Q for those who have re-homed/fostered from rescue centre

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kirstyhoneyb

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I have just sent off an application to a local horse rescue centre and would like to hear about your experiences, what checks did they do etc, how does it work? Do you pay for all vet bills etc
It says they dont get many suitable for riding but hopefully I'll be lucky.
 
I had a horse from WHW (then the ILPH) some years ago. They were quite keen to get the horse re-homed as he was v strong and they were having trouble finding someone willing to take him on, also I had a friend working there so they may have been lenient.

I had to become a member of WHW and paid about £30 for the loan agreement form. The local field officer came about twice a year. The first couple of times he warned me in advance; after that I'd only know he'd been because he dropped a business card through my letter box - so I assume he had no complaints. The only problem arose when I no longer had a job for the horse and he was then 22 and quite rickety although technically sound. I thought he should be PTS as he had a wonderful 3 years with me and didn't deserve the trauma of moving on. They disagreed; we found a new home; but he collapsed and died 6 weeks later. I wished I had stuck to my guns and had him PTS in the place he had probably spent some of his happiest times - but that is by the by. All in all, a good experience.
 
i had several horses with a charity in Scotland i payed a loan fee for each horse, they inspected my riding and place i was keeping them had 3 home visits and then they delivered them at think it was 50p a mile.

i paid for yearly superscription for the charity £30 family subscribe
i paid for everything from field-vets you get 2 yearly checks and i got no tack with them(could buy of charity) i had to keep a record of vet visits, dentist, farrier when i wormed and they had to be signed
 
Wow
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that sounds like an awful situation to me.

I would never want to take on a "problem horse" at a fee only to be monitored like child for the rest of it's life. I also would not like not being in full control of how I choose to care for it. Too many horses of a like description are being given away here atm. If I am taking on a horse it will be one I want and what I am looking for and I would be willing to pay for such. No rescue paperwork, drama and fees for me right now thank you. If you want to "rescue" a horse here you only have to go on Freecycle.




OP....

if you are truly desiring a ridable horse why not look for one suitable for YOU outside a rescue? Are you still going to rescue a non rideable horse if a ridable one is what you truly want
 
I have had my cob (in avatar) for 9 years now from Bransby. They come and check that you have adequate grazing, no barbed wire, ragwort etc and then once you get the horse they do 3/4 checks a year (no notice) to see they are ok. We also have a mini shetland from them also for about 9 years. You treat them as if they are your own - so vets,dentists, farriers etc - I have only ever contacted them to let them know that my cob had laminitis so they have a record in the even that she ever had to go back. They always leave a note to say they have visited - usually to tell me I am spoiling her!!

Can't think of anything else but it may have changed since then!! If its Bransby you have applied to and you think of anything ask or PM me.
 
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If its Bransby you have applied to and you think of anything ask or PM me.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes it is Bransby. I cant think of anything to ask at the minute but might in the near future.
 
I have had 2 ponies from WHW, both companions not ridden. Field officer visited me first, filled in forms and checked my field, stables etc. Then when a suitable pony became available I was given chance to see her and when I decided I liked her paid £25 loan fee. As above, field officer visited 2 or 3 times at year, more often than not I only knew he had been because I found his card with a little note on it. First pony I sadly lost from colic, 2nd one was with me for 15 years, and was pts here aged 34 years, field officer was great help in making the decision that it was time to call it a day with her, and even offered to hold her if I was not able to face it. I was responsible for all vets, farriers fees etc. I would definitely have another one from them if I didn't now have a field full of daughters outgrown ponies
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My mare is from HAPPA but I think the set up is pretty similar to Slinky's experiences. Initial home check to ensure the grazing is adequate, shelter, stable etc OK. My horse came with nothing at all, had to sort tack etc before I got her (I was working at the centre at the time so that was easy for me to do
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My inspector comes about twice a year although I do usually get notice. She just wants to check feet, teeth, worming, jabs etc are up to date and the horse is well. I usually write HAPPA a letter every year to let them know how she's getting on anyway
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Again, all costs associated with the horse are down to me. It really is like having your own horse in that respect. I got my horse 5 years ago and I believe around that time there was some talk of doing formal riding assessments on potential loaners, so be honest on your application as to your abilities and expectations
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I've also got one on loan from HAPPA and went through the same procedure as Milliepops.

My riding assessment involved being able to correctly tack up the horse and then we went for a quick hack - nothing scary as i'd imagined.

Its worth taking a visit to the centre and speaking to the staff about the horses they currently have for rehoming and what type of homes they are looking for - If there a face to the application i think it helps

Dont be put off by any inital description of a 'problem'. They will never sugar coat anything like when you buy from a private seller - They will give you a warts and all of each horse as the are looking for a forever home.

We homed a fantastic mare from them which had been looking for a home for over 2 years as people where put off as shes a trotter and she was described as mareish and came with a months supply of 'moody mare'!.

We've never had any problems with her at all or fed any supplements.

Goodluck with it
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I hope they get back to you quickly x
 
I have a rescue TB from a sanctuary in Devon. Great experience and I have recommended the centre to others. Lots of visits to get to know Barney, rides in school, rides out in company, rides out alone over a substantial period of time to establish that fledgling relationship between Barney and I worked on a mutual basis. Lots of chats to find out as much as I could about him and for the centre to find out about me.

Initial homecheck to establish if our paddocks and stabling up to scratch. I was worried as we are far from a top-notch yard(!) being more of a field with stabling attached; but the home checkers were realistic and supportive. All good.

I had to buy all tack and rugs but was loaned tack intitally while waited for a decent saddle fitter.

Then 3 monthly checks for first year and then six monthly and now annual. I pay for everything and have sole responsibility on Barney's welfare. Receive reminders on vaccs and teeth but no hassle. Good to know that they were always at the end of a phone line at first when dealing with a stressy TB moving home... Can't really fault the process. Barney and I both v. happy!
 
I have two on loan from SWHP, one ridden, one companion. Both are fantastic horses. There was a nominal initial fee for each horse plus a yearly membership fee. Our grazing arrangments and stabling were checked initially and we get a yearly home visit. No tack was provided and we are responsible for all costs.
I would recommend SWHP to anyone.
 
Nobody is being treated like a child. The reason there are checks is because the horse is on loan, and the organisation is behaving as any responsible owner would do. Some of these horses have been signed over to the rescue organisation by owners who did so in order to be sure that they would be cared for for life. We hear so many stories of horses that have been sold cheaply or gifted that end up in a sad situation...
I have had horses from the Blue Cross, and again it was a positive experience.
 
I have a Blue Cross horse; I can't praise them highly enough.
I filled in the application form, they got back to me quickly (probably because I stated that I was willing to take anything which wasn't dangerous & would welcome a horse with a quirky temperment)
I then went to the centre to have a riding assessment on a school master & then tried my horse in the school, I went back a few days later to hack her out.
They did a home check & I bought her home a couple of days later.
I've had her for a year now & they've been out to check her twice, which is fair enough. I would expect any responsible horse owner to check up on a horse of theirs which is out on loan. I paid a £350 donation for her.
I tell everybody who meets her she's a Blue Cross horse & they are always amazed that I got such a quality horse from a rescue centre.
 
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