has received verification or accreditation status or if the application has expired including the reasons; applications expire after one year or if the applicant withdraws their application.
i. GFAS will provide the EQUUS Foundation with access to the GFAS application and any accompanying documents, including site visit photos, on request.
NOTES:
Member Submission: Submission information, veterinary assessment, and re-homing agreement if applicable.
Guardian Submission: Submission information, veterinary assessment, re-homing agreement if applicable, financial info, and equine census.
| Sanctuary Annual Expenses | EQUUS Foundation Application fee | Current Application & Annual Fee |
| Up to $100K | 50 | 100 |
| $100K - $500K | 100 | 200 |
| 500K – 2M | 175 | 350 |
| Over $2M | 250 | 500 |
# # # #
Last Submission Date: 2024-12-31 Last Submission Date 2: Approval Date: Guardian Year:
| CHECKLIST | ACTION ITEMS | UPLOADS | REVIEW STATUS | APPROVAL |
REVIEW
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2- Click ACCREDITATION CHECKLIST to review checklist
3- Click STEP ONE REVIEW or STEP TWO REVIEW to copy all info into a Word document, review and email document to reviewer.
REVIEW STATUS
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Review by Section/Question
1. Enter all the pending actions using the form below.
MOST COMMON
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GUIDESTAR: We require all organizations to keep their GuideStar profiles current. Your GuideStar profile is not displaying the current year seal. Please update your organization's GuideStar profile at https://www2.guidestar.org/Account/Login with the required information to display the current year seal. If you encounter difficulty, contact Guidestar directly at support@candid.org. Please email us when the current year seal is displayed on your GuideStar profile.
GUIDESTAR UPLOAD INSTRUCTIONS: There are several locations on Guidestar where financial information is updated. Please follow these specific instructions to upload your IRS Form 990. Log in to 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 on the left and click Additional Docs. Click IRS Docs – and follow the online instructions. Please verify that your most recently filed IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ is displayed on your Guidestar public profile as follows: 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.
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.
There are several locations on Guidestar where financial information is updated. Please follow these specific instructions to upload your 2022 990. Log in to 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 on the left and click Additional Docs. Click IRS Docs – and follow the online instructions. Please verify that your most recently filed IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ is displayed on your Guidestar public profile as follows: 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.
VET ASSESSMENT: The assessment we provide to your veterinarian consists of two parts – part one is a confirmation of your equine welfare practices you list in your profile, which we will share with you if there are discrepancies, and part two is an assessment of your equine welfare practices. In reviewing part one of the assessment, we found the discrepancies listed below. Discrepancies occur for a variety of reasons--your vet may not be familiar with your policies/procedures, a question may have been inadvertently checked or not checked by you or your vet, a policy/procedure has changed and not recorded, or for some areas, there may be conditions or clarifications for the answer. Please review the discrepancies below. Please email us any areas where the vet is incorrect with an explanation or make the appropriate changes to correct an error and provide further explanation or clarification if requested.
a. Under xxx, in answer to the question - xxx– your veterinarian checked xxx. This was not checked by your organization.
EUTHANASIA: Under Policies - Euthanasia, in answer to the question - The organization has the following policies related to euthanasia – your veterinarian checked that your organization will have an equine euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian if the equine is a threat to itself, other equines, or people. This was not checked by your organization. There is a similar question under Policies – Re-homing in answer to the 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: - which was not checked: In the case an equine is unmanageable and demonstrates repeated dangerous behaviors, the equine may be euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian. Please note that this policy is a requirement to attain our Guardian designation.
OVERNIGHT MONITORING: Under Facility – Grounds, in answer to the question - The following policies and procedures are in place at the facility to restrict public access and to keep horses safe – your veterinarian checked that there is a practice in place to monitor equines overnight, but this statement was not checked by your organization. If this is an error, please correct and provide a description in the comment section under Facility – Overview – of the practice in place used to monitor equines overnight.
FACILITY CARE: Under Facility – Care, in answer to the question - The following items are consistent with our feed management plan and practices – you checked that equines are provided with individualized feeding plans, including supplements, according to the equine's age, breed/type, condition, size, work level and any health issues, consisting of nutritious food provided in sufficient quantity and access to adequate natural forage, or be fed daily, or as recommended by the organization's veterinarian and you checked that equines are fed grain in individual stalls and in groups. Please provide an explanation under Facility – Overview as to how you ensure that each individual horse receives an individualized feeding plan.
