General Questions

What do you mean when you say 'therapeutic, recreational and outdoor farm-based programs'?  

Our philosophy is that nature, horses and other farm animals are the best of teachers...something our society is loosing touch with.  Our programs are led by volunteers who have a passion for nature, horses, or humans, and work to address a variety of needs.  Some of our courses are published and nationally recognized therapeutic programs led by traqined professionals, others are RIDE designed experiential learning opportunities geared for specific ages and needs.  Most involve the great outdoors!

Can a rescue take away my horse?

No, only law enforcement personnel can secure a warrant to seize an animal in need.   Humane investigations (normally) offer an owner clear guidelines for improving care, and set a time-line for compliance prior to seizure.

Is there a law that requires specific care for my horse?

Each state and local jurisdiction has laws or ordinances governing the care of animals.  Most call for adequate food, water and shelter, while others specify numbers of animals per site/acre or require specific immunizations.  In Minnesota, equine specific law falls in code section 346.38.....and reads as follows:

346.38  Equines

Subdivision 1. Definition: "Equines" are horses, ponies, mules and burros.

Subdivision 2. Food: Equines must be provided with food of sufficient quantity and quality to allow for normal growth or maintenance of body weight. Feed standards shall be those recommended by the National Research Council.

Subdivision 3. Water: Equines must be provided with clean, potable water in sufficient quantity to satisfy the animal's needs or supplied by free choice. Snow and ice is not an adequate water source.

Subdivision 4. Shelter: Equines must be provided a minimum of free choice protection or constructed shelter from adverse weather conditions, including direct rays of sun, in extreme heat or cold, or precipitation. Natural or constructed shelters must be of sufficient size to provide the necessary protection. Constructed shelters must be structurally sound, free of injurious matter, maintained in good repair, and ventilated. Outside exercise paddocks for equines do not require separate constructed shelter where a shelter is accessible to the equine on adjacent or other accessible areas of the property provided that equines are not kept in outdoor exercise paddocks during adverse weather conditions.

Subdivision 5. Space and cleanliness requirements. Constructed shelters except for tie stalls must provide space for the animal to (1) roll with a minimum of danger of being cast; or (2) easily stand, lie down, and turn around. Stalls must be cleaned and kept dry to the extent the animal is not required to lie or stand in fluids. Bedding must be provided in all stalls, kept reasonable clean, and periodically changed. The nature of the bedding must not pose a health hazard to the animal.

Subdivision 6. Exercise. Equines must be provided opportunity for periodic exercise, either through free choice or a forced work program, unless exercise is restricted by a licensed veterinarian.

Subdivision 7. Hoof Care. All equines must have their hooves properly trimmed periodically to prevent lameness.

Subdivision 8. Transportation. A vehicle used to transport an equine must have a floor capable of supporting the animal's weight safely. Floors must be of nonskid construction or of nonskid material sufficient to provide the animal with traction while in transport. A minimum of 12 inches must be allowed between the withers of the largest equine and the structure above the animal while it is in a natural standing position. Sturdy partitions must be provided at a minimum of approximately every ten feet inside the vehicle. Interior compartments of transporting vehicle must be of smooth construction with no protruding or sharp objects and must provide ventilation. Food and water must be provided in sufficient quantities to minimize stress and maintain hydration.

What do the terms "companion" and "livestock" mean in regard to my horse? 

While many people consider their horses "pets" in Minnesota horses are not considered companions.  Animal care laws regulating cattle or other livestock also cover horses.

How can I make my horses more secure as we travel? 

Keep accurate records including up-to date health papers and immunization records and photos in both electronic and paper form.  Verify the security promised is what is actually provided at your destination.  Bring along locks and remember to lock all trailer hitches, doors and gates.

About Horse Rescue

What is Horse Rescue?

• Owner Surrender, which could mean they need to find a home for many reasons (including those listed below), OR are encouraged to find a home by law enforcement and humane intervention. These animals need a home, and usually have a lower adoption fee (but much higher expenses for the rescue).
• Seizure, which means a humane investigation by law enforcement has determined that the owners will not improve their situation, or cannot care for the horse. For the safety and health of the animal, it is removed from the owners custody. Usually legal action and court appearances follow. These animals need a home, and usually have a lower adoption fee (but much higher expenses for the rescue).
• Retirement, which is the case where the animal no longer can serve the purpose of it's owners and they are unwilling or unable to continue caring fore the animal. A perfect example is off the track horses, or hunter-jumpers who's owners skill surpass that of the horse. These animals may have excellent skill sets, and may have a higher adoptive value.
• Donation, which means the owner supports the rescue, and gives it a horse that has value as a method of fundraising. These horses have excellent market value or are in demand, and will run higher for adoption fees.
  

