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.

Are we the next chapter for your horse?

Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center
Redmond, WA

Seeking Program Horses



Location: The equine will be located at Dunmire Stables, 18675 NE 106th St, Redmond, WA 98052


Click on photo to view larger image


More about where will the equine be located?


Close X     
Total acreage dedicated specifically to the horses: 9
The organization has use of the following at this facility:
Structures/Barns: 1  Run-in sheds: 35
Pastures: 4  Paddocks/Pens/Turnout Areas: 39
Uncovered Outdoor Rings: 1  Covered Outdoor Rings: 1
Indoor Rings: 2

Horses have assigned stalls in the structure(s).
Horses are stalled for 13-16 hours per day, on average.
Horse Turn Out Practices:
    Equines are out 4 to 8 hours per day
    Equines are out 9 to 15 hours per day

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

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




Acquisition, Breeding, Intake & Training Policies


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

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
    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
    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
    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 trained staff member upon arrival
    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)
    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
    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
    Seasonal impact on the equines' workload and weight-carrying capabilities and limitations


Additional information about intake, assessment & training policies and practices:
When we are looking for new horses for our therapeutic riding program, we are looking for sound, healthy, well cared for horses that can be successful in our program. Prior to a new horse coming to our property, we will first review photos and video of the horse, to check its current state of health. We will then go and visit the horse at its current location, during which time we will also check for signs of health of the horse. Prior to coming to the site, the current owner of the horse must provide information on the horse's vaccination record, deworming schedule, and other health/veterinary records as requested. These are reviewed. Should the horse's medical records not be up to date or available, the horse will not be allowed onto our property. We have the capacity to quarantine horses on property, by isolating a stall and/or paddock should one of our horses be suspect or be known to come down with an illness, for example a virus that may pose a risk to the rest of the herd. This would be set up as needed and following the advice of our veterinary team. As of July 2022, we have implemented a seven-day quarantine practice for new horses. Horses arriving at our facility will be sound and in good condition so as to be viable horses for supporting our programs. Before arriving, they are checked for their body condition to make sure they are in a healthy range, but we do not formally assign a body condition score at that time. The Henneke Body Condition scoring system includes specific schedules that do not align to our process. We tape and measure our horses and check their body conditions four times per year. This schedule is not determined by the date of arrival. This is performed by our Equine Nutritional Advisor and is used to provide quantitative information used for tracking our horses' conditions and weights. The following policy is included in our Equine Standards of Care Statement: Horses must be provided with a diet to maintain proper body condition or weight to ensure a body condition score of a minimum of 4, with an ideal range of 4.5-5.5, unless a medical condition or old age is confirmed by a veterinarian to prevent this, despite adequate nutrition.

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.


Re-homing Policies


Close X     
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 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 re-homed equines cannot be bred


The organization requires references from the following:
    Not applicable or no references required.

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:
Once a decision is made to retire a horse from the program, care will be taken to place that horse in a suitable home with knowledgeable individuals able to provide appropriate care. Finding that home will take priority over selling the horse. Horses may be rehomed for $1 if this is the best option.
     
     Should physical or behavioral issues dictate that a horse cannot safely be rehomed, Little Bit will determine if placement in a full care facility with frequent staff visits, or humane euthanasia is most appropriate. Horses retired from the program will not be taken to any type of auction.

View Re-homing Agreement

Equine Retirement and Euthanasia Policies


Close X     
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



More About Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center


Close X     
Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center
18675 NE 106th St
Redmond WA 98052
425-882-1554
Last Updated 2024-08-06

Public Charity

Mission/How we are involved with horses:
Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center is a community where horses transform the bodies, minds, and spirits of people with disabilities. Our purpose is to help participants build skills for independence, improve daily functioning, and overcome physical and emotional health challenges.


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 does not provide 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.



EIN: 91-1012131
Founded: 1976

Equine Welfare Network Guardian
2024

View our WEBSITE

View our GUIDESTAR PROFILE

View our EQUINE WELFARE NETWORK PROFILE

View our PHOTO GALLERY





Make An Inquiry





548/416/475


© Copyright 2018 EQUUS Foundation  |  Contact Us Here