EQUUS Foundation

MISSION & PROGRAMS

Mission:
To promote wellness for people with personal challenges who can benefit from equine assisted activities and therapies in a safe and supportive environment.

Our organization conducts Equine Assisted Services in accordance with the EQUUS Foundation Guidelines on Qualifications of Organizations Conducting Equine Assisted Services (EAS).
Our organization provides community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses.
Our organization is directly responsible for the care and shelter of equines involved in our programs.
100% of our total programs and services are horse-related.
Our organization does not use satellite, overflow, foster, and/or outreach facilities

Equine Assisted Services (EAS):
Our organization provides the following Equine Assisted Services (EAS):
    Therapeutic Mounted Services
    Therapeutic Unmounted Services
    Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy/Counseling (Mental Health)
    Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy/Speech-Language Pathology
    Equine-Assisted Learning involving Personal and/or Professional Development

16: Total number of Equine Assisted Service Providers at Healing Strides of VA

     1. Betsy Osborne

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Healing Strides of VA

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

University of Virginia, Bachelors degree in History & Government. PATH Intl. CTRI and Mentor. Eagala Equine Specialist (ES), PATH Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL). CPR/First Aid, AED Certified.

2. Carol Young

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Healing Strides of VA

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Development Executive (CDE). Certified Non-Profit Executive (CNE). Certified Non-Profit Consultant (CNC). Professional International Speaker. PATH CTRI and Mentor, PATH Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL). Eagala Advanced ES, Military designation. Certified Life Coach. CPR/First Aid, AED Certified.

3. Catherine Hill

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Healing Strides of VA

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

Mentoring for PATH Intl. CTRI, Cert. CPR/First Aid

4. Daniel Brooks

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Healing Strides of VA

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy/Counseling (Mental Health)

Equine-Assisted Learning involving Personal and/or Professional Development

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

5. Emily Guill

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Healing Strides of VA

RELATIONSHIP: Independent Contractor

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy/Speech-Language Pathology

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

Speech/Language Pathologist - Lic. 2202005764. We do not have the educational credentials of therapists employed with Carilion Clinic Pediatric Therapy.

6. Gloria Williams

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Healing Strides of VA

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

Ferrum College, Bachelors in Human Health in Performance (HHP), Emphasis Sports and Exercise Studies and Pre-professional Health Science Emphasis on Pre-therapy with a minor in Coaching (Graduation May 2020). PATH CTRI. USEF Para-Dressage Certified Coach, Bronze Level. Stewards of Children Cert. through Southern VA Childs Advocacy Center. Human Kinetics Coaching Education Cert. Safe-Sport Certified. CPR/First Aid, AED Certified.

7. Kathleen Bedrosian

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Healing Strides of VA

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy/Counseling (Mental Health)

Equine-Assisted Learning involving Personal and/or Professional Development

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

Master Social Worker - Eligible for License

8. Lauren Maxwell

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Healing Strides of VA

RELATIONSHIP: Independent Contractor

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy/Speech-Language Pathology

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

DPT-Physical Therapist - Lic. 2305205520. We do not have the educational credentials of therapists employed with Carilion Clinic Pediatric Therapy.

9. Lindsey Parvana

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Healing Strides of VA

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

State University of New York – Cobleskill, Bachelors in Agriculture Business. PATH Registered Instructor. CPR/First Aid, AED Certified.

10. Lisa Belders

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Healing Strides of VA

RELATIONSHIP: Independent Contractor

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy/Speech-Language Pathology

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

DPT-Physical Therapist - Lic. 2305204677. We do not have the educational credentials of therapists employed with Carilion Clinic Pediatric Therapy.

11. Margaret Cornwell

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Healing Strides of VA

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

Ferrum College, Bachelors in Science . PATH CTRI. CPR/First Aid Certified. USHJA Certified Trainer. Safe-Sport Certified.

