DISCLAIMER: These posts contain hints, tips and ideas from folks that have had some experiences dealing with this. It is NOT meant to be legal advice here - just related experiences. Please consult with a reputable professional if necessary. Date: Tue, 05 Jan 1999 12:31:05 -0700 To: equinerescue@MyList.net From: Pat Calloway Subject: EQ-ResQ: Free Horse FAQ Brainstorming session.... I'd like to have something available to send to folks who are giving horses away on what to look for in a new home. It would also be available on the Equine Rescue Mailing List Home Page in the archives/files for others to use as well. Here's what I'm thinking.... please feel free to add/comment. I do realize that not everyone looking for a free horse is a "baddie" (and helped place a free horse last year) but there are enough "baddies" out there, that I think it's something that needs to be addressed. Here's the start of the FAQ: If you are planning on giving a horse away or for very little money, please be aware that there are some unscrupulous people that will *lie* to you in order to get the horse and then possibly sell the horse to slaughter. There are also people who have good intentions, but wind up way over their heads because of lack of horse experience or money. What can you do to try to screen out these people? First, talk to them on the phone - get a good "gut feeling" for the type of person that they are. Sometimes just chatting about "stuff" can bring out information or sometimes what they tell you won't jibe with what they told you earlier. Take notes. Consider charging a small amount/donation for the horse. Perhaps have them write out a check to a local equine/animal rescue instead of to yourself if you don't feel that you should accept money for an old friend. Check references. Talk to their vet, blacksmith, person where they've boarded past horses, etc. Double check by using the reverse directory and be sure that these are actually professionals and not just friends/family pretending to be professionals. Get more than one reference and CHECK THEM! Try to meet the whole family and be sure that they are as good a match as the person who may be a match for the horse. Is the spouse/significant other NOT supportive of the other's horse habit? That's a big red flag. How do the kids behave? Sometimes unscrupulous persons will borrow kids or train their own in order to make the "sale" on getting animals. Does the person have a realistic idea about what it will cost to "support" a horse each month and do you think they'll be able to do it. A big red flag to me is someone who wants a free/low cost horse and then can't afford to transport it a short distance - if a small (say $100-200) hauling fee is out of reach on a free horse, do you believe that person has $100-200/month for food, vet, etc? How much horse experience does s/he have? Is the horse to be boarded or stay at their home? Do they have the support of experienced horse person(s)? Can you make yourself available in case of problems/questions? Follow up with the person who get the horse. Drive by or have a friend in the area drive by and see how the horse looks physically. Consider making an unexpected drop in visit. Keep in regular touch via email and phone for at least the first 6 months or so, then still do it on a regular basis, but less frequently. Do it in a friendly way, but do it! Consider a contract that requires them to notify you in advance of any sale of the horse. Be sure it allows you enough time to act. Consider *leasing* rather than giving the horse away. That way you retain ownership and have some rights if you consider the horse to be mistreated. Be sure everything is spelled out and you and the leasee review the points of the contract. See an attorney. That's a start ... Pat Calloway, Equine Rescue/Creatures Listowner epona@concentric.net (AZ) http://pages.prodigy.com/equinerescue/home.htm http://pages.prodigy.com/equinerescue/creature.htm ============================================================ From: "Dana" To: Subject: EQ-ResQ: re: FREE HORSE FAQ Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 14:55:29 -0000 Just to add some things...................... How big is the pasture/paddock/turnout area? What type of fencing? What type of hay will be given to the horse? How much at a feeding? Any grain given? What kind and how much at a feeding? Are they aware that horses should be checked and trimmed with the farrier at least every 8-10 weeks? (I've found that some people who want a cheap horse don't even know what a farrier is) I think that asking them these questions will help you get a better idea of how knowledgable a person is about caring for a horse. Some people think that hay is just hay, that their hooves wear down by themselves, have never heard of worming a horse, didn't know that teeth need to be floated, etc........ Dana, D.J. and Jake ============================================================ From: "Dana" To: Subject: EQ-ResQ: re: FREE HORSE FAQ Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 14:59:29 -0000 Forgot to add.................. Look at their other pets.........Are they healthy? Well taken care of? How do their children act around the pets? (You can tell alot by animals, i.e. does the dog run from the 15 year old kid? Does the dog shake when the kids are near? Does he bow his head as if beaten at some point?) I know that some dogs do this even when they aren't abused, but I think if your placing a free horse, you have a good sense of other animals as well. Dana, D.J. and Jake ============================================================ From: BLRYSTROM@aol.com Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 21:40:45 EST To: equinerescue@MyList.net, epona@concentric.net Subject: Re: EQ-ResQ: Free Horse FAQ In a message dated 1/5/99 1:31:41 PM Central Standard Time, epona@concentric.net writes: << That's a start ... >> I would also check their boarding/shelter situation prior to placing the animal. It's really easy to say the animal will be in a certain situation...only to find out that it's completely different. Also, if it's a lease, make sure that the barn owner realizes that he cannot place a lien on the animal in case of nonpayment. dawn ============================================================ From: "Hricak, Georgina (MLAMG)" To: "'equinerescue@mylist.net'" Subject: EQ-ResQ: Free horse FAQ Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 09:05:24 -0500 Pat wrote: >Brainstorming session.... I'd like to have something available to send to folks who are giving horses away on what to look for in a new home. It would also be available on the Equine Rescue Mailing List Home Page in the archives/files for others to use as well. Here's what I'm thinking.... please feel free to add/comment. I do realize that not everyone looking for a free horse is a "baddie" (and helped place a free horse last year) but there are enough "baddies" out there, that I think it's something that needs to be addressed. > This is a great idea. The suggestions posted can also be used as the foundation for a checklist for those of us who volunteered to do pre-adoption inspections as listed on Sharon's page at http://www.expage.com/page/sharonm. Maybe we can come up with a standard checklist for all. Georgina ============================================================ To: equinerescue@MyList.net, danam@tznet.com Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 09:19:28 -0500 Subject: Re: EQ-ResQ: re: FREE HORSE FAQ From: jaci_ackerman@juno.com (Jacalyn D Ackerman) The NCERL has a questionnaire we require potential to complete. That way we know how much they know, and it's a "head up" for us if someone needs a little more education than they thought they did. It follows: Date: Name: Address: County: Home phone #: Business phone #: Employer: Employer Phone #: 1. Do you rent, own, live with parents? If renting, please attach a copy of lease. Landlord's name: Phone #: 2. Will the horse be kept on your property?: If YES, number of acres the horse will be pastured on: Total number of horses on this property: Describe the breed and sex of the horses there: Describe the area and shelter to be provided. Please attach photographs: Size of shelter: Size of barn: Size of stall: Type of fencing: Is the property where the horse will be kept the same as the address above?: If no, give address: If NO, we need the following information: Name of boarding stable: Name of owner: Address: Phone #: Name of trainer: Will there be other horses? 3. Do you own a horse now? How many? Description: If you have owned horses previously, please explain what happened to them: Have you sold any horses in the past 5 years? If YES, why were they sold? 4. Please list name and phone # of your current veterinarian or veterinarian you plan to use for equine care: Please list name and phone # of your current farrier or farrier you plan to use for equine care: Please list two additional references who are familiar with your care of and experience with horses: Name: Phone #: Name: Phone #: 5. Describe your level of expertise in the following area: Riding: Handling: Training: Working with young or unbroken horses: 6. Who will be responsible for the horses: Feeding: Age: Experience Level: Training: Age: Experience Level: General care: Age: Experience Level: 7. Who will care for the horse when you go out of town? 8.How much do you anticipate spending yearly for: Feed: Farrier: Veterinary care: Board: How often do you feel a horse should be de-wormed? How often should they receive farrier care? How often should they have their teeth floated? What type of vaccinations should a horse receive? 9. Please tell us why you would like to adopt a horse: 10. If you move in the future what do you plan to do with the horse? 11. What specific type of horse are you interested in?: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ ____ Age: ______________________ Breed preference: ____________________________________________ size: ____________________________________ Sex:____________________________________ ______ Training level: _________________________________________________________________________ ___ 12. What is the intended use of the horse?: _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _______________ Will you be riding him English or Western?:______________________________________________________ Will he be used as a show horse?: ____________________ How often?: ______________________________ Will he be used as a school horse?:______________________________________________________________ If yes, how many hours a week will he be working?