Under Facility - Care, in answer to the question - The following represent the manure removal practices in place at facility – your veterinarian checked that your organization adheres to the manure management guidelines set by the state, local authorities, and/or the organization's veterinarian. This was not checked by your organization.
Under Facility - Care, in answer to the question - Our organization has the following parasite and fly/insect control protocols in place, including remedies used to control flies and insects – your veterinarian checked that your organization follows the parasite control guidelines of the veterinarian, including fecal testing and de-worming. This was not checked by your organization.
FACILITY CARE: Under Facility – Care , in answer to the question - The facility follows the specific procedures to help PREVENT emergency situations – you checked that smoking is strictly prohibited but you did not check that NO SMOKING signs are posted prominently. If this is an error, please correct the discrepancy and upload a photo showing NO SMOKING signs. If this is correct, please explain in the comment area under Facility – Overview, how you enforce your no-smoking policy.
The STATEMENT OF GOALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS has not been updated since last year. Please update your answer and include your 2020 accomplishments.
The EQUINE ASSISTED SERVICES CENSUS has not been completed.
EQUINE CENSUS: We also want to give you a heads up that you will need to update your Equine Census to include every equine who was under your care at any time during yyyy, including those that may no longer be under your care, i.e., Adopted, Deceased, etc. The last intake date is showing as mm/dd/yyyy.
EAS CENSUS: Under Equine Assisted Services Census, you indicate that [# ] horses and []% of your total clients participate in what we refer to as Client Observer (Pasture/Free Roam) Activities which a specific type of Equine Assisted Service involving Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and/or Equine Assisted Learning for Personal Development conducted by a credentialed service provider in which equines are unmounted, separated from clients by a barrier such as a pasture fence, and observed in an uncontrolled environment that permits the equine's freedom of movement and access to forage and other equines. Clients do not have direct contact with the equines unless an equine chooses to interact with the individual or individuals while remaining separated by the barriers. We ask that these programs be fully described in your Equine Assisted Services Overview under Programs. In reviewing your overview, there is no mention of these programs. EQUINE COSTS - your actual and your donated horse care staff costs cannot be both $0. If volunteers perform the horse care staff duties, please estimate the cost associated with their time and effort under Donated Horse Care Staff.
GOVERNANCE – you state that there are x board members and that you have a written conflict of interest policy. Please email us your written conflict of interest policy and the signed conflict of interest statements of your 5 board members. Should you wish to make a change to your existing document, you are welcome to use the attached templates.
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: [insert answer]
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: 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.
RE-HOMING AGREEMENT
We established new guidelines in 2022 to attain the Guardian designation, outlined at https://equusfoundation.org/network/network-eligibility-comparison.php, one of which pertains to re-homing and ensuring the lifetime protection of adopted horses. EQUUS Foundation expects our Guardian organizations to follow a philosophy that protects the safety and well-being of each horse not only under their care, but for the rest of the horse's life as well. Many adoption and rehoming agreements protect the horse for the first adoption, but do not include specific language that carries through to the future re-homing of the adopted horse. It is the position of the EQUUS Foundation that including verbiage on the future re-homing of the equine reflects the shared recognition of the organization and the adopter that horses continue to be inhumanely 'slaughtered' and the shared commitment of the organization and the adopter to ensure that the equine be protected for his or her lifetime.
We ask that you include the following statement in your agreement - Any individual or organization in possession of the equine as of the date of the agreement and any time thereafter is bound to not sell the equine at auction for slaughter or allow the equine to be sold, transferred, released, or otherwise placed into possession of any person or organization that will cause or allow the equine to be sold at auction for slaughter - or propose your own language that specifically addresses the protection of the equine in any future adoption, such language subject to our approval.
[Since your agreement includes the statement – [insert] - you may accomplish this by:
1 - replacing your current statement with - Any individual or organization in possession of the equine as of the date of the agreement and any time thereafter is bound to not sell the equine at auction for slaughter or allow the equine to be sold, transferred, released, or otherwise placed into possession of any person or organization that will cause or allow the equine to be sold at auction for slaughter; or
2 - proposing your own language that specifically addresses the protection of the equine in any future adoption, such language to be subject to our approval.
