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Horse Adoption
Wednesday, January 04, 2012 |
Things to consider
Adopting a horse is a lifelong commitment, whether you’re a new or experienced horse owner. If you’re planning to bring a horse into your home — and life — here are some tips to guide you.
1. Looking to adopt or rescue a horse? Check the web for adoption services near you.
If you want a specific breed horse, don’t overlook the Internet. A wide variety of horses — from rehabilitated to abandoned — are ready for adoption and in need of a forever home. Here are some online resources to help you find the horse of your dreams:
2. Match your horse to your lifestyle.
When deciding what horse to adopt, it’s very important to consider lifestyle factors like the amount of space you have for the horse to run and play, how much time you spend at home, and the other people and pets who live with you. Do your research to ensure your lifestyle will accommodate the needs of your new horse.
For more information on proper horse housing click here.
3. The cost of caring.
Horses need more than just food, water and adequate shelter and space. Horses need regular veterinary care from an equine veterinarian, including annual wellness exams and vaccinations. Can you afford the care a horse needs and deserves? What if your horse develops a health problem or is injured — will you be able to provide veterinary treatment? Health insurance is available for horses, so consider purchasing a policy for yours.
4. Are you horse ready?
Before you adopt a new horse, make sure your home is horse-friendly and safe. For example, horses need lots of space and require specific diets to keep them in tip-top shape. With the price of hay, water, veterinary visits, transportation, food and shelter — keeping and caring for a horse can be costly. So make sure, you have all the bases covered before you consider adoption.
Making a home for your horse
A horse’s living environment is very important to his or her overall health. Examine your home from a horse’s point of view and make sure you have all the bases covered before adopting or rescuing a horse.
Here are just a few of the things that may be overlooked when preparing your home for your new horse.
Horses need:
• Adequate space to play, run and sleep
• Plenty of food, hay and water to keep them healthy
• Plenty of sunshine
• Annual wellness exams by a large animal veterinarian
• Quality time with you and your family
• Routine grooming
• Shelter from wind, rain and snow
For more information and adoption tips, check out the online resources above, or click on the horse lifestyle link here.