horse Lease & donation
Criteria of a STAR horse
STAR partners with horses and ponies of various breeds, ages, and sizes to enrich the lives of persons with disabilities or special challenges. Because our horses have such important jobs, they must meet specific criteria and standards for the industry. Our equine partners work an average of 6 days per week and often carry unbalanced weight, with duties including walk/trot arena work, field riding, and groundwork, which means they need to be fit, healthy, and sound. Therefore, all potential horses are meticulously screened before being accepted into STAR.
While STAR is not a retirement facility, we offer a fulfilling second career. We are the perfect place for a horse who is no longer able to do their previous job but is not ready to be turned out in a field. We are searching for horses that are rideable, sound, levelheaded, and easy going and are preferably younger than 18 years old.
Our screening process involves initial discussions, a visit to the horse’s current home, and if deemed suitable, a trial period at STAR. Both donation and free lease options are available.
Characteristics of an excellent STAR Horse:
While STAR is not a retirement facility, we offer a fulfilling second career. We are the perfect place for a horse who is no longer able to do their previous job but is not ready to be turned out in a field. We are searching for horses that are rideable, sound, levelheaded, and easy going and are preferably younger than 18 years old.
Our screening process involves initial discussions, a visit to the horse’s current home, and if deemed suitable, a trial period at STAR. Both donation and free lease options are available.
Characteristics of an excellent STAR Horse:
- Mares or Geldings only
- Patient, gentle, and tolerant
- Easy to handle on the ground
- Easy to handle under saddle
- Stands quietly in crossties for grooming and tacking
- Easy to keep/maintain
- Has a strong back and legs
- Low spook reaction
- Sound at the walk/trot/canter
- Smooth, slow gaits preferred
- Up to date on shots and Coggins test
Leasing vs Donating
All horses/ponies must pass an on-site screening and will be given a trial period at the STAR facility for approximately 3 months. This screening is to determine that the equine will be a good fit for both STAR and the horse/pony.
Leasing
STAR acquires horses for our programs through two main avenues; lease and donation. Most of STAR's horses/ponies are leased. Leasing enables an appropriate animal to be a part of our team, but owners retain all rights to the horse. When owners lease a horse to STAR, owners are responsible for major veterinary decisions and costs, while STAR provides general care to the horse, i.e., farrier, dental, vaccinations, etc. If the horse/pony can no longer fulfill their role due to health, soundness, etc., they return to the owner.
Donating
When a horse is donated to STAR, all rights to the horse are forfeit and a tax donation receipt will be issued. In the eventuality that the horse can no longer work in the program they will be moved to a retirement home, if feasible.
STAR will accept animals for donation only if the following criteria are met:
Must be under 17 years of age
Free of vices
Sound & healthy
Fit our specific needs
Passes the trial period at STAR without reservation
Chronic conditions that effect placement in the program include, but are not limited to:
Many medical conditions require too much maintenance or are a liability for our riders, therefore equines with the following conditions cannot be accepted into the program:
For more information or to recommend a suitable addition to our herd, please call our office (865) 988-4711 or send an email to our Equine Manager at [email protected]. Your assistance in ensuring the well-being and success of our equine companions is greatly appreciated!
Leasing
STAR acquires horses for our programs through two main avenues; lease and donation. Most of STAR's horses/ponies are leased. Leasing enables an appropriate animal to be a part of our team, but owners retain all rights to the horse. When owners lease a horse to STAR, owners are responsible for major veterinary decisions and costs, while STAR provides general care to the horse, i.e., farrier, dental, vaccinations, etc. If the horse/pony can no longer fulfill their role due to health, soundness, etc., they return to the owner.
Donating
When a horse is donated to STAR, all rights to the horse are forfeit and a tax donation receipt will be issued. In the eventuality that the horse can no longer work in the program they will be moved to a retirement home, if feasible.
STAR will accept animals for donation only if the following criteria are met:
Must be under 17 years of age
Free of vices
Sound & healthy
Fit our specific needs
Passes the trial period at STAR without reservation
Chronic conditions that effect placement in the program include, but are not limited to:
- Navicular Syndrome
- Arthritis
- Ringbone
- Cushings
Many medical conditions require too much maintenance or are a liability for our riders, therefore equines with the following conditions cannot be accepted into the program:
- Moon Blindness
- Severe Founder
- Laminitis
- Heaves/COPD
For more information or to recommend a suitable addition to our herd, please call our office (865) 988-4711 or send an email to our Equine Manager at [email protected]. Your assistance in ensuring the well-being and success of our equine companions is greatly appreciated!
