Before you adopt:
http://www.wvhorserescue.org/adopt_guidelines.html
We want AWESOME homes to Adopt.
Do not let the application process intimidate you. We will help you through it!
While we want our application process and contract to be as reasonable and streamlined as possible, keep in mind it is set up to protect the horse being adopted. The adoption process takes time; it is a little complicated and a little invasive. If there was a way to make it easier and less invasive, yet still protect the horses we would. Time and experience have shown us this isn’t possible.
What we expect Adopters to Believe
1. The rescue does not have an incentive to misrepresent the horses like someone who sells horses for profit may. We want the horse and adopter to be a perfect match and the adopter to be happy as we desire a LONG TERM home. We care for these horses and want only the best match for them! We do not gain enough to cover even 1/3 of the cost it takes to rehab these horses, so you may rest assured that profit has nothing to do with our placement policies.
2. The rescue offers more horse for your money. We adopt our horses that have current negative Coggins, farrier trims, vaccinations, worming, and dental floats. Our fees do not even cover all of the up to date vetting and care the horses come to you WITH! You never need to worry what will happy to an adoptive horses if you cannot care for the horse should an emergency arise. You can always bring your horse back to the rescue.
What we expect Adopters to Believe:
3. Horses are not playing cards. You do not swap them, trade them, or sell them to buy something new to tickle your fancy. EVER. You can find you aren’t a good fit for a horse or have unexpected circumstances arise that require the sale of a horse or a return to the adoptive agency, but that is nothing like “Horse Tradin,” which is a tragic thing all together. Having an equine business that is run ethically where horses are trained, purchased to train further and then sold to quality buyers looking to show and so forth is acceptable, but this is not the same thing as “Trading.”
4. You do not use loose barbed wire fence. The fence you chose, whatever it is, is properly installed to assure the horses safety.
5. You do not breed your horse unless you have extremely valuable breeding stock that has proven themselves and you are making a positive impact on the genetic pool of your breed. If you breed, your offspring receive actual training in a discipline. Your horses will be registered, and you will have the funds to cover any possible vet intervention needed. Conformation and temperament will be correct and desirable. You will have a good buyer base and be able to afford the keep the resulting foal until such a time that the animal may sell, however long that might be, and you will be able to continue training during all of this time. You will only sell to select homes and only breed what you can assure quality homes for. You will stand behind your offspring that end up in poor situations and offer assistance and a home for those you’ve bred should they need it.
6. You do not take a horse you are “tired of,” cannot feed or care for any longer to a horse auction of any kind or put them up for free or cheap online to the first person who arrives with a trailer.
7. You have a farrier or are a qualified person with extensive hoof knowledge. Your farrier knows who you are. He visits your farm as needed. Your animals’ hooves are trimmed when needed. If you trim your horses’ hooves, you know how to produce a well-balanced, properly trimmed hoof.
8. You make sure your horses have adequate training before leaving your care to assure them the best chance of a quality home in the future as possible!
9. You do not use cruelty as a means to train your horse. You do not beat and whip to teach lessons to horses! Abuse just shows your weaknesses. It does not teach.
10. You do not put your horses under saddle while your horses are still growing.
11. You do not support or defend or practice soring. You do not take part in cruel breed show practices. You never SUPPORT shows that encourage or overlook abuse for human entertainment! You never defend these abusive practices under any circumstances. You see them as abuse, nothing better.
12. You are aware of the nutritional needs of your horse. Ponies rarely NEED grain. You DO NOT founder a horse or pony due to lack of knowledge on your part! Forage should be the mainstay of your horse’s diet.
13. You keep a quality mineral for your horse at all times.
14. You Worm as needed! You’re willing to have a fecal done, if need be.
15. You have your horse’s teeth checked by an equine dentist or vet periodically.
16. Your horses receive exercise in a healthy manner.
17. If a horse reaches a point that quality of life is poor, you take responsibility and have the horse put down in a humane manner and do not dump the horse.