12. Megan Jennings

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Healing Strides of VA

RELATIONSHIP: Independent Contractor

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy/Speech-Language Pathology

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

Occupational Therapist - Lic. 0119005893. We do not have the educational credentials of therapists employed with Carilion Clinic Pediatric Therapy.

13. Morgan Jamison

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Healing Strides of VA

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

Therapeutic Unmounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

Hollins University, Bachelors in Environmental Science, Minor in Biology. PATH CTRI and Advanced Cert. Instructor and Mentor. Eagala ES. Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA): English Rider level 3, Western Rider level 4. CPR/First Aid, AED Certified.

14. Norma Hoeppner

FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

Healing Strides of VA

RELATIONSHIP: Employee

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Therapeutic Mounted Services

DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

Indiana University, Associate in Interior Design. PATH Registered Instructor. CPR/First Aid, AED Certified.

Overview of our programs involved with providing EAS to individuals with special needs:
     Healing Strides of VA (HSVA) serves a population of both children and adults with personal challenges, in the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas, as our primary focus and mission. We provide services for an umbrella of disabilities including physical, cognitive, and/or emotional; with approved medical form. Our services and resources have few limitations; we specialize in the needs of people with multiple diagnoses. Our equine activities and therapies are integrated with able bodied students, as the horse provides equal opportunity for all.

     Healing Strides of VA (HSVA) provides the following EAAT programs: General Description of the participant would be: Physical, emotional, behavioral or cognitive challenges. All of our programs have the Certified, licensed or credentialed professionals to execute the program being provided, as defined by the Guidelines issued from Equus Foundation.

     1. Mental Health, Learning and Coaching.(Equine Interactive Therapy) Our Mental Health model is the Global standard of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy EAGALA. Equine Assisted Learning and Coaching are modeled after ground based programs like Eagala and the PATH International Equine Specialist Mental Health Learning Model (ESMHL) and ARCH. We serve both children, adults and also groups in this program.

     2. Therapeutic Horsemanship is provided by certified Instructors or Instructors in training, with PATH International and CHA. Per a research project done by Baylor University, this program is proven to benefit all that participate with reduction of PTSD triggers. Other projects show a growth in confidence, social skills, and a positive change in balance and physical strength.

     3.Para Equestrian Dressage:(Therapeutic Horsemanship) HSVA has one Certified Para Bronze Level Coaches and we have the distinguished Credentialing of being one of 11 Centers of Excellence in the United States.

      The above programs are provided to individuals with special needs and or personal challenges ranging from PTSD, Autism, Sensory Issues, and Developmental Delays to name a few. Veteran's, Parenting, Grief, Leadership and Professional Development etc are a few more of the 65 different disabilities and populations that we serve.

     4. Equine Interactive Therapy: (Hippotherapy) utilizes the movement of the Equine to influence the participant in conjunction with medical goals working with Occupational, Speech and Physical Therapy goals. Healing Strides has a contract with our local hospital to provide these services.

Community Outreach and/or Public Education:

Overview of our programs involved with providing community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses:
     HSVA has several Community Outreach programs:
     1. We support integrated riding programs that combine participants with and without disabilities so that all are placed on equal ground on the back of a horse. This allows people without a specific diagnosis to learn how to communicate and socialize with others that may not be "like them". We have seen outstanding changes in the people that are a part of these integrated classes.

     2. We offer Ferrum College the opportunity to ride out of our barn as a host facility. The participants also volunteer back into our Therapeutic program giving these students an opportunity to earn Volunteer credits toward their graduation. It also allows them to learn how to interact with those not like them, allowing people to appreciate differences gives us opportunity to grow.

     3. We offer a college level course "Intro to the EAAT Industry" as a 4 credit level 200 course. This is a May 3 week intensive, provided every odd year (2021. 2023 for example). We have seen great growth in the students who participate in this course, with significant feedback from the students. Some of these students have decided to come into this industry because of this course.

