Adopt an Equine

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Your Equine Soulmate is Waiting to Meet You

From the moment you first call us until long after you’ve adopted your equine, you’ll note that our team is exceptional. Our Miracle Workers are determined to pair you with the equine you’ve been dreaming of, because our horses and donkeys have been dreaming about someone just like you. Over months or years, we’ve helped them to regain their health, rebuild their faith in humans and accept our gentle training methods. That daily interaction is why they’ve become the animal you want to adopt and why they knew that, someday, you'd come along. Get started by completing the application below.

Keep Our Herd Cool this Summer

Texas heat is hard on our entire herd, but especially for our seniors like Jericho here. Older equines struggle with regulating their body temperature, have trouble breathing, and can become dehydrated quickly. The cost of caring for them adds up fast — can you send a gift and help us prep for the season?

PITCH IN

Our adoption fees aren’t negotiable. They help offset the cost of rescue and rehabilitation (although the actual cost of rehabilitation far exceeds adoption fees) and keep our rescue operation running.

Adoption Application

About the Applicant

Applicant Contact Info

Applicant First Name

Applicant Last Name

Applicant Address

Address

Address 2

City

State

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Applicant Phone Number

Applicant Email

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How did you hear about us?

I heard about Habitat for Horses from...

Applicant Background Info

Current Employer

Employer Address

Years with Employer

Annual Income $

Annual Income

Alternate Contact

Must be a family member not in the same household

Alternate Contact First Name

Alternate Contact Last Name

Alternate Contact Address

Address

Address 2

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State

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Alternate Contact Phone Number

Alternate Contact Email

About the Adoption

Equine(s)

Equine Names

Please list names of equine(s) you're interested in.

Equine will be residing at applicant's address provided above

Equine Use

What do you plan on using this equine for?

Planned weekly time with equine

List of who will be riding the equine

If you will be using the equine for riding, please list the names, ages, height, and weight of everyone that will be riding.

Who will feed the equine?

Who will be feeding the equine?

How often will equine be fed?

How often do you plan on feeding the equine?

Farrier trim or shoe frequency

How often do you plan on having a farrier trim or shoe the equine?

Equine worming frequency

How often do you plan on worming the equine?

Veterinarian visit frequency

How often do you plan on having a veterinarian visit the equine?

Will the equine be kept in a barn or pasture?

Barn questions

Barn stall size

If the equine is in a barn, what size are the stalls?

If equine is in a barn how often will they be turned out?

If the equine is in a barn, how often and how many hours will they be turned out?

Paddock/Pasture questions

If equine is in a pasture what size is the paddock/pasture?

If the equine will be kept in pasture, what size is the paddock/pasture?

How many other equines are in the paddock/pasture?

Type and size of shelter in the paddock/pasture

Type of fencing surrounding paddock/pasture

Type of fencing surrounding the paddock/pasture

Describe any debris in the paddock/pasture

Describe any debris in the paddock/pasture such as limbs, metal, glass, trash, etc.

Do you have plans to move paddock/pasture debris

Do you have plans to remove said debris? If not please explain.

References

Veterinarian Reference Info

Veterinarian Name

Veterinarian Phone Number

Veterinarian Address

Address

Address 2

City

State

ZIP Code

Country

Vet Status

Professional Reference info

Professional Reference Name

Professional Reference Phone Number

Professional Reference Address

Address

Address 2

City

State

ZIP Code

Country

Professional Reference Profession

Equine Experience

Current Equine Information

Number of equines currently owned

Additional questions about currently owned equine

Last vaccination date

Date of last vaccinations for your equine/s

Vaccinations received

Please list vaccinations received

Date the equine/s were last dewormed

Date the equine/s were last dewormed, and product used.

Date of last negative Coggins

Date of last negative Coggins, please list date on all equines.

Your history with equines

Have you previously owned equines

If you currently do not have any equines have you previously owned and if so for how long?

Have you given away or sold any equines?

In the past five years, have you given away or sold any equines? Please explain.

Has an equine passed on while in your care?

In the past five years, have you had any equines pass on while in your care? Please explain.

Experience handling and caring for equines

Describe your experience with handling, caring for, riding, and/or training equines.

Has applicant been charged/convicted of animal abuse?

Have you ever been charged with or convicted of animal abuse? If yes, please explain.

I, the undersigned, understand that certain information pertaining to Habitat for Horses, Inc. may be confidential in nature and that I am to use discretion in discussing policies, current cases and other related issues with non-members. I also understand that it is my privilege as a member to be party to certain email lists, and that no email messages that I receive from these lists may be forwarded to anyone not belonging to that list without first obtaining permission from a member of the Board of Directors. I have read, understand and agree to adhere to the statement outlined herein.

Printed Name

Application Date

Applicant Signature

Sign above

Date of birth

The following information is required for a criminal background check. All information will be protected as private and confidential.

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Adoption Policy

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Habitat for Horses has a thorough 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 is non-negotiable as it allows us to continue our operation to rescue equines, bringing them back to health and finding homes for other horses.

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What to Expect

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If you are qualified, we want more than anything for you to adopt one of our equines. The primary step is for you to actually put your hands on the horse or donkey of your dreams. Equines should never be adopted just because they “look pretty.” This is hopefully a lifelong commitment that you are making, so take your time and make certain that the horse or donkey you are seeing is really the one you want.

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.

After your adoption is complete, we conduct periodic inspections. These inspections have two goals:

To be of assistance to you in case there are any problems, and
To make certain that the horse or donkey is doing well in their new environment.

The equine adopted from us is not to be used for breeding, cannot be sold, transferred, leased or moved without notifying us. Once adopted, yours is the permanent home for that equine. If something happens and you can no longer keep the horse or donkey you adopted, you’ll need to contact us. We’ll make arrangements for the equine’s return to Habitat for Horses.

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Adoption Regulations

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The following guidelines are for general equine management and are required of all persons adopting a horse from Habitat for Horses. While not exhaustive, they offer basic parameters for responsible equine ownership. In addition, any individual keeping horses must comply with all relevant state and local law.

General Management Practices

Various types of enclosure are available to confine equines, including, but not limited to stalls, dry lots or pastures. In addition, equines shall be provided sufficient opportunity and space to exercise daily and have freedom of movement as necessary to reduce stress and maintain good physical condition. Space and provisions for exercise shall be appropriate for the age, condition and size of the equine.

Group pasturing of compatible equines to allow social interaction is encouraged. If equines are individually stalled, they must be able to make visual contact with other equines, unless otherwise directed by a veterinarian for the safety of the equine in question or other equines at the facility.

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Facility Requirements

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The following are requirements in order to foster an equine. However, all applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis:

Pasture

A minimum of half-acre pasture per equine on the property. Exceptions may be made in those cases where the equine will be maintained at a boarding facility provided the equine, if stalled, is provided daily turnout of an adequate time and space.

Shelter

A recommended 12×12-foot stall per standard size equine in barn with turnout or pasture; or a three-sided run-in shelter with a recommended 12×12 feet per equine in pasture, however, the minimum acceptable space is 10.5×10.5-foot stall or run-in area per standard size equine.

Equines shall be provided with shelter that gives protection from extreme weather including but not limited to: prevailing wind, snow, sleet, rain, sun and temperature extremes. Stalls and shelters shall be constructed to provide sufficient space for each equine to turn around, lie down and move freely and to allow free air flow. Shelters may be constructed to have removable sides during the summer. All enclosures, stalls and shelters shall be kept in good repair and free of standing water, accumulated waste, sharp objects and debris. If the barn or shelter is metal, the exposed metal on the inside of the stall and/or shelter shall be covered with ¾” to 1″ plywood or 2″x6″ boards. There should be no exposed nails or other objects that could potentially cause injury to the equine.

Water

The adopter shall provide troughs or individual water sources to offer adequate and clean water for all equines. All water receptacles shall be kept clean and free of hazardous contaminants and be positioned or affixed to minimize spillage. Use of a defroster to prevent freezing in inclement weather is recommended. Equines who are being trained, worked, ridden or transported shall be provided water as often as necessary for their health and comfort. Frequency of watering shall take into consideration the age, condition and size of the equine, activity level and climatic conditions.

Food and Storage

Equines shall receive at a minimum the equivalent of 3% of their body weight per day in high quality forage and grain. If natural forage is insufficient in quality or quantity, quality hay representative of choice grasses in the local area shall supplement the diet. Diet shall be planned with consideration for the age, condition, size and activity level of the equine. If more than one animal is fed at the same place and time, it shall be the responsibility of the adopter to ensure that each equine receives nutrition in sufficient quantity. If necessary, equines shall be separated to ensure each has access to adequate nutrition without interference from more dominant equine. Individual feed buckets or pans should be provided for each equine. All storage and feeding receptacles shall be kept clean and free.

Fencing

Fencing shall be of solid construction, without sharp edges and visible to equines; electric fencing is acceptable. The use of barbed wire fencing is unacceptable in any area of five or less acres or along any side of any area separating equines from one another. Use of electric wire may preclude the barbed wire provision. All t-posts shall be appropriately capped when used as cross fencing to separate pastures, along any fence line adjacent to another equine property or/and property that is less than five acres. Fencing shall be monitored on a regular basis to ensure its safety and effectiveness is maintained. Absolutely NO 4×4 wire fencing!

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Basic Care and Health

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Vaccinations, Dental Care, Hoof Care, Worming and Coggins

Under Current Texas Law: “A negative EIA test within the previous 12 months is required for all equines, except zebras, which are eight (8) months of age or older, when changing ownership in Texas. Equine animals stabled, boarded or pastured within 200 yards of equine belonging to another person shall be considered to be a congregation point. All equines must have a negative EIA test within the last twelve months.”

Yearly vaccinations are required. Eastern/Western Encephalitis, Rhino, Tetanus, Rabies, West Nile and any other inoculations your veterinarian recommends for endemic diseases are mandatory. Teeth must be kept in good condition and should be checked by a licensed veterinarian annually. All equine must be kept on a regular deworming program as approved by a licensed veterinarian. Proper hoof care is required to be done as often as necessary to maintain sound hooves.

Maintaining Health

All equines must maintain weight and condition as described by the Henneke Body Condition Scoring System (see attached description) between moderate (5) and fleshy (7) unless under the direction of a licensed veterinarian. Cuts, sores and illnesses which normal animal husbandry practices would require veterinarian care must be attended to immediately by a licensed veterinarian.

Gelding

All stallions shall be gelded as soon as possible unless, under the advice of a licensed veterinarian, such gelding would cause harm to the equine due to age or health.

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