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| Our current policies have been accepted and voted upon our members. However we will be adding newer as well as updated policies in the future as needed.
Purpose
Provide equines that are in need who come to H.E.R.O.- If necessary, vet care, hoof care rehabilitation and compassion, in conjunction with consultation of a vet what is always best for the equine.
Establish and provide programs and volunteer opportunities that help to develop compassion and responsibility for all equines.
Support rescue and adoption programs in order to offer a more educated, well managed, unified approach to equine welfare.
Commitment to maintain ethical business practices and to be good stewards of donated funds.
Create awareness in communities through events and activities about abuse and neglect of equines.
Provide equines in our program ground and under saddle training to insure every chance for success in their next home, whenever financially and physically possible.
Offer educational and support services to horse owners and adopters (transportation, foster homes, training, follow up, guidance with problems, lessons and clinics for adopters and fosters).
Support state and regional officials with abuse cases by being consultants in the care and conditioning of the equine and by giving them a place to send horses that are taken from owners for abuse, neglect or abandonment.
Support equine efforts and animal rescues in times of natural disasters, when possible.
Formulate a program for equine welfare for owners who may experience financial hardships. (Horse-aid)
Provide educational clinics, training seminars, natural horsemanship methods,
Adoption Program Policies
H.E.R.O. does farm inspections before adoption and follow up visits on all our adopted horses for three years. Unfortunately, we do not have the funds or the manpower to do this properly in other states. IN addition our adoption contract is written based on North Carolina State law and may not be enforceable in other states. After three years, the adopter may be granted legal title, at the discretion of the Equine Management Team, based on the adopter's care of their adopted horse
All horses adopted from H.E.R.O. are current with their shots, coggins, trimming, de-worming and have been vetted. When adopted, copies of all medical records or history that we have for each horse, will be given to the adopter and routine vaccines, dental exams, feet trimming are expected to be maintained for the health of the equine. Records must be sent to H.E.R.O. to be kept on file with equine.
Although we evaluate each horse before they are made available for adoption, we recommend that before you adopt a horse, you ask a veterinarian for a pre-purchase exam to insure that the horse you are adopting is suitable for the work you plan to do, at your expense.
*Stallions will be gelded. Breeding of mares is allowed only once ownership is granted. *Extenuating circumstances must be granted permission by the Equine Management Team.
Persons entering the adoption program will sign an adoption agreement, which will include the H.E.R.O. basic care requirements.
Persons entering the Adoption Program may be required to take some equine education. Fostering the equine first is suggested.
The personal representative will be available to visit the adopters home to provide suggestions.
Adopters can request a trainer. During the adoption phase a horse may be taken for training, at the adopter’s expense. An H.E.R.O. representative or officer must be notified of trainer’s name and location.
Two follow up visits will be performed the first year and once a year afterwards for adopters.
Potential adopters must have at least one more equine or a companion animal such as a goat on the property where the equine will be kept.
All potential adopters must set-up a pre-adoption site visit and be approved before transportation of equine.
All potential adopters must provide at least two current references, which will be verified.
Three clear pictures of the adoptive home or boarding facility will be retained in the adopters file.
All adopters will notify an H.E.R.O. representative or officer before relocating adopted equine.
All adopters must provide the name and address and phone number of the vet they intend to use and a signed copy of health information release form.
All adopters must provide transportation or cover costs related to transportation.
All adopters must visit with the perspective equine at least twice to assure a good match.
Adopters will receive a one year free H.E.R.O. membership free when their adoption fee is received.
All equine fatalities must be reported to your personal representative.
The falsification of any information on the adoption application may result in immediate removal of the adopted equine.
Only certified checks or money orders will be accepted for adoption fee. H.E.R.O. will grant a 30 day grace period for return of equine and refund.
Ownership Program
Must notify H.E.RO. personal representative or officer of interest in the Owning of an adopted equine.
