FAQ & Resources

frequently asked questions about animal guardians horse rescue

AGHR Resources

Volunteer
Application

vol_app_2024.pdf
File Size:	83 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Membership Form

membership_form_2024.pdf
File Size:	193 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Horse
Sponsorship Form

horse_sponsor_2024.pdf
File Size:	118 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Foster Care
Application

foster.pdf
File Size:	313 kb
File Type:	pdf

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GuideStar Charity Check

candidguidestarcharitycheck2023.pdf
File Size:	65 kb
File Type:	pdf

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FAQ about Horse Sponsorship:

Why sponsor a horse?
Sponsors help offset the cost of caring for our horses while they wait for their permanent loving homes, or while they live their lives for the remainder of their lives in the safety and security of our rescue’s tender loving arms. Animal Guardians Horse Rescue is in need of additional caring people to sponsor our horses at all times. Some of our horses can be adopted out with general boarding care. But some of them cannot thrive in that environment.

As you know, many of our horses are starved, injured, abused and neglected far beyond the ability of the animal shelters to find them permanent adopters. That’s where we step in to pull them out of the shelters to avoid unnecessary euthanasia and/or rehoming time after time, or return to the shelter, which often results in euthanasia anyway. We need more than one sponsor per horse and every horse needs a sponsor. Most of our horses are in need of more than one type of forage hay, pelleted feed, rice bran, shavings, additional veterinary and specialized farrier care, additional dental care, medication, supplements, training and boarding. This goes above and beyond what the average horse owner will commit to for a period of 6 to 9 months, or longer, to rehabilitate a shelter adopted horse. We commit!

Not only that, we usually keep our horses for 9 to 12 months, and sometimes for lifetime permanent sanctuary retirement. We have no other responsible choice! Our horses are definitely not safe to be adopted when they come to us. But when they leave, they are fully rehabilitated and safe for permanence in their adopters’ homes. It’s a labor of love. But it’s a necessity!

On average, one starvation rehabilitation case horse costs our rescue anywhere between $5000 and $9000 in a period of 6 to 9 months for full rehabilitation, prior to being placed available for adoption or sent to a sanctuary for retirement. In order to keep doing what we are doing, we desperately need help from generous sponsors in the community.

FAQ about Horse Rescue Volunteering:

Where are you located?
Our rescue headquarters is located in Simi Valley, CA. Our horses are boarded and fostered in multiple stables within 20 miles of Simi Valley, CA.
What will I be doing as a volunteer?
We have 3 types of volunteering experiences: 1) Direct Horse Care, 2) Member Supporter/Pro-Bono Professional, 3) Leadership Teams. Each has different roles & responsibilities. All types of volunteering require a minimum of 6 to 10 hours per month service time including participation in 2 or more major outreach fundraising events per year, periodic meetings and training throughout the year. Voluntary Board Members and Committee Chair positions may require more frequent planning meetings.
I have no prior horse handling experience. Can I still volunteer with your horses?
We do not currently accept Direct Horse Care Volunteers who have no prior experience with horse handling. You are encouraged to volunteer with us during our Horse Powered Reading sessions on Saturdays throughout the year, under the supervision of a trained equine specialist and Horse Powered Reading facilitator. You will learn some basics of horse handling during scheduled sessions. The primary focus will be to set up materials, clean up materials, supervise the horses before, during, and after sessions. You will be given the opportunity to participate in online and DVD trainings in basic equine body language/safe horse handling. You may also volunteer with community outreach events, in team leadership experiences, and in fundraising programs. We welcome volunteers with all different background experiences, contributing in many different ways to our dynamic organization. In order to do ground work, natural horsemanship training/desensitization, exercising, or grooming at our varied foster care and boarding sites, you must have prior horse handling experience. Our organization does not provide mentorship for horse husbandry and grooming. We provide mentorship for Horse Powered Reading and Parelli Natural Horsemanship ground work related to Horse Powered Reading only.

I have riding experience, but never owned a horse before. Can I volunteer?
AGHR is not a riding horse rescue. Our horses are not rideable. We do not offer riding experiences/lessons to volunteers. All Direct Horse Care Volunteers are required to have prior basic horse handling experience/training (within the last 12 months) including, but not limited to:
a.) catching a horse
b.) haltering a horse
c.) tying a safety slip knot on a tie rail
d.) basic grooming/hoof handling/first aid
e.) basic leading/ground work with horses
f.) horse body language/non-verbal communication
g.) safe horse handling on the ground
Heavy physical labor may be required in horse handling/barn chores. Therefore, Direct Horse Care Volunteers should not have back or limb injuries, related physical limitations, breathing/heart conditions making it unsafe to perform heaving, lifting, bending, and physical exertion. Horse ownership is not a requirement for volunteering. All Direct Horse Care Volunteers will be evaluated for skills/personality-horsenality match prior to getting their assignments at certain foster care/boarding sites.