To more fully protect the equine, you may wish to include one of the following:
1- any future adopter must incorporate the statement - Any individual or organization in possession of the equine as of the date of the agreement and any time thereafter is bound to not sell the equine at auction for slaughter or allow the equine to be sold, transferred, released, or otherwise placed into possession of any person or organization that will cause or allow the equine to be sold at auction for slaughter - as an addendum to any future agreement.
2- any future adopter must agree to the terms of the agreement either by incorporating the agreement between the adopter and your organization as an addendum to any future agreement or by requiring that any future adopter re-sign an agreement with your organization. ]
Please upload the updated agreement as well as check the applicable box under Policies – Re-homing.
GUIDESTAR UPLOAD INSTRUCTIONS: There are several locations on Guidestar where financial information is updated. Please follow these specific instructions to upload your IRS Form 990. Log in to 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 on the left and click Additional Docs. Click IRS Docs – and follow the online instructions. Please verify that your most recently filed IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ is displayed on your Guidestar public profile as follows: 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.
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.
There are several locations on Guidestar where financial information is updated. Please follow these specific instructions to upload your 2022 990. Log in to 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 on the left and click Additional Docs. Click IRS Docs – and follow the online instructions. Please verify that your most recently filed IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ is displayed on your Guidestar public profile as follows: 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.
VET ASSESSMENT: The assessment we provide to your veterinarian consists of two parts – part one is a confirmation of your equine welfare practices you list in your profile, which we will share with you if there are discrepancies, and part two is an assessment of your equine welfare practices. In reviewing part one of the assessment, we found the discrepancies listed below. Discrepancies occur for a variety of reasons--your vet may not be familiar with your policies/procedures, a question may have been inadvertently checked or not checked by you or your vet, a policy/procedure has changed and not recorded, or for some areas, there may be conditions or clarifications for the answer. Please review the discrepancies below. Please email us any areas where the vet is incorrect with an explanation or make the appropriate changes to correct an error and provide further explanation or clarification if requested.
a. Under xxx, in answer to the question - xxx– your veterinarian checked xxx. This was not checked by your organization.
EUTHANASIA: Under Policies - Euthanasia, in answer to the question - The organization has the following policies related to euthanasia – your veterinarian checked that your organization will have an equine euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian if the equine is a threat to itself, other equines, or people. This was not checked by your organization. There is a similar question under Policies – Re-homing in answer to the 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: - which was not checked: In the case an equine is unmanageable and demonstrates repeated dangerous behaviors, the equine may be euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian. Please note that this policy is a requirement to attain our Guardian designation.
OVERNIGHT MONITORING: Under Facility – Grounds, in answer to the question - The following policies and procedures are in place at the facility to restrict public access and to keep horses safe – your veterinarian checked that there is a practice in place to monitor equines overnight, but this statement was not checked by your organization. If this is an error, please correct and provide a description in the comment section under Facility – Overview – of the practice in place used to monitor equines overnight.
FACILITY CARE: Under Facility – Care, in answer to the question - The following items are consistent with our feed management plan and practices – you checked that equines are provided with individualized feeding plans, including supplements, according to the equine's age, breed/type, condition, size, work level and any health issues, consisting of nutritious food provided in sufficient quantity and access to adequate natural forage, or be fed daily, or as recommended by the organization's veterinarian and you checked that equines are fed grain in individual stalls and in groups. Please provide an explanation under Facility – Overview as to how you ensure that each individual horse receives an individualized feeding plan.
Under Facility - Care, in answer to the question - The following represent the manure removal practices in place at facility – your veterinarian checked that your organization adheres to the manure management guidelines set by the state, local authorities, and/or the organization's veterinarian. This was not checked by your organization.
Under Facility - Care, in answer to the question - Our organization has the following parasite and fly/insect control protocols in place, including remedies used to control flies and insects – your veterinarian checked that your organization follows the parasite control guidelines of the veterinarian, including fecal testing and de-worming. This was not checked by your organization.
FACILITY CARE: Under Facility – Care , in answer to the question - The facility follows the specific procedures to help PREVENT emergency situations – you checked that smoking is strictly prohibited but you did not check that NO SMOKING signs are posted prominently. If this is an error, please correct the discrepancy and upload a photo showing NO SMOKING signs. If this is correct, please explain in the comment area under Facility – Overview, how you enforce your no-smoking policy.
The STATEMENT OF GOALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS has not been updated since last year. Please update your answer and include your 2020 accomplishments.
The EQUINE ASSISTED SERVICES CENSUS has not been completed.
