Training Fund Policy

Policy

It is the policy of Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society to maintain a training fund in order to secure professional training for the horses, mules, and donkeys in the rescue.

The objective of the Training Fund is to place equines which need training with professional trainers to correct behavioral problems, get them started under saddle, or provide them additional training so they can be safe for intermediate riders.  

Procedure

Each BEHS foster homes will evaluate each equine which comes into their care and send a report (Appendix 1) to the BEHS Foster Coordinator.  The Foster Coordinator will add information to the form from the information obtained via the equine donation contract (for donated equines).  The Foster Coordinator will review this information and determine which equines would benefit from additional training.  This would include horses with behavioral problems such as biting, kicking, bucking or rearing under saddle, equines who had not yet been started under saddle and did not tolerate saddling, bridling, and/or a rider mounting them, or equines whose training is complete and did not stop, turn, or move on cue.

Preference will be given to a foster home willing to re-foster the equine after training is completed and who will continue the training – i.e., riding, ground manners, whatever the equine learned.

Preference also will be given if a foster home is willing to transport the equine to/from the trainer, and agrees to take a lesson or lessons from the trainer while the equine is in training, in order to continue training at the foster home.

Preference will also be given to a foster home willing to contribute $50 per month to the BEHS training fund while the equine is in training to help offset the cost of feed & hay for the equine.

Providing there is sufficient funds in the training fund, the BEHS Foster Home Coordinator can send a horse, mule or donkey to training for one month providing the training fee is $500 or less.  If the Foster Home Coordinator wishes to send the horse, mule or donkey for more than one month or if the training fee will exceed $500, the Foster Home Coordinator will need a second officer’s approval.

The Foster Coordinator will contact approved trainers (those trainers who have submitted acceptable training bids and whose facilities have been inspected and approved by BEHS using the guidelines used for approving a foster home).  The equine will be sent to the closest, approved trainer who currently has an opening and can begin working with the equine.  Once the equine’s training has been completed the equine will be moved back to an approved foster home.

While a BEHS equine is in training, the Foster Coordinator is responsible for communicating with the trainer every two weeks.  During training at least one visit of the training facility should take place every month, either by the foster home or an inspector.  If at all possible the horse should be observed during a training session, and an inspection made of the equine’s stable area – stall, paddock, etc.

The adoption fees of equines which have benefited from the Training Fund will perpetuate the fund.  The adoption fees of each equine who receives professional training minus expenses incurred by that equine (purchase price if purchased at auction and any veterinary expenses) will be placed into the Training Fund to enable BEHS to provide training to additional equines.  Donations may also be designated for the Training Fund.