MISSION & PROGRAMS

Mission:
GAIT, Inc. facilitates the rescue of gaited horses and other at risk equines from slaughter, abuse and neglect.

Our organization provides programs involved with equine rescue & adoption
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:
     GAIT, Inc. focuses on rescue of horses in need, rehabilitation of those horses and retraining when needed.
     
     When an at-risk horse or one in need of safe haven is identified, if resource allow us to add additional horses to the rescue, we then accept the responsibility for that horse. If the horse is coming to us as an owner Surrender, a contract is signed relinquishing ownership and full responsibility to GAIT, Inc. once custody of the horse is gained by a GAIT, Inc. representative. Fundraising may be done simultaneously, we attempt to fund raise for first 30-day expenses, but we carry a contingency fund that allows for the full care of all horses in the program in the event that funds can't be raised. Intake photos are done and we document intake date and any current health records. If the horse is coming from a source where possible interaction with sick horses or infectious environment like sale barns or auctions, the horse is properly quarantined at a farm set up to do proper bio-security.
     
     The next step is rehab, many horses that come to GAIT, Inc. are otherwise healthy horses who may have been had routine maintenance neglected or been exposed to other horses who could carry infectious disease. Any illness is treated as needed. In some cases, horses come to GAIT, Inc. who are unsound or underweight. Those horses are seen by a vet, baseline blood work is done for underweight horses, any unsoundness or obvious health issues are evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. Minor health problems are evaluated by experienced rehab care takers and are treated, often with consultation by phone with one of the veterinarians that we hire. Any horse that shows stress, weight loss or otherwise unthrifty are treated for ulcers. They are all fed a well-balanced forage first quality diet - many gaited horses are prone to metabolic issues, so we use low-sugar, low-starch feeds. We follow Refeeding Protocols in cases of extreme emaciation before we begin feeding any processed feeds.
     
     During the rehab phase (assuming the horse is not in quarantine - the following procedures happen after quarantine unless medically necessary during quarantine), we have certified equine dentists perform necessary dental exam, floats and take care of any other dental issues identified. We have our farrier trim feet - sometimes several trims are needed in order to return horses to a good balanced state, if any thrush is identified on intake, it's treated with Today or a similar product. If White Line disease is identified on intake, we do a thorough Cleantrax soak. For those needing weight, they are fed 3-4x per day, given probiotics, wormed when safe to do so. All horses have free choice hay and/or pasture available at all times, those needing weight gain also receive alfalfa during the rehab process. Since gaited horses in general are "easy keepers" alfalfa is rarely needed beyond the initial rehab phase. If we have no medical records, we have a vet administer core vaccines and if no coggins has been done, we have that pulled (we pull coggins while horses are still in quarantine if applicable).
     
     Once horses have been rehabbed assuming they are sound, we begin the evaluation process for rehoming. We start with assessing them in a herd dynamic. We are able to shift horses into different living situations to allow for them to adjust with the least amount of stress. We use a turn out with shelter as a baseline, but have stalls available for all horses should more intense care be required. Herd assessment is important as part of the evaluation process as we need to understand what type of home will be best for these horses when they go to a new adopter. Does our horse need a quiet herd, a small herd, no mares for a gelding, do they get overly attached to a single horse or are they more of a loner. Are they middle of the pack, low guy that will need extra care to make sure they have access to available forage, etc.
     
     The next step of the evaluation process, which is started during the rehab phase is to figure out how this horse deals with routine maintenance and daily life in the hands of humans. Are they fearful of strangers, men, dogs, farm vehicles, etc. Do they cross tie, are they good for the vet, farrier, equine dentist. Do they tolerate worming, can you handle all of their body parts, pick up feet, comb mane, tail, check udders on mares, etc. Any holes in the above create a to-do list for training for that horse before being adopted. Next we assess their knowledge of ground work, we want all of our horses to have basic ground work before they go to new homes so that they can be handled by the "average" horse owner. Again, any holes in basic ground work is addressed with training. If we find the horse's ground work to be poor, that training is then lengthened and more thorough ground work training is done before we move on to riding evaluation.
     