EQUINE CENSUS: We also want to give you a heads up that you will need to update your Equine Census to include every equine who was under your care at any time during yyyy, including those that may no longer be under your care, i.e., Adopted, Deceased, etc. The last intake date is showing as mm/dd/yyyy.
EAS CENSUS: Under Equine Assisted Services Census, you indicate that [# ] horses and []% of your total clients participate in what we refer to as Client Observer (Pasture/Free Roam) Activities which a specific type of Equine Assisted Service involving Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and/or Equine Assisted Learning for Personal Development conducted by a credentialed service provider in which equines are unmounted, separated from clients by a barrier such as a pasture fence, and observed in an uncontrolled environment that permits the equine's freedom of movement and access to forage and other equines. Clients do not have direct contact with the equines unless an equine chooses to interact with the individual or individuals while remaining separated by the barriers. We ask that these programs be fully described in your Equine Assisted Services Overview under Programs. In reviewing your overview, there is no mention of these programs. EQUINE COSTS - your actual and your donated horse care staff costs cannot be both $0. If volunteers perform the horse care staff duties, please estimate the cost associated with their time and effort under Donated Horse Care Staff.
GOVERNANCE – you state that there are x board members and that you have a written conflict of interest policy. Please email us your written conflict of interest policy and the signed conflict of interest statements of your 5 board members. Should you wish to make a change to your existing document, you are welcome to use the attached templates.
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: [insert answer]
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: 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.
RE-HOMING AGREEMENT
We established new guidelines in 2022 to attain the Guardian designation, outlined at https://equusfoundation.org/network/network-eligibility-comparison.php, one of which pertains to re-homing and ensuring the lifetime protection of adopted horses. EQUUS Foundation expects our Guardian organizations to follow a philosophy that protects the safety and well-being of each horse not only under their care, but for the rest of the horse's life as well. Many adoption and rehoming agreements protect the horse for the first adoption, but do not include specific language that carries through to the future re-homing of the adopted horse. It is the position of the EQUUS Foundation that including verbiage on the future re-homing of the equine reflects the shared recognition of the organization and the adopter that horses continue to be inhumanely 'slaughtered' and the shared commitment of the organization and the adopter to ensure that the equine be protected for his or her lifetime.
We ask that you include the following statement in your agreement - Any individual or organization in possession of the equine as of the date of the agreement and any time thereafter is bound to not sell the equine at auction for slaughter or allow the equine to be sold, transferred, released, or otherwise placed into possession of any person or organization that will cause or allow the equine to be sold at auction for slaughter - or propose your own language that specifically addresses the protection of the equine in any future adoption, such language subject to our approval.
[Since your agreement includes the statement – [insert] - you may accomplish this by:
1 - replacing your current statement with - Any individual or organization in possession of the equine as of the date of the agreement and any time thereafter is bound to not sell the equine at auction for slaughter or allow the equine to be sold, transferred, released, or otherwise placed into possession of any person or organization that will cause or allow the equine to be sold at auction for slaughter; or
2 - proposing your own language that specifically addresses the protection of the equine in any future adoption, such language to be subject to our approval.
To more fully protect the equine, you may wish to include one of the following:
1- any future adopter must incorporate the statement - Any individual or organization in possession of the equine as of the date of the agreement and any time thereafter is bound to not sell the equine at auction for slaughter or allow the equine to be sold, transferred, released, or otherwise placed into possession of any person or organization that will cause or allow the equine to be sold at auction for slaughter - as an addendum to any future agreement.
2- any future adopter must agree to the terms of the agreement either by incorporating the agreement between the adopter and your organization as an addendum to any future agreement or by requiring that any future adopter re-sign an agreement with your organization. ]
Please upload the updated agreement as well as check the applicable box under Policies – Re-homing.
PENDING ACTIONS
#1168: Action: 2025-05-20 EID-1
1-FACILITIES-VETERINARY -
Under Facility – Care, in answer to the question - The following represent the manure removal practices in place at facility – your veterinarian stated that your organization adheres to the manure management guidelines set by the state, local authorities, and/or your organization's veterinarian. This was not checked by your organization. If the vet is correct, please check the statement; if the vet is incorrect, please email us.
