Adopting a rescued horse can be very rewarding, but it takes a special commitment. Rescued horses come from a variety of situations—some were abused or neglected, rescued from slaughter pens for the food industry. Others are retired racehorses, draft horses or unwanted pets from owners who had neither the interest nor money to keep them.

Before adopting
Adopting a rescued horse should never be a spur-of-the-moment proposition. Consider these factors before adopting a horse. Do you:

• Have experience with horses and know how to care for them?
• Have the facility to house a horse?
• Know how to transport horses?
• Have the money to provide food and veterinary care?
• Understand the medical needs of foals, senior horses or malnourished horses?
• Have a long-term commitment to train or re-train the horse?

When considering a rescued horse for adoption, search for a horse that will match your needs, whether she will be trained as a future champion jumper or racer, a family pet ridden for relaxation or just given a pasture to live out the rest of her life.

Horse rescue organizations
The Internet lists many horse rescue organizations, farms and havens specializing in a variety of horses, from rescued thoroughbreds and breeds who can be trained for jumping or other sports to abused and neglected horses who can be adopted by families and farms.

• American Horse Protection Association (www.equinerescue.info) lists national and state organizations that offer rescued horses
• Equine Protection Network (http://equineprotectionnetwork.com) provides information on adopting, leasing and networking
• PMURescue (www.PMURescue.org) provides a directory of horses rescued from the Premarin (Pregnant Mare Urine) pharmaceutical industry from all over North America
• Others national groups include: Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro Program, Racehorse Adoption Referral Program, Standardbred Retirement Foundation and Mustang Spirit

You can also search for groups that offer specific breeds or search for state and local groups in your area.

Similar to dog and cat shelters, these Web sites feature pictures of horses up for adoption with statistics such as age, breed, gender, height, price, location, registration status and history before they were rescued.

Adopting a rescued horse
Adopters need to fill out an application with a shelter and be approved before taking a horse. Rescue agencies will want to know such information as:

• Intended use of the horse
• Compatibility between the horse and human
• Prior horse ownership experience of the adopter
• Your income or financial situation
• Name of your equine veterinarian
• Name of your farrier
• Number of other horses kept at your farm or stable
• Size of stall or enclosure for the horse
• References

Rescue organizations may also want to visit your facility or farm to approve the horse’s future living conditions.

Lease or own
Adopters may have the option to lease or own the horse. With a lease, you pay a fee to the agency for a determined period of time and agree to care for and train the horse. You may have the option to purchase the horse at a later date. For ownership, the agency may sell the horse outright and include any papers or registration, on the condition the adopter provides a home for life and does not sell the horse to a third party.