Thinking about getting a new horse?
You may want to consider adopting one.
Just like the millions of dogs and cats in
need of homes, there are horses that for one reason or another have ended up
homeless.
Here are a few things to
consider when trying to decide whether to add to your herd or not:
1.
Are
you ready to make a life-long commitment to the animal?
2.
Can
you afford it?
3.
Do you
have time for it?
If you answered YES to all
of the above questions, then ask yourself:
1.
How do I
intend to use the horse? Showing, pleasure riding, hunting, etc. Is the horse that you are considering able to
perform in this capacity?
2.
Is the
horse a good match for my skill level?
If possible, can you find out the history of the horse? It may have been hurt or upset at some point
and unwilling to perform certain tasks.
Adopting an animal of any species is not a decision to be
entered into lightly. Some of these horses are owner surrenders that could no
longer be cared for due to health or monetary issues with the owner
themselves. There is absolutely nothing
wrong with these animals. Some horses
were confiscated by law enforcement because they were not taken care of. There are some places where you can even
adopt a wild horse that was rounded up to control the wild population; however,
unless you are a VERY seasoned horse owner, this should not be your first
choice.
When you make the decision to adopt, there are several
places that you can start to look for adoptable horses. To begin your search
for the perfect addition, you can simply search Google for “horse sanctuary in
NC” or “adoptable horses in North Carolina”.
There are so many to choose from, all over the state. Most of these sanctuaries have pictures and
details about each horse and have contact information so that you can set up an
appointment to visit and check the horses out in person. If you think a horse could be a fit for you,
don’t be afraid to ask them about a “foster program” where you can take the
horse home for a trial basis to see if it’s going to work on a permanent basis.
If you need more assistance, contact your local Livestock
Agent. They may be able to put you in
touch with some of these rescue organizations or answer any other questions
that you have about horses and adopting.