     4. Equine Assisted Learning and Coaching fall under our Mental Health, Learning and Coaching program. These programs specifically have Certified Life Coaches and or Virginia State Licensed Teachers who work with individuals and or groups to teach Life Skills, Leadership Training and Professional Development to hit the highlights.

     5. We also offer to host on site or go into the public schools systems (from elementary to Universities), libraries, churches and other organizations, etc to have educational opportunities to learn about the industry of Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies along with Equine Welfare, re-homing etc, in order to promote the equine industry as a whole. We may teach grooming, nutrition, basic anatomy all the way to teaching about equine assisted psychotherapy and how the horse becomes an equal partner on the treatment team.

     6. We offer educational clinics/trainings/events for our staff, riders, volunteers, and outside public upon occasion. These are a great way to help everyone involved continue to learn, progress, and make changes while participating in the equine industry.

Research/Medical Use of Equines:
Our organization has made equines available for research studies or medical training.
Please explain where and for what purpose equines are/were provided to use in research or medical training.
     Healing Strides always humanely euthanizes before doing any kind of research that would cause pain, harm, undo stress, or other negative experiences to the horse OR ensures that any research a horse is involved in does NOT include any invasive procedures and causes no pain, harm, undo stress, or other negative experiences if the research is conducted with a living equine.

     In all cases — past, present, and future — Virginia Tech and Healing Strides would never allow our horses to participate in any research or medical training that is not directly supervised by a licensed veterinarian where euthanasia is involved. This ensures that the euthanasia is humane and done only when absolutely necessary per the recommendation of the veterinarian team involved in any research or medical training. Upon veterinary recommendation of euthanasia (from our local vet or VT), Healing Strides will generally contact VT’s large animal hospital to inquire about current research or medical training being done.

     Healing Strides strongly believes that after humane euthanasia, our horses can help provide valuable information in a post-mortem exam or necropsy as part of research or medical training to help horses live longer, healthier and happier lives.

     For example, a Healing Strides horse was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his large intestine and was going to be humanely euthanized due to the severity of the cancer per recommendation of our veterinarian. We contacted VT and found a study that was looking at neurons and their reaction to new medications and it was determined our horse would fit into the study. After evaluation by VT large animal hospital, he was humanely euthanized in a quiet and peaceful way that caused him no undo stress before we donated his body to the research study. This opportunity VT presented allowed our horse’s death to contribute to the medical knowledge we have in the equine world and will benefit horses’ overall well-being for years to come!
     Healing Strides horses have also been involved in research while healthy, alive, and active in our programs. We have worked with Tad Coffin to look at the benefits of using his Thera-Tree® on our program horses whom are usually older and have normal arthritic changes or stiffness in one side or the other. The Thera-Tree® is a therapeutic and performance enhancing device based on the Smart-Ride Rx saddle tree technology from Tad Coffin Performance saddles. In 2013, our horses participated in Senior research study completed by a Healing Strides intern from Roanoke College. This study investigated the benefits of horseback riding on children with Autism, focusing on the impact the frequency of lessons had on behavior and progress (riding 2Xweek for 6 weeks OR riding 1Xweek for 12 weeks).

     We also rehabbed a horse after Keratoma surgery in 2018 who was donated to Healing Strides. We worked closely with VT’s veterinary podiatry department, traveling back and forth every 6 weeks for 6 months to complete a case study on his progression. This study can be found in the American Farrier Journal, Keratoma Case Report: Trail Riding Horse (1/25/2019).

     Healing Strides also partnered with Ferrum College students to conduct a Equine Parasitology study to look at fecal samples (previously expelled manure) of our herd. These samples were collected by monitoring the herd for manure piles to identify who the sample belongs too and collecting in baggies. The fecal sample was then looked at under a microscope to identify any parasites.

     To recap, all horses are ALWAYS humanely euthanized before being donated to VT for any post-mortem research to be done and all horses are under the careful supervision of Healing Strides staff to ensure they remain healthy and happy during any research while alive.

