Question about rescue horses?

If all you've been doing is reading, you probably don't know as much as you think you do. Most horse-related things can only be learned by hands-on experience. Now... I'm not saying you can't get a horse. But keep in mind that rescues are usually NOT easy keepers. A free horse is never free. But, then again, I don't know the horse... They could be perfectly healthy for all I know.

Getting a rescued horse is a lot of hard demanding work, but it is very rewarding. If the horse has been neglected, (no vet, teeth, or farrier work, and malnourished,) then you have a long road to recovery before you can even ride him. A horse that has not only been neglected, but physically abused can be another story. I've dealt with one of those. This horse would go ballistic if you tied her up. It was dangerous. They tried to retrain her, but she had been so severly beaten, that it was stuck in her mind for good.

Adopting a horse is a good thing to do, but you need to go in with both eyes opened. Have a vet look at him, get a trainer to come work with him a few times. You need to know what you are getting into and make sure that you have the funds and knowledge, (and I'm sorry, but more than just book knowledge,) to rehab or retrain a horse.

I hope you can do all of this. I really do. The more people who give a horse a good home the better. Good luck and God bless!

I have a horse rescue and i get wonder horses here, most well trained horses that people can no longer afford. You have to look at the horse, sometimes people here rescue and their brains think this is going to be a bad horse with issues...not all horses are like that...no horse leaves this rescue unless its healthy, sound, and sane. I have a few i have offered sanctuary to, they will not every leave here, they will be taken care of till they pass on. I would have the horse check out by a vet you choose just to protect yourself and make sure you get the right horse for you.

Most rescue horses have nothing wrong with them. People loose their jobs and can no longer buy their hay or pay their board. People dump horses because they lose interest in them and can not be bothered caring for them any longer. Check out some of the 6,000 beautiful PMU babies that if they are not adopted go for meat. I have two and they are now sound beautiful mares. I adopted mine sight unseen. All a rescue horse needs is a chance. Free horses are in the same predicament. Owners no longer want them and there is no market for horses except for meat.

There are a lot of factors involved in determining if a particular rescue horse will be good for you. You really would be wise to take an experienced horse person with you to look at the horses you are considering, and to have them ride the horse first. What you need to consider is the horse's basic temperament, and what sort of situation the horse was rescued from. If the horse was abused or totally neglected, and has a nervous or aggressive personality, he may need a more experienced person to adopt him. The people adopting the horses out are not always particularly knowledgeable, even though they are doing a good thing in rescuing horses from bad situations. An experienced trainer who'd be willing to accompany you to look at the horses would really be the best advice I can give you.

That's great that you're reading - and really great that you want to rescue a horse, and are willing to learn what you need to know in order to be a good owner of a rescue horse. Best of luck to you.

PS -First off, I agree with what Gallop says. That said, in an ideal world, every horse owner would have lots of experience and natural ability to handle horses, but in reality, if a person is intelligent, has some common sense, is willing to learn what is involved in proper horse care, and to avail themselves of the help from knowledgeable horse people, then that person is an excellent candidate to rescue horses, or adopt rescue horses. The key here is the willingness and desire of the person to increase their knowledge, and to do the right thing when it comes to horse care. I know a lot of people with so-called experience, people who have owned horses for years, and ridden horses for years, whose horse-manship and horse husbandry skills are absolutely abominable. And as for riding - that's another matter. If you do hope to ride your rescue horse, then you definitely need the advice of a trainer/instructor who knows your current ability and potential, and can help match you up with a suitable horse.

Adopting a horse has nothing to do with whether or not you know how to ride a horse. It has to do with whether or not you know how to take care of a horse, and if you have a suitable place to do that. I knew a woman who had never ridden a horse in her life. But after her husband died, she received a huge insurance payment. She had never done anything for herself in her whole life. So, she went out and rescued 6 thoroughbred racehorses who were targeted for slaughter. She found a barn manager willing to take all six and supply the care they needed, even though it was a boarding stable that didn't offer that kind of care. The woman I refer to is still supporting these horses, and has already written her will to cover their care for the rest of their lives, even if she dies tomorrow.

If you adopt the horse, it's about the horse.

I have a wonderful STB that came from our local humane society. He was taken in on an abuse case. Interestingly enough, he wasn't the one we were looking at. The farm manager kept saying that the belgian we wanted was not a good fit for us. She was right. She was also right when she suggested Herman. He's incredible. The only thing I can tell you is it to work with an organization that will be brutally honest with you. That way there are no real surprises.

Good luck.

You have taken horse back lessons before? If you have and your trainer thinks you are amazing at riding, you should be ready...

Is this horse trained?

Young?

UTD on deworming, farrier, vaccinations, ect....

This horse is calm?

Is it your first horse?

I am considering a rescue foal (yearling) and I am hoping to take a look at him...Its tough work with a rescue horse, however. I suggest talking to the owners of the rescue farm about him/her.

Have you ridden horses before? Ask for your coaches discretion on this...

I have had good luck with rescuing horses. I leased a pony for 2 years that was rescued from a neglect case and he was a fabulous little hunter pony who took care of everybody who sat on his back.