Thank you for your interest in becoming a Training Partner for Great Escape Mustang Collaborative.  Please read and answer all questions honestly and completely.

With this partnership we 
Mustangs and Burros come to GEMS from a variety of situations. Many have been paired with the wrong adopter and are in need of a redirect, some have emotional damage that needs to be addressed and worked through, some are green and need to be continued, some are still completely wild, and some have special needs because of past traumas and need the right type of training to come around. Training for the GEMS Branded Equine Network requires an ability to work with animals who aren't "perfect". Our goal is to re-train and re-home, addressing the needs of the individual equine and finding the proper forever home for them once they are ready. Some may only be on the ground companions, some may be perfectly suited for as a riding companion...they will all have different needs.

As a GEMS Branded Trainer Partner, you will be critical to this mission, but must be able to understand equine behavior and know that every time you receive a horse or burro in for training, you can expect some behaviors that could be considered undesirable.

Completion of this application does not guarantee acceptance as a GEMS Branded Trainer Partner.
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As a Trainer Partner in the GEMS Branded Equine Network:



You will have a dedicated liaison who will check in with you weekly. They will ask you for your needs in relation to farrier, feed, and anything else you need. You will be asked to provide written updates and photos about your equine in training for social media and marketing purposes.

In addition, the following expenses will be covered:

+ GEMS will compensate the Trainer for their training services and will provide any supplements, grain and/or medications.
+ GEMS will cover expenses associated with veterinarian, farrier or dental care for the equine in training.
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Trainer Partner Facility Requirements:

A GEMS Branded Trainer Partner facility must be able to provide high quality grass hay, clean and fresh water, safe, adequate shelter and turnout area, as well as adequate, safe fencing. The following standards are required of all of our Branded Trainer and Foster Partner facilities:

SPACE
Property must be zoned for equines and provide a suitable pasture or paddock space.
If pasture fed, there must be sufficient grazing of suitable grass and pasture plants that are well established.
Equines in training must be provided with good quality feed, clean unfrozen water, appropriate shelter and housing that is cleaned on a regular basis and free of deep mud or manure.
The space that you will be bringing an equine in training to should be low stress and have adequate space for exercise, attention and socialization to maintain the animal’s health and happiness.

FENCING/FACILITIES
Corral fencing must be a minimum of 5 feet high and needs to be of solid construction and in good condition. Suitable material include wood, pipe, no-climb wire, or other equine type fence material…stranded wire fencing and/or t-posts are not permitted in corrals.
Pasture fencing must be a minimum of 4 feet high, and can not have more than 1 strand of barbed wire, must have a smooth wire top wire and t-posts should be capped for safety.
Electric fencing may be used in turnout pastures, but must be visible for horse/burros.
Other requirements will vary depending upon the specific needs of a given equine in training. Some animals, for example, will need a dedicated stall, a dry lot or, isolation from others, etc. We make every effort to match Trainers within our network with an appropriate equine in need of training.
If you are able to intake a Wild/Untouched Equine, you will need to meet requirements to house and care for these Mustangs and Burros, including, 6 foot tall fencing in corrals or pen where the untouched equine will reside, plus an area to off-load a wild/untouched equine into your facility.

SHELTER
Property where an equine is to be housed must have adequate shelter from wind, rain, snow, and heat.
Shelters need to be constructed to provide sufficient space for each equine to turn around, lie down, move his/her head freely, 12‘x12’ is the minimum for the average 1,200 pound horse.
The shelter must be a minimum of a two-sided structure with a roof, well drained, adequately ventilated and accessible to the animal. The two sides need to block the prevailing winds and protect the major body of the animal.
Tarps are not acceptable.
If an equine is stalled or kept in a paddock, he or she must be turned out in a suitable pasture for a portion of the day, unless otherwise specified for injury recoveries.

TRAINING METHODS
We require all GEMS Branded Trainer Partners to utilize Natural Horsemanship methods, employing techniques with the least resistance. We do not tolerate abusive behavior. We encourage the use of positive reinforcement if you are well versed in this style of training and the equine in training responds well to it.