     Riding evaluation is then the next step for all of our sound horses. Only after they have passed the basic living and ground work evaluation do we move onto the riding phase. If at any time during our riding evaluation we discover issues that an "average" rider would not be able to address, we do training to help the horse through whatever situation they show a lack of knowledge in. Because we work with gaited horses almost exclusively, pleasure riding and trails are the goal for all of our horses. During the riding evaluation we look to find where our horses will be most successful. The calm horse may make a wonderful riding partner for a senior or novice rider. The more forward horse will be steered in a direction that utilizes their willingness for adventure as perhaps a CTR or Distance Riding horse or with a more experienced rider that puts lots of trail miles on horses. For horses we find to be overly forward, we work on teaching them to calm and relax. We start in the ring and when we feel comfortable that the "average rider" can handle this horse in the ring, we move on to trails. Depending on how the horse responds to the trails and the challenges of the multi use trails in our area like bikers, dogs, hikers even traffic, we then do additional evaluation to determine how this horse would react when ridden alone, when ridden with groups, how they are in the lead, middle, behind. Any holes in any of the riding tests are met with training.
     
     Once our evaluation is complete, we then have enough knowledge to be successful in matching horse to adopter. In almost all cases, we require adopters to come and try horses they are interested in after reviewing our adoption application & phone interview. We try to narrow down which horses we feel will be the best fit for that adopter. This helps us minimize risk to rider or horse. In most circumstances, by the time the potential adopter steps foot on the farm, we usually have a good match for horse and rider. This also minimizes the workload on the trainers and exercise riders working for GAIT, Inc. It is our goal to get it right and to get horses into safe and appropriate homes.
     
     On the occasion that a horse comes into GAIT, Inc. that will never be riding sound, they either remain at at GAIT, Inc. boarding barn or we attempt to find fosters for those horses where they can live out their natural lives as long as they are pasture sound. While we are not focused as a sanctuary, we do take responsibility for any horses that come into our program that may not be adoptable due to special health requirements.
     
     On average, horses are with GAIT, Inc. for a minimum of 90 day, longer if training is required.
Overview of our programs involved with providing community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses:
     GAIT, Inc. attends multiple events throughout the year including county and state fairs, Horse World Expo in Harrisburg, PA, equestrian flea markets, local club meetings and other events that match our mission to promote the gaited horse as a versatile breed as well as directly promoting GAIT, Inc. and horse rescue.

Research/Medical Use of Equines:
Our organization has never made, and would not ever consider making, equines available for research studies or medical training that involves invasive procedures and/or that which may cause pain or suffering to the equine. 

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  
    Purchase/Adoption from Owner  
    Auction  
    Kill pen/Feedlot  
    Return  
    Surrender  
    Seizure  
    Abandonment  

Our organization does not acquire horses/equines from the following source(s):
    Lease  

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:
The majority of our horses come from owner surrender, rescue to rescue transfer, auction/broker sales, we occasionally pull a horse from a kill pen. We rarely accept stallions, and only if they are candidates for castration. We do not seek out pregnant mares, however we occasionally get mares that are pregnant (we've had 3 foals born in our rescue since 2016)

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:
    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
    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
    Coggins test
    Blood work other than Coggins
    Vaccinations
    De-worming
    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 equine is confined to a designated and separate area for isolation and quarantine off-site for a prescribed period of time

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 canter
    Riding by a beginner and/or unbalanced rider
    Tolerance to unusual objects and loud noises
    Known vices, i.e., cribbing, biting, kicking, weaving, stall walking, etc
    Grooming
    Bathing
    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
    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)
    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

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.

Additional information about our breeding policies and practices:
We do utilize some trainers that may breed horses in a few cases.

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

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
    The distance of a potential adopter/purchaser's home from our facility is a consideration for when re-homing an equine

The uploaded Re-homing agreement includes the following re-homing (adoption/purchase) statements:
    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 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 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 free of charge
    None of the statements are included.

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

Transfer of ownership occurs:   Our organization retains ownership of the equine for its lifetime

The average equine re-homing (adoption/purchase) fee received by your organization:
$1,001 to $1,500

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:
If a horse is rehomed, it is either returned directly to GAIT, Inc. or should the adopter find a suitable new home for the horse, the new adopter must complete our adoption Application, be approved by GAIT, Inc. and sign a new Adoption Agreement directly with GAIT, Inc. An adoption fee is charged to make any new Adoption Agreement legally binding.