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 fill out and submit the Adoption Insterest Form 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.  However, exceptions may be made in certain areas where we have the resources available for site checks/visits.
  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 are rare and require special consideration.
  6. Adoptions are processed on a case by case basis and on individual equine needs.  Past and present conditions, abilities, and expectations will be considered.
  7. Under ideal circumstances, potential adopters are expected to visit the rescue and interact with the desired equine a minimum of 3 times (by appointment) prior to being approved.
  8. Minis will not be adopted 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.
  9. 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)
  10. Equines are herd animals.  BHFER will not adopt an equine to a home that does not have a companion for the equine unless it is otherwise mentioned in a particular equine’s individual adoption description.
  11. 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, sink holes, etc.
  12. All 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.
  13. 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.
  14. A completed Adoption Interest Form must be received by BHFER before any equine will be considered for an applicant.

Once you submit your Adoption Interest Form, we can determine if we have a horse that meets your needs.  If so, we will email you an Adoption Application which must be completed and returned to us with a donation of $25 to cover the processing fee.  The application must 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
  10. 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 unable, 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.

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 contract that protects the equine.  BHFER is a safety net for all equines for the rest of their lives.  Our policies are in place to protect the equines as well as adopters from a potential crisis in the event the adopter becomes unable or unwilling to provide proper care.
  2. If an adoption doesn’t work, the equine shall be returned to BHFER at the adopter’s expense, and as specified in the Adoption Contract.
  3. Equines will be placed in a home most suitable for each individual equine.
  4. We do not set adoption fees but we do recommend a suggested donation amount.  We do not receive any local government, State, or Federal funds but operate from public donations.
  5. Adoption is a lifelong commitment to protect each equine so that it will not be bred, sold, transferred to another person(s), mistreated, neglected, abandoned, and/or sent to auction or slaughter.
  6. Adoption is a lifelong commitment to the equines, and to BHFER, by the adopter to provide a safe and loving home and proper care for the 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 the equine.
  7. Once adopted the adopter shall submit updates, with photos and information, as specified in the Adoption Contract, to BHFER.
  8. Site visits by BHFER are periodically conducted.  Specific details are defined in the Adoption Contract.
  9. If there is a possibility that the applicant would move in the future, it must be disclosed during the application process.
  10. Before submitting an application, please consider the expense of owning a (average 1000 lb.) equine.  If you can’t commit, and provide, for financial the needs of the equine please don’t apply.

A few examples of estimated costs associated with equine care:

a) $200 – $300 for grain and hay each month
b) $45 to have feet trimmed every 5 weeks
c) $18 for wormer (quarterly)
d) $450 for an annual vet visit (shots, coggins, bloodwork, etc.)
e) $300 for annual dentistry (possibly more often depending on the horse)
f) 1 to 2 hours a day to feed, clean stalls/pasture, and groom the horse
g) Other expenses such as fly spray, supplements, grooming items, proper fitting tack, flymasks, etc.
h) Routine and emergency vet care – i.e. colic surgery ($5K to $12K), gas colic ($500 or more), simple vet exam ($200+), etc.
i) Transport costs to/from hospitals for routine and/or emergency needs.

Adoption Interest Form

Step 1 of 3
I have carefully read and understand Beauty's Haven's Adoption Considerations: