Adoption Requirements & Considerations

If you are considering adopting an equine from Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue (BHFER), please take time to carefully read our adoption requirements and considerations in advance. DO NOT submit an application without first reading the information below.

1. BHFER reserves the right to approve or deny a potential adoptive home at BHFER’s sole discretion, without disclosure.
2. Applicants must be 21 or over and prove a steady source of income. The adopter is considered the person(s) financially responsible for the proper lifetime care of horse.
3. Adoptions are currently restricted to the state of Florida. We do not adopt out to homes in Broward or Miami-Dade Counties. However, exceptions may be made in certain areas where we have the resources available for site checks/visits. For example, we have adopted horses in Wisconsin, Virginia, and a couple of other states where we have the ability to do site checks.
4. We will not adopt equines to homes with barb wire or tinsel fencing, open ponds, standing water. All T-posts must be capped.
5. Adoptions to boarding situations will require special consideration. An addendum to the adoption application would need to be completed and submitted for approval.
6. If the adopted equine would be living on leased property, an addendum to the adoption application would need to be completed and submitted for approval.
7. Adoptions are processed on a case by case basis and individual equine needs. Past and present conditions, abilities, and expectations will be considered.
8. Under ideal circumstances, potential adoptive individuals are expected to visit the rescue and interact with the desired equine a minimum of 3 times (by appointment) prior to being approved.
9. Minis will not be adopted out to homes that intend for the mini(s) to be ridden. Applicants wishing to adopt a mini must have safe no-climb fencing (or similar) in order to be considered. We generally, but not always, adopt our mini’s out in pairs. Consideration will be given to what other horses the mini(s) would be living with.
10. The weight of the rider (including equipment and tack) must not exceed 20% of the adoptive equines total body weight*. Exceptions may be made based on each horse’s individual circumstance, history, conformation, condition, age, and duration and speed of the work to be performed, etc. Mini’s are not to be ridden. (*Reference: http://www.horsesciencenews.com/horseback-riding/how-much-weight-can-a-horse-carry.php)
11. BHFER will not adopt an equine to homes that do not have a companion for the adoptive equine unless it is otherwise mentioned in a particular equine’s individual adoption description.
12. Potential adoptive homes must have a minimum of 1 acre of land per equine and approved shelter. A pair of minis require 1 acre. Land must be free of debris, poisonous weeds, etc.
13. All un-started, untrained, and green equine will require an experienced person with a background of equine training that employs natural horsemanship methods unless the equine is a mini or companion only.
14. Adopted equine are not intended to be used for any type of financial business arrangement or any sort of financial gain. They are not be used in any sort of hack line type environment, lesson program, they shall not be leased or used in “pony parties” or anything of the sort. Our equines are suitable for one rider only, not multiple riders (minis are not to be ridden). Exceptions in this area may be made, on a case by case basis, for therapeutic type programs. A completed adoption application must be received by Beauty’s Haven before any equine will be considered for the applicant.

The completed adoption application must be completed and include photos of:

1. The facility where the equine will be kept
2. Turnout/pasture(s)
3. All fences(s)
4. All gates(s)
5. Water source(s)
6. Barn
7. Stalls
8. Shelter
9. Currently owned equine interacting with the applicant
10. Copy of applicant’s picture identification and a copy of a recent utility bill or other form of current residence verification.

Our goal is to find each equine just the right forever home and human family. If you are not able or do not intend to properly provide for the equine for the rest of its life, even if the equine should become unsound for riding, please don’t apply. Applicants must be financially capable of providing routine and emergency vet care. We suggest that applicants speak with an equine vet in their area to inquire about routine and emergency costs before applying. If you are not able or willing to financially provide for an adopted equine for the rest of its life, please do not apply. We provide full disclosure of all we know about each equine – the majority of the time we do not know the history of the equine.

NOTES:

1. We rescue, rehab, and rehome equines under a binding agreement that protects our equine for life – we do not sell equine. We do not set adoption fees but we note a suggested donation amount. We operate totally off of donations from others the public. We do not receive any local government, State, or Federal funds.
2. Equines will be placed in the home most suitable for each individual equine. We are seeking permanent adoptive homes and equines may not be sold, given away, or used for breeding. BHFER will be a safety net for all equines for the rest of their lives. In the event an adoption doesn’t work out for any reason, adopted equines will be returned to BHFER.
3. Rescue is a lifelong commitment to protect each equine so that it may not be bred, sold, mistreated, neglected, abandoned, or sent to auction or slaughter. Our policies are in place to protect the equines as well as the adopters from a potential crisis in the event the adopter is unable or unwilling to provide proper care.
4. Adoption is a lifelong commitment to the equines, and to BHFER, to provide a safe and loving home and proper care for the adopted equine for the rest of its life even if the equine becomes unfit for riding. It is also a commitment of funds to provide lifetime routine and emergency care for an adopted equine.
5. Once adopted, adopter must submit updates, with pictures, as specified in a signed contract. Specific photos and information required to be submitted is provided in the contract.
6. Site visits are periodically conducted. Specific details are defined in a signed contract.
7. If there is a possibility that the applicant would move in the future it must be disclosed during the application process.
8. Before submitting an application, please consider the expense of owning a (average 1000 lb.) equine. If you can’t commit, and provide, for financial needs of the equine please don’t apply.

Below are some examples of estimated costs associated with equine ownership:

a) $250 for grain and hay each month
b) $35 to have feet trimmed approx. every 6 weeks (trim only)
c) $4 – $12 for wormer every 8 weeks
d) $300 for an annual vet visit (shots, coggins, etc)
e) $150 for the equine dentist yearly (possibly more often depending on horse)
f) At least 1 to 2 hours a day to feed, clean stalls/pasture, and groom the horse
g) Miscellaneous expenses such as fly spray, supplements, grooming items, proper fitting tack.
h) Routine and emergency vet care – i.e. colic surgery ($5K to $10K), gas colic ($300 or more), simple vet exam ($100+), etc.
i) Transport costs to/from hospitals for routine and/or emergency needs.