MISSION & PROGRAMS

Mission:
The mission of the KyEAC is to provide humane treatment and shelter while seeking adoptive homes and providing second chances for Kentucky's equines, regardless of breed. The KyEAC is also committed to educating the public and raising awareness for responsible horse ownership so that fewer horses end up in crisis. Our goal is to work with and serve as a model for organizations with the same mission in other states: to save America's equines from inhumane treatment.

Our organization provides programs involved with equine rescue & adoption
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 uses satellite, overflow, foster, and/or outreach facilities which adhere to all the policies, procedures and practices of our organization

Horse Rescue, Rehabilitation, Retraining & Re-homing:
Overview of our programs involved with rescue, rehabilitation, retraining, re-homing and/or retirement:
     The KyEAC's equine rescue program takes in equines that have been surrendered by their owners for various reasons within the state of Kentucky. These equines are rehabilitated physically and mentally and then trained to a level where they are safe and adoptable. Our adoption program promotes these horses using various platforms. Potential adopters are screened through our adoption application and the connection between the horse and adopter is assessed to make sure it is a right fit. We do not have a retirement program as all horses we take in will be adopted.

Equine Assisted Services (EAS):
Our organization provides the following Equine Assisted Services (EAS):
    Equine-Assisted Learning involving Academic Learning
    Equine-Assisted Learning involving Personal and/or Professional Development

3: Total number of Equine Assisted Service Providers at Kentucky Equine Adoption Center

     1. Abby Davidson

         FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

         Kentucky Equine Adoption Center

         RELATIONSHIP: Employee

         SERVICES PROVIDED:

         Equine-Assisted Learning involving Academic Learning

         Equine-Assisted Learning involving Personal and/or Professional Development

         DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

         OK Corral 2019 Certification in "Giddy Up and Get Over it"

     2. Karen Gustin

         FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

         Kentucky Equine Adoption Center

         RELATIONSHIP: Employee

         SERVICES PROVIDED:

         Equine-Assisted Learning involving Academic Learning

         Equine-Assisted Learning involving Personal and/or Professional Development

         DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

         Ok Corral 2021 Certification in "O.K. Let's get down to business"

     3. Lacey Johnson

         FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

         Kentucky Equine Adoption Center

         RELATIONSHIP: Employee

         SERVICES PROVIDED:

         Equine-Assisted Learning involving Academic Learning

         Equine-Assisted Learning involving Personal and/or Professional Development

         DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

         O.K. Corral 2022 Certification in "O.K. It's Family Time"

Overview of our programs involved with providing EAS to individuals with special needs:
     EQUINE GROWTH AND COMMUNICATION PROGRAM
     Heads Up, Hearts Open is a program that assists people seeking emotional growth and improved communication by incorporating horses into workshops that focus on self-awareness and relationship building.
     
     Our farm and facilities serve as a venue for professionals to use in a variety of ways including: equine-assisted therapy for clients who are suffering from PTSD, those looking for spiritual growth and self-awareness, or team building and relationship building for corporate executives and other professionals.
     
     Our horses come from a variety of backgrounds and all have their own story. Sometimes we know what that history is, and other times it is a complete unknown. Each horse has something to give to someone. Our trainers and staff work to let the horse tell us it’s story and then to connect that horse with its next career and appropriate adopter.
     
     Heads Up, Hearts Open provides participants with an opportunity to interact with horses in a safe, controlled environment and is experiential in practice. Participants learn skills that will help them accomplish their own personal goals and help them grow in a multitude of ways.
     
     The horses benefit greatly from skilled interaction with people and this program enhances their adoptability! It’s a win-win-win situation for the participants, the horse, and their future owners.
     
     COME GROW CLOSER TOGETHER WITH THE HELP OF HORSES
     The KyEAC is releasing a new program this year to offer opportunities for groups to experience the transforming activities of Equine Assisted Learning. Under the supervision of certified EAL instructors, teams of people will be led through face-to-face activities with horses at liberty to assist with team building, personal development, and interpersonal skills.
     
     THE LISTENING CIRCLE
     This session involves working side by side with horses in a low-energy setting to enhance your skills of observation, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence.
     
     This is offered for groups of 3-10 people.
     
     LIFE’S LITTLE OBSTACLES
     This activity involves working with horses and team members to set goals and enhance creativity and productivity.
     
     This is offered for groups of 4-10 people.
     
     JOIN UP
     The most active of the sessions, Join Up gives each group member a chance to be one on one with a horse in a round pen setting to learn about motivation, working skills (learning new content and following directions), and successful relationship strategies.
     
     This is offered for groups of 1-5 people.

Overview of our programs involved with providing community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses:
     The Take the Reins Education Project (presented by Alltech) is an education initiative that coordinates with elementary, middle, and high schools to enhance the curriculum with classroom presentations and field trips involving our horses. The children have had lessons in math, writing, history, science, marketing, and art based around our horses, and gain hands-on experiences that involve critical and creative thinking and how to work together.
     
     On site tours through Visit Horse Country gives visitors an educational experience about the world of horse rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming. We conduct tours on Fridays and Saturdays from April through October. In 2022, we will host approximately 250 visitors.
     
     Support a Special Horse (SASH) is an education program for non-horse owners. The program is held twice a year during a spring and fall semester. Each semester up to 6 participants are invited to get involved with this program. We match up our companion horses to people who would like to learn about horses outside of the typical riding lesson setting. This program allows people to learn valuable skills centered around horse handling and ownership as well as giving our companion horses a job. The goal of this program is to allow non-horse owners to grow in their horse knowledge to be able to safely and competently adopt one of the companion horses to take home at the end of the semester.

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. 
     We will provide horses to Alltech for use in their equine nutritional trials. Alltech is a global leader in animal and health industry and focuses on natural and scientific solutions to agriculture and food industry challenges.
     We will also provide horses to partner veterinary clinics to be used for continuing veterinary education.

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):
    Return  
    Surrender  
    Seizure  
    Abandonment  

Our organization does not acquire horses/equines from the following source(s):
    Donation  
    Lease  
    Purchase/Adoption from Owner  
    Auction  
    Kill pen/Feedlot  

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

Additional information about our acquisition policies and practices:
Every stallion will be castrated, the timing depending on his health.

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
    If health records are not available or are out-of-date, our veterinarian will administer appropriate vaccinations

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 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 not taken on trial

Following arrival of the equine at the facility, the following is performed:
    Physical examination by a veterinarian upon arrival and/or prior to quarantine departure
    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
    Physical examination by a farrier
    Physical examination by a dentist
    Vaccinations
    De-worming
    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

The typical length of quarantine is:   Up to 10 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
    Driving (Pulling a carriage)
    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

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
    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 chiropractor
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine acupuncturist
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine massage therapist
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine nutritionist
    Physical examination by a veterinarian at least annually
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

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


Horses provided formal training (groundwork or riding):   As needed; no set schedule

Additional information about our intake, assessment & training policies and practices:
If the horse presents with a serious condition, then we have a veterinarian do bloodwork, radiographs, ultrasounds, or whatever is medically necessary to diagnose.

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.
    The facility or facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, are permitted to house stallions

Additional information about our breeding policies and practices:
We take in stallions, but they are castrated as soon as the stallion is healthy and settled. We do not breed equines and do not allow any of our facilities to breed our horses. Foster facilities are permitted to house stallions provided they are equipped to do so and that the stallions will not affect any of our horses fostered on the premises.

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
    Disposal of the carcass is handled within 24 hours

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

Additional information about our euthanasia policies and practices:
Euthanasia is only done by a licensed veterinarian.

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

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 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 bred
    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 free of charge
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for one year

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

Transfer of ownership occurs:   After one year

The average equine re-homing (adoption/purchase) fee received by your organization:
$501 to $750

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
    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
    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 organization requires that an adopter cannot breed, race, or sell a horse at any auction, even legitimate ones. Our organization reserves the right to make unannounced or scheduled visits during the first year.