EQUUS Foundation

MISSION & PROGRAMS

Mission:
Mission Statement: Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes criminally abused, neglected and abandoned equine and farm animals.
     Rescue – working in cooperation with law enforcement and county humane organizations, we provide our service to Ohio and any state beyond requesting assistance.
     Rehabilitation – providing the veterinary attention, nutrition and maintenance care and nurture to each animal who enters the sanctuary.
     Re-home – networking to find loving and forever homes for each animal based on the best match of people, personalities and facilities.

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.
68%% 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:
     Rescue – working in cooperation with law enforcement and county humane organizations, we provide our service to Ohio and any state beyond requesting assistance.

     Rehabilitation – providing the veterinary attention, nutrition and maintenance care and nurture to each animal who enters the sanctuary.

     Re-home – networking to find loving and forever homes for each animal based on the best match of people, personalities and facilities.

     Happy Trails handles the recovery and rehabilitation of the rescued animals, and also provides educational and community outreach programs. Since its creation in 2000, Happy Trails has accepted responsibility for the rehabilitation, daily care, veterinary and other health care expenses, retraining and re-homing of more than 3,000 farm animals and horses. Happy Trails has several equine (horse) specific programs, which include the Amish Horse Initiative, Owner Relinquish Initiative , Another Trot and the Pasture Pals Program. In these programs, horses are rehabilitated appropriately and adopted out accordingly so that they may live out the remainder of their lives comfortably. In 2018, Happy Trails brought on a dedicated Equine Placement Coordinator to honor our commitment to rescuing and re-homing equine.

Community Outreach and/or Public Education:

Overview of our programs involved with providing community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses:
     Happy Trails Ambassadors travel with human staff to visit nursing homes and schools and make special appearances at community events. Our popular, tried-and-true program helps teach people about compassion for animals by sharing their messages of hope and healing.

     In the past, Happy Trails has partnered with Coleman Professional Services to create a mental health recovery program for victims of emotional trauma. The program provided animal education and correlates mental illness and abuse to animal abuse. Participants in the program developed meaningful connections with the animals, in turn helping them build confidence, develop trust and begin the process of healing.
     Happy Trails hosts an annual Open House, which has an attendance of approximately 700 visitors.

     Additionally, Happy Trails attends community events such as Equine Affaire in Columbus. We estimate that we are able to reach 10,000 people through these all community events annually.

     HTFAS is proud to promote our mission in full color, hard copy newsletters that are published quarterly. Our newsletters reach approximately 6,500 households via direct mail as well as thousands more when we are able to attend community events. Further promotions are distributed via social media with a total of 25,500 followers (19+K Facebook and 4+K Instagram and 2.5K on TikTok) and mass email to an email list of approximately 4,500 people.

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.

Our Programs/Activities that are not equine-related and/or involving animals other than equines:
Our organization also rescues criminally neglected and abused farm animals. So, in addition to equine, we also rescue, rehabilitate and re-home cows, sheep, goats, chickens, alpacas, and pigs (farm and potbelly).

POLICIES: ACQUISITION

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

Our organization does not acquire horses/equines from the following source(s):
    Lease

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:
Vaccination records that have been administered within the last 12 months
If health records are not available or are out-of-date, our veterinarian will administer appropriate vaccinations

Not Checked:
    A current Coggins
    If health records are not available or are out-of-date, the owner is responsible for having vaccinations administered.
    A health certificate signed by a veterinarian and dated no more than seven days prior to arrival attesting to the health status of the equine is provided to our organization either prior to or upon arrival of the equine

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

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

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
    Physical examination by a dentist
    Coggins test
    Blood work other than Coggins
    Fecal test
    Vaccinations
    De-worming
    The equine is scanned to check for a microchip
    The equine is microchipped if the scan indicates that there is no microchip

Not Checked:

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

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

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
    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

Not Checked:
Jumping
Driving (Pulling a carriage)

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
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine chiropractor
    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

Not Checked:
    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
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine acupuncturist

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

Not Checked:
Our organization does not evaluate the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden
No equines are ridden; not applicable

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

Not Checked:
    Temperature and/or weather conditions
    Seasonal impact on the equines' workload and weight-carrying capabilities and limitations
    Our organization does not evaluate the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden
    No equines are ridden; not applicable

Horses provided formal training (groundwork or riding): As needed; no set schedule

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.
The facility or facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, are permitted to house stallions

Not Checked:
The facility or facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, breeds equines

Additional information about our breeding policies and practices:
All stallions are gelded prior to rehoming.

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
    Euthanasia is done at the veterinarian's facility
    Disposal of the carcass is handled within 24 hours

Not Checked:
Our organization will never have a healthy equine euthanized 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

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

Not Checked:
    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
    The distance of a potential adopter/purchaser's home from our facility is a consideration for when re-homing an equine
    Potential adopters/purchasers are encouraged to do a short-term, on-site foster with the equine
    Adopters/purchasers are NOT required to provide updates

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 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 adopters/purchasers can return an equine to our organization free of charge

Not Checked:
    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 re-homed equines CANNOT be sold, adopted, transferred, auctioned, released, given away, or otherwise placed into the possession of another individual or organization under any circumstances.
    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 our organization reserves the right to make scheduled visits
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers can return an equine to our organization for a fee
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for one year
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for two years
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for three or more years
    None of the statements are included.
    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 does not have the authority to transfer ownership and/or does not own any of the equines involved with our programs.

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) or less than one year

The average equine re-homing (adoption/purchase) fee received by your organization:
$201 to $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:
    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

Not Checked:
    Equines may be sent to auction
    If a suitable home cannot be located within 12 months, the equine may be euthanized
    If a suitable home cannot be located, and space is not available for the equine to remain at the organization, the organization will secure a suitable home for the equine and accept financial responsibility for the lifetime of the equine

Additional information about our rehoming policies and practices:
Our agreement states: Adopter agrees to not transfer the adopted animal on to another party without the prior written permission of HTFAS for a term of six (6) months. Adopter agrees they are in no way connected and will have no contact with defendant of the cruelty/neglect case under which this animal was surrendered. Upon successful completion of a term of adoption ending six (6) months from the date of adoption, Adopter is awarded sole legal ownership and custody at which time ownership can be transferred if desired.