#1170: Action: 2025-05-20 EID-1
2-FACILITIES-VETERINARY -
. Under Facility – Care, in answer to the question - The following plans, policies, and procedures are in place at the facility to handle emergencies and address weather related issues, fire safety procedures, and/or any additional hazardous scenarios the facility could potentially experience – your veterinarian stated that your organization maintains at least two weeks of hay, feed, shavings and medications. This was not checked by your organization. If the vet is correct,
#1171: Action: 2025-05-20 EID-1
3-FACILITIES-VETERINARY -
Under Facility – Care, in answer to the question - How often are the following checked or performed – your veterinarian stated that your organization checks fence lines and turnout areas at least weekly. Your organization checked Semi-annually for fence lines and annually for turnout areas. If the vet is correct, please correct your answers; if the vet is incorrect, please email us.
#1172: Action: 2025-05-20 EID-1
4-FACILITIES-VETERINARY -
Under Facility – Care, in answer to the question - The following represent the biosecurity practices in place at facility – your veterinarian stated that restricted access signs are posted at primary points of access to sick, affected and/or quarantined equines. This was not checked by your organization. If the vet is correct, please check the statement; if the vet is incorrect, please email us.
#1173: Action: 2025-05-20 EID-1
5-GOVERNANCE -
Under Governance, you state that there are 9 board members, but your website lists 8. Please correct this discrepancy.
Also under Governance, in answer to the question – Are any Voting Board members compensated – we changed your answer from No to Yes as the Executive Director serves as a member of the Board. No action is required unless the Executive Director serves as a non-voting member or your website is incorrect in which case, please make the needed corrections.
#1432: Action: 2025-06-26 EID-1
6-REVIEW-GENERAL/FOLLOWUP -
Withdrew submission - converted to application
COMPLETED ACTIONS
#1401: Info: 2025-06-21 EID-2
1-REVIEW-GENERAL/FOLLOWUP -
ding for responses to questions
#194: OK: 2024-10-29 EID-1
2-POLICIES-BREEDING -
Under Policies – Breeding, you checked that your organization does not breed equines, but you did not check that the main facility where your programs are conducted does not breed equines. If this is an error, please correct; otherwise, if the main facility does conduct breeding, please explain in the comment section under Breeding.
#195: OK: 2024-10-29 EID-1
3-POLICIES-EUTHANASIA -
Policy received and says will euthanize if threat.
Under Policy – Euthanasia, you did not check that your organization will have an equine euthanized at the recommendation of the veterinarian if the equine is a threat to itself, other equines, or people. Adoption of this policy is a requirement for participation with the EQUUS Foundation. If you wish to proceed with the application, please email us a copy of your written Euthanasia policy, which includes this statement.
#196: OK: 2024-10-29 EID-1
4-FACILITIES-CARE -
Under Facility – Care, in answer to the question - The facility follows the specific procedures to help PREVENT emergency situations – you checked that smoking is prohibited, but you did not check that NO SMOKING signs are posted prominently. If this is an error, please correct; otherwise, please provide an explanation as to how you enforce no smoking at your facility.
#1167: OK: 2025-05-20 EID-1
5-FACILITIES-VETERINARY -
This is not correct. Dr. Bamert conducts a physical exam yearly when we do spring vaccinations.
Under Policies - Intake, in answer to the question - Our organization has the following policies and procedures in place pertaining to the ongoing assessment of horses in its care – your veterinarian stated that a physical exam is NOT conducted by the veterinarian annually. This was checked by your organization. If the vet is correct, please uncheck this statement; if the vet is incorrect, please email us.
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REVIEW CHECKLIST BACK TO TOP
| Taking the Reins 4004 Verdant Street LOS ANGELES, CA 90039 Physical Address: |
EIN: 95-4688657 Founded: 1998 Budget Size: Contact: M. Jane Haven Contact Email: dr.janehaven@takingthereins.org Contact Phone: 818-203-8682 |
1. GUIDESTAR & WEBSITE
Verify that website is functioning:
View our WEBSITE If not, click here to post an action and return to preparation to continue.
Verify GuideStar seal reflects current year: View our GUIDESTAR PROFILE
If not, click here to post an action and return to preparation to continue. Click here to update GuideStar status.
2. VERIFY DOCUMENT UPLOADS
Verify that all required documents have been uploaded. If not, click here to post an action and click here to return to preparation to continue.
IRS Form 990/Pro Forma 990 has not been uploaded for this organization. - Most recent GuideStar IRS Form 990 has not been uploaded.
