MISSION & PROGRAMS
Mission:Hope's Legacy is an all-breed rescue working to save equines from a variety of situations including abuse, abandonment, neglect, slaughter or lack of care. We provide equine rescue regardless of age or disability. We strive to give equines a second chance at life and being loved. These equines will be rehabilitated and placed in adoptive homes whenever possible. We work with youth groups with the goal of preventing future rescue situations.
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:
Since 2008, Hope's Legacy has rescued 600 equines throughout Virginia. We assist law enforcement in seizure cases and private citizens who can no longer care for their equines due to financial, aging or health reasons. Our current capacity is 55 horses. We are a volunteer-based organization with 2 full-time employees, 3 part-time employees, and 85 very active and talented volunteers. They do everything from feed, groom and muck to building projects, .
Four of our key volunteers are part of the Hope's Legacy Leadership Team. They help schedule volunteers, run our internal Equine Enrichment Program, help with outreach to the public, and give insight on improvements to running the Rescue.
In 2019 two of our lead volunteers began the Equine Enrichment Program (EEP). This has become a very important part of rehabilitation of our equines, and we now have 11 experienced horse people on the EEP Team. Every horse and donkey who enters Hope's Legacy is assessed by the EEP Team. Can you put a halter on the equine? Is it rideable? Does it understand ground commands? A work plan is mapped out for that animal at their level. We are finding an engaged equine is happier, safer, and much more adoptable. Through the work of the EEP Team we have reduced our average stay from 202 days in 2019, to 165 days in 2020, to 116 days in 2021. Working so closely with the animals and keeping good records gives the Team an excellent base of information to share with potential adopters, and great matches are resulting.
In 2021 Hope's Legacy started our bi-annual Animal Control Officers Open House. 105 law enforcement agencies in Virginia are invited to a hands on workshop, teaching them how to halter, how to recognize poor body condition, and information is provided for them to take with in their trucks. Attendance is increasing. Officers receive CEU's for attending.
In 2020 Hope's Legacy Equine Rescue achieved accreditation with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. This was an extensive, rigorous process where our horse care and operations were examined by site inspectors and TAA administrators. Hope's Legacy will re-accredited in 2022. We have also received accreditation from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
Community Outreach and/or Public Education:
Overview of our programs involved with providing community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses:
Books at the Barn, launched in 2019, was our first formal outreach program. Children 6- to 14-years of age come to Castle Rock Farm, learn about horse rescue, horses and donkeys, and read to the animals. We partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters for this program, but it is open to all children. In 2021 we hosted 55 children and their parents/guardians/Bigs, and one special group of at-risk teenaged girls. The program is scheduled three times a year during 2023, with a limit of 10 children per session.
We have 2 Animal Control Officer Open Houses scheduled April and October 2023. Basic horse-handling, body scoring and helpful contact information and reference guides are provided.
Hope's Legacy launched a youth Horsemanship Program in 2022. We are inviting 12 children for this pilot program, based on 4H curriculum, on how to properly care for your horse on the ground.
We are hosting our 5th annual Hoofin' It for Horses 5K and Open House October 7, 2023, which will include a self-guided farm tour and introduction to our residents. We are also hosting an Open House in May 2023 which also includes self-guided tours during a 4 hour period. Our open houses are a great way to introduce potential volunteers and donors to our organization.
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):
Donation
Return
Surrender
Seizure
Abandonment
Our organization does not acquire horses/equines from the following source(s):
Lease
Purchase/Adoption from Owner
Auction
Kill pen/Feedlot
Our organization will accept the following:
Geldings
Mares
Pregnant Mares
Foals
Stallions
Not Checked:
Only Stallions to be castrated
Additional information about our acquisition policies and practices:
Stallions are castrated after the quarantine period is up, unless there is a life-threatening condition or age-related reason not to castrate.
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, our veterinarian will administer appropriate vaccinations
Not Checked:
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:
Equines are not taken on trial
Not Checked:
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
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
Blood work other than Coggins
Fecal test
Vaccinations
De-worming
The equine is scanned to check for a microchip
Not Checked:
Physical examination by a dentist
The equine is microchipped if the scan indicates that there is no microchip
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 equine is confined to a designated and separate area for isolation and quarantine
off-site for a prescribed period of time
Not Checked:
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
Tolerance to multiple handlers at the same time
Not Checked:
Jumping
Driving (Pulling a carriage)
Clipping
Our organization has the following policies and procedures in place pertaining to the ongoing assessment of horses in its care:
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
Physical examination by a veterinarian at least annually
Not Checked:
The Henneke Body Condition score or other body conditioning score is updated at least annually
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 nutritionist
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
Temperature and/or weather conditions
Seasonal impact on the equines' workload and weight-carrying capabilities and limitations
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
Horses provided formal training (groundwork or riding):
Weekly
Additional information about our intake, assessment & training policies and practices:
An Owner Surrender form is completed upon intake. The owner is interviewed by our Executive Director exploring the reasons for surrender, prior to picking up the equine.
Hope's Legacy also accepts animals seized through Animal Control Agencies.
Hope's Legacy has an in-house Equine Enrichment Program team who evaluate and work with all of our horses and donkeys at Castle Rock Farm. This work can range from handling the horse and doing daily care to riding the horse in a round pen.
Rideable horses can go to a professional trainer for 1- to 3-months of training. This includes restarting and refining riding skills.
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.
Not Checked:
The facility or facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, breeds equines
The facility or facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, are permitted to house stallions
Additional information about our breeding policies and practices:
All incoming stallions are gelded immediately after quarantine upon entering the Rescue.
All males born into the Rescue are gelded at 6 months.
Our adoption contract specifies mares are not to be bred.
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
Not Checked:
Our organization will never have a healthy equine euthanized under any circumstances
Euthanasia is done at the veterinarian's facility
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 AgreementOur 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 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
Not Checked:
Our organization does NOT re-home an equine to first time equine owners
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
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 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 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
Not Checked:
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 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
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
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 returned to their owners
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