News
Appraisals, donations, and how the work gets done.
Some of it is the rules: what the IRS wants, how a number is arrived at. The rest is the horses themselves.
October 13, 2026
Donating a Horse: A Guide for Donors
Donating a horse worth more than 5,000 dollars? The IRS wants a qualified appraisal. Here is what the process looks like from the donor's side.
July 15, 2024
Methods for Equine Appraisals
How equine appraisers actually arrive at a number: market comparables, the adjustments between horses, and where professional judgement comes in.
June 2, 2024
How Do Equine Appraisers Find Market Comps?
Where the comparable sales in a horse appraisal come from, how far an appraiser will travel for evidence, and what makes one comp better than another.
December 18, 2023
The Smart Way to Give: Understanding Tax Benefits of Horse Donations
What a horse donation is worth at tax time, how the deduction is calculated against your bracket, and why the appraisal has to come first.
March 31, 2023
How Can I Increase My Horse's Value?
Training, competition record, health and marketing. The factors our appraisers weigh when they decide what a horse is worth, and which ones you can change.
March 21, 2023
What Factors Do Horse Appraisers Evaluate?
Age, breeding, training, record, conformation and soundness. What a horse appraiser looks at, and how much weight each factor carries in the number.
March 12, 2023
Understanding IRS Regulations for Horse Donation
Form 8283, the 5,000 dollar threshold, the qualified appraiser rule and the deadlines. The IRS regulations that govern a horse donation, in plain terms.
March 10, 2023
The Importance of Hiring a Professional Horse Appraiser for Charitable Donations
Why a charitable horse donation needs a qualified appraiser, and what happens to the deduction when the appraisal will not stand up to review.
January 27, 2023
Grand Prix Jumper Donated To Boarding School
Lou jumped FEI classes in Belgium and at WEF before being donated to a boarding school program, where he now brings along junior riders.
March 17, 2022
Big Bang Baby to William Woods University Equestrian
A 16.3 hand Saddlebred gelding from a World Champion pedigree, appraised in Colorado and donated to the equestrian program at William Woods University.
April 8, 2019
Horse Appraisal FAQ
The questions we are asked most about horse appraisal and donation: tax breaks, how value is determined, soundness, site visits and turnaround.
December 21, 2018
From Fox-Hunting to Equine Therapy
Thunderball came to Florida from a Canadian hunt field. We appraised him and helped place him with a therapeutic riding program in Atlanta.
December 21, 2018
University of Findlay Horse Appraisal
Wymore, a Dutch Warmblood mare who won High Junior and Amateur Owner Jumper classes, has been donated to the University of Findlay equestrian program.
September 11, 2018
Horse Appraisal New Mexico Spotlight - Lalique
Lalique jumped Grand Prix in Germany and across the United States. This New Mexico appraisal sent her to a therapeutic riding program in her next career.
April 11, 2018
Alfred University Equestrian Team
Inside the equestrian program at Alfred University, where hunt seat and western riders train at the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center in western New York.
April 11, 2018
NRHA Money-Earner Donated to FS
An NRHA money earner sired by Hollywood Dunnit, ridden by Andrea Fappani and Tracer Gilson, appraised in California and donated to Fresno State.
October 18, 2017
Grand Prix Jumper Donated to TCU
SIEC Ledgepoint competed in the Olympic Trials and at Grand Prix level worldwide. The Mershad family has donated him to TCU Equestrian.
Tell us about your horse.
Fill out the horse questionnaire and we'll send you a free estimate of its value, before you commit to anything.
Get a free estimate