Donations of Money, Goods or Horses to Hoofbeats

How can YOU help?   Hoofbeats invites you to get involved by joining our incredible family of supporters.  Hoofbeats is a 501(c) (3) federally tax-exempt charitable organization; donations, monetary or in-kind, are tax-deductible to the extent of the law. Hoofbeats provides an official receipt for all donations.

Donations of money to Hoofbeats
Hoofbeats is grateful for monetary donations of any size, whether given as a one-time contribution, or in budgeted amounts over time.  We accept cash, or checks payable to “Hoofbeats”.  You may give an unrestricted gift for general support of program expenses, or you may earmark your contribution for such uses as:

• student scholarships

• therapy horse adoption

• purchase of horse show ribbons and other rider awards

• replacement of worn tack or equipment

We also invite you to become a Hoofbeats Member.  Membership categories are as follows:

• Individual: $25

• Junior (12 years and under): $15

• Family: $50

• Friend of Hoofbeats: $100

• Lifetime Member: $1000.

Donations of Horses or Ponies
Hoofbeats periodically requires additions to its equine herd, and at such times welcomes donations of suitable horses or ponies. Anyone desirous of donating a horse should contact the Hoofbeats office and ask to speak with the Program Director, who will clarify Hoofbeats’ current equine needs.

Generally speaking, therapy horses must be reasonably sound at the walk, trot, and canter.  They should be people-oriented, very gentle, “bombproof”, with excellent ground manners, and be relatively “easy-keepers”.  They should be able to stay sound in turnouts with uneven terrain and little grass.  The horses most likely to succeed as therapy horses are those that have been ridden by many different riders, and who capably tolerate a wide variety of rider behaviors and skill levels.  Ideally they should have some show and travel experience, and some training in lower level dressage. 

It is very important that you read carefully the Hoofbeats Horse Donation/Loan Information document (click here for a downloadable copy).  Make sure you completely understand the process and all requirements.  Do not hesitate to contact the Hoofbeats office with any questions or concerns. 

To initiate the donation process you must fill out and submit to Hoofbeats the following two forms (click each for a downloadable copy you can print.)

• Horse Donation/Loan Application

• Horse Loan Agreement (Note: all donated horses are “on loan” until accepted into the program after the trial period)

Be sure you understand that all horses or ponies offered for donation will be screened by the Program Director, and are taken into the program on a 90-day trial basis.  An owner must be prepared at any time during the trial period to reclaim a horse that shows itself to be unsuitable or unable to meet Hoofbeats needs.

Donations of items – The Hoofbeats Wish List

• TACK (in good repair, and serviceable, safe condition): English saddles (all-purpose or dressage, all sizes), western saddles, English gel pads, English bridles, leather halters, lead ropes, horse blankets, coolers

• RIDING APPAREL (serviceable condition, please) in all sizes: Show jackets (hunt style or dressage), breeches, ratcatchers, tall boots, paddock boots

• RIDING HELMETS:  Light weight, ASTM-approved riding helmets, especially Lexington or Troxel brand, small or medium size; must be less than five years old and meet current safety standards

• BARN EQUIPMENT: manure forks, brooms, feed tubs, water buckets

• HORSE NEEDS: brushes, curry combs, mane combs, hoof picks, sweat scrapers, fly spray, fly masks

• OFFICE SUPPLIES: printer paper, ball point pens, adhesive tape, file folders, mailing envelopes, stamps

• COUPONS: especially coupons clipped from bags of Southern States feed products.

• OTHER: You may have an item to donate that we haven’t listed here.  Please contact us to find out if it is something that we currently need.

Please contact our office if you have questions by calling 540-464-3337.