Stanford
Stanford Equestrian Team

Donate a Horse

About Our Program

The Stanford Red Barn is the home of the nationally ranked Stanford Equestrian Team and Stanford student programs. Stanford competes in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) in both hunt seat and western, as well as in the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA). Riders compete from walk/trot to 3’3” in Hunt Seat Equitation, walk/jog to Open Horsemanship, Ranch Riding, and Reining in Western, and  introductory to first level in dressage. The Stanford Red Barn also hosts IEA teams, Stanford Riding Academy programs, student Horsemanship classes, and leadership programs. 

Our Facility

The historic Red Barn is located on the Stanford campus and offers two covered and two outdoor arenas in addition to a covered round pen and covered Eurociser. To meet each horses’ unique needs, we offer 12’x12’ stalls in our student barn, 12’x16’ stalls with attached paddocks outside, and daily turnout and/or time on the Eurociser. We feed high quality Timothy and Alfalfa hay (3x daily), as well as grain and supplements as needed. 

Horse Life at Stanford

We look for horses who love their job and the attention they receive from our riders. Horses are typically ridden once daily, 6 days a week. Our coaching staff keeps a close eye on our horses physical and mental health, working with our excellent care team of vets, farriers, chiropractors, and equine body workers to keep our herd happy and healthy. Thanks to our saddle and tack sponsors, each horse is fitted with their own custom bridle, girth, saddle, boots, and grooming equipment.

What We’re Looking for:

  • All horses donated to Stanford need to be between the ages of 7 and 16
  • Geldings or mares (no stallions)
  • At least 14hh with no upper limit
  • Serviceably sound and able to pass a vet check for the job at hand (Stanford’s Horse Health Care Fund allows for annual joint maintenance, or other yearly upkeep, as needed.)
  • No behavioral issues such as rearing, bolting or bucking.
  • At least 30 days of consistent work at the level of intended use (for those returning from turnout or rehab).

 We are currently looking for horses in the following categories:

  • Bombproof, beginner friendly horses who are safe and sound at the walk, trot, canter, and over poles. We like this type to be happy in either western or hunt seat tack, although we will occasionally accept a horse that only goes western or hunt seat at this level.
  • Great x-rail to 2’6” hunter, long-stirrup, pony club types who can work with our high school team or our collegiate novice and intermediate team riders.
  • 3’-3’6” hunter, equitation, or jumper-medal types suitable to do basic dressage and a straight-forward equitation course.

Donation Process

For horses that meet the above requirements, please contact one of our coaches listed below to learn more about our program and so we can learn more about your horse. Typically we’ll request recent video of the horse and all vet records for our veterinarians to review. If the horse is local, we may try to visit and ride the horse. 

We require a 30-day trial for all donation horses (though we try to expedite the process when a horse settles quickly) in order to make sure it is a great fit, letting the horse get to know the property and using the horse in lessons and practices to make sure they enjoy the work. We have a standard trial agreement to cover liability during the trial, and ask for the signed agreement, as well as general information such as last shoeing, vaccine records, etc. to be submitted before the horse arrives. Our coaching staff will keep owners updated throughout the trial. 

Horses who are a good fit will undergo a physical with our team vets (paid for by Stanford) and those examination records will be accessible to the donor and/or appraiser of their choice at no cost. Stanford’s Office of Development will provide a letter of donation and help with administration of all IRS forms (IRS 8283) through Tax Compliance. (All horses valued over $5,000 are typically appraised by a certified appraiser of the donor’s choice to all for tax deduction.) Donors may have a horse appraised no more than 60 days prior to the date of donation, but have until the file their taxes after the date of donation to complete the process.

Per IRS regulations, all horses donated are anticipated to remain in the program for at least three years (or longer) and upon retirement we are happy to communicate with former owners and/or donors as we reach out to our network of alumni and community to find the best retirement home.

(Care leases are also possible, with a trial and medical records still required to ensure a good fit.)         

Contact

If you would like more information about our program or are interested in donating, please contact:

Instagram: @stanfordequestrian