Religious Affiliation:
Our organization does not promote religious education, religious purposes, or a specific religious faith or use donations for religious education or religious purposes; require participants to be of a certain faith; require participation in religious, instruction, activities or services; or require participation in prayer, worship, religious instruction or other religious activities as a condition of receiving social or secular services offered.

Auction Donation:
Our organization has never allowed, or would not consider allowing, an equine to be sold, transferred, released, or otherwise placed into possession of any person or organization that would cause or allow the equine to be sold at auction for slaughter.

POLICIES: ACQUISITION

Our organization acquires horses/equines from the following source(s):
    Donation
    Lease
    Purchase/Adoption from Owner

Our organization does not acquire horses/equines from the following source(s):
    Auction
    Kill pen/Feedlot
    Return
    Surrender
    Seizure
    Abandonment

Our organization will accept the following:
    Geldings
    Mares
    Pregnant Mares
    Only Stallions to be castrated

Not Checked:
    Foals
    Stallions

Additional information about our acquisition policies and practices:
HSVA is amenable to any breed or breed type based on the ability of that animal to work in our programs. We have trainers on staff that can work with a potential horse for evaluation. If the horse does not meet our program standard we find a permanent, forever home, for the animal.

     HSVA will acquire equines in the very early stages of becoming involved in a negative situation, such as happens to horses coming out of: child goes off to college/loses interest, divorce, moving, etc.

     Our goal is to help place these horses directly into our therapeutic programs or to help place them in a safe forever home that will allow them to be appreciated and or retired. This is not our primary focus but became a part of what we do out of necessity of this industry

POLICIES: INTAKE, ASSESSMENT & TRAININING

Prior to a horse being accepted and/or arriving at the facility, the organization requires the following with respect to the health status of the horse:
    A current Coggins
    Vaccination records that have been administered within the last 12 months
    If health records are not available or are out-of-date, the owner is responsible for having vaccinations administered.
    If health records are not available or are out-of-date, our veterinarian will administer appropriate vaccinations

Not Checked:
A health certificate signed by a veterinarian and dated no more than seven days prior to arrival attesting to the health status of the equine is provided to our organization either prior to or upon arrival of the equine

Prior to a horse being accepted and/or arriving at the facility, the organization has the following policies in place:
    The owner of a potential equine is interviewed over the phone or in person prior to seeing the equine
    The equine is evaluated at its place of residence
    The owner completes an application/contract which constitutes the agreement between the owner and our organization
    The owner is financially responsible for the shipping of the equine to and from the organization
    Equines are on trial for 60 or more days
    The trial period may be reduced based on the equine's progress
    During the trial period, the organization accepts financial responsibility for the care of the equine, including board, feed, shoeing and any necessary veterinary care, up to a fixed amount agreed upon by the organization and the owner
    The trial period may be terminated by either the organization or the owner for any reason

Not Checked:
    Equines are not taken on trial
    Equines are on trial for up to 30 days
    Equines are on trial up to 60 days
    During the trial period, the organization accepts total financial responsibility for the care of the equine, including board, feed, shoeing and any necessary veterinary care
    During the trial period, the owner/donor is financially responsible for the care of the equine, including board, feed, shoeing and any necessary veterinary care

Following arrival of the equine at the facility, the following is performed:
    Physical examination by trained barn staff
    Photographs are taken of each equine upon arrival at the facility and kept with the equine's health records
    A Henneke Body Conditioning Score or other body conditioning score is assigned
    Coggins test
    De-worming

Not Checked:
    Physical examination by a veterinarian upon arrival and/or prior to quarantine departure
    Physical examination by a farrier
    Physical examination by a dentist
    Blood work other than Coggins
    Fecal test
    Vaccinations
    The equine is scanned to check for a microchip
    The equine is microchipped if the scan indicates that there is no microchip

