Did you know that there are an estimated 120000 unwanted horses each year in the United States alone? Equine rescues have limited space to house horses in need. To commemorate ASPCA Help a Horse Day on April 26, learn how fostering a horse works and discover how you can make a difference for a horse in need.
How Does Fostering A Horse Work?
Abandoned, unwanted, and at-risk horses end up at rescues for many reasons. They may have medical issues that their original owner did not have the time or money to handle. Others may have behavioral issues that their owner could not manage. Sometimes horses lose their homes when their owners experience major life changes, such as losing their home or income.
Equine rescues often rely on a network of foster homes to provide shelter for horses in their care. While rescues may not have space for every horse, foster homes help them support many more animals. If you decide to foster, the rescue will often cover a majority of the horse’s expenses. In many cases,s medical care and farrier costs are paid for by the rescue organization. However, you may still be responsible for food and daily care costs.
Providing proper care may include maintaining access to fresh water, high-quality feed, and routine health support such as supplements or grooming products. Many horse owners rely on nutritional support from the PetMeds selection of horse supplements to help maintain overall health while a horse adjusts to a new environment.
Most rescues work to match foster horses with caregivers who have the right resources and experience level. For example:
- Experienced trainers may foster horses with behavioral challenges
- Less experienced caregivers may be paired with calm horses that are easier to handle
- Some foster horses may be rideable
- Others may be better suited as companion animals or pasture pets
A foster stay in your barn may last several months until the horse is adopted into a permanent home. Some horses may require longer placements if they need medical or training rehabilitation. In other cases, a pregnant mare may need a safe place to foal, or a retired senior horse may simply need a comfortable place to live out their later years.
Preparing Your Barn For A Foster Horse
Before bringing home a foster horse, rescues will want to ensure your property can safely accommodate the animal. Most rescues require a barn or run-in shed that provides protection from the elements. A barn with stalls is often ideal because it allows for temporary isolation during an initial quarantine period or while managing medical or behavioral concerns.
Foster horses may also need preventative health support to stay comfortable and protected. Many caregivers keep basic health supplies on hand, including products from the PetMeds collection of horse wormers to support parasite management.
You will also need the financial ability to care for an additional horse. Although medical and farrier costs are often covered by the rescue, you may still need to demonstrate that you can afford feed, bedding, and routine property maintenance.
How To Apply To Foster A Horse
Most horse rescues now provide an online application to begin the fostering process. The application helps the organization understand your experience level, available facilities, and resources.
During the approval process, rescues may ask for the following:
- A completed foster application
- A home or property visit
- Proof of income or financial stability
- Vaccination records for other animals on the property
- Photos of barns, shelters, and fencing
Many rescues also require foster homes to maintain routine preventative care. Products like those in the PetMeds horse flea and tick control category may be recommended in certain regions to help protect horses from insects and parasites.
Once approved, the rescue will work with you to match a horse that fits your experience level and facility setup.
Is Fostering A Horse Right For You?
When you provide shelter for a horse in need, you may help save their life while freeing up space at the rescue for another animal. Fostering can also be a rewarding way to build experience, develop handling skills, and enjoy the companionship of a horse without the full long-term commitment of ownership.
At the same time, fostering can be emotionally challenging. It may feel bittersweet when your foster horse moves on to their forever home. In some cases, rehabilitative fosters may struggle to recover from serious health issues. Horses rescued from neglect or abuse cases can also require patience and emotional resilience from their caregivers.
If fostering is not the right fit for you right now, there are still many ways to support your local horse rescue. Volunteering your time, donating supplies, or helping raise awareness can all make a meaningful difference.
However, if you love horses, have the resources to provide proper care, and want to help animals in need, becoming a foster caregiver could be one of the most rewarding ways to give back.
