Horse Rehoming Charities

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sianmturner

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Hi everyone,

I'm currently looking for my first horse. I've decided I definitely want to rescue but I'm finding it a bit difficult to find a suitable horse.

My first problem, which I anticipated, is that I lack confidence. I'm looking for a horse that is good for a nervous rider because I am and I've come to accept that this is how I am going to stay. So I need a confidence giver. Of course, many of the horses in rescue have not had the greatest life and I understand that this can lead them to be nervous themselves and this would not be a good match. However, I have also noticed that some rescue centres have a 'leave a horse in your will' section or take horses off those who are no longer able to ride due to illness... So my hopes aren't completely dashed here.

Secondly, I'm tall. I'm 5ft9 and so not exactly suited to anything under 15hh and was hoping to find something a little heavier.

Firstly, do you think I'm barking up the wrong tree here? Is this an impossible task?

And, secondly, what rescue centres do people know (preferably in the north - I live in Teesside area)? I seem to be coming round and round to the same ones:
Bransby Horses, RSPCA, Blue Cross, Redwings, World Horse Welfare, HAPPA...

Thanks in advance xx
 
I thoroughly recommend SWHP but unfortunately you are too far away from them. I'm sure someone will be able to recommend rescues closer to you though.
 
I rehomed two young cobs from Blue Cross, I found them very helpful and supportive. They do have experienced horses and ponies which they try to rehome direct from one borrower to another without them going back to the centre.

Good luck with your search, give a couple of organisations a call initially and see how you get on.
 
Do bear in mind that a lot of rescue horses will have come from poor starts so may be naturally more nervous and a nervous horse/rider combination is never a good thing. There may well be rescues that don't have problems but most of them do end up there for a reason.

You may struggle to find something a) over 15h and b) rideable - they get rehomed very very quickly.

But don't give up hope - coming up to winter, people are less likely to be taking on horses so you may be lucky!

Another idea is what about Horses4Homes? It's a charity run by Karl Hester and it allows horses to be rehomed by their owners. There is usually a good description of what the horse can and cant do. There are usually quite a few older horses out there who are more schoolmaster types.

Another option is what about a part loan/share - that way you can learn all about horse ownership with the support of someone. Then when you feel more confident, get your own?
 
EQUIDAE said:
Do bear in mind that a lot of rescue horses will have come from poor starts so may be naturally more nervous and a nervous horse/rider combination is never a good thing. There may well be rescues that don't have problems but most of them do end up there for a reason.

You may struggle to find something a) over 15h and b) rideable - they get rehomed very very quickly.

But don't give up hope - coming up to winter, people are less likely to be taking on horses so you may be lucky!

Another idea is what about Horses4Homes? It's a charity run by Karl Hester and it allows horses to be rehomed by their owners. There is usually a good description of what the horse can and cant do. There are usually quite a few older horses out there who are more schoolmaster types.

Another option is what about a part loan/share - that way you can learn all about horse ownership with the support of someone. Then when you feel more confident, get your own?
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Thanks. I am currently a part loan / sharer and have enjoyed it very much. Now looking to take on my own :-). Should have maybe said that in OP. I lost my confidence about 10 years ago in an accident where I came out hurt. I was lucky to get away without really injuring myself badly. However, it always brings to the forefront of my mind just how much trust we put in a horse. And, for that reason, I don't like to ride anything that might bolt, buck, rear etc. I can handle on the spot spooking but jumping out or bolting is a no no just due to that awful experience. I don't think I'll ever forget.

I will give Horses4Homes another look. Only, there isn't much within 60 miles and it seems to suggest that horses need to be within a 60 mile radius. I'll keep my eyes open though.

Thanks for the advice.
 
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I have an unbacked blue cross pony which clearly isn't what you are looking for BUT they do have bigger, older more experienced horses. They are very sought after so I would speak to a rescue charity, explain what you are looking for and get yourself on the list (have all the pre checks done) so you can move quickly if something suitable becomes available. Have you considered an older horse looking for a quieter life? Maybe put feelers out at riding schools, RCs etc. in this situation many are looking for a good home over price.
 
