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How to Foster

Wanting to care for a horse, but not sure of your long-term situation? Perhaps you enjoy the variety of horse personalities? Or perhaps you just want to help a rescue out?

WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR LOVING FOSTER HOMES!

The truth of the matter is there are hundreds of horses in need, and a rescue can only help as many as they can house. Even the biggest rescues have capacity limits. Fostering allows rescues to continue their efforts while not being as constrained by facility space. It is just one way people can help rescues do their job and continue much-needed aid.

Fostering a horse allows you to enjoy an equine partner without making a lifelong commitment. Our foster arrangements can be any agreed-upon duration, but are typically three month blocks, renewable at the end (Adoption placement severs foster agreements). We cover medical costs, but the rest is up to you. As long as you are using the horse within its limitations, you're free to ride, show, groom -- whatever floats your boat! We ask that you consider the horse as part of your family for as long as it is with you. In terms of adoption, we work with the foster home to arrange adopter meetings, and if the foster home chooses to go ahead and adopt, we offer a foster-to-home discount.

No, we don't just throw a horse at you, either! Much like our adoption process, we work with our foster homes to pair them with a horse that meets their comfort level. We want everyone to be happy, and that only occurs by working together.

Steps to Becoming A Foster Home

  • Apply to Foster

    As with our adoptions, foster homes need to apply, even if they are regular volunteers. We will keep approved applications open for one year, or until the placement request is fulfilled. Be advised the application will ask you for a veterinarian and farrier. If you do not currently own horses, we are happy to provide you with references.

    After the paperwork is approved, we'll review your interests with the horses we have available for placement. We will pass our recommendations on to you for you to also review. This will continue until you feel comfortable saying "YES!".

  • Facility Approval

    Step two involves letting us come out and take a peek at your intended facility. We are not expecting every foster applicant to own a show barn! We also understand that quality care can be provided in a lot of different situations. We just want to make sure someone isn't stuffing a horse into, say, a chicken house, or a root cellar! Our main concerns are fencing, shelter, food acquisition, and potential herdmates. We also cannot stress enough that this step is for the foster home's benefit as well. If we know Mr. HandsomeHorse can open any gate latch except a chain and snap, we can prevent you from chasing Mr. HandsomeHorse out of your neighbor's field. Or if Ms. PrincessPony cannot be trusted with an open stall window, we can let you know she'll take a bite out of a passing hide. We know our horses -- it's our duty to share all we can.

  • Finalize the Agreement

    Once we both feel a horse is an ideal match, we as the foster home to come and spend one session with the horse. During that session We will show you all we know about the horse and eventually turn you loose to get to know each other. If this has already occurred through volunteering, this step is waived. After, we review the agreement together, sign it, and schedule pickup!