MISSION & PROGRAMS

Mission:
Elysium Acres offers a safe, respectful, and peaceful environment for retired mounted police and rescue horses to live out their days with purpose, activity, and productivity.

Simultaneously, our volunteers enjoy a mutually beneficial experience by developing relationships with our horses through hands-on activities, improving their emotional health while building social connections.

Our organization provides programs involved with equine retirement
Our organization provides outreach and/or public education programs involving horses.
100% of our total programs and services are equine-related.
The programs our organization conducts involve the direct use, care, and/or shelter of equines to fulfill our mission.
Our organization DOES NOT CURRENTLY use satellite, support, overflow, foster, and/or outreach facilities.

EQUINE WELFARE OVERVIEW: Please describe what steps your organization takes to ensure that:
1) all interactions between your equines and people are mutually beneficial and conducted in accordance with the Guidelines for Human-Equine Interactions stated below;
2) all equines in the care of our organization and/or equines that participate in the organization's program have access to clean drinking water at all times; nutritious food in sufficient quantity, including natural forage such as pasture grass and/or hay; appropriate veterinary, farrier, and dental care; shelter and protection from the weather; sufficient safe space to move around comfortably on a daily basis; and daily opportunity to freely interact and have contact with other equines:

At Elysium Acres, our mission includes growing responsibly to increase the number of equines we can care for up to 12. We evaluate our financial and organizational ability to provide proper, quality care for the number of equines we accept.
     
     Patti Lessard, our Executive Director, has over thirty years of experience in the equine field. She trains each volunteer before they handle a horse, covering equine behavior, safe handling, haltering and leading, grooming, and how to recognize when a horse wants to be left alone. An experienced handler is present whenever a volunteer works with a horse. Patti pairs horses and volunteers by temperament and lets the horse set the pace. A horse who walks away is allowed to walk away. A horse who is sore, off his feed, or not acting like himself comes off the volunteer schedule until our veterinarian says otherwise. Volunteers who would rather not handle horses work on the grounds, in the barn, or on projects like fencing and our Serenity Garden.
     
     Our horses live outside around the clock, grouped two to three per paddock with access to run-in sheds. Because they are never brought in at night, they are free to move, graze, and keep company with each other just as nature intended for them. Each paddock has a water trough fed by its own spigot, and the troughs are cleaned every day, so clean water is in front of every horse at all times. The horses have pasture and hay, and each has a feeding plan tailored to his age, condition, and health history, since many of ours came from neglect or kill pens.
     
     Dr. Simon George of Deerfield Veterinary is our veterinarian. He handles vaccinations, preventive care, and anything urgent, and he sees each horse for dental work every six months. Our farrier is here every six weeks. Staff put eyes and hands on every horse every day.

EQUINE TRANSITION SERVICES
Overview of our programs involved with rescue, rehabilitation, retraining, re-homing and/or retirement:
     Elysium Acres is a permanent sanctuary in Chester, New Hampshire for retired and rescued horses. Patti Lessard founded it in early 2024 after three decades in horse rescue and care, and named it for the Greek idea of Elysium, the resting place given to those who have earned it. Most of our residents have earned exactly that. They come to us as retired mounted police horses, or as rescues placed with us by New England Equine Rescue North and the New Hampshire SPCA.
     
     When a horse arrives, we start with a full assessment of its health and history from Dr. Simon George of Deerfield Veterinary, then build the feeding plan, ongoing care, and recovery time each horse needs. Our twenty-six acres give them room to roam and settle into the herd. For horses coming off working careers or out of neglect, the aim is a calm, safe place to age well and stay for good.
     
     We also run a free volunteer program on the ground with the horses, open to veterans, first responders, seniors, and families. Volunteers help with barn chores, grooming, and daily care, and spend time around the horses without riding. Many of them have served their own communities at home and abroad. Being around the horses gives them a reason to get outside and a steady routine, along with the quiet connection that comes from caring for an animal that has learned to trust them. Lisa McMaster, a combat medic on our board, leads our outreach to veterans.
Overview of our programs involved with providing outreach and/or public education programs involving horses:
     Elysium Acres runs a free, ground-based volunteer program that brings members of the public into regular hands-on contact with our retired and rescued horses. It is open to veterans, first responders, seniors, and families, and all of the work is unmounted. Volunteers help with grooming, feeding, and daily barn work alongside our staff. Most people who come out have never spent time around retired mounted police horses or horses rescued from neglect, so the work doubles as an education in what these horses need to recover and age well, and in the welfare problems that put horses at risk. Lisa McMaster, a combat medic on our board, leads our outreach to veterans.
     
