FAQ & Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

AGHR Resources

Volunteer
Application

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

Download File

Membership Form

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

Download File

Horse
Sponsorship Form

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

Download File

Foster Care / Adoption Application

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FAQ about Horse Sponsorship:

Why sponsor a horse?
Sponsors help offset the cost of caring for our horses while they live their golden years in the safety and security of Animal Guardians Horse Rescue. Our horses need caring people to sponsor them at all times. 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 give them a forever home. 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 non-rideable horse. We do not discriminate, and we commit! On average, one horse costs our rescue anywhere between $5000 and $9000 in a period of a year for full rehabilitation and care. We need continuous sponsorship for every horse in our care, as well as additional corporate sponsorship in order to keep rescuing more sanctuary horses.

FAQ about Horse Rescue Volunteering:

Where are you located?
Our rescue headquarters is located in Simi Valley, CA. Our horses are boarded in private homes, and fostered, in Ventura County, CA. We have 1 remote Foster in Mountain Center and in Agua Dulce, 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?
Due to the nature of our horses' prior experiences, we require our Volunteers to be at least 18 yrs. old and have some prior horse handling experience. We accept Volunteers under 18 with parent supervision as long as they have some prior horse experience. We do provide training and mentorship through the Forever Foundation Training Program (online / interactive), as well as 2 or more experiential learning trainings for Direct Horse Care Volunteers. As a Groomer, you need to be able to catch, halter, tie, brush, handle feet. As a Natural Horsemanship Groundwork Specialist, you need to be able to use a variety of equipment / tools such as rope halters, leads, long lines, carrot sticks / strings, and groundwork materials (i.e. hoola hoops, cones, balls, etc.). You need experience with leading, moving through gates, catching in a herd, backing up, standing for Vet/Farrier, and more advanced skills. Volunteers whom have never been around horses are encouraged to get some experience with a riding school or therapeutic horsemanship program first before volunteering with our horses. You will be visiting our horses sites mostly alone.

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 age 12 to 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 the current rate 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?
In order to receive a letter of reference for your college / employer, we require a minimum of 15 hours per month for 6 months time commitment for service to our rescue. We are happy to fulfill a leadership role and provide experience for your resumé, internship, community service, or college requirement with a long-term 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. We rarely adopt our horses to the public. Our horses typically receive long-term or permanent sanctuary placement with our rescue. Most of our horses have special needs, or are seniors in healthy, medically manageable conditions. If you would like to adopt your Fostered horse, that could be considered to the right foster care home or family with experience and a loving forever home.
Where are you located?
Our rescue headquarters is in Simi Valley, CA. At this time, we prefer to contract with Foster Caregivers in Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, or Chatsworth, CA. We will consider distance fosters on a case by case basis depending upon the horse's needs.
Can I board or pasture board a fostered horse?
No. We currently contract with Foster Caregivers who own their own pre-approved horse properties. We do have horses in private home boarding facilities now, who could use Sponsorship, and you can serve as "Honorary Fosters" for those horses if you choose to sponsor their boarding expenses. We are not currently looking for additional boarding stable facilities in which to keep our horses.
Who pays for the hay/feed?
The Foster Caregiver provides tax-deductible in-kind donations of hay and feed to the Fostered rescue horse. Receipts are provided monthly for your tax-deduction. 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?
At this time, none of our Sanctuary seniors are rideable for physical / emotional reasons. We will consider adoption to pre-approved Fosters after a successful foster care experience. We may consider adoption to the public on a case by case basis.