In the event Equines, that have graduated into the ownership program, must be sold or given away, H.E.R.O. will be notified first by written notice, given 30 days for Right of refusal.
Owners in the owner program will sign a promise to care agreement. Any negligence or disregard to the agreement may result in seizure of the equine/s
The Equine Management Team will be the only committee authorized to approve ownership of adopted equine.
Future owners must complete a 3 yr adoption program and be voted in by the Equine Management Team.
In the event of the equine’s fatality, H.E.R.O. would like to be notified.
Ownership agreement will be signed and kept on file.
H.E.R.O. would love to hear from the owners with updates for success stories and to know those we’ve rescued have gone on to lead happy lives.
Fencing
Acceptable fencing for pastures over 2 acres & paddocks:
Electric pvc-coated, wire, mesh and braid
Electric aluminum or galvanized wire
Vinyl
Plastic coated high tensile
Electric high tensile
Galvanized wire mesh
Wooden and plastic coated wood
Steel pipe fencing
Rubber with Electric Strand
Rail Fencing
Acceptable fencing for paddocks & pastures over 4 acres:
All of the above types of fencing
Barbed wire- 3 or more strands – in good condition
All fencing is approved by an H.E.R.O representative prior to placement of any H.E.R.O. equine or those in the custody of H.E.R.O.’s program.
NOT acceptable –
one strand of any type fencing
no sharp edges or projections
no areas which can trap an equine’s head
Do not let the acreage and fencing requirements deter you from applying to help the equines, other considerations will be given on a case by case basis.
**Injuries sustained from fencing are not the responsibility of H.E.R.O, Inc., they are the responsibility of the foster or adopter.
Equine General
Each foster, adopter and owner will be given an H.E.R.O. representative as their point of contact.
Equines in any H.E.R.O. program will maintain a body score of 5 to 6, unless there is a confirmable, written veterinarian’s explanation.
H.E.R.O. suggests a weight limit on each equine (including tack and rider) to be no more than 30% of the equines own weight.
Horses may be started under saddle at 2 yrs if approved by a veterinarian. 3 yrs if not approved by a veterinarian.
Mules, donkeys, hinnies may be started under saddle training/cart at 2 yrs of age. Only ridden at 3 yrs of age if approved by a veterinarian.
Before handling an equine each person will sign an H.E.R.O. liability form.
Anyone under the age of 18 will be required to wear proper safety attire, and always an ASTM helmet.
All persons transporting, will provide a valid drivers license and proof of insurance for towing vehicle, on file.
All persons fostering, adopting and owning will provide a copy of valid driver’s license and/or another form of I.D.
½ acre required for 500 lbs or less per equine.
2 acre per equine over 500lbs.
At least a 3 sided, roofed, structure for shelter.
Must have a fresh water supply.
Equines in the foster and adoption programs may not be bred, sold, traded or given away. Leasing by approval only.
In the event an equine has graduated into the Ownership program, H.E.R.O. will be notified by written notice and given first right of refusal, before the equine is to be sold or given away, allowing 30 days.
If a non emergency veterinarian call is made and not pre-approved by H.E.R.O., the foster caregiver will cover the expense.
In case of an Emergency- veterinarian care for fostered H.E.R.O. equines will be handled on a case by case basis. Contact your H.E.R.O. representative immediately after the vet call.
Education Committee –Will when possible contact all people in all three programs of clinics and educational opportunities in their area.
The Equine Management Team-EMT will have the authority:
Accept equines into H.E.R.O. program.
Approval of anything involving fostered equines that requires an expenditure of money, other than food and routine farrier care.
Equines will have a vet expense limit of $2000.00, unless otherwise voted upon by the President, VP & Treasurer. Over this amount may result in euthanasia of the equine.
Decisions of euthanasia, as to what is best for the equine, with vet’s approval.
Approval of foster, adoption and ownership contracts.
Equine Management Team-EMT (President and /or Vice President, Treasurer, Foster Director, Barn Mgr)
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