Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ----> 

----> Do I have to fill out an Adoption Application?

In a word, Yes. All potential adopters must be approved before they can adopt from Meadow Haven Horse Rescue. We will not consider anyone who has not completely filled out an Adoption Application, been processed, and approved. Once you're approved, you will get a phone call, or e-mail from us with your "Home ID", this is a number we assign to you that lets you know you've been approved, 

----> What are Meadow Haven's Adoption Policies?

Please Click Here for Meadow Haven's Adoption Policy.

----> What do I have to have in Order to Qualify for an Adoption?

Please Click Here for More Information.

----> Are Adoption Fees Refundable?

We do not refund adoption fees, but we will take the horse back and give the adopter a different horse if the match isn't working out. In the event that the adopter cannot care for the horse anymore, we will gladly take the horse back, for the lifetime of the horse.

----> Does Meadow Haven take only horses that are a particular breed, age, or type?

Meadow Haven is an all-breed equine rescue. We have had horses in our program representing almost every breed including miniatures, shetland ponies, drafts, Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, Arabians, Saddlebreds, Paints, Morgans, Appaloosas, Standardbreds, and many grade horses. We have taken in everything from pregnant mares and foals to senior horses well into their golden years. 

----> Where do Meadow Haven's horses come from?

The majority of our horses come to us from law enforcement seizures or horses that are surrendered to Animal Control. These horses are often under weight, and have been mishandled. The previous owners of these horses are sometimes facing criminal animal neglect charges and the horses are placed on hold until the resolution of the case, at which time ownership is assumed by MHHR. Occasionally, we will obtain horses through owner surrenders. These horses are voluntarily surrendered to MHHR because the owner can no longer care for them properly. Occasionally, we take in horses from other sources, such as auctions, feedlots, and some have even been purchased from the killer's holding pens.

----> Where do you stand on Euthanasia?

Meadow Haven is a no-kill sanctuary, but will consider euthanasia as a last resort when one, some, or all of the following apply:

• 1. The quality of life is poor, the horse is suffering in some way/shape/form.

• 2. The horse has a severe injury 

*In this instance, we only consider euthanasia if treatment is not guaranteed to work, or if (after fund-raising attempts) we're unable to afford the procedure.

• 3. The horse’s problem is chronic/unfixable and cannot be reasonably managed

• 4. The horse is a danger to itself, and though training has been attempted, it failed

• 5. The horse is a danger to others, and though training has been attempted, it failed

----> Can I return a Horse I adopt from Meadow Haven?

In most circumstances, yes.  We will take horses back if the horse turns out to not be a good match for the adopter within a reasonable amount of time, and we also take horses back at any time if circumstances change and the adopter is no longer able to care for the horse due to financial reasons or personal issues.  We cannot offer a refund on adoption fees for horses returned to us.  However, there are some circumstances where we will not take a horse back (such as the horse was injured in your care, and you have the financial ability to provide treatment). After the necessary care has been provided, we will gladly take the horse back.  

----> Do you allow trial adoptions?

We do allow horses to go out on trials, or what we call a “foster-to-adopt” situation.  In this situation, you are responsible for the care costs associated with the horse during the trial period (generally, 1–2 months).  The horse remains in “Pending Adoption” status during the trial period.

----> Does MHHR allow adopted horses to be sold?

Generally, we are looking for loving, lifetime homes for our horses.  We do not adopt to individuals simply looking for a resale project.  However, we do understand that the need to rehome may arise due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, loss of a job or farm, moving out of state, etc.  Our policy is that adopters may not transfer the horse to another party without written permission from MHHR.  We will ask the potential new owners to submit an adoption application and go through our adoption process. Provided the new home meets our adoption criteria, we will approve the request and we will ask the new owner/guardians to sign an adoption contract. The goal is not to disallow an adopter from rehoming a horse, it is simply to ensure that a previously rescued horse never ends up in a bad situation again. The former owner is permitted to ask a rehoming fee, but must abide by these requirements.

----> Does MHHR allow the breeding of adopted horses?

No. MHHR has a strict no-breeding policy for all adopted horses. We feel that any horse that has fallen into the hands of a rescue deserves to live out the rest of its days in a loving home and not as a breeding animal.  All colts and stallions are gelded before being made available for adoption and we do have a no-breeding policy in our adoption contract for all mares.

----> How do you determine your adoption fees?

• Horses We've Trained, and/or Paid for Training: $1000-$1500
• Rideable Horses: $500-$800
• Unstarted, Untrained Horses: $400
• Companion Horses: $1

----> How does MHHR categorize their horses?