Upon intake, the organization has the following quarantine policy in place:
The equine is confined to a designated and separate area for isolation and quarantine at the facility for a prescribed period of time

Not Checked:
The equine is confined to a designated and separate area for isolation and quarantine off-site for a prescribed period of time
The equine is not quarantined

The typical length of quarantine is:   20 to 30 days

Horses are assessed for following skills and behaviors:
    Retrieval from a pasture/paddock
    Leading with a halter and lead rope
    Temperament, disposition and attitude, such as rated from very calm to very high spirited
    Saddling
    Bridling
    Lunging
    Loading onto and unloading off a trailer
    Mounting and dismounting
    Riding at the walk
    Riding at the trot
    Riding at the canter
    Riding by a beginner and/or unbalanced rider
    Jumping
    Tolerance to unusual objects and loud noises
    Known vices, i.e., cribbing, biting, kicking, weaving, stall walking, etc
    Grooming
    Bathing
    Clipping
    Tolerance to multiple handlers at the same time

Not Checked:
Driving (Pulling a carriage)

Our organization has the following policies and procedures in place pertaining to the ongoing assessment of horses in its care:
    The Henneke Body Condition score or other body conditioning score is updated at least annually
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine chiropractor
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine acupuncturist
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine massage therapist
    Physical examination by a veterinarian at least annually

Not Checked:
    Photographs are taken of each equine monthly and kept with the equine's health records
    Photographs are taken of each equine annually and kept with the equine's health records
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine nutritionist

Our organization has the following policies and procedures in place pertaining to the weight-carrying or workload capabilities of horses/equines that are ridden in our care:
Our organization evaluates at least annually and maintains a written record of the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden

Not Checked:
Our organization does not evaluate the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden
No equines are ridden; not applicable

The following variables are considered in determining the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden:
    Equine age, weight, breed, body condition, fitness, balance, health and soundness
    Equine conformation to include the top line, length of back, strength and width of loin, bone density (measured by the circumference of the cannon bone just below the knee)
    Size, shape, condition and angle of the hooves
    Participant weight, height, body proportions, balance, fitness and riding skills as well as behavioral issues and safety concerns
    Weight and proper fit of the saddle and other equipment
    Terrain and footing in the working environment
    Duration and frequency of working sessions, as the frequency with which an equine is subjected to maximum weight carrying and/or workload
    Nature and pace of work, repetitive or varied, radius of turns, degree of incline and regularity of footing when equine is subject to maximum weight-carrying capacity
    Temperature and/or weather conditions
    Seasonal impact on the equines' workload and weight-carrying capabilities and limitations

Not Checked:
Our organization does not evaluate the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden
No equines are ridden; not applicable

Horses provided formal training (groundwork or riding): 2-3 times per week

Additional information about our intake, assessment & training policies and practices:
HSVA will have a vet complete the Coggins and administer any vaccines or any other treatments deemed necessary. If there are no concerns the Head Trainer and Director of Operations will assess and determine training program and care needed.

POLICIES: BREEDING

The organization has the following policies related to breeding and stallions:
The facility or facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, does NOT breed equines.

Not Checked:
The facility or facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, breeds equines
The facility or facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, are permitted to house stallions

POLICIES: EUTHANASIA

The organization has the following policies related to euthanasia:
    Our organization will never have an equine euthanized for space
    Our organization may have a healthy equine euthanized if it is a threat to itself, other equines, or people and euthanasia is recommended by a veterinarian
    Our organization may have an equine euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian after all reasonable treatment options have been explored
    Euthanasia is done on site when possible to decrease trauma from transport
    Euthanasia is done at the veterinarian's facility
    Disposal of the carcass is handled within 24 hours

Not Checked:
Our organization will never have a healthy equine euthanized under any circumstances

The following are authorized to administer the procedure for your organization in accordance with state laws:
Veterinarian

Not Checked:
    A certified euthanasia technician
    Senior staff with appropriate training
    Employee of animal control shelter or humane society with appropriate training
    Veterinary student under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian
    Not applicable. Our organization prohibits euthanasia under any circumstances

Additional information about our euthanasia policies and practices:
This is only done as a last choice option and must be done by our veterinarian and the choice of injection is up to them.