_________________________________________________ How many people will be riding him? _________________________________________________________ Approximate height and weight of rider(s): _______________________________________________________ 13. Do you have access to a riding ring or arena?: _____________________________________________________ 14. If the horse is untrained, where will you be training him?: _____________________________________________ 15. How many hours are you planning to ride/train him per week?: ________________________________________ 16. Have you ever been issued a warning/citation, or been convicted for humane violations? If so, please explain: 17. Please indicate when it would be convenient for us to do a property/barn check: 18. I/WE CERTIFY THAT ALL OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AND TRUE. Signature: Date: Signature: Date: Jaci Ackerman, NC Equine Rescue League (members.aol.com/ncerl) Help NCERL earn money - visit www.igive.com and select NCERL as your charity. It's free! ============================================================ To: equinerescue@MyList.net, danam@tznet.com Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 09:19:28 -0500 Subject: Re: EQ-ResQ: re: FREE HORSE FAQ From: jaci_ackerman@juno.com (Jacalyn D Ackerman) The NCERL has a questionnaire we require potential to complete. That way we know how much they know, and it's a "head up" for us if someone needs a little more education than they thought they did. It follows: Date: Name: Address: County: Home phone #: Business phone #: Employer: Employer Phone #: 1. Do you rent, own, live with parents? If renting, please attach a copy of lease. Landlord's name: Phone #: 2. Will the horse be kept on your property?: If YES, number of acres the horse will be pastured on: Total number of horses on this property: Describe the breed and sex of the horses there: Describe the area and shelter to be provided. Please attach photographs: Size of shelter: Size of barn: Size of stall: Type of fencing: Is the property where the horse will be kept the same as the address above?: If no, give address: If NO, we need the following information: Name of boarding stable: Name of owner: Address: Phone #: Name of trainer: Will there be other horses? 3. Do you own a horse now? How many? Description: If you have owned horses previously, please explain what happened to them: Have you sold any horses in the past 5 years? If YES, why were they sold? 4. Please list name and phone # of your current veterinarian or veterinarian you plan to use for equine care: Please list name and phone # of your current farrier or farrier you plan to use for equine care: Please list two additional references who are familiar with your care of and experience with horses: Name: Phone #: Name: Phone #: 5. Describe your level of expertise in the following area: Riding: Handling: Training: Working with young or unbroken horses: 6. Who will be responsible for the horses: Feeding: Age: Experience Level: Training: Age: Experience Level: General care: Age: Experience Level: 7. Who will care for the horse when you go out of town? 8.How much do you anticipate spending yearly for: Feed: Farrier: Veterinary care: Board: How often do you feel a horse should be de-wormed? How often should they receive farrier care? How often should they have their teeth floated? What type of vaccinations should a horse receive? 9. Please tell us why you would like to adopt a horse: 10. If you move in the future what do you plan to do with the horse? 11. What specific type of horse are you interested in?: ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ ____ Age: ______________________ Breed preference: ____________________________________________ size: ____________________________________ Sex:____________________________________ ______ Training level: _________________________________________________________________________ ___ 12. What is the intended use of the horse?: _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _______________ Will you be riding him English or Western?:______________________________________________________ Will he be used as a show horse?: ____________________ How often?: ______________________________ Will he be used as a school horse?:______________________________________________________________ If yes, how many hours a week will he be working?_________________________________________________ How many people will be riding him? _________________________________________________________ Approximate height and weight of rider(s): _______________________________________________________ 13. Do you have access to a riding ring or arena?: _____________________________________________________ 14. If the horse is untrained, where will you be training him?: _____________________________________________ 15. How many hours are you planning to ride/train him per week?: ________________________________________ 16. Have you ever been issued a warning/citation, or been convicted for humane violations? If so, please explain: 17. Please indicate when it would be convenient for us to do a property/barn check: 18. I/WE CERTIFY THAT ALL OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AND TRUE. Signature: Date: Signature: Date: Jaci Ackerman, NC Equine Rescue League (members.aol.com/ncerl) Help NCERL earn money - visit www.igive.com and select NCERL as your charity. It's free! ============================================================