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Please read this page carefully before emailing us with questions or filling out our adoption application. Also, please note that adopters are required to provide 24-hour turnout for their horses.

Thank you!

The bond between human and their equine partner is one of the most rewarding relationships, one that has dated back thousands of years. Presently, almost two million Americans are horse owners, yet before deciding on this lifetime partnership, serious consideration must be given. Owning and caring for a horse requires a commitment; both of time and money. Horses require feed and general maintenance several times per day, and have many additional needs such as worming, shoes or trimming, teeth care and yearly vaccinations. If the horse is not kept on your property, you will need to consider the costs for a boarding facility. Medications and treatments to maintain optimal health can become quite expensive as well. Adopting a horse means dedicating yourself to care for this animal for the rest of his or her life, even when it no longer performs as he/she did when they were younger or healthier. 
Because many of our horses come from neglectful or abusive situations, we work very hard to ensure that they are adopted into a loving and forever home. We ask that you read our Adoption Requirements and Adoption Agreement carefully, and understand that some of our horses come with restrictions such as weight limits or medical needs that must be adhered to.

adoption

requirements

Adopting a horse is a lifetime commitment and certain procedures must be followed before H.O.R.S.E. of CT can send a horse to a new home. We suggest you read the following Adoption Agreement prior to your visit, as your home/facility may not meet the necessary requirements of 24 hour turnout and fenced area for the horse to run freely.
  • Make an appointment for a tour of the farm and introduction to the horses. Be specific about the type of horse you want and your horsemanship skills. This important information will help the H.O.R.S.E. volunteer show the horses most suitable to you.
  • In order to build trust, numerous visits (a minimum of six and maybe more) must be made to H.O.R.S.E. and time must be spent with the horse you wish to adopt. You will have your first ride of your chosen horse in our ring to evaluate how you and the horse interact together. Trail riding with a H.O.R.S.E. volunteer is also required. This evaluation is very important to make sure that you are able to handle your horse under any circumstance.
  • When you and the horse you have chosen feel comfortable together, a non-refundable $50.00 deposit towards the adoption fee is required to hold that horse. With the deposit, H.O.R.S.E. will begin the process of viewing the facility where your horse will be living, checking your vet and personal references and, of course, continuing to evaluate your knowledge of horse care. Final approval will be by the H.O.R.S.E. Board of Directors, with input from the volunteer(s) with whom you have been working.​​
If approved by the board, the Adoption Agreement will be completed and a time set for delivery of your horse. At this time, the balance of the adoption fee is due. Adoption fees for horses range from $600 - $2,000, depending on age, training and physical capabilities. 

adoption

AGREEMENT

​​​​​​​​Humane Organization Representing Suffering Equines, located at 43 Wilbur Road, Washington, CT 06777, hereinafter referred to as H.O.R.S.E., will hold this adoption agreement confidential, limiting the knowledge of same to the H.O.R.S.E. Executive Board and selected personnel necessary to transport the animal(s). It is the option of the Adopter(s) to inform whomsoever they wish. Animals adopted from this organization have been previously abused and/or neglected and starved by their former owners, (or lack of owners). Therefore, no guarantee regarding the animal is written, implied or expressed. The Adopter agrees to hold harmless the H.O.R.S.E. organization and members, its heirs or assigns, forever.
FURTHER, Adopter(s) agree to accept the regulations set forth by H.O.R.S.E., to wit:

  • To adopt a horse from H.O.R.S.E. of CT, a person must be knowledgeable in the handling of horses and the horse must be housed with another horse or horses. Education classes are offered for the inexperienced. Care and feeding instructions shall be provided according to each horse's needs.
  • The adoption fee, ranging from $600 to $2,000, is dependent upon the age and health of the horse. This adoption fee helps cover some of the costs incurred in bringing the horse back to good health.
  • The adopter shall provide yearly preventive inoculations, parasite control, dentistry, hoof care and veterinary care for illness or injury. The adopter shall notify H.O.R.S.E. of CT of the accidental or natural death of their horse. Where euthanization is necessary, it must be administered by a veterinarian.
  • The adopter agrees to send recent photographs (head and body shots) and information about the condition of the horse (or horses) to H.O.R.S.E. of CT once yearly during the month of May along with any information about the horse's (or horses') condition at that time and during the previous years.
  • A barn, stable or three-sided roofed structure must be provided for shelter. A safe and secure pasture, paddock or corral must be provided for exercise. 24 hour turnout is required!
  • Stallions must be gelded and breeding of mares is prohibited.
  • No horse adopted from H.O.R.S.E. of CT may be used for showing, jumping or lesson programs. This includes 4H and other youth programs, which involve showing.
  • Sale, transfer, assignment or encumbrance of any horse adopted from H.O.R.S.E. of CT is prohibited, however, the horse can be returned to H.O.R.S.E. of CT if: 
  1. The adopter is financially unable to care for the horse.
  2. The horse is no longer wanted or needed.
  • Location changes of the horse must be filed with H.O.R.S.E. of CT and we reserve the right to check in on the horse's care, without advance notification.
  • Healthy horses seized by the State of Connecticut and brought to H.O.R.S.E. of CT may be placed in approved adoptive homes only after all court proceedings are finalized.
  • Unwanted and/or unneeded horses who are in no way suffering abuse and/or neglect may be assigned to H.O.R.S.E of CT for adoption, however, the owners will assume financial responsibility until adoptive homes are located.
  • The Executive Board reviews applications and will conduct personal interviews. Adoption agreements are confidential and limited to the knowledge of the H.O.R.S.E. of CT Executive Board. The Executive Board grants final approval.
  • If H.O.R.S.E. of CT is responsible for transporting the horse to its adoptive home, a rate of ______ per mile will be charged (or charges agreed upon will be paid by the adopter).
  • Upon default of any terms or conditions written herein, H.O.R.S.E. of CT is authorized to take possession of, seize and retain ownership of said animal(s) named herein.

​For the safety of our horses and adoptive riders and based on industry standards and professional veterinary advice, H.O.R.S.E. of CT's established rider requirements for horses adopted from our farm are as follows:

  • Riders must be 10 - 65 years of age unless prior approval has been given.
  • The maximum rider weight is 210 lbs. or 20% of the horse's weight. Persons weighing over 200 lbs., please check with your doctor and provide a medical note that you are in good athletic condition for horse ownership, care and riding.
  • Horses adopted from H.O.R.S.E. of CT may NOT be used for showing, jumping, hunting, 4H, or any competitive activity, for the duration of their lives. There are no exceptions.
YOU MUST BE AN ADULT TO SEND EMAIL QUESTIONS!
To download a H.O.R.S.E. of CT Adoption Application, please click here. The application will open in a new window. For electronic submissions, please save the application to your computer, fill it out and email to H.O.R.S.E. of CT at hello@horseofct.org.

For hard copy submissions: mail to the address noted below. To deliver your application in person, please call to make an appointment to visit our rescue farm so that volunteer staff will be available to assist you.
 
Thank you.

You must read the above information before sending an email.

HORSE of CT Inc.​
43 Wilbur Road​
Washington, CT 06777​

A happy horse leans in for a kiss from a volunteer at a horse rescue

(860) 868-1960

 hello@horseofct.org

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