     We offer on-site tours by appointment, which give visitors a chance to meet the horses and hear their histories up close and to see how a working sanctuary runs. We also bring the sanctuary to people who cannot travel to us, with off-site visits to senior centers where residents can spend time with the horses.
     
     Beyond in-person contact, we use our website and social media to educate the public about horse welfare, rescue, and the bond between horses and people.
     
     None of our outreach involves mounted lessons or Equine Assisted Services that require a credentialed provider. It stays on the ground, in volunteering and public education.

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: INTAKE, ASSESSMENT & TRAINING

Prior to a horse being accepted and/or arriving at the facility, the organization has the following policies in place:
    The owner completes an application/contract which constitutes the agreement between the owner and our organization when the equine is acquired from the equine's owner other than by seizure or by abandonment
    If health records are not available or are out-of-date, the veterinarian or a trained staff member under the direction of the veterinarian will administer appropriate vaccinations
    A health certificate signed by a veterinarian and dated no more than seven days prior to arrival is provided to our organization either prior to or upon arrival of the equine attesting to the health status of the equine

Upon intake, the organization has the following quarantine policy in place:
    The equine is not quarantined

The typical length of quarantine is:   Horses are not quarantined

Following arrival of the equine at the facility, the following is performed:
    A physical examination to include temperature, pulse and respiration is conducted by the veterinarian
    A Henneke Body Conditioning Score or other body conditioning score is assigned by a veterinarian
    Photographs are taken of each equine following arrival at the facility and kept with the equine's health records
    An examination of hoof health is conducted by a farrier
    An examination of dental health is conducted by a dentist or veterinarian

Additional information about our intake policies and practices:
All horses that we take in have been vetted by our affiliate organizations, including the NHSPCA and state police departments. This includes all vaccinations and regular veterinarian visits.
     
     Each equine has already been quarantined by these affiliates before they arrive at Elysium Acres.
     
     Equines that arrive at Elysium Acres are typically already microchipped by NHSPCA or the state police.

Our organization has the following policies and procedures in place pertaining to the ongoing assessment of horses in its care:
    A physical examination is conducted by the veterinarian at least annually
    The Henneke Body Condition score or other body conditioning score is updated at least annually by the veterinarian
    Vaccinations are administered by the veterinarian at least annually, or with the veterinarian's approval, vaccinations are administered by a trained staff member 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
    Equine massage therapist
    Equine nutritionist

The organization has a procedure in place to assess equines for the 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
    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 weight-carrying or workload capabilities of any horse/equine that is ridden in our care, including training:
    Our organization evaluates the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden at least annually and maintains a written record for each equine that is ridden that documents the results of each evaluation of the equine's weight-carrying and workload limitations

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 assessment & training policies and practices:
Only veterinarians are able to administer any and all vaccinations. While the horses are retired, training is necessary in order to help keep their bodies and minds healthy. Based on each individual horse's requirements or needs, they typically train about 3-5 times per week.

POLICIES: BREEDING

The organization has the following policies related to breeding and stallions:
    Our organization does not conduct breeding of equines owned or under the care of our organization.
    The main facility where our organization conducts its programs does NOT breed equines.

Additional information about our breeding policies and practices:
Elysium Acres is strictly a no breeding facility.

