Safe Landings is an EQUUS Foundation service to connect riding programs in need of program horses with rescue and transition centers as well as owners with horses in need of a next chapter.

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Shepard Meadows Equestrian Center
BRISTOL, CT

Therapeutic Riding Horses Wanted



We are seeking a Horse that meets the following criteria:
Age Range:
Aged 6-9  Aged 10-14  Aged 15-20  

Gender:
Geldings  Mares  

Size Preference:
Small Horse (14.3 to 15.3h) Large Horse (16.0 to 16.3h)

Breeds we will NOT consider:
Age 8-20.

Temperament:
Between 14.2 and 16.1 hands. No vices, excellent attitude, sound at walk/trot/(canter)

Activities that the equine will be expected to perform:
    English Walk Only
    English Walk/Trot
    English Walk/Trot/Canter
    Horsemanship (grooming, tacking up & handling by individuals with disabilities)
    Unmounted activities including handling when at liberty in a round pen or arena
    Being lunged with a rider
    Trail riding

Other Activities:
Riding - Working on lead with sidewalkers. Working safely off lead with beginner riders.

Current/former experience/training which could make the equine suitable for your program:
    Dressage
    English Pleasure
    Trail Riding
    Western Dressage
    Western Pleasure

Other Experience/Training:
Former lesson or show horse a plus. Safety is number 1.

The organization has the following policies about horses who are sound and healthy but have the following chronic conditions that require medication:
Lyme Disease: Accept with financial assistance for medication
Cushing's Disease: Accept with financial assistance for medication
Thyroid Disease: Accept with financial assistance for medication
Navicular Disease: Accept with financial assistance for medication
Inflammation: Not Accept


Location: The equine will be located at Shepard Meadows Equestrian Center, 733 Hill Street, BRISTOL, CT 06010


Click on photo to view larger image


More about where will the equine be located?


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Total acreage dedicated specifically to the horses: 20
The organization has use of the following at this facility:
Structures/Barns: 4  Run-in sheds: 2
Pastures: 2  Paddocks/Pens/Turnout Areas: 6
Uncovered Outdoor Rings: 1  Covered Outdoor Rings: 1
Indoor Rings: 0

Horses have assigned stalls in the structure(s).
Horses are stalled for 1-3; hours per day, on average.
Horse Turn Out Practices:
    Equines are out 16+ hours per day
    Equines are out 24/7 except when they are being trained
    Equines are out 24/7 except when they are used for the conduct of the organization's programs

The following describes the pastures at this facility:
    A dedicated staff person(s) is responsible for pasture management
    All pastures are fenced to prevent escape or injury
    Fencing checks, such as broken or missing planks, loose fence posts, exposed or loose nails, detached wires, etc., are done regularly
    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
    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


Horses have access to clean drinking water at all times

Hoof care is provided for each horse: Every 4-8 weeks and when an issue arises

Dental care is provided for each horse: Annually and when an issue arises

Each horse is visually and physically checked by personnel at the facility: Every day or 6 days a week




Acquisition, Breeding, Intake & Training Policies


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The organization requires the following with respect to the health status of the equine prior to acceptance and arrival at the organization:
    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
    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

The organization has the following policies in place prior to an equine being accepted and/or arriving at the facility:
    The owner of a potential equine is interviewed over the phone or in person prior to seeing the equine
    The equine is evaluated at its place of residence
    The owner completes an application/contract which constitutes the agreement between the owner and our organization
    The owner is financially responsible for the shipping of the equine to and from the organization
    Equines are on trial up to 60 days
    The trial period may be reduced based on the equine's progress
    During the trial period, the organization accepts total financial responsibility for the care of the equine, including board, feed, shoeing and any necessary veterinary care
    The trial period may be terminated by either the organization or the owner for any reason

The organization assesses equines 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
    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

Following arrival at the facility, the following is performed:
    Physical examination by a veterinarian upon arrival
    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
    Vaccinations
    The equine is confined to a designated and separate area for isolation and quarantine at the facility for a prescribed period of 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
    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
    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

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

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)
    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


Additional information about intake, assessment & training policies and practices:
Horses are required to have all proper immunizations including Coggins BEFORE coming to the property. This includes a health certificate, all current vaccinations, dental care, de-worming. Prior to transport to the farm several visits may have been taken to evaluate a horse for our program including body condition. If professional staff feel there is any question about a horse, our veterinarian would be called pre-transport for a professional opinion, or after arrival to the farm. All horses are evaluated annually by our veterinarian, usually in the spring.

The organization has the following policies related to breeding and stallions:
    Our main facility where our organization conducts its programs does NOT breed equines.


Re-homing Policies


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Rehoming
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 does NOT re-home an equine to first time equine owners
    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
    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 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 be notified of the name, address, and telephone number 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.
    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 scheduled visits
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers can return an equine to our organization free of charge


The organization requires references from the following:
    Personal/Other

Transfer of ownership occurs:   Immediately (at the time of adoption/purchase) or less than one year

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:
    Equines may remain at our organization for their lifetimes
    Equines may be found suitable homes by our organization
    Equines may be returned to their owners
    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


Additional information about rehoming policies and practices:
It is rare that we would need to rehome a horse. Previous owners have first rights, and free-leased horses are returned to their owners. Horses that have served the organization for some time, are free to retire here (we currently have a 34 year old enjoying her well-deserved retirement). If it did become necessary, we would not advertise, but seek to place the horse with an individual already connected with our organization, such as an employee or volunteer that we know quite well. Alternatively we might place a horse at a retirement facility and assume full financial responsibility along with annual visits.

View Re-homing Agreement

Equine Retirement and Euthanasia Policies


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The 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:
    Equines may remain at our organization for their lifetimes
    Equines may be found suitable homes by our organization
    Equines may be returned to their owners
    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 the following policies related to euthanasia:
    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
    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 the organization in accordance with state laws:
    Veterinarian



More About Shepard Meadows Equestrian Center


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Shepard Meadows Equestrian Center
733 Hill Street
BRISTOL CT 06010
860-314-0007
Last Updated 2023-07-18

Public Charity

Mission/How we are involved with horses:
Our mission is to support the growth and well-being of all individuals, including those with special needs by providing Equine Assisted Services (EAS) in a safe, caring and professional environment.


Primary Focus involving horses (Horse Welfare, Public Service, Sport & Recreation):  Public Service
The organization is directly responsible for the care and shelter of equines involved in the organization's programs.

The organization conducts Equine Assisted Services (EAS) in accordance with the EQUUS Foundation Guidelines on Qualifications of Organizations Conducting Equine-Assisted Services (EAS)).

The organization provides community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses.

Over 90% of our total programs and services are equine-related.

The organization conducts its horse-related programs at one facility.

The organization operates programs involved with horses and other animals.



EIN: 32-0155596
Founded: 2004

Equine Welfare Network Guardian
2023

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