EQUUS Foundation

MISSION & PROGRAMS

Mission:
Our Mission is to provide quality care, rehabilitation, retraining, rehoming or permanent retirement to unwanted ex-racehorses facing uncertain futures.

Our organization provides programs involved with equine rescue, adoption & retirement
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.
Not Applicable. Our organization does not use foster, overflow and/or satellite facilities Number of facilities/locations where horses used in our programs are HOUSED AND CARED FOR or were HOUSED AND CARED FOR during 2020: 1
     1. The Stables at Macburn Plantation (Main)

Summary of organization's goals, strategies to achieve the goals, accomplishments, and capabilities to meet the goals, including its long-term plans to sustain its programs:
Our goal is to continue to help off-track Thoroughbred horses through physical and emotional rehabilitation, retraining them to make them available to qualified applicants for sale/adoption, and to continue to care for the ones who are permanently retired. Our long term goals to fund the program are more creative ways to locate sponsors, donations and grants, and to keep our fundraisers innovative and highly profitable. With the current COVID problem, our planned fundraisers for March-May have been halted, so we are far behind our targeted financial goals. Those months are when we had planned our gala Preakness party, and attending polo matches, point-to-point and steeplechase races, and equine expos. They have all been cancelled. We are looking into online raffles and contests for a new approach to fundraising. With the closure of race tracks, we are getting inundated with requests to take in more horses, but resources are not available to do so, and this is very frustrating.

     In the fall of 2020, we plan to implement a new program called Warriors and Horses United, (WAHU), a program for veterans with PTSD. This will give added exposure to the Thoroughbred program, as well ass added income, and being able to help horses and people together is a huge win/win.

Horse Rescue, Rehabilitation, Retraining & Re-homing:
Overview of our programs involved with rescue, rehabilitation, retraining, re-homing and/or retirement:
     SWTP provides excellent care for all of the horses in our program. The nutritional component is top quality with high quality local grass and alfalfa hay, an oat-based grain product with added vitamins and minerals specifically formulated for horses residing in the Piedmont area of Virginia, along with beet pulp, and alfalfa cubes (soaked) and a fat supplement, salt, and diatomaceous earth, garlic and Brewer's yeast to reply flies.

     The horses live out 24/7 in large, grassy pastures with safe 4-board fencing. All horses are in groups of 2-5. All pastures have run-in sheds and shade. Horse are brought into stalls if it is very hot and they have fans on them for comfort. Each pasture has an automatic, freeze-proof water trough, which is checked daily for cleanliness or debris.

     The stalls have ample shavings and 2 water buckets, which are dumped and rinsed out every day.

     Each horse is observed 2 times per day when they are given their grain.

     Each horse is groomed at least once per week.

     The horses in our training program are groomed and ridden 3-4 times per week.

     All horses have their feet trimmed or shod every 6-8 weeks. They are vaccinated appropriately annually. All horses are dewormed according to the AAEP Guidelines for this part of the country.

     All horses are treated with kindness and respect at all times.

     We strive to find the very best homes for the horses we place in adoptive homes. So far, no horse has been returned and we receive frequent photos and emails from the owners and we are very proud of how they are being treated and loved. Most are competition horses who are becoming successful in various disciplines.

Community Outreach and/or Public Education:
Overview of our programs involved with providing community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses:
     We have articles about our program in various local magazines, we have been on the front page of the local newspaper, and we have Pony Club and 4-H programs for local youth to teach them about the needs of off-track Thoroughbreds.

     We have brochures about our program in dozens of feed stores and tack shops within 5 counties of our area.

GOVERNANCE, MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL REPORTING

Staff & Volunteers:
Chief Staff Officer (CSO): Dayle Eldredge
Employees/Independent Contractors:   Full-Time: 0  Part-Time: 2  Volunteers: 2
Staff Recruitment, Screening and Training processes including employees and independent contractors:
    Prospective staff complete a written application
    Every member of the staff is required to complete a Liability Release/Hold Harmless Agreement
    Every member of the staff is required to provide Emergency Medical Information
    Every member of the staff provides parent/guardian information if applicable
    Every member of the staff has a written job description
    Every member of the staff is updated on all the organization's policies and procedures on an annual and as needed basis or with any change in policy or procedure
    Every member of the staff receives training that includes safety guidelines, confidentiality, horse handling, horse identification, and emergency procedures; additional training is job specific
    Every member of the staff has a supervisor and is responsible for keeping their supervisor up to date on work related activities
    One or more staff members are trained in equine first aid