POLICIES: EUTHANASIA

The organization has the following policies related to euthanasia:
    Our organization follows the euthanasia guidelines of our veterinarian and/or AAEP's Euthanasia Guidelines
    Our organization will never have an equine euthanized for space
    Our organization will have an equine euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian if the equine is a threat to itself, other equines, or people
    Our organization will have an equine euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian after all reasonable treatment options have been explored
    Disposal of the carcass is handled in accordance with local guidelines

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

POLICIES: RE-HOMING

Re-homing Agreement not applicable.
Our organization has the following re-homing (adoption/purchase) policies and procedures in place:
    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 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:
    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.
    Equines may remain at our organization for their lifetimes
    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
    The organization has a practice in place and the financial means to accept financial responsibility for equines in the current care of the organization should space not be available for the equine to remain at the organization and all alternatives have been explored to find the equine an appropriate placement, including those that need to be retired or are no longer able to contribute to the mission of the organization.

Additional information about our rehoming policies and practices:
The organization will accept financial responsibility for equines in the current care of the organization. All equines live here permanently and will not be rehomed or removed.

EQUINE CARE & SHELTER/FACILITY INFORMATION

Our organization DOES NOT CURRENTLY use satellite, support, overflow, foster, and/or outreach facilities.

Total facilities at which our organization cares for and shelters horses used in our programs: 1

---

Elysium Acres - Home for Retired & Rescue Horses
374 Derry Road CHESTER NH 03036
Currently operational
Total number of horses/equines currently involved with your programs, under your care, and/or owned by your organization at this facility: 8
Total number of horses at this facility NOT INCLUDING those counted above: 1
Maximum capacity of horses at this facility: 12

Does your organization own, lease or use a part of this facility? Use

Provide the contact information for the individual or organization responsible for investigating abuse in the county where the facility is located, including mailing address, email address, and phone information.
     Michelle Murch, mmurch@nhspca.org, 603-773-5713 SPCA of Stratham, NH https://nhspca.org/

Does your organization conduct Equine Assisted Services (EAS) at this facility in accordance with the EQUUS Foundation Guidelines on Qualifications of Organizations Conducting Equine Assisted Services (EAS)? No

Earl, a 26 year old retired appaloosa gelding, has boarded at Elysium Acres since October 2025, and is owned by a private owner.

---

Veterinarian Information: Elysium Acres - Home for Retired & Rescue Horses (*Main) Currently operational

Veterinarian: Simon George
Clinic Name: Deerfield Veterinary Clinic
150 South Road
Deerfield   NH   03037
Phone: 603-463-7775

---

Grounds/Emergency Preparedness: Elysium Acres - Home for Retired & Rescue Horses (*Main) Currently operational
Total acreage dedicated specifically to the horses: 25
Our organization has use of the following at this facility:
Structures/Barns: 1  Run-in sheds: 4
Pastures: 5  Paddocks/Pens/Turnout Areas: 5
Uncovered Outdoor Rings: 1  Covered Outdoor Rings: 0  Indoor Rings: 0






































Are the organization's rules, restrictions and warnings (signage) conspicuously posted in easily accessible locations?    Yes    
Are the organization's emergency contacts, including veterinarian contact information, conspicuously posted in easily accessible locations?    Yes    
Are human and equine first aid kits easily accessible?     Yes    

Regarding all shelters where horses are housed including run-in sheds:
How many hours per day, on average, are horses stalled or penned where they are restricted from roaming freely? 0;
Do horses have individually assigned stalls in the barn/structure(s) or individually assigned shelter locations where they are separated from other horses with a barrier?    No    
How often are the stalls/shelters cleaned? 6-7 Days a Week
Do all stalls/shelters allow horses to lie down, stand up and turn around and provide protection from inclement weather (wind, sleet, rain, snow and extreme temperatures)?    Yes    
Are stalls/shelters kept in good repair, with adequate ceiling height, and free of standing water, accumulated waste, sharp objects and debris?    Yes    
Are floors constructed and maintained for both good drainage and traction?    Yes    
Is there a ventilation and circulation system, or natural ventilation, in place to allow free flow of air to control temperature, and humidity, and to prevent air stagnation?    Yes    
Is wiring inaccessible to horses and maintained for safety in all areas of facility?    Yes    
Are fire prevention/protection measures (fire alarms, extinguishers and sprinkler systems) maintained and in good working order?     Yes    
Is there adequate lighting to ensure safety in all areas of facility?     Yes    

