Horse Adoption: A Better Choice

When I was a little girl, I wanted a horse so badly. Many of my friends had horses and I was convinced that the little lot we had would be a pragmatic space for my horse. I already knew what color he would be - a white stallion. The name? Miss Ellie.

Yes, I know now that my plan had many flaws. One, the world always seems bigger when you are little and our space was nowhere near sufficient enough to give a creature that large the room it needed to graze and be free. Secondly, I'm not so sure my stallion would appreciate the name Miss Ellie unless he was a drag horse. Thirdly, my parents were not horse people. They were barely cat or dog people.

Well, there are horse people out there and they are looking to buy a horse. But where do they find them? PetSmart doesn't sell them. Do you respond to an ad in the paper and rely on a breeder who may be selling you a horse that is sick or untamed? How do you know that you are bringing home a horse that is safe for your family?

Horse adoption is a loving, altruistic option that many potential owners do not realize is available. Like many dogs and cats that are up for adoption, horses are often rescued from abusive and neglectful environments and need new loving homes, too. The horses can come to the adoption centers by way of court-ordered surrender, auctions, kill lots or owner surrender. Many times the horses that are rescued were destined for slaughter houses where they are butchered and the meat sent over seas to be served on an European plate.

Some people may tell you that adopting a horse is irresponsible and potentially dangerous. They argue that without knowing the horses' full background you can never be sure that it will not turn on the new owners. Some opponents of adoption are convinced that these types of horses are used up and not worthwhile. Those arguments could not be further from the truth. Horse adoption has many benefits that make a much more convincing argument.

Complete Medical History and Evaluation: Horses that are rescued may come in with a myriad of problems, but after spending time at a rescue facility they will never be adopted out until they are nursed back to full health whether that is physical health or psychological health. A reputable rescue facility would will always provide the adoptive family with a complete medical history while the horse was in their care and the horses will always be properly vaccinated.

Compatibility and Temperament: Your new adoptive horse will have spent a considerable amount of time at the rescue facility - possibly months. This time spent with the rescuers and trainers is vital. These men and women know the horse better than anyone else and will be able to help you adopt a horse that will fit well with your families lifestyle. There are horses that more suited for experienced riders and then there are horses that are more attuned to casual riders. It is important to know the temperament of your horse so there is less chance of personalities clashing. Trainers at horse adoption centers can assist you with this aspect.

Time: Rescue facilities are conscientious of how transition affects the horses. Adopting a horse can give you more time to ease into the introduction of the new horse into your family. Getting-to-know-you visits can occur several times at these facilities before the horse officially goes home.

Cost: Adopting a horse is considerably less expensive than buying from a breeder. You could save thousands of dollars that can be used for fencing, feed and grooming expenses.

Adoption Counseling: Many rescue facilities have follow-up visits and education opportunities. A trainer will come to your home and answer any questions or address any concerns you may have following the adoption of your horse. Many times this facilities also require as a condition to adoption that you provide them with accurate, up-to-date medical records from your horse's veterinarian visits at least twice a year. This gives them the ability to make sure the horses are being cared for and not experiencing abuse or neglect or causing harm to family members.

Community Support: Adopting from a facility gives you an instant support system and connects you with people who share your same passion for animals. Rescue facilities may have riding excursions, hayrides and other get togethers throughout the year that bring adoptive horse owners together.

Education: When you adopt a horse you can be certain that you will have proper education on how to care for your horse. You will never adopt a horse and take it home without being fully informed of what to expect from horse ownership.

Quality of Life: A horse can improve a person's quality of life, but by rescuing a horse that was abused and neglected you have saved a life. You are part of a movement that respects animals and puts an end to unnecessary death due to violence and ignorance.

Horse rescue facilities can be found all over the country. The website at www.naturalhorsetraining.com has resources by state that can link you with a horse rescue facility in your town.