Adoption Policy

As a member of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, Habitat for Horses has agreed to follow the guidelines set forth in their policies. We have an aggressive adoption policy for placing horses in qualified homes and all applications will be considered based on your ability to provide the best home for the horse. The adoption fee helps us recover some of the cost of caring for the horse while in our care and allows us to continue our operation to rescue, bringing back health and finding homes for other horses. 
The Details
Adoption Application
Visiting Foster Homes
Financial responsibility

·The Details
If you are qualified, we want more than anything for you to adopt one of our horses., but the first steps are necessary and the primary step is for you to actually put your hands on the horse of your dreams. Horses should never be adopted just because they “look pretty.” This is hopefully a life long commitment that you are making to the horse, so take your time and make certain that what you are seeing is really what you want.

When you adopt from Habitat for Horses, your first years’ membership is free! There will be some initial paperwork involved and we’ll guide you through the entire process. We hope you understand the need for us to check your references and do a background check. Our goal is to make certain that our horses never again suffer from the neglect of their previous lives.

If, during the inspections, we find some problem areas we will advise you on how to bring them up to our minimum standards of care. Those standards are set by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), of which we are a member,

After your adoption is complete, we will conduct periodic inspections. These inspections have two goals – first is to be of assistance to you in case there are any problems with the horse and second is to make certain that the horse is doing okay in the new environment.

Of course you realize that the equine adopted from us are not to be used for breeding,  cannot be sold, transferred, moved without notifying us, or leased. Once adopted, we want the horse to stay with you for the remainder of its life. If something happens and you can no longer keep the horse, you’ll just need to contact us and we’ll make arrangements for its return to Habitat for Horses

·Adoption Application
We strongly suggest that you read ALL the terms of the adoption contract and application to avoid any "Oops! I didn't know that!" problems. To request an adoption application please contact us at  adoptions@habitatforhorses.org or call 1.866.HFH.LSER(866.434.5737).

·Visiting Foster Homes
Visitors to foster homes are made through our office. Please do not just “show up.” These are private homes and we all need to respect their busy schedules. Visitors are welcome at the ranch by appointment only, again, scheduled and arranged through the office.

·Financial responsibility
We do not have FREE horses. The average adoption fee is $600, (Read more about HfH adoption fees.) more for a well-trained horse, less for disabled horses. We do not rent horses, provide horses for rodeos, sell horses, offer horse rides or have mares for breeding. Horses can be very expensive. Other than the initial cost of stalls and fencing, there is the ongoing cost of worming, shots, farrier bills, hay, feed, medications, supplements and hundreds of items that you will eventually need to purchase. At some point you will probably be faced with a large vet bill. Like people, horses can seriously injure themselves or get very sick. One case of colic can cost you up to $5,000, with no guarantee that he will live through it. We expect you to have the financial ability to handle these costs.

There will be a $50 returned check fee for all returned checks. In cases of returned checks for NSF, the adoption agreement may be canceled and the horse must be returned immediately.