Grant Application Criteria and Approval Process

Equine Guardians is committed to supporting the well-being of school horses displaced from the closure of Palatine Stables and other horses in need. Our grant program provides financial assistance to individuals who have taken on the responsibility of caring for these horses. This document outlines the criteria for applying for a grant and the priorities the Equine Guardians Board will use when reviewing applications. 

To qualify for a grant from Equine Guardians, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Horse Origin

• The horse must have been displaced from Palatine Stables or be a school horse in need of financial assistance for care.  Please see the list of official displaced Palatine Stables school horses and understand that they are priority. 

2. Applicant’s Relationship to the Horse

• The applicant must be the current caretaker or owner of the horse, with proof of possession or ownership.
• Long-term caregivers or those who have fostered or adopted the horse are preferred.

3. Financial Need

• The applicant must demonstrate a financial need for assistance with boarding, farrier, veterinary, or other horse care-related expenses.
• The applicant must provide documentation of costs and financial challenges (e.g., vet bills, farrier receipts, boarding contracts).

4. Care Commitment

• The applicant must demonstrate a commitment to providing proper care for the horse, including regular veterinary check-ups, farrier visits, and appropriate boarding.
•  Applicants must provide the contact information of the horse's current farrier, veterinarian, and boarding location. 

5. Geographic Restrictions

• Applicants must reside in the United States, with a preference given to individuals in Illinois or surrounding states.

6. Use of Funds

• The grant must be used exclusively for the horse’s care (boarding, vet, farrier, feed, etc.). Misuse of funds will result in ineligibility for future grants.

Applicants must complete the official Equine Guardians Grant Application form and submit the following documents:

• Proof of horse ownership or long-term care.
• Recent veterinary and farrier records.
• A statement of financial need and a care plan.
• Any supporting documents relevant to the grant request (e.g., bills, estimates).
•  Note: Grant applications must be submitted within 30 to 45 days of the date the expense was incurred. Applications submitted outside this timeframe may not be considered 

The Equine Guardians Board will evaluate each application based on the following priorities:

1. Palatine Stables Displacement

• Highest priority will be given to horses displaced by the closure of Palatine Stables.  You can view the official list of Palatine Stables School horses here. 

2. Retired or Non-Working Horses

• Horses that are retired or can no longer be ridden in a school program, and thus do not generate income or have riding value for their current adopter or caregiver, will be prioritized.

3. Time-Sensitive Situations

• Applications involving time-sensitive situations, where the horse may be in danger of being rehomed or not receiving proper care (medical, farrier, boarding, feeding) without the grant, will receive special consideration.

4. Size of Request

• The board may prioritize smaller, more urgent grants to ensure that more horses receive assistance, particularly in cases of immediate care needs (e.g., medical expenses over routine care).

5. Previous Grants

• Applicants who have previously received a grant from Equine Guardians must show how the previous funds were used and provide updates on the horse’s condition.
• Applicants who have received multiple grants may be subject to additional review to ensure continued eligibility and need.

 1. Review Schedule

• Applications are reviewed monthly by the Equine Guardians Board.

2. Scoring and Evaluation

• Each application will be scored based on the priorities listed above.

3. Board Decision

• The board will vote on each grant request, and approval requires a majority vote.

4. Notification

• Applicants will be notified within 15 days of submission regarding the board's decision.

5. Fund Distribution

• Funds will be distributed directly to the service providers (boarding facility, veterinarian, farrier, etc.) whenever possible to ensure transparency.

Equine Guardians is committed to maintaining transparency in the grant approval process. To that end:

• Approved grants will be publicly reported (excluding applicant names for privacy) with details on how the funds were allocated.
• The board will conduct periodic reviews of the grant program to ensure that funds are being used effectively and equitably.

For questions or assistance with the application process, please contact us at:

equine.guardians.team@gmail.com