Applicant organizations must meet the following prerequisites for grant consideration:

Organization/Governance

1. Host organization must have membership with a collaborating association (referenced above).
2. Recognized by the Internal Revenue Service and operate as tax-exempt 501(c)(3) for at least five years (filed version of most recent IRS Form 990 must be no more than two years old).
3. Programs offer mutually beneficial opportunities for people and horses to partner, providing positive contributions to cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well-being.
4. Programs and activities are directed by an active and responsible governing body whose majority serve without compensation.
5. Written conflict of interest policy reviewed and approved by governing body.
6. $100,000 or more annual operating budget with program expense ratio no less than 65%.
7. Must carry General Liability Insurance.
8. Recently updated self-reported organizational documentation, including financial data, on Charity Navigator and/or GuideStar.
9. Must have financial capacity to provide appropriate care for all acquired horses.
10. Should have online presence to ensure display of programs, services, and operations.
11. Preference will be given to organizations with an AQHA membership. (Grant recipients will receive a complementary one-year AQHA membership upon award.)

Equine Welfare/Facility Operations

1. Minimum of five (5) horses with 50% or more registered American Quarter Horses.
2. Operational policy ensuring all horses have access to clean drinking water, sufficient and nutritious food, shelter and protection, satisfactory turnout space, and appropriate veterinary care.
3. Health evaluation policy for all herd/program horses, including acquisition assessment and annual physical examinations that incorporate body condition scoring.
4. Health management protocols for parasite control, vaccinations, dental, and farrier care.
5. Contagious disease/quarantine practices compliant with AAEP’s Biosecurity Guidelines.
6. Onsite access to horse transportation in the event of an emergency.
7. Humane euthanasia plan with protocols recommended and overseen by veterinarian.
8. Protocols to regularly assess horse workload and weight-carrying limitations.
9. Practices to check and monitor runs, turnouts, fences, and enclosures (daily/weekly).
10. Does not engage in activities that disregard the health and welfare of animals.
11. Re-homing policy with means to ensure horse tracking should horses be adopted, sold, transferred and/or released to another person or organization.

Organization Instructors/Staffing Protocols

1. Written application process for prospective staff and/or volunteers complying with local, state, and federal hiring mandates (including background check for convictions such as sexual offense and animal cruelty or neglect).
2. At least one dedicated staff member onsite during operational hours experienced in horse handling and behavior to ensure safe transport of horses in the event of an emergency.
3. Staff (salaried/contracted) credentialed through AHA, Inc., CHA or PATH, Intl. performing equine-assisted services in one of the following areas:

• Trained horse handler
• Adaptive riding instructor
• Therapist (PT, OT, or SLP)
• Mental health professional

COLLABORATION

AQHF requires all proposed training workshops be open to both inside and outside participants, with promotion and outreach performed by the host organization to recruit participation from other local and/or regional equine assisted services organizations.

To encourage industry collaboration, host organizations may reach out to the following associations to inquire about ways to promote their proposed workshop to other member organizations in order to recruit participants. Alignment with these organizations will be essential for the success of your event.

1. American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. (AHA, Inc.)
2. Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA)
3. Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International (PATH, Intl.)