Not Checked:
    Prospective staff must provide in writing if they have ever been convicted of a felony, convicted of a sexual offense, or convicted for animal cruelty or neglect
    Every member of the staff is required to sign a Photo Release
    Every member of the staff is required to undergo a Background Check
    Every member of the staff carries current health insurance
    Every member of the staff is evaluated on an annual and as needed basis or with any change in their job description
    The organization provides a handbook to every member of the staff, including employees and/or independent contractors serving in staff positions;
    The handbook includes information, such as hours of work, vacation, sick leave, dress code, cell phone usage, and the protocol for dismissal
    The handbook is reviewed annually and updated
    One or more staff members are trained in CPR and human first aid
    Every member of the staff is subject to Random Drug Screening

Volunteer Recruitment, Screening and Training processes:
    Prospective volunteers complete a written application
    Every volunteer is required to complete a Liability Release/Hold Harmless Agreement
    Every volunteer is required to provide Emergency Medical Information
    Every volunteer has a written job description
    Every volunteer is updated on all the organization's policies and procedures on an annual and as needed basis or with any change in policy or procedure
    Every volunteer receives training that includes safety guidelines, confidentiality, horse handling, horse identification, and emergency procedures; additional training is job specific
    Every volunteer is assigned a supervisor (staff member and/or senior volunteer) and is responsible for keeping their supervisor up to date on work related activities
    The supervisor assesses the volunteer's abilities and assigns specific duties to the volunteer based on their skills
    The organization records and maintains written attendance information and hours on every volunteer
    The organization provides a Volunteer Handbook to every volunteer
    The Volunteer Handbook includes volunteer-related information, such as hours of work, dress code, cell phone usage, and the protocol for dismissal
    The Volunteer Handbook is reviewed annually and updated
    The organization holds regular orientation sessions for volunteers and prospective volunteers that includes an overview of the organization, its mission, activities, volunteer responsibilities and expectations, safety guidelines, and a tour of the facility

Not Checked:
    Prospective volunteers must provide in writing if they have ever been convicted of a felony, convicted of a sexual offense, or convicted for animal cruelty or neglect
    Every volunteer is required to sign a Photo Release
    Every volunteer is required to undergo a Background Check
    Every volunteer provides parent/guardian information if applicable
    Every volunteer carries current health insurance
    Every volunteer is evaluated on an annual and as needed basis or with any change in their job description
    Every volunteer is subject to Random Drug Screening

Governing Body:
Board meetings per year: 4
Number of Board Members: 6  Number of Voting Board Members: 6

Board Compensation:
Is Board Chair compensated? No  Is Treasurer compensated? No
Are there any other Voting Board Members that are compensated? No

Board/Staff Relationships:
Are any members of the Board or Staff related to each other through family or business relationships? Yes
If yes, provide the name, title, responsibility and family/business relationship of each Board and/or Staff member.
President-Dayle Eldridge is the daughter of the Secretary/Treasurer, Gayle Frasier

Board Affiliations:
Are any Board members or Staff associated with and/or compensated by another organization with a relationship or business affiliation to your organization? No

Conflict of Interest:
Does your organization have a written conflict of interest policy and regularly and consistently monitor and enforce compliance with the policy, including requiring officers, directors or trustees, and key employees to disclose annually interests that could give rise to conflicts? No

Organization documents available on our website:
    Adoption/Foster Agreement

Organization documents available on request:
    Most recent Financials
    Most recent IRS Form 990
    Most recent Annual Report
    Equine Intake Guidelines
    Adoption/Foster Agreement
    Volunteer Handbook
    Bylaws

Additional explanation regarding governance, staffing and volunteer practices or further explanation of the answers above.
We are a small operation and most of the care of the horses is done by our President, with the occasional assistance of volunteers or part-time paid workers.

Financial Reporting:
Budget:  *Missing
Equine Budget:   *Missing
Month Fiscal Year Ends: *Missing
Type of Financial Reporting (Audit, Review, Compilation): *Missing
Type of IRS Filing (990, 990-EZ, 990-N): *Missing
Does the uploaded Pro Forma 990/990 represent 2020? *Missing
IRS Form 990/Pro Forma 990 has not been uploaded for this facility.

