MISSION & PROGRAMS
Mission:We are Colorado Horse Rescue, and we are building a better future for horses. We see it. We believe in it. And we are here to make it happen. As a 501(c)(3) impact organization operating in Colorado since 1986, we work to continuously reimagine what’s possible and create a reality where safe solutions exist for every horse.
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:
Re-Homing Program – CHR is often a horse owner’s last chance when faced with illness, foreclosure, divorce, natural disaster, job loss, or the inevitability of old age and death. CHR eases the pain by giving the owner peace of mind in knowing their beloved horse will have a second opportunity to find a loving home. CHR welcomed 49 re-homed horses from private owners in 2022.
Field Rescue Program - As resources and space allow, CHR saves viable horses in the community from dangerous situations. Some circumstances where CHR intervenes include: purchasing horses at auction, buying from private owners on Craigslist and other online sources, and networking with other local rescues to bring at-risk horses to safety. CHR also facilitates the surrender of horses referred by Animal Control due to owner neglect and abandonment. In 2022, CHR rescued 162 horses from auction and 4 others from various field sources.
Training Program – CHR’s training program works to directly rehabilitate our horses so that each one may be placed in an adoptive home. As horses are admitted to CHR, they undergo an evaluation, and a plan is formed to fill in the gaps in their education. This positive reinforcement training experience refamiliarizes or introduces our horses to kind and fair handling as they learn ground manners, trailer loading, and skills under saddle. In 2022, 1,714 training sessions were delivered to 125 unique horses.
Adoption Program – CHR is dedicated to swiftly placing horses into well-vetted adoptive homes. With every horse we adopt to a loving family, we can help another one in need. Potential adopters are carefully screened via an application, interview process, and home visit. Potential adopters are precisely matched to a horse suited to meet their needs and skill level to help ensure long-term partnerships. In 2022, 49 horses were adopted from CHR into qualified, loving homes.
Foster Program – This program allows screened foster families to care for CHR horses off-site, thus alleviating some of the financial burdens for CHR and allowing us to help more horses in need. Often a foster family falls in love with their new family member and decides to adopt. In 2020, CHR created an innovative “Forever Foster” program that enables harder-to-place horses to find their homes faster. CHR partners with the Forever Foster families in the continued care of their horse through the end of life. In 2022, 18 horses were maintained in quality foster homes, and 16 horses entered new foster homes.
Education – CHR offers a variety of monthly educational clinics to the community, focusing on responsible horse ownership and natural horsemanship training techniques. In 2022, CHR offered 23 educational clinics to the community regarding responsible horse ownership, impacting over 188 horse owners or potential owners.
Leg Up Program – CHR provides assistance to committed horse owners in the community who are temporarily struggling financially. We provide hay, veterinary assistance, and property rebuild support. For some families, this funding is the support they need to get through a difficult time and avoid having to surrender their horse. CHR increased this funding in the wake of the pandemic and record-breaking wildfires in Colorado. In 2022, CHR supported 7 horses by providing crisis assistance to their families so they could overcome tough transitions without having to re-home their beloved horse(s).
Companion Connection - Every horse will one day fall into the non-rideable, companion-only category. There is a never-ending supply of these horses. Unfortunately, the reality for most horses in America is that when they are no longer rideable, they are viewed as less valuable than their riding counterparts. Because of this industry-wide perception, horses will pass through multiple owners in their lifetime. And every time a horse changes hands, that horse is at risk of landing in unsafe or unkind hands. Or, in the worst-case scenario, on a truck bound for slaughter for human consumption.
CHR is passionate about taking care of these horses who have given so much over their lives. Our new Companion Connection program was formed to directly address the challenges facing non-riding horses by finding permanent, safe solutions for each individual more efficiently.
Community Outreach and/or Public Education:
Overview of our programs involved with providing community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses:
CHR offers monthly educational clinics to the community with a focus on natural horsemanship. CHR increases and diversifies community engagement by offering clinics focused on equine art and equine photography. In addition to practical horse handling techniques, CHR offers topics like, “From Purchase to Performance”, which teaches individuals about responsible horse ownership and the costs of owning a horse. Colorado State University’s top Veterinarians also present lectures covering the latest medical information. In 2020, CHR adapted to the challenges of the pandemic to offer a combination of in-person and virtual educational clinics and adoption showcases to the community regarding responsible horse ownership, impacting over 500 horse owners or potential owners.
Along with the Boulder Office of Emergency Management and Colorado Horse Rescue, we provide free trailer loading/disaster preparedness clinics for the public to expand on their knowledge of emergency alert and warning systems, disaster preparedness and planning, and take an in-depth look at equine behavior while having the opportunity to work on your trailer loading skills. The workshop provides a strong foundation of the knowledge and skills that can be made useful in various types of disasters that we face in Boulder County.
CHR hopes to alleviate the unwanted horse issue by educating individuals on the responsibilities of horse ownership and providing them with the tools to manage their horses in order to achieve life-long partnerships.
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):
Purchase/Adoption from Owner
Auction
Return
Surrender
Seizure
Abandonment
Our organization does not acquire horses/equines from the following source(s):
Donation
Lease
Kill pen/Feedlot
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:
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:
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 not taken on trial
Not Checked:
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
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
Not Checked:
Physical examination by trained barn staff
The equine is scanned to check for a microchip
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
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:
10 to 20 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
Jumping
Driving (Pulling a carriage)
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:
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
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
Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine massage therapist
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):
2-3 times per week
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
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
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
Adopters/purchasers are NOT required to provide updates
Not Checked:
Our organization does NOT re-home an equine to first time equine owners
Potential adopters/purchasers are encouraged to do a short-term, on-site foster with the equine
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 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 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 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 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 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 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:
$1,001 to $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:
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
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
Not Checked:
Equines may remain at our organization for their lifetimes
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
Additional information about our rehoming policies and practices:
Transfer of Ownership happens at 3 month check. (required to check one above so picked closest applicable answer)
Our organization "requires that re-homed equines be returned to the organization should the adopters no longer wish to, or cannot, care for the equines."