Ceriann said:
I have an unbacked blue cross pony which clearly isn't what you are looking for BUT they do have bigger, older more experienced horses. They are very sought after so I would speak to a rescue charity, explain what you are looking for and get yourself on the list (have all the pre checks done) so you can move quickly if something suitable becomes available. Have you considered an older horse looking for a quieter life? Maybe put feelers out at riding schools, RCs etc. in this situation many are looking for a good home over price.
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Thanks. Great idea. Part of my reasoning behind choosing to rescue is because I've never had a horse before. I know I can do the jobs etc because I have part loaned / shared. And I've done all the calculations to check that I can afford the financial contributions and all the lights seem to be green. But still I have this feeling that, for the first time at least, I'd like to have the safety net of a rescue centre behind me. I'm the only earner in my house so if something happened to me, I would like to know that the horse will have somewhere safe to go. This is what I've also done with my dogs and, while thankfully this has never happened, I can sleep easy at night knowing that if anything should happen to me, they have somewhere safe that will look after them.

Hope that makes sense ! x
 
I would get in touch and go and visit the re homing places, do their riding assessment have the home check etc. it's a bit of a faff but it means when something comes in (as you describe from someone who can't cope or gifts to the charity or other reason that older big horses are gifted) they know you and you're ready to go.
The good ones never make it to being advertised on the web site as they'll have a wait list of people like you.

Not sure where in the North East but Bransby horses in Lincoln is a lovely charity to deal with and they do take in gifted ones as you describe so worth going to see them.
 
You just need go contact them, more than one would be a good idea.
Give them all of your details then they will match you with a horse and call you to meet it and try it.
Good luck.
 
sianmturner said:
I will give Horses4Homes another look. Only, there isn't much within 60 miles and it seems to suggest that horses need to be within a 60 mile radius. I'll keep my eyes open though.
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Oh no, don't be put off by that - it's not true! I adopted through Horses4Homes, and my gelding travelled a lot more than 60 miles to get to me; I'm in West Yorkshire and he came from County Cork!
 
Like the others, I'd go and visit every charity/rescue around you and get to know them. There are gems out there in terms of bigger ridden horses, though they will be few and far between. I've got one from HAPPA who is an absolute megastar, had her for 11 years.

I'd also consider volunteering with the rescue centres if you have any free time, every little helps when you are trying to show you are the most suitable home, and you might possibly get a tip off if they've got something suitable coming up ;)
 
sianmturner said:
Thanks. Great idea. Part of my reasoning behind choosing to rescue is because I've never had a horse before. I know I can do the jobs etc because I have part loaned / shared. And I've done all the calculations to check that I can afford the financial contributions and all the lights seem to be green. But still I have this feeling that, for the first time at least, I'd like to have the safety net of a rescue centre behind me. I'm the only earner in my house so if something happened to me, I would like to know that the horse will have somewhere safe to go. This is what I've also done with my dogs and, while thankfully this has never happened, I can sleep easy at night knowing that if anything should happen to me, they have somewhere safe that will look after them.

Hope that makes sense ! x
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very sensible! ☺ have you considered a full loan? That would give you that same safety net and you will always have the owner who knows the horses best to call on if there's anything your unsure of. I used to know a lady who 3 fab confidence givers from HAPPA so they definatly get them in, may just be a waiting game but as another poster has already said coming into winter may work in your favour
 
Have you considered TRC? I know they are stereotypically not what you would think of for nervous riders, but whereas other charities will have a lot that aren't rideable, ponies etc pretty much everything they have would be the right size for you and rideable so you would be looking for something suitable in a much larger pool.
 
Don't let the distance put you off, I'm a very proud adopter of a Blue Cross project pony and did a 350 mile round trip to go to the centre for the assessment, they go through every thing with you, they watch you ride and how you handle the horses/ponies from the ground, but will not let you have the one you are looking at if they don't think you are capable. And 350 mile trip to go pick her up. Give them a try, look on their website, if you see something you like fill in the form, they will get back to you. Best thing I ever did after loosing my old boy earlier this year. You never know the one you are looking for may just turn up. Good luck with your search.
 
Sianmturner. If I may give you the benefit of my invaluable advice and that is that if you are nervous then buy yourself a well established horse that is totally and completely safe in all situations. You will not get one from a re-homing place and in fact you may have to search a while to find one to buy as they are worth their weight in gold.
 
or get a loan of a schoolmaster to get your confidence up and show you the ropes a bit. then you can start looking around charities down the line and not be under pressure or in a rush to accept a horse that might be 'close enough; to what you want, but not perfect.
I'd also echo the others in saying that maybe a charity horse mightn't be best for a first horse (and i say that as someone with a field of charity horses!) that usually there is a reason they have ended up in a charity, be it physical or mental issues. Any charity ones I've got have needed vets work to fix damage they had received, behavioural and trust issues due to their past or they have needed to be restarted from scratch. And even though they are nice kind horses, would never be suited as a first horse.

Getting experiences and enjoying yourself with a nice grounded happy horse who can bring you along is priceless. Then down the line get a rescue maybe.
 
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