The following steps are taken to help staff and volunteers readily identify each horse on the property:
    Equines are assigned the same exclusive stall/shelter location each day
    Name plates are located on the stall/shelter location
    Photos are located on the stall/shelter location
    A notebook or binder with photos and information on each equine is easily accessible
    A map/diagram is posted showing the location of each equine with equine names and photos
    Equine photos and profiles are available on the website
    Staff and volunteers are provided with an information packet with equine profiles, including photos and detailed descriptions
    Staff/volunteers are provided training on conformation, markings, colors, and breeds
    Team leaders work with new staff/volunteers until they are able to identify the equines

The following describes the pastures at this facility:
    This facility has a written plan in place for pasture management, such as guidelines for seeding, fertilizing, irrigation, mowing, dragging, harrowing, manure removal, removal of debris, the control of poisonous plants, and a schedule for cleaning
    A dedicated staff person(s) is responsible for pasture management
    All pastures are fenced to prevent escape or injury
    Electric fencing is used; electric wires or tape fence are visibly marked
    Fencing checks, such as broken or missing planks, loose fence posts, exposed or loose nails, detached wires, etc., are done regularly
    Pastures are rotated
    Pastures have natural protection for equines (i.e., trees)
    Pastures have man-made protection for equines (i.e., shelters)

The following describes the turnout areas other than pastures at this facility:
    This facility has a written plan in place for the maintenance of turnout areas, which includes a schedule for cleaning, manure removal, and dragging
    A dedicated staff person(s) is responsible for the maintenance of turnout areas
    All turnout areas are fenced to prevent escape or injury
    Electric fencing is used; electric wires or tape fence are visibly marked
    Turnout areas have man-made protection for equines (i.e., shelters)
    Fencing checks, such as broken or missing planks, loose fence posts, exposed or loose nails, detached wires, etc., are done regularly

The following policies and procedures are in place at the facility to restrict public access and to keep horses safe:
    The property owner, staff member or caretaker lives on the premises and ensures that public access is restricted and is responsible for the security of the facility and equines
    No Trespassing signs are posted
    Hold Harmless signs are posted
    Authorized Personnel Only signs are posted
    Entrance gates are locked at night
    Visitors are only permitted at specific times
    Visitors are only permitted in specific areas
    The property is fitted with motion lights
    The property is fitted with a security system monitored by police or a professional service
    The property is fitted with a security system that is monitored internally by staff (or the property owner)
    The perimeter of the property is fully fenced

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:
    The facility owns or has access to a generator
    The facility maintains at least two weeks of hay, feed, shavings and medications
    The organization has a written emergency preparedness/safety plan (EPP)
The written EPP addresses the following areas:
    Local fire department and/or the state's emergency planning department procedures
    Medical emergencies for clients, staff, and volunteers
    Medical emergencies for equines
    Human and Equine Evacuation plans
    Power outages
    Fire
    Natural Disasters - thunderstorm, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, etc
    Protocols to notify emergency personnel
    Building/facility exit plans

The facility follows the specific procedures to help PREVENT emergency situations:
    Smoking is strictly prohibited unless confined to designated areas.
    NO SMOKING signs are posted prominently
    Hay is stored away from permanent or temporary structures where equines are stalled
    Permanent or temporary structures where equines are stalled are kept free of trash, cleaning rags, and other flammable items

How often are the following checked or performed to ensure applicable working condition?
Fire Extinguishers are checked: Quarterly
Smoke detectors are checked: Quarterly
Fence lines are checked: Daily
Turnout Areas are checked: Daily
Sprinkler systems are checked: Quarterly
Fire drills are conducted: Quarterly
Review of safety protocols with staff are conducted: Quarterly
Review of safety protocols with volunteers are conducted: Quarterly
The Emergency Preparedness Plan is reviewed and updated: Semi-annually

Functioning Equine Transportation: Onsite: 2 (Owned 1 +Access 1) + Offsite: 2 = Total: 4

---

Equine Care: Elysium Acres - Home for Retired & Rescue Horses (*Main) 2027 and 2026 This section is required.
Horse Health Care/Barn Management Records: What system is used to collect and store health/horse care records?
    Notebook or equivalent (technology not utilized)
    Onsite computer with onsite backup storage system
    Onsite computer with cloud-based backup storage system
The following items are consistent with our feed management plan and practices:
    The organization takes into consideration the equine's age, breed/type, condition, size, work level and any health issues in designing each equine’s individualized feeding plan including adequate natural forage and consults with the veterinarian as needed.
    The organization determines supplement plans in consultation with a veterinarian
    Staff and/or volunteers are trained in proper feed measurements and protocols and observed periodically to ensure they are feeding correctly
    The feed chart is centrally located and updated as needed
    The area(s) where hay, feed, grain, and supplements are stored are kept clean, free of debris and chemicals, and protected from weather and other animals in rodent-proof and mold-proof containers and grain bins
    Feed, supplements and hay types are clearly labeled
    Water sources, i.e., buckets, troughs, automatic waterers, etc. are kept clean, free of contaminants, debris and chemicals, protected from weather and other animals, and be positioned or affixed to minimize spillage.
    Medications are kept in a secure area

Is clean, potable water available at all times for all equines?     Yes    

Hoof Care: How often is hoof care provided for each equine? Every 4-8 weeks and when an issue arises

Dental Care: How often is dental care provided for each equine? Annually and when an issue arises

Horse checks: How often are equines visually and physically checked by personnel at the facility? Every day or 6 days a week

Our organization has the following parasite and fly/insect control protocols in place, including remedies used to control flies and insects:
    Our organization follows the parasite control guidelines of our veterinarian, including fecal testing and de-worming
    Fly/Insect Control Remedies:
    Fly Traps and Tapes
    Premise Sprays/Insecticides
    Fly Spray Repellent
    Fly Masks
    Fans

The following represent the biosecurity practices in place at facility:
    Our organization follows the biosecurity guidelines of our veterinarian
    Sick, affected and/or quarantined equines do not have contact with other equines or other animals
    The organization has a written biosecurity plan
    Staff and/or volunteers are trained in accordance with the General Biosecurity Guidelines of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and/or their veterinarian
    Restricted access signs are posted at primary points of access to sick, affected and/or quarantined equines
    Hand sanitizers are available at all primary points of access to sick, affected and/or quarantined equines
    Footbaths are available at all primary points of access to sick, affected and/or quarantined equines
    Manure and bedding from sick, affected and/or quarantined equines is removed from the facility - not put in open air piles or spread on pastures
    Quarantine areas, such as stalls, aisle ways, and paddocks, are cleaned (and needed, disinfected) after conclusion of the quarantine.
    Trailers/vans used by sick, affected and/or quarantined equines are cleaned and disinfected after each use and cleaning takes place away from where equines are sheltered
    Equipment used by sick, affected and/or quarantined equines is not shared and is cleaned of organic debris and disinfected after each use
    Latex gloves, or equivalent gloves, are worn when working with sick, affected and/or quarantined equines

Additional information on biosecurity:
Equines are quarantined prior to coming to Elysium Acres.

The following represent the manure removal practices in place at facility:
    Manure is piled in an area which is a safe distance from equines and from where equines are sheltered
    Manure is hauled, sold or given away
    Manure piles are composted or spread on pastures
    Our organization adheres to the manure management guidelines set by the state, local authorities, and/or our organization's veterinarian

Our organization has the following policies and procedures in place pertaining to tack, apparel and equipment:
    All equines have specifically assigned apparel, equipment and tack (saddles/bridles if ridden) that is not shared
    Blankets, sheets and turn out apparel are fitted and utilized for each equine appropriate to the equine's needs and the weather conditions
    Blankets, sheets and turn out apparel are cleaned regularly as needed
    Riding Tack is always cleaned after each use
    Riding Tack is inspected for overall working condition before each use by trained personnel
    Riding Tack is assessed for fit before each use by trained personnel
    Riding Tack is assessed for fit by trained personnel when an equine's body condition changes
    Riding Tack is assessed for fit by trained personnel when an equine's disposition changes
    This facility enlists the services of a professional saddle fitter at least once a year
    Assigned riding tack is clearly labeled
    Helmets are cleaned/disinfected after each use
    Helmets are replaced after a fall
    Helmets are replaced at least every five years.
    No equines are ridden; saddles, bridles, etc. not applicable.