Can I ride the horses?
No. We do not permit Direct Horse Care volunteers to ride any of the horses at the stable sites for liability reasons. Riding is not generally part of our daily volunteer experience.
Can I drop my child off for volunteering with the horses for the day?
No. While we do permit minor volunteers under the age of 18, for liability reasons, we do not permit minor volunteers without parent supervision at all times around our horses. We prefer volunteers to be over the age of 18 with prior horse handling experience, but upper elementary age children and teens are welcome once the parent and child is trained and working together as a team.
What are the horses like?
Our horses are generally seniors with special needs. They are mostly friendly and gentle, though may be timid or non-social due to past abuse and neglect. Our horses generally do not kick or bite, but all horses have the capability of doing so. And therefore, we require a liability waiver to be signed and turned in, and Direct Horse Care volunteers to be properly trained before visiting our horses at the stable sites.
Can I get tax deductions for my gas for commuting to the horse stable sites, attending outside conferences & workshops, donating carrots, and making an annual membership dues donation?
Yes, tax-deductible receipts can be provided to volunteers at a rate of 14 cents per mile for commuting to the stable sites round-trip from home to site and home. Volunteers should provide a running log of mileage and fuel receipts to the rescue Treasurer with requests for tax-deductible receipts from the organization. If a volunteer registers him/herself for an outside conference/workshop, that is not tax-deductible. If a volunteer makes a donation to the rescue for the rescue to register him/her for a conference they are attending, that may be considered tax-deductible. Volunteers should check with their independent tax adviser for specific I.R.S. code 501(c)3 deductible when filing their taxes annually. An annual membership dues donation to join the organization is optional and tax-deductible, and entitles volunteers to membership perks. Carrots and other supplies purchased for the rescue horses may be tax-deductible by providing a copy of receipts and request for a deductible receipt to the Treasurer.

I am looking to gain experience for my resumé, college program, internship or community service requirement. What is the time commitment I am required to serve?
We require a minimum of 6 to 10 hours per month time commitment for service to our rescue. In order to fulfill a leadership role and gain experience for your resumé, internship, community service, or college requirement, we will require you to contract with us for a 12 month time commitment. We are not willing to take in short-term leaders for our Leadership Team or Business Development Team. If you are looking for a short-term or temp position, we suggest you volunteer at a different non-profit organization. Our Leadership roles require a 12 month time commitment. Thank you for making the commitment and making a huge difference to the community.

FAQ about Horse Rescue Foster Care:

How long is the time commitment for foster care?
The foster care agreement contract is for 12 months, renewable each year by mutual agreement. Horses may be adopted, or deceased, prior to 12 months. If you choose to foster a horse for adoptions purposes, you may be eligible to adopt prior to the end of the of 12 month contract. Many of our horses are adopted within 6 to 9 months, but not all of them. Some of our horses require long-term or permanent sanctuary placement with our rescue, so you may be asked to keep a horse for a second term or greater, for those with special needs at high risk, whom are not considered to be adoptable.
Where are you located?
Our rescue headquarters is in Simi Valley, CA. We will only contract with foster caregivers within 20 miles of Simi Valley, CA.
Can I board or pasture board a fostered horse?
No. We will only contract with foster caregivers in private home situations with adequate shelter and turnout daily (individual or with compatible herd mates in no larger than 6 horses per herd in the pasture).
Who pays for the hay/feed?
The foster caregiver generally sponsors the hay/feed. Some horses may come with outside sponsorship & donations, but this is not guaranteed. Horses must be fed at least 2–3 times a day and monitored for good health and weight. Diet is prescribed by the rescue organization & equine veterinarian.
What sort of stall/corral are you looking for?
We do not approve of barbed wire or single strand electric fencing on the property within reach of the horses. We approve of most other safe and sturdy fencing with barn stalls and adequate turn out. Pastures/paddocks with adequate room to move, shelter, mud management, and above ground feeders or clean mats and troughs are generally approved. Run in sheds and barn stalls are generally approved. Box stalls are not approved. We require a home check prior to contracting with a foster caregiver.
Who pays for vet/farrier?
Generally, the rescue covers one annual veterinary service per year including vaccines, teeth, sheath, medications, supplements, necessary humane euthanasia and aftercare removal. The rescue also covers farrier service. The foster is responsible for emergency vet care/humane euthanasia due to breach of contract negligence, abuse, or lack of appropriate care. Foster is responsible for holding the horse for vet and farrier service. Donated services and medication are tax deductible and very appreciated.
Can I ride/adopt my fostered horse?
Some of our rescue horses are rideable. Many are not. Riding is not guaranteed. The rescue can provide training support to evaluate a horse for riding purposes and will advise the foster caregiver on riding possibilities. Fosters are welcome to, and encouraged, to adopt a fostered equine. Adoption fees are not waived, but may be reduced depending upon upon the level of sponsorship provided over time by the foster caregiver. Some of our horses are not considered to be adoptable, and foster care is never considered to be a transfer of ownership.