Unstarted: A horse that has never been ridden. We do offer our young unstarted horses for adoption, but adopters must have a training plan outlined for the horse prior to approval and generally have experience working with young horses.

In Training: a horse that is currently residing at our trainer’s facility, either to start the horse under saddle or to work on issues that the horse might have. We do accept applications for horses in training, and potential adopters can visit the horse at the trainer’s barn. In some situations, we can arrange for a riding lesson to be taken on the horse under the trainer’s supervision.

Green Broke: A horse that has had minimal training under saddle or a horse that has graduated from our training program. Typically we will put between 60 and 90 days of training on horses that have not been already broke to ride, to establish a solid walk/trot/canter under saddle, as well as learn basic skills like lunging, tying, bathing, clipping, etc. Once a horse has this foundation, it is ready to be adopted and move into whatever type of riding the adopter is interested in. We make every effort to have qualified volunteers continue to ride these horses between the time they leave training and the time they are adopted.  Some green broke horses require intermediate or expert riders, others are suitable for more novice riders who have less experience.  Generally however, horses that are green broke are not suitable for beginner riders.

Well Started: a horse that has been ridden for at least a few years. These horses have various levels of training and experience (some in a specific discipline), and not all of them are suitable for beginning riders. We fully disclose any issues that have come to light during our time with the horse, but we cannot guarantee other issues may not arrise.

Well Started with Issues: issues may include bucking, rearing bolting, bad ground manners, or resistance. These will be issues that have come to light during the evaluation, training, or continued handling of the horse while at our facility, or were disclosed to MHHR upon intake. These issues are usually not unfixable but they do require continued training and patient work. Therefore, we will only adopt horses with known issues to experienced riders who have a plan in place to deal with them.

Light Riding Only: a horse that for physical reasons cannot hold up to strenuous work, like jumping, galloping, or extensive showing. These horses are usually best suited for trail riding or pleasure riding, primarily at the walk or trot. If you’re looking for a horse to have fun with and be friends with, a light riding horse is probably just what you want.

Companion Horse: a horse that can’t be ridden, either due to age, physical limitations, or training issues that cannot be overcome, making the horse dangerous to ride. Companion horses are the hardest horses to find good homes for, because most people are looking for horses they can ride. But these horses have a lot to offer. They make wonderful pets, they look pretty while grazing in a pasture, and they can be great friends — for people as well as lonely horses. A person who owns horse property can decide out of the goodness of their heart to give an old horse a final home and this can be a truly rewarding experience.  Horses, being herd animals, generally prefer the company of at least one other horse, so companion horses are perfect for someone who has 1 or two horses at home and wants another horse to keep the other horse company (or keep one horse company while one goes out for a ride).  The ideal companion horse gets along well with other horses, is generally an easy keeper, and is easy to handle for grooming and routine care. 

----> What are MHHR's Rider Categories?

Inexperienced:  A person with little to no riding experience.  An adult who only rode a few times as a child, or someone whose riding experience is limited to organized trail rides, would fall into this category.  We do not recommend adoption for inexperienced riders.

Beginner/Novice: A person with 2 years or less of formal riding experience, or someone who has perhaps ridden as child informally but is now an adult.  Generally, we recommend that people are in lessons for at least two years before they consider adopting a horse, or if they are adult riders just getting back into riding after 10 or more years, that they take some lessons first to “brush up” their skills.

Advanced Beginner:  An advanced beginner is someone that is generally comfortable riding a well-trained, quiet horse at walk, trot, and canter. 

Intermediate:  An intermediate rider is someone that is comfortable riding a well-trained horse at all gaits as well as is starting to learn more advanced techniques such as jumping, dressage, gaming, reining, etc.  They are comfortable riding green horses in a controlled environment and providing basic training for a horse.

Advanced:  An advanced rider is someone that is comfortable riding a green horse at all gaits and has ridden or is riding more advanced techniques such as jumping, dressage, gaming, reining, etc. in a competition environment.  An advanced rider is also capable of advancing a green horse’s training or starting a horse under saddle.

Expert:  An expert rider is a professional trainer who is currently training horses as a profession.  Generally, expert riders are those that can train a horse from its first experiences under saddle all the way to advanced techniques.  Generally, expert riders are actively competing in their discipline, and they may also be riding instructors as well.

Have a question we didn't cover? Just use the form on our contact page and we'll answer any we missed!