MISSION & PROGRAMS

Mission:
NEER North actively rescues horses, ponies, mules and donkeys in need. There are a wide variety of situations including owner surrenders, abuse and neglect where these majestic animals are in diminished health or, worse yet, at risk for slaughter. NEER North is a safe haven where these animals are rehabilitated with the intention of adoption into new families. NEER North also networks closely with other reputable equine rescue organizations, assisting where needed.

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:
     Our goal is to Rescue, Rehab and Rehome:
     
     Rescue:
     Welfare is at the heart of everything we do – a commitment that has seen NEER North involved in numerous rescues during our history. Each individual horse, donkey, mule and pony has a story to tell, and helping a horse that has suffered at the hands of humans and supporting them through their journey to recovery is one of the most rewarding goals of our work.
     Rehab:
     We care for horses, ponies, donkeys and mules every single day at our sanctuary in West Newbury, MA. It’s one of the things that make NEER North so special.
     Many of our horses and ponies come from situations of terrible neglect or even cruelty. Others may never have encountered a human being at all. We use training methods based on the principles of how horses learn, to work with them in the most humane and ethical way possible, so they never have to be afraid of humans again. We have veterinary staff to provide specialist care for our animals.
     
     Rehome:
     Those horses who are fully healthy and who have been successfully rehabilitated are found loving homes through the NEER North Adoption process. We look for permanent loan homes where our horses can be nurtured and cherished, but they always belong to us and so they will always have a place here at NEER North should they ever need it in future.
     Some of the horses we rescue who cannot be ridden or rehomed, whether that’s for health or behavioral reasons, will always have a safe and loving home with us.
Overview of our programs involved with providing community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses:
     Overview of our programs involved with providing community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses:
     
      NEER North plays a vital role in promoting the welfare of the horses in or community.
      To make a positive impact, NEER North has programs and presentations to address a variety of topics regarding animal welfare and behavior. These programs speak to the issues of cruelty, and neglect and the lessons of proper handling, kindness and responsible horse ownership.
     NEER North staff and volunteers take every opportunity to educate the public of all ages, backgrounds and interests about humane treatment of animals. We welcome opportunities to provide an interesting attraction at any venue. NEER North has participated in fairs, trade shows, festivals and speaking engagements in a variety of settings for neighborhood and professional groups. Some of these engagements include an active 4H club within our organization, training, presentations and discussions at the Topsfield Fair and speaking engagements at local horse clubs like the Essex Country Trail Association and the White Mountain Horse Association. Our approach can be tailored to the needs of an event. We can offer the public an interesting and informative event. We can bring animal representation; our literature; and event set ups for education, sale of our merchandise and fundraising brochures.

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):
    Auction  
    Return  
    Surrender  
    Seizure  
    Abandonment  

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

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

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

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
    Coggins test
    Vaccinations
    De-worming

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:   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

Our organization has the following policies and procedures in place pertaining to the ongoing assessment of horses in its care:
    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
    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
    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):   2-3 times per week

Additional information about our intake, assessment & training policies and practices:
A Henneke Body Conditioning Score is assigned by the vet

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.

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
    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

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 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 free of charge

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:
$751 to $1,000

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 unsound and/or unhealthy and cannot be treated to relieve suffering, the equine may be euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian