Fostering
We Love Our Foster Farms!
If you have the space and time to dedicate to a rescue horse, but cannot commit a lifetime to the horse, this may be an option for you. Fostering a horse in need gives them time to rehabilitate and if needed, get healthy. Fostering helps the horse become adoptable in the future, especially if you have the skills to improve its socialization, training, and health. By becoming a foster home, you create more space at the rescue so we can help more horses find their forever homes. If you are interested in fostering one of these beautiful animals, please take time to schedule a personal visit to Autumn Ridge by contacting us. To view our current horses available for fostering, please take a look at our available horses.
TESTIMONIAL
“My husband and I have been Fostering horses for CDHR since 2015. It's not a job for the faint of heart, definitely a roller coaster ride of emotions for sure. The day they leave for their forever home is always a mix of happy and sad tears, but we will keep on doing it. We feel it's a way to not only help the rescue financially, but more importantly, it opens up a space for the rescue to save another life. It also gives a horse more one on one time to help them become more adaptable. We provide, shelter, feed, training, and most importantly love. Our horse Magic is a fantastic Foster Brother, and helps settle them into our routine. The Fosters become a part of our family, and we are like proud parents watching them blossom and find their own forever home.”
~Brenda and Douglas Vynalek (Magic too! )
Foster Parents, CDHR Volunteers
Our Process
Our foster process is basically the same as our adoption process, as we consider a foster a temporary adoption until a permanent adopter is found. We try to place the horse with a foster similar to what we would look for in an adopter, or an experienced foster that is able to provide training, socialization, or other skills that will improve the horse's prospects for permanent adoption.
The foster is responsible for the costs of care and maintenance. However, expenses incurred on behalf of the foster are considered a donation for the cost of care of the rescue horse, and they are tax deductible (to the limit permitted by law).
Prior to fostering, the horse will be current with vaccines, dental care, hoof care, and worming.
The foster must also be available for adoption visits, photo sessions, and wellness checks, and also provide regular photos and updates.
FAQs
Why Do Horses Need Fostering?
There are several reasons why horses need a foster home:
•A horse may need to recover its health or gain weight.
•A mare may need to foal. A foal may need time to grow up.
•Many of our horses would benefit from one-on-one work in a foster home.
•Horses that cannot be ridden due to age or other conditions may need a place to stay while we search for the right home.
•Fostering a CDHR horse frees up space at the rescue so we can rescue more draft horses!
How Long Do Horses Stay in Foster Homes?
It depends on the needs of the horse and the capabilities of the foster home. It can vary from a few months to a year or more. We ask foster homes to commit to a minimum of three months. However, if a horse does not work out for any reason, CDHR will bring it back to Autumn Ridge as soon as possible.
How Can I Become a Foster Home?
The process begins by completing a foster home application. Someone from CDHR will then meet with you for a site visit and to discuss which horse best matches your facility and skills. Foster homes must have adequate shelter and fencing (no barbed wire).
What If I Have Questions or Need Help?
You will be given all the information about the horse prior to placement. You will also be given contact information of key CDHR volunteers who can answer questions and help with emergency situations.