POLICIES: RE-HOMING

View Re-homing Agreement
Our organization has the following re-homing (adoption/purchase) policies and procedures in place:
    All potential adopters/purchasers complete a written contract which constitutes the agreement between our organization and the new owner
    Our organization will only re-home an equine to a location where another equine resides
    Potential adopters/purchasers must visit our organization and be observed with the equine on site
    Our organization conducts a site visit of the adopter/purchaser's facility before the transfer of the equine to the adopter/purchaser's facility

Not Checked:
    Our organization does NOT re-home an equine to first time equine owners
    The distance of a potential adopter/purchaser's home from our facility is a consideration for when re-homing an equine
    Potential adopters/purchasers are encouraged to do a short-term, on-site foster with the equine
    Adopters/purchasers are NOT required to provide updates

The uploaded Re-homing agreement includes the following re-homing (adoption/purchase) statements:
    The agreement reflects that 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.
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers can return an equine to our organization free of charge
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for one year
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for three or more years

Not Checked:
    The agreement states that should the adopter decide to re-home the equine, our organization must be notified of the name, address, and telephone number of any individual or organization intending to take possession of the equine for any reason prior to the equine being placed into the possession of such individual or organization.
    The agreement states that re-homed equines CANNOT be sold, adopted, transferred, auctioned, released, given away, or otherwise placed into the possession of another individual or organization under any circumstances.
    The agreement states that should the adopter decide to re-home the equine, our organization must grant approval of any individual or organization intending to take possession of the equine for any reason prior to the equine being placed into the possession of such individual or organization, including being provided written notification of the name, address, and telephone number of any individual or organization intending to take possession of the equine for any reason.
    The agreement states that the terms of our organization's agreement will be binding on any future individual or organization taking and/or in possession of the equine for any reason.
    The agreement states that re-homed equines cannot be bred
    The agreement states that if there is any breach of contract the equine must be returned to our organization
    The agreement states that our organization reserves the right to make unannounced visits
    The agreement states that our organization reserves the right to make scheduled visits
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers can return an equine to our organization for a fee
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for two years
    None of the statements are included.
    The organization does not re-home equines under any circumstances; our organization retains custody of our equines and ensures care of the equines for their lifetimes.
    Our organization does not have the authority to transfer ownership and/or does not own any of the equines involved with our programs.

Our organization requires references from the following:
Veterinarian
Personal/Other

Not Checked:
Farrier
Not applicable or no references required.

Transfer of ownership occurs:   Immediately (at the time of adoption/purchase) or less than one year

The average equine re-homing (adoption/purchase) fee received by your organization:
Less than $200

Our organization has the following policies and procedures related to horses that need to be retired, are no longer useful, or are no longer manageable:
    Equines may remain at our organization for their lifetimes
    Equines may be found suitable homes by our organization
    Equines may be returned to their owners
    In the case an equine is unmanageable and demonstrates repeated dangerous behaviors, the equine may be euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian
    In the case an equine is unsound and/or unhealthy and cannot be treated to relieve suffering, the equine may be euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian

Not Checked:
    Equines may be sent to auction
    If a suitable home cannot be located within 12 months, the equine may be euthanized
    If a suitable home cannot be located, and space is not available for the equine to remain at the organization, the organization will secure a suitable home for the equine and accept financial responsibility for the lifetime of the equine

Additional information about our rehoming policies and practices:
Our agreement states: If the Buyer seeks to sell said horse at a later date, HSVA retains the right to purchase said horse back from Buyer (for the same price agreed to in this document), claiming “first right of refusal”. This is valid for the lifetime of the horse.