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Ridin' High, Inc.
Morristown, TN

Draft Cross or Haflinger Needed for Mounted Therapeutic Riding Program



We are looking for a quiet, tolerate, sound small draft cross (16 hh or under), stocky quarter horse or Haflinger for an established, well-run therapeutic riding center near Knoxville, TN. We follow best practices in caring for our horses and ensure quality of life (from a horse perspective). The horse should be sound, quiet, tolerant, and able to work at a walk & trot with and without a leader. Prefer geldings and younger than 15 years old, but flexible for the correct horse. Care lease and donation options are available (with solid contract and visitation rights).

Location: The equine will be located at Ridin' High, Inc., 5722 Long Creek Road, Morristown, TN 37813


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More about where will the equine be located?


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Total acreage dedicated specifically to the horses: 13
The organization has use of the following at this facility:
Structures/Barns: 1  Run-in sheds: 5
Pastures: 4  Paddocks/Pens/Turnout Areas: 4
Uncovered Outdoor Rings: 0  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 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:
    This facility has a written plan in place for pasture management, which includes guidelines for seeding, fertilizing, irrigation, mowing, dragging, harrowing, manure removal, removal of debris, the control of poisonous plants, and a schedule for cleaning
    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




Acquisition, Breeding, Intake & Training Policies


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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

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 for 60 or more days
    The trial period may be reduced based on the equine's progress
    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

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
    Bathing
    Clipping
    Tolerance to multiple handlers at the same time

Following arrival at the facility, the following is performed:
    Physical examination to include temperature, pulse and respiration 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
    Physical examination by a farrier
    Coggins test
    Vaccinations
    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 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:
Horses are field evaluated by a knowledgeable group, including staff members, experienced (adult) volunteers, and horse-savvy board members. Horses subsequently accepted are on a 90-day trial period, during which the staff and experienced volunteers evaluate and train the horse (under the supervision of the riding director). Normally, the horse is trained 4-5 days/week during this period. As soon as sufficient evaluation / training has been completed, the horse is accepted into the program. This typically takes much less than 90 days.

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


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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
    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
    Potential adopters/purchasers are encouraged to do a short-term, on-site foster with the equine
    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


The organization requires references from the following:
    Veterinarian
    Farrier
    Personal/Other

Transfer of ownership occurs:   After 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 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:
We are extremely careful about rehoming any of our therapy horses and do everything in our power to ensure they have a safety net of a lifetime, verified home. We ONLY use the following ways of rehoming a horse:
     
     --Placing the horse back with the owner who donated him/her in the first place (as long as the owner has the financial means and verified ability to care for the horse long-term).
     
     --Retirement/rehoming the equine with a horse-experienced member of the staff or adult volunteer who has a suitable home as well as finances to potentially keep the horse for life. There is a contract in this situation and we always know the person extremely well. (Contracts may stipulate immediate transfer of ownership or after a year.) Additionally, this is typically a person who has been involved with our program long-term and has 'fallen in love' with the horse. In a sense, this constitutes a foster trial period at our facility. Additionally, if the person's life situation changes (post-placement) and they are unable to care for the horse, we place the horse in a similar home or bring the horse back to our facility.
     
     --Retirement at our facility. We are limited in space and resources to do this routinely, but we have had a 31-year old mustang who was retired. She was an outstanding therapy horse and had a sponsor for her care until the time she passed from natural causes.
     
     --Donation (with contract) to another PATH nonprofit EAS program. We have strong relationships with other programs in our area and have placed horses with them who are more suitable for their program than ours.

View Re-homing Agreement

Equine Retirement and Euthanasia Policies


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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 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 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

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:
At Ridin' High we follow AAEP Guidelines for euthanasia. We will ONLY euthanize a horse if the horse is in ongoing, severe pain, the prognosis is extremely poor, and after all reasonable treatment options have been attempted. We treasure our therapy horses, and they are considered valuable members of our 'Ridin' High' community. They are well-loved. Any decision to euthanize a horse would be made after multiple consultations with our veterinary team, staff members, board of directors, and other knowledgeable horse persons. We would have to be convinced that we had exhausted all the reasonable medical options and that euthanasia was the kind and responsible thing to do. (Note: Over the past 10 years, only two horses have had to be euthanized.)



More About Ridin' High, Inc.


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Ridin' High, Inc.
5722 Long Creek Road
Morristown TN 37813
865-898-3316
Last Updated 2024-07-06

Public Charity

Mission/How we are involved with horses:
The purpose of Ridin' High, Inc. Therapeutic Riding Program is to promote the well-being, functional abilities, and personal development of persons with physical, emotional, or cognitive challenges through participation in Equine Assisted Services, subject to the consent of the participant's medical advisors or other appropriate professional counsel. We provide mounted therapeutic riding, and equine assisted services that include equine assisted learning.


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 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: 62-1752021
Founded: 1993

Equine Welfare Network Guardian
2024

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