SIRE only accepts horses that we can actually use in the program. See detail below.

If you do not have a horse to donate, please spread the word: SIRE provides a wonderful home to exceptional horses on first, second, or even third careers. Download a PDF flyer here.

Generally we prefer horses to be:

• between 14 and 16 hands
• a calm temperament.
• soundness at all three gaits is very important for the therapy.
• The more trained they are in good manners and good riding skills the better.
• Breed, training or discipline does not matter.
• They need to be of a mental maturity to know their job, but not so old that they have trouble carrying riders daily, generally between 8 and 20 years old.
• For temperament, I like to ask if you would feel confident putting a two year old child on the horse’s back and leading them around in a closed arena.

We are no longer taking horses with Insulin Resistance, Cushing’s Disease, or horses that have Foundered or have Ring Bone.

If you feel your horse meets these requirements, email any of the contacts at the bottom of the page. We will set up an evaluation at your barn or one of ours.

During the evaluation, we look at:

• confirmation
• way of going
• gait
• temperament
• soundness
• rideability.
• We also do a spook test that tells me how the horse reacts to new and different objects.

If the horse seems to be suitable to be a therapy horse and we have need of that particular size and type of horse, we bring the horse in for a 90 day probation period to see if they adjust to the unique requirements of our riders with special needs.

If we accept the horse, you will always have the right of first refusal should the horse at any time or for any reason become unsuitable for SIRE. I personally guarantee they will never go to auction. If you cannot take the horse back, we find a home that meets the needs of the horse at that time.

If you feel your horse would meet these requirements, email Molly Sweeney. You may also email staff at any site: Fort Bend, Hockley, or Spring.

Molly Sweeney, Equine Coordinator