Thank you for your interest in donating/leasing/selling your equine to our program. SoléAna Stables is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a PATH International Center Member. SoléAna Stables exists to inspire positive change and empower those we serve through the healing power of equines. SoléAna Stables could not do any of this wonderful work without our amazing herd of therapy equines.
The members of our equine selection committee will review your equine's application and make the best possible decision for both your equine and SoléAna Stables. While our screening process is a rigorous one, it is intended to ensure that the equines in our program are happy and comfortable in their new roles, and that the equine being considered will have the maximum impact in providing therapeutic activities to our participants. Our equines are well-cared for and loved, and have a very special purpose in life. However, they are our "equine staff" and we depend on them to be able to offer quality programming and therapy.
Note: Our equine’s work hours are tracked daily and monitored. Per PATH Intl (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship Intl) standards, they will never work more than six hours a day and are required to be given a break after three consecutive hours.
Please call if you have any questions regarding the process or if you would like to make arrangements to come and visit our facility.
SoléAna Stables seeks equines that will be helpful for years to come in our program. A helpful equine is one that is calm, healthy, sound, well trained and has excellent ground manners. Our therapy equines generally work anywhere between three-five hours a day, five days a week. They are required to patiently tolerate being handled, groomed and tacked by different people throughout the day, as well as be accepting of the many activities going on throughout a lesson. They are often surrounded by a leader, two sidewalkers and an instructor while being ridden by an unbalanced and unskilled rider, as toys are passed about the equine, and music plays in the background.
All equines considered for our program must be proven sound by submitting current medical records from your current veterinarian with your Equine Application. We may also require a video recording of your equine demonstrating the following: leading, grooming, tacking, mounting and being ridden at the walk, trot and canter in both directions so we can properly assess your equine before arranging a visit. We realize that this is a significant time investment for the owner, however, as a nonprofit funded by donations, we must be conscious of honoring our donors by using the staff time that they fund as efficiently as possible.
Once the Equine Application, medical history and video recording (if applicable) of your equine has been received, our equine selection committee will determine if a visit should be arranged. If yes, we will schedule a mutually convenient time to come out to the equine’s location. An evaluation involving grooming, tacking, leading, riding and other exposure to typical aspects of a therapeutic riding session will be performed. Usually, this evaluation lasts about an hour to an hour and a half. Someone with previous knowledge and comfort working with the equine should be available for the duration of the evaluation.
After this visit, if your equine is being considered as a purchase or donation, a pre-purchase exam will be done by a veterinarian of our choice. SoléAna Stables will cover the cost of the exam and any required x-rays. If the veterinarian concludes that the equine is sound and a good candidate for our program we will enter into our 30-day trial period. If the equine is being considered for lease only, the need for a pre-purchase exam will be determined by our Equine Manager and/or Program Manager.
Our 30-day trial period has been developed to best determine that the right equines are accepted into our program. This time may be reduced if a equine progresses quickly or if it is clear that the equine will not be a good fit. SoléAna Stables accepts financial responsibility for the board, feed and supplements during the trial period. SoléAna Stables will cover any necessary veterinary care during the trial period up to $500.00, excluding veterinary care due to pre-existing conditions The owner/donor must accept full responsibility to haul their equine to the pre-purchase exam. If the equine is a good candidate for our program, SoléAna Stables will haul the equine back to our barn after the pre-purchase exam to begin the trail period. Equine owners are always welcome to come by and visit their equine during the trial period by making an appointment during our regular business hours. Out of consideration for our staff and programming needs, unscheduled visits are not permitted.
While on trial, equines will be exposed to all common facets of our program which will include toys, balls, music, loud noises, sudden movements, wheelchairs, walkers, mounting blocks, various mounting techniques, being ridden by balanced/unbalanced riders, as well as additional sensitizing and desensitizing as needed.
The 30-day trial period agreement may be terminated by either party, for any reason, by giving 48 hours’ notice to cancel the agreement. The equine owner agrees to receive the equine back and will assume responsibility to pick up the equine. If the equine is not picked up by the owner, please read Equine Retirement/Removal from the Program to know what steps will be taken.
In certain instances, an extension to the trial period may be justified and required to ascertain the appropriateness of the equine. In this event, a new contract with a revised trial end date will be agreed upon and signed by SoléAna Stables and the owner.
After successful completion of the 30-day trial period, the equine will be accepted into the program and the final paperwork will be completed. The previous equine owner or lessor, if a lease agreement is in place, is welcome to come by and visit their equine by making an appointment during our regular business hours. Out of consideration for our staff and programming needs, unscheduled visits are not permitted.
To remain in our program, equines must be able to perform their jobs and stay helpful. Equines that are no longer helpful to the program are first offered back to their previous owner or returned to lessor, if a lease agreement is in place. If the previous owner or lessor is unable or unwilling to take back ownership of the equine, the equine may be sold to a loving home, transferred to another therapeutic facility, be sent to a quality retirement pasture or may be euthanized humanely. All decisions are made with much thought and examination as to what is best for the equine and SoléAna Stables. Possible reasons for program removal are:
Note: The information provided in this packet is not intended as legal or financial advice. It is intended to assist you in your decision to determine whether or not your equine is a good candidate for becoming a therapy equine.
| Age | 10 – 20 years of age; equines outside of this age range are considered on a case by case basis. |
| Gender | Geldings preferred, mares accepted, NO stallions. |
| Height | 14.0 – 15.2 hands high; equines over this height make sidewalking difficult; taller equines are considered on a case by case basis, but rarely fit the needs of our programming. |
| Soundness | Must be sound at the walk and trot, with a free moving, even and balanced stride. Prefer serviceably sound at the canter for schooling purposes. Although we are willing to provide maintenance (therapeutic shoeing, medications, supplements, etc), equines that will not incur this additional expense are preferred. |
| Condition | Must not be over or under weight and ideally is currently in a regular conditioning routine. Equines that come from a pasture life & are not used to be worked periodically are generally not good candidates for our program. |
| Temperament & Vices | Must be calm, quiet, and react positively to human interaction. Equine should be even-tempered, safe and predictable. Must be trustworthy while being led and when being ridden by a beginner rider. Should be not spook very often, be able to handle off balance riders, sidewalkers and items moving overhead. Must NOT rear, buck, bite, kick, pace, or crib (unless controlled with a halter). |
| Training | Must be completely saddle broke & beginner safe. SoléAna Stables is not able to accept green or untrained equine. The equine should be responsive to his rider’s cues, but not overly sensitive or overly reactive to a leg or rein cue that may not always be subtle. Should be able to stand for farrier, stand for saddling and be fine being saddled from either side. |
| Health | Up to date on all shots, deworming and Coggins. Has had teeth checked and/or floated within the last year and a farrier visit within the past 6 weeks. It will be the responsibility of the owner/donor to bring all of this up to date prior to SoléAna Stables reviewing the paperwork or considering a visit. Will be required to pass a vet check by a vet of our choice. |
