How to Foster a Horse

Horse rescues need foster homes to help rehabilitate, house and handle needy horses, donkeys and mules. Fostering is a wonderful way to help horses and learn more about handling, care and training.

Things You'll Need

  • Place to keep a horse
  • Horse-keeping supplies
  • Time
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Instructions

    • 1

      Locate a rescue near you. Ask your vet and other equine professionals for recommendations, look in the phone book, and look on the internet.

    • 2

      Once you've found a rescue, contact them and ask for a copy of their fostering policy, fostering application and fostering contract. Ask how they select foster homes and ask about their requirements for fostering.

    • 3

      Review the policy, application and contract and ask the rescue any questions.

    • 4

      Each rescue operates differently. Ask the rescue what expenses they reimburse, how they make reimbursements, and whether the expenses need to be pre-approved.

    • 5

      If you want to donate the cost of fostering (any fostering supplies you purchase), you need to foster for a 501c3 rescue. Ask the rescue for a copy of their IRS Determination letter, this grants the rescue 501c3 status.

    • 6

      Ask to talk to current foster homes. Ask them about their experience.

    • 7

      Decide what type of horses (or mules or donkeys) you can foster. Some people aren't comfortable with stallions or don't have facilities appropriate for them. Others are good at rehabilitating starved horses, and some people need easy to handle horses with no behavioral problems. Be honest about your skills, facilities and abilities so the rescue can send you appropriate horses.

    • 8

      Complete the application process.

    • 9

      Once you approved to foster, talk to the rescue about getting your first foster horse. Enjoy the experience!