2. RE-HOMING AGREEMENT NOT APPLICABLE.
3. EQUINE CENSUS Not Updated
4. 2025 VET ASSESSMENT(S)
2. RE-HOMING AGREEMENT NOT APPLICABLE.
3. EQUINE CENSUS Not Updated
4. 2025 VET ASSESSMENT(S)
Taking the Reins (*Main) Vet Assessment conducted on 2025-03-03
Vet Recommendations/Reviewer Comments:
Mostly 5s. 4: Dental, vaccinations. Comment - The facility is new and is very well organized.
How long have you been providing services to the named facility? Over 7 years
How often do you visit the named facility? weekly
Vet Recommendations/Reviewer Comments:
Mostly 5s. 4: Dental, vaccinations. Comment - The facility is new and is very well organized.
How long have you been providing services to the named facility? Over 7 years
How often do you visit the named facility? weekly
3. REVIEW FINANCIAL STATEMENT: *Missing Financial Statement
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The Current Financial Statement is used for internal evaluation and does not appear on the organization's public profile. The Financial Analysis tool should not be considered in the approval of an organization for Guardian status and are provided as additional information for consideration in the review process for awarding financial support.
Budget Size: $
Net Assets at Start of Year: $ *Missing
Total Income: $ *Missing
Contributions & Grants: $ *Missing
Program Fees: $ 0
Other Income: $ 0
Total Expenses: $ *Missing
Program Expenses: $
Management & General Expenses: $
Fundraising Expenses: $
Net Revenue or Loss: $
Total Assets: $ 0
Current Assets: $ 0
Fixed Assets: $ 0
Intangible Assets: $ 0
Other Assets: $ 0
Liabilities: $ 0
Net Assets at End of Year: $ *Missing
Unrestricted: $ 0
Temporarily Restricted: $ 0
Permanently Restricted: $ 0
Other Changes $ 0
If Other Changes, explanation:
Financial Analysis based on Current Financial Statement:
Caution about Financial Analysis: The Star Rating and ratios should not eliminate an applicant from consideration.
Budget:
Financial Ratios:
1) 0.00% Program Expense Ratio = [program expenses]/[total expenses] - shows how much is being spent on programs; recommended ratio not less than 65%.
2) 0.00% Overhead Ratio = [management expenses]+[fundraising expenses]/[[total expenses] - shows how much is not being spent on programs; ideal ratio not more than 15%.
a) 0.00% Fundraising Expense Ratio = [fundraising expenses]/[totalexpenses] - shows how much is being spent on fundraising in relation to total expenses; ratio not more than 25%.
b) 0.00% Management Expense Ratio = [management expenses]/[totalexpenses] - shows how much is being spent on management in relation to total expenses; ratio not more than 15%.
3) 0.00%/$0.00 Fundraising Effectiveness Ratio = [fundraising expenses]/[contributions] - shows how much is being spent on fundraising in relation to contributions received and measures effectiveness of fundraising efforts; the 2nd figure represents how much it costs to raise $1.
4) 0.00%/100.00% Use of Contributions Ratio = [contributions]/[program expenses] - shows the percentage of contributions received that are being used for program services. If the percentage is 100% or less, then the 2nd percentage is the percentage of other sources of revenue or loss that are being used to provide program services, i.e., program fees and it means that 100% of contributions are being used to provide program services; if the percentage is greater than 100%, then the 2nd percentage is the percentage of contributions that are being used for expenses other than program expenses.
5) 0.00 Liquid Funds Ratio =([net assets at end of year] - [fixed assets])/([total expenses]*12) - shows the number of months of expenses that can be covered by existing assets.
6) 0.00% Savings Ratio = [net]/[total expenses] - The savings ratio measures the increase or decrease in the ability of an organization to add to its net assets. Values greater than one indicate an increase in savings.
7) 0.00% Net Assets Ratio = [unrestricted net assets]/[total expenses] - indicator of organizations long term financial stability; recommended ratio less than 3%.
4. REVIEW CHARITY SUBMISSION
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5. CHECK FUNDING EVALUATIONS
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CY Funding Evaluations:
No evaluations have been posted.
PY Funding Evaluations
No evaluations have been posted.
6. EMAIL CHARITY CONTACT WITH ACTIONS NEEDED
1. Copy and paste pending actions into email to contact.
2. File email under charity name in EWN folder in ADMIN.
1. Copy and paste pending actions into email to contact.
2. File email under charity name in EWN folder in ADMIN.