Rehoming from a charity

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Dizzle

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Has anyone ever rehomed from a charity? I'm probably going to need a long term companion in the near future but after having previously bought a horse that turned out to be unsuitable I was wondering about finding a horse from a charity, that way if it doesn't work out they can be returned but if not I can offer a horse a good retirement home.

How long does the process take? Do they have similar strict rules that they do when rehoming dogs? I seem to have a vague memory of someone saying they were very strict on just having post and rail fencing for instance.

Any first hand experience would be great!
 
Hi,

I have rehomed two ponies from World Horse Welfare and they have been/are still FAB. One is a mare that I still have and ride and the other was a youngster that was originally a field companion that has since gone back as she was ready to find a ridden home.

The process is much quicker for a field companion than a ridden horse as you don’t have to go and have a couple of riding trials etc. I rehomed my companion within about a week/10 days of filling out the form online but they did already know me from the previous pony.

You fill out the form for the one you like online, they call you to discuss your situation and needs as an initial screen and then if the horse you want is suitable they ask you to come for a visit. They were really friendly and I just had to pop a head collar on and lead the pony about a bit. I would imagine they can spot a numpty a mile off and they might make you do more if you look uncertain. Again, they did already know me too.

They have rules about no barbed wire for fencing but I have kept them with electric taping/post and rail/post and wire etc and that was fine. They come for a very informal yard inspection where they check there are no screamingly obvious problems such as barbed wire fencing or dangerous field shelters etc. Again, very nice and very practical, there were even some ragwort plants that hadn’t been pulled yet in a field that was going to be used and they were happy that they would be removed before the ponies went in.

They 2 stage vet check them for you and then you can take them home! Both of mine have been angels to handle and have loaded well/good for vet/farrier/dentist/with kids/dogs etc and I like the peace of mind that they will always have a home to go back to if anything happens.

Good luck with your search! I cannot recommend rehoming from a reputable charity enough- and no, I don’t work for them, I’m just an avid supporter! :)
 
I have just rehomed a mini from the Blue Cross, and found them really good to deal with. I was worried about my fencing, as my landlord has recently re-fenced the yard side of all my paddocks with double fencing - post and rail on the non-horse side, and (to my horror) stock fencing with a strand of barbed wire on the horse side - the intention is to plant hedging in between. I have two lines of stand off insulators and electric tape on them - and the BC were very practical/sensible about it. They agreed it wasn't ideal, but were happy that I had done my best to keep my horses safe. I went to visit him, had a long chat/filled in lots of forms, had a home visit a few days later, then picked him up the following week after he'd had a (standard procedure) vet check. The whole process took about two weeks.

BC Ivan has been here about a month, and he is perfect! I ordered a feisty one, who wouldn't take any nonsense from the bigger horses, and got exactly that! He's only 2, and had a rotten start (https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/blue-cross-centre-burford-strangles-lockdown-654764), but they did a great job of installing some manners - he is VERY naughty/cheeky, but knows the boundaries,and doesn't overstep them! It's been a very positive experience!
 
Ditto WHWMo.

I have three World Horse Welfare ponies. My first the process was so easy from applying online for her to bringing her home, between getting my first and my second two I had a lot of dealings with WHW for other reasons. I then spotted my next one on their website so I just dropped them a email didn’t have to go through the applying process, they even asked me about taking on another two along side the one I wanted haha!! I required a yard check for the second two due to having a new field officer but the process was again quick and easy.

I’d totally recommend rehoming from WHW. Feel free to message me with any questions or anything you’d like to know :-)
 
I’ve got a Blue cross companion. It was all very quick, a week maybe start to having him.
There was nothing suitable on the website so I just called in one day and explained my situation. There and then I filled out the form and went for a tour round to meet a few possibilities.
Chose the one i was interested in, went back two days later to meet and groom him. They house checked the next day and he arrived a few days later!
All very easy and straight forward. He’s now been signed over to me which in all honesty I didn’t really want 😳 I liked the fact he was on loan because you can never foresee the future and I liked the security for him. However i do plan to keep him and they assured me in the event of something awful they will do their best to help out.
 
all very similar, I have 2 from HAPPA. One I've had on loan for about 15 years, the other came to join her in retirement last year. After all this time, sometimes the check up visits (2 per year) seem a bit OTT .... I've kept Millie well for a very long time through thick and thin, so to be asked when she last had her feet done is a bit patronising... but I totally understand why they have to do it :)
 
I have 3 from a charity i rehomed from at the moment. Its a very easy process, they home checked me for the first one and sussed me out, And then the pony arrived and they were very supportive if id any questions. The charity I use give you the passport and full ownership, but they will take the horse back if there are any issues or you don't click. It's a very rewarding process and I wil def use them for future horses when i have space free.
 
I had one from Bransby Horses - lovely charity to deal with and I would highly recommend them. Practical, supportive, valued my opinion on him when it got to the end of his time.

I also had one from Blue Cross (for 4 weeks) which sadly was a very different experience and really dented my trust in bigger organisations. PM me if you'd like details but that was a ridden horse so maybe different for a companion as much less likely they are totally unsuitable.
 
Exactly the same experience of those that have rehomed from WHW

I’ve had my boy since March 2014 and he’s fabulous. A right character and not always easy as we was a semi feral stallion until he was six but I adore him

WHW have been very helpful and just to add they do checks every six months so a welfare officer will come unannounced to check them, absolutely nothing to worry about I promise, it’s just to see they are ok.
 
I rehomed a riding horse from the Blue Cross, it was a very easy process, I filled in a form for a horse that I liked, which I didn't get but they offered me another one who I also liked, she was a hot horse so I did a trial ride first on a quieter horse, then I rode her in the school. I went back a few days later to hack her out.
I had to wait a couple of weeks for the home visit, we have barbed wire on my livery yard but the fencing is well maintained so the field officer was happy with it.
After a few years she became very ill & they were supportive without being intrusive. When I made the heart breaking decision to put her down after 10 years together I rang them to tell them my plan & they again offered support without being intrusive.
I wouldn't hesitate to go back if I decide to get another one.
 
My friend has had a lovely companion mare for over 10 years from WHW. I think they check her once a year. She lives with a herd on a pretty rough around the edges farm, but they know she is cared for and have basically left my friend to it. She ended up taking on more horses and didn’t need her as a companion years ago but kept her anyway. She is 28 now
 
Thanks all! I have actually just spotted something on WHW so will make contact, still up in the air what my exact plans are but good to know that it's a fairly pain free process.
 
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