FINDING YOUR HORSE A HOME
- Many rescues are full (or over-full). A horse is not a donation. Horses require a great amount of care and money, and there are far more horses than good homes available. Many rescues do their best, but occasionally you may find one who just hands a horse off to the next person who wants one. Things to check for:
- How does the rescue screen potential adopters? It is important that they check references, contacting the potential adopter’s veterinarian and farrier. It is important to know that the adopter has had horses in the past and has taken good care of them.
- The rescue should follow up on adoptions by having the adopter sign an agreement that requires a vet to administer vaccinations regularly. On this required visit, the veterinarian observes the horse’s condition and living arrangements. This information is then passed on to you or the rescue.
- Some horses cannot withstand a rider’s weight or the work required to retrain them to saddle. A good rescue should ask about your horses ability to work and carry a rider. They should also ask to speak to your vet to verify the horse’s physical ability.
2) Consider leasing your horse instead of selling it. This way you retain legal ownership. A 'free lease' is one where the lessee pays all the horse's bills. In return, the owner does not charge a lease fee. Another option is a 'half-lease', where the lessee pays 1/2 the horse's expenses and in exchange for riding privileges 3-4 days a week.
3) Spread the news through word of mouth. You may find someone locally who is looking for a horse just like yours.
4) Advertise! The more people know about your horse, the more options you have! Local newspapers, tack shops, and equine journals are a good place to start.
5) Once you've found a new home for your horse, you may want to consider some methods to ensure your horse will be properly taken care of. You should always visit the farm, preferably unannounced, before your horse goes there. While at the farm:
- Look at the other horses who already live there.
- Check for clean, filled water buckets.
- Check the quality of feed and how safely it is stored.
- Look over the facility in general in terms of safety
- As the barn manager for references, including vet, farrier, and boarders. When you contact references, ask how long they’ve known the adopter. Ask how many horses that person has sold. Aks if they are knowledgeable and respond quickly of a horse is sick or injured. Inquire about the adopter’s horse handling abilities. Be aware that a barn manager sees your adopter as a potential client, and double check answers to questions you ask.
Please feel free to review our application and adoption agreement to use as a reference. Feel free to email us to review them.
6) We highly recommend that you have a written agreement that states you must be notified if the horse should ever need to be re-homed, moved, or euthanized. Notify the registration affiliation (United States Trotting Assoc., American Quarter Horse Assoc.) for your breed of horse to see if you can have a note in the horse’s registration so that he cannot be sold or bred without your permission. We recommend that you DO NOT give the horse’s papers away. If you absolutely must do so, write on “right of first refusal”.
7) Follow up! Visit the horse unannounced, or require pictures semiannually. Calling is not enough. You must require proof of your horse’s well being. If possible, request annual statements from a veterinarian to ensure that your horse is in good hands.
Do not hesitate to call or email us with questions. 609 324 1500 jennifer@srfmail.com |
