We Care For Our Horses...
Lift Me Up! offers the best possible care for our equine partners. Each horse is kept on a regular vaccination, de-worming, and farrier schedule. Their nutritional needs are evaluated and addressed on an individual basis. The horses are turned out daily and each horse has his or her own stall. The horses are brushed thoroughly and examined for cuts or anything unusual daily. Additionally, our horses are placed on a fitness schedule to ensure each one stays in the best possible shape, both mentally and physically.

What we look for in a Therapy Horse...
Lift Me Up! serves over 100 riders, with the assistance of over 200 volunteers each week. Serving our riders can be mentally and physically demanding for our equine partners. Consequently, it is essential that our horses have a solid work ethic, enjoy people, and are healthy and sound at the walk, trot, and canter. Other qualities we prefer include varied life experience, a quiet personality, and at least ten years of age. Our riders have a very wide range of special needs, and our herd must be varied to meet those needs; therefore, the specific qualities we are seeking in a horse can change depending upon the current needs of our program.

The free-lease and donation process...
We take great care in selecting, evaluating, and training prospective program horses. Our Program Director will typically collect some basic information to evaluate the prospective horse against current program needs. Next, the Program Director and other instructors will arrange to visit the horse and evaluate its conformation, ground manners, movement under saddle, temperament, tolerance of sidewalkers, ability to carry unbalanced riders, and reactions to toys and games played during some of our therapeutic riding lessons. Suitable horses will come to Lift Me Up! for a 30-day trial period. If the trial period is a success, appropriate paperwork is signed and the horse is integrated into the lesson program. When a horse becomes ready for retirement, we will contact the lessor or original owner to discuss retirement options.

If you entrust your horse in the care of Lift Me Up! you can be assured that your horse will receive unlimited love and constant attention and appreciation. You also will receive the deep satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to make a profound difference in the lives of children and adults with special needs in your community!

Does your horse have what it takes to be a Lift Me Up! horse? If you think your horse may be a good candidate for a second career as a therapy horse, please contact us at 703-759-6221 or info@liftmeup.org. We would be happy to discuss your prospective donation and answer any questions you may have, or you can fill out either the Online Form or download the PDF Form and return it back to us. Thank you for supporting Lift Me Up!