The Adoption Option... what do you think?

Lucky Duck · 01-25-2005, 03:27 AM

I am looking way ahead at getting another horse (when we have the rest of our land fenced and better shelter).

I really like Standardbreds, but it seems one of the only not horribily expensive ways to get one is Adoption. Normally I shy away from this because of the awful experience I had with the last adoption agency... but I am looking at New Vocations. Their website is: http://www.horseadoption.com/main.htm. They will give you custody of the horse in 2 years if they are happy with you and you are happy with the horse.

Do you think this is a good idea? Or should I stay away from adopting all together?

My other concern is that the lady at the adoption agency I had trouble with may have slandered my name to all the other adoption programs out there.

Paints4me · 01-25-2005, 04:34 AM

Why was your name slandered???

Lucky Duck · 01-25-2005, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paints4me

Why was your name slandered???

Well, I don't know if it was or not... but the basic story is that I adopted a senior companion horse. The horse lost weight despite all my efforts in feeding (I was feeding total 14lbs of grain a day plus beet pulp, rice bran, red cell and veggie oil, as well as free choice hay and chopped forage). The vet found the horse had some medical problems. One of which was teeth which were taken care of and helped the horse to gain weight. When I notified the adoption agency, the accused me of starving the horse (despite vet records sent to them). They threathened to take the horse away and fine me... even told me that the horse should be fed 30lbs of grain a day and said that my care and feeding was not adequate. Anyhow, I spoke to vets and equine nutritionists who told me I was doing everything I could for the horse. So, I got a lawyer which caused the lady at the adoption agency to get nasty and even send e-mails with threats and filled with name-calling and cursing. In the end, I got custody of the horse and the horse is now fat and happy.

Anyhow, I do not know if this lady told all other horse adoption programs that I was a "bad horse person" and not to adopt a horse out to me.

Sandra-A1 · 01-25-2005, 05:36 AM

I have a friend who had a horrible experience with an equine adoption and because of her experience I say unless you recieve full custody AND TITLE to the horse when you first take possession of it, to stay away from them. It is just not worth the risk of having them come and take the horse away from you. It is sad but true that the few bad apples are making it harder for the good guys.
While I know there are adoption groups that are on the "up-and-up" I had rather just go ahead and buy a horse than go the adoption route. If I am paying for the feed, farrier and medical I want it to be for a horse I own and not one that someone else owns.
If you really want to get a Standardbred, then why not just ask around the backstretch at a Standardbred racetrack and see if any of the trainers have horses for sale? There are always the ones who do not have the speed or desire to be competitive race horses that the trainers have been told to sell by the owners. See if you can find one of those. That way you will not only have the horse you want you WILL own it too!

shell · 01-25-2005, 05:46 AM

I totaly agree Sandra. Som dog adoption places are like that too. You might try your local ASPCA. Sometimes they have horses and are easier to deal with than some of the "rescue" places.

lynnloves739 · 01-25-2005, 05:58 AM

I adopted my standardbred from a local equine college. They were done using him for whatever they needed him for, and they needed to find him a home. He is great, I have been very fortunate. Just be careful, sometimes when you decide to adopt a horse there may be more vet issues etc then you bargained for. Make sure you have the horse checked out first.

A good adoption program will normally be very interested in the home the horse will have, the feed he will be getting, your vet records, etc. Just so they know you will be good to the horse.

Good luck.

Lynda

Idrivetrotter · 01-25-2005, 11:26 AM

No NO NO!!! New Vocations is a wonderful agency, I've sent horses to them for adoption and have had wonderful people adopt my horses. I train standardbreds for racing and I "show" one (if you want to call it that

) and they are wonderful horses, very people oriented, very good trainability, and have a more forgiving nature.
New Vocations make a lot of effort to make sure the horses are sent to good, loving homes and I always sent a letter about the horse, ie race history, personaltiy quarks, and my email address. I always got a reply back on how well behaved and nice my horses are and thanking me for allowing them to be adopted. All have good homes from show to just being a trail/companion horse.
Adoption agencies do need more regulation as anyone can call themselves an adoption agency and do what they want. New Vocations is not only set up by it is also regulated by the USTA (us trotting assoc, the governing body of harness horses) and they. Re-run the tb adoption agency is also over seen by the Jockey Club. This kind of over sight allows for better adoption homes and better horses to be adopted, as we can use the horses for a tax write off for the adoption.
I can recommend New Vocations and wish you very well on your new horse.

Jubilee Farm · 01-25-2005, 11:36 AM

I'd definately have to say that if you are considering adoption DO IT! I agree there are good rescues and some 'not-so-good' ones out there. Dealing with rescues constantly myself I have come in contact with both. I'm personally always leary of rescues who retain ownership for extended periods or life of the horse, even though its a pretty standard deal. I personally haven't heard anything but good about New Vocations though! Let us know what you decide

EventingBandit4 · 01-25-2005, 11:38 AM

Adoption would be a good choice because you're basically saving a horse and the adoption people, if they're good at their job, will understand any problems you may have such as medical ones...I would give it another go...