EQUINE COSTS

Total Facilities: 1
The Stables at Macburn Plantation: 2020

Actual Horse Care Costs
$     Feed (Grain/Hay)
$     Bedding
$     Veterinarian
$     Farrier
$     Dentist
$     Other Therapies
$     Manure Removal
$     Medications & Supplements
$     Horse Transportation
$     Maintenance
$     Horse/Barn Supplies
$     Horse Care Staff
$     Horse Training
$     Other direct horse-related costs not including overhead or other program costs.
*Missing     2020 Total Horse Care Costs

Donated Horse Care Costs
$     Feed (Grain/Hay)
$     Bedding
$     Veterinarian
$     Farrier
$     Dentist
$     Other Therapies
$     Manure Removal
$     Medications & Supplements
$     Horse Transportation
$     Maintenance
$     Horse/Barn Supplies
$     Horse Care Staff
$     Horse Training
$     Other direct horse-related costs not including overhead or other program costs.
$     2020 Total Donated Costs

POLICIES

Acquisition
Our organization acquires horses/equines from the following source(s):
    Donation
    Purchase/Adoption from Owner
    Return
    Surrender
    Seizure
    Abandonment

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

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

Not Checked:
    Stallions

Additional information about our acquisition policies and practices:
We typically take in ex-racehorses from their trainers or owners.

Intake, Assessment & Training
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

Not Checked:
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.

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 horse is interviewed over the phone or in person prior to seeing the horse
    The owner completes an application/contract which constitutes the agreement between the owner and our organization
    Horses are not taken on trial

Not Checked:
The horse is evaluated at its place of residence
The owner is financially responsible for the shipping of the horse to and from the organization

Upon intake, the organization has the following quarantine policy in place:
The horse is confined to a designated and separate area for isolation and quarantine at the facility for a prescribed period of time

Not Checked:
The horse is confined to a designated and separate area for isolation and quarantine off-site for a prescribed period of time
The horse is not quarantined

The typical length of quarantine is:   10 to 20 days

Following arrival of the equine at the facility, the following is performed:
    Physical examination by a veterinarian
    Physical examination by trained barn staff
    Photographs are taken
    Physical examination by a farrier
    Physical examination by a dentist
    Coggins test
    Blood work other than Coggins
    Fecal test
    Vaccinations
    De-worming

Not Checked:
    A Henneke Body Conditioning Score is assigned
    The horse is scanned to check for a microchip
    The horse is microchipped if the scan indicates that there is no microchip

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
    Known vices, i.e., cribbing, biting, kicking, weaving, stall walking, etc

Not Checked:
    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
    Grooming
    Bathing
    Clipping
    Tolerance to multiple handlers at the same time

Horses provided formal training (groundwork or riding): 2-3 times per week

Additional information about our intake, assessment & training policies and practices:
Our intake process is in place to ensure that we can take the best care of the new horse, and maintain the safety of all of the horses at our facility. New horses are monitored very closely, with temperature taken daily for 10 days, then every other day for another 10 days. We inspect the horses's manure, and watch the horse's behavior, attitude and eating habits. A vet checks their teeth and over-all health, and the farrier examines their hooves.

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 horses.

Not Checked:
    The facility or facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, breeds horses
    The facility or facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, are permitted to house stallions
    Our organization prohibits the breeding of horses/equines when re-homed or this statement is not applicable as all horses/equines remain at our organization for their lifetimes and are not re-homed under any circumstances.

Additional information about our breeding policies and practices:
We do not breed horses. We will consider taking in a stallion if the horse is not dangerous, and it WILL get castrated as soon as possible.

Euthanasia
The organization has the following policies related to euthanasia:
    Our organization will never have a horse euthanized for space
    Our organization may have a healthy horse euthanized if it is a threat to itself, other horses, or people
    Our organization may have a horse euthanized 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

Not Checked:
Our organization will never have a healthy horse euthanized under any circumstances
Euthanasia is done at the veterinarian's facility

Horses will be euthanized upon the recommendation of:
    Veterinarian
    Senior staff member without a veterinarian's recommendation
    The Board of Directors, or a member of the Board of Directors, without a veterinarian's recommendation

Not Checked:
Not applicable. Our organization prohibits euthanasia under any circumstances.

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

Not Checked:
    A certified euthanasia technician
    Senior staff with appropriate training
    Employee of animal control shelter or humane society with appropriate training
    Veterinary student under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian
    Not applicable. Our organization prohibits euthanasia under any circumstances

The organization utilizes the following methods of euthanasia:
    Intravenous administration of a solution of concentrated potassium chloride (KCl) with the horse in a surgical plane of general anesthesia

Rehoming
Our organization has the following re-homing (adoption/purchase) policies and procedures in place:
    All potential adopters/purchasers complete a contract which constitutes the agreement between our organization and the new owner
    Our organization does NOT re-home a horse to first time horse owners
    Our organization will only re-home a horse to a location where another horse resides
    Potential adopters/purchasers must visit our organization and be observed with the horse on site
    The distance of a potential adopter/purchaser's home from our facility is a consideration for when re-homing a horse
    Our organization conducts a site visit of the adopter/purchaser's facility before the transfer of the horse to the adopter/purchaser's facility
    Potential adopters/purchasers are encouraged to do a short-term, on-site foster with the horse

Not Checked:
Adopters/purchasers are NOT required to provide updates
Our organization does not re-home horses under any circumstances; our organization retains custody of our horses and ensures care of the horses for their lifetimes.

The uploaded Re-homing agreement includes the following re-homing (adoption/purchase) statements:
    Our agreement states that re-homed horses CANNOT be sold, auctioned, or given away without prior written approval of our organization
    Our agreement states that re-homed horses cannot be bred
    Our agreement states that if there is any breach of contract the horse must be returned to our organization
    Our agreement states that our organization reserves the right to make unannounced visits
    Our agreement states that adopters/purchasers can return a horse to our organization free of charge
    Our agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for three or more years

Not Checked:
    Our agreement states that re-homed horses CANNOT be sold, auctioned, or given away under any circumstances
    Our agreement states that our organization reserves the right to make scheduled visits
    Our agreement states that adopters/purchasers can return a horse to our organization for a fee
    Our agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for one year
    Our agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for two years
    None of the statements are included.

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

Not Checked:
Not applicable or no references required.

Transfer of ownership occurs:   Immediately (at the time of adoption/purchase)

The average equine re-homing (adoption/purchase) fee received by your organization:
Over $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:
    Horses remain at our organization for their lifetimes
    In the case a horse is unmanageable and demonstrates repeated dangerous behaviors, the horse may be euthanized
    In the case a horse is unsound and/or unhealthy and cannot be treated to relieve suffering, the horse may be euthanized

Not Checked:
    Horses may be found suitable homes by our organization
    Horses may be returned to their owners
    Horses may be sent to auction
    If a suitable home cannot be located within 12 months, the horse may be euthanized

Additional information about our rehoming policies and practices:
We have never had a horse come back to our facility from an adopter. We feel very grateful that the horses we have adopted out are in great homes, and we receive frequent updates.
View Re-homing Agreement

EQUINE CARE & SHELTER/FACILITY INFORMATION

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

Our organization has the following policies and procedures in place pertaining to foster, overflow and/or satellite facilities:
Not Applicable. Our organization does not use foster, overflow and/or satellite facilities

EQUINE CENSUS SUMMARY

Total Facilities: 1

Total number of horses involved with your programs on January 1, 2020
PLUS: Horse Intake during 2020
Donated
Free Lease
Purchase/Adoption from Owner
Auction
Kill Pen/Feedlot
Surrendered
Seized
Abandoned
Returned
Transfer
Born at facility
Total intakes
LESS: Horse Departure during 2020
Horses adopted/sold:
Horses transferred/returned
Horses deceased
Horses euthanized
0 Total departures
Number of horses involved with your programs on December 31, 2020
Total number of active horses (not retired) including
horses undergoing rehabilitation and/or retraining.
Total number of horses permanently retired.

Summary: on 1/1/2020+ Intakes - 0 Departures = on 12/31/2020

Definitions:
Donation: The ownership and custody of the equine is transferred to the organization by its owner/trainer/responsible agent utilizing a donation document.
Free Lease: The ownership of the equine is maintained by the owner/trainer/responsible agent; the custody and responsibility for the shelter and care of the equine is transferred to the organization utilizing a free lease document.
Owner Purchase/Adoption: The ownership and custody of the equine is transferred to the organization by its owner/trainer/responsible agent utilizing a purchase or adoption document.
Auction: The ownership and custody of the equine is transferred to the organization by acquiring the equine at an auction.
Kill Pen: The ownership and custody of the equine is transferred to the organization by acquiring the equine from a kill pen.
Surrender (Hardship): The ownership and custody of the equine is relinquished to the organization by its owner/trainer/responsible agent with or without the use of an intake document.
Seizure: The ownership and custody of the equine is transferred to the organization as a result of the equine being seized by law enforcement or another agency and removed from the owner.
Abandonment: The ownership and custody of the equine is transferred to the organization as a result of the equine being abandoned by the owner or the owner was unable to be located.
Return: The equine was previously a part of the organization, was adopted, and ownership and custody of the equine has been transferred back to the organization.
Transfer: The custody of the equine is transferred within an organization or from one organization to another non-profit or foster organization to provide retirement, retraining, rehabilitation and/or adoption services with no change in ownership.
Born: The equine was born at the facility.

Foal: An equine up to one year old; a colt is a male foal and a filly is a female foal.
Mare: A female equine.
Stallion: A male equine that has not been castrated.
Gelding: A castrated male equine.