Getting a horse from a rescue

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igglepop

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I was wondering if anybody knows what it was like going threw the process of getting a horse. Is it like getting a dog from the rspca where you cant have a job or are they more reasonable. Also is there any rescue you would recommend?
 
World horse welfare, my boys from there they do a home check but very down to earth I have stock fencing! Then they check on horse every six months or so usually field officer drinks coffee and gives me advice as he is the oracle when it comes o horses! Nothing extreme
 
Wouldn't advise blue cross. Have got a pony from them had him for about 17 years he's now 38. They don't leave you alone and all they did with us was moan and we kept saying all we want is him to be happy so if they think he isn't then please rehome him and they said oh no no we're quite happy. They also make it quite impossible to rehome smaller furries.
Just my experience.
 
I was going to rehome a horse from Redwings, but due to a sudden change in my circumstances I had to pull out. They were so lovely! I called them first and a lady there told me there was a new horse about to go in their rehome list and to call back the moment I saw him on website. Very simple process. Went and tried the horse, they just left me to groom and tack up checking I was ok every now and then. Gave me a lesson, asked what I thought and then about a week later got a call saying they were happy for me to take him, and arranged a home check.
I say go for it! Good luck!
 
Thanks, I'm looking for a riding horse between 14-17 aged 3-12 ish I'm open to options, I was looking to buy one then thought as I can't find a perfect one in budget I thought a rescue could be good. Does anybody know who on here works at a rescue, I remember a poster saying they ran one but i cant for the life of me remember who.
 
I went through the process a few years ago with whw they were brilliant other than wouldn't even consider me allowing to see pony could convert to barefoot, in the end I got a made privately who came up but had she not I would have proceeded. They were very welcoming and great when I rode him and helpful.

I used to rehome ponies and do checks we'd generally check after a month, then 3, then every 6 months. If a pony has been in a hope for a few years it would be once a year. We would be on the end of the phone too and go out if someone had a problem or wanted us to but generally we always preferred to leave loaners to get on with it and not breath down their necks too much, if pony was happy and healthy that was the main thing.

It's a lovely thing to do if you can :-)
 
igglepop said:
I was wondering if anybody knows what it was like going threw the process of getting a horse. Is it like getting a dog from the rspca where you cant have a job or are they more reasonable. Also is there any rescue you would recommend?
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World Horse Rescue (formerly ILPH) are pretty reliable. They do their best to match up horse and human. They also send their representatives to check on the horse at regular intervals but this isn't anything to worry about. Obviously they are fairly picky when choosing adopters but that's because their horses have often had a difficult time with bad owners or owners who have died or become too ill to care for them.

With most reliable organisations you won't own the horse and you do have to pay a fee when you adopt. Fair enough, I think, as they have expenses involved in re-homing animals and there is a psychological thing in that one may appreciate something one's paid for more than a freebie.

There are some small local organisations around but they vary in quality and I would think you'd be better going to one of the big ones. Try Google for names and addresses. Obviously one within reasonable distance would be sensible as transport to your yard is your responsibility.

If you are thinking of going down this line because you can't afford to buy a horse please bear in mind that if you can't afford to buy one you certainly can't afford to keep one. I keep my horse on a shoe-string but feed, hay, stable rent, bedding, routine vet treatment, worming, foot care, maintainance and replacement of tack, eqipment and clothing treats and transport to and from the stables average out over the year at over £100 per week.
 
Ellen Durow said:
If you are thinking of going down this line because you can't afford to buy a horse please bear in mind that if you can't afford to buy one you certainly can't afford to keep one. I keep my horse on a shoe-string but feed, hay, stable rent, bedding, routine vet treatment, worming, foot care, maintainance and replacement of tack, eqipment and clothing treats and transport to and from the stables average out over the year at over £100 per week.
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I think its I've worded it wrong, i can afford the costs of owning and have backup saving for vet emergencies but cant find my perfect horse in price range (keeping enough back as a back up) so though loaning/ adoption would be worth a look.
 
guesstimation said:
Not sure what you are looking for but racehorse rehabilitation are good too I believe http://www.ror.org.uk/retraining.htm
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Excellent organisation but you do need to know what you are about when you take on an ex-racer. They aren't for the faint-hearted or inexperienced. A friend has had hers for several years but he still "races"/ has to be at the front when on a group hack.
 
igglepop said:
I think its I've worded it wrong, i can afford the costs of owning and have backup saving for vet emergencies but cant find my perfect horse in price range (keeping enough back as a back up) so though loaning/ adoption would be worth a look.
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I really threw it in as a warning both to you if you needed it (which you obviously don't) or for anyone else who might have thought it A Good Idea and a way to get a cheap horse.

Good luck.
 
Hi Igglepop. Not sure whereabouts you are, but have you tried Horseworld, near Bristol? One of my liveries has just brought two Shetlands here from them, and I was struck by how down to earth and sane the HW people were. And I've known one or two lovely horses come out of there.
 
Yup with ror you do need to know what you're but they can have some very nice horses with bags of potential and I'm always amazed how often they are overlooked so thought I'd throw them in there! :-) I'm hoping one day I'll be well enough and confident/experienced enough to take one on!
 
Think it's bransby... But I know one place you are not allowed barbed wire fencing and (I think) either not allowed on a livery yard, or working livery
 
Thanks for all the replies, have looked at ex race horses some seem amazing definitely an option. I haven't seen Horse world yet but will look now. Also i am in essex.
 
Shame your're not nearer to Bansby as I have one from there and found the whole process excellent. They come twice a year, pre arranged at a time convenient for me, and have a lovely selection of ponies/ horses - not all projects.
When my son is big enough for a pony it'll certainly be there I'll be looking for his first lead rein.
The do insist on third party liabilty (common sense really) and it's only £60 with BHS.
Home check was simple, common sense stuff - much more straightforward than when we got our dog from the Dogs Trust.
I really like the feeling of freeing up a space for a more needy case in their facilities.
One word of caution I have heard of 'charities' asking for quite considerable 'loaning fees' even ongoing annual 'loaning fees' so take care to find someone reputable.
 
Hunter93 said:
Wouldn't advise blue cross. Have got a pony from them had him for about 17 years he's now 38. They don't leave you alone and all they did with us was moan and we kept saying all we want is him to be happy so if they think he isn't then please rehome him and they said oh no no we're quite happy. They also make it quite impossible to rehome smaller furries.
Just my experience.
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I got a horse from the Burford Branch of the Blue Cross & have found them to be easy to deal with; about a year ago she became very seriously ill & I was worried they'd take her off me as she lost a shocking amount of weight & looked like a charity case but they were happy to leave me to it.
I kept the field officer informed, she spoke to my vet, I took photos of her recovery & emailed them to her, apart form one visit about 2 weeks into her treatment I was left alone.
So I would happily use them again, it sounds like I deal with different staff from you.
 
At one point the Blue Cross were offering a package where they part funded some of the costs (worming/ vaccinations etc.) I'm not sure if they still do but worth considering.

Also most charities will only advertise some of what they have on the web site, if you talk to them and get a home check done then you'll find a lot more availble but not yet advertised.
 
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