How to Donate a Horse

Lake Erie College Equestrian Program relies on the generous donations of horses by individual donors.  We accept horses from the walk-trot-canter level through advanced dressage, hunters, jumpers and eventing. We are in need of horses that are fit and are sound enough to be ridden in our riding program. Horses need to be able to work a minimum of one hour per day, five days per week to be accepted.  Horses do not work more than two hours in a day with time off between classes.
Donation Process 

1. Fill out Donation Prospect Fact Sheet and either
   1. E-mail to Cami Harkless @ charkless@lec.edu
   2. Fax to 440-375-8004
   3. Mail to: Lake Erie College, Equestrian Center, 391 W. Washington St. Painesville OH, 44077
2.  The  Donation Prospect Fact Sheet  will be reviewed by the Executive Director of Riding & Performance and the Coordinator for Equine Health and Performance.
3. If there is space in the program, you will receive a donation packet which includes a trial contract and a Veterinary Permission Form. 
4. In most cases, we will request a video of your horse up loaded to YouTube before bringing it in on a three-week trial period. This will help us better assess the horse for the program and keep the shipping costs to a minimum for the donor.
5. After reviewing the information and/or video, a member of the staff will contact the donor to schedule an arrival date for your horse.
6. After the horse arrives to our facility for a trial period, the instructors will evaluate the horse and have a pre-purchase exam performed.
7. During the trial period the horse will be acclimated into the riding program to ensure compatibility.
8. By the end of the three-week trial period, the Coordinator for Equine Health and Performance will contact you to inform you if your horse has been approved for the program.
9. If the horse is not approved for acceptance into the program, the owner will have seven (7) days to pick up the horse after notification by Coordinator for Equine Health and Performance.

Paperwork Needed
For Trial Period

• Signed Donation Trial Contract
• Medical documentation (Coggins, Vaccinations) and Shoeing:  listed in trial contract
• Veterinary Permission Form
• Current health certificate

Upon Acceptance

• Letter(s) of appraisal
  • One letter for horses valued less than  $5000 to include name and description of horse
  • Two letters for horses valued more than $5000 to include name and description of horse
• A letter from owner stating the declared value of the horse.   
• A complete vaccination record of the horse.
• Registration papers ( if applicable) signed over to Lake Erie College
• Previous USEF or FEI show record and USEF, USHJA, or USDF registration number (if applicable)

Please be sure to complete all paperwork before your horse arrives at our facility.  If you have any concerns about completing any of the paperwork or any questions please contact the Coordinator Equestrian Center at 440-375-8010.