What Horse Rescue IS NOT:

Horse rescues are NOT the answer to all of the horse world's problems! Most rescues are not a group of people looking for "free" horses, or trying to steal horses from their neighbors by manipulating the system. Rescues are not the answer to your poor business and training practices, or overproduction. So, here are some examples of what OUR rescue doesn't like to do:

• Horse Rescue will NOT market foals you haven't been able to sell from the past breeding season (or past 5 in many cases!). We WILL help you reduce or eliminate your breeding stock herd, and find homes for all your mares that include non-breeding clauses. Naturally, if you are in over your head and your "mares all look a little thin because they are nursing" we will try educating you on the importance of adequate nutrition in a breeding program, and help you with permanent herd reduction. And that mean stud that never throws color....please, let us help find a vet that can geld him!
• Horse Rescue will not save you money each fall by finding homes for your trail horse. We WILL help you find a home if you cannot financially care for your animal, and do not plan to replace it. We will also help you learn to budget for your needs, and learn to understand the true cost of ownership.
• Horse Rescue will not fix your training mistakes and give you back your horse, or take the horse you injured due to your unusual training methods (sometimes every year). We WILL help direct you to a trainer who actually knows what they are doing! RIDE believes there is a lot owners can do on their own, but acknowledges that good results come from the professionals who work at the horses pace with appropriate, industry standard training methods.
• Horse Rescue will not clean up all of the back-yard breeders. SORRY, the entire horse world needs to work on this issue. We CAN help promote the cure, via education, education, education!

How do you pay for it all?

Horses are expensive animals to care for even when healthy, and many rescue horses are NOT healthy when they arrive on our farms. Foster families are our backbone, and often provide all the feed for animals in their are. Sometimes we have big donations from corporate sources, or the generous local business. We are always looking for grant sources, and actively solicit donations and are working on our 501c3 paperwork to fruther these options.

About Us

We are your neighbors and your friends, your farrier and your vet, educators and kindhearted souls. We are people without horses who want to learn more, and those who just want to contribute money and help. WE ARE VOLUNTEERS !

Where are you located, and is there parking?

At this time we are a network of volunteers with a variety of donated sites.  Parking will vary per site.  See our  Contact Us page for contact information.

What are your hours?

We will have basic information available 24-7 on our website, and are normally available via phone or e-mail from 9am to 9pm.  Please refer to our contact page for more information.

Do you charge for an equine consultation? 

Normally no, as our work is focused on helping horses not profit. (But donations are always welcomed.)  In some cases our services may be hired by law enforcement to help identify neglect and make care recommendations. We will also at times charge counties to care for animals they have seized until they are released to the rescue, or returned to the owners. Special events we hold may require fee's for service provided, and hauling a horse to an adoptive site may also include a fee.

Do you charge for Classes and Seminars?

Normally yes.  Our animal work is focused on helping horses, but our therapeutic and recreational programs are designed to help humans.  RIDE expends money for materials, training, and snacks, so a minimal fee is often charges to help cover this amount.  Any "excess revenue" goes to cover feed and medical bills for the horses used in our programs.

Does RIDE take any and all horses it receives calls about?

No, not at this time.  RIDE is a young organization and totally volunteer driven.  We are restricted by available facilities, hands to do the work and most importantly dollars to buy feed.   We struggle to help every owner who calls, but we cannot possibly take every horse offered!

Is RIDE a no-kill shelter? 

No.  While some might disagree with our philosophy, we do reserve the right to euthanize a horse or other animal when it is in the best interest of the animal and volunteers involved.  An animal in pain can become unpredictable and even dangerous; blind horses for example carry a special fencing risk and can easily harm themselves or other animals if panicked.  Horses with incurable diseases such as end stage navicular or cancer are similar examples.  Owners should always prepare a fund for euthanizing their own animals when necessary...it is part of responsible ownership and not the duty of rescue volunteers.