Thank You for considering adopting or fostering one of our wonderful horses!
Adoption
Here are some things to know before adopting.
1) We tell the truth! When we get our horses we have a vet give them a full checkup. All problems/lameness is treated and ALL information is passed on to adopers. You do not have to read between the lines and you will know exactly what to expect with every horse. We do not want our horses returned so we are very honest. We spend hours every day, hands on, with our horses and know everything about them. This is one benefit of adopting from our rescue.
2) We will check references. Anyone adopting a horse will need to provide at least three references (vet, farrier, other). We do not want our horses returned so we make sure adopters and horses are a good match.
3) All horses are adopted with a no sale/no breeding contract. In addition, horses are never to be used as traditional school/hack horses.
4) Adoption fees only cover a fraction of the costs that we have spent on buying and rehabilitating each rescue horse. If the horse is returned, the adoption fee is not refundable.
5) Stables where horses will be living will be checked prior to adoption. The stable must have lots of turnout (preferably in a group) and clean living conditions.
6) We expect all horses to go to a forever home which means that the new owner is responsible for the horse for the rest of his or her life. We do not expect horses to be returned because "kids got tired them" or because the horse is older and is not sound enough. It is then your responsibility to give your horse a nice retirement. Of course things come up and not everyone is able to keep their horses forever and we do take horses back in these situations.
Next Steps:
2- Come meet the horses if you haven't already
3- References are checked
4- Stable is checked
5- Adoption contract is signed
What About Fostering?
Q: What is fostering?
A:Fostering is when someone takes one of our rescue horses to their own barn and cares for it as if it is their own horse. At our home stable we only have time, space and funds to care for two horses at a time. The fostering program allows us to help more horses because it frees up one of our stalls for a new life to be saved.
Q: As a foster parent what am I responsible for?
A: You are responsible for the everyday costs of owning a horse (board, feed, wormer, etc.) Helping Horses will pay vet bills.
Q: How long must I commit to fostering the horse for?
A: It can take between a few days to a few months or even over a year for a rescue horse to be adopted. Ideally a foster parent will continue to care for the horse until it has a forever home. If you cannot commit to a long time but would like to help, we sometimes need short term foster homes too. We ask most foster parents to give 30 days notice if you will not be able to care for the horse anymore.
Q: Can I ride the horse?
A: Yes, you treat the horse as if it is your own which would include riding/exercising it. Some of our companion horses are not suitable for riding and in that case you could not ride them. They would still love someone who can love and care for them until they find their forever home. We also have trainers that can come work with the rescue horse so he or she keeps getting better and more adoptable.
Q: Who is responsible for trailering the horse to my barn?
A: Ideally the new foster would be able to ship the horse but if you are unable to, the rescue would provide shipping.
Q: How do I become a foster parent?
A: A foster parent will go through the same procedures as someone adopting (see above) because we want to make sure the horses are in safe, loving homes.
Q: Is there anything else that I should know before fostering?
A: When horses are being fostered they are still available for adoption so foster parents must be ok with potential adopters coming to meet and try the horse by appointment. Foster parents can adopt their horse at any time until someone else comes and is interested in the horse. It is a very rewarding experience without the long term commitment of owning a horse. Each foster home literally helps us save another life so we are very grateful to each one. Sometimes we are in a jam for just a few days and need a place to put a horse. If you have an extra stall and would consider fostering in this situation please let us know. All horses are healthy and up to date on everything unless we tell you otherwise.