Guardians

Guardians are equine charities on the Equine Welfare Network that demonstrate a commitment to public transparency by their willingness to make comprehensive data about their programs, horse care practices, and governance available for public scrutiny.

Eligible organizations are equine charities that provide:
• Shelter and rehabilitation for America's equines subjected to abuse and neglect, and at risk for slaughter;
• Retraining and re-homing of America's equines in transition with careers as athletes, companions, teachers, and healers;
• Peaceful and humane retirement and end of life for aged equines that ensures that they are able to live out their lives in comfort and with dignity;
• Mutually beneficial opportunities for people and equines to partner for the purpose of contributing positively to cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being.

The need for transparency is more important now than ever before. With the advent of the internet and social media, it is easy for people to be misinformed and misled.

The Guardian Seal of Transparency is awarded annually and appears on the Equine Welfare Network profile of an approved organization. While the Guardian Seal of Transparency is not an endorsement, the Guardian Seal of Transparency is a recognition of an organization's commitment to transparency and accountability by their willingness to make comprehensive data about their programs, horse care practices, and governance available for public scrutiny.

Learn more about the eligibility requirements here

The EQUUS Foundation is committed to putting an end to the abuse and neglect of America's horses by increasing opportunities for horses to flourish as athletes, companions, teachers and healers. We focus our efforts on empowering equine charities nationwide that provide protection, rehabilitation, retraining and re-homing of America's at-risk and transitioning horses and opportunities for horses to elevate the lives of people.

While the Guardian Seal is not an endorsement of the organization and not a guarantee that the organization will receive financial support from the EQUUS Foundation, only organizations designated as EQUUS Foundation Guardians are eligible to be considered for financial support from the EQUUS Foundation. The amount of the award from the EQUUS Foundation is based primarily an organization's horse care practices and is to be used to underwrite an organization's horse care costs. Review our guidelines here.

For organizations that conduct Equine Assisted Services (EAS) programs, the amount of the financial support is based on the impact of the organization's EAS programs on the health and welfare of the equines involved and the organization's compliance in meeting the EQUUS Foundation Guidelines for Organizations Conducting Equine Assisted Services (EAS); it is not based on an evaluation of the impact of an organization's EAS programs on the individuals involved. Any activity, including Equine Assisted Services (EAS), that incorporates equine interactions and/or the equine environment, mounted or ground-based, must safeguard the comfort and dignity of America's horses and make the quality of life of our equine partners paramount.

To ensure a future for America's horses, it is critical to identify and invest in the equine charities in the US operating at the highest standards of horse care with the most-effective programs that increase adoptions of horses in transition, provide safe haven to aged horses, and increase opportunities for more people to benefit from the magic and power of horses.

Why Become a Guardian

As the only national charity 100% dedicated to protecting America's at-risk horses and to sharing the magic and power of horses with as many people as possible, the EQUUS Foundation is in a unique position to raise public awareness of the value of horses in our lives, but we need your help.

Sharing your extensive data about your programs, horse care practices, and governance will allow us to to gather and make use of critical information on a national scale.

While the Guardian designation is not an 'endorsement' and is not a guarantee of EQUUS Foundation financial support, the designation demonstrates the charity's willingness to be fully transparent and make their policies and horse care practices available for public scrutiny. EQUUS Foundation Guardians provide vital information to individuals seeking information on the services provided by participating organizations, as well as the means for participating organizations to share their best practices.

 • Only Guardians designated as EQUUS Foundation Guardians are eligible to be considered for financial support from the EQUUS Foundation. Review our guidelines here.
 • Only organizations designated as Guardians are promoted in our social media.
 • Only organizations designated as Guardians are eligible to participate in our Next Chapters program for horse lovers to connect directly with organizations that have horses that are ready for adoption and with organizations that are looking for program horses. Horse lovers who may not be looking to adopt or place horses will also have the opportunity to make donations directly to participating organizations.
 • Only organizations designated as Guardians are eligible to be invited to participate in EQUUS Foundation Next Chapter events.
 • Only organizations designated as Guardians are eligible to participate in our Auction Rewards program, which allows our Guardians to provide auction items for EQUUS Foundation fundraising events. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the auction item(s) are distributed back to the Guardian that donates the item(s).

How To Become a Guardian

Participating as a Guardian not only offers the potential for receiving financial support, it also provides critical data to safeguard America's horses now and in the future.

We welcome equine charities to become a part of the EQUUS Foundation family. If your favorite charity is not participating, please pass along how to become a Guardian below.

In order to be designated as a Guardian, an organization must first join our Equine Welfare Network. Click here to join our Equine Welfare Network.

If your organization is already participating on our network, click here to log into your network profile and follow the online instructions to update your Guardian information.

Resources

Below is a collection of links to online resources. Please feel free to contact us here with additional links that would be helpful to share with our Guardian charities.

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