The Adoption Topic
I want to take a moment and address the debatable topic that often stirs up quite a bit of emotion within the rescue world - Adoption. And before you read on .. I want to be VERY clear that I do NOT believe our way is the “right” way, nor do I believe that those organizations who do not adopt out are doing it “wrong”. I think it’s okay that we do it all a little differently as long as there is mutual respect amongst us all and the best interest of the horse is ALWAYS #1 priority.
In our experience, some people have made it very clear that they believe once a horse comes into rescue, they should remain there for life. Others, like us, believe that adoption—done carefully and responsibly—can be one of the greatest gifts we give to both the horse and the humans who welcome them.
The truth is, adoption is not about “getting rid of” a horse. It’s about opening a new chapter for them, one that is filled with the individual love, care, and attention that every horse deserves. While rescues provide safety, food, and medical care, most cannot offer the deep, one-on-one bond that comes when a horse finds their person. Horses are natural herd animals, and so when you take them out of their natural environment you then have to be willing to step in and fill the void humans have created - by becoming their herd and their person.
Why we believe Adoption Is So Important
It creates room for others in need. Every horse that finds a safe, vetted home opens a space for another who is waiting—sometimes in desperate circumstances—to come into care. Without adoption, our ability to help is limited.
Horses thrive in relationships. A rescue herd offers community, but a permanent home offers connection. Horses flourish when they find someone who learns their quirks, celebrates their progress, and loves them uniquely.
Thorough vetting protects them. We take adoption seriously. Homes are carefully screened to ensure they meet high standards of safety, knowledge, and commitment. It isn’t about finding just any home—it’s about finding the right home. And we have, on many occasions, rejected a potential home because we did not believe it was the right match for that particular horse. We are very unapologetic about how thorough our vetting process is and we firmly believe those who respect and honour the horses will respect and honour our process.
Our doors are always open. We never adopt a horse out without a lifetime guarantee of return. If circumstances change, the horse always has a safe place to come back to.
It’s a win for horses and humans alike. Horses bring healing, joy, and connection to people in profound ways. Adoption creates these life-changing bonds that go far beyond the barn.
Acknowledging the Concerns
Of course, there are valid worries that are always taken into consideration when adopting. And I want to be clear that not every horse who comes in to care goes up for adoption - we have many permanent residents who remain with us for their lifetime due to their health conditions, maintenance requirements, age, and level of bonding to our core sanctuary herd. If a horse chooses this to be their home, we absolutely honour that every single time. Some of the considerations we take into account when adopting a horse include questions such as “Will the horse truly be cared for in their new home?” “Will they be safe in the long run?” “Is this home in the best interest of that individual horse?” These questions matter, and that’s why rescue organizations must remain diligent and uncompromising in their screening process, contracts, and follow-ups.
Adoption comes with risks—but so does keeping every horse indefinitely.
The Heart of It All
Ultimately for us, adoption is about giving horses the chance to belong. To not just survive, but to be cherished. By placing horses in loving, responsible homes, we honor them as individuals while also fulfilling our mission to help as many as possible.
Every adoption represents not an ending, but a beginning—a horse meeting the person they were meant for, and another horse gaining a chance at rescue because of it. That’s the beauty of adoption, and that’s why we stand proudly in support of it when the right care and procedures are put in to place.