SammyDoodle · 01-25-2005, 11:43 AM

A friend of mine has an adopted horse from the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre - she is a very difficult mare - but ex racehorses are never the easiest to deal with

I think that you should look at adopting - some really nice horses are available and if you have the knowledge and the patience you can end up with a real star! It is easier to find an older leisure riding or companion horse than a competiton horse but it all depends on what you really want to do with the horse. Just try to get the history and a good vet check first

01-25-2005, 03:27 AM	#1
Lucky Duck Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,357 Images: 58	The Adoption Option... what do you think? I am looking way ahead at getting another horse (when we have the rest of our land fenced and better shelter). I really like Standardbreds, but it seems one of the only not horribily expensive ways to get one is Adoption. Normally I shy away from this because of the awful experience I had with the last adoption agency... but I am looking at New Vocations. Their website is: http://www.horseadoption.com/main.htm. They will give you custody of the horse in 2 years if they are happy with you and you are happy with the horse. Do you think this is a good idea? Or should I stay away from adopting all together? My other concern is that the lady at the adoption agency I had trouble with may have slandered my name to all the other adoption programs out there.

01-25-2005, 05:36 AM	#4
Sandra-A1 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,159 Images: 208	I have a friend who had a horrible experience with an equine adoption and because of her experience I say unless you recieve full custody AND TITLE to the horse when you first take possession of it, to stay away from them. It is just not worth the risk of having them come and take the horse away from you. It is sad but true that the few bad apples are making it harder for the good guys. While I know there are adoption groups that are on the "up-and-up" I had rather just go ahead and buy a horse than go the adoption route. If I am paying for the feed, farrier and medical I want it to be for a horse I own and not one that someone else owns. If you really want to get a Standardbred, then why not just ask around the backstretch at a Standardbred racetrack and see if any of the trainers have horses for sale? There are always the ones who do not have the speed or desire to be competitive race horses that the trainers have been told to sell by the owners. See if you can find one of those. That way you will not only have the horse you want you WILL own it too! __________________ "It is our choices Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." ~Dumbledore

01-25-2005, 05:46 AM	#5
shell Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The Great North West Posts: 8,690 Images: 248	I totaly agree Sandra. Som dog adoption places are like that too. You might try your local ASPCA. Sometimes they have horses and are easier to deal with than some of the "rescue" places. __________________ “Look, what a horse should have he did not lack, save a proud rider on so proud back.” -Shakespear

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01-25-2005, 04:34 AM	#2
Paints4me Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,284 Images: 24	Why was your name slandered???

01-25-2005, 05:58 AM	#6
lynnloves739 Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NY Posts: 772 Images: 24	I adopted my standardbred from a local equine college. They were done using him for whatever they needed him for, and they needed to find him a home. He is great, I have been very fortunate. Just be careful, sometimes when you decide to adopt a horse there may be more vet issues etc then you bargained for. Make sure you have the horse checked out first. A good adoption program will normally be very interested in the home the horse will have, the feed he will be getting, your vet records, etc. Just so they know you will be good to the horse. Good luck. Lynda

01-25-2005, 11:26 AM	#7
Idrivetrotter Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 457	No NO NO!!! New Vocations is a wonderful agency, I've sent horses to them for adoption and have had wonderful people adopt my horses. I train standardbreds for racing and I "show" one (if you want to call it that ) and they are wonderful horses, very people oriented, very good trainability, and have a more forgiving nature. New Vocations make a lot of effort to make sure the horses are sent to good, loving homes and I always sent a letter about the horse, ie race history, personaltiy quarks, and my email address. I always got a reply back on how well behaved and nice my horses are and thanking me for allowing them to be adopted. All have good homes from show to just being a trail/companion horse. Adoption agencies do need more regulation as anyone can call themselves an adoption agency and do what they want. New Vocations is not only set up by it is also regulated by the USTA (us trotting assoc, the governing body of harness horses) and they. Re-run the tb adoption agency is also over seen by the Jockey Club. This kind of over sight allows for better adoption homes and better horses to be adopted, as we can use the horses for a tax write off for the adoption. I can recommend New Vocations and wish you very well on your new horse.

01-25-2005, 11:36 AM	#8
Jubilee Farm Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Northern CA Posts: 1,476 Images: 52	I'd definately have to say that if you are considering adoption DO IT! I agree there are good rescues and some 'not-so-good' ones out there. Dealing with rescues constantly myself I have come in contact with both. I'm personally always leary of rescues who retain ownership for extended periods or life of the horse, even though its a pretty standard deal. I personally haven't heard anything but good about New Vocations though! Let us know what you decide

01-25-2005, 11:43 AM	#10
SammyDoodle Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,283 Images: 67 Blog Entries: 1	A friend of mine has an adopted horse from the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre - she is a very difficult mare - but ex racehorses are never the easiest to deal with I think that you should look at adopting - some really nice horses are available and if you have the knowledge and the patience you can end up with a real star! It is easier to find an older leisure riding or companion horse than a competiton horse but it all depends on what you really want to do with the horse. Just try to get the history and a good vet check first