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Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center
Windham, ME
Program Horses Wanted
Location: The equine will be located at Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center, 14 Lilac Dr., Windham, ME 04062
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Total acreage dedicated specifically to the horses: 15
The organization has use of the following at this facility:
Structures/Barns: 1 Run-in sheds: 7
Pastures: 3 Paddocks/Pens/Turnout Areas: 8
Uncovered Outdoor Rings: 2 Covered Outdoor Rings: 0
Indoor Rings: 1
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 9 to 15 hours per day
Equines are out 16+ hours per day
Equines are out 24/7
Equines are out 24/7 except they are brought in to feed
Equines are out 24/7 except they are brought in if there is inclement weather
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
Electric fencing is used; electric wires or tape fence are visibly marked
Fencing checks, such as broken or missing planks, loose fence posts, exposed or loose nails, detached wires, etc., are done regularly
Pastures are rotated
Pastures have natural protection for equines (i.e., trees)
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
Electric fencing is used; electric wires or tape fence are visibly marked
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
Clean, potable water is available at all times for all equines, or if not at all times, at least twice daily
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
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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 when the equine is acquired from the equine's owner other than by purchase from an auction or kill pen, or by seizure or by abandonment
Equines are on trial for up to 30 days
Equines are on trial up to 60 days
Equines are on trial for 60 or more 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
During the trial period, the organization accepts financial responsibility for the care of the equine, including board, feed, shoeing and any necessary veterinary care, up to a fixed amount agreed upon by the organization and the owner
During the trial period, the owner/donor is financially responsible 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
Driving (Pulling a carriage)
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
Following arrival at the facility, the following is performed:
Physical examination to include temperature, pulse, respiration and body condition score by a veterinarian upon arrival
Physical examination to include temperature, pulse, respiration and body condition score by a trained staff member upon arrival
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
Fecal test
De-worming
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 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 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)
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
Additional information about intake, assessment & training policies and practices:
In several of the sections above, we checked off seemingly contradictory statements. This is because our trial period agreement may be tailored to the individual horse/owner situation re: length of trial and RTT covering the costs of care versus the owner. This often depends on the horse's most recent work history and whether we anticipate needing a longer period of time to get a horse into shape for our programs. Either a health certificate or an examination by our vet occurs with any new acquisitions/trial horses.
We also require that horses coming for trial have current vaccines, Coggins and a Lyme Test before coming to the farm and if it is positive, the owner is responsible for the cost of treatment.
Full pre-purchase exams are conducted on any horses being purchased by RTT. Prior to horses being accepted for lease or donation our veterinarian examines them.
We have a retired equine veterinarian who is on our Board who works with our Equine Manager and Equine Care Coordinator on at least a monthly basis, reviewing Body Condition Scores for our herd to help address their nutritional needs. We take photos annually of all horses, and for some who are being more closely monitored, we take monthly photographs.
Lastly, schooling occurs 1-3 times per week depending on the horse and their needs. This may be a combination of ground and ridden work.
The organization has the following policies related to breeding and stallions:
Our organization does not conduct breeding of equines owned or under the care of our organization.
Our main facility where our organization conducts its programs does NOT breed equines.
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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
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 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 organization requires references from the following:
Veterinarian
Farrier
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:
Our placement of horses includes those who are ready for retirement from EAS or those horses who we have purchased and after a period of time (usually up to a year) we determine that they are not well suited for EAS. In the case of retirement we are committed to finding forever homes for horses who have worked so hard for our program. In this situation, we generally transfer ownership to the person who is taking over care, but on occasion, we have done this as a free lease arrangement. For horses that we have purchased, we most often will sell them to a suitable owner. In all cases, references are checked. We agree that a "free horse" is not free; however the vast majority of our placements have been to homes where the standard of care is very high and the individuals have the financial capacity to care for the adoptee and are well-known horse owners and well-known to the organization. While we do not have space to necessarily retire all horses on site, we do manage this on a case by case basis and in the event that we feel that retirement is best on site, we make this happen.
View Re-homing Agreement
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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
Euthanasia is done at the veterinarian's facility
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
Additional information about the euthanasia policies and practices:
In situations where a horse has chronic health issues that are painful or an acute situation arises (e.g. colic), consultation with our equine veterinarian will occur to discuss humane management of the horse considering pain and suffering, overall health and condition, potential for recovery, etc. In the event that pain and suffering will likely continue and/or treatment options are not prudent for the horse based on age, co-morbidities, etc., RTT will consider euthanasia in consultation with our veterinarian. In the event of a free-leased horse, this decision is made by the owner in conjunction with the veterinarian and RTT. At all times, RTT will defer to our veterinarian's recommendations re: euthanasia, including an otherwise healthy horse that is a danger to itself and/or other horses or humans.
In the event that a horse has been transported for additional work up to a veterinary hospital, the horse may be euthanized at the hospital versus at the farm if it is determined that this is best for the horse.
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Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center
14 Lilac Dr.
Windham ME 04062
207-892-2813
Last Updated 2024-08-31
Public Charity
Mission/How we are involved with horses:
Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center ("RTT") is a non profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enhancing health and wellness through equine-assisted services (EAS).
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. 100% of our total programs and services are equine-related.
The organization conducts its horse-related programs at one facility.
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EIN: 01-0